The North Shore and Cape Ann

milnech
Jul 26, 2024
2 min read

I have always been drawn to Boston's North Shore and to Cape Ann. It left a lasting impression on me since my arrival to the United States in 2000.

From those very early days, friends introduced me to the New England summers with weekend trips to Cranes Beach. If you have one beach to visit in Massachusetts it is this beach. There is no other beach like it; it is only 50 minutes from Boston, offers several miles of beach to explore, white white sand and even exposes an old shipwreck when the tide goes out. It has been my number one beach for the past 24 years.

Cranes Beach, Essex

Cranes Beach is situated at the end of Agrila Road, in the beautiful grounds of Crane Estate on Castle Hill. The estates elevated positions provides sweeping views over Cape Ann, and offers many unique trails and picnic locations throughout its many gardens.

Views over the salt marshes from Crane Estate

Crane Estate lawn with Hannah and Laken, 2023

And we do love to explore these grounds through out the seasons, at high and low tide!

Fox Creek at high tide along the Dunes trail, Crane Estate, 2022

The Grotto at Crane Estate, 2024

I was also introduced to Conomo Point in those early days. This tiny isolated community is known to few Bostonians and is just south of Essex at the end of Lufkin Street. My very first kayaking tour (a birthday gift) launched from Conomo Point and took us out along the meandering rivers through the Essex salt marshes. This was a truly impactful trip. There is nothing quite like paddling these peaceful waters.

Since that first venture I have continued to explore the waterways and considered buying property in the area.

Kayaking off Conomo Point

Paddling along Jones River

Rams Island, Jones River

Jones River

I also circumnavigated Cape Ann in 2013, which took us from the Annisquam River out onto the open ocean to Thacher Isalnd, where we slept under the stars for the night before heading to Gloucester and back to the Annisquam River.

Circumnavigating Cape Ann, 2013

We also discover Coolidge Reserve just south of Gloucester as you head towards Manchester by the Sea, in the small seaside community of Magnolia. It offers an expansive lawn with memorable views of the Massachusetts Bay and North Shore.

Coolidge Reserve

And last but not least, I can't write a blog about Cape Ann without mentioning Woodmans. This iconic Essex seafood restaurant is mentioned in many travel guides. And it does not disappoint! It is hard to resist when we are visiting Crane Estate and Cranes Beach. Personally I go for their fried scallop plate with onion rings !