Location: Rockport
Top Things to do in Rockport
10 Things to Do in Rockport That You Shouldn't Miss
With its beaches of soft sand or smooth pebbles, sylvan hiking paths and historic lighthouses, Rockport may be the perfect place to sit down and compose that magnum opus, write your novel or paint your master work. The waters surrounding Cape Ann beckon scuba divers, kayakers and sailors to explore the bay. Watch for whales or puffins on one of many charters; hike through the wilds of Halibut Point or along the breathtaking Headlands. Find inspiration in the glades and bluffs of Cape Ann.
Restaurants in Rockport
1. Halibut Point State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 613 reviews
Scramble across ledges scarred by the granite industry and examine tide pools teeming with marine life.
Reviewed By Debbie S - Westborough, Massachusetts, United States
This state park has a lot to offer. It's a flat, easy walk to a huge old quarry that is truly awesome to see. Continue on to a scenic overlook of Ipswich Bay all the way to the Isles of Shoals off the NH coast and Maine beyond. The trail also goes down to the edge of the rocky shoreline for more scenic views. Continue along the shore then loop back through open fields and scrub pines to the old lighthouse. This is a gem of a place. Worth the small parking fee.
2. Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House
Overall Ratings
5 based on 186 reviews
Also called the Beauport Sleeper-McCann House, this fantasy mansion of more than 40 rooms is perched on the rocks overlooking Gloucester Harbor.
Reviewed By JVC3515 - Antrim, New Hampshire
This is the most unique house tour guided by very well informed guides. They're knowledgable, engaging and share very interesting backgroung stories and facts that take you back to 1907 when construction started on this masterpiece. This place ranks in the top 2 or 3...MoreThanks for the lovely review of Beauport. The house has been preserved with most of Henry Sleeper's interiors intact, so guides really enjoy sharing the history and beauty of it with visitors.
3. Cape Ann Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 173 reviews
The Cape Ann Museum tells multiple stories, all relating to a single remarkable place. From its earliest days as a fishing and shipping port to its mid-19th century role in the granite industry, to its singular charms of light and sea that have attracted countless artists from the 19th century to the present, Cape Ann boasts a rich and varied culture of nationally significant historical, industrial, and artistic achievement. The Museum's fine art collection includes the largest grouping of works by native son and renowned marine artist, Fitz Henry Lane, as well as work by other prominent painters and sculptors who lived on, visited or were inspired by Cape Ann. The work of contemporary Cape Ann artists is also collected and exhibited. The permanent collection includes fine and decorative arts, and artifacts from the major industries of the area - the fisheries and granite quarrying. Founded in 1873 as the Cape Ann Scientific and Literary Association, today the Museum is a vibrant cultural center that includes galleries, an auditorium, library/archives, a children's activity center, two sculpture gardens and two historic homes. In addition to its permanent collections, the Museum offers a rotating schedule of special exhibitions throughout the year as well as related programs and events. Visit us today to discover the treasures of Cape Ann.
Reviewed By Julie32159 - The Villages, Florida
While neither my husband nor I are great art-museum goers, we enjoyed our visit here because we both like history. And there is much of Gloucester's history represented in the paintings and other objects very well displayed throughout the museum. Great stories behind the items on display. Visiting here gave us a much better understanding of the whole area as well as Gloucester's role in it. Docent-led tours are available with the price of admission. Definitely worth a couple of hours here. We parked across the street in public parking and then had lunch nearby. Nice way to spend much of a rainy day in town.
4. Bearskin Neck
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 605 reviews
Reviewed By John S - Nevis, Minnesota, United States
Although we were near the end of the tourist season, the majority of businesses were still open. Huge variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions. The area was not crowded (late October). We had no trouble parking, though I would be sure that would not be true in July / August. We were here in July 1977 and it is just as good today as it was then.
5. Fishermen's Memorial Monument
6. Motif Number 1
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 284 reviews
Reviewed By Rottman - Vegas
Our tour guide said that this is the most photographed building in Massachusetts, and I believe it. It should be photographed from different locations to get the best perspective. There are clean public restrooms nearby. The town of Rockport was one of our favorites in New England. It is so quaint and authentic looking, although it still has the prerequisite tee shirt shops. Walk through the town to the water. There is a neat little lobster shop on the right that has a huge tank with probably 100 lobsters in it. You can get a lobster roll reasonable or 3 whole lobsters for $40. Great.
7. Good Harbor Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 599 reviews
This picturesque curved white-sandy beach with a lazy rolling surf is a favorite among Gloucester residents and visitors.
Reviewed By Taughboyne - NJ
Low tide on a warm late September mid-week day was a great time to visit this beach. We walked in from a nearby motel, along the seafront hugging road, and dropped down on an elegantly humped footbridge over the creek that flows along along the back of the beach before then turning to join the sea at its southern end. The sands were very fine-grained, pristine, hard and glinting with mica crystals. The tidal flow at the creek mouth was strong and it must be great for kids floating on tubes in summer to ride upstream on the surge. The beach has rocky headlands at either end, sporting interesting old houses. Loads of room and attractive views. Certainly worth a return visit.
8. Wingaersheek Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 231 reviews
Reviewed By Kris H - Midland, TX
After lunch in Gloucester, we decided to go to Wingaersheek beach. Longer drive than anticipated but a beautiful
drive and worth it. The weather is unseasonably warm today, so probably more people there than usual, but not crowded by any means. A beautiful view with a lighthouse across the way. Very fine white sand. If we'd come more prepared for beachcombing we would've stayed longer.
9. Rockport Breakwater
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Rockport's Breakwater was rebuilt in the winter of 2015. It's now possible to walk along it's relatively flat surface to the end (@1/8 mile.) It's a terrific spot to view the harbor, Motif #1, and sailboats. Or, just to enjoy the great outdoors. Proper footwear is a necessity.
Reviewed By Brian K - Schenectady, New York
I have spent many a morning with my coffee from Helmut Strudel's shop looking over the ocean while sitting on these nice flat rocks. Nice place to catch Lobster men/women check their traps. The rocks are flat, but be careful if you plan to walk to the end.
10. Stage Fort Park and Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 194 reviews
This small park overlooking Gloucester harbor marks the spot where the area was first settled in the early 1600s.
Reviewed By Gagens - Albion
We enjoyed a brief stop here, looking for interesting rocks on the rocky shore. Fun to climb the rock steps to the top of the large boulder for a beautiful view of Gloucester!
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