Adventurous Kate incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. For those who make a purchase order by means of these hyperlinks, I’ll earn a fee at no additional price to you. Thanks!
Rockport MA is without doubt one of the most lovely coastal cities in New England. It appears straight out of a portray — the fishing boats and sailboats within the harbor, the wind-battered cottages on shore, the rocky shoreline, the church steeples poking between the bushes.
There are such a lot of attention-grabbing issues to do in Rockport MA, and all through the North Shore (the shoreline between Boston and New Hampshire). I grew up in close by Studying, Massachusetts, and have spent a lot of my life exploring the cities up and down the North Shore, from Gloucester to Salem to Newburyport.
Rockport, positioned on the tip of Cape Ann in Essex County, is the North Shore city the place I most frequently deliver out-of-state guests. Why? It’s a photographer’s dream. It’s sufficiently small to discover on a day journey, however there are tons of issues to do. It appears like quintessential small-town New England.
And whereas fashionable amongst locals, the North Shore doesn’t get wherever close to the extent of tourism of Cape Cod, making it really feel particular.
Rockport completely deserves a go to whenever you’re spending time in Massachusetts. Come check out what makes this little city so particular.
Journey to Rockport MA
Whereas Rockport is the perfect New England coastal city, you’ve in all probability already seen it on movie — as Alaska! Rockport performed the position of a small Alaska village within the 2009 movie The Proposal, starring Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, and Betty White.
I like to recommend giving it a watch the night time earlier than you head to Rockport! It’s enjoyable declaring all of the places, from Motif No. 1 to the Fudgery, and noticing the CGI mountains within the background. (The mansion that served as Ryan Reynolds’ household house is in close by Manchester-by-the-Sea.)
One excellent place to remain is the Seafarer Inn, a captivating seaside house with ocean views in each room. It’s the right spot for a calming weekend.
Entrance Seashore is a relaxed and shallow small seashore — the right spot for younger youngsters. If it’s the appropriate season, whale watching is enjoyable for older youngsters.
Issues To Do in Rockport MA
The perfect issues to do in Rockport MA are delightfully low-key — stroll the outlets of Bearskin Neck, take pleasure in enjoyable on the seashore, take pleasure in an ice cream, take a pleasant stroll by means of Halibut Level. All small city issues. However if you happen to’re on the lookout for somewhat little bit of adrenaline, think about going crusing, biking, or whale-watching!
Discover Bearskin Neck
Bearskin Neck, a pier simply off Principal Road lined with outlets, galleries, and eating places is a must-visit in Rockport. The situation speaks to the identify of town, Rockport, because it was initially established within the 1600s based mostly on its granite quarries. And fishing, after all. Rocks are EVERYWHERE right here, and Bearskin Neck is not any exception.
Throughout the Battle of 1812, Bearskin Neck performed an important position, serving as a lookout barracks and the positioning of a essential battle throughout which the British shot a cannon that’s nonetheless lodged within the bell tower there as we speak.
As we speak you possibly can browse candles on the Rockport Candle Firm or selfmade pottery at 4 Winds Pottery, have a elaborate meal at My Place by the Sea or a cone from the Ice Cream Retailer, having fun with the views alongside the way in which.
Visiting the peninsula is freed from cost, and you’ll take your time wandering the websites and even get {a photograph} of Motif No. 1.
Have a Lobster Roll with a View of the Sea
Everybody is aware of that if you happen to’re in coastal New England, you need to have a lobster roll. And if you happen to’re simply visiting, you need to have a lobster roll whereas having fun with a view of the ocean. It’s actually a traditional expertise, considered one of my favourite issues to eat, and never one you’ll quickly overlook.
Two nice locations to go to in your expertise are Roy Moore Lobster Firm and The Lobster Pool.
Roy Moore is true there in Bearskin Neck, so you possibly can seize a lobster roll and take a brief stroll on the lengthy seashore there, hitting Motif No. 1 and trying out the opposite websites.
The Lobster Pool is positioned in Halibut Level State Park, one other must-do whereas in Rockport, MA. You’ll take pleasure in a number of the greatest views of Cape Ann whereas having fun with the most effective lobster rolls in New England!
Not up for a lobster roll? Chowder is all the time an incredible, extra inexpensive various. (And don’t even ask if it’s the white or the crimson. You’re in New England, my pal. Manhattan clam chowder is as a lot of an abomination because the New York Yankees.)
{Photograph} Motif No. 1
What’s Motif No. 1, you ask? Only a fishing shack, some would possibly say. Nevertheless it’s a lot greater than that. This constructing, painted vivid crimson, stands on the coronary heart of Bearskin Neck. The unique constructing was truly constructed within the 1800s to deal with fishing gear, and that lone crimson constructing got here to turn out to be the image of Rockport.
Throughout the Blizzard of ’78, the long-lasting Motif No. 1 was blown into Rockport Harbor. The city constructed a reproduction quickly after the destruction, and the constructing has been relocated to take part in parades and stand in several places as an emblem of power and resilience.
(Facet observe: Ask any Bay Stater of a sure age in regards to the Blizzard of ’78. They’ll have tales to share.)
Visiting this iconic constructing is freed from cost, and naturally you possibly can take as many photos as you want.
Go Whale Watching
For those who’re visiting Rockport from Might to September — and belief me, that’s the very best time to go to — you possibly can go on a whale watch tour. Cape Ann is a uncommon place in New England the place you possibly can sometimes see whales from shore.
The ledges and banks of the feeding grounds there function a perfect location for the whales, in order that they actually flock there. You’re going to get to see quite a few species of whales on the appropriate day, and locals might be very vocal if as we speak is considered one of them.
For a whale watching journey on a ship, there are a number of corporations that lead whale watches from Gloucester, together with Cape Ann Whale Watch and 7 Seas Whale Watch. This may get you as shut as you will get to those majestic animals.
Take a Stroll By Halibut Level State Park
For those who’re prepared for a little bit of nature after exploring Bearskin Neck, head out to Halibut Level State Park. It’s an incredible spot to wander the path, take within the tide swimming pools, possibly even deliver a lobster roll from The Lobster Pool, and have a picnic!
You’ll discover details about the park’s position in World Battle II and the Cape Ann granite business, in addition to a view of Mount Agamenticus, 40 miles away in Maine. There actually is nothing like searching over this tremendous blue water on a sunny day and seeing the granite ledges spiking up out of the Atlantic Ocean.
Parking for MA residents is $5 and $20 for Non-MA residents. The park has a set of self-guided hikes with maps.
Go to Artwork Galleries
When you’re within the Bearskin Neck space, chances are you’ll as effectively hit up the artwork galleries. All of the galleries in Rockport are positioned there on Bearskin Neck. It’s a good way to spend your morning, with a espresso in hand, strolling out and in of galleries with varied artwork on show.
Begin out on Dock Sq., on the Sq. Circle Gallery, then make your manner over to the Jettywalk Arts, and find yourself at John Walker Gallery, stopping alongside the way in which in no matter spot calls out to you.
Due to the Rockport Artwork Affiliation, Rockport has come to be well-known for its love of the humanities, so you need to cease by to see what all of the fuss is about. You’ll be able to head over to the seashore afterward.
Spend an Afternoon on the Seashore
An exquisite sandy seashore simply up the street from the galleries, you possibly can take a brief stroll to Entrance Seashore in Sandy Bay. This seashore will get fairly heat on a summer time day, so deliver your go well with and sun shades, a towel, and a hat, and plan to splash and discover all afternoon.
My buddies with toddlers love bringing their youngsters to Entrance Seashore, because the water is shallow and calm.
You can even take a look at Again Seashore, additionally shut by, which has made fairly a reputation for itself as the most effective seashores in New England, possible because of its shut proximity to most of the inns on this coastal city. It’s a particular little stretch of soppy sand with normally calm water due to its cove-like nature. It’s the right refuge after buying and having fun with artwork.
Additional south, you’ve gotten Cape Hedge Seashore and Pebble Seashore, each of which have a tendency to attract a extra native crowd.
The seashores are free to go to, after all, however most have paid parking.
Go to the Rockport Brewing Firm
A Rockport staple, the Rockport Brewing Firm is household owned and operated, and has been thriving for years in Downtown Rockport. The cofounders are a married couple, Jordana and Ray Pickup, who caught the brewing bug after experimenting at house in their very own driveway.
And it has paid off! The couple has constructed out their imaginative and prescient of serving the neighborhood with small-batch, high-quality beer alongside nice meals. They’re additionally deeply rooted locally; each are natives of Rockport. They supply their substances from native farms and home artwork by native artists.
A few of their flagship beers are the Twin Lights New England Double IPA, the Pescato Italian Pilsner, and the Hatchet New England Session IPA, however they’re all the time introducing new enjoyable beers!
Take pleasure in Fudge on the Rockport Fudgery
One other native staple is the Rockport Fudgery, considered one of my favourite spots on the town for a candy deal with. They’ve been whipping fudge by hand in Cape Ann in Rockport since 1987. Most likely the best factor about this place is that you simply get to observe them create the kettle-style fudge.
The store is positioned proper there on Bearskin Neck, and so they supply the complete vary of shapes, sizes, and flavors of fudge. The recipe comes from the unique proprietor, as soon as a science trainer, John Maschal, who devoted his life to creating the right fudge. (And sure, you possibly can see this place in The Proposal.)
And there’s way over simply plain chocolate and penuche. Strive their pumpkin fudge, maple fudge, chocolate peanut butter fudge, or rocky street fudge! In addition they serve espresso and have scrumptious elephant ears.
Hire a Bike and Discover
Do you prefer to discover locations on two wheels? Rockport is a superb place to take action. Hire a motorcycle from North Shore Adventures, positioned in Bearskin Neck, and so they’ll get you arrange with all of the gear you’ll want for the day.
I’m an individual who will get a bit nervous for metropolis driving, however Rockport is a lot extra enjoyable. The roads are sometimes quiet and the surroundings is beautiful. Know that weekends throughout summer time are the busiest occasions on the roads right here.
The city of Rockport is so small that you’ll quickly go into Gloucester. Be happy to discover onwards, exploring the cities of the North Shore!
Go Kayaking
However that’s not all! North Shore Adventures additionally rents out kayaks. So that is your house to be if you’re an adventure-loving, outdoorsy explorer. You can also make reservations forward of time, and so they’ll even set you up with a information, so that you’re not by yourself on the market. There are many spots within the space with calm waters which can be good for first-timers.
If it’s a household journey you’re on, they even have shorter boats for teenagers and longer ones for going cruising. You’ll be able to take a full tour with their information forward of time to get a really feel for what you’re doing and the place you’re going. Even if you happen to’re an skilled kayaker, it might be enjoyable to have somebody present you the realm.
Costs range, so take a look at their web site and reserve your gear.
Go Crusing
However if you wish to go actually large, go crusing! You’ll want to move up the coast to the following city over, Gloucester, to catch a experience with Luciano, who’s providing crusing adventures for as much as 6 individuals.
Luciano will take you across the Gloucester harbor and surrounding areas like Rockport in his 36-foot crusing yacht. He gives gentle, wholesome snacks for the journey, in addition to water and flavored seltzer. He additionally gives life vests to his shoppers aboard.
His shoppers love him, and his costs for a personal group journey begin at a really affordable $450.
Go to Thacher Island
Thacher Island is a couple of mile offshore of Rockport. The location of historic naval confrontations, which helped safe victory for the colonists in the course of the American Revolution, this tiny island is wealthy with historical past and nationwide pleasure.
You’ll be able to take the Thacher Island Launch for $35 for adults and $10 for teenagers, at three completely different occasions of day, ($10 for teenagers), which incorporates the touchdown price. For those who arrive independently by yourself boat and usually are not a Rockport resident, you’ll must pay a $5 touchdown price.
Take pleasure in your day wandering the island, together with the sunshine station, keeper homes, a whistle home, and plenty of scenic trails. Remember the island shuts down at 5:00 PM.
Discover the Quarries
One of many major functions for the founding of Rockport as a metropolis was the intensive quarry system. Within the early 1800s, a number of granite quarries had been found, and quarrying turned a lifestyle for a lot of to get the in-demand granite that can be utilized for therefore many functions in several industries.
As we speak, you possibly can take the Rockport Quarries Hike and get an incredible sense of what the realm was like so way back, together with Johnson’s Quarry, Carlson Quarry, Flat Ledge Quarry, and the Rockport Granite Bridge.
Plan for half a day to finish all eight miles of this hike, which begins on the Rockport Practice Station. Perhaps pack a breakfast and plan for a sandwich alongside the way in which, as this hike will take you previous Bearskin Neck and Motif #1 in addition to some nice eating places.
See a Present on the Shalin Liu Efficiency Middle
One other good murals in Rockport, the Shalin Liu Efficiency Middle is understood for its superb aesthetics and acoustics. It has spectacular views of the bay, perched proper on the bluffs, and it has turn out to be an vital cultural a part of the city.
Making its debut in June of 2010, the Middle now has a robust fame for delivering state-of-the-art facilities in a musical setting that honors its Rockport location. This can be a must-see when you’re on the town. Go to for a live performance of all forms of music starting from classical to jazz, people to pop, and even free occasions for households.
Try the positioning right here for tickets.
Drive the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway
Typically you simply wish to seize a espresso and take a scenic drive. I like any city or area that provides miles of freeway to coast down, home windows rolled down, music up, and nice views after nice views. The Essex Coastal Scenic Byway affords simply that.
This coastal byway consists of 90 miles of roadway stretch alongside the North Shore of Massachusetts, linking 14 cities from Lynn to Salisbury. You’ll get a wholesome dose of historical past and preserved structure right here as this area is federally protected, and a non-profit group works laborious to maintain the realm effectively maintained and in tribute to its cultural heritage.
You undoubtedly don’t must do all the drive in a day! It’s tremendous lengthy! You may even flip this right into a two-day drive if you’re beginning in Rockport, going north in your first day and south in your second.
Maybe on my subsequent journey house I’ll try to do the entire thing in someday. We’ll see the way it goes!
Attend a Rockport Pageant
Rockport is a small artsy city — after all they love their festivals! Try the calendar of occasions and plan your journey round one thing that speaks to you. From Fourth of July celebrations to Christmas festivals, this city brings individuals collectively for all events.
Some particular Rockport festivals embrace Motif #1 Day in late Might, the Cape Ann Artisans Spring Tour in early June and Fall Tour in October, Illuminations Weekend in August, and Harvest Fest in October.
And the Rockport Farmers’ Market is each Saturday from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM within the Rockport Music Parking Lot.
Go to Close by Cities
And at last, when you’re in Rockport, you need to take a look at a number of the different nice little cities all through the North Shore. A brief drive alongside the Essex Scenic Byway will deliver you to a few of these cities, however you can additionally plan forward and plot your factors of curiosity.
Manchester-by-the-Sea (sure, one other city with a Hollywood connection) affords scenic seashores, a harbor, elegant outlets, and candy little cottages. It’s much less touristy than others in Cape Ann.
Gloucester is a much bigger metropolis, but it surely has small-town allure. For those who’re on the lookout for a extra metropolitan really feel with points of interest and lodging, you will get that in Gloucester, together with nice seashores and whale watching.
Essex will take you inland a bit, but it surely’s price it if you happen to’re into antiquing. Essex is called the vintage capital of America, so plan to spend a day attempting to find treasure. It’s lovely on the marsh.
After which there’s Salem, one of many bigger cities within the space, stuffed with historic websites and spooky, haunted locations. It’s one of the fashionable day journeys from Boston and there’s nowhere higher on the earth to rejoice Halloween season.
There’s a lot to do in Rockport correct, after all, however how will you resist wandering a bit afield to see what else the North Shore has to supply?
How A lot Time to Spend in Rockport Massachusetts
I believe that Rockport works effectively as a day journey from Boston or elsewhere within the space. Someday offers you adequate time to discover Bearskin Neck, do a little bit of buying, have a pleasant lunch, and nonetheless go to Halibut Level or go kayaking or relax on the seashore.
You’ll be able to completely spend a couple of days there, although, if you happen to’d like! For those who’re staying a couple of days or longer, I like to recommend spending a whole lot of time exploring the North Shore and past. (One other excellent place to go to is Portsmouth, NH.) It’s greatest to have a automobile to discover this space in depth.
Learn Extra: Greatest Day Journeys from Boston
Greatest Time to Go to Rockport Mass
Rockport is at its busiest in the course of the summer time months, when vacationers come from throughout to benefit from the seashores, ice cream, and lobster rolls. Whereas that is the very best time to go to, know that will probably be crowded. Lodging costs might be at their highest and you could have to attend to get into eating places.
Fall is one other lovely time to go to. We locals have a tendency to move to inland New England to expertise fall foliage, which makes this a surprisingly good time to go to Rockport and different North Shore cities. And there’s nothing like visiting on the primary heat day of spring, when Massachusetts comes again to life!
Rockport could be very quiet in the course of the winter months, and plenty of native companies shut in the course of the off-season. For those who’re coming to Rockport right now, know that there received’t be a ton open. Coastal New England generally is a beautiful place to go to within the winter if you happen to’re on the lookout for peace and quiet.
The way to Get to Rockport MA
The easiest way to get across the cities of the North Shore is by driving. You’ll have essentially the most flexibility this manner, as the general public transportation doesn’t run as typically or as extensively because it ought to.
For those who’re coming from Boston, Rockport is a 50-minute drive. Alternatively, you possibly can take the commuter prepare from North Station to Manchester (50 minutes) and hop on the connecting shuttle to Rockport (28 minutes).
Throughout the summer time months you possibly can take the CATA shuttle, which runs each 25 minutes. It’ll take you to Dock Sq. in downtown Rockport ($1 for many, $0.50 for seniors, free for teenagers below 5).
The place to Keep in Rockport, MA
Rockport is house to a number of glorious small inns. They are usually on the mid-range to excessive finish, so if you happen to’re on the lookout for one thing extra on the finances finish, I like to recommend increasing your search past Rockport.
Listed here are three of our really helpful spots to remain in Rockport:
Seafarer Inn — An enthralling little house by the ocean, the Seafarer Inn has a porch to take a seat on for the views of the bay and somewhat koi pond to take a seat round together with your morning espresso. Each room has an ocean view, and you’ll stroll from the inn right down to the tide swimming pools. A great place for a romantic getaway.
Sally Webster Inn — A boutique inn only a 7-minute stroll right down to the ocean, the Sally Webster is a mattress and breakfast near the artwork galleries, outlets, and eating places. The decor is to die for, tremendous quaint, and the service is spectacular. You are feeling like an honored visitor whereas there.
Rockport Inn and Suites — Then there’s the massive, grand lodge on 5 acres of land, located proper on the north shore. It’s a brief stroll to downtown Rockport from the lodge, and you’ve got entry to each amenity conceivable, from the large swimming pool to the health room.
Is Rockport Value Visiting?
Rockport is so price visiting! There’s a cause why I present it off to so many out-of-towners! It’s the sort of place that you simply go to as soon as and maintain returning to every season.
I hope you take pleasure in your time visiting Rockport and the North Shore. It’s actually one of the particular components of New England.
Extra on Massachusetts:
Better of Boston:
Have you ever been to Rockport? Any recommendations? Share away!
