The 31 best things to do with kids in Gloucester

Great beach! We love coming here for the soft sand and fun waves. During low tide there are tide pools and a river the kids can explore, plus an island you can reach via a sandbar. During high tide there’s still plenty of beach. The parking is great - plentiful and stretches across the whole beach, making it easier to spread out and you never have to walk far.

☀️🌊🏖️🦀🐚 Good Harbor Beach is a great beach with plenty of space for lots of people! We had a great time at Good Harbor Beach and caught lots of ☀️! At low tide you can walk across to the island and maybe find some 🦀 The food stand can be slow to order and receive your food so plan accordingly. My lobster roll and fries took 30 minutes to be ready but that was pretty common for everyone there. Overall we had a great time at Good Harbor and will make this one of our top beaches in the area!

We visited Good Harbor Beach in July and really loved it! We booked our parking spot a few days in advance, so when we arrived, we just had to show our reservation — super easy and convenient. We went early in the morning, which allowed us to park close to the beach entrance. People start arriving around noon, so depending on what time you like to enjoy the beach, parking and getting a good spot can be easier or a bit more challenging later in the day. The beach itself is very beautiful, with calm waters that are perfect for families with kids. We had such a relaxing and fun day, and we’ll definitely be coming back next summer!

Although the parking is limited and prices are salty, after 3-3:30pm the parking is free and there's always spaces to park. Short distance between parking lot and the beach, well maintained bathrooms but not so well maintained showers. Clearly a popular beach, by the crowd today. The water was ice cold in early August on a 80F Sunday. The tide rises suddenly in the afternoon, it's a beautiful scene to admire while sunbathing. Very pleasant beachn!

Good parking, well stocked bathrooms, convenient snack stand, helpful walkway mat in the sand leading from the snack stand to the start of the beach, making getting to the beach earlier for anyone with mobility challenges. The views are beautiful, and the beach is clean. My only complaint was people smoking cigarettes which ruined the enjoyment of the fresh air. Also, Keep an eye on your French fries and snacks for some assertive sea gulls.

First time coming here and it was enjoyable. We got there for 8am so there was plenty of parking, I do think $45 with tax $47 this year for parking for non residents is terrible! I did enjoy the fact that there are little waves here so its not a quiet beach. Walking the beach at low tide in the morning was nice, you can go to the puddles around the rocks to see what's in there and also cross the water to the island and climb it which we did not do. There's bathrooms with changing rooms, a food area, and an area that sells beach accessories. The beach at low tide looks very large but when it starts to come i it does get quite narrow. The seagulls are very vicious come lunch time, I saw a few attack people while eating their food.

Public beach that is about a quick $5-$10 Uber Ride to MBTA Gloucester train station. Locals are nice. Beautiful scenery. Low tides & shallow waters areas especially for the small toddlers and babies. Although, there are no public restrooms available, the closest is the local hotels & restaurants off Beach Ave. There is a small bridge that connects the beach to the local neighborhood & a small parking lot is available for families.

My husband and me visited this beach every year, We love the tranquility of its waters and their crystal-clear waters. This beach is perfect for families with children or for people who don't know how to swim because it's flat and the water doesn't go deeper than knee-deep for several stretches. If you come during the summer, you'll find lifeguards and remember to reserve your parking online several days in advance. 100% recommended 💖

“Beautiful beach with stunning views and very clean surroundings. Parking is $47 on holiday weekends (usually $37).”

Awesome beach with very nice water. The beach runs shallow for almost a mile which provides a lot of playing ground for the kids. One of the downside is the parking which is just so costly ~$50 for non resident parking. However we went in evening at around 5 and at them it's free. There is proper washroom which gets closed by 6pm. There are couple of porta pottys which are available.

Honestly, the beach itself is beautiful—the sand sparkles, and the water is clear. Unfortunately, the experience is overshadowed by how crowded it gets, making it hard to relax. The facilities aren’t great, with bathrooms that aren’t clean and no rinse stations to wash off the sand. Because of this, I have mixed feelings about recommending it. If you’re looking for a calm, peaceful getaway, this may not be the right spot. But if you enjoy a lively, social, party-style beach vibe, you might have a better time here.”

Second or third time visiting one of the best beaches in Massachusetts. Parking lot has to be purchased online with ten days in advance, and it sells out fast. It's almost $50 per car, which would be okay if the bathrooms were in better condition or didn't close before 6pm, and the staff wasn't so utterly rude. This is the safest beach for little children to swim, explore and have fun during summer. I highly recommend it, but make sure to be ready to leave by 5pm or you'll be taking all the sand into your car/house.

Fine sand, big boulders and clear waters in Gloucester. Definitely one of the best beach in the state.

If you’re into a more peaceful ocean experience, this is the place for you! Calm pools and shallow, clear waters make for a delightful experience as you walk out towards the various rock formations. Super munchkin friendly! If you’re wanting to board, go somewhere else, as there are no breakers here, and watch out for the gulls. Those anarchists will snatch food right out of your box as you’re walking away from the snack bar, and should not be trusted. Their beaks are mad sharp yo.

This is a beautiful park, not to be missed. We arrived around 2pm and were able to park for free. The staff at the visitors center was so friendly and helpful. There are plenty of picnic tables under the shade. The view overlooking Half Moon Beach and the harbor is beautiful.

Very great place to take a walk and go fishing. There is a visitor center, if you want to know where you can fish, please ask that lady. They have a bathroom under the patio. Super nice view over there. And free parking lots.

This is a beautiful park with fantastic views. It also has a beach and so much history. My family especially liked seeing the cannons. Unfortunately, we were unable to fully explore the park as we would have liked, due to our schedule, This would definitely be a place that I would go back to. There were many picnicking areas that had shade. The visitor center was well maintained.

The park is 5 stars but there are tons of unleashed dogs, and I stepped in dog poop. People blast awful music and its hard to enjoy any of the spaces here bacause of that. Parking is expensive too. The rules need to be enforced, otherwise youre better off going somewhere else.

Nice park for families. Scenic views of the Atlantic. Good amenities. Beaches are rocky and "swim at your own risk.

such a beautiful spot for the family. playground, trails and the stunning view of the Gloucester Harbor. plenty of picnic tables and you can even grill there.

Far from where we are but well worth it.. had a fantastic family day in a beautiful place with great pictures and you can grill there.. 10/10

Beautiful place. Don’t be thrown off by the “private road” signs. The lighthouse is owned by the state so as long as you are only using them to access lighthouse during open hours and are being respectful of the private property, you’re allowed to use it.

A hidden gem! Eastern Point Lighthouse is a cool place to visit in Gloucester, with amazing views of Gloucester, and you can even see as far as Boston. Along the way, you'll pass by a lot of signs saying private road, residents only, etc. Ignore those signs. The lighthouse is completely public. There's a small parking lot you have to pay $10 for, and a short trail to get to the breakwater. Great place worth checking out in Gloucester!

Beautiful lighthouse. U cant actually get to it . U looked at it from the causeway. Lots of lobster boats to see coming and going. To get there lots of signs telling u not to drive on the private roads. But they r not. Just ignore them . $10 to park

It feels like one of Gloucester’s best-kept secrets. Tucked at the very tip, it’s got that perfect New England vibe, waves crashing on the rocks, gulls calling overhead, and a long breakwater that makes you feel like you’re walking straight into the ocean. Getting there is part of the adventure. You have to drive down a tiny private road, and there’s no real dedicated parking lot and There are no restrooms. The lighthouse is closed to the public, but the scenery more than makes up for it. Between the salty breeze, endless water views, and that peaceful coastal feel, it’s the kind of place you’ll want to linger.

Lovely lighthouse off the beaten path! Drive down a one lane road past the "private road" signs all the way to the end to get there, then through a narrow trail and a little maneuvering on rock to get to the granite walkway

Super cool to see in Gloucester. You feel like you're driving in a private area, but don't worry, it's worth it at the end.

Eastern Point now has a guard at the road entrance which dampens the mood on way to visit lighthouse. There is barely any parking, about 6 spots shared by both the lighthouse viewers and nature preserve visitors. Ten dollars to park! USCG runs the lighthouse, so you cannot walk on the property, it is behind a chain link fence. Hoever, you can view it and you can walk out on the breakwaterrocks.

The monument is on the water along a really beautiful walk around the harbor. Across from the monument are stones with names of all the fisherman lost at sea over the years. There were hundreds but they didn't photograph well as it was dark

The Gloucester Fishermans Memorial statue is a beautiful and fitting tribute to the brave fisherman and their contribution to history. As a sidenote in the 7th season of Bewitched Darren was turned into this statue 🧹🧙. Well worth the trip just to see this part of history.

What a beautiful memorial. Also the flowers were incredible. Loved this

Last time I was here was as a child in the 60's; it was one of my earliest memories, when I didn’t know what it was a memory of. I've returned as a sailor, with a renewed respect for the souls listed there. A beautiful and powerful memorial that's been calling me for over 60 years.

There is! Like you have seen in multiple movies and such. Nice place to get out and walk along the waters edge. Take a few minutes to look at the plaques surrounding the statue on the Water side. All the fisherman that have been lost over the years.

Beautiful memorial to the fisherman of Gloucester! A cool sight to see if you’re a fan of the movie The Perfect Storm!

Beautiful walkway along Gloucester. While I didn't intend to stop here, the view were breathtaking and I couldn't resist.

Roy Moore Lobster Company absolutely deserves the highest praise! Watching the fishermen bring in fresh lobster right from the ocean and then having it cooked on the spot was one of the coolest dining experiences we’ve ever had. Our 3-pound lobster was perfection—sweet, tender, and bursting with flavor. The shrimp and baked clams were just as incredible, cooked simply and beautifully to let the freshness shine. The staff made the whole experience even better—they were extremely friendly, welcoming, and entertaining, adding so much personality and fun to the meal. From start to finish, the food was outstanding and the atmosphere unforgettable. If you’re in Rockport, this is a must-visit spot for seafood lovers. You won’t find an experience—or lobster—like this anywhere else!

The entire reason we stayed in Rockport was so I could try the world famous "Roy Moore Lobster Company" and it di not disappoint!!! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by Ross and he made our decision quite easy. I ordered a the Lobster roll, a half dozen oysters and one of everything else on the board. EVERYTHING was phenomenal!!! You can't get better seafood than this!!! Everything you heard about this place is an understatement. We were staying in Rockport, but no matter where you are staying, I highly recommend you take the drive to this awesome seafood Mecca!!! Thanks for everything Ross!!!

Maybe we just had bad luck today — we came with high hopes but left a bit disappointed. The dozen oysters were definitely fresh and sweet, top quality for sure. But the three lobsters, while they looked great on the outside, were super watery inside. It was kind of shocking how much liquid had pooled at the bottom of the box — all from inside the shells. Overall, the lobsters felt pretty hollow, with barely any meat, and what was there was super salty. Compared to places we’ve been to recently in Boston and Newport, this was honestly underwhelming. Maybe we should’ve gone for the lobster rolls instead? Maybe they were slammed earlier and quality slipped, or maybe it was just our unlucky timing. Hopefully others have a better experience than we did.

One of the best lobster spots in Massachusetts! The outdoor seating includes seven picnic-style tables and a small standing area. The only downside is the very narrow walkway to the seating. The food is excellent!! Clam chowder is thick and creamy with plenty of potatoes and not that many clams. The lobster is fresh, slightly sweet, and pre-cracked for easy eating. The lobster roll is served on buttery bread with a flavorful mix of lobster and light mayo, accompanied by coleslaw and potato chips.

I so wanted to gatekeep this place… but they absolutely deserve the love. The price is unbeatable, the seafood is fresh and delicious, and they keep it simple—minimal cooking, maximum flavor. Everything just tastes like the ocean in the best way. Pair it with a cold beer and you’re in heaven. The patio seating has a chill, coastal vibe, and the staff are friendly and welcoming. Nothing fancy, just perfection in the purest New England seafood shack form.

Can beat the prices for some excellent Lobster without all the extras. Loved the atmosphere. Could use more seating but a table does open up fast. Definitely a place to eat!

To top off our vacation experience. Best value in New England. Bayside seating harken back to a time long ago. The lobster was pre-cracked and steaming. Lobster rolls were the best I've had. Fresh and buttery in a toasted roll.

Ordered the twin hot boiled lobsters with onion rings and coleslaw on a Saturday afternoon. The waitress taking our order was friendly and she hands you a buzzer to let you know when your order is ready to pick up. The food was ready within less than 5 minutes from the pick up window. The lobster was fresh and delicious. The onion fries were huge, light and crispy. As tasty as there we couldn't finish them. There was plenty of outdoor space in the front and back of the restaurant with amazing views of the water. They had live music after 4. Highly recommend this spot for great seafood.

I can not get over how incredible our meal was! My friends and I were away for a girls trip and we stayed in Gloucester and all over my TikTok showed this place was the best lobster roll in town! We will be forever dreaming about our meal that day! My friends each got a lobster roll and I got the Lobster corn chowder! It was so delicious! I can’t wait to make another trip and take my family here! Thank you so much for a great lunch!

Felt like summer, outside deck is now open and live music sets the tone for a great atmosphere. Good was fast and great, tasty, delicious. Can’t miss place when in Gloucester, plenty of seating, nice for the whole family or just to hang out with friends. Great service from every single person, friendly and cool about everything.

This place is awesome for hot summer days right on the water. The food is amazing and the portions are generous. They put close to a pound of lobster on a roll. The fish tacos are also very delicious. If you’re ever in Gloucester I recommend you go try them.

This place is so good! The lobster roll is massive and the lobster is delicious you’re getting multiple claws and giant pieces of the tale. It’s so good! My only critique would be maybe a slightly more durable bun we opted for a hot butter roll, and it did start to get quite mushy as we ate it. But other than that, it was phenomenal. It comes with french fries and you can order a beer there. When we went on the fourth they had live music, which was awesome. This place is worth a little bit of a drive if you’re around.

The food was good. Albeit very expensive here. You can sit on the seaside and watch the fishing trawlers come in and out. This was the area that they filmed the perfect storm.

The food was excellent — the lobster rolls were delicious. But the attitude of the staff completely ruined the experience. The waiter was extremely rude. We wanted to eat outside, and he abruptly said, “No.” Then we decided to take the food to go, and he rudely added, “But don’t you dare eat it on the restaurant’s property.” Excuse me, what? I just wanted to enjoy the nice weather and the view, not sit indoors. It’s a shame because the food was excellent, but the staff’s attitude made me never want to return.

Overall very nice day me and my wife ate at the lobster land food was very good service was good too meet the cast wicked tuna

Landmarks we Know. Back to Gloucester exploring the coast and the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway. We visited this memorial in 1979. It is great to be back to remember our fellow sailors. The inscription is from the Bible, specifically Psalm 107:23, 24, which reads: "They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep". #abuelosmochileros_landmarks #abuelosmochileros_gloucester #abuelosmochileros_massachusetts

It is wonderful path in the middle of the city. The flowers are just so beautiful and it makes the walk around there worthwhile. You can see also go in the water as there is a mini beach version of it. You can walk to the rocks and enjoy the view of the water. Ample parking available on the street. The most amusing things is that you can see the bridge open for boats to cross which causes traffic but it's nice to watch. Well maintained and definitely worth stopping here for the walk!

This entire Waterfront area is very nice for walking sitting on a bench looking at the ocean and taking advantage of the lobster roll truck. One of the best lobster rolls I've had in a long time in the ladies running it were so pleasant and when I expressed how good the food was they were genuinely appreciative

Beautiful!!! Walking path right by the water. A park is close with rocks to climb for a better view.. Bonus.. They had flowers beds down the strip between the water and road. 💕

Our walk was extremely pleasant and relaxing despite the slow rain. The park and flower beds are gorgeous.

Beautiful historic town! Recommend stopping by.

Beautiful, historic area with cute shops and restaurants. Several movies were filmed here, including The Proposal, CODA, and Manchester-by-the-Sea.

Must see, view of harbor and lobster boats are pure Maine, lots of interesting shops. Awesome seafood restaurants 😋

Absolutely charming place. The absolutely best clam chowder can be had here at the Roy Moore fish market

Good memories here . Love the drive

A lovely spot to wander. Lots of art galleries in town, with several on bear skin neck. Good coffee, ice cream, cocktails and a couple of restaurants on this section too. 🖌️☕🦞👕🍹👜

A nice place to enjoy the view of Atlantic. Paradise for them who loves shopping and Art. Its a crowded happening place.

Very quaint, cute coastal town! Worth the stop and trip to Bearskin Neck. Of note, most places close pretty early during weekdays. Still, we had a great time!

Truly a must see destination in Rockport (paired with the Trustees’ Halibut Point Reservation). Breathtaking views of the ocean and the former quarry is stunning. The trails are great for running (not very long but if you do all the loops you can hit 2.5-3 miles), and are well-maintained and mostly flat.

Nice state park. You will have to pay $5 parking fee. There are portable toilets, also there is a nice visitor center built in the shape of lighthouse, with restrooms, and with picnic tables outside. The park has beautiful zone with flowers and abandoned granite quarry in 1929, filled with rain water. It's depth is 18m. The park is not big, has probably 2 trails, one around the quarry and the second leads to the ocean. You will spend there no more than an hour. We arrived there after 5pm in the mid of September. Not the best time to catch bluish hues of water in the quarry. Try to visit the park earlier during the day.

My mother and I visited this state park on Tuesday, September 30th. Unfortunately, we arrived less than 30 minutes before the sunset that the park was going to be closed. So I was quickly to see the sea and took a couple of pictures. Both the restrooms and the visitor centers are closed. I used the portable restroom next to the parking lot. Inside the toilet was having a big pile of shit but I got to go. It was a shame that I didn’t spend the time to look this park or learn the history about this state park. I would love to go back if I’ll go back to travel east.

Incredible landscapes. Very well maintained. Would highly recommend the walking trail from Halibut point to Cathedral rocks. The public walk ways are a great way to experience the the beauty of this wonderful place.

Beautiful park with nice walking paths that go to the ocean and overlook a quarry. The paths are blazed so you know where to go, and there's good signage, as well as a visitor center, restrooms, and water fountain. Highly recommend!!

I've been to Rockport many times, and I never knew this existed. What a cool place! Halibut Point State Park is an amazing park with tons of cool stuff to explore. In the middle of the park is the Babson Farm Quarry, an old quarry filled with water that is such a sight to see. There are places to view it from and go down to the bottom, but be careful as there are no guard rails to keep you from falling in. Swimming is also not allowed. Walk a little further down the narrow trails, and you'll find the beautiful sea rocks, which are really fun to explore. Beautiful views of the ocean. One of the trails leads up to the unusual summit of the boulder mountain, from which you can see Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and as far as Maine. Parking is $5 for Massachusetts plates and $20 for out of state plates. A must do if you're in Rockport!

A Beautiful park. Several nicely maintained trails lead you through the park, stopping at the quarry, and then to the ocean. The views are fantastic and we had a good time playing on the rocks and finding things that washed up.

As an almost lifelong Boston local, I sometimes forget how beautiful New England really is (like I’ll be watching a movie and think “wow- that’s a captivating location. Where did they shoot that?” Only to stop by a place like this spot to be reminded it could have been here.) I was in Rockport for work and had 30 minutes to kill and it was utterly picturesque and serene. The birds were doing their thing acoustically , the sea air was refreshing and the views of what can best be described as something like “ quintessential new english fishing town” were spellbinding. I ended up googling the red building to find out that it was called Motif #1. This little red fishing shack on Bradley Wharf has been called “the most painted building in America,” and once you see it in person, you get why. The way it sits against the harbor, with fishing boats, lobster traps, and the bay sparkling right next to it, feels like stepping into a postcard. Even though the original shack was apparently lost in the Blizzard of ’78, the replica has the same timeless, authentic feel. This was a great reminder of how lucky I am to have this kind of beauty just an hour from Boston. Whether you’re visiting New England for the first time or you’ve lived here forever, Motif #1 is (and arguably most of the Rockport shoreline) is worth the stop—it’s a perfect reminder of everything that makes this area special.

What a great little community I wish I could move here! Beautiful views and the only people that weren't nice where the Karen's walking and thought we were in their way. If you want exercise I get it but I bet all those little shops love tourists

Landmarks we Know. Back to Rockport, Massachusetts. Last time was 1979 after the Blizzard of 1978. Motif Number 1, located on Bradley Wharf in the harbor is a replica of a former fishing shack well-known to students of art and art history as "the most often-painted building in America." The original structure was built in 1884 and destroyed in the Blizzard of 1978, but an exact replica was constructed that same year. Eating lobsters outdoors watching this harbor is great. #PortsWeKnow #LandmarksWeKnow #abuelosmochileros_ports #abuelosmochileros_rockports

Amazing views and stunning scenery all around!!

Nice little harbour, perfect place to walk around and chill.

20250716 wed, a boat blocking the view of Motif #1. Tourists can't take clean photographs or selfies. Today not crowded with some shops closed. another photo around Motif #1 of Rockport MA? but so beautiful there today. stores behind some phots. Wished Google let one caption a photo on a desktop.

Beautiful place in New England. Spend some time wandering around in shops, restaurants, near the water. Motif #1 is historic, and great to photograph or paint.

We were here to see the Edward Hopper exhibit that's running from July to October as a celebration of Edward Hopper' works inspired by the houses and the towm of Gloucester itself. Excellent display and the rest of the museum is also a great place to visit if you're in the area. You can possibly spend 2-3 hours if you want depending on your space. There are also some cool sculptures in the courtyard. There's limited parking in a lot across the street. A gift shop is located inside the museum that sells magnets, books, postcards and other things. CAM is located in what's basically Downtown Gloucester if you're interested in exploring restaurants, shops and cafes.

This is a lovely little museum with many wonderful paintings and sculptures displayed in beautifully arranged galleries. The staff without exception was friendly and helpful. Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday if you can. But for me, the jewel of the setting is the extensive and usable research library. Don't leave Gloucester before you visit the Cape Ann Museum! My photos are from the quiet and shady garden.

The best museum on the north shore by far. The cape Ann museum has everything you need to know about cape Ann. The people that run and work at the museum are spectacular. The architecture of the ships and the building itself is impeccable. The archive area is amazing they have everything from trains to fishing to even reports on the cape itself. Just a all around amazing place to go to. Would recommend 5/5

This is a great little museum in downtown Gloucester. The Winslow Homer exhibit was really well done, showing his time on Cape Ann & the various items, people, themes that inspired his work during that period - beautifully done! The permanent collection highlights Gloucester's long history with the sea & includes living artists, something I really appreciated!

An outstanding museum focusing on what makes Gloucester unique. You can easily spend 2-3 hours here. I highly recommend taking advantage of a tour with a docent. The 60-minute tour was informative and engaging. After you are finished at the museum, walk toward the water a couple of blocks and you'll have plenty of great cafes and local shops to choose from.

A quaint museum in the beautiful and historic town of Gloucester about an hour's drive from Boston. Right now, the museum is showing a must-see exhibition of Edward Hopper. It was in Gloucester 100 years ago that Hopper became the Hopper we know today!

Small art museum on the North Shore. I came to see the Hopper exhibit before it leaves and it was very nice. The permanent exhibits include paintings on the first floor and historical artifacts on the second. Small gift shop. No food is sold here. Small parking lot across the street.

Had a great meal and experience! We ordered the olives and half dozen oysters for starters. Had the ribeye and it was delicious! Cooked perfectly medium rare and so flavorful. Also the veal was very tasty too. Highly recommend and I will be going back for sure!

Owen was fantastic.. explained the nuances of the food and just great host.. Food was very good.. Loved that we were able to customize entrees! One of the best in town no doubt

We were greeted with a smile and upbeat attitude and we were asked if our table was to our satisfaction. Our waiter Ezio was very knowledgeable about the menu and fully explained all the dishes we were interested in. The Shrimp appetizer he recommended was amazing! The pasta was fresh and the sausage was delicious. The risotto was cheesy and delicate with fresh asparagus. Wish we had room for dessert. Cappuccino and expresso were spot on . Give it a try!

Tonno was great. We ordered the Caesar salad, mushroom risotto, and mussels for starters. Everything was flavorful and delicious. For mains we had the bolognese and Sunday sauce. The Sunday sauce was rich and the meatballs were perfect. The bolognese was much different than others I’ve had, unfortunately not one of my favorites. However the homemade pasta was very good. Our server was attentive and welcoming.

We attended a wedding there lastnight and it was pure magic ! I didn’t know they offered this but I am so happy they do! The moment we walked in it was magical. Every detail was perfect. The atmosphere, every detail on the table like the roses, glitter & candles everything was so special. The food of course was perfection! You have incredible and kind waitstaff. Our server was attentive and she made us feel special even with such a large group. If you are looking for an intimate and special place for a wedding this is your place ! Thank you for making my friend (the bride) feel so special and loved !

I didn't usually give 5 stars across the board but this place was fantastic!!!! Oysters were the freshest I've had recently, food was on point!!!! I got the tuna steak with an additional side of the white beans. I was so happy with my choice. I plan to return next time I'm in Gloucester. I can't remember our servers name but his recommendations and patience was much appreciated and worked out in the best possible ways. I was there with my 2 kids and niece and everybody left happy and satisfied. Server was tall with glasses and he was excellent!!!!!!

Remarkable service and food. The best seafood meal I’ve ever had. Came for $1 oysters from 4-5 pm and stayed for dinner. Tuna is bluefin from the harbor. Swordfish best ever. Great for GF diners. Sarah was one of the best servers we’ve ever had.

Must do in Gloucester. Lots of history. Ask questions, and learn a lot. Staff is great.

Was at the dock for a friend's wedding. The location was beautiful. Access is behind the museum down a steep driveway. Go slow if you have mild mobility issues and you should be fine.

Gloucester is such a beautiful city with a working harbor. We visited for Schooner Fest and the harbor was alive with sail ships, concerts, lighted boat parades, fireworks, vendors, and food trucks.

We had the best time on our boat with Mike and our captain Steve! The information was great and we loved the songs!

It was fun. Just there for a short time to see the boats. Never been to the area before and it was recommended to us to check out.

Lovely little museum. Nice because it's very doable, we got to see the entire place (which you never get to do with normal big museums) and had a wonderful educational conversation with an incredibly knowledgeable staff member about all kinds of marine life. It's part museum and part aquarium; wonderful activity if you only have an a couple of hours, or on a rainy day. Highly recommend!

Small but well organized museum. Loved the schooner history and my 10 year old loved the touch tanks with crabs, class, starfish and more. Friendly and knowledgeable staff members, clearly passionate about ocean life and conservation. Had a great visit!

Don't get me wrong great place with a variety of cups and cones. My 3 star review reflects a butterscotch sundae I purchased. This thing had about a gallon of butterscotch. The whole cup was filled about half way with butterscotch. It was way too much. Other than that it was great little spot to get away and enjoy some ice cream

The go to place for ice cream oh the North Shore. Wide selection of flavors of hard and soft ice cream at great prices! Tried their lobster roll today - delicious and lots of lobster meat. Special price of $14.95 on Tuesdays can't be beat. Regular price $25.

Growing up my grandparents took us here for ice cream many times. So many flavors and options to choose from. Parking was available and easy on side of building. Girls working were nice. Enjoyed sitting in chairs by road.

Friendly staff. Fantastic ice cream. So many different flavors. And if you bring your dog, they offer puppy cones!

When my family n I was passing thur the ice-cream place to go to the beach my cousin n I told our self that when we were finished going in the water we going to come back to buy a ice-cream so when we went to eat dinner but we drove back to the ice-cream place to get what we love best so my favorite was the cheesecake n her favorite was the lemon we had to wait in line for 10 min but I didn't leave without trying it my first time. But don't worry we will tell our family and friends to come this way when they come to long beach in Gloucester god bless u all n be safe

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM! They have an unending variety of flavors. The line is long, but that shows that it is the best place in town. It is well worth the wait. Recommend a walk down Long Beach after picking up your ice cream.

Extremely delicious lobster rolls! Had a lot more meat than I expected, the roll was even delicious. Come on Lobster Roll Tuesday it's a steal! We also had a slice of pizza- the sauce was on the sweeter side but it was exactly what we wanted. We will definitely come back and will recommend! We did have to get an ice cream as well- there are a lot of yummy flavors.

Unique spot. Lots of boulders covered in lichen and moss( boulder field trail area).

Wow! What an amazing park! The trails are very well maintained and marked well. We brought our pup and had an amazing time. Can't wait to go back!

Ravenswood in Gloucester proved to be an ideal park for Lily. Its versatility caters to both short strolls and extended walks, offering a delightful experience for both pets and owners. The park’s appeal lies in its suitability for various preferences, making it a wonderful spot for dog owners seeking both convenience and the option to explore. Close to Manchester for a coffee or lunch.

Great place for a hike or some bouldering. Multiple connecting trails

Run by the Trustee of Reservations, this is a fantastic spot to wander around and get away from the grind. There are lots of interesting trails (such as the Magnolia Swamp Trail and the Boulder Field Trail) that are as beautiful as they are peaceful.

we have good e-bikes and found the trails well marked but much to bumpy for a bike there are large stones, loose smaller stones, large and small tree roots. these are painted Yellow but are too numerous to avoid. and quite hilly short areas. would be better for walking. the crushed stone is covered with leaves and pine cones.

Beautiful little wood in Gloucester. Conservation area with vernal pools and several marked trails. The woods are about ten degrees cooler due to all the trees. Bring bug spray this summer: lots of rain this spring has brought lots of skeeters! One carried me away for a few minutes, but brought me back quickly - wrong blood type.

Small, feels secluded depending on the number of people there. Lots of fun to climb rocks, plenty of shady spots. Not a ton of sand area for beach sports and stuff like that

Great place to spend time with family. Very calm and not overcrowded around noon. Shallow even during high tide. Great views with nice rocks to climb..

Very nice small feel private beach. Enough people to give each other space. Can climb the rocks. Boats be passing by.

Beautiful spot. The beach is rocky. We spent the early part of the day. It was a really great day.

Great place, family friendly, and ample space for picnics and enjoying the beeach

Small beach and beautiful landscape around Stage Fort!

Stunning place to relax, unwind , collect yourself, have a good cry or bring that special someone to and look at the beauty the Universe has gifted us. It is a special place.

Delicious! Can see why it won awards. The vanilla is so clean and rich. The chocolate muddy buddy was insanely good. The staff is clearly well trained - I told Vanessa I have a gluten allergy and she got my scoops from a fresh container with clean scoops without me having to ask! Great ice cream and excellent service!

I had seen the outstanding reviews for Holy Cow Ice Cream Cafe, so my husband and I decided to go for the first time on LaborDayweekend. We were able to find free parking on the street. There was a line out the door. We waited in line for 20 to 30 minutes. When we finally made it to the counter, we realized that there was only one person working. He did an amazing job of being friendly with the customers despite being consistently busy for a long time. Apparently this shop has won many awards for their homemade ice cream and have even created some new flavors. Unfortunately they ran out of the flavor I wanted, but it was easy to find another great one. We each got a small size in a cup which probably was equal to 1 cup. We were both very pleased! The flavor and creamy texture was so satisfyingly delicious! I ended up liking them on FB and learned they change their flavors seasonly! If you're in the Rockport, MA area, I highly recommend checking them out! t was our first time there

Not to be dramatic but this is literally the best ice cream I’ve ever had. We tried the Ooey Gooey Buttercake which is was my FAVORITE, the cinnamon churro, cereal milk, blueberry something, & a few others because we went every night of our weekend getaway. Seriously the best ice cream around. The flavors are so unique & delicious. 10/10!!!!

Delicious ice cream! Definitely a stand out spot with great customer service by Chiara and Althea. Very friendly, helpful to make a choice of ice cream, and overall great experience. Store was nice and clean as well! Wonderful treat!

Holy Cow is such astonishing ice cream, it is actually a compelling reason to live in Gloucester, along with its natural beauty and rich culture and history, yada yada yada. Every flavor is exceptional, including the ones that might sound gross at first glance, and even including the vegan flavors. I’m not vegan, but those are so delicious, I just order them for their own sake, not because they’re made with coconut milk. The servers are all perfect. They are warm and patient, even with complicated orders. Sophia, for example. Someone over there is very good hiring people. My hot tip is to get the pint pass. I think I’ve gone through 10 of them at this point. It’s a significant savings. Also, keep an eye on your halos. Those add up!

They serve fresh waffles, and the warm, sweet aroma fills the entire place! I tried the pistachio baklava ice cream, and it was incredible — no trace of that awful artificial pistachio flavor you find so often in the U.S. This one had a rich, authentic pistachio taste, with real pistachio pieces mixed in. I’ll definitely be getting it again!

We stumbled upon this American gem after a late summer trip to Gloucester. My whole party enjoyed the ice cream. I enjoyed it so much that I helped my self to an additional serving! Flavors are fantastic! Best I ever had! They shared with me that a location has opened up in Burlington, MA too, much closer for us in Metro West.

Great beach for swimming because it’s protected, with a nice view of Gloucester’s Southeast harbor.

Public, yes. Beach parking is scarce on Cape Ann & many lots are for residents only. The entire parking/beach pass system here is complicated and pricey. Here parking is limited to vehicles with a City of Gloucester Beach sticker, but you can walk on or arrive by bike, no problem. We only stopped briefly to consult map. Looks nice, not a large beach. By 11am all parking spaces were taken

A beautiful beach that's quiet, amazing views and you can see the Boston Skyline off in the distance. I visit this beach in Gloucester Massachusetts once a week during the warmer months and 1 or 2 times during the colder months. Sea glass everywhere.

Very nice clean beach but resident parking only. During the week not yet high season there were empty spaces and no sign of enforcement so we enjoyed some time and took a powder before we got a ticket.

Great hidden attraction, however resident sticker required for cars 🚗. Quite and not crowded due to the small number of parking spots. Two Porta Potties were available. Nice place for outdoor picnic on our bike journey.

Of all the Gloucester beaches this is one of the more relaxed ones. Very protected area with little to no waves, good for families. Lots of shells and stones around so it is more comfortable with sandals or something on the feet. Glass can be found so be careful. You can see Boston in the distance. Off season swimming is common in March and April. 😱

Every time we drive to Gloucester we stop here. I have always been able to find shells, sea glass, etc… Haven’t really been in the summer because I believe it is a private beach but I LOVE this little beach!

Amazing fresh fish, great prices and a polite, professional staff; what more could you want? We stopped in for a piece of cod, but plan to return soon for the fish chowder. There is convenient parking right in front of the door, which really beats other fish markets in the area.

We had take out for 4 of us, it was our second time ordering from Turners. Excellent fish and chips, the best crab rolls we have had, very fresh! A mice clam chowder as well. We will certainly order from here again!

Amazing delicious; always fresh fish! Cheery and courteous service! The best! Had amazing fish & chips today! They have expanded their dining options to include lobster roll, crabmeat roll, fried fish sandwich! Did not get a picture of the amazing fish and chips! Served with homemade tartar sauce, malt vinegar and ketchup! Super crispy, hot, crunchy very fresh fish. So delicious! Some table available outside! Super polite staff! Parking available free n front of store! Fresh fish is so fresh! Best on the North Shore!

Came from Maine was told to try Turner's for Fish and Chips. Definitely worth the trip if you are in the state a must see in Gloucester Friendly Great Service. Crispy and Flaky and Lite was So Delicious a Filling Meal. 10 out of 10 Thank You and Will be back Soon.👍☝️ Went back as I had planned and got the Lobster Rozotto Cakes also grabbed a couple of Stuffed Clams. Incredible again Turner's You have out done Yourselves and again great service Friendly Helpful . Would love to be an Employee you could pay me in Seafood LOL. Thank You from Excellent Meals. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to Your Family and Staff. 👍💜

We just completed our 2.5+ hr drive home to the Berkshires and after unpacking, feeding the dog.... pour a cocktail and reheat our Turners Fish and Chips Dinner..... We want to say thank you..... We always look forward to visiting Gloucester and never fail to stop and take home dinner...... It was sooooo gooood!...... Sorry no pictures this time..

Great for either buying fresh fish or even a completely done meal. We had clam chowder and fish and chips and both were delicious and good value for money.

Seafood was excellent in both freshness and quality. Drinks were equally great. Staff was friendly and very attentive to food allergies.

Absolutely beautiful, hard to describe in words. Be respectful, clean up if you have a picnic, but truly breathtaking. Thank you north shore 🙏

Beautiful scenic views on the water. Some good rock climbing and fishing as well. Please make sure to clean up after yourself when visiting and leave no trace!

Rafes Chasm park was an unplanned yet fun adventure! There is a short trek through a wooded area from the parking lot, which opens to the rocky shoreline. It was really nice walking around the rocks and taking in the scenery and different biomes of life situated between the rocks.

Visited the Rafes chasm with my family and was blown away by how unique it is! The rocky area right by the water offers stunning views of the harbor off the Massachusetts coast — I’ve never seen anything quite like it. We even spotted someone fishing there. For those unfamiliar with the terrain, I’d only recommend going if you’re confident navigating rocks, as it can be tricky and you’ll need to watch your step. It’s about a 5–10 minute walk through the park and woods to reach the water, but once you get there, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. A hidden gem worth checking out!

Beautiful location overlooking the ocean, it's a short walk from the parking area to the cliffs. The only draw back is limited parking so Definitely get there early to beat the hustle and bustle of the other visitors. It is safe for kids if you work with them to climb the rocks, our kids had a great time checking out the views and the waves crashing against the rocks. Was a very nice experience for our family and I'm sure it'll be the same for yours, Definitely enjoy!

Don't be mistaken by the Google address as this will take you to a Private property. The entry to this park is through 140 Hesperus Ave and you can see a small parking available here. A small walk through the trees and then you can see the magnificent rocks along the water. People do come and fish here too but it's a beauty with boats sailing by. It's a nice place to stop by if you are around the area!

STUNNING VIEWS! wow, seriously breathtaking. I live in Texas, and I have never seen anything like this site. I know that these kinds of sites are all along the coast, but this one was private and just so cool. I definitely recommend it. We walked from downtown through strawberry cove to get there. It was a beautiful stroll. Teens definitely come out here to party so there's a bit of graffiti and trash but it does not take away from the beauty of the site!

Excellent record, CD, cassette, and DVD shop. The selection is amazing and the prices are very affordable. My son and I were excited to find uncommon titles by the musicians that we enjoy listening to (post punk and New Wave). If you are a music fan, you should explore the treasures that are waiting for you at Mystery Train Records.

They have a deep mix of music and memorabilia in every genre. The staff is very knowledge. I love the vibe there. Thank you Mystery Train.

My husband and I love this shop, we spend hours scanning through CDs and records at mystery train.

Awesome vinyl record and CD inventory. Never seen so many free vinyls and CDs

Great selection and vibes! Been coming here since I was a kid

Well organized with a huge selection of vinyl and CDs. This place is a gem.

Great record shop, very friendly and knowledgeable staff. I've never been upstairs for the movie theater but I'm told it's a good time and they let you bring in outside food

A great place to relax on a smaller semi sandy beach. We went at low tide but no accessible tide pools so didn't see any crabs, may need to be in water to spot them. Parking available with permit, recommend walking if possible. No available bathrooms.

First of all if you aren’t local with a resident sticker there is NO parking. They ticket frequently and apparently it’s $85. We were warned so I parked about 3/4 mile away on a main road with no signs. When I got back to my car there was a nasty note. Sigh. Definitely a town that does NOT want tourists to come to the beach. Other than that it’s a sweet little beach. No big waves but very pretty. Would be great for kids!

No parking for non-locals. Beach was smelly, dirty, lots of sea weed and flies everywhere. Sand was gravel. There was a lifeguard chair. Doesn't seem enjoyable. There are portable bathrooms.

Beautiful beach with nice scenery. Didn’t come here during sunset 🌅 but I believe it would’ve been breathtaking. The portable toilets were extremely clean and had toilet paper.

Absolutely beautiful cove and beach with lifeguards. Not sure where there is any parking as just next to it is for residents only.

Such a wonderful hidden gem to catch the sunset in Gloucester. Bring bug spray/citronella bracelets to repel the bugs.

This is the best place on Cape Ann to watch the sunset. It's also the most popular place on Cape Ann to watch the sunset.

Dot’s Place is a fine spot to settle in and enjoy Rockport. It’s an easy walk to Bearskin Neck, Front and Back Beach and all of the wonderful shops and art galleries. It’s immaculate, and comfortable for a couple. Our hosts were warm and accommodating . We’ll return.

Fantastic location across from Niles beach. Great view. Very clean and new. Well stocked with dishes and cooking implements. Perfect deck for dining outdoors. Loved our stay!

We had an amazing stay! The accommodations as well as the location were perfect! The property and home were immaculate and well appointed. We had brought extra stuff that we didn't need because the house had everything we needed to cook and visit the beach!

Fantastic vacation, thé bell view waa an amazing house! We had a big family group, and the house gave us lots of bedrooms, bathrooms, and different spaces to be together and have privacy too! The team at Atlantic Vacations were really great! It was easy to book, and they were helpful every step of the way! Anything we needed they were responsive and accommodating,! The house was beautiful and clean, and has a great location near the water and local beaches. , and it had everything we needed! Thank you again for a great stay

A gorgeous home in our favorite spot! We love Rockport and especially within a tiny walk to Front Beach and the village. This house was spotless and had wonderful views! The beds were so comfortable, and the house had all you need. We loved the decks too! Oh — and my whole family raved about the showers. The heads and shower pressure were just perfect. We truly could not have been happier! Thank you, Atlantic Vacation Rentals!

Cape Hedge on Cape Anne is a jewel - during our week in early June, we celebrated my husband's 83rd birthday, and enjoyed all six kids who dropped in from around the country on various days. There is a lovely deck on the second floor off the master bedroom (see top of photo) which as we read or sleep brings in the sound of the ocean; another deck off the first floor to enjoy meals outside or just mingle; a spacious living and dining area, a modern kitchen; three baths. The home is decorated in quiet, peaceful tones. Truly a jewel!

Our 27th year in Gloucester and what a wonderful week we had with family and friends. The house, location and weather could not have been better. AVH was great to work with and so responsive to questions. Memories of a lifetime and we can’t wait to go back.

Great spot. Loved it

Do you enjoy being on the water and watching whales. If so, this is the place to catch a ride to witness whales enjoying the open sea just like you! A fabulous experience. Get Booked soon! October usually ends whale watching!! There are other types of sightseeing you can partake if whale watching is not your cup of tea. Highly Recommend!

As visitors, we did not feel welcome (June 2022). Nearly no parking, only for residents. For the beautiful beaches you (if not resident) have to register online in advance, with account and credit card. No chance to pay at the beach. It costs up to $40 a day and there is limited capacity, so you have to plan well in advance. If you want to spend only one or two hours there or if the weather is bad that day - tough luck. At the smaller beaches only parking for residents (and there was often not a single car). And the beaches are not within walking distance, you have to take the car. In general, access to the sea is difficult because of the private houses, as in many places along the coast. There are some footpaths though, but they are of little use if you cannot park there nearby. Again, only parking for residents. Admission to Halibut Point State Park for local cars $5, for others $20. Apparently they don't want tourists on Cape Ann. We will not come back. So, target achieved, Cape Ann!

If I can give 10starrs I would give 10 STARS for Cape ann and their crew on 09/08 1pm Whale watch. We saw 6 whales. the last one was a mother and a calf and they were beautifully playing and flipping giving us delight to our eyes. Worth every penny and second spent on this. I have all my videos and pics in my mobile so could not upload it here with review. I will drop it as soon as copied to laptop.. But Cape Ann crew are professional and they know how and where to show the Whales for their passengers. They are committed and very kind with the group and whales!!

I love Cape Ann so much that i bought a house there. When I retired, i told myself that I don't have to live near work. I love my neighbors. If you don't have a resident parking sticker, they are very strict. That is the one disadvantage for nonresidents.

If you like the ocean, you will love Cape Ann. I spent many summers in Gloucester when I lived on the east coast.

There are all but private houses around, no parking

Such a wonderful place to bring your little ones. The staff are very welcoming and helpful. They have activities beyond just reading which makes the library a more inviting place for younger children. I can't wait to see the new and improved library in 2025.

I am enormously grateful the public library of Gloucester, Massachusetts purchased both my novels. It's important to support local authors. Now that the warm weather is upon us, I am going to bicycle there and sign them! :) Thank you in advance to those readers who "check out" my book! Both novels make great beach reads! ;)

This is still my favorite library in the country. It may be a little worn out looking, but the art book collection is unrivaled. Every week there are about a dozen new art books and the art books go on and on for aisles. The children's room also has some very friendly people and an amazing collection!

The temporary library is on Main Street in Gloucester near the intersection with Washington Street. They do host some events there. I usually search their collection on line, place holds, and then pick up there.

The staff is excellent, and extremely patient with those who go there to sleep at the computers & use the stairwells as a public restroom. I understand homelessness & mental illness, but the staff are there to act as librarians, not babysitters.

This is the greatest library i've ever gone to, the staff are amazing they have a wide selection of movies, books, they provide chrome books to (laptops) in addition to that they have a teen corner were you can go and play games on the couch.

This is a great public library. The staff is awesome especially the Children's Section Librarians. Recently reorganized its really effective for now while we wait for construction of the new building.

Pretty beach and beautiful water! We're from the Gulf Coast where the sand is truly white and soft, and this beach does not have white sand like it boasts. However, still a very pretty coastal beach.

This beach was recommended to me by a local since all the other beaches were by reservation only. A pretty beach with serious waves. I spent a nice day there and would probably return in the future

Love this beach! Been coming here for over 36 years now. Always stay at the Cape Ann Motor Inn for prime sounds of waves to fall asleep to each night. Very convenient for families!

I loved it. I actually went to photograph a birthday party, but I really loved it. Easy parking and polite people.

One of my favorite spots to get away and relax.

Nice beach. Public parking is tricky to find. The app sends you to a private parking, a little bit further down the road you can make a left and there is the beach, by the end of the street.

Nice beach with clear clean water!