Location: Gloucester
Top Things to do in Gloucester
The 6 Best Hidden Gems 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. Ryan & Wood Distilleries
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 106 reviews
Come visit and tour our craft distillery, the first legal distillery on the North Shore since Prohibition! See firsthand how fine hand crafted spirits are made in our beautiful copper pot Still. Learn how we ferment, distill, barrel age and bottle our Beauport Vodka, Knockabout Gin, Folly Cove Rum and Ryan & Wood family of Whiskies. All done on site. The tour, usually guided by Kathy or Bob Ryan, is free and lasts about an hour. Perfect for a quick stop before lunch. We are a hidden gem, just minutes from other Gloucester attractions. Scheduled Tours: Monday,Wednesday,Friday and Saturday, 10:00am and 1:00pm. Call for Private/Group Tours. Check our website for more information.
Reviewed By kruszynak - Cheshire, United States
We were (really) early for the 1 p.m. tour so Bob Ryan showed us around and answered all our questions..what a wonderful place and the spirits were incredible. Left with some gin and whiskey! We will be looking for refills soon I'm sure! Thanks to Bob and Kathy Ryan for a great experience!
3. Connemara Bay Fishing Charters
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 40 reviews
Connemara Bay Charters offers lobsterbake cruises, saltwater fishing, lobstering, and scenic charters in and around the waters off Cape Ann, Massachusetts (including Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester and Ipswich). The Connemara Bay is a 37-foot traditional, “Down East”-style Maine-built boat with plenty of deck space to accommodate up to six passengers. All charters are captained by Kevin O’Maley, a native of Gloucester with a lifetime of experience fishing, lobstering and boating in North Shore waters.
4. Defiance Sail Charters
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 126 reviews
Windfall, our elegant 49-foot sailing vessel, is available for day or overnight sailing charters.We dock for the summer season (June–October) in historic Gloucester, MA, in Smith's Cove, within walking distance to the famed artist colony of Rocky Neck. Summer charters are also available out of Boston or any accessible New England port. Or, use Windfall as your floating B&B (Boat & Breakfast dockside) while visiting the lovely Cape Ann region. In autumn we head south to go sailing in the beautiful, sunny Bahamas from late February through May. Meet us at our base of operation, Abaco, Bahamas. Or, charter Windfall for island hopping anywhere in the Bahamas. We practice all state and local covid-19 sanitation guidelines.
5. 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.
6. 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.
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