Prettiest and quantiest spots on Cape Ann

My family and I will be in the Boston area in the beginning of August and I%26#39;m looking for advice on what not to miss on Cape Ann. We%26#39;ll probably only have a day to spend exploring the area and we%26#39;re travelling with infants and grandparents.

Is it possible to see most of the Cape in a day or should we focus on specific areas? If we have to choose, would you recommend Rockport or Gloucester? We%26#39;re looking for quaint and pretty and not really interested in shopping, etc...

Additionally, what lighthouses would you recommend seeing?

Thanks!

Prettiest and quantiest spots on Cape Ann

I love Rockport. Bearskin Neck is a fishing village turned artist colony, with little shops and restaurants, ending at rocky point that juts out into the ocean. It%26#39;s both quaint and pretty. I wouldn%26#39;t use either word for Gloucester, although it is an interesting town.

AlanM

Prettiest and quantiest spots on Cape Ann

Thanks for the advice. One more question... On our way north from Boston, is Marblehead worth a detour? What about Manchester-on-the-water?

Unless you are planning to go to Singing Beach or eat, Manchester-by-the-Sea can be seen from the car on the drive up to Gloucester/Rockport.

You could then drive along the coast of Gloucester, with a possible stop at one of the many beaches (Good Harbor--you can see Thatcher Island light from there--, Wingarsheek), shore areas or Stage Fort Park for a stretch (park has a play area for kids), watch the bridge open to let the boats go through, and end up in Rockport to stroll around the shops and go in the water.

There are several companies that have 1/2 day whale watches in Gloucester, a great outing!!!!!!!

Rocky Neck in Gloucester is an artists%26#39; colony with galleries.

If you visit Eastern Point on your ';shore tour';, you can see lots of mansions, nice scenery and the Beauport Museum on your way to the lighthouse:

http://www.cape-ann.com/lights.html

There are schooner sails to see the harbor, including the 10 lb. Island light. Nice, but the lights are not soooo outstanding in comparison to some in Maine.

Driving from Gloucester to Newburyport, you pass some very nice scenery, (and lots of good seafood restaurants like Woodman%26#39;s)including Ipswich.

There is also Crane%26#39;s beach in Ipswich:

http://www.ipswichma.com/directory/castle.asp

There is also Wolf Hollow, near Crane%26#39;s:

http://www.wolfhollowipswich.com/

I will add that while Marlblehead is nice, I think you%26#39;ll enjoy Rockport more. There%26#39;s more to see and do.

We live in Swampscott (it borders Marblehead) now, but when we visited before we moved we made a trip out to Gloucester and Rockport and just couldn%26#39;t find the quaint spots! I trust they are there - we have yet to make another trip to Cape Ann to find them. Rockport looked like it had more potential for %26#39;quaint%26#39; than Gloucester, although I think it would be super busy and trafficky that time of year. We were also travelling with a 1-year old (now 2-year old). A few suggestions of nice spots we have found:

* the historic part of Marblehead is really neat and easy to walk around. there%26#39;s a park up on ledge (rocky outcrop) overlooking the harbor with bench swings that are fun for kids.

* there%26#39;s a long bike path/walking path along the water in Swampscott and Lynn (the 2 towns/cities that are between Boston, just before Marblehead). It%26#39;s a nice walk with a stroller on a sunny day. you can pick up ice cream or take out (e.g. lobster rolls, etc) at Red Rocks in Swampscott (along the path).

* Salem is a nice walking town, with some nice cafes, shops, an old-fashioned candy shop (by the Nathaniel Hawthorne House of Seven Gables), lots of historical sites.

* A previous post mentioned Crane%26#39;s Beach. We haven%26#39;t stopped there, but have driven by, and it looks gorgeous. There%26#39;s a nice stop at Russell Orchards just before you get there, with farm animals, cider donuts, etc.

Have a great trip!

I love Marblehead, but traffic and parking can be more of a nightmare than some of the other areas. Salem is a nice day trip.

Cape Ann is one of the most beautiful spots in New England. Even if you drive along Rte. 127 and Rte. 127A, it is quite scenic. If you%26#39;re interested in seeing it by sea there is a good selection of deep sea fishing, whale watch, river cruise companies etc..

In Rockport--The hike/walk through Halibut Point is doable with grandparents and infants in tow, assuming all are healthy. While you might not be able to hike down the rocks to see tidal pools, you%26#39;ll be able to see the quarry, foliage, and lovely ocean views. On weekends there are often hikes/talks offered by the park.

Parking doesn%26#39;t have to be a hassle in Rockport. Park at the town park %26#39;n ride and take the trolley to %26#39;downtown%26#39;/Bearskin Neck. Parking is free and the trolley is $1 or less each way. (seniors are discounted I believe and infants/toddlers free)

Last weekend I took my photography group on a driving tour to see all the Cape Ann lighthouses. If you want more information on viewing locations let me know.

There are beautiful areas in Gloucester, too, not sure how much information you%26#39;re looking for...