With about three dozen antique shops, the lovely coastal community of Essex is a haven for people who have a yen to find things old, beautiful, and unique. Expert and novice antique-lovers are equally welcome. Most shops are in walking distance of each other and open daily. In particular, aim for Route 133 through town and Route 97 a scenic byway.

Easel Optional

Visit the beautiful seaside village of Rockport and Motif #1, a red fishing shack nearly covered with fishing buoys at Bearskin Neck in Rockport. The shack is one of the most painted and photographed scenes in the United States because of its beauty, composition, and lighting. Bring your appreciation; camera or paintbrushes are optional.

Essex Shipbuilding Museum Shows History of This Ancient Art

A visit to the Essex Shipbuilding Museum is a wonderful way to become immersed in the ship-building history and culture of northern New England. The museum tells the extraordinary story of a small New England village that built more two-masted wooden fishing schooners than any other place in the world. Exhibits and archives of the Essex Shipbuilding Museum are housed in the old Essex Central School House which was built in 1835. Features include antique shipbuilding tools, photographs, documents, and exhibits portraying the shipbuilding industry. Tours include video presentations and hands-on activities. A gift shop offers ship plans, maritime books, and other nautical memorabilia. Phone: 978-768-7541.

Go Find the Green in the Winter Months

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Here’s is a fast and accessible treatment for the winter blahs: a visit to the Lyman Estate Greenhouses on Lyman Street in Waltham. The historic greenhouses provide a flowery paradise year-round. In particular, the century-old Camellia collection brightens midwinter days with exquisite red, pink, and white flowers. Each generation of the Lyman family added its touch through the addition of the Camellia greenhouse in 1820, the orchid greenhouse in 1840, and the area now enclosing the greenhouse shop in 1930. The orchid house is home to thousands of beautiful orchids from all over the world. This is also the place to gift-shop for the gardener in your life. The gift shop sells historical gardening books, brass sundials, sachets, orchid accessories, pottery, rustic twig furniture, and more. Open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., year round. Phone: 781-891-4882 ext. 244.

Hidden Art Gems

Start at Abbot Hall in downtown Marblehead to see the original painting of “The Spirit of 76”, then take in J.O.J. Frost’s Folk Art at the “Marblehead Museum & Historical Society. Maritime masters can be found at Salem’s Kensington-Stobart Gallery in the Hawthorne Hotel. The changing exhibitions at Montserrat College of Art feature up-and-comers.

Historic Whipple House Shows <br> Life of Wealth in Colonial Times Historic Whipple House Shows
Life of Wealth in Colonial Times

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One of many historic houses of the Colonial period in the North of Boston region, the Whipple House on South Village Green in Ipswich was built between 1650 to the early 1700s. Like many settlers of Ipswich, John Whipple arrived from England about 1638. From a family of prominent textile merchants, Whipple was a man of considerable standing in Ipswich. The house retains much of its original oak, pine, and chestnut framework and is furnished with a number of pieces from the Colonial Period. It offers a revealing look at the domestic surroundings of early New England colonists. Open seasonally from May to Columbus Day. Call ahead for hours. Phone: 978-356-2811

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Sculpture Under the Sky

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Located in the home of Julian de Cordova, a turn-of-the-century merchant, world traveler, and art collector, the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park on Sandy Pond Road in Lincoln focuses on contemporary and modern art by regional and national artists. On the grounds is a magnificent 35-acre site sculpture park with nearly 80 modern and contemporary works by nationally recognized sculptors. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays. Phone: 781-259-8355

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216 Years of Wooden Boat History

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Lowell’s Boat Shop in Amesbury, now in its 216th year of operation, is a National Historical Landmark and working museum dedicated to preserving the art of wooden boat building. Lowell’s continues to build dories and skiffs in the time-honored tradition of seven generations of the Lowell family. Within these buildings, remnants of past work -- ancient ship’s knees, support beams, and two centuries of accumulated paint -- speak volumes of the rich history of the wooden boat industry. The oldest buildings are Greek Revival structures built in the 1860s. Branded into the wood of one cross-beam are annual production figures from 1897 through 1919, showing that an astonishing 2,029 boats were built here by hand in 1911 alone. This remarkable boat shop stands as an icon of New England ingenuity and integrity. Visitors are welcome Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. Phone: 978-834-0050

Ahoy, Whales

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Experts at the Whale Center of New England on Harbor Loop in Gloucester study whales who live in the waters off the Massachusetts coast, especially Stellwagen Bank and Jeffreys Ledge, and conduct field research their vessel Mysticete. The center also has a Visitors Center where whale lovers can learn about these marine mammals through extensive exhibits. Visitors will come away with a new appreciation for marine mammals and the threats that they face in the world today. The Visitors Center is open year-round, but days and hours vary through the seasons. Phone: 978-281-6351.

American Textile History Museum Reopens
With Textiles of the Past and the Future

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After more than a year of major renovations, the American Textile History Museum on Dutton Street in Lowell reopened in May 2009 with an entirely new and interactive experience for people of all ages. The museum tells America’s story through the art, history, and science of textiles. In the museum’s new exhibit – Textile Revolution: An Exploration through Space and Time - visitors will explore the fascinating world of textiles in a fun, hands on environment where they will spin, weave, recycle, and design their way through textile history. Beginning at a replica of a Savannah, Georgia-style warehouse, visitors will explore the textile story chronologically from the pre-industrial era to the important role textiles play in revolutionizing our lives through current scientific applications. American Textile History Museum holds one of the world’s largest and most important publicly held collections of tools, spinning wheels, hand looms, and early production machines. The Museum's textile collections include more than five million pieces of textile prints, fabric samples, rolled textiles coverlets, and costumes. Open year-round. Phone: 978-441-0400.

Artist Colony Is Alive and Vibrant
In This Corner of Gloucester

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Rocky Neck Art Colony in Gloucester is the oldest working art colony in the country, and has been luring artists to its picturesque shores for more than 150 years. Today the area is still home to many working artists and to galleries showing paintings in all media, as well as batik, photography, jewelry, prints, sculpture, ceramics, and fine gifts. A convenient walking tour of Rocky Neck, along East Main Street, includes information about three dozen galleries and studios on the Neck. In addition to viewing the arts, visitors may take part in special events or dine at restaurants that feature fine food and fabulous views. A new book about the artists and history of the region, titled Rocky Neck Art Colony 1850-1950, by Judith Curtis, is available. Phone: 978-282-0917.

Arts and Crafts Rabbit Still Charms Us

The Arts and Crafts decorative art movement flourished in this country from about 1880 to 1920, but one of its signature designs – and a particularly loveable one, at that – is the Dedham Rabbit produced by the Dedham Pottery Company. Reproductions of the famed Rabbit and other Dedham Pottery – highly prized by collectors and museums -- can be found at The Potting Shed on Bradford Street in Concord.

Beaches Are Beautiful <br>in the Brisker Months Beaches Are Beautiful
in the Brisker Months

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Here’s a useful tip: Providing you are bundled warmly, fall and winter are excellent times for visiting the beautiful beaches of New England. Crowds are gone; colors of sky and sea dazzle the eye; strolling is fun; and the birds and harbor seals are out and frisky. Salisbury Beach State Reservation on Beach Road in Salisbury is a 521-acre park that stretches 3.8 miles along the Atlantic. In the fall and winter, harbor seals often sun themselves on the jetty. The town of Salisbury has many fun activities to offer for kids of all ages; with a large amusement park and video arcades. Phone: 978 462-4481.

Beaches Are Beautiful in the Brisker Months

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Beacons on Duty

The lighthouses of Cape Ann still serve as safety beacons for sailors, but in the present time they have become a joy and fascination for landside visitors, too. In Cape Ann alone, there are six lighthouses: “Annisquam Light, “Straitsmouth, “the Twin Lights of Thacher Island , “Ten Pound Island Light, and “Eastern Point Light

Bounty from the Sea Trade<br>on Display at Phillips House Bounty from the Sea Trade
on Display at Phillips House

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Located on picturesque Chestnut Street in Salem, the Phillips House , a this Federal-style mansion, contains a family collection that spans five generations. Enjoy artifacts from near and far, hear the stories of the Phillips family, and experience more than 200 years of history in the New England tradition. The house contains an authentic collection of five generations of family furnishings. Representative of the Phillips's extensive travels and interests, the collection includes artifacts as diverse as Fiji throwing clubs and African woodcarvings, as well as fine examples of early American furniture, Persian carpets, and an extensive collection of export porcelain. Hours: June through October, Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; November through May, Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Phone: 978-744-0440.

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Living History of the Mills

The social and industrial history of Lawrence and its mill communities is on display at Lawrence Heritage State Park on Jackson Street. This restored boarding house is filled with interactive exhibits of the stories of Lawrence, including the 1912 Bread and Roses Strike. Take a walk along the esplanade of a 19th century canal leading to a park within the walls of a former mill building.

Motherlode for Stocking Stuffers

The old-style 5 & 10 cent store (also called the Five-&-Dime) where you could find anything – much of it in hand-labeled bins – is alive and beloved at 106 Commonwealth Avenue in West Concord at the West Concord Five & Ten. You name it; they’ve got it: hardware, stationary, toys, baby supplies, kitchen ware, puzzles, board games, crafts, stuffed animals, greeting cards, oil lamp supplies, hooks, picture hangers, velcro, ribbon, zippers, shoe laces, mirrors, locks, batteries, keys, even the plastic doo-hickey at the bottom of the window shade (!!!). People well into the 70s come in and say the store hasn’t changed since they were kids. Scoop up a pile of nickels and dimes and get over there.

Outdoor Fun in All Weathers

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Hopkinton State Park and Reservoir on Route 185 / Cedar Street in the towns of Hopkinton and Ashland, offer year-round recreational activities, including boating, hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. There are miles of marked trails, open field space, and a concrete boat ramp for non-motorized vessels. Phone: 508-435-4303