There are many things to do in Massachusetts other than Boston, Plymouth, Salem, and Cape Cod. Take a day trip from Boston or just get out of the city. You can battle the traffic and the tourists, or you can head to Cape Ann. Visit sandy beaches, seaside eateries, and artists colonies. Experience the beautiful rocky coastline, colonial history, and the birthplace of fried clams.
Rockport
Rockport was a renowned artist’s colony in the latter part of the 19th century and still has many artist’s studios, art galleries, and numerous restaurants, boutiques, and gift shops. Most of them are along the harbor and out onto Bearskin Neck. Rockport is a very quaint Atlantic seaboard town with B&Bs and waterfront hotels.
Bearskin Neck
Bearskin Neck is a long narrow piece of land full of little shops containing paintings, fine art, photography, jewelry, and everything in between. And located all along the harbor are numerous fine restaurants with excellent seafood. The Shalin Liu Performance Center is five minute walk from the harbor and hosts events of classical, jazz, folk, and pop music.
Motif No. 1
The most famous symbol of Rockport is Motif No. 1, a red fish shack which is the most depicted building in the world. There are countless paintings and photographs of it.
The Paper House
While you are in Rockport you need to see The Paper House. It’s a little house constructed with newspapers from all over the United States. The mantle is beautiful. The grandfather clock is amazing. Can you imagine how difficult it was to make the furniture and walls with newspaper? It’s a little tricky to find. Don’t give up. You walk in by yourself and pay by the honor system. Just $2 for a unique house.
Point Halibut State Park
Point Halibut State Park in Rockport provides majestic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the rocky shore from high up on the point. On a clear day you can see Mount Agamenticus, located 81 miles away in Maine, and the Isles of Shoals off the coast of New Hampshire. You can hike the parks trails, check out the tide pools, picnic on the rocky ledges, and take in the beautiful abandoned granite quarry right at the end of Cape Ann. Then walk around the quarry right down to the Atlantic Ocean
Rockport Breakwater, kayaking, seal, and lighthouse cruise.
Don’t forget to walk out to the end of the Rockport Breakwater, go kayaking, or take a seal and lighthouse cruise.
www.northshorekayak.com (Northshore Kayak)
www.loblollycruises.com (Loblolly Seal Cruises)
Gloucester
Gloucester was made famous in the movie, “A Perfect Storm” and is featured on the TV show, “Wicked Tuna”. It is the largest town on Cape Ann with the best beaches and great places to eat lobster, go on a whale watch cruise, or go deep sea fishing. Walk along the ocean front and the view the Fisherman’s Memorial and the Fisherman’s Wives Memorial. The area along the ocean where the memorials are located is beautifully landscaped with numerous colorful flower beds.
Hammond Castle
Never been in a real castle? Just outside Gloucester, is the Medieval-style Hammond Castle built by inventor John Hays Hammond. Imported from Scotland it is an actual castle. You can do the self-guided tour of this unusual attraction and climb up narrow spiral staircases, walk through the great room, and see the many unusual antiquities hanging on the wall. One of the largest Pipe organs in the world in his Great Room. Hammond Castle sits on the sea, so don’t forget to go out back and see the spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean.
There are several nice beaches in Gloucester. These two are the best for non-residents.
Good Harbor
Good Harbor is a beautiful beach with lovely white sand. At low tide you can walk out to Salt Island. At high tide you can enjoy body surfing or boogie boards.
Wingaersheek Beach
Wingaersheek Beach is a beautiful beach running along the Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay. At low tide, the beach extends out for hundreds of yards and a long sandbar is exposed
Cape Pond Ice
Take a tour of Cape Pond Ice and see the “Coolest Guys Around”. The icehouse was made famous in the movie “The Perfect Storm” and has been seen on “Wicked Tuna”. The tour begins with a video history of the ice industry that includes a vintage film of natural ice harvests. It can get cold in the icehouse, so you might wear a heavy sweater when you go on the tour and maybe a hat and gloves. If you are lucky a boat will stop in to pick up ice. And learning about how the ice industry grew, and how it has been an essential part of the fishing industry was very interesting.
Whale Watching & Fishing
While you are in Gloucester you should consider a whale watching cruise or a deep-sea fishing excursion.
North Shore Music Theatre
Just a short drive from Rockport or Gloucester is the Northsh0re Music Theatre in Beverly, Mass. This 1500 seat theatre in the round producing nationally/regionally acclaimed Broadway musicals, celebrity concerts, and kids’ shows. These are not touring shows. These are Broadway quality shows produced right there in Beverly MA with sets designed and built for their unique theatre. You might consider reserving a pre-show dinner at the Backstage Bistro. We saw Evita here. It was a spectacular show.
Need More Adventure
Door County, Wisconsin
Door County, Wisconsin is a peninsula just north of the city of Green Bay that is bordered by Lake Michigan on the east side and
Upper Michigan Peninsula (Eastern Half)
The eastern half of the Upper Michigan Peninsula includes Pictured Rocks National Seashore, Grand Island, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Soo Locks, Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum,
Savannah GA Southern charm, history, and haunted happenings
Savannah Georgia Head to historic Savannah, Georgia and experience southern charm amidst giant oak trees, Spanish moss, and beautiful Victorian homes. Shop along the river,
