The 85-mile coastal byway guides visitors and residents on a journey of discovery though one of the country’s most picturesque and historically significant regions: Boston’s legendary North Shore. The state-designated byway features mile after mile of breathtaking vistas, working harbors, quaint villages, world-class art and culture, and distinctive local food, shops, lodging and visitor services.

Recreational adventures such as hiking, biking, paddling, and swimming abound at the byway’s numerous parks, trails, conserved open spaces, waterways, and beaches. Visitor centers in Lynn, Marblehead, Salem, Gloucester, Rockport, Ipswich, Newburyport, and Salisbury (I-95) help the byway traveler discover the region’s rich history and culture by car, train, boat, bicycle, or foot.

The Essex Coastal Scenic Byway lies entirely within the Essex National Heritage Area (Essex County) in northeastern Massachusetts. Created by the U.S. Congress, the area’s extensive historic, cultural, and natural resources tell the story the region played in the nation’s early settlement, maritime trade, and industrialization.