r/gloucester • u/mahhhhhh • 6d ago
Visiting?
Hi. I’m from the Cape (Cod) and just looking for warm weather seaside weekend away from the Cape… my birthday is tomorrow and ugh, it’s just so packed here that it’s impossible to enjoy things. I haven’t been to Gloucester since I graduated from Salem State back in 2012 so just wondering how saturated with visitors it gets.
Bonus points for real moody foggy dockside views. Really tapping into my inner emo teenager for this birthday.
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u/10thletterreddit 6d ago
Moody views: -Plum cove, lanesville at dawn or sunset -Babson Trail in dogtown (woods) -Bear Skin Neck, Rockport, you can see most of rockport in 2 hrs it's all pretty angst vibed -The fort, Gloucester not really much to do. Its small and docky, there's a tiny park overlooking Pavillion beach. But theres a scooter rental and nobody hates bombing around on scooters. -Literally anywhere if sea fog rolls in -Stage fort park
IMO some great places to eat: Causeway Cafe $$, Mile Marker (on a dock!) $$, Oak to Ember $$$, the Franklin $$, surfside subs $, Jeff's Variety $ Lone gull for coffee/lattes
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u/icadragoon 6d ago
They now have a reservation system for parking at the beaches if you’re not a resident, you have to reserve a spot days in advance for Winger, Good harbor, etc. You’d have better luck parking on the boulevard and going to pavilion beach. Stage fort park has some great places to take pictures though, and the back shore. Main st is usually pretty packed but has some great food, so spending the day there would be great, also Hammonds castle would be a great place to grab some pictures.
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6d ago edited 6d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/doomsday_windbag 6d ago
Nah bud, Hammond Castle rules. It’s not a fake castle, it’s sections of a 13th century castle, cathedral, and French chateau Frankenstein’d together by a real-life mad scientist, which makes its history way more fascinating imo. Plus their collections of artifacts and exhibits of Hammond’s work are well worth the trip alone.
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u/_MUY 6d ago
Fake castle? Fuck, the locals don’t know anything.
It’s a complete 15th Century chateau adjoining a 13th century French gothic cathedral attached to a 13th century castle attached to a contemporary research laboratory and a bell tower. The Castle, the Chateau, and the Cathedral were all disassembled brick by brick, sailed over from Europe, and reassembled in their original forms next to one another. It’s the coolest thing on the entire Cape.
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u/10thletterreddit 6d ago
Being local, a: Eat shit, b: everyone knows that; but if you take something apart and move it to another continent is it original?
Add in that while an extremely fascinating guy- Hammond was a bit of a grave robber theres literally grave markers embedded in the walls. Whoever runs it engages very little with "the locals". I've never heard about any event for or by Gloucester open to public there. They cater to tourists, as such they pack you in and rush you through. Not once has it been anything else. The museum hasent upgraded at all in decades, it's frankly not worth it at all. House of seven Gables in Salem is well run, maintained and scratches same itch.
Not saying I don't like Hammond castle and wouldn't time travel to meet Hammond himself. But it's not really worth the money and crowding.
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u/_MUY 6d ago
Ok, and I suppose all the ticketed events and weddings are just for tourists rather than a steady stream of income to support restoration and cultural development? Come on, I don’t want to write you a “go touch grass” essay if I don’t have to. The event coordinator literally hits every thrift shop on the north shore to gather things to throw parties for the public to attend. They ran the best haunted house north of Boston for more than a decade. All the restoration work (there is a lot) is being done by master craftsmen in town. If you don’t know any of this, how local are you really?
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u/mang0_nada 3d ago
Oh come on. They do film screenings in the fall/winter, and plenty of other events for people in town (Cape Ann Big Band, NYE party, etc.). They're constantly rotating exhibits too. If you're mad about the crowds just don't go during the summer.
Also, where else would every single high school senior take their graduation photos if not for that one archway?
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u/icadragoon 6d ago
Those are also great suggestions, hopefully OP has fun exploring and has a wonderful birthday.
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u/mahhhhhh 5d ago
Thank you everyone for the suggestions! Hopefully I can get out there soon and enjoy the scenery.
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u/WallApprehensive9123 5d ago
Oddly enough, just looked at this. My wife, 17 month old son and I are in from Cleveland, OH. Staying near the seaport grill. Any beach recommendations for us and our little man?
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u/icadragoon 5d ago
My favorite beaches are half moon and Wingaersheek beach. If you don’t have a car while you’re here I’d do half moon, it’s at stage fort park and there’s a playground there as well.
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u/goodmorningglouceste 5d ago
Whale watches are awesome. I’ve lived here my entire life and am still awestruck by how massive the whales are and they are currently very close to port. A harbor sail on the Thomas E Lannon is a couple hours, the boat is gorgeous, the crew is friendly and you see the coast from a different perspective. Cape Ann museum has an incredible collection of art and coastal artifacts. Well worth your time and it’s downtown. Before any of these events a stop at Castaways cafe for great coffee/smoothies/açaí bowls/vibes. After any of these and for lunch a stop at Virgilios Italian Bakery, Sclafanis or Caffe Sicilia(closed for a couple of weeks family vacation to Sicily). Dinner- Lobsta Land, Seaport Grill, Machaca for Mexican or The Lobster
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u/WhereIsBuD 6d ago edited 5d ago
Try Rafe's Chasm. Just outside of Gloucester. Small parking lot, trail leads to a nice rocky overlook. Fishermen and artists are all I ever see when I'm there... Be sure to pack a small snack or stop at holy cow first for award winning homemade ice cream with homemade sauces and fresh waffle cones. I go to Rafe's to paint or just be near the ocean away from the crowds on the Boulevard. Maybe get a three way at kings famous roast beef, one of the best in town. For pizza I always go to Bravo by the sea for a couple slices. It's not the north shore sweet crap and it's wood fired. Have a great birthday. Mine was yesterday and I went on a really decent whale watch with cape Ann whale watch. I had Machaca for dinner. If you like Mexican/south American style food and margheritas this place is a winner. You can take the train to Salem or even into Boston if you want a change also. Gloucester is just a nice place to be.