Location: Gloucester
Top Things to do in Gloucester
The 10 Best Things to do in Gloucester, Massachusetts (MA)
With its sandy North Shore beaches, rocky outcrops, green parks, hemlock woods and wild estuaries full of shorebirds, it is no wonder that Gloucester has attracted such a rich and diverse artists' community. Fitz Hugh Lane, Winslow Homer and John Sloan are just some of the artists who have taken inspiration from Gloucester's beautiful surrounds. Still boasting dozens of galleries and boutiques, as well as museums, theaters and an artists' colony, the city's art scene clearly continues to thrive.
Restaurants in Gloucester
1. Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 240 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 george4880 - Bradford, United States
Very interesting house. Room after room kept the way Sleeper designed it. Lots of his collections and recycled floors and walls etc. With Covid only four people to a tour which was great. Unfortunately the gardens were neglected due to the museum not being allowed to open. Great view of the water.
2. Good Harbor Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 693 reviews
This picturesque curved white-sandy beach with a lazy rolling surf is a favorite among Gloucester residents and visitors.
Reviewed By 81vadimr
Good Harbor beach is one of the best beaches of North Shore in Massachusetts. Deepest and cleanest send. A little island near by with easy access in low tide, just be careful of poison ivy. Parking lot is not very big and filled very quickly in the hot Summer days. Be there before 9am to guarantee the spot. Enjoy it
3. Hammond Castle Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 614 reviews
Hammond Castle Museum is now open for the season! The Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is not handicap accessible. The Museum’s architectural style is mix of medieval castle, French chateau, and Gothic cathedral. It was custom built to encompass Hammond’s private residence, laboratory and museum quality collection of architectural elements such as the facades of medieval shops and doorways from chateaus. Hammond’s extensive list of patents, and his work on radio control and on echo guided torpedoes for the military are also on display. It is available for weddings and private rentals.
Reviewed By 922dlp - New Jersey, United States
We visited Columbus Day weekend and they were doing a haunted house on the weekend and bussing people from a nearby parking lot. It was so much fun! The grounds were so nice to explore and the castle was decorated for Halloween. Even thought you were walking through a haunted castle you could get a very good feel of what the castle is like and it was really cool. Just as you would imagine a medevil castle, right down to the drawbridge.
4. Fishermen's Memorial Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 820 reviews
Reviewed By stephenfM8666BK - Salem, United States
This memorial has been in its current location for decades, and is dedicated to the fishermen who never came home. Every year, several Gloucester fisher(wo)men are lost at sea. This monument is a testimony to the hard and very dangerous work these men and women do. It has sweeping views of the ocean, and just a few hundred yards awalys a monument to the families who lost a loved one at sea.
5. Stage Fort Park and Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 245 reviews
This small park overlooking Gloucester harbor marks the spot where the area was first settled in the early 1600s.
Reviewed By Louetta - Georgetown, United States
Stage Fort is really nice. It is right on the ocean and there is a large grassy area, a couple of small beaches, places to cook out, a big snack bar and a long concourse along the beach that you can even walk into town (about a mile). Nice views, right on the ocean. People come in groups and stay for the day. Great for families, you can cook, kids can play on the grass or in the water. There is also a ball field over near the road. I tend to spend my time in the area up past the rest rooms up the hill where there is a smallish beach and plenty of areas to lie out on the rocks above the beach or amongst the trees. All sorts of stuff goes on in this relatively secluded area. I enjoy taking my top off and though I wouldn't on crowded weekends girls do but you might be bothered or photographed. Best wait for weekdays. Parking is kind of expensive. I've heard 15 and I've heard 20. I bicycle so I don't know. Bring your fluids and food if you want. They have full dinners at the snack bar, clams and stuff but a quart of clams is well over $10 plus fries and drinks. It's a stiff walk but there is a well kept concrete walkway all along the edge of the water over the bridge (which opens for boats) and up into town. They have very nice sit down restaurants but you're talking about a mile and a half.
6. Cape Ann Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 236 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 525Carolineb - Gloucester, United States
Gloucester was a center for 19th century painters, and some of the best of our American artists were there for long periods of time, such as Fitz Henry Lane and Winslow Homer. If you love landscape painting, this is a museum for you.
7. Wingaersheek Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 305 reviews
Reviewed By C3975BPdonnaa
My favorite beach. Wingaersheek Beach is a great beach for kids and adults. When the tide goes out there is room for everyone! Not to mention shells, sand dollars and hermit crabs! Waves are minimal so also great for swimming! I come here several times each summer. Snack Bar, outdoor shower for rinsing and bathrooms. Only draw back is parking is a little expensive.
8. Gloucester Fishermen's Wives Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 112 reviews
Reviewed By sheilannjones
Both the Fishermen's Memorial and the Fishermen's Wives memorial look out to sea, the public gardens, boating activity, small shops, draw bridge, easy walking path throughout and up to the Stage Fort PARK area and bluffs observing in the inner harbors of Gloucester. The park is perfect for kids to unwind too.
9. Eastern Point Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 204 reviews
Serving as a guide to ships entering the scenic and commercial Gloucester harbor from the Atlantic Ocean, this 36-foot tall cylindrical brick tower was built in 1832 and automated in 1986.
Reviewed By Bonnieb18
We had a hard time trying to get here, as the signs said private drive, but we finally figured out that we can drive down that road as it is the only way to the light house. We parked in a small parking lot and walked out on the granite walkway to the end of the breakwater. It was so beautiful and worth it. There were several people fishing along the way. The lighthouse is closed , but it was so pretty to look at. would definitely recommend coming here.
10. Main Street
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