Food scene
Top Dog
2 Doyle Cove RdQuick and casual spot Bearskin Neck.
Open and airy, this is a trendy little spot to grab a cocktail with your date in Gloucester. Lighter fare. Live music regularly.
14 locals recommend
Drift
3 Main StOpen and airy, this is a trendy little spot to grab a cocktail with your date in Gloucester. Lighter fare. Live music regularly.
Waterfront dining. This marina is home of Wicked Tuna on Discovery's National Geographic.
30 locals recommend
Mile Marker One Restaurant
75 Essex AveWaterfront dining. This marina is home of Wicked Tuna on Discovery's National Geographic.
Local favorite for the best seafood and the LARGEST portions!!
41 locals recommend
Causeway Restaurant
78 Essex AveLocal favorite for the best seafood and the LARGEST portions!!
Quaint and picturesque ice cream shop on the waterfront in Bearskin Neck.
11 locals recommend
The Ice Cream Store
14 Bearskin NeckQuaint and picturesque ice cream shop on the waterfront in Bearskin Neck.
Tuck's Candy & Gifts
15 Main StYummy candy in town.
The Lobster Pool
329 Granite StIn the rough on the waterfront.
Feather & Wedge
5 Main StHigher end fare on the water.
Minglewood Harborside
25 Rogers StCasual bar scene with live music on weekends.
The Rhumb Line Bar & Restaurant
40 Railroad AveBest place to see live music.
Machaca
14 Rogers StFantastic Mexican food- the best!
Woodman's of Essex
119 Main StWorld Famous for seafood!
A good family spot outdoor dining available. Casual environment.
17 locals recommend
Blue Collar Lobster Co at The Gloucester House Restaurant
63 Rogers StA good family spot outdoor dining available. Casual environment.
Best Italian bakery around! Indulge in the homemade bread too.
36 locals recommend
Virgilio's Italian Bakery
29 Main StBest Italian bakery around! Indulge in the homemade bread too.
Higher end establishment focusing on seafood. Reservations recommended.
43 locals recommend
Tonno Restaurant
2 Main StHigher end establishment focusing on seafood. Reservations recommended.
Neighborhoods
Stage Fort Park is a great spot to walk around and enjoy the famous Halfmoon beach. There is also a great playground for the little ones. Located off Stacy Blvd in Gloucester.
Stage Fort Avenue
Stage Fort AvenueStage Fort Park is a great spot to walk around and enjoy the famous Halfmoon beach. There is also a great playground for the little ones. Located off Stacy Blvd in Gloucester.
The boulevard is a beautiful spot to walk along the shore. Great views! Tennis courts and Bocce ball open to public. Pavillion beach is public and the new Beauport hotel is a great spot to grab a drink after a walk. It's all right there.
9 locals recommend
Stacy Boulevard
Stacy BoulevardThe boulevard is a beautiful spot to walk along the shore. Great views! Tennis courts and Bocce ball open to public. Pavillion beach is public and the new Beauport hotel is a great spot to grab a drink after a walk. It's all right there.
Shops and restaurants in the village of Rockport. View the world famous Motif #1.
36 locals recommend
Bearskin Neck
Bearskin NeckShops and restaurants in the village of Rockport. View the world famous Motif #1.
Rocky Neck
Artist community with studios along the waterfront.
Sightseeing
My favorite spot to enjoy a cocktail on the deck or next to the fireplace. Gorgeous views!!
35 locals recommend
Beauport Hotel Gloucester
55 Commercial StMy favorite spot to enjoy a cocktail on the deck or next to the fireplace. Gorgeous views!!
Gorgeous public beach. Get there early to park in the public lot.
118 locals recommend
Good Harbor Beach
Gorgeous public beach. Get there early to park in the public lot.
Wingaersheek Beach
Fantastic family beach. Get there early to secure parking.
7 Seas Whale Watch
63 Seas WharfSee the whales!
Visit Motif #1 and the historic village down at Bear Skin Neck in Rockport.
34 locals recommend
Motif #1
Bradley WharfVisit Motif #1 and the historic village down at Bear Skin Neck in Rockport.
Spectacular venue to view a performance.
77 locals recommend
Rockport Music-Shalin Liu Performance Center
37 Main StSpectacular venue to view a performance.
Open for tours starting in April. https://www.hammondcastle.org/
55 locals recommend
Hammond Castle Museum
80 Hesperus AvenueOpen for tours starting in April. https://www.hammondcastle.org/
Old fashion country store with penny candy. Fun for the kids.
8 locals recommend
Bearskin Neck Leathers
7 Old Harbor RdOld fashion country store with penny candy. Fun for the kids.
The Crow’s Nest is the bar featured in the movie, “The Perfect Storm.” The actual bar was not used for the movie because the ceilings were too low for the cameramen, however, a replica set was made in Hollywood. Cast members such as George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg hung out at the actual Crow’s Nest while filming in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Ask to see 'the book'.
8 locals recommend
Crow's Nest
334 Main StThe Crow’s Nest is the bar featured in the movie, “The Perfect Storm.” The actual bar was not used for the movie because the ceilings were too low for the cameramen, however, a replica set was made in Hollywood. Cast members such as George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg hung out at the actual Crow’s Nest while filming in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Ask to see 'the book'.
Thacher Island is located a mile offshore of Rockport, Massachusetts, a small seacoast town 40 miles north of Boston. The island is home to the twin lighthouses of the Cape Ann Light Station, a National Historic Landmark. Additionally, a portion of the island is owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is maintained as a wildlife refuge.
For more info visit: https://thacherisland.org
9 locals recommend
Thacher Island
Thacher Island is located a mile offshore of Rockport, Massachusetts, a small seacoast town 40 miles north of Boston. The island is home to the twin lighthouses of the Cape Ann Light Station, a National Historic Landmark. Additionally, a portion of the island is owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is maintained as a wildlife refuge.
For more info visit: https://thacherisland.org
Traveler advice
What to pack
Hit the beach early and bring a sweatshirt!
Be sure to hit the beach early to assure parking in public lots (8:30am).
Bring a sweatshirt because the weather can change quickly in Cape Ann.
Helpful links below (you may need to copy/paste):
Check out Cape Ann's Guidebook: https://issuu.com/bostonguide/docs/cacc_2021_web?fr=sZGI4YzMwNTI0Mjl
Rockport MAP:
https://capeannchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/rockport-bro4x9forWebsite.pdf
https://rockportusa.com/
https://www.discovergloucester.com/visitors-guide/
https://capeannvacations.com/
VISITOR CENTER: The Rockport Information Booth is located at 170 Upper Main St. (Route 127)