Karen’s guidebook links

Karen
Karen’s guidebook links

Food scene

Quick and casual spot Bearskin Neck.
16 locals recommend
Top Dog
2 Doyle Cove Rd
16 locals recommend
Quick 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 St
14 locals recommend
Open 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 Ave
30 locals recommend
Waterfront 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 Ave
41 locals recommend
Local 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 Neck
11 locals recommend
Quaint and picturesque ice cream shop on the waterfront in Bearskin Neck.
Yummy candy in town.
Tuck's Candy & Gifts
15 Main St
Yummy candy in town.
In the rough on the waterfront.
44 locals recommend
The Lobster Pool
329 Granite St
44 locals recommend
In the rough on the waterfront.
Higher end fare on the water.
46 locals recommend
Feather & Wedge
5 Main St
46 locals recommend
Higher end fare on the water.
Casual bar scene with live music on weekends.
50 locals recommend
Minglewood Harborside
25 Rogers St
50 locals recommend
Casual bar scene with live music on weekends.
Best place to see live music.
30 locals recommend
The Rhumb Line Bar & Restaurant
40 Railroad Ave
30 locals recommend
Best place to see live music.
Fantastic Mexican food- the best!
12 locals recommend
Machaca
14 Rogers St
12 locals recommend
Fantastic Mexican food- the best!
World Famous for seafood!
37 locals recommend
Woodman's of Essex
119 Main St
37 locals recommend
World 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 St
17 locals recommend
A 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 St
36 locals recommend
Best Italian bakery around! Indulge in the homemade bread too.
Higher end establishment focusing on seafood. Reservations recommended.
43 locals recommend
Tonno Restaurant
2 Main St
43 locals recommend
Higher 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 Avenue
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.
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 Boulevard
9 locals recommend
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.
Shops and restaurants in the village of Rockport. View the world famous Motif #1.
36 locals recommend
Bearskin Neck
Bearskin Neck
36 locals recommend
Shops and restaurants in the village of Rockport. View the world famous Motif #1.
Artist community with studios along the waterfront.
27 locals recommend
Rocky Neck
27 locals recommend
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 St
35 locals recommend
My 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
118 locals recommend
Gorgeous public beach. Get there early to park in the public lot.
Fantastic family beach. Get there early to secure parking.
66 locals recommend
Wingaersheek Beach
66 locals recommend
Fantastic family beach. Get there early to secure parking.
See the whales!
19 locals recommend
7 Seas Whale Watch
63 Seas Wharf
19 locals recommend
See the whales!
Visit Motif #1 and the historic village down at Bear Skin Neck in Rockport.
34 locals recommend
Motif #1
Bradley Wharf
34 locals recommend
Visit 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 St
77 locals recommend
Spectacular venue to view a performance.
Open for tours starting in April. https://www.hammondcastle.org/
55 locals recommend
Hammond Castle Museum
80 Hesperus Avenue
55 locals recommend
Open 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 Rd
8 locals recommend
Old 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 St
8 locals recommend
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'.
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
9 locals recommend
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)