Things to Do & See
We have put together a list of great local beaches, museums, art galleries, and other fun tours and things to do in Gloucester. This is not an exhaustive list, as there are many places to discover during your visit, but it’s a good place to start!
Beaches with facilities
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Wingaersheek Beach
232 Atlantic St.
Gloucester -
Cressey’s Beach and Half Moon Beach
Stage Fort Park, 24 Hough Ave
Gloucester -
Good Harbor Beach
99 Thatcher Rd.
Gloucester -
Crane Beach
Ipswich -
Singing Beach
Manchester-by-the-Sea -
Long Beach
Rockport
Museums & Art Galleries
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Cape Ann Historical Museum
Gloucester -
Essex Shipbuilding Museum
EssexIts collections contain over 7000 rare shipbuilding artifacts, photographs, tools, documents, builder’s half-models and rigged ship models. Many all of these items have come from attics, basements and barns in Essex. -
Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center
GloucesterThe Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center is the only working historic waterfront in the Northeast that combines a historic working marine railway, where wooden vessels are hauled and repaired, with a Gulf of Maine aquarium, vessels tracing the fishing history of Gloucester, ongoing construction of wooden boats, and educational exhibits and programs. -
Schooner Adventure
Gloucester -
Hammond Castle
Gloucester -
Ward Mann Gallery
Gloucester -
North Shore Arts Association
Gloucester -
Rocky Neck Art Colony
Gloucester -
seARTS A cultural Coalition of Cape Ann
Other Fun Things to Do
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Essex National Heritage Regional Information Relax and enjoy one of the most spectacular ocean views in all New England! All rooms at the Atlantis overlook the Atlantic Ocean and the famous Twin Lighthouses.
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Cape Ann Divers Exciting Dive Charters from Yankee Fleet Dock Cape Ann Divers offers an extraordinary experience for divers of all levels. We are strategically located near all diving areas in Gloucester and Rockport, and there are many to choose from. Cape Ann offers world class diving just 30 miles north of Boston. The visibility and sea life variety are superb. There are also a number of shipwrecks, wall dives and rocky reefs just off our shore.
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Cape Pond Ice
GloucesterEnjoy a uniquely COOL visit to the Cape Pond Ice Company, where we’ve been icing Gloucester’s fleet since 1848. We were featured in Sebastian Junger’s account of THE PERFECT STORM. Tours highlight the history of the ice industry,with vintage film of natural ice harvests. Explore our historic Ice House and see first hand 300-pound block ice being made – up to 350 tons per day. See fishing vessels taking on ice, and ice sculptures being carved in our historic icehouse on Gloucester’s working waterfront! -
Essex River Pontoon Cruises
EssexFully narrated cruises depart daily from the Essex Marina. Discover salt marshes, glacial islands, barrier beaches, sand dunes, rare birds and other wildlife. -
Schooner Sails on the Thomas E Lannon
GloucesterFully narrated cruises depart daily from the Essex Marina. Discover salt marshes, glacial islands, barrier beaches, sand dunes, rare birds and other wildlife. -
Essex River Basin Kayak Adventures
Essex -
Halibut Point State Park
Rockport -
Moby Duck Amphibious Sightseeing
Gloucester -
Ravenswood Park
GloucesterA tranquil wooded setting for walking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing along almost ten miles of trails and carriage paths. -
Old Town Trolley Tours
BostonSee the best of Boston on this 110-minute, fully narrated tour. From Beacon Hill to the New England Aquarium, the Back Bay to Boston Common, Old Town Trolley is the best way to see the city. Our 17 stops have been carefully selected for your convenience and pleasure. Get off and on at any of our designated stops all day, sightseeing at your own pace! Kids ride free! Check out our new 2-day pass!