Visit Dexter's family's clam shack!

IT BEGAN BACK IN 1914 when “Chubby” and Bessie Woodman opened their roadside clam shack on the causeway in Essex, MA. At that time, the TV hadn’t been invented, the average yearly salary was $750, and a gallon of milk cost 32 cents. WWI was just beginning, Babe Ruth was a rookie for the Red Sox, the fried clam hadn’t been created, and it took all day on a beach to cook a New England clambake.

IN 1916 CHUBBY INVENTED THE FRIED CLAM and presented his new creation—clams coated with corn flour and deep fried in a kettle of lard—during the 4th of July parade in Essex, MA.

Dexter is proud to be a part of the 5th Generation of this legendary establishment!

Amazing local cafe serving coffee, sandwiches, and delicious pastries.

mayflour is a small batch bakery, and a value based business. we operate with intention, a commitment to our community, and passion for sustainability. we believe that purpose should go hand in hand with profit, and invest in partnerships that enable us to offer thoughtfully produced products from farm to finish. we also believe in the power of the consumer and hope that we can do some good, together.

Blue Marlin Grille Essex is a local favorite featuring some of the best seafood on Boston’s North Shore!

Boat House Grille Essex features delicious seafood, prime cut steaks, raw bar, pasta, salads & more!

Life is short and sweet. Take time to indulge.

At Sandpiper, we are passionate about what we do and believe that the highest quality food and service does not need to feel formal or unattainable, rather approachable and welcoming. We are seasonally influenced and believe in supporting local farmers, practicing sustainability, eating with our eyes and nourishing our community. We take a collaborative approach and believe in working hard. Sandpiper is a gathering place for neighbors, families, friends and all.

Sandpiper is a female owned business.

Located in historic downtown Ipswich, MA, the Choate Bridge Pub offers delicious food in a comfortable, friendly environment.

Built in 1764, the Choate Bridge is the oldest stone-arched bridge in America. Although during its construction many were skeptical that the arched structure would collapse after its supporting timbers were removed, the Choate Bridge is still standing strong over 250 years later.

Note: The Choate Bridge Pub is CASH ONLY.

Lively veteran pizzeria & bar turning out thin-crust pies in a '70s-era booth setting.

Situated in a vintage 1954 dining car, The Agawam Diner has been serving locals hearty American comfort favorites from morning till night since 1940.

Casual restaurant featuring comfort food and live music, plus outdoor seating with water views. Tables are a first come, first served. No reservations!

No dogs allowed on property.

A cozy neighborhood spot spinning vinyl and serving up good food, cold beer, and craft cocktails.

Classic American diner fare served in huge portions at this early-to-open daytime eatery with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Full bar. 7 Days a week.

Seasonal mainstay showcasing local seafood with inventive dishes such as lobster bouillabaisse.

A family favorite! Upscale yet comfy restaurant serving creative Greek-Mediterranean fare, plus a full bar.

Located in historic Essex, Massachusetts, Essex River Cruises & Charters has been operating narrated sightseeing cruises, private charters, tidal beach clambakes, and more for over 20 years. Share the opportunity to escape to the unspoiled natural beauty of the Essex River onboard the Essex River Queen I and the Essex River Queen II. Surrounded by fine restaurants, antique shops, working museums, and cultural attractions, you'll cruise through spectacular views of scenic salt marshes with rich unique wildlife. Cruise with us to learn about the history and lore of the area.

Soak up the seaside fun at one of the Northeast's most spectacular beaches, and follow trails and boardwalks through a spellbinding landscape of sand dunes and salt marsh.

The spectacular Crane Estate encompasses more than 2,100 acres in Ipswich, Massachusetts and is a property of The Trustees, a nonprofit conservation organization. The Estate is made up of three properties: Castle Hill, a National Historic Landmark that is the home of The Great House, a 59-room Stuart-style mansion designed by architect David Adler. Crane Beach, a pristine 4 mile long beach; and the Crane Wildlife Refuge, a natural treasure boasting many rare plant and animal species.

Canoeing and kayaking has fast become one of Americas favorite pastimes. Inexpensive and easy to learn, it’s the sport of choice for people of all ages! Once you try it, you’ll agree that there is not a better way to exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and have fun with family and friends.

Our stretch of the river runs through a National Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, scenic wetlands, and Bradley Palmer State Park and Willowdale State Forest! Much of the river is accessible only by canoe, and our some of our regulars include birders, botanists and fisherman.

Explore forests, meadows, wetlands, drumlin, and esker and travel down the namesake river, which meanders through the sanctuary, by canoe.

Picture yourself relaxing on the deck of this beautiful 65- foot schooner as she sails out of Gloucester harbor on a light southwesterly breeze.

Join for a sail and get a taste for what it was like to sail on a fishing schooner a hundred years ago. Help the crew raise the sails, or just sit back and take in the sights and sounds of Gloucester’s coastline.

Our whale watching tours to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary run daily from mid-April to mid-October and are designed to educate, inspire and provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of the fragile marine environment.

7 Seas Whale Watch is a local family business – Three generations of career captains have worked from this very dock for more than 7 decades. We have a love and respect for the marine environment and a passion for providing the best possible customer experience for you and your family.

This beautiful promenade overlooking Gloucester Harbor is the home of the famous Fisherman’s Monument and Cenotaph, listing all of the Gloucester fishermen who have lost their lives to the sea throughout the City’s history as the oldest seaport in the United States. On the westerly side of New England’s busiest drawbridge is the Fishermens’ Wives Memorial Statue dedicated to all women and children who wait on the shore for Gloucester’s boats to come home from sea. Several benches located all along Stacy Boulevard welcome people who want to sit and enjoy the view. In the spring, several thousand tulips bring color and delight to all who visit.

This Park is the historic site of Gloucester’s first settlers in 1623. They set up fishing stages on this land. The Park is home to Half Moon and Cressy’s beaches, with access to a sand volleyball court, a beautiful new playground, a baseball field, a basketball court, and tennis courts. There are plenty of picnic tables and cooking areas (bring your own grill), a privately owned restaurant that is open to the public, an information center and bathrooms.

Bearskin Neck is a small neck of land that juts out of the town center into Rockport Harbor, and which according to legend was home to bears during colonial times. Rockport’s fishing and granite industries made it a busy commercial dock area. Today, the jetty at its tip offers a fine view of the bay and the town of Rockport. What really makes Bearskin Neck so popular, however, are the quaint little studios, shops, and restaurants that line the narrow streets of this bustling artist colony. On one side of the Neck is a famous old red fish house known as Motif #1, said to be America’s most-painted building.