Guidebook for Cape Ann
Ou Fave Food Spots
Coastal New England dining on Lobster Cove, right in our village. Small menu focused on local ingredients. Pricey but fabulous for a special occasion.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Talise
33 River RdCoastal New England dining on Lobster Cove, right in our village. Small menu focused on local ingredients. Pricey but fabulous for a special occasion.
For over 30 years Lobsta Land has been serving Cape Ann’s most eclectic menu in a family friendly, comfortably casual atmosphere. Seems an odd name and location, but trust us on this one! Food is fantastic and the views of the marshes cannot be beat.
35 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lobsta Land Restaurant
84 Causeway StFor over 30 years Lobsta Land has been serving Cape Ann’s most eclectic menu in a family friendly, comfortably casual atmosphere. Seems an odd name and location, but trust us on this one! Food is fantastic and the views of the marshes cannot be beat.
Yikes, the photo that automatically populates is not what I would choose! Gloucester is known for seafood and this is our go to for sushi. Their rolls are great, but we recommend the sushi and sashimi.
Midori
32-36 Washington StreetYikes, the photo that automatically populates is not what I would choose! Gloucester is known for seafood and this is our go to for sushi. Their rolls are great, but we recommend the sushi and sashimi.
The Lobster Pool offers self-service and the dress is casual. You order at the counter and pick-up when your number is called. They have tables outside and inside that afford a magnificent view of Ipswich Bay and the far off coasts of New Hampshire and Maine. This is the place to go for a lobster roll and onion rings!
44 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Lobster Pool
329 Granite StThe Lobster Pool offers self-service and the dress is casual. You order at the counter and pick-up when your number is called. They have tables outside and inside that afford a magnificent view of Ipswich Bay and the far off coasts of New Hampshire and Maine. This is the place to go for a lobster roll and onion rings!
There are Woodman's people and there are Farnham's people and we are WOODMAN'S. Great seafood shack - rustic and casual. BEST onion rings!
37 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Woodman's of Essex
119 Main StThere are Woodman's people and there are Farnham's people and we are WOODMAN'S. Great seafood shack - rustic and casual. BEST onion rings!
Our local "Packy" (liquor store) is also a convenience store with a small selection of common necessities.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lanesville Package Store Inc
1080 Washington StOur local "Packy" (liquor store) is also a convenience store with a small selection of common necessities.
Organic fresh pasta shop, and Italian provisions, and natural wines. Filled pasta (usually ravioli) is sold on Thursday and Saturday.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pastaio Via Corta
123 Main StOrganic fresh pasta shop, and Italian provisions, and natural wines. Filled pasta (usually ravioli) is sold on Thursday and Saturday.
Go early for the scones! This is a small bakery that sells out. We love the scones as well as the cobbles. The also have a lovely little local gift shop.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Alexandra's Bread
265 Main StGo early for the scones! This is a small bakery that sells out. We love the scones as well as the cobbles. The also have a lovely little local gift shop.
Great fresh bagels and coffee. They have a myriad of other baked goods as well, but we like the bagels best.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jim's Bagel & Bake Shoppe
34 Railroad AveGreat fresh bagels and coffee. They have a myriad of other baked goods as well, but we like the bagels best.
George's slogan is "Hungry? You Won't Be!" This popular breakfast spot offers all the diner classics and portions are hearty. On weekend's there may be a bit of a wait but the line usually moves along quite quickly.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
George's Coffee Shop
178 Washington StGeorge's slogan is "Hungry? You Won't Be!" This popular breakfast spot offers all the diner classics and portions are hearty. On weekend's there may be a bit of a wait but the line usually moves along quite quickly.
Apple picking and the best cider doughnuts!
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Russell Orchards
Apple picking and the best cider doughnuts!
We recommend tacos for lunch!
Machaca is an authentic Mexican Cantina located in the heart of Cape Ann! We pride ourselves in making great drinks & great food using only the freshest ingredients! Our menu boasts the most traditional Mexican street tacos you can find outside of Mexico.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Machaca
14 Rogers StWe recommend tacos for lunch!
Machaca is an authentic Mexican Cantina located in the heart of Cape Ann! We pride ourselves in making great drinks & great food using only the freshest ingredients! Our menu boasts the most traditional Mexican street tacos you can find outside of Mexico.
Tonno blends together chef Caturano’s favorite culinary styles, featuring coastal Italian seafood and other treasures from land and sea.
The culinary program is designed to showcase Italian seafood classics, with nightly specials that reflect the catches of the day from the local waters. The menu is comprised of an array of sfizi and primi options to start, homemade pastas that are available in half and full portions, secondi courses presenting pesce and carne signature dishes, and decadent desserts.
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tonno Restaurant
2 Main StTonno blends together chef Caturano’s favorite culinary styles, featuring coastal Italian seafood and other treasures from land and sea.
The culinary program is designed to showcase Italian seafood classics, with nightly specials that reflect the catches of the day from the local waters. The menu is comprised of an array of sfizi and primi options to start, homemade pastas that are available in half and full portions, secondi courses presenting pesce and carne signature dishes, and decadent desserts.
Short & Main
36 Main StPricey but fantastic pizza!
Great for sandwiches!
Since 1961 three generations of the Virgilio family have owned and operated this Italian bakery and deli in the West End section of Gloucester, Mass. Scala, Semolina, Ciabatta and other specialty breads and rolls are baked fresh daily and delivered to restaurants and supermarkets all over Cape Ann. Many years ago, founder Giuseppe Virgilio stuffed an assortment of Italian deli meats, a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of oregano inside their crusty four-point Italian roll, creating the famous Saint Joseph sandwich which is well-loved by locals and travelers from far and wide. Virgilio’s is a popular lunch destination serving up unique sandwiches and daily specials made to order on rolls right out of the oven where patrons inevitably discover ~ the bread makes the sandwich. This bustling little bakery has since expanded its product line to offer multi-grain and other specialty breads, deli meats and cheeses, marinara sauce and bread-dipping oil (prepared and jarred on site), cookies, cannoli, ricotta pies, Italian Ice and assorted specialty groceries.
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Virgilio's Italian Bakery
29 Main StGreat for sandwiches!
Since 1961 three generations of the Virgilio family have owned and operated this Italian bakery and deli in the West End section of Gloucester, Mass. Scala, Semolina, Ciabatta and other specialty breads and rolls are baked fresh daily and delivered to restaurants and supermarkets all over Cape Ann. Many years ago, founder Giuseppe Virgilio stuffed an assortment of Italian deli meats, a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of oregano inside their crusty four-point Italian roll, creating the famous Saint Joseph sandwich which is well-loved by locals and travelers from far and wide. Virgilio’s is a popular lunch destination serving up unique sandwiches and daily specials made to order on rolls right out of the oven where patrons inevitably discover ~ the bread makes the sandwich. This bustling little bakery has since expanded its product line to offer multi-grain and other specialty breads, deli meats and cheeses, marinara sauce and bread-dipping oil (prepared and jarred on site), cookies, cannoli, ricotta pies, Italian Ice and assorted specialty groceries.
Sightseeing
Essex River Cruises & Charters’ regularly scheduled daily narrated public cruises operate seven days a week, Mother's Day weekend in May through the third weekend in October.
We operate public cruises within a tidal estuary. Our public cruises explore the salt marsh and navigates within a protected bay; we do not operate on the open ocean. However, we are Mother Nature’s guests cruising in coastal waters where the temperature may be lower than on land, so dress accordingly. We suggest that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Essex River Cruises & Charters
35 Dodge StEssex River Cruises & Charters’ regularly scheduled daily narrated public cruises operate seven days a week, Mother's Day weekend in May through the third weekend in October.
We operate public cruises within a tidal estuary. Our public cruises explore the salt marsh and navigates within a protected bay; we do not operate on the open ocean. However, we are Mother Nature’s guests cruising in coastal waters where the temperature may be lower than on land, so dress accordingly. We suggest that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
Cape Ann Whale Watch in Gloucester, Massachusetts provides guaranteed whale sightings for every whale watching tour out to Stellwagen Bank, a national marine preserve about 12 miles off the coast of Gloucester deemed one of the "Top 5 Whale Watching Destinations in the World" by the World Wildlife Fund due to the wide variety of whale species whom migrate to the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts every year to feed on the abundant natural resources.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cape Ann Whale Watch
415 Main StCape Ann Whale Watch in Gloucester, Massachusetts provides guaranteed whale sightings for every whale watching tour out to Stellwagen Bank, a national marine preserve about 12 miles off the coast of Gloucester deemed one of the "Top 5 Whale Watching Destinations in the World" by the World Wildlife Fund due to the wide variety of whale species whom migrate to the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts every year to feed on the abundant natural resources.
Neighborhoods
Rocky Neck is home to one of the oldest
continuously operating art colonies in the United States.
Dozens of working artists from painters, potters and textile designers to photographers and jewelry makers, display their work in Rocky Neck galleries during the summer months.
A variety of restaurants are available to suit every taste with live entertainment enhancing the ambiance in restaurants and bars on weekends.
Part of Gloucester’s Rocky Neck Cultural District, the Rocky Neck Art Colony offers an eclectic mixture of history and culture—a great place to stroll on a lazy summer day, to include in a day trip to the beach, or to enjoy a memorable meal.
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rocky Neck
Rocky Neck is home to one of the oldest
continuously operating art colonies in the United States.
Dozens of working artists from painters, potters and textile designers to photographers and jewelry makers, display their work in Rocky Neck galleries during the summer months.
A variety of restaurants are available to suit every taste with live entertainment enhancing the ambiance in restaurants and bars on weekends.
Part of Gloucester’s Rocky Neck Cultural District, the Rocky Neck Art Colony offers an eclectic mixture of history and culture—a great place to stroll on a lazy summer day, to include in a day trip to the beach, or to enjoy a memorable meal.
Annisquam is the village where our house and guest cottage are located. The area is very charming and walkable. People will often wave at each other as you pass. We are about a five minute walk to Lighthouse beach which has great sunset views. It's lovely to just stroll around the village and look at all the homes, some grand, and some quaint!
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Annisquam
Annisquam is the village where our house and guest cottage are located. The area is very charming and walkable. People will often wave at each other as you pass. We are about a five minute walk to Lighthouse beach which has great sunset views. It's lovely to just stroll around the village and look at all the homes, some grand, and some quaint!
City/town information
"Still making history." That’s their tagline, but it’s so much more. It’s everything that made Salem come to life, and everywhere we’ll go next. It’s witches, and ocean ships, making waves through literature, settlers, pirates and trading. And it’s all right here. What will you learn?
Salem is famous for the witch trials and is home to the Salem Witch museum, the Peabody Essex museum, historic walking tours, and some great restaurants.
Salem is about a 30 minute drive from Annisquam.
164 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Salem
"Still making history." That’s their tagline, but it’s so much more. It’s everything that made Salem come to life, and everywhere we’ll go next. It’s witches, and ocean ships, making waves through literature, settlers, pirates and trading. And it’s all right here. What will you learn?
Salem is famous for the witch trials and is home to the Salem Witch museum, the Peabody Essex museum, historic walking tours, and some great restaurants.
Salem is about a 30 minute drive from Annisquam.
Escape to historic Rockport, Massachusetts. Visit Rockport for our miles of lovely beaches, boulder-strewn paths through woods and glades, and that uncommonly magical light that has inspired painters since Winslow Homer.
Iconic Motif No. 1 draws artists and art lovers to our picturesque harbor. Rockport’s art colony, one of the oldest in America, is home to over thirty galleries and the Rockport Art Association and Museum. In an unmatched setting, Rockport’s world-class performing arts center, Rockport Music’s Shalin Liu Performance Center, hosts shows year round. Lively festivals fill the streets from May – December.
Stroll our charming downtown and eclectic Bearskin Neck to explore a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Find handcrafted jewelry, fashionable clothing, locally made crafts, specialty household items, imported gifts, scrumptious chocolates and so much more.
83 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rockport
Escape to historic Rockport, Massachusetts. Visit Rockport for our miles of lovely beaches, boulder-strewn paths through woods and glades, and that uncommonly magical light that has inspired painters since Winslow Homer.
Iconic Motif No. 1 draws artists and art lovers to our picturesque harbor. Rockport’s art colony, one of the oldest in America, is home to over thirty galleries and the Rockport Art Association and Museum. In an unmatched setting, Rockport’s world-class performing arts center, Rockport Music’s Shalin Liu Performance Center, hosts shows year round. Lively festivals fill the streets from May – December.
Stroll our charming downtown and eclectic Bearskin Neck to explore a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Find handcrafted jewelry, fashionable clothing, locally made crafts, specialty household items, imported gifts, scrumptious chocolates and so much more.
Essex is about a 20 minute drive from Annisquam and is the home to many antique shops and a wonderful consignment shop, Muzio. There are also a few wonderful restaurants, including famed lobster shack, Woodman's.
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Essex
Essex is about a 20 minute drive from Annisquam and is the home to many antique shops and a wonderful consignment shop, Muzio. There are also a few wonderful restaurants, including famed lobster shack, Woodman's.
Shopping
This store is one of our very favorites! Muzio Designs at the Barn offers a unique cache of extraordinary pieces to enhance your home, from antiques and vintage artwork to reclaimed furniture and accessories. They also have a very handsome dog who is often at the barn named Bentley.
Muzio Designs
55 John Wise AveThis store is one of our very favorites! Muzio Designs at the Barn offers a unique cache of extraordinary pieces to enhance your home, from antiques and vintage artwork to reclaimed furniture and accessories. They also have a very handsome dog who is often at the barn named Bentley.
Museums
The mission of the Peabody Essex Museum is to celebrate outstanding artistic and cultural creativity by collecting, stewarding and interpreting objects of art and culture in ways that increase knowledge, enrich the spirit, engage the mind and stimulate the senses.
A wonderful museum with both permanent exhibits, including an 18th Century Chinese merchants' home, and world class visiting exhibitions.
207 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo Peabody Essex
161 Essex StThe mission of the Peabody Essex Museum is to celebrate outstanding artistic and cultural creativity by collecting, stewarding and interpreting objects of art and culture in ways that increase knowledge, enrich the spirit, engage the mind and stimulate the senses.
A wonderful museum with both permanent exhibits, including an 18th Century Chinese merchants' home, and world class visiting exhibitions.
Experience the grandeur of a 2,100-acre seaside estate, its marvelously landscaped grounds, restored Grand Allée, gardens, and Casino complex. Explore on your own or take on of their various guided tours.
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Castle Hill en la propiedad de Crane
290 Argilla RdExperience the grandeur of a 2,100-acre seaside estate, its marvelously landscaped grounds, restored Grand Allée, gardens, and Casino complex. Explore on your own or take on of their various guided tours.
Our favorite house museum! Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House, a National Historic Landmark, was the summer home of one of America’s first professional interior designers, Henry Davis Sleeper. Perched on a rock ledge overlooking Gloucester Harbor, Beauport was Sleeper’s retreat, backdrop for entertaining, and professional showcase, and an inspiration to all who visited.
Visit Beauport and see Sleeper’s lifetime collection of curiosities, colored glass, folk art, china, and silhouettes in every nook and alcove. Each of the forty rooms is distinguished by a historical or literary figure, theme, color, shape, or object. No two rooms are the same, and each is more visually dazzling than the last.
$20 admission - it's worth it!
23 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Historic New England Beauport Sleeper--McCann House
75 Eastern Point BlvdOur favorite house museum! Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House, a National Historic Landmark, was the summer home of one of America’s first professional interior designers, Henry Davis Sleeper. Perched on a rock ledge overlooking Gloucester Harbor, Beauport was Sleeper’s retreat, backdrop for entertaining, and professional showcase, and an inspiration to all who visited.
Visit Beauport and see Sleeper’s lifetime collection of curiosities, colored glass, folk art, china, and silhouettes in every nook and alcove. Each of the forty rooms is distinguished by a historical or literary figure, theme, color, shape, or object. No two rooms are the same, and each is more visually dazzling than the last.
$20 admission - it's worth it!
Hammond Castle was built in the late 1920s by scientist, inventor, and interestingly enough, an art connoisseur of the highest order, John Hays Hammond, Jr. (1888-1965). Sitting high on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the castle brings together a unique combination of art, architectural elements and culture, backstopped by many innovative technological applications, yet unknown and unseen by the visitor.
55 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hammond Castle Museum
80 Hesperus AvenueHammond Castle was built in the late 1920s by scientist, inventor, and interestingly enough, an art connoisseur of the highest order, John Hays Hammond, Jr. (1888-1965). Sitting high on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the castle brings together a unique combination of art, architectural elements and culture, backstopped by many innovative technological applications, yet unknown and unseen by the visitor.
Outdoors
Great hiking trails through the woods. About a 20 minute drive from Annisquam. The parking area is small and can get crowded so we recommend going on the earlier side.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ravenswood Park
Ravenswood ParkGreat hiking trails through the woods. About a 20 minute drive from Annisquam. The parking area is small and can get crowded so we recommend going on the earlier side.
Our favorite local hiking trails! Download alltrails app to help you navigate. You can plan hikes from one mile to ten or more. You can even walk all the way to Rockport if you're game!
Dogtown is known for its charming woods, giant boulders and rock formations left behind when the last glaciers melted. It was formerly called “The Commons,” but as legend has it, Dogtown earned its strange name from the dogs that women kept while their husbands were fighting in the American Revolution. Falling into decline as settlers moved towards the harbor, Dogtown has been hauntingly abandoned since 1830. Today Dogtown offers miles of criss-crossing trails and abandoned roads that traverse nearly 3,600 acres. Pathways are dotted with 3 dozen boulders into which unemployed Finnish quarry workers carved inspiring sayings during the Great Depression.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dogtown Commons
Our favorite local hiking trails! Download alltrails app to help you navigate. You can plan hikes from one mile to ten or more. You can even walk all the way to Rockport if you're game!
Dogtown is known for its charming woods, giant boulders and rock formations left behind when the last glaciers melted. It was formerly called “The Commons,” but as legend has it, Dogtown earned its strange name from the dogs that women kept while their husbands were fighting in the American Revolution. Falling into decline as settlers moved towards the harbor, Dogtown has been hauntingly abandoned since 1830. Today Dogtown offers miles of criss-crossing trails and abandoned roads that traverse nearly 3,600 acres. Pathways are dotted with 3 dozen boulders into which unemployed Finnish quarry workers carved inspiring sayings during the Great Depression.
On a clear day, visitors to Halibut Point State Park will be able to see Mount Agamenticus, located 81 miles away in Maine, and the Isles of Shoals off the coast of New Hampshire. You can explore the parks trails and tide pools, picnic on the rocky ledges, and learn about the history of Cape Ann's granite industry.
115 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Estatal Halibut Point
Gott AvenueOn a clear day, visitors to Halibut Point State Park will be able to see Mount Agamenticus, located 81 miles away in Maine, and the Isles of Shoals off the coast of New Hampshire. You can explore the parks trails and tide pools, picnic on the rocky ledges, and learn about the history of Cape Ann's granite industry.
While we love our little beach in Annisquam, you may wish to stroll along another lovely stretch of sand. Good Harbor is a public beach with soft sand and more surf than we see in the village.
118 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Good Harbor Beach
While we love our little beach in Annisquam, you may wish to stroll along another lovely stretch of sand. Good Harbor is a public beach with soft sand and more surf than we see in the village.
A very popular beach destination. Very crowded in the summer months, but we love to walk here in the spring and the fall.
Crane Beach is a 1,234-acre conservation and recreation property located in Ipswich, Massachusetts, immediately north of Cape Ann. It consists of a four-mile-long sandy beachfront, dunes, and a maritime pitch pine forest.
124 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Crane Beach
A very popular beach destination. Very crowded in the summer months, but we love to walk here in the spring and the fall.
Crane Beach is a 1,234-acre conservation and recreation property located in Ipswich, Massachusetts, immediately north of Cape Ann. It consists of a four-mile-long sandy beachfront, dunes, and a maritime pitch pine forest.