While Cape Cod is the better know, the north shore holds one of the better kept secrets in Massachusetts. Cape Ann comprises of the city of Gloucester, and the towns of Rockport, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Essex. Locals will also name the villages of Magnolia, Pigeon Cove, Annisquam, and the abandoned inland settlement of Dogtown (or Dogtown Common).
The area is rich in history as it is was fourth colony established in New England. It also has a history of independence, with today's older generation still considering 'the Island', the area of Rockport and East Gloucester, to be self-sefficiant.
Traveling up Rt. 128 you know once you cross the Andrew Piatt bridge (always the spot to check whether the tide is in or out), and circle the two rotaries, that traffic will slow to a seaside pace down Broadway. Most head for the Bearskin Neck area in Rockport for shopping and a look at the iconic 'Motif #1' on Bradley Wharf (the red building seen above from across the harbor). Known as 'the most often-painted building in America', the little fishing shack has stood there since 1840 (well, the 1978 blizzard took the original out to sea and an exact replica was quickly built by the town). Rockport's art colony is still thriving with the The Rockport Art Association now in its 92nd year and the relatively new, but perfectly located, Shalin Liu Performance Center adding an additional musical note.
Heading s
outhwest into Gloucester, make a point of stopping at the Gloucester Fisherman Memorial. Made of rough sculpted bronze, 'The Man at the Wheel', has been keeping watch over "They That Go Down to the Sea in Ships" since 1925. And if it calls to mind the Gorton's fisherman - there's good reason for that. Gorton's of Gloucester has been headquartered here since 1849 and adopted a similar looking logo in 1964 with the addition of the famous yellow slicker and adline 'Trust the Gorton's Fisherman' in 1978.
One thing you are sure to notice is the varied ethnic foods available. Of course, seafood is the most popular choice, but examine the menu carefully and you are sure to find Portuguese linguica sausage, Finnish nisu bread, and the hometown traditional Anadama bread. This reflects Cape Ann's cultural heritage with a mixture of stonecutters arriving from Finland in the 1800's to work in the local granite quarry (the results of which can be seen both in the local stone buildings and throughout Industrial Era east coast architecture) and sailors from Portugal who were drawn to the 'best fishing grounds in New England' (also the setting for Rudyard Kipling's Captains Courageous).
If you've always wanted to visit a castle by the sea then you must stop in and visit Hammond Castle. Built between 1926-1929 the castle features a collection of 15th-, 16th-, and 18th-century architectural elements. The private home of inventor John Hays Hammond, Jr., 'The Father of Remote Control', was originally built as a wedding present for his beloved wife, Irene. Having a prolific inventor as a husband has its definite benefits including a courtyard with its own weather control system. The castle also enjoys commanding views of the Atlantic including Norman's Woe, the rocky outcrop that has claimed many ships and features in The Wreck of the Hesperus by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Too much sea air? Then it's time to take a short ride to Woodman's of Essex. In 1916 Chubby Woodman invented the fried clam and presented his new delicacy - clams from the shell coated with cornmeal and deep fried in a kettle - during the 4th of July parade in Essex, MA. The rest, as they say, is history. Now a family favorite around New England and world famous, there is no excuse not to stop by and try the original at least once in your life.
When you go...
Parking in downtown Rockport is limited. Make use of the convenient MBTA Newburyport/Rockport Line or the Cape Ann Trolley offering a park-'n-ride option.
It looks familiar...
Cape Ann has had its share of screen time. Rockport was home to the Harbormaster TV series and more recently stood in for Sitka, Alaska in The Proposal starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. Gloucester has been featured in many movies including The Good Son, Mermaids, and The Perfect Storm (a telling of the real life events centering around the Andrea Gail lost at sea in 1991).
Things to know...
Rockport was a dry town until recently, so you will not find a liquor store or bar within town limits. Alcoholic beverages are limited to being served only at restaurants with an entree order.
Watch for Residential Parking Only and Private Property signs. Many of the smaller beaches are tempting, but do not come with abundant public parking areas.
Fun Facts...
Halibut Point State Park offers hiking trails around the old quarry and out onto the granite boulders that meet the sea. The WWII fire control tower offers views, on a clear day, toward York Beach, ME.
Babson's Boulders are a series of approx. 36 granite boulders inscribed with sayings like 'Never Try, Never Win' and 'If Work Stops Values Decay'. They can be found on the disused path to Dogtown. Immigrant stone cutters were hired by millionaire philanthropist Roger W. Babson during the Great Depression to inscribe these rocks that were intended as markers for the former settlement site.
Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea is known for 'squeaking' when walked upon due possibly to the quartz sand grains being of similar size and highly spherical.
Long Beach in Gloucester draws surfers in spring and fall for the quality and quantity of its off-season swells.
...
Would you like your favorite things to do in your Long Subaru featured here?
Contact Sara at sbrunell@longauto.com
The area is rich in history as it is was fourth colony established in New England. It also has a history of independence, with today's older generation still considering 'the Island', the area of Rockport and East Gloucester, to be self-sefficiant.
Traveling up Rt. 128 you know once you cross the Andrew Piatt bridge (always the spot to check whether the tide is in or out), and circle the two rotaries, that traffic will slow to a seaside pace down Broadway. Most head for the Bearskin Neck area in Rockport for shopping and a look at the iconic 'Motif #1' on Bradley Wharf (the red building seen above from across the harbor). Known as 'the most often-painted building in America', the little fishing shack has stood there since 1840 (well, the 1978 blizzard took the original out to sea and an exact replica was quickly built by the town). Rockport's art colony is still thriving with the The Rockport Art Association now in its 92nd year and the relatively new, but perfectly located, Shalin Liu Performance Center adding an additional musical note.
Heading s
outhwest into Gloucester, make a point of stopping at the Gloucester Fisherman Memorial. Made of rough sculpted bronze, 'The Man at the Wheel', has been keeping watch over "They That Go Down to the Sea in Ships" since 1925. And if it calls to mind the Gorton's fisherman - there's good reason for that. Gorton's of Gloucester has been headquartered here since 1849 and adopted a similar looking logo in 1964 with the addition of the famous yellow slicker and adline 'Trust the Gorton's Fisherman' in 1978.One thing you are sure to notice is the varied ethnic foods available. Of course, seafood is the most popular choice, but examine the menu carefully and you are sure to find Portuguese linguica sausage, Finnish nisu bread, and the hometown traditional Anadama bread. This reflects Cape Ann's cultural heritage with a mixture of stonecutters arriving from Finland in the 1800's to work in the local granite quarry (the results of which can be seen both in the local stone buildings and throughout Industrial Era east coast architecture) and sailors from Portugal who were drawn to the 'best fishing grounds in New England' (also the setting for Rudyard Kipling's Captains Courageous).
If you've always wanted to visit a castle by the sea then you must stop in and visit Hammond Castle. Built between 1926-1929 the castle features a collection of 15th-, 16th-, and 18th-century architectural elements. The private home of inventor John Hays Hammond, Jr., 'The Father of Remote Control', was originally built as a wedding present for his beloved wife, Irene. Having a prolific inventor as a husband has its definite benefits including a courtyard with its own weather control system. The castle also enjoys commanding views of the Atlantic including Norman's Woe, the rocky outcrop that has claimed many ships and features in The Wreck of the Hesperus by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Too much sea air? Then it's time to take a short ride to Woodman's of Essex. In 1916 Chubby Woodman invented the fried clam and presented his new delicacy - clams from the shell coated with cornmeal and deep fried in a kettle - during the 4th of July parade in Essex, MA. The rest, as they say, is history. Now a family favorite around New England and world famous, there is no excuse not to stop by and try the original at least once in your life.
When you go...
Parking in downtown Rockport is limited. Make use of the convenient MBTA Newburyport/Rockport Line or the Cape Ann Trolley offering a park-'n-ride option.
It looks familiar...
Cape Ann has had its share of screen time. Rockport was home to the Harbormaster TV series and more recently stood in for Sitka, Alaska in The Proposal starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. Gloucester has been featured in many movies including The Good Son, Mermaids, and The Perfect Storm (a telling of the real life events centering around the Andrea Gail lost at sea in 1991).
Things to know...
Rockport was a dry town until recently, so you will not find a liquor store or bar within town limits. Alcoholic beverages are limited to being served only at restaurants with an entree order.
Watch for Residential Parking Only and Private Property signs. Many of the smaller beaches are tempting, but do not come with abundant public parking areas.
Fun Facts...
Halibut Point State Park offers hiking trails around the old quarry and out onto the granite boulders that meet the sea. The WWII fire control tower offers views, on a clear day, toward York Beach, ME.
Babson's Boulders are a series of approx. 36 granite boulders inscribed with sayings like 'Never Try, Never Win' and 'If Work Stops Values Decay'. They can be found on the disused path to Dogtown. Immigrant stone cutters were hired by millionaire philanthropist Roger W. Babson during the Great Depression to inscribe these rocks that were intended as markers for the former settlement site.
Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea is known for 'squeaking' when walked upon due possibly to the quartz sand grains being of similar size and highly spherical.
Long Beach in Gloucester draws surfers in spring and fall for the quality and quantity of its off-season swells.
...
Would you like your favorite things to do in your Long Subaru featured here?
Contact Sara at sbrunell@longauto.com
