Boat Ride

Bring a picnic lunch and explore Choate Island in Essex Bay with your family. Choate Island, part of the Crane Wildlife Refuge, is home to a variety of plant and animal life. It is also the site of the Choate family homestead, the Proctor Barn, the White Cottage, and the final resting place of Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Crane.

War of 1812 Day at Salem Maritime National Historic Site! Salem Maritime will be celebrating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 with living history programming throughout the day. Meet some of Salem's 19th century citizens, and hear their views on this controversial war. Family activities and Junior Ranger programs will be offered all day.

Take a seat in your classroom-on-the-sea. Absorb the invigorating sea and the rich history of Salem Sounds and its storied ocean front estates with Mahi Mahi Cruises & Charters. This tour gets you up close to view the coastline from the water, and gives you a brand new perspective on the splendor of the North Shore's coast. Absorb the rich culture and captivating stories of Salem Sound aboard a Mahi Mahi Cruises & Charters Narrated Sightseeing Cruise.

Essex River Cruises hosts a narrated sightseeing tour that winds down the beautiful Essex River aboard Essex River Queen, a pontoon boat. As we explore the marshes we'll discover a habitat brimming with abundant wildlife and the changing landscape that supports it. Bring along your binoculars, cameras and sketchbooks! You're bound to be inspired!

Head to Salem to celebrates the city's maritime heritage that's been over 400 years in the making! There will be plenty of fun family activities throughout the downtown areas of Derby Wharf and Commercial Wharf!

Olde Fashioned Sunday in Downtown Newburyport is a full day of activities with a taste of by-gone days. Activities range from live musical performances to Antique car viewing to kids games and pony rides!

Schooner Thomas E. Lannon is a fixture on the Gloucester Harbor vista throughout the day in the warm months, but to really experience the Lannon, you need to come aboard and go for a cruise!  With their special offer each Saturday on the 10am cruise, sailing aboard the Lannon becomes even more accessible.  For each paying adult, one child will be granted free admission!

Essex County Greenbelt Association invites you to enjoy a captivating two-hour boat tour of the Essex River Marshes aboard the Essex River Queen I. Guided by regional birding expert Jim Berry, view migratory and shore birds, nesting osprey, and all sorts of salt marsh creatures and features. Ice Cream for all from Down River Ice Cream of Essex. RSVP is appreciated.

Come celebrate World Oceans Day at the New England Aquarium Blue Discoveries Family Day! The Aquarium’s World Oceans Day Celebration is a free, outdoor celebration on Central Wharf featuring hands-on activities for kids, submersible robots, cooking demonstrations and lots to learn about ocean animals. There is plenty to do for the entire family.

Mahi Mahi Cruises & Charters invites you to come learn about the haunted happenings of Salem Sound on this 1½ hour cruise through Salem Harbor and around Salem Sound.  Passengers will enjoy this fun-filled and informative trip filled with spooky stories of ruthless local pirates, haunted lighthouses, and living monsters who wreak havoc on local ships to this day!  Too Scary for you?  Try our Lighthouse, Foliage & Chowda Cruise!