Re-Discover Gloucester

Be a tourist in your own backyard and play, dine, stay with us!

Rediscover the magic of Gloucester, Massachusetts!

Founded in 1623, and known as “America’s oldest seaport”, Gloucester was the largest fishing port in America in the second half of the 19th century, and one of the top five ports in the world at that time. In addition to its contributions to the fishing industry, Gloucester also produced granite in nearby quarries as well as being home to the oldest art colony in the U.S. The city is less than one hour north of Boston and is directly on the Atlantic Ocean. Gloucester is one of four communities that make up the Cape Ann region (Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, and Manchester-by-the-Sea).

Discover Gloucester is your reliable “go-to” resource to assist you in charting your visit. We are grateful for your attention and want to ensure you that we’ve got your health and safety concerns top of mind. As news of travel restrictions change almost daily, we hope to provide you with helpful tips and thoughtful messaging as you plan your visit to our alluring coastal community. Whether you are revisiting Gloucester or exploring our local neighborhoods for the first time, we invite you to navigate your way through our comprehensive list of lodging choices, outdoor dining, shopping, and a variety of activities for every interest, especially open-air adventures!

We encourage you to re-discover all that Gloucester has to offer. Here is our suggested list of safe and fun things to see and do!

Discover Gloucester 2020 Visitor Guide

Get Your FREE Discover Gloucester Guide

As you begin planning your getaway or visit to our charming coastal community, order the Official Discover Gloucester Visitor Guide. In addition to the guide, you will receive access to our website full of Gloucester excursion ideas that include sailing, dining, shopping, whale watching, deep-sea fishing, parks, trails and hikes. While travel this year will look somewhat different, with a little planning ahead you can be sure to have a safe, memorable and magical visit to Gloucester.

Click Here to Order or View the Visitor Guide

Discover Gloucester 2020 Visitor Guide
Stage Fort Park Atlantic Vacation Homes
Stage Fort Park Atlantic Vacation Homes

Stage Fort Park

Site of the landing of the first settlers in 1623. Gloucester became the second permanent settlement of the early Puritans in the New World, preceded by Plymouth in 1620. Enjoy the park with over 25 acres of natural beauty including our beaches and spectacular views of the harbor and beyond. The Visitor Welcoming Center will be open to visitors to assist with brochures, maps and guides. Stage Fort Park is part of the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway.

Learn More

Ravenswood Park GMG

Ravenswood Park, Gloucester

Explore a shrouded landscape of hemlock groves, a magnolia swamp, and other tree species where you’ll find remnants of Colonial habitation. Ravenswood Park offers 600 acres for solitude and quiet contemplation of nature. The park is a testament to one man’s conservationist philosophy, and to all those who have cared for this special place. With 10 miles of carriage paths and trails that meander through the park, you can find plenty of room to picnic, bird watch, walk and simply appreciate the outdoors. Dogs are welcome.

Learn More

Ravenswood Park GMG
Wicked Tuna's Crew of the Hard Merchandise in Gloucester, MA
Wicked Tuna's Crew of the Hard Merchandise in Gloucester, MA

Wicked Tuna Captains and Vessels

In March 2020, Wicked Tuna premiered its 9th season on National Geographic TV. This “monstah” of a show landed in 2012 and brought viewers around the world to America’s oldest seaport. The show features five local bluefin tuna fishing captains who share their real-world tales and trails of the fishing industry here. Fans travel to Gloucester hoping to meet the captains, see their boats, buy Wicked Tuna gear and see all the city has to offer. You might even catch a glimpse of one of the captains in town. Their vessels are docked throughout our inner harbor.

Learn More

Rocky Neck Art Colony 10

Rocky Neck Art Colony

America’s oldest continually operating art colony (since 1850), Gloucester has played a vital role in America’s art history. Artists such as Fitz Henry Lane, Winslow Homer, John Sloan, Stuart Davis, and Edward Hopper have all captured the light of Gloucester, as our many artists do to this day. This quaint neighborhood is a lovely area to stroll, shop, and get up close and personal with many artisans who showcase their work with pride! You can catch some beautiful water views and enjoy an ice cream cone, fresh seafood, or a nice iced cold beverage along the way.

Learn More

Rocky Neck Art Colony 10
The Man at the Wheel, Discover Gloucester, MA
The Man at the Wheel, Discover Gloucester, MA

Man at the Wheel Statue

The iconic statue, also known as the Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial, presides over Stacy Boulevard, at the edge of Gloucester Harbor. Sculpted by artist Leonard Craske and modeled after a local fisherman, the monument was completed in 1925 in honor of Gloucester’s 300th anniversary. It has become the symbol of the city and a place to remember the 10,000+ men lost at sea during the city’s long history. Their names are recorded on memorial plaques surrounding the structure.

Learn More

Eastern Point Lighthouse

Eastern Point

Eastern Point marks the southern tip of the peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the eastern portion of Gloucester Harbor. Poet T. S. Eliot summered here for 20 years (“The sea is all about us,” he wrote in “The Dry Salvages”), and painter Winslow Homer lived at the lighthouse for a time. Come sunset, it’s easy to see why. Get a better look by walking or fishing on Dog Bar Breakwater, a quarter-mile stretch of granite blocks built in 1904 to keep ships from running aground and to shelter Gloucester Harbor from storms, which offers panoramic views of the water and shorelines.

Learn More

Eastern Point Lighthouse
Play Shopping Tulips
Play Shopping Tulips

Shopping Gloucester

Gloucester’s charming Main Street features some of your favorite recognized brands, along with many unique locally made items handcrafted by resident artists and craftsmen. Offering antiques, art, pottery, books, jewelry, toys, clothing, shoes, home goods and souvenirs – perfect for that one of a kind item to take home. Food lovers will also delight in the offerings in Downtown from charming coffee shops, to unique olive oils to fresh pasta, chocolate and cheese, Wicked Tuna tee-shirts to homemade Italian bread and pastries…not to mention a bunch of delightful outdoor dining options!

Learn More

Maritime Gloucester, Gloucester MA

Maritime History

Nearly 400 years of history and innovation are written in the streets and buildings of this town. Wander the downtown Harbor Walk or visit Maritime Gloucester (Phase 3) to learn more about our past and present as one of America’s important fishing towns. Walk along the harbor to view our working vessels and pleasure craft. Or get on the water, with your own vessel or a chartered fishing excursion or water shuttle. Being a mariner in Gloucester allows you to view our city and coastline from a new perspective.

Learn More

Maritime Gloucester, Gloucester MA
Gloucester HarborWalk Gloucester MA
Gloucester HarborWalk Gloucester MA

Harborwalk

Follow the Harborwalk for the best views from every angle in town. The 1.2-mile path traverses through town between The Gloucester House and Stage Fort Park. Make sure to stop at the Fisherman’s Memorial (famous for the statue and sobering list of fishermen who died at sea) and the Fishermen’s Wives’ Memorial. The walk is defined by 42 granite pillars that tell the stories of important people and events of Gloucester’s history. Bookmark this link, which has a list of public restrooms open during business hours. If you are looking for more outdoor fun at the water, check out Good Harbor and Wingaersheek Beaches, both accessible to the public and with facilities that include restrooms, showers, and lifeguards. More information about public beaches HERE.

Learn More

Screen Shot 2020-06-08 at 8.15.39 am

Outdoor Dining

As we enter Phase 2 of reopening businesses here in Gloucester, there are a few restaurants that are offering outdoor dining with spectacular waterfront views that coincide with the Massachusetts regulations. Our recommendations for dining al fresco are Minglewood Harborside, MileMarker One, Castle Manor Inn Restaurant, Blue Collar Lobster, and 1606 Restaurant at the Beauport Hotel. Call ahead to make reservations. For a complete list of restaurants offer outdoor dining or take-out/curbside or dockside pick up, visit here.
Screen Shot 2020-06-08 at 8.15.39 am