Know Before You Go
Your “Go-To” Guide with helpful information to prepare for your visit to Gloucester
Know Before You Go
Your “Go-To” Guide with helpful information to prepare for your visit to Gloucester
Travel in Massachusetts will be a little different this year. Here are some helpful tips for planning ahead and a few common safety precautions to make your journey even more enjoyable. If you’re visiting or traveling in, Massachusetts this summer, it’s important to do so safely. Bring a face covering to wear in public settings, even outdoors in some cases. Wash your hands often, bring some hand sanitizer as a convenient option. Make dining reservations in advance. Practice social distancing and stay home if you are sick.
Our businesses are eager to welcome you to our coastal community. We want you to be safe and be aware of the best practices that we’ve put in place for your protection and comfort through our local and state officials here in Gloucester, Cape Ann, Massachusetts.
Here is your Go-to Guide Check List:
– Bring a face mask/covering to wear in public settings and even outdoors in some cases.
– Wash your hands often, bring some hand sanitizer as a convenient option.
– Practice social distancing by keeping six feet between you and anyone outside your travel group.
– Stay home if you are sick.
Beaches
Good Harbor and Wingaersheek beaches are currently available to non-residents on a limited capacity on a first-come, first-served basis. Niles and Plum Cove beaches are all Residents Only (until further notice).
Updated information provided each Wednesday on the Gloucester Beaches Facebook page.
Restaurants & Dining Establishments
Several Eating Establishments are now open with Outdoor Dining. In Gloucester, they include: 1606 Restaurant & Bar, Seaport Grille, Mile Marker One, Castle Manor Inn Grand Porch Tent, Minglewood Harborside, Jalapeno’s, Blue Collar Lobster Co., DRIFT Cafe, Tonno, Captain Carlo’s, Topside Grille, Oliver’s Harbor, Passports, The Franklin, Sugar Magnolia’s, The Studio, Charlie’s, The Causeway, Mom’s Kitchen, The Azorean, Saltwater Café, Bishco, Café Sicilia’s, Woodman’s of Essex, Cala’s in Manchester, Roy Moore Lobster in Rockport. Click HERE for an updated list.
Please note that BARS are NOT open for business (upcoming in Phase 3/4). Patrons must sit at a dining table to enjoy a meal with their beverages.
Shops and Services
Several Retailers are open for your shopping pleasure. Main Street in Downtown Gloucester is now semi-closed to traffic to allow for outdoor dining and shopping. Several shops are open on Main Street include Design of Mine, Pop Gallery, Mark Adrian Shoes, Cape Ann Olive Oil, The Brass Monkey, Dogtown Book Store, Good Linens, Weathervane, Surfari, Beth Williams Studio, Jane Deering Gallery and Turtle Alley Chocolates. Shops and galleries are open throughout Rocky Neck Artist Colony.
We encourage you to go directly to the business website for hours of operation details. Click HERE for an updated list.
Stage Fort Park (including Cressy’s and Half Moon Beaches)
Park is open to the public for enjoyment, first come-first served, restrooms available at the Visitor Center, parking limited with payment of a daily parking fee. The Welcome Center is open with limited hours Thursday through Monday. No beach shuttle available this summer.
Parks
Dogtown – Open to the public
Ravenswood, Mt Ann Park and Halibut Point State Park are currently open
to the public. Check out thetrustees.org for more information.
Halibut Point State Park – Open to the public
Parking
Public lots are open on Rogers Street, St. Peter’s Square, Main Street and many cross streets including Pleasant, Middle, Prospect – Parking Meters are currently being enforced.
Safety
Appropriate face coverings and 6-foot social distancing is expected (required), with 12 feet between you and your closest neighbors on the beach.
Public Restrooms
Public restrooms are available at these locations: Welcoming Center at Stage Fort Park, The Gloucester House (public restroom), Cape Ann Brewery
