Weekend getaways in New England are fast becoming the norm for families and couples in the region. The North Shore of Massachusetts is a key destination and Gloucester is the ideal location for active travelers.
What to do?
Gloucester offers some key year-round activities and unique destinations. The check list is long: Whale Watching, fishing, lighthouses, historic Hammond Castle, waterfront dining, shopping at Rockport’s Bear Skin Neck, Rocky Neck Art Colony, and so much more.
A Great Resource
A great resource for all things Cape Ann is Discover Gloucester. They always have updates on the latest events and activities. DiscoverGloucester.com
Where to Stay
The Hotel at Cape Ann Marina is the perfect place to stay. It is central to all activities, making it convenient for an area where everything is only a 15 minute drive. CapeAnnMarina.com
The Check List
Here is a quick summary and links to each activity. The order is by my personal favorites
- Historic Hammond Castle – Website  I still remember visiting here on my 3rd Grade Field Trip! Tour the home and laboratory of one of the nation’s most prolific inventors and collector of antiquities. Open for Tours seasonally April – December. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Waterfront Dining – Too many to mention them all, but a few favorites: Blue Collar Lobster Co. 51 Rocky Neck, Seaport Grille, Minglewood Harborside, The Cut Live, Virgilio’s Bakery and Mile Marker One at the Hotel at Cape Ann Marina is open year round and has Igloos on their deck in the Winter for a great experience.Â
- Rockport’s Bear Skin Neck – Great shopping sight seeing and dining. Check out Our Video HERE. Official: Rockport’s Bearskin Neck
- Rocky Neck Art Colony – Oldest Art Colony in America. Official at
- Whale Watching / Fishing – The Hotel at the Hotel at Cape Ann Marina offers special packages HERE.Â
- Lighthouses and More – Discover Gloucester lists all points of interest and interactive map HERE. Â
Hammond Castle
