The historic fishing village of Gloucester, Massachusetts makes a superb day journey from Boston or an ideal weekend getaway in New England. America’s oldest seaport, this charming New England coastal city oozes historic allure with an genuine mixture of working fishermen, artists, and guests.
Whereas individuals used to go to to see the port made well-known by the George Clooney film The Excellent Storm, right this moment TV followers go to to see the bluefin fishing boats featured within the Nat Geo present Depraved Tuna. There are many enjoyable issues to do in Gloucester to fill a day or perhaps a weekend, relying on how a lot time you may need to spend on the seashore or the season if you find yourself visiting.
Finest Issues to do in Gloucester, MA
Whether or not you might have a day on the town or you’re splitting your weekend between Gloucester, Rockport, or Salem, listed below are the highest issues to do in Gloucester MA.
Take a Whale Watching Cruise
It’s unattainable to understand a historic, fishing village equivalent to Gloucester with out getting out on the water, following the trail of so many who have come earlier than. Fortunately there are a lot of choices accessible, relying in your finances, pursuits, and time accessible.
Gloucester provides among the finest whale watching on the planet, with humpbacks and minke whales making common appearances. 7 Seas Whale Watch, which leaves proper from downtown Gloucester, provides two sailings a day to Stellwagen Financial institution Nationwide Marine Sanctuary — with assured whale sightings! This family-run enterprise has been providing whale watching excursions for 3 generations over seven many years.
7 Seas sometimes provides sailings from mid-April by means of mid-October however you’ll want to test the web site for present schedules.
Whale watching can also be accessible from Cape Ann Whale Watch aboard the biggest, quickest ship in Gloucester.
Take pleasure in a Schooner Sail
There are a variety of historic schooners that supply personal or public sailings out of Gloucester, together with the Schooner Thomas E. Lannon.
The Schooner Thomas E. Lannon runs a wide range of sailings, together with a two-hour sundown sail. You should definitely test the web site for the schedule and any specials they could provide equivalent to “Saturday morning children sail free” or Tuesday’s “half off a second ticket” offers.
Discover Utilizing the Harbor Shuttle
If you’d like an affordable solution to get out on the water or you’re taking an impromptu journey to Gloucester, the water shuttle is an ideal possibility. It leaves from two downtown ports and The Studio restaurant in Rocky Neck. Tickets present all-day hop-on / hop-off privileges or you may keep on for a harbor tour because it strikes from port to port.
Advance tickets should not required, you may take a look at the schedule on the dock at St. Peter’s Marina or Solomon Jacobs Public Touchdown in Harbor Loop.
Go Fishing
After all, if you happen to actually need to really feel the connection to Gloucester’s fishing tradition, you may go deep-sea fishing. Half and full-day private and non-private charters can be found from Adventures at Yankee Fleet.
Fishing charters head out to Stellwagen Financial institution and Jeffrey’s Ledge, the place you may catch haddock, pollock, cusk, hake and redfish, and halibut, and at the moment one cod per particular person.
Go to the Artist Colony on Rocky Neck
Positioned in Gloucester’s Interior Harbor, Rocky Neck is the oldest working artwork colony in america. You’ll be able to go to to browse the outlets and artwork galleries that line the streets or pop into the studios that could be open to look at the artists at work.
To get to Rocky Neck, you may take the water shuttle to the cease at The Studio restaurant (and have lunch earlier than or after exploring the world.) In case you are driving, free parking is out there in a car parking zone on Rocky Neck simply after turning onto Rocky Neck Ave. Road parking can also be accessible.
Stroll Alongside the Harbor
Whenever you arrive in Gloucester, cease by the Customer Welcome Heart at Stage Fort Park. You’ll be able to then park alongside the highway and stroll alongside the Harbor Stroll alongside Stacy Blvd. in the direction of downtown. Youngsters particularly will love watching the drawbridge go up and right down to let by means of boats on the Minimize Bridge.
That is additionally the place you’ll discover the enduring Gloucester Fishermen’s Memorial. Designed by English sculptor Leonard F. Craske, this eight-foot-tall, bronze statue of a fisherman wearing oilskins stands braced on the wheel on the sloping deck of his ship and is looking over Gloucester Harbor. The memorial is devoted to “They that go right down to the ocean in ships” from 1623 to 1923. The plaques surrounding the memorial bear in mind fishermen from Gloucester who have been misplaced at sea.
Earlier than you get to that extra well-known memorial, additionally, you will encounter the Fishermen’s Wives Memorial. This statue honors the ladies who’ve been the soul of fishing communities.
Take a Foodie Tour
With out query, Gloucester is residence to among the freshest and tastiest seafood. However if you happen to take a while to discover downtown Gloucester alongside each Rogers and Foremost Road, you’ll discover cool espresso outlets, an Italian bakery that can have you ever following your nostril as your mouth waters, and all types of eating places providing outside eating.
Both discover by yourself or take a meals tour with Cape Ann Foodie Excursions. I all the time love a great meals tour, and the Style of Gloucester tour stops at 5 – 6 native distributors to attempt chowder, bacon-wrapped scallops, beer tastings, Italian cannoli, and a sandwich that may be a favourite of locals. Alongside the best way, you may study extra concerning the 400-year historical past of Gloucester.
Go to Cape Ice
Cape Pond Ice Firm has been icing Gloucester’s fleet since 1848, producing as much as 150 tons of ice a day, together with 300-pound blocks. You’ll be able to take a tour of the ability, buy ice, or go to the reward store. Plus, you may take a look at any fishing boats being loaded with ice and peek contained in the refrigerated “icehouse”.
Solar Bathe on Good Harbor Seaside
There are a variety of small seashores accessible from the downtown space, together with Half Moon Seaside out by Stage Fort Park. Nonetheless, essentially the most well-known and arguably nicest seashore is Good Harbor Seaside, positioned out of city. Understand that parking is restricted to city residents with allow stickers solely and streets are blocked off for parking to restrict out-of-town guests crowding native seashores.
Nonetheless, in case you are staying for the weekend, you could need to take into account a trip rental inside strolling distance to the seashore or one which comes with a allow.
Drive Atlantic Rd. to Rockport
In the event you take pleasure in a scenic drive, or buying, drive alongside the coast on Atlantic Street as much as the close by city of Rockport. The drive provides stunning views of the rocky coast of Cape Ann, together with lighthouses, and the homes that line the cliffs offers you severe home envy! Understand that there isn’t any road parking alongside this stretch.
As soon as in Rockport, there may be loads of paid parking all through city (pay on the kiosk) so that you can get out and discover. In the event you simply have a short while, spend it in Bearskin Neck. This highly-touristic space provides so many cute outlets, galleries, and eating places. Seize some ice cream at Sunday’s (go early for his or her do-it-yourself waffle cones!) or choose up a lobster roll to go at Roy Moore Lobster Co.
Depart your self time to stroll to the tip of Bearskin Neck and throughout the breakwater jetty for an important photograph opp of the Rockport Harbor.
The place to Eat in Gloucester, MA
Blue Collar Lobster
In case you are in search of an informal lunch possibility, eat on the deck at Blue Collar Lobster firm for the freshest seafood. Order on the pickup window after which discover a desk on the lined patio on the water. Bar service can also be accessible. Verify for day by day specials and pricing, however I can attest to the fried clams being wonderful. The batter could be very mild however crispy, simply the best way I prefer it.
Blue Collar Lobster is positioned at 63 Rogers St, Gloucester, MA 01930 subsequent to the Gloucester Home.
Minglewood Haborside
If you’d like one thing a bit of extra upscale, however nonetheless would like to dine outdoors on the water, Minglewood Harborside is the choose for seafood and sushi. Open for dinner through the week and lunch and dinner on the weekend, Minglewood provides reside music, enjoyable drinks, and a trendy setting.
Minglewood Harborside is positioned at 25 Rogers St, Gloucester, MA 01930.
The Studio
If you find yourself visiting Rocky Neck, keep for lunch or dinner on the outside patio at The Studio. Positioned proper the place the water shuttle picks up and drops off in your comfort, The Studio provides seafood, sushi, cocktails, and frequent half-price specials on appetizers.
The Studio is positioned at 51 Rocky Neck Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930.
The place to Keep in Gloucester
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In the event you determine to make a weekend out of your journey to Gloucester, there are a lot of trip rental choices, some inside strolling distance to the seashore. In case you are in search of lodge choices, you may’t beat the placement of the Beauport Lodge. This upscale property is positioned proper on the seashore in downtown Gloucester, providing the most effective of each worlds when it comes to water views and a straightforward stroll by means of city.
For a romantic getaway, you could need to attempt the Harborview Inn positioned downtown. This small inn provides cozy allure with easy accessibility to eating places and outlets on the town.
Attending to Gloucester and Parking
Gloucester is 45 minutes north of Boston on Cape Ann. You’ll be able to take an MBTA prepare from Boston’s North Station to Gloucester. From the prepare station, it’s a five-minute stroll into downtown.
Nonetheless, in case you are arriving by automotive, it would be best to take Interstate 95 to Rt. 128 North to Gloucester. Make your first cease on the Customer Welcome Heart at Stage Fort Park to choose up maps and brochures, ask questions, and plan your day. There’s short-term parking on the Customer Heart and a paid car parking zone throughout the road for individuals who need to spend time on the seashore or park. Understand that at the moment seashore parking round Gloucester is restricted to residents with permits solely.
There are a number of locations on the town. Road parking is out there alongside Western Avenue for one or two hours if you could find it. Road parking downtown requires you to pay on the kiosk. There’s one small free car parking zone downtown and one other, bigger paid lot off Rogers Road.
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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising and marketing government and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged skilled in household journey. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and serves on the Board of the Household Journey Affiliation. She can also be the writer of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Trip Experts journey podcast.