The next day, we docked at Gloucester, a coastal city in Cape Ann, Massachusetts and America's oldest seaport. This gorgeous coastal community boasts of a rich maritime history and hometown spirit, and like the other harbourside places we had visited, its waterfront was very much alive and vibrant.
Gloucester's fishing heritage is clearly reflected in the fishermen’s memorial with a statue of the Man at the Wheel and copper plaques bearing the names of those lost at sea. This seaport was immortalized in the film, The Perfect Storm, a movie that tells the story of the Andrea Gail, a commercial fishing vessel that was lost at sea with all hands after being caught in a “perfect storm” in 1991.
We drove around town and saw its most popular attractions - the Church of Our Lady of Good Voyage, with its twin steeples overlooking the bustling waterfront; the Hammond Castle, a medieval-like structure with a drawbridge, which was constructed by an eccentric inventor; and the iconic Eastern Point Lighthouse, which was originally built in 1832 and reconstructed a couple of times. I could see why this small, charming city draws city dwellers from nearby Boston. This is a perfect weekend escape place for those looking for a quiet break. Aside from its historical sites, it is brimming with nice seafood restaurants, quaint shops, beautiful beaches, and even an artists' colony.
For our next destination, we were given three options: visit the Beauport Mansion and proceed to Rockport, go directly to Rockport and tour on your own, or go to Salem and learn about its witch trial history.
My husband is not into this witchy business, so we chose the first option.
Beauport Mansion is a striking home built on the rocks overlooking Gloucester Harbor, crowned by towers, dormers, and spires, and noted for the labyrinth of rooms with historical themes. We were captivated by the folk art, coloured glass, and various curiosities salvaged from grand old homes in America that fill every nook and cranny of this mansion.
After the tour, we drove along the rock-strewn coastline dotted with pretty houses and estates enroute to Rockport. This Essex County seaside town, an active fishing community in the 1700s, is now a mecca for artists, craftsmen, photographers, and art enthusiasts. And this was clearly evident as we strolled the streets in the area called Bearskin Neck lined with unique boutiques for fine arts, handcrafted items, jewelry, and other interesting wares. There were also musicians and street performers at every corner.
Rockport is directly east of Gloucester and is surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean. You could see water that stretches as far as the eyes can see and lots of boats everywhere! My husband and I even ventured into the residential section to escape the crowds. We walked leisurely as I munched on a small lobster roll and admired quaint cottages with gardens abloom with seaside flowers.
It is indeed the quintessential New England beach town with its whimsical appeal and nautical charm. If I lived in America, I think New England would definitely be at the top of my list for a retirement place.
Photo Credits:
VisitMa.com; Paul Keleher (Wikimedia Commons); Williamborg (Wikimedia Commons); Bethany Bourgault (New England Today Travel); Marjorie Magazine; Beauport, The Sleeper-McCann House Facebook page, Hammond Caste Museum Facebook page, gloucestertimes.com
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