Lynda & Harold's Guidebook 2024

Lynda
Lynda & Harold's Guidebook 2024

Sightseeing

Try to visit this little gem; beautiful quarry and ocean-side trails. Bring a picnic lunch and sun-bathe on the flat rocks. Birding paradise. Open even when it's cold out there...
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Halibut Point State Park
Gott Avenue
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Try to visit this little gem; beautiful quarry and ocean-side trails. Bring a picnic lunch and sun-bathe on the flat rocks. Birding paradise. Open even when it's cold out there...
This is one of three companies that offer whale watching.
Capt Bill & Sons Whale Watch
24 Harbor Loop
This is one of three companies that offer whale watching.
This shop is stocked with thoughtful and beautiful items. Everything from the practical and perfect spatula to gorgeous linen towels. Plan ahead and do your gift shopping in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.
Goodlinens Studio
130 Main St
This shop is stocked with thoughtful and beautiful items. Everything from the practical and perfect spatula to gorgeous linen towels. Plan ahead and do your gift shopping in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.
Intimate dive into Cape Ann and maritime artists. Just small enough to not eat up your day...but packed with history. Check their website for events.
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Cape Ann Museum
27 Pleasant St
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Intimate dive into Cape Ann and maritime artists. Just small enough to not eat up your day...but packed with history. Check their website for events.
This museum has a large collection of global art and artifacts. Check their website for exhibits.
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Peabody Essex Museum
161 Essex St
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This museum has a large collection of global art and artifacts. Check their website for exhibits.
Small-scale theatre with a punch. Lots of talent in an intimate setting.
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Gloucester Stage Company
267 E Main St
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Small-scale theatre with a punch. Lots of talent in an intimate setting.
Beach at the entrance of the Annisquam River. Fun to watch the boats come in and out. I feel it is a lower-key beach in comparison to Good Harbor Beach. Consession stand and bathrooms are available. If you walk into the beach, go to your far right and walk down to a more private area and less crowded area. This year is advance bookings for most beaches.
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Wingaersheek Strand
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Beach at the entrance of the Annisquam River. Fun to watch the boats come in and out. I feel it is a lower-key beach in comparison to Good Harbor Beach. Consession stand and bathrooms are available. If you walk into the beach, go to your far right and walk down to a more private area and less crowded area. This year is advance bookings for most beaches.
Accoustically exquisite and intimate performance center. Many shows sold out way in advance. Worth the visit if you can.
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Rockport Music-Shalin Liu Performance Center
37 Main St
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Accoustically exquisite and intimate performance center. Many shows sold out way in advance. Worth the visit if you can.
A trip to Rockport is a must. Walk down the "Neck" to browse shops and snack. Captivating views of the tip of Cape Ann.
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Bearskin Neck
Bearskin Neck
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A trip to Rockport is a must. Walk down the "Neck" to browse shops and snack. Captivating views of the tip of Cape Ann.
"...public performances of dance, theater and music, we offer classes, workshops, yoga and meditation retreats, and opportunities for community conversations about issues that matter. Windhover offers sanctuary and shelter – for the audience under the huge tent that now covers the stage and audience area, and for performers, directors and choreographers to work together in creative collaboration through week-long residencies..."
Windhover Performing Arts Center
257R Granite St
"...public performances of dance, theater and music, we offer classes, workshops, yoga and meditation retreats, and opportunities for community conversations about issues that matter. Windhover offers sanctuary and shelter – for the audience under the huge tent that now covers the stage and audience area, and for performers, directors and choreographers to work together in creative collaboration through week-long residencies..."
Great for walking/hiking; multiple trails.
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Ravenswood Park
Ravenswood Park
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Great for walking/hiking; multiple trails.
Artist colony on Smith Cove. Quaint to walk around to browse galleries. A few restaurants that have recently changed owners so I will report back when I've tried them.
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Rocky Neck
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Artist colony on Smith Cove. Quaint to walk around to browse galleries. A few restaurants that have recently changed owners so I will report back when I've tried them.
Unusual jewelry and gift shop...one of my favs.
Side Street Gallery
17 Rocky Neck Avenue
Unusual jewelry and gift shop...one of my favs.
Something for the guys ...clothes for the, "experienced fisherman, the hardworking tradesman, and the adventurous vacationer."
Nelson's
248 Main Street
Something for the guys ...clothes for the, "experienced fisherman, the hardworking tradesman, and the adventurous vacationer."
Funky and fun store for women.
Pop Gallery
67 Main St
Funky and fun store for women.
Recently built to replace the disintergrating Birdseye Factory, it is a popular venue for weddings and to sit outside on the deck. I would suggest to for cocktails / appetizers at one of the two bars....best to snag a seat outdoors to be on the water.
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Beauport Hotel Gloucester
55 Commercial St
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Recently built to replace the disintergrating Birdseye Factory, it is a popular venue for weddings and to sit outside on the deck. I would suggest to for cocktails / appetizers at one of the two bars....best to snag a seat outdoors to be on the water.
Very popular beach and can be very crowded. This beach has some wave action so bring along the boogie board. We have GREEN HEAD season, generally the month of July. This beach reportedly has fewer than Crane's and Wingaersheek beaches. Concession stand and bathrooms available. Advance reservations mandatory.
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Good Harbor Strand
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Very popular beach and can be very crowded. This beach has some wave action so bring along the boogie board. We have GREEN HEAD season, generally the month of July. This beach reportedly has fewer than Crane's and Wingaersheek beaches. Concession stand and bathrooms available. Advance reservations mandatory.
You can walk to this beach, in about 11 minutes, from the house. It is a small and very local beach; bring water shoes as it is rocky. Must have a Gloucester beach sticker to park there.
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Plum Cove Beach
1000 Washington St
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You can walk to this beach, in about 11 minutes, from the house. It is a small and very local beach; bring water shoes as it is rocky. Must have a Gloucester beach sticker to park there.

Food scene

Close by favorite for fresh fish dinner. BYOB. Casual indoor and outdoor seating. They will cook lobster for you to take out. Seasonal
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The Lobster Pool
329 Granite St
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Close by favorite for fresh fish dinner. BYOB. Casual indoor and outdoor seating. They will cook lobster for you to take out. Seasonal
If you crave raw oysters ( Harold's favorite place for them) then stop by to this local restaurant on a Wednesday evening and enjoy these tasty bivalve mollusks for $1.00 a piece. Yum. Open year 'round
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Seaport Grill
6 Rowe Square
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If you crave raw oysters ( Harold's favorite place for them) then stop by to this local restaurant on a Wednesday evening and enjoy these tasty bivalve mollusks for $1.00 a piece. Yum. Open year 'round
A few miles down the roat is the town of Rockport. Can you say shopping? Galleries? Meander down Bearskin Neck to Top Dog for a hotdog with lots of toppings from which to choose. They also serve chowder and beer. Seasonal
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Top Dog
2 Doyle Cove Rd
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A few miles down the roat is the town of Rockport. Can you say shopping? Galleries? Meander down Bearskin Neck to Top Dog for a hotdog with lots of toppings from which to choose. They also serve chowder and beer. Seasonal
Go early if you like to sit at the bar. Great Italian/seafood. Try the Tuna Tartar appetizer. Open year 'round, evenings. Strongly suggest reservations.
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Tonno Restaurant
2 Main St
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Go early if you like to sit at the bar. Great Italian/seafood. Try the Tuna Tartar appetizer. Open year 'round, evenings. Strongly suggest reservations.
Downtown restaurant with outside patio on the harbor. One of the few establishments with live music; mostly rock. Open year 'round.
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Minglewood Harborside
25 Rogers St
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Downtown restaurant with outside patio on the harbor. One of the few establishments with live music; mostly rock. Open year 'round.
Eight minutes from the house in Rockport....but they deliver!
Hong Kong Kitchen
13 Railroad Ave
Eight minutes from the house in Rockport....but they deliver!
Edgy but has the most consistent, year 'round, line-up of blues and rock. Some nights, musicians (sometimes kind of famous...)wander in and jam with locals. Warning: Very strong mixed drinks. I don't care for their bar food but seems like lots of folks eat there. Open year 'round
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The Rhumb Line Bar & Restaurant
40 Railroad Ave
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Edgy but has the most consistent, year 'round, line-up of blues and rock. Some nights, musicians (sometimes kind of famous...)wander in and jam with locals. Warning: Very strong mixed drinks. I don't care for their bar food but seems like lots of folks eat there. Open year 'round
A favorite. Italian oven makes awesome pizza. Usually one special a day to accompany a small but delicious menu. Farm-to-Table concept leaning towards organic. If you are looking for a diet Coke and a burger this is not the place. Open year 'round
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Short & Main
36 Main St
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A favorite. Italian oven makes awesome pizza. Usually one special a day to accompany a small but delicious menu. Farm-to-Table concept leaning towards organic. If you are looking for a diet Coke and a burger this is not the place. Open year 'round
Gritty and always busy for fresh seafood. Aim to go at off time or stand in line. B.Y.O.B Open year 'round and seven days a week. No reservations.
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Causeway Restaurant
78 Essex Ave
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Gritty and always busy for fresh seafood. Aim to go at off time or stand in line. B.Y.O.B Open year 'round and seven days a week. No reservations.
Quietly casual, summer restaurant, on Lobster Cove, Annisquam. Farm-to-table. Delicious. Make reservations or go very early or very late to sit a the bar. Pricey but excellent. Seasonal
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Talise
33 River Rd
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Quietly casual, summer restaurant, on Lobster Cove, Annisquam. Farm-to-table. Delicious. Make reservations or go very early or very late to sit a the bar. Pricey but excellent. Seasonal
Local and gritty place for incredible food. Be prepared to wait for your meal as everything is home made. Large portions and very reasonably priced. Lot parking accross the street. Try to go on a weekday. Open year 'round breakfast and lunch.
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Zeke's Place
66 E Main St
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Local and gritty place for incredible food. Be prepared to wait for your meal as everything is home made. Large portions and very reasonably priced. Lot parking accross the street. Try to go on a weekday. Open year 'round breakfast and lunch.
A beautiful drive of four miles leads you to great ice cream. Plenty of parking. LARGE portions! Seasonal: opens in April, closes in October.
Dairy Train
17 Railroad Ave
A beautiful drive of four miles leads you to great ice cream. Plenty of parking. LARGE portions! Seasonal: opens in April, closes in October.
Great food and drinks. Very reasonably priced. Excellent service. Open year 'round.
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Machaca
14 Rogers St
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Great food and drinks. Very reasonably priced. Excellent service. Open year 'round.
Open year 'round. Jamaican twist to Cape Ann. Worth the try.
Fleur Cuisine Harborside - Rockport
Open year 'round. Jamaican twist to Cape Ann. Worth the try.
Authentic Portuguese dining. Open year 'round
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Azorean Restaurant & Bar
133 Washington St
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Authentic Portuguese dining. Open year 'round
Year 'round local downtown dining. People go just for the popovers! Large portions.
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Passports
110 Main St
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Year 'round local downtown dining. People go just for the popovers! Large portions.
Year 'round dining in the heart of Rockport. ..about 5 miles down the road. Nice little bar, good food, pricy. Would suggest reservations.
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Feather & Wedge
5 Main St
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Year 'round dining in the heart of Rockport. ..about 5 miles down the road. Nice little bar, good food, pricy. Would suggest reservations.
Year 'Round family-owned Italian/American. Popular with locals. Well-rounded menu with consistently good food.
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Franklin Cafe Cape Ann
118 Main St
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Year 'Round family-owned Italian/American. Popular with locals. Well-rounded menu with consistently good food.
Recently expanded to provide outdoor seating over looking beautiful marshes. Good family restaurant. Depending on the time of year you can watch the nesting activities of an Osprey pair.
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Lobsta Land Restaurant
84 Causeway St
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Recently expanded to provide outdoor seating over looking beautiful marshes. Good family restaurant. Depending on the time of year you can watch the nesting activities of an Osprey pair.
Located in the Commons Plaza at 214 Eastern Ave in Gloucester. (Rockport end of Gloucester) They offer GF pizza, sides, and on some days...Lobster rolls.They deliver.
Frank's Pizza & Subs
2843 NC-24
Located in the Commons Plaza at 214 Eastern Ave in Gloucester. (Rockport end of Gloucester) They offer GF pizza, sides, and on some days...Lobster rolls.They deliver.

Neighborhoods

Not a beach day? Visit Downtown. Lots of shops and places to dine. Download the "Freebird" app to make metered parking easier.
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Gloucester
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Not a beach day? Visit Downtown. Lots of shops and places to dine. Download the "Freebird" app to make metered parking easier.

City/town information

Grab the commuter rail train to Salem, MA....home of the 1692 witch trials and all things spooky. Advance book appointment with a psychic! There is a new App, "Destination Salem" if you want to deeply explore all this city has to offer. During their high season, it is VERY crowded; plan ahead with reservations for venues and dining.
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Salem
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Grab the commuter rail train to Salem, MA....home of the 1692 witch trials and all things spooky. Advance book appointment with a psychic! There is a new App, "Destination Salem" if you want to deeply explore all this city has to offer. During their high season, it is VERY crowded; plan ahead with reservations for venues and dining.
About 20 minutes away is easily a day-worth of fun. Known for decades of shipbuilding, you can visit , "The Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum." Take a charter on the, "Essex River Cruise," and meander down grassy tributaries; slow and relaxing. Mega Antique Stores! Home of Woodmans, a very, very popular seasfood restaurant. Just as good (IMO) seafood stop, J T. Farnam's. I also like C. K Pearl's for lunch/dinner. There are a few other popular restaurants, most of which you will see as you drive along.
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Essex
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About 20 minutes away is easily a day-worth of fun. Known for decades of shipbuilding, you can visit , "The Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum." Take a charter on the, "Essex River Cruise," and meander down grassy tributaries; slow and relaxing. Mega Antique Stores! Home of Woodmans, a very, very popular seasfood restaurant. Just as good (IMO) seafood stop, J T. Farnam's. I also like C. K Pearl's for lunch/dinner. There are a few other popular restaurants, most of which you will see as you drive along.
I love this town and visit periodically when I want to get away a bit and not drive over an hour. Beautifully laid out, pedestrian-friendly downtown, allows for strolling about. Lots of restaurants and shops. Google first and select what appeals to you...
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Newburyport
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I love this town and visit periodically when I want to get away a bit and not drive over an hour. Beautifully laid out, pedestrian-friendly downtown, allows for strolling about. Lots of restaurants and shops. Google first and select what appeals to you...

Services

Faye cuts and colors hair for men and for women. She welcomes Walk-Ins but best to make an appointment, as she is generally busy. Nothing like walking to the hair salon! Closed Sunday and Monday.
Prana Salon
1076 Washington Street
Faye cuts and colors hair for men and for women. She welcomes Walk-Ins but best to make an appointment, as she is generally busy. Nothing like walking to the hair salon! Closed Sunday and Monday.
Call ahead...always busy. Located on the Gloucester Rockport line, so it is a quick drive with plenty of parking. Other nail salons mostly downtown Gloucester and not as convenient.
Mila Nails & Spa
214 Eastern Avenue
Call ahead...always busy. Located on the Gloucester Rockport line, so it is a quick drive with plenty of parking. Other nail salons mostly downtown Gloucester and not as convenient.

Tipps für Reisende

Verkehrsmittel

Windy

No matter what the season, bring a layer for wind and preferably with a hood. If planning on swimming, several of the beachs you would benefit from water shoes due to rocky shores.
Verkehrsmittel

Beaches and Parking

Downtown or metered parking dowload the app "Flowbird." As of September 15th, the beaches are free. During high season: Gloucester requires ADVANCE reservations to park at Good Harbor, Stage Fort Park, and Wingaersheek Beaches. You may reserve up to 10 days in advance with NO refunds. Reservations on Gloucester's Yodel City Website. Yodel will request an account set up. Review in advance to avoid any misunderstanding or disappointment.
Bräuche und Kultur

Local Color

We are proud of our history revolving around both the fishing and the granite industries. Likewise some pretty awesome films shot (including award-winning "Coda") shot at Lanes Cove! Remember the "Perfect Storm?" And, maybe you have caught on National Geographic channel, "Wicked Tuna?"
Buche vor der Abreise

Dining Out

If the restaurant accepts reservations it is best to reserve your seating in advance!