Guidebook for Rockport

Lynn
Guidebook for Rockport

Food Scene

In Rockport, 5 minutes from cottage. Great sunsets and seafood in the rough. Fried seafood, especially the scallops, is generally good. Lobster and corn. Indoor or outdoor picnic tables - bonfires at night, BYOB, but food is surprisingly pricey. You are definitely paying for the outdoor space and unbeatable sunsets.
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The Lobster Pool
329 Granite St
44 místní doporučují
In Rockport, 5 minutes from cottage. Great sunsets and seafood in the rough. Fried seafood, especially the scallops, is generally good. Lobster and corn. Indoor or outdoor picnic tables - bonfires at night, BYOB, but food is surprisingly pricey. You are definitely paying for the outdoor space and unbeatable sunsets.
Great hotdogs and fried food. On Bearskin Neck in Rockport.
16 místní doporučují
Top Dog
2 Doyle Cove Rd
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Great hotdogs and fried food. On Bearskin Neck in Rockport.
In Gloucester, near the train station. Amazing donuts and bagels--really! This is where visitors from Manhattan get their bagels.
7 místní doporučují
Jim's Bagel & Bake Shoppe
34 Railroad Ave
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In Gloucester, near the train station. Amazing donuts and bagels--really! This is where visitors from Manhattan get their bagels.
In Gloucester, close the Rocky Neck. Excellent food, but pricey. This is a special occasion place for us. Boston prices and quality; people tend to get more dressed up here than elsewhere on Cape Ann. Reservations are a must, as the dining room is quite small. Not a good place to take a large group or children, as you will likely disturb other diners. Walking distance to the excellent local theater, The Gloucester Stage.
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Duckworth's Bistrot
197 E Main St
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In Gloucester, close the Rocky Neck. Excellent food, but pricey. This is a special occasion place for us. Boston prices and quality; people tend to get more dressed up here than elsewhere on Cape Ann. Reservations are a must, as the dining room is quite small. Not a good place to take a large group or children, as you will likely disturb other diners. Walking distance to the excellent local theater, The Gloucester Stage.
On Bearskin Neck in Rockport. Great pastries. Small deck overlooking the boats and Motif #1 for morning coffee.
22 místní doporučují
Helmut's Strudel
69 Bearskin Neck
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On Bearskin Neck in Rockport. Great pastries. Small deck overlooking the boats and Motif #1 for morning coffee.
In downtown Gloucester. Great food and drinks--Boston quality, Boston prices. (They have a sister restaurant in the South End in Boston.) More imaginative menu than many places in Rockport and Gloucester. Sunday brunch.
47 místní doporučují
Franklin Cafe Cape Ann
118 Main St
47 místní doporučují
In downtown Gloucester. Great food and drinks--Boston quality, Boston prices. (They have a sister restaurant in the South End in Boston.) More imaginative menu than many places in Rockport and Gloucester. Sunday brunch.
In downtown Gloucester. Great breakfasts and brunch, but get there early or you'll have to wait.
35 místní doporučují
Sugar Magnolias
112 Main St
35 místní doporučují
In downtown Gloucester. Great breakfasts and brunch, but get there early or you'll have to wait.
On the water in one of the most picturesque locations in Gloucester, the artist colony of Rocky Neck. Rustic interior, simple but decent food, large portions, excellent drinks, friendly bartenders (we always sit at the bar), outside deck.
12 místní doporučují
Rudder Restaurant
73 Rocky Neck Ave
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On the water in one of the most picturesque locations in Gloucester, the artist colony of Rocky Neck. Rustic interior, simple but decent food, large portions, excellent drinks, friendly bartenders (we always sit at the bar), outside deck.
Unfortunately this place is closing this year. Trendy, farm to table restaurant where reservations are a must. On a very picturesque cove in Annisquam Village of Gloucester (about 15 min. drive from cottage). Pricey, smallish portions but very good food, imaginative menu, charming wait staff and unbeatable location. Check to make sure it's open before getting your heart set on it. Great Sunday brunch, but get there early!
19 místní doporučují
The Market Restaurant
19 místní doporučují
Unfortunately this place is closing this year. Trendy, farm to table restaurant where reservations are a must. On a very picturesque cove in Annisquam Village of Gloucester (about 15 min. drive from cottage). Pricey, smallish portions but very good food, imaginative menu, charming wait staff and unbeatable location. Check to make sure it's open before getting your heart set on it. Great Sunday brunch, but get there early!
In Gloucester, on Route 127 just over the Rockport line. OMG this place is amazing. Cupcakes, cakes, and other pastries, some that you've never tried before--all scrumptious. If you need a cake for a special occasion, this is the place! For cakes or cupcakes, be sure to order ahead. It is right on the Gloucester/Rockport line as you drive into Rockport, so you don't have to deal with Gloucester traffic.
9 místní doporučují
Cake Ann
63 Rogers Street
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In Gloucester, on Route 127 just over the Rockport line. OMG this place is amazing. Cupcakes, cakes, and other pastries, some that you've never tried before--all scrumptious. If you need a cake for a special occasion, this is the place! For cakes or cupcakes, be sure to order ahead. It is right on the Gloucester/Rockport line as you drive into Rockport, so you don't have to deal with Gloucester traffic.
43 místní doporučují
Tonno Restaurant
2 Main St
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6 místní doporučují
Pastaio Via Corta
123 Main St
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Best fish and chips!
7 místní doporučují
Turner's Seafood Market & Fish n Chips Shoppe
4 Smith St
7 místní doporučují
Best fish and chips!
Best local upscale restaurant. Great food, great bar, downtown location.
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Feather & Wedge
5 Main St
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Best local upscale restaurant. Great food, great bar, downtown location.
Along route 128A toward Gloucester (drive in direction of Halibut Point, about 10 minutes past there, in Gloucester). Great breakfast, lunch counter, picnic tables outside, great food to go (soup, daily specials), bakery counter. Been here forever, and for good reason!
17 místní doporučují
Willow Rest
1 Holly St
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Along route 128A toward Gloucester (drive in direction of Halibut Point, about 10 minutes past there, in Gloucester). Great breakfast, lunch counter, picnic tables outside, great food to go (soup, daily specials), bakery counter. Been here forever, and for good reason!

Food with nightlife

In downtown Gloucester. Good drinks, oysters and pizza. Strange combo, I know!
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Short & Main
36 Main St
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In downtown Gloucester. Good drinks, oysters and pizza. Strange combo, I know!
On the harbor in Gloucester. This is a bar and restaurant with decent food, good drinks and an awesome large deck with multiple fire pits, overlooking Gloucester Harbor.
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Beauport Hotel Gloucester
55 Commercial St
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On the harbor in Gloucester. This is a bar and restaurant with decent food, good drinks and an awesome large deck with multiple fire pits, overlooking Gloucester Harbor.

Parks & Nature

In Rockport, 5 minutes from the cottage along 127A. Not to be missed! Hiking trails around a huge beautiful quarry with views of the Atlantic beyond. You can picnic on the rocks at the edge of the ocean, but alas, no swimming. This is a very unique and beautiful place. The trails are not difficult, but they are uneven in places. Beware of the poison ivy along the paths.
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Halibut Point State Park
Gott Avenue
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In Rockport, 5 minutes from the cottage along 127A. Not to be missed! Hiking trails around a huge beautiful quarry with views of the Atlantic beyond. You can picnic on the rocks at the edge of the ocean, but alas, no swimming. This is a very unique and beautiful place. The trails are not difficult, but they are uneven in places. Beware of the poison ivy along the paths.
In Rockport. With your beach sticker, you can park in the parking lot or along the street in the resident only spaces very close to the beach. Rocky but there is always enough sand for everyone, especially at low tide. Bring your beach chairs in case you have trouble claiming a sandy spot (although we always manage to find something). Very peaceful--almost never crowded, and fun for body surfing, as there are often waves. But on calm days it's great for small kids too. No radios or large groups of teens. It is often 10 degrees cooler here than anywhere else in town, so a great place to go on hot days.
12 místní doporučují
Cape Hedge Beach
12 místní doporučují
In Rockport. With your beach sticker, you can park in the parking lot or along the street in the resident only spaces very close to the beach. Rocky but there is always enough sand for everyone, especially at low tide. Bring your beach chairs in case you have trouble claiming a sandy spot (although we always manage to find something). Very peaceful--almost never crowded, and fun for body surfing, as there are often waves. But on calm days it's great for small kids too. No radios or large groups of teens. It is often 10 degrees cooler here than anywhere else in town, so a great place to go on hot days.
It's all around you! Walk down any path labeled "Atlantic Path" and explore. Stunning views of the ocean, gorgeous houses and gardens, walks in the woods... Very little traffic, so great for cycling and walking with dogs and kids.
Andrews Point
It's all around you! Walk down any path labeled "Atlantic Path" and explore. Stunning views of the ocean, gorgeous houses and gardens, walks in the woods... Very little traffic, so great for cycling and walking with dogs and kids.
Rockport and Gloucester: Hiking trails through the woods. Very interesting history--ask about it at the Bookstore in downtown Gloucester.
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Dogtown
16 místní doporučují
Rockport and Gloucester: Hiking trails through the woods. Very interesting history--ask about it at the Bookstore in downtown Gloucester.
Beautiful trails through the Rockport Woods. Walk around the quarry for great photo opportunities. Unfortunately only members can swim here, and there is a guard who will approach you to ask for your pass. However, you can walk past the quarry on the large carriage road and then take one of the side paths in to walk around the quarry itself. Just tell the guard you are not there to swim, just taking a walk. Don't forget your dog or he'll never forgive you!
Steel Derrick Quarry
67 Pigeon Hill St
Beautiful trails through the Rockport Woods. Walk around the quarry for great photo opportunities. Unfortunately only members can swim here, and there is a guard who will approach you to ask for your pass. However, you can walk past the quarry on the large carriage road and then take one of the side paths in to walk around the quarry itself. Just tell the guard you are not there to swim, just taking a walk. Don't forget your dog or he'll never forgive you!
Gloucester Harbor. Wonderful sunset cruises.
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Schooner Thomas E. Lannon
63 Rogers St
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Gloucester Harbor. Wonderful sunset cruises.
Tuna Wharf on Bearskin Neck in Rockport. Rent a kayak or paddle board.
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North Shore Kayak Outdoor Center
9 Tuna Wharf
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Tuna Wharf on Bearskin Neck in Rockport. Rent a kayak or paddle board.

Arts & Culture

Gorgeous concert venue with views of the ocean as the backdrop to the main stage through floor to ceiling windows. It only seats about 300, so be sure to purchase tickets well in advance. However, if you don't, try showing up at the door right before the performance; sometimes you can get tickets if a season ticket holder doesn't show up.
77 místní doporučují
Rockport Music-Shalin Liu Performance Center
37 Main St
77 místní doporučují
Gorgeous concert venue with views of the ocean as the backdrop to the main stage through floor to ceiling windows. It only seats about 300, so be sure to purchase tickets well in advance. However, if you don't, try showing up at the door right before the performance; sometimes you can get tickets if a season ticket holder doesn't show up.
In Rockport on route 127A. Outdoor dance and theater venue.
Windhover Performing Arts Center
257R Granite St
In Rockport on route 127A. Outdoor dance and theater venue.
Live local theatre. Generally good performances; sometimes great. Read reviews before going.
18 místní doporučují
Gloucester Stage Company
267 E Main St
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Live local theatre. Generally good performances; sometimes great. Read reviews before going.
Eclectic and enchanting private collection of the first interior designer in the U.S. Friend of Isabella Stuart Gardner. Fascinating and beautiful gardens and location on Eastern Point on the water in Gloucester. Open at odd times, hours, so check before going.
23 místní doporučují
Historic New England Beauport Sleeper--McCann House
75 Eastern Point Blvd
23 místní doporučují
Eclectic and enchanting private collection of the first interior designer in the U.S. Friend of Isabella Stuart Gardner. Fascinating and beautiful gardens and location on Eastern Point on the water in Gloucester. Open at odd times, hours, so check before going.

Sightseeing

Just because it's there...
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Motif #1
Bradley Wharf
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Just because it's there...
The home of another Gloucester eccentric, inventor of radar and various other things. Very unusual place.
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Hammond Castle Museum
80 Hesperus Avenue
55 místní doporučují
The home of another Gloucester eccentric, inventor of radar and various other things. Very unusual place.
Gloucester's artist's colony. Mostly galleries and restaurants. Very picturesque.
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Rocky Neck
27 místní doporučují
Gloucester's artist's colony. Mostly galleries and restaurants. Very picturesque.

Shopping

On Bearskin Neck in Rockport. Very eclectic shop with unusual gift items + cheese and selection of gourmet condiments, cooking ingredients, and cook books. Great view off the deck (which you can go out on--in the back of the store). BTW, this is NOT the picture of Lula's Pantry, which is much prettier. Can't figure out how to fix it!
11 místní doporučují
Lula's Pantry
5 Dock Square
11 místní doporučují
On Bearskin Neck in Rockport. Very eclectic shop with unusual gift items + cheese and selection of gourmet condiments, cooking ingredients, and cook books. Great view off the deck (which you can go out on--in the back of the store). BTW, this is NOT the picture of Lula's Pantry, which is much prettier. Can't figure out how to fix it!
6 místní doporučují
The Brass Monkey
85 Main St
6 místní doporučují

Essentials

Best prices on Cape Ann; good produce and local fish.
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Market Basket
400 Somerville Ave
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Best prices on Cape Ann; good produce and local fish.
On route 127 in Rockport. Fresh local produce and home baked goods.
Lattof Farm Stand
5 Joseph Way
On route 127 in Rockport. Fresh local produce and home baked goods.
Gloucester Harbor: If you want the freshest seafood to cook yourself this is the place to go - check the hours, go early if you want lobsters as they can run out by afternoon. Hours are limited so make sure you call first. Good prices, selection and quality.
6 místní doporučují
Steve Connolly Seafood Inc
431 E Main St
6 místní doporučují
Gloucester Harbor: If you want the freshest seafood to cook yourself this is the place to go - check the hours, go early if you want lobsters as they can run out by afternoon. Hours are limited so make sure you call first. Good prices, selection and quality.
Get your lobsters early morning here at great prices right off the boat. Call early in the week to schedule your order.
Cape Ann Lobstermen
111 E Main St
Get your lobsters early morning here at great prices right off the boat. Call early in the week to schedule your order.