Spring has arrived on Cape Ann, and Gloucester is waking up in the best possible way. From world-class art exhibitions to whale watches, indie bookstores to oceanfront stays, April is packed with reasons to visit. Here’s your guide to making the most of this beautiful time of year in Gloucester.
Save on Beachside Stays This Month
Kick off your Cape Ann getaway at The Vista, which opens for the season on April 1. Perched above Good Harbor Beach with sweeping ocean views, private balconies, a heated pool, and a complimentary continental breakfast, The Vista is one of Gloucester’s most beloved places to stay.
To celebrate their reopening, they’re offering 20% off all stays throughout the month of April — making it the perfect time to book before summer rates kick in. Book direct and save at thevistagloucester.com.
And if you’re already thinking ahead to summer, The Inn at Good Harbor Beach is now accepting reservations for stays beginning July 1, and they’re filling up fast. Book online at innatgoodharborbeach.com or call 978-283-1489.
A Once-in-a-Century Art Exhibition at Hammond Castle
This month, you’ll want to save time for a visit to Hammond Castle Museum for Eric Pape: Fantasy Illustrations, on view April 3–26. This fourth annual Eric Pape exhibition is the most significant yet, featuring 73 rarely seen works on loan from renowned conflict zone photographer Bruce Haley — pieces that have not been publicly exhibited since Pape’s death in 1938. Many were recovered from Pape’s locked studio decades after he passed.
The illustrations span some of literature’s most beloved stories: The Arabian Nights, Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Notre Dame de Paris, and more. Additional works from Dr. Gregory Conn’s personal collection round out this extraordinary show. Admission includes a self-guided tour of the castle, and guests can also view the sole remaining Eric Pape mural on permanent display in the Lower Den.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $17 for seniors, and $10 for children ages 5–12. Children 12 and under visit free during Kids Free Week, April 20–24. Reserve tickets at bit.ly/HCM-Pape. Hours are 9:00 am–3:30 pm, with last admittance at 2:45 pm.
Whale Watch Season Returns
One of the most exciting annual milestones for Cape Ann is the return of whale watch season, and 7 Seas Whale Watch is officially opening for the season on April 25. Humpbacks, finbacks, and minkes are beginning their migration through the rich feeding grounds of Stellwagen Bank, and there’s truly nothing like witnessing them up close from the deck of a boat off the Gloucester coast. Visit 7seaswhalewatch.com for schedules and booking.
Celebrate Earth Day in Gloucester
Gloucester is marking Earth Day with two community events: On Wednesday, April 22, Mayor Lundberg will lead an Earth Day Flag Raising at City Hall at 12:00 pm, where Gloucester’s Co-Poet Laureates Heidi Wakeman and Jay Featherstone will read original poems to mark the occasion. A free screening of the classic 1972 film The Lorax follows at 12:30 pm at Sawyer Free Library.
Then on Saturday, April 25 head to the O’Maley Innovation Middle School (32 Cherry Street) from 10 am–2 pm for an Earth Day Recycling Festival. Green Team Junk Removal will be collecting hard-to-recycle items, Art Haven will offer free art activities, and Brassfed Nation will perform from 10–11 am. Community vendors and sustainability partners will be on hand throughout the day.
Indie Bookstore Day & The North of Boston Book Trail
Book lovers, this one’s for you! On April 25 and 26, The Bookstore of Gloucester joins 19 other independent bookstores for the 3rd Annual North of Boston Book Trail Passport Challenge, kicking off Independent Bookstore Day Weekend. Pick up a passport at your first stop and collect stamps as you go — prizes await depending on how many stores you visit. Gloucester is well represented this year, with The Bookstore of Gloucester and Dogtown Books both participating. Can’t do it all in one weekend? There’s a “Slow & Steady” tier giving participants until Labor Day to complete all 20 stores. Learn more at northofbostonbooktrail.com.
Sunday Painting with Water-Based Oils
Looking for a creative way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Gloucester? Local artist Melody Phaneuf is hosting Sunday Painting with Water Based Oils at her Gloucester studio at 3 Centennial Ave. Classes run April 12, 19, and 26 from 2:00–4:00 pm. Spaces are limited, all levels are welcome, and the intimate small-group setting makes it a truly personal creative experience. Sessions are $180. Reach out to Melody directly to reserve your spot.
More to Love This April
Rocky Neck Art Colony — The nation’s oldest working art colony begins to stir back to life in April. Stop by to browse open studios and galleries as artists return for the season. A perfect afternoon wander.
Greenbelt — April is one of the best months to explore Cape Ann’s trails before the summer crowds arrive. Greenbelt stewards miles of accessible, beautiful open space across the region.
Treetop Yoga — Shake off the last of winter with a class at Treetop Yoga. With vinyasa, restorative, and Pilates options, it’s the perfect way to ease into the season feeling refreshed.
April in Gloucester is a season of firsts; first whale watches, first warm weekends on the beach, first gallery openings of the year. It’s a great time to come discover what makes America’s oldest seaport such a beloved destination.