If you have been driving on the north shore in the past couple of months, you may have noticed a series of new signs that line the roadways. These brown and white markers cropped up seemingly over night, peeking from behind trees and buildings every couple of miles on the way from Lynn to Salisbury. 175 such signs mark the 90-mile route of the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway, a series of highways and municipal roads that were designated by the state a decade ago.
According to the Essex National Heritage Commission’s website, the signs were put in place “ as a key component of a tourism-based economic development initiative” that aims to stimulate visitation to fourteen coastal communities situated along the byway. By placing signs along interstate routes like 128 and I-95, the commission hopes to spark curiosity in passing drivers and have them take the next exit to see where they lead. The signs might catch their eye, but the culture and charm of the communities keeps them exploring.
The towns transected by the byway are, from south to north, Lynn, Swampscott, Marblehead, Salem, Beverly, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, Ipswich, Rowley, Newbury, Newburyport and Salisbury.
The 90-mile stretch is one of fifteen state-designated scenic byways throughout Massachusetts and travels along beautiful coastal vistas and pastoral farm country that are lost to those zooming down the interstate. From picturesque Salem harbor to the Essex River marshes and the sandy expanse of Salisbury beach, the byway wends its way along the curve of the coast, allowing frequent glimpses of our areas greatest natural assets.
Not only would the hurried traveler miss the gorgeous views, but the towns nestled along the way would be forgone as well. The whole point of the byway is to get people off of the main roads and into the heart of these quaint New England coastal towns. Once on the byway, the driver is taken through the very best of what the town has to offer, from cultural districts to beachside parks and wooded reservations to the area’s best ice cream shops.
If you live in this area, you know that sometimes the best places are hidden far off the beaten path, whether it’s a gallery that features only work by local artists, a little-known historic house sitting at the end of a residential road, a boutique unique to the neighborhood or the most delicious fish place for miles. The Essex Coastal Scenic Byway hopes to serve as a means of highlighting these attractions and creating a lasting economic stimulus that will benefit everyone in the community.
For anyone looking to have one last great summer adventure, driving up or down the byway provides the traveler with ample opportunity to stop and explore the best this county has to offer. Littered with local museums, historical sites, shopping destinations, breweries, water sport adventure outlets, state parks and great restaurants, this is truly the road to a getaway without having to stray far from home. To plan your trip, check out the results from this years Best of the North Shore awards so you can be sure to make the most out of your adventure.
The next time you are driving from one coastal community to another, even if it’s just a small trip from Gloucester to Salem, consider taking the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway instead of an inland route. You’ll understand the meaning of the saying, “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.” A journey on this roadway is one beautiful ride no matter where you’re going.
For more information on the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway, visit www.essexheritage.org/essex-coastal-scenic-byway-signs-installed