Boston Globe

"From May through October, you can take a ride out on the river and nearly to the ocean with Essex River Cruises. Its pontoon boat, which is like a floating porch, follows the river to the back side of Crane Beach, beyond a clamshell beach, Conomo Point, past private estates and along acres and acres of unspoiled pasture.”—Dick Lehr

The Boston Globe Calendar

“For a tranquil river excursion that captures the essence of New England, board the 49-passenger Essex Queen. Departing daily from the Essex marina, the Queen glides past salt marshes and sand dunes. It's an ideal way to observe a local tradition—clam digging at low tide—and then catch the aroma of fried clams at Woodman's, which claims to have invented the delicacy more than 80 years ago.”