Food Scene
Wonderful prepared foods, baked goods, groceries and produce for your kitchen staples. You can't miss this spot for a taste of local flavor in all its dimensions.
16 locals recommend
Willow Rest
1 Holly StWonderful prepared foods, baked goods, groceries and produce for your kitchen staples. You can't miss this spot for a taste of local flavor in all its dimensions.
Fantastic coffee, tea and cookies at this inviting coffee shop in downtown Gloucester.
10 locals recommend
Lone Gull Coffee House
146 Main StFantastic coffee, tea and cookies at this inviting coffee shop in downtown Gloucester.
Simply some of the best homemade ice cream and frozen yogurt you'll ever eat. Pile in the car for a stunning evening drive to this Essex gem.
9 locals recommend
DownRiver Ice Cream
241 John Wise AveSimply some of the best homemade ice cream and frozen yogurt you'll ever eat. Pile in the car for a stunning evening drive to this Essex gem.
Don't miss this chocolate store, with world-famous "turtles" (chocolate, nuts and caramel) and other delectables by Hallie.
8 locals recommend
Turtle Alley Chocolates
42 Rogers StDon't miss this chocolate store, with world-famous "turtles" (chocolate, nuts and caramel) and other delectables by Hallie.
World-class food and wine. Sushi menu is perfection. Cozy booth and table seating downstairs. The upstairs hosts larger parties with bar.
47 locals recommend
Franklin Cafe Cape Ann
118 Main StWorld-class food and wine. Sushi menu is perfection. Cozy booth and table seating downstairs. The upstairs hosts larger parties with bar.
Another amazing restaurant. Don't miss the Banana Cake (yes, it's really that good even for those who don't like bananas!)
34 locals recommend
Duckworth's Bistrot
197 E Main StAnother amazing restaurant. Don't miss the Banana Cake (yes, it's really that good even for those who don't like bananas!)
An institution for lobster, fried clams, hotdogs for the kids, chowder, salads and lobster rolls.
44 locals recommend
The Lobster Pool
329 Granite StAn institution for lobster, fried clams, hotdogs for the kids, chowder, salads and lobster rolls.
Over three decades baking and serving sumptuous strudel, croissants and cookies. Or cool off with an iced coffee or lemonade. Local run and owned - a gem of Bearskin Neck.
22 locals recommend
Helmut's Strudel
69 Bearskin NeckOver three decades baking and serving sumptuous strudel, croissants and cookies. Or cool off with an iced coffee or lemonade. Local run and owned - a gem of Bearskin Neck.
Canoli! Cappucino! Baci di Dama! And more...a local institution started by a Sicilian fisherman and his wife.
14 locals recommend
Caffe Sicilia
40 Main StCanoli! Cappucino! Baci di Dama! And more...a local institution started by a Sicilian fisherman and his wife.
Italian sandwiches, rolls, cold cuts and grocery items. Little Italy comes to Cape Ann.
36 locals recommend
Virgilio's Italian Bakery
29 Main StItalian sandwiches, rolls, cold cuts and grocery items. Little Italy comes to Cape Ann.
Margharita anyone? Fanastic Mexican food in a festive setting: downtown Gloucester.
15 locals recommend
Jalapeños
88 Main StMargharita anyone? Fanastic Mexican food in a festive setting: downtown Gloucester.
Stones Pub & Eatery
242 Main StFantastic home cooking in downtown Gloucester.
Wonderful authentic home cooked Chinese food in downtown Gloucester - Seven Stars Around the Moon is amazing. Or order the yummy but typical fare (crab ragoons and wontons) or authentic fare. Local owned and run.
Horizon Chinese Restaurant
4 Rogers StWonderful authentic home cooked Chinese food in downtown Gloucester - Seven Stars Around the Moon is amazing. Or order the yummy but typical fare (crab ragoons and wontons) or authentic fare. Local owned and run.
Hugely popular breakfast spot in downtown Gloucester, but it gets packed early!
35 locals recommend
Sugar Magnolias
112 Main StHugely popular breakfast spot in downtown Gloucester, but it gets packed early!
Best local color for breakfast on a weekend. In downtown Gloucester off Washington Street. Tiny spot - not good for groups.
7 locals recommend
Two Sisters Coffee Shop
27 Washington StBest local color for breakfast on a weekend. In downtown Gloucester off Washington Street. Tiny spot - not good for groups.
Fantastic new restaurant in gorgeous old restored building on waterfront in Newburyport. Great drinks and a terrific hamburger and lobster roll. Fries are great too. Accommodates big parties with a rez.
42 locals recommend
The Poynt Newburyport
31 Water StFantastic new restaurant in gorgeous old restored building on waterfront in Newburyport. Great drinks and a terrific hamburger and lobster roll. Fries are great too. Accommodates big parties with a rez.
A must for exceptional wine, cheese, and more. 16 Tasting stations. Great service and local ownership.
7 locals recommend
Savour Wine & Cheese
76 Prospect StA must for exceptional wine, cheese, and more. 16 Tasting stations. Great service and local ownership.
Shopping
I almost don't want to list my fashion secret: this is the best fashion consignment store on the East Coast.
Dress Code
159 Main StI almost don't want to list my fashion secret: this is the best fashion consignment store on the East Coast.
Bananas
78 Main StVintage clothes and jewelry. You could get lost here. Amazing prices.
The Paper Mermaid
57 Main StDelightful homemade paper goods, stationary, cards and gifts.
Can't resist this amazing kitchenware shop with great cheeses and nibbles too. Cook books and the back patio hosts some of the best views in Rockport. Ask for Brett.
11 locals recommend
Lula's Pantry
5 Dock SquareCan't resist this amazing kitchenware shop with great cheeses and nibbles too. Cook books and the back patio hosts some of the best views in Rockport. Ask for Brett.
One of the best bookstores on the planet. Spacious, beautifully displayed and great selection of books, periodicals and cards. Also next to a fantastic kid's toy store and other shops. Catch them on a weekend during the Farmer's Market which is right there too (The Tannery Marketplace)
Jabberwocky Bookshop
50 Water StOne of the best bookstores on the planet. Spacious, beautifully displayed and great selection of books, periodicals and cards. Also next to a fantastic kid's toy store and other shops. Catch them on a weekend during the Farmer's Market which is right there too (The Tannery Marketplace)
Entertainment & Activities
Rent your kayaks, paddles, and all equipment here if you're leaving from the Gloucester/Lanesville side! (And don't forget to grab a picnic lunch across the street at the Plum Cove Grind.)
Discovery Adventures
Rent your kayaks, paddles, and all equipment here if you're leaving from the Gloucester/Lanesville side! (And don't forget to grab a picnic lunch across the street at the Plum Cove Grind.)
Rent your kayaks, paddles, etc. or take a guided tour from these great folks right at the edge of Tuna Wharf (Bearskin Neck) in Rockport. Pick up your crab cakes or lobsters at Roy Moore Lobster Co, on the way (or a pound of fudge from Tucks!)
19 locals recommend
North Shore Kayak Outdoor Center
9 Tuna WharfRent your kayaks, paddles, etc. or take a guided tour from these great folks right at the edge of Tuna Wharf (Bearskin Neck) in Rockport. Pick up your crab cakes or lobsters at Roy Moore Lobster Co, on the way (or a pound of fudge from Tucks!)
Arts & Culture
Fun to visit on a rainy day or anytime, this beautiful museum tells the story of Cape Ann's maritime and stone quarrying history. Exceptional collection of renowned paintings by Fitz Hugh Lane.
69 locals recommend
Cape Ann Museum
27 Pleasant StFun to visit on a rainy day or anytime, this beautiful museum tells the story of Cape Ann's maritime and stone quarrying history. Exceptional collection of renowned paintings by Fitz Hugh Lane.
World class performances by classical, jazz and blues artists in a breathtaking theater overlooking the ocean. Check out the schedule here: http://rockportmusic.org/
77 locals recommend
Rockport Music-Shalin Liu Performance Center
37 Main StWorld class performances by classical, jazz and blues artists in a breathtaking theater overlooking the ocean. Check out the schedule here: http://rockportmusic.org/
Take yourself back in time to the movies! Popcorn for a few bits. Terrific selection of movies two times a night.
Little Art Cinema
19 School StTake yourself back in time to the movies! Popcorn for a few bits. Terrific selection of movies two times a night.
World class museum in Salem, MA with exhibits on the maritime trade and life. Exhibits listed here: http://www.pem.org/
207 locals recommend
Peabody Essex Museum
161 Essex StWorld class museum in Salem, MA with exhibits on the maritime trade and life. Exhibits listed here: http://www.pem.org/
Everything Else
Darling local beach, accessible by foot, or by car with our beach pass. Family friendly and great swimming too. Parking available.
19 locals recommend
Plum Cove Beach
1000 Washington StDarling local beach, accessible by foot, or by car with our beach pass. Family friendly and great swimming too. Parking available.
Parks & Nature
Lovely walk a short distance from downtown Rockport with wonderful views. Take a picnic!
12 locals recommend
The Headlands
Lovely walk a short distance from downtown Rockport with wonderful views. Take a picnic!
Paved 2.5 mile path around a reservoir. Peaceful and bucolic with parking. Run here and around the rez through Dogtown trails that leave from our house.
Goose Cove
Paved 2.5 mile path around a reservoir. Peaceful and bucolic with parking. Run here and around the rez through Dogtown trails that leave from our house.
Five square miles of walking and running trails, nature, birds and wildlife. Enjoy seeing all of the "Motto Rocks" or pick a particular trail here: http://dogtownecologywalks.com/index.php?p=home
Dogtown Road
Dogtown RoadFive square miles of walking and running trails, nature, birds and wildlife. Enjoy seeing all of the "Motto Rocks" or pick a particular trail here: http://dogtownecologywalks.com/index.php?p=home
Visit this exceptional State Park - parking available, or bike, run or walk to it from our home. Great rocks for climbing and several deep quarries give you a sense for the industry years ago.
115 locals recommend
Halibut Point State Park
Gott AvenueVisit this exceptional State Park - parking available, or bike, run or walk to it from our home. Great rocks for climbing and several deep quarries give you a sense for the industry years ago.
Sightseeing
Enjoy a walk to this lovely historic "village" a short distance from our home. Lighthouse Beach is a lovely site to visit.
6 locals recommend
Annisquam
Enjoy a walk to this lovely historic "village" a short distance from our home. Lighthouse Beach is a lovely site to visit.