Top Things to do in Cape Ann
What to do and see in Cape Ann, Cape Ann: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
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. Cogswell's Grant
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 32 reviews
If you love antiques, Cogswell’s Grant should be on your itinerary. This 18th century farmhouse overlooking the Essex River was the summer home of collectors Bertram and Nina Fletcher Little, and houses their celebrated collection of American folk art, including primitive paintings, redware, and painted furniture. Everything is displayed as the family lived with it and shared it with their friends and fellow collectors.Open June 1-October 15, Wed.-Sun.; tours given 11:00am - 4:00pm.
Reviewed By BryanW714 - Ottawa, Canada
We really enjoyed the tour of this historic house. Our guide did a great job proving the history of the house, the last owners, their restoration of the house, and their extensive collection of American Folk Art. It was around a 45 minute tour. The surrounding property is quite beautiful. Highly recommended!
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. Halibut Point State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 725 reviews
Scramble across ledges scarred by the granite industry and examine tide pools teeming with marine life.
Reviewed By hmuchas - Charleston, United States
Wonderful walk around an old granite quarry with markers explaining the process of extracting granite in the days before electric drills and heavy equipment.
4. Gloucester Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Downtown working-class section of Gloucester.
Reviewed By smiling4unow - Saugerties, United States
This promenade along the ocean is a soothing relaxing area. Great experience both happy and peaceful. The Fisherman's Statue is an icon along with a beautiful wives statue amidst the of rows glorious flower beds. Also enjoy the friendship of the locals and visitors walking their dogs or relax on the benches. Restaurants , pubs, ice cream shops and terrific shopping is just minutes away. This has been our go to vacation spot for 45 years. There is nothing like it.
5. Gloucester Stage Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
The Gloucester Stage Company's mission is to present the highest quality professional theatrical productions while contributing to the cultural, economic and educational development of Cape Ann. Open seasonally. Please check our website for current season lineup, seasonal box office hours and to buy tickets. Box Office is open Tuesday - Friday 12-6pm. Additional hours May-October are an hour prior to show times.
6. 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
7. Plum Cove Beach
8. Dogtown Common
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
This Gloucester trail runs through quarries and woods.
Reviewed By Luv2TravelWN
A very interesting area to go hiking. Many trails and all types of large granite rocks strewn everywhere. There are a large number of them which have had stone cutters engrave savings into that make for a fun hike. The trails are long and could be confusing so make sure to get a map ahead of time to make the hike more enjoyable. Worth a visit and plan on a few hours to full enjoy it.
9. 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.
10. 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.
