Local Attractions

The Arts

Hammond Castle Museum
Less than a mile down the road toward Gloucester site the Hammond Castle. John Hays Hammond, Jr. built his medieval-style castle between the years 1926 and 1929 to serve both as his home and as a backdrop for his collection of Roman, medieval, and Renaissance artifacts.Visitors to Hammond Castle Museum are welcome to explore the castle on a self-guided tour of many rooms. Visitors may also enjoy the beauty of the castle grounds and a view of the Atlantic shore line

Cape Ann Museum
The Cape Ann Museum is located at 27 Pleasant Street in downtown Gloucester. Cape Ann has been a leading center for artists since the 19th century and the source of granite for building projects up and down the East coast. The Museum maintains and exhibits material relating to these major themes. In addition to its permanent collections, the Museum offers a rotating schedule of special exhibits throughout the year.

Rocky Neck Art Colony
No trip to Cape Ann is complete without a trip to Rocky Neck Art Colony. Just one mile from the end of Route 128, off Gloucester's East Main Street you'll find Rocky Neck Avenue. Turn right, park in the public parking lot and prepare to discover for yourself the charm and ambiance of the oldest working art colony in the country. Rocky Neck has been luring artists to its picturesque shores for more than 200 years. Winslow Homer, Fitz Hugh Lane, Childe Hassam, Maurice Prendergast, John Smith Sargent, and Frederick Mulhaupt are but a few of the illustrious alumni. Today the area is still home to many working artists and abounds with fascinating galleries operated by the artists themselves. Paintings in all media are available as well as many other specializations like batik, photography, jewelry, sculpture, and quilting. Visitors are always welcome.

Beaches

Singing Beach, 295 Beach Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea
A wonderful beach, known for the unique fact that the sand "sings" (actually it's more like a squeak) as you scuff your feet across the sand. It is said to be one of the few beaches in the world where this occurs.

Wingaersheek Beach, Atlantic Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
Situated in the western part of Gloucester on Atlantic Street off Rte. 133 and Concord Street, this beautiful, white sandy beach is situated along the Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay. It features white sands, crystal clear waters, tide pools, and huge rocks in the water that you can climb around at low tide. Wingaersheek is a favorite for families with children.

Good Harbor Beach, Route 127A, Gloucester
Good Harbor is one of the most popular beaches in New England. Even on very hot summer weekends the beach is not overly crowded because of its size and because the parking lots cannot handle enough people to allow the beach to become too crowded. Try to get there early because the parking lot fills up quickly on hot summer days.

More attractions coming soon!