Location: Gloucester
Top Things to do in Gloucester
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Things to do in Gloucester, Massachusetts (MA): The Best Nature & Parks
With its sandy North Shore beaches, rocky outcrops, green parks, hemlock woods and wild estuaries full of shorebirds, it is no wonder that Gloucester has attracted such a rich and diverse artists' community. Fitz Hugh Lane, Winslow Homer and John Sloan are just some of the artists who have taken inspiration from Gloucester's beautiful surrounds. Still boasting dozens of galleries and boutiques, as well as museums, theaters and an artists' colony, the city's art scene clearly continues to thrive.
Restaurants in Gloucester
1. Good Harbor Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 693 reviews
This picturesque curved white-sandy beach with a lazy rolling surf is a favorite among Gloucester residents and visitors.
Reviewed By 81vadimr
Good Harbor beach is one of the best beaches of North Shore in Massachusetts. Deepest and cleanest send. A little island near by with easy access in low tide, just be careful of poison ivy. Parking lot is not very big and filled very quickly in the hot Summer days. Be there before 9am to guarantee the spot. Enjoy it
2. Plum Cove Beach
3. Dogtown Common
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
This Gloucester trail runs through quarries and woods.
Reviewed By Luv2TravelWN
A very interesting area to go hiking. Many trails and all types of large granite rocks strewn everywhere. There are a large number of them which have had stone cutters engrave savings into that make for a fun hike. The trails are long and could be confusing so make sure to get a map ahead of time to make the hike more enjoyable. Worth a visit and plan on a few hours to full enjoy it.
4. Stage Fort Park and Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 245 reviews
This small park overlooking Gloucester harbor marks the spot where the area was first settled in the early 1600s.
Reviewed By Louetta - Georgetown, United States
Stage Fort is really nice. It is right on the ocean and there is a large grassy area, a couple of small beaches, places to cook out, a big snack bar and a long concourse along the beach that you can even walk into town (about a mile). Nice views, right on the ocean. People come in groups and stay for the day. Great for families, you can cook, kids can play on the grass or in the water. There is also a ball field over near the road. I tend to spend my time in the area up past the rest rooms up the hill where there is a smallish beach and plenty of areas to lie out on the rocks above the beach or amongst the trees. All sorts of stuff goes on in this relatively secluded area. I enjoy taking my top off and though I wouldn't on crowded weekends girls do but you might be bothered or photographed. Best wait for weekdays. Parking is kind of expensive. I've heard 15 and I've heard 20. I bicycle so I don't know. Bring your fluids and food if you want. They have full dinners at the snack bar, clams and stuff but a quart of clams is well over $10 plus fries and drinks. It's a stiff walk but there is a well kept concrete walkway all along the edge of the water over the bridge (which opens for boats) and up into town. They have very nice sit down restaurants but you're talking about a mile and a half.
5. Long Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By MBOS9 - Boston, United States
We love this beach! Clean sand and clear water. Not as overcrowded as Good Harbor or Wingaersheek. Parking is less expensive and there’s restrooms and changing areas.
6. Ravenswood Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62 reviews
Explore a shrouded landscape of hemlock groves, a magnolia swamp, and other trees species where you'll find remnants Colonial habitation.
Reviewed By misterclean6 - Manchester-by-the-Sea, United States
This park is a gem for a delightful stroll through the woods. Pleasant and an easy hike with mother nature.
7. Half Moon Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By makebassnotwar - Feeding Hills, United States
My wife and children adored this beach. Parking was affordable with the $5 coupon available with a stay at the cape Ann marina resort, total of $10 to park after coupon. Also fun hiking paths with stone stairs, a shop with hot dogs and icecream. Water was stunningly clear, so visibly you could see hermit crabs walking on the ocean floor and reach in and grab them. Bathrooms a 2 min walk frontthe beach with showers and a brand new playground with plenty of trees to sheild you from the sun.
8. Wingaersheek Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 305 reviews
Reviewed By C3975BPdonnaa
My favorite beach. Wingaersheek Beach is a great beach for kids and adults. When the tide goes out there is room for everyone! Not to mention shells, sand dollars and hermit crabs! Waves are minimal so also great for swimming! I come here several times each summer. Snack Bar, outdoor shower for rinsing and bathrooms. Only draw back is parking is a little expensive.
9. Niles Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By Louetta - Georgetown, United States
If you know where Eastern Point is in Gloucester this place is easy to find. It's that small strip of sand at the end of which stands the cop who won't let you drive onto Eastern Point. Also, if you start at Good Harbor and drive along the coast road South (away from Rockport) you go down a big hill after about 1 1/2 miles and Niles Point Beach is at the bottom of the hill. Best bet for parking is along the side of that hill and then walk. It's not a very wide beach, not so much room at high tide, but you are looking right across the water at Boston. There's no surf so it's good for kids, good for swimming. Lifeguards and port-o-potty but no other facilities so bring food and drink. I like to sneak up the beach onto the Eastern Point end so I can take my top off with some privacy. Rarely does anyone come by on the road because the cop won't let you into the area. Once onto Eastern Point (via the beach) it's an excellent walk or run among really bodacious homes. All of the access problems disappear if you have a bicycle.
10. Mount Ann Park
Overall Ratings
2.5 based on 6 reviews
A substantial mixed forest of evergreens and hardwoods rises to a rocky summit overlooking Cape Ann. Please note: This reservation is not accessible at this time.
