Location: Gloucester
Top Things to do in Gloucester
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What to do and see in Gloucester, Massachusetts (MA): The Best Free Things to do
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. Local Colors
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By sheilannjones
Stained glass, jewelry, sea glass, treasures from all around the Cape Ann area, personalized and handcrafted, very creative and interesting place to shop.
2. Ryan & Wood Distilleries
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 106 reviews
Come visit and tour our craft distillery, the first legal distillery on the North Shore since Prohibition! See firsthand how fine hand crafted spirits are made in our beautiful copper pot Still. Learn how we ferment, distill, barrel age and bottle our Beauport Vodka, Knockabout Gin, Folly Cove Rum and Ryan & Wood family of Whiskies. All done on site. The tour, usually guided by Kathy or Bob Ryan, is free and lasts about an hour. Perfect for a quick stop before lunch. We are a hidden gem, just minutes from other Gloucester attractions. Scheduled Tours: Monday,Wednesday,Friday and Saturday, 10:00am and 1:00pm. Call for Private/Group Tours. Check our website for more information.
Reviewed By kruszynak - Cheshire, United States
We were (really) early for the 1 p.m. tour so Bob Ryan showed us around and answered all our questions..what a wonderful place and the spirits were incredible. Left with some gin and whiskey! We will be looking for refills soon I'm sure! Thanks to Bob and Kathy Ryan for a great experience!
3. Gloucester Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Downtown working-class section of Gloucester.
Reviewed By smiling4unow - Saugerties, United States
This promenade along the ocean is a soothing relaxing area. Great experience both happy and peaceful. The Fisherman's Statue is an icon along with a beautiful wives statue amidst the of rows glorious flower beds. Also enjoy the friendship of the locals and visitors walking their dogs or relax on the benches. Restaurants , pubs, ice cream shops and terrific shopping is just minutes away. This has been our go to vacation spot for 45 years. There is nothing like it.
4. Plum Cove Beach
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Ten Pound Lighthouse
8. Fishermen's Memorial Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 820 reviews
Reviewed By stephenfM8666BK - Salem, United States
This memorial has been in its current location for decades, and is dedicated to the fishermen who never came home. Every year, several Gloucester fisher(wo)men are lost at sea. This monument is a testimony to the hard and very dangerous work these men and women do. It has sweeping views of the ocean, and just a few hundred yards awalys a monument to the families who lost a loved one at sea.
9. 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.
10. North Shore Arts Association
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Open May-October. Monday through Friday 10am-5pm and Sunday Noon-5pm. The North Shore Arts Association has a thriving artist membership of over 300 artists recognized worldwide. This wonderful, harborside building provides the opportunity to view the largest collection of paintings and sculpture on Cape Ann.
