Shopping, Dining & Recreation

Any kid will tell you that the best family vacations involve at least a few trips to the playground. Gloucester’s Ben Smith Playground offers playground equipment, a new seawall, benches and picnic tables. Ben Smith’s location is perfect for watching the maritime activities taking place in Cripple Cove while having peace of mind due to […]

Few places on the North Shore boast the natural beauty, seasonal variety, and historical value of Beverly Commons, a 126-acre preserve located right off of Route 127. In early spring, find the many vernal pools scattered throughout the area, home to many amphibians. By late spring, the Commons are rife with various wildflowers, mosses and […]

Named for the castle-like private estate that overlooks its grounds, Marblehead’s Castle Rock is a 1.20-acre park known for its stunning views of the Atlantic. Originally known as “Great Head,” Castle Rock served as an important lookout for the many ships arriving and departing the area. Features park benches, offshore sailing, and great fishing. Castle […]

Few places boast the loveliness and historical background of Dogtown Common, a 3,600-acre stretch of forested land in the heart of Gloucester. Rife with natural beauty, including ancient glacier-formed rock formations and two reservoirs, Dogtown Common will ignite your adventurous side as well as your curiosity. From the mid-1600s up until the early 1800s, a […]

Once known as “Bailey’s Head,” Marblehead’s Fountain Park was the site of a fort during both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. In addition to its historical significance, Fountain Park offers beautiful views of Marblehead’s rocky Atlantic Coastline, making it an ideal spot for photographers and artists. The park contains several benches (most […]

Incorporated into Gloucester’s downtown and waterfront areas, Gloucester HarborWalk lets you experience our historic city in a personal, relaxed, and scenic manner. Gloucester HarborWalk features a free, public access walkway as well as a self-guided walking tour designated by 42 granite story posts integrated into the city. The tour will guide you to gardens, art […]

Featuring a wooded upland, salt marsh, rocky shoreline and geologic features such as Cape Ann granite and glacial erratics, Gloucester’s Goose Cove Reservation is perfect for nature lovers, artists, and families. With such a diverse topography, Goose Cove is a great place to observe and discover a wide variety of different plants and animals that […]

Located close to the Rockport-Gloucester line in Rockport, Halibut Point State Park is one of Massachusetts’ most beautiful, scenic areas. The park features gorgeous views of coastal New England, ranging from nearby Crane Beach in Ipswich to far-off locations such as New Hampshire’s Isles of Shoals and Maine’s Mount Agamenticus. For those looking to learn […]

Marblehead’s Hawthorn Pond Conservation Area is a 9.8-acre plot of land that contains a pond, marshes, and a stream interspersed with a network of four interconnecting hiking trails. Hawthorn Pond is great for explorers and nature lovers who want to experience the North Shore’s natural landscape. The scenic hiking trails lead you through the wetlands, […]

Gloucester’s 25-acre Magnolia Woods are home to seven soccer fields and a softball field, making it a perfect location for an impromptu game of Whiffle ball, soccer, or any sport requiring open space. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of wildflowers and a nature walk, which is ideal for bird watching in the […]