Visitor Information 

Getting Around Town

Arriving to Gloucester by Train:

Take the MBTA Commuter Rail to the Gloucester Station. Walk down to the harbor, and return using the CATA Trolley (Sat, Sun & Mon only). Click HERE to find maps and schedules.

CATA On Demand:

CATA’s On Demand ride share program is an easy way to get around town. Download the CATA On Demand app and follow the instructions for ordering a ride-share for just $2 each way. This is a great option when arriving by train or staying at one of our local hotels. Enjoy views of the Parade of Sail from Eastern Point by taking CATA to Niles Beach and transferring to the shuttle.

Parking Options:

• Metered Parking:
  Metered parking is available throughout downtown Gloucester, including:

  • Main Street

  • Harbor Loop

  • Rogers Street

  • Middle Street

  • Dale Avenue

  You’ll also find metered parking lots at:

  • The Gloucester House Restaurant

  • Castaways Vintage Café (Rogers Street entrance)

  • Chamber of Commerce

  • Near City Hall (corner of Pleasant Street and Middle Street)

  • I4C2 Lot

  Pay at the designated kiosks or use the Flowbird app for convenient mobile payment.

  Free Parking (Limited):

  • St. Peter’s Square

  Stacy Boulevard:
  Limited street parking is available along Stacy Boulevard. Be sure to check signage for specific time limits and regulations.

  Stage Fort Park:
  Located about a 10-minute walk from downtown and the Schooner Festival sites, Stage Fort Park offers additional parking with advance reservation required through the Blinkay app or website.

Cape Ann Harbor Tours Water Shuttle:

Visit Rocky Neck and Ocean Alliance with ease by hopping aboard the Cape Ann Harbor Tours Water Shuttle which docks downtown at the Harbormaster Building located in Harbor Loop. Get around the inner harbor easily to visit Schooner Fest sites, and enjoy views of Schooners from the water. The water shuttle is step-on, step-off and just $15 per day.

Schooner Viewing and Deck Tours

This visitor-based dockside experience is thanks to generous support from Schooner Festival sponsors. Public viewing will take place at Maritime Gloucester’s pier, Ocean Alliance, and at I4C2. This is a free option for the public, but donations for Gloucester Schooner Festival are appreciated to support this experience. Click here to learn more.

Schooner Tour by Water

Gloucester Harbor Tours teams up with Gloucester Schooner Festival to provide a narrated tour of the Schooners at the dock and on their moorings. This water-based tour will give ticketed customers a chance to hear about local maritime history and view these vessels from a unique perspective.

Go for a Sail

Schooner sail tickets and private charters are available! Visit the Schooner Festival website to see the list of participating schooners, and get your tickets, or charter the whole vessel. Schooners pictured with a yellow star are selling tickets or chartering during the Festival! Click here to learn more.

Parade of Schooners

The entire fleet of schooners joins together for a Parade of Schooners not to be missed! Whether you get aboard a schooner or watch from the shore, this is a memorable experience for all. Prime viewing areas are Stacy Boulevard, Stage Fort Park, and Eastern Point. Click here to learn more.