Things To Do

Welcome to Cape Ann

WELCOME TO CAPE ANN Relax and enjoy. Family vacations, romantic getaways, ocean adventures, and fresh seafood. Representing the communities of Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, Ipswich, and Manchester-by-the-Sea, the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce officially invites you to visit and linger along this beautiful stretch of Massachusetts coastline, the central portion of the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway. We are easy to reach, just 30 miles north of Boston, MA on Route 128.

Discover Gloucester

Looking for things to do in Gloucester, Massachusetts? We have world-class museums to explore, gorgeous beaches to stroll, and interesting art galleries to visit, not to mention whale watching, schooner sails, foodie tours and more. Come visit, experience, explore and discover all that Gloucester has to offer.

Gloucester Visitor Center at Stage Fort Park

Gloucester’s Visitor Welcoming Center is located at historic Stage Fort Park on Hough Avenue in Gloucester. The Building houses hundreds of brochures, rack cards, maps and guides for the visitor to learn and discover all that Gloucester has to offer. Open seasonally from Memorial Day until Columbus Day in mid-October. Take a walk around the park, the beaches, a children’s playground, and picnic areas. In the warmer months, catch a concert or attend an event, and enjoy a bite or a cool ice cream from The Cupboard at Stage Fort Park.

Gloucester Beaches

You’re never very far from the beach when you’re in Gloucester. Relax on one of our spectacular beaches and visit lighthouses dating from as early as the 1780s.

Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial

Fisherman’s Memorial Statue (1925) Also known as the Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial, this iconic statue is often confused with the classic image of the Gorton’s Fisherman. The bronze statue is eight feet tall on a five-foot granite base. Gloucester bills itself as the “America’s Oldest Seaport,” and the monument was completed in 1925 to honor 300 years of Gloucester losing fisherman. Inscribed on the base is “They That Go Down To The Sea In Ships, 1623-1923.”

Hammond Castle Museum

Cape Ann SUP & Surf Co, Pavilion Beach

We have been proudly serving the paddle + surf community here since 2010. We have a shop, 3 on-water locations and we offer free delivery and pickup anywhere on Cape Ann for the rental of 2+ SUPs. Yes, that means your can paddle almost anywhere. Please join us on the water or swing into the board barn to find something that will bring you, or someone else, joy. Lessons & Tours run out of our two beautiful, and very different, rental locations. Both have direct water access. Our Gloucester location is situated right at the end of Stacy Boulevard on Pavilion beach. There is so much beautiful rocky coastline to explore in America's oldest seaport. Our Essex location is situated right in the heart of the Great Salt Marsh. There is lots of lush green marsh grass and an abundance of wildlife.

7 Seas Whale Watch

Daily narrated whale watching trips from Gloucester to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Voted best Boston area Whale watch.

Maritime Heritage Charters

Brothers Brew Coffee Shop

Family owned coffee shop with ocean views. BEST DONUTS on the Island

Lone Gull Coffee House

We are a family owned and run coffeehouse in downtown Gloucester, specializing in premium coffees and fresh pastries.

Cape Ann Coffees

Cape Ann Coffees is located just minutes from beautiful Good Harbor beach in Gloucester, Massachusetts. We offer a large selection of drinks, sandwiches, soups, and bakery items made fresh in our kitchen.

Sugar Magnolias

We are a casual family-style restaurant where you can be sure to receive excellent service and great-tasting food. Stop on by and be delighted by the delicious breakfast menu, outstanding omelettes, sandwiches, and salads!

George's Restaurant & Bar

Open daily 7 days a week. Monday - Thursday Breakfast 6am - 2pm, with Brunch starting at 11am Monday - Thursday Dinner 4:30-pm - 8:30pm Friday & Saturday Breakfast 6am-2pm, with Brunch starting at 11am & Dinner 2pm-9pm Sunday Breakfast 6am - 3pm ,with Brunch starting at 11am Closed at 3pm on Sundays

BISHCO

A family owned soup, salad and sandwich shop with the BEST frozen yogurt on Gloucester’s historical Main St.

Virgilio's Bakery

Welcome to Virgilio's Bakery Deli and Italian Groceria. For three generations we have been baking the "Bread of the Fishermen" and creating Italian specialty sandwiches, soups, salads, pizza, cookies and pastries for the Cape Ann area. Our bread is baked fresh on site daily for retail, restaurants, grocery stores and caterers.

Caffe Sicilia

Espresso and Italian pastries

Stones Pub & Eatery

Cooking Up Your Newest Pub Cravings

DRIFT

WHERE TRADITION MEETS MODERNITY IN FOOD, DRINK AND DÉCOR Whether dining alfresco on the patio or inside with the open-air layout listening to live music DRIFT creates a vibe that resonates and a setting that inspires.

1606 Restaurant & Oyster Bar

About Us Located on the lobby level of Beauport Hotel Gloucester, our charming 1606 Restaurant & Oyster Bar offers an oceanfront deck showcasing New England coastal dining at its best. Celebrate delicious Modern American cuisine prepared with fresh local ingredients by our Executive Chef Jonathan Mckechnie and culinary team. The warm décor, seaside vistas, and relaxed upscale atmosphere provide a Cape Ann dining experience unlike any other.

Causeway Restaurant

About Us: The Causeway has been a local favorite serving Italian and seafood entrees for over ten years. We offer dine-in service as well as take-out. We accept credit cards. We do not accept reservations. Feel free to bring in your own bottle of Wine or Beer.

Azorean Restaurant & Bar

Serving Portuguese cuisine with influences from the owners home island of Sao Miguel and our chef living most of his childhood in the heart of Lisbon, Portugal. We also serve a wide variety of bar food and pizzas to please any cravings.

Lobsta Land Restaurant

For over 30 years we’ve been serving Cape Ann’s most eclectic menu in a family friendly, comfortably casual atmosphere. We’re the place where the “locals” eat!

Woodman's of Essex

Roy Moore Lobster Co

Fresh Seafood