Essex, MA

[im4smiley]

Hi everyone, two of my sisters and sometimes my mother have a girls weekend every year in october. :) This year my sister picked and we are headed to Essex. They are not bike riders (I tried to get them to do a bike weekend) but if anyone knows a good place to stay and if there is a good place for some pampering, like massages or facials etc., restaurant please let me know. Thanks We are doing a river cruise.

[Denise223]

Hi im4smiley :)

When anyone mentions "Essex, MA", my thoughts immediately go to "WOODMAN'S seafood restaurant" :D !

http://www.woodmans.com/restaurant/restaurant.html

I haven't stayed overnight out that way for many years, but here's a few links that might be helpful with regard to lodging, and other fun things to do :)

http://www.visit-massachusetts.com/northofbostoncapeann.html

http://essexma.com/

http://www.essexmass.com/

Crane's Beach (walking, sand dunes, etc...) isn't far away & is beautiful.

http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/294_crane_beach.cfm?redirect=yes

I can see you're from MA and can just google this stuff for yourself, but I picked things that I'd choose if we were looking for restaurants, hotels & fun things to do during a weekend.

It's really so nice to hear that you, your two sisters & your mom (sometimes), get together every year for a girl's weekend :D . October is such a wonderful time in New England, (as you know....)

Have a wonderful evening!

Denise

[eofelis]

This thread caught my eye. My hometown is Ipswich, right next door to Essex. (I now live in Colorado.) My mom, sister and her family still live in Ipswich. i haven't been back that way to visit in several years.

One place I can think of that you might want to go is the Riverview Pizza in Ipswich. It's has my all-time favorite pizza! It's in downtown Ipswich.

[im4smiley]

Thanks for the info I will check it all out. I did googled the area, Denise, but you know when you google it is just a name on the internet, if you can find someone who's been and get 1st hand info that is so much better! I thought I would check with everyone here get their opinions. :)

[CycleChic06]

This thread is so random, I was JUST up there today. I was going to start my ride in Essex and ride up to Newbury and down Plum Island. Needless to say nothing went as planned, I got chased by a crazy man on a bike and I didn't even get my fried clams at Woodmans...:(

But if you are interested in doing something kinda active, check out ERBA, it's right across the street from Woodman's. You can rent kayaks and paddle to Crane's Beach. It's an easy trip and the beach is beautiful. I think they even have sunset paddling trips that are supposed to be really nice.

Also if you are into shopping, you can drive up to Newburyport, they have a cute town center with shops and all. And the Peabody-Essex museum is supposed to be amazing, though I've never been there myself, I've heard nothing but good things.

Have a great trip!