Gloucester: 33 miles NE of Boston, 16 miles NE of Salem. Rockport: 40 miles NE of Boston, 7 miles N of Gloucester
Four seaside communities make up Cape Ann: Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, Rockport, and Essex. Although all four towns have large year-round populations, for tourists they are primarily a summer and fall destination. Many establishments close in fall or early winter through April or May. Some do open on weekends in December.
Jutting out like a nub from the coast, the rocky peninsula of Cape Ann is enchantingly beautiful—and like Cape Cod to the south it also has shopping, seafood, and traffic. Its proximity to Boston and manageable scale make it a wonderful day trip and a good choice for a longer stay.
Along with historical attractions, beaches, and glorious scenery, visitors will find quality galleries and crafts shops. With the decline of the fishing industry that brought great prosperity to the area in the 19th century, Cape Ann has played up its long-standing reputation as a haven for artists.
