Essex County, which is known as the place where "past and present meet," has many areas of historical significance to explore in between the wedding planning process and plenty of resources to help you find the essentials on your wedding checklist.
The county consists of numerous cities and towns, many of which have specialty boutiques and museum stores where you can find unique wedding favors, bridal accessories, and other wedding supplies. Some of the most notable towns in Essex County include Salem, Rockport, Manchester, West Newbury and Newbury, Middleton, and North Andover.
The county is home to many romantic and whimsical bed and breakfasts and has plenty of possible wedding venues available, including Cape Ann's Marina Resort in Gloucester, the Wylie Inn and Conference Center in Beverly, which has direct beach access, and the Pleasant Street Inn in Rockport.
![Wedding in Salem](/image/wedding-photos/salem.jpg)
If you are on a budget, Salem is a great place to go sightseeing in your free time, as it has several free attractions, including the Ropes Mansion Gardens, the Derby Wharf, and the Old Burying Point Cemetery. You can also take the Salem Ferry to see famous haunted and historic national sites.
Other activities you can do in Essex County include whale watching in Gloucester, seeing a show at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, or visiting Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site.
Essex County is also home to several preserved areas, including Parker River National Wildlife Reserve, the Salem Maritime Historic Site, and Thatcher Island National Wildlife Refuge.
The area is served by MBTA Train & Bus Service, which connects Salem to Newburyport, Rockport, Gloucester, and Boston's North Station, so you and your wedding guests will be able to explore the area with ease. If you stop at the Salem Depot, you will be able to walk to fine dining, major Salem attractions, the waterfront, and downtown shopping.
View Larger Map
Tags:
Essex County Weddings, Salem, Cape Ann's Marina Resort, Gloucester, Transportation In Essex County, Rockport