A wonderful small fair inside an amazing museum, Something…read morehappening every half hour and tours of the castle as well. Spoke with the Director who called himself Phinn, he gave me a personal tour until he was called away. I would recommend this to any family. Word of advice though, go straight to Stage Fort Park to par your car. There is no parking at the castle for the event.

This was my first time attending the Abbadia Fest and checking out Hammond Castle!!…read more I've been to A LOT of Ren Fests and this one ranks high in my book. Not only did the actors and actresses stay in character the WHOLE time but they all here very helpful with questions on the merchandise and had a great sense of humor while interacting with guests. If you're looking to compare it to King Richard's Faire, the Abbadia Fest actually felt like you were going to a village in medieval times WITHOUT the corporate hype you can get at regular fests! Price was resonable and parking was great since there was a shuttle to and from the Castle. Also the fact it was in Gloucester,MA was great b.c it's a much shorter drive than other fests I attend. Another positive was that the event caters to both adults and children. I never once felt anything was inappropriate for any age. In a nutshell, if you're looking for something new for the whole family or just want a change from the same ol summer routine check out Abbadia Mare Renaissance Festival! Thanks for a great time guys!

Have been here several times and the venue and location are stunning. Rockport is a charming town…read moreso if the weather is nice come early, walk around the harbor, have dinner and/or ice cream, stop into the many stores. My last visit was to hear a mixed media performance of photos taken from the space station accompanied by a wonderful jazzy group. The acoustics are fantastic, and if you are lucky enough to attend a perfomance where the harbor is visible behind the stage (sometimes the curtains are drawn) you are in for a major treat. Parking can be tricky but if you don't mind a little walk on-street parking can be had. It's a bit of a hike from Boston but I would return in a heartbeat,

I grew up in the area but somehow had never attended an event here until very recently. Glad to see…read moreit lives up to the reputation of stunning acoustics, worldly atmosphere and welcoming surroundings. The crowd control entry/exit was a little tight, especially on a cold evening, but nothing to offer major detraction from. Certainly will keep my eye on their continued programming and am glad to now know that many are drawn to Rockport events at this special place.

Visiting family and they brought us here for an excursion. Such a unique experience, both…read morephysically and historically. We so enjoyed our tour with an amazing guide and also just freely exploring the grounds and the various rooms. The variations in architectural design are incredible. Unfortunately the gardens were not open as they are under maintenence. Well worth the time spent.

I finally made to Hammond Castle after having it on my list of places to see for years…read more I made a reservation for a self-guided tour with a flexible entrance time of 11-45 AM -2:30 PM for their "Deck the Halls" holiday celebration. Cost was $25 per person. When we arrived there were cars waiting for a parking spot as they are limited. We did not have to wait too long for a space since there was a constant flow of people coming and going. I am unsure how it would be for parking in the summer as people may take longer to enjoy the outside area so I am glad we went during a cold morning. I totally enjoyed my visit as it was much more than a castle as it incorporated some interactive exhibits and information about its former owner John Jay Hammond Jr. I'll admit that I knew very little about him but left the place more informed about him - including that he held over 400 patents. You learn more about his work as you explore the house. Don't miss watching a short introductory video where the coat check area is located. It is a medieval castle built in the 1920s and it is not handicapped accessible. It is also not the best place for someone with mobility issues as it has many staircases to get around the entire place.

Family friendly. The kids loved the touch tanks and the free science lessons on the spot!…read more Maritime Museum is small, so you can easily do that and still have time for a whale watch nearby.

Kelsey (Natural Resources Education) and Justin (Historian) make this museum come ALIVE!…read more This place is an absolute gem. Thank you to the staff for presenting a wonderful display of natural history and seafaring artifacts. We'll visit again!

Over the top value in local history of New England thoroughly enjoyed my day trip there.read more

Located in Gloucester's downtown area, the museum is a hidden treasure. It looks small on the…read moreoutside, but it boasts 3 sizable floors along with a historical house that is off to the side of the main welcome desk. Its focus is local artists that have made significant contributions to Cape Ann region whether its nautical, household design, etc. The Fresnel lens (used in lighthouses) are one of the highlights that should not be missed! Bathrooms are available on the first and lower levels. It is handicap accessible for the most part with elevator access to the different floors. There are some galleries that require separate stair entrance.