Top Things to do in Cape Ann
What to do and see in Cape Ann, Cape Ann: The Best Beaches
Cape Ann, just 30 miles from Boston Logan Airport, includes four communities: Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea. The picturesque area that spans the coastline was founded by Pilgrims in 1623 who named it after England's Queen Anne. Today, it's home to fishermen and artists, merchants and writers.
Restaurants in Cape Ann
1. 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
2. Plum Cove Beach
3. Long Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By MBOS9 - Boston, United States
We love this beach! Clean sand and clear water. Not as overcrowded as Good Harbor or Wingaersheek. Parking is less expensive and there’s restrooms and changing areas.
4. Half Moon Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By makebassnotwar - Feeding Hills, United States
My wife and children adored this beach. Parking was affordable with the $5 coupon available with a stay at the cape Ann marina resort, total of $10 to park after coupon. Also fun hiking paths with stone stairs, a shop with hot dogs and icecream. Water was stunningly clear, so visibly you could see hermit crabs walking on the ocean floor and reach in and grab them. Bathrooms a 2 min walk frontthe beach with showers and a brand new playground with plenty of trees to sheild you from the sun.
5. 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.
6. Niles Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By Louetta - Georgetown, United States
If you know where Eastern Point is in Gloucester this place is easy to find. It's that small strip of sand at the end of which stands the cop who won't let you drive onto Eastern Point. Also, if you start at Good Harbor and drive along the coast road South (away from Rockport) you go down a big hill after about 1 1/2 miles and Niles Point Beach is at the bottom of the hill. Best bet for parking is along the side of that hill and then walk. It's not a very wide beach, not so much room at high tide, but you are looking right across the water at Boston. There's no surf so it's good for kids, good for swimming. Lifeguards and port-o-potty but no other facilities so bring food and drink. I like to sneak up the beach onto the Eastern Point end so I can take my top off with some privacy. Rarely does anyone come by on the road because the cop won't let you into the area. Once onto Eastern Point (via the beach) it's an excellent walk or run among really bodacious homes. All of the access problems disappear if you have a bicycle.
7. Front Beach
8. Old Garden Beach
9. Singing Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 172 reviews
Reviewed By williamm690 - Boston, United States
I'd heard about this place for decades, but somehow always managed to bypass it. I am happy to report that it lives up to the hype. It is a clean, near-perfect crescent which, from mid-October to mid-April, even welcomes dogs. On my visit on a perfect October morning, the sea sparkled in the autumn sunlight like a sapphire dream, and the horizon seemed to go on forever. You can drink in rewarding views in every direction, and the vibe is one of convivial welcome, for humans and canines alike. Whether the sand actually "sings" here I cannot say, but my heart did, and that was more than enough.
