Welcome to Lawn Squad® of Essex, MA

Essex, Massachusetts, is one of the most charming and distinctive small towns on the entire North Shore — a place where centuries of shipbuilding history, extraordinary natural beauty, and some of the finest seafood in New England converge along the tidal banks of the Essex River. The crown jewel for history lovers is the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum at 28 Main Street, a fantastic interactive museum that brings to life Essex’s remarkable legacy as one of the most prolific wooden shipbuilding towns in American history. With hands-on exhibits, beautifully preserved vessels, and outdoor shipyard grounds worth exploring on their own, it is an absolute must-visit — and it sits steps from galleries and antique shops that make Main Street one of the most rewarding strolls on the Cape Ann coastline. Essex has long been famous for its antiques trade, and the stretch of Route 133 through town is dotted with dealers offering everything from maritime artifacts to fine furniture, drawing collectors and browsers from across the region.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Essex offers some wonderfully varied natural terrain. The Stavros Reservation off Island Road is a short but spectacular hike to a hilltop viewpoint that opens up a sweeping panorama of the Great Marsh, the Essex River estuary, Hog Island, the back side of Crane Beach, and Ipswich Bay beyond — one of the finest coastal views you can reach on foot anywhere on the North Shore, and particularly breathtaking at sunrise or sunset. The Allyn Cox Reservation off Eastern Avenue offers a quieter, flat walk through coastal meadows and woodland out to the Essex River, perfect for birdwatching and peaceful morning strolls. For more substantial hiking, the Millstone Hill Conservation Area to the south provides miles of varied trails through rocky terrain, swamp, and woodland with summit views worth the climb.

Essex’s dining scene is built around one thing above all others: extraordinarily fresh seafood, and the town delivers on that promise beautifully. The Boat House Grille on John Wise Avenue is a beloved local institution earning consistent praise for its seafood bake combo loaded with shrimp, scallops, and haddock, its clam chowder brimming with clams, and its warm, lively atmosphere with a solid tap list — a full-family favorite that draws regulars from across Essex County. Right in the heart of Main Street, the Shipyard Tavern at 74 Main Street is a handsomely renovated waterfront spot with views of the Essex River, a generous lobster roll packed with fresh meat, excellent steak tips, and creative cocktails in a beautifully lit interior that feels both local and special. And for those who want to browse antiques, visit the museum, and linger over a meal all in the same afternoon, Essex rewards that kind of slow, unhurried visit better than almost any other town on the North Shore — it is a place that feels genuinely, deeply itself.