Essex
Essex Massachusetts
Welcome to Essex, MA!
Located on the beautiful North Shore of Massachusetts, Essex is a charming town with a rich history and plenty of natural beauty to explore. Whether you’re a history buff, an outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for a quiet, picturesque place to call home, Essex has something to offer everyone.
Attractions
Essex is best known for its historic shipbuilding and fishing industries, and visitors can learn more about the town’s maritime heritage at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum. Other popular attractions in Essex include the antique shops and art galleries along Main Street, the weekly farmers market, and the annual Essex Clamfest, which celebrates the town’s famous soft-shell clams.
5 Things to do While in Essex
Cox Reservation: This beautiful nature reserve covers over 200 acres of forests, meadows, and wetlands. It offers a variety of hiking trails and is home to a historic barn and farmhouse.
Castle Hill on the Crane Estate: This stunning estate offers a variety of attractions, including a beach, gardens, and a castle-like mansion. Visitors can take guided tours, attend special events, or simply enjoy the beautiful grounds.
Essex Shipbuilding Museum: Learn about the history of shipbuilding in Essex at this fascinating museum. See authentic tools, boats, and other artifacts, and discover the stories of the people who built and sailed them.
Antique Shops: Essex is known for its many antique shops, which offer a wide variety of treasures, from furniture and artwork to vintage clothing and jewelry. Spend a day browsing the shops and finding unique souvenirs and gifts.
Clamming and Fishing: Essex is home to some of the best clamming and fishing in the region. Head to the town’s many beaches and tidal flats to try your hand at catching clams, oysters, and other shellfish. You can also fish for striped bass, bluefish, and other species in the town’s rivers and coastal waters.
Location
Essex is located just 22 miles north of Boston, making it a convenient option for commuters who work in the city but prefer to live in a quieter, more rural setting.
The town is bordered by the Ipswich River and is just a short drive from both Crane Beach and the Essex Bay Wildlife Refuge, providing ample opportunities for hiking, boating, and wildlife watching.
Homes in Essex range from historic Colonial-era houses to modern new construction homes. The town’s rural setting and historic charm make it a popular destination for those looking for a quiet, small-town lifestyle with easy access to Boston and other nearby cities.
Home prices in Essex vary depending on size, age, and location, but there are options for a range of budgets and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Essex is served by the Manchester Essex Regional School District, which includes a highly-regarded elementary school, middle school, and high school.
As of the 2020 census, the population of Essex was 3,992.
The zip code for Essex is 01929.
Essex is primarily a driving community, with easy access to Route 128 and I-95. The nearest commuter rail station is located in nearby Ipswich, providing easy access to Boston and other destinations via the MBTA commuter rail system.
Essex is a small town with a variety of neighborhoods and housing options. Some of the most popular neighborhoods in Essex include the historic village center, which features many historic homes and businesses, as well as the neighborhoods along the Ipswich River and near the town's many parks and open spaces.
Realtor in Essex
Joe Luciano
REALTOR®
