North Shore - Salem, MA Area Guide

The neighborhood of Outer North Shore, known historically for shipbuilding, has produced nearly 4,000 wooden vessels over the past 300 years. Some of the most renowned ships were built within the town of Essex.

Forested land, wetlands and untouched earth make up a majority of Essex nowadays. Discover its rich history at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum on Main Street. The exhibits include several buildings such as the Schoolhouse, the Shipyard, the Waterline Center and more.

Essex often holds historical walking tours right outside the Outer North Shore neighborhood. The tour starts on Main Street and circles several other streets within the area. A few other options for events and activities nearby include bird watching, cooking classes, and lighthouse tours.

Just south of the neighborhood and closer to Essex's town center, you'll find a small array of restaurants and pubs. Because the Outer North Shore area sits so close to the shore, you'll find fresh seafood at nearly any restaurant in the area.

The wonderful fresh seafood options and views of water and marsh areas make J.T. Farnhams a favorite for locals. The laid-back rustic atmosphere and small-town appeal give this restaurant its uniqueness. Order the Fisherman's Combo or choose a smaller meal such as the sea scallops. Beer and wine are available, but must be enjoyed inside rather than outside at one of the picnic tables.

The Blue Marlin Grille located on Route 133 also provides the neighborhood with fresh seafood right off the boat. The huge picture windows and relaxing dining room with its nautical theme add to the restaurant's charm. Kids eat free every Monday and Tuesday, while Monday through Friday offer happy hours with half-off appetizers. This award-winning restaurant serves fried or baked seafood, as well as an array of salad options with your choice of seafood toppings. For a real taste of East Coast seafood, try the fried seafood plate with Essex clams, shrimp, and haddock.

While dance clubs and lounges exist mostly outside of the North Shore community and closer to Boston, most Outer North Shore restaurants have a bar in them and some of them feature live musical performances in the evenings. To gather with friends, head outside of the neighborhood or grab a drink at one of the local restaurants.

Travel is easy throughout the Outer North Shore area when you own a small, personal watercraft. Many of the people living in the community travel by private vehicle, walking or boat. Soginese Road and Spring Street provide the neighborhood with a way to get to the center of town, as well as letting you jump onto MA-128 to get to Boston via Interstates 93 and 95.

Because the Outer North Shore don't have public transportation or cabs, Uber provides rides to and from Boston.

The parks available in the neighborhood serve locals with acres of untouched land. The entire county of Essex is filled with hiking trails, bird watching spots, kayaking, and more through Greenbelt Reservation. Paddle down tranquil rivers, or find trails through the forested areas. All of the local parks allow dogs as long as they’re leashed, and many kid-friendly areas exist as well.

The Essex Marina not only provides the neighborhood with docks for their boats and personal watercraft, but it also serves as an area where people can gather for a picnic or simply relax outdoors. The marina’s shop also provides residents with anything they might need for their watercraft. The free parking and docking services help make this place a local hot spot.

The cost of living in the Outer North Shore neighborhood remains lower than that of Boston and many other surrounding communities. Although residential homes make up most of the community, the average rate for one-bedroom rentals stays steady at around $1,288, while Boston’s median sits closer to $2,000 per month.

The average gasoline rate remains close to 1 percent over that of the national average, while a pint of beer costs about $4. To take Uber to Boston, expect to pay about $72 for an UberX ride, or about $222 if you decide to take the UberSUV that holds several people.

Shopping in Essex presents many opportunities to find one-of-a-kind pieces for the home. Many antique shops provide the community with unique shopping experiences.For grocery shopping, check out the Village Market in the heart of the town, or head to Marlin Market on Eastern Avenue for fresh seafood options.

Locals head to the White Elephant Shop, one of the most loved antique stores in the area, when they want collectibles or home decor items at fair prices. The stuffed antique shop has much more than one could ever imagine, including musical instruments, furniture, tools, decor, paintings, and more.

Another locally-admired shop, Andrew Spindler Antiques and Design, provides all the best for your home, from furniture to paintings. Slightly higher in price than the White Elephant Shop, Andrew Spindler Antiques and Design provides upscale pieces for the typical waterfront property.