20 Best & Fun Things To Do In Gloucester, MA
Are you a local or guest seeking exciting activities in Gloucester, MA? You’ve come to the right spot! In this guide, we’ll uncover the 20 best and most enjoyable things to do in Gloucester, MA, ensuring you make the most of your time in this charming independent city.
1. Cape Ann Whale Watch
Whale watching at Cape Ann Whale Watch, a company that offers tours outside of Gloucester, MA, is an activity that everyone can enjoy.
The company promises seeing whales and uses the Hurricane II, which is the largest and fastest whale watch boat in Massachusetts north of Boston.
Cape Ann Whale Watch has a heated cabin, a full-service kitchen, and a bar. Visitors can see beautiful whales, learn about marine life from the guides, and enjoy the thrill of being out in the open ocean.
Address: 415 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.
2. Stage Fort Park
Find lots of fun things to do with your family at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, MA. This historic seaside site combines beautiful nature with fun things to do and rich historical value.
There are two beaches, a playground, sports fields, picnic areas, a restaurant, and the remains of the fort at the beehive, so tourists can do a lot of different things.
Enjoy swimming, sunbathing, eating, playing sports, learning about the park’s history, taking in the beautiful ocean views, and going to a variety of regular events.
Address: 24 Hough Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States
3. Seaport Grille
Seaport Grille is a famous seafood restaurant with beautiful views of the bay. They serve fresh seafood from local sources as well as standard American food. There are also other fun things to do in Gloucester, MA.
READ ALSO: 26 Best & Fun Things to Do in Marshfield, MA
Don’t miss the chance to enjoy delicious fish, stunning views of the ocean, and the strong vibe of Gloucester’s waterfront.
Address: 6 Rowe Square, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.
4. Fishermen’s Memorial Monument
One of the free things that everyone can do in Gloucester, MA is to look at the fishers’s Memorial Monument, a tall statue that honors the brave fishers who have died at sea.
The monument has a bronze statue of a fisherman standing on top of a granite base and looking out over the harbor. It is surrounded by beautiful grounds.
Visitors can honor the brave fishers who gave their lives for their job, think about how dangerous the sea is, and enjoy the beauty of the shore’s landscape by seeing the fishers’s Memorial Monument.
Address: The Fishermen’s Memorial, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.
5. Dogtown Common
Dogtown Common is a beautiful park in Gloucester, MA, with walking paths, a playground, a pond, a famous stone wall, and lots of fun things to do this week.
When you visit Dogtown Common, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the area, learn about its past, and do fun things outside with family and friends.
Address: Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.
6. Plum Cove Beach
Plum Cove Beach is a small, out of the way beach in Gloucester, MA, that has lots of fun things for kids to do.
The beach is proud of its calm waves that are great for kids, the beautiful views of Ipswich Bay, and its interesting, private atmosphere.
Take it easy and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Dig into the rocky shore and take in the stunning views of New England.
Address: 1000 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.
7. Charles Fine Arts
For art lovers looking for unique things to do in Gloucester, MA, Charles Fine Arts is a well-known art center that shows modern art from artists in the area and around the world.
Charles Fine Arts is in a cute beach town where you can enjoy the lively art scene, learn new skills, and appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of the human spirit.
Address: 196 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.
8. Mount Ann Park
Mount Ann Park is a beautiful natural area with great views of the Atlantic Ocean and lots of free things for kids to do outside in Gloucester, MA.
Hiking trails, picnic areas, and a famous lighthouse are just a few of the outdoor activities and sights that people can enjoy in the park.
Take in the natural beauty, learn about the past of the area, and enjoy the peace and quiet of the coast.
Address: Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.
9. Gloucester Visitor Center at Stage Fort Park
It is recommended that visitors start their trip to Gloucester, MA by going to the well-known Gloucester Visitor Center at Stage Fort Park.
The visitor center has hands-on exhibits, notable exhibitions, a gift shop, and a beautiful overlook with views of the harbor.
By going to the Gloucester Visitor Center at Stage Fort Park, visitors can learn about the city’s rich seafaring history, enjoy the beautiful Stage Fort Park, and take in the lovely seaside view.
Address: 24 Hough Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.
10. Hammond Castle Museum
If you’re an art lover looking for something different to do today in Gloucester, MA, visit the Hammond Castle Museum. It’s a large house with a unique mix of Moorish and medieval buildings.
The museum has a planetarium, a Tesla coil, and many displays of old guns, armor, decorative arts, and more.
When you go to the Hammond Castle Museum, you can take a step back and look into the fascinating worlds of science and the Middle Ages.
Address: 80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.
11. Good Harbor Beach
One of the best things to do in Gloucester, MA, in the summer is to soak up the sun at Good Harbor Beach, a scenic seaside end.
The beach has beautiful ocean views, clean white sand, and clear blue water. People can swim, lay out in the sun, walk along the beach, and check out the nearby tide pools.
Enjoy the beauty of the New England beaches with your loved ones, relax in a quiet place, and make a lot of memories.
Address: 99 Thatcher Road, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.
12. Eastern Point Lighthouse
One of the best things to do in Gloucester, MA, this weekend is to visit the famous Eastern Point Lighthouse and see the whole Atlantic Ocean.
The lighthouse is surrounded by a beautiful view of the water and has a unique octagonal tower that is painted white and has a black lantern on top.
People can explore the lighthouse environments, learn about the history of Gloucester, and enjoy stunning views of the harbor and ocean.
Address: Gloucester, MA 01930, United States
13. Half Moon Beach
Half Moon Beach is an inshore attraction with a great view that is always full of tourists and locals looking for fun things to do in Gloucester, MA, during the summer.
Also check: 15 Fun and Awesome Things to Do in Hanover, MA.
With its sandy beach, beautiful ocean views, and calm atmosphere, the beach is a great place to swim, lay out in the sun, take a walk along the shore, and take in the beauty of nature.
Address: 24 Hough Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.
14. Beauport, Sleeper-McCann House
One of the many exciting things to do today in Gloucester, MA is to tour Beauport, which has a famous country house called “the Sleeper-McCann House.”
The house has an amazing collection of antiques, decorative arts, and furniture put together by the famous interior designer Henry Davis Sleeper.
Beauport takes us back in time to enjoy the grandeur and luxury of a bygone era while showing off his amazing vision and dedication to creating a whimsical and varied atmosphere.
Address: 75 Eastern Point Blvd, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.
15. Maritime Gloucester
A trip to Maritime Gloucester this weekend is one of the fun things to do in Gloucester, MA. It is a lively waterfront attraction that combines a maritime museum, aquarium, and working harbor.
The Gorton’s Schooner Gallery, the Children’s Room, and hands-on displays are all part of this attraction. You can also ride on a working marine railway.
To start your sailing adventure on the ship Ardelle, learn about the area’s rich maritime history and see sea life up close.
Address: 23 Harbor Loop, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.
16. Ravenswood Park
Explore outdoor activities in Gloucester, MA that are fun for kids and adults of all ages at Ravenswood Park, a beautiful leisure area with walking paths, playgrounds, sports fields, and a beautiful waterfront.
At Ravenswood Park, families who want to spend time together can enjoy the beauty of nature, do things outside, and relax in a peaceful setting.
Address: 481 Western Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.
17. Cape Ann Museum
The Cape Ann Museum is a great art gallery that shows off the area’s rich culture history. It’s one of many fun things for everyone to do in Gloucester, MA.
The museum has shows of paintings, sculptures, photographs, and decorative arts from a range of time periods and styles.
You can learn about Cape Ann’s history at the Cape Ann Museum, look at the work of local and regional artists, and get lost in the museum’s creative atmosphere.
Address: 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.
18. Minglewood Harborside
Find romantic things to do with your partner in Gloucester, MA, at Minglewood Harborside, a cute restaurant and bar on the water with a patio, beautiful views of the harbor, a cozy eating area inside, and a bar that serves a variety of drinks.
Enjoy delicious fish and other foods, take in the beautiful scenery, and join in with the lively local way of life with your partner, family, and friends.
Address: 25 Rogers Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States
19. Schooner Thomas E. Lannon
One of the top 10 things to do in Gloucester, MA, right now is to go on an adventure with Schooner Thomas E. Lannon, a famous fishing boat that has been carefully turned into a popular tourist draw.
Also check: The 27 fun and best things to do in Roswell, NM.
Guests can go on a guided tour of the ship that talks about its history, its role in the local fishing business, and the lives of the sailors who worked on it.
You’ll enjoy being able to go back in time and experience the rich sailing history of the Gloucester while also learning about its fascinating past.
Address: 63 Rogers Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.
20. St. Peter’s Fiesta
One of the most fun things to do this summer in Gloucester, MA is to go to St. Peter’s Fiesta, a yearly Italian-American festival with lots of energy.
There are many things to do and see at the event, such as a Grand Procession, boat races, fireworks shows, live music, tasty Italian food, and an entertainment.
Immerse yourself in the Italian way of life, enjoy the lively atmosphere, and join in the unique traditions of this important coastal city.
Address: 2 Commercial Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.
21. Sargent House Museum
At the Sargent House Museum, one of the most exciting things to do is take a guided tour of the house. There are also other fun things to do in Gloucester, MA, with kids.
Art lovers can learn about Judith Sargent Murray, a woman who fought for women’s education and freedom in the 18th century, and enjoy the beautiful Georgian-style home she once lived in. The building has a small gift shop and a display area with changing exhibitions.
Address: 49 Middle Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, United States.