This IS the thing to do when visiting Gloucester! Caught the first boat out Saturday, about 9 of…read moreus onboard. Owner pointed out boats, historical spots, points of interest, lively old salt with lots of stories. $10 paid onboard with 3 stops, hop on/hop off all day. What a way to see the harbor, learn some history of the port, brush up on nautical terms, points of interest on shore, and be entertained!! Such a value! Very fun & don't forget to get a picture with Cathy. Captain Patrick was entertaining with stories and landmarks, slowed down so we could see Wicked Tuna taping a show. Talked about fishermen bringing in their catch to the auction, very informative. First mate, Decklin did a poetry reading, very dramatic, well done. Well worth the $10!!

Awesome tour on the water shuttle from Captain Steve and First Mate Emily! We expected just a…read moreshuttle across the water to eat at the Studio and we were overjoyed to receive history lessons and local stories from Steve and Emily. Absolutely worth $10, and the kids loved it! We'll be back for sure!

The family and I had an amazing time on Artemis sailing with Captain Rick and his wife Deb. What…read morean amazing experience to sail on such a beautiful yacht and with such wonderful people. If you've never sailed or are an experienced sailor, you will truly enjoy this great experience and discover Gloucester and the surrounding area. This sailing yacht is super stable, fast and fun. Make new friends, new experiences and memories! Sail Artemis!

From the owner: Set sail for an unforgettable experience aboard ARTEMIS, a 65-foot high-performance sailing yacht…read moreoffering luxury sailing tours along the stunning coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Meal included. Maximum of 6 guests. Daysails, sunset sails and more. Enjoy 3-hour or 4-hour excursions for 1-6 passengers featuring breathtaking coastal views, smooth sailing, and farm-to-table meals that elevate your journey. Departing from Historic Gloucester, you’ll have the chance to explore ports like Marblehead, Salem, and Beverly, soaking in the beauty of New England’s waters. With 45 years of combined boating experience, Captain Rick & Deb Miles ensure a safe, comfortable, and truly special adventure. Whether you’re looking for relaxation, exploration, or an elevated sailing experience, ARTEMIS is the perfect choice. Contact us today to plan your custom voyage and experience sailing at its finest! Learn more at Artemissails.com

We had a friend visiting from Michigan and she loves the ocean so this was a great way to sit,…read morerelax, and learn some great facts about the area. The Cider and Donuts were a great touch! Lots of free parking and a little area to hang out and enjoy the cider and donuts. I brought my own coffee and they didn't mind me bringing it on board. And the tour guide was excellent. Very knowledgeable about the area and had a great sense of humor as well. I highly recommend it! Side note: I do agree with another reviewer about the young children. It's not engaging enough for a child under 10. Two hours is a long time to sit still and listen! If you do bring young children, bring some entertainment and food/snacks for them.

This was a fun outing. We hadn't done this before. The cruise was about 1.5hrs and was wonderful…read more The weather was perfect. Along the way we learned about different areas around Ipswich. Essex, and Gloucester. We saw lots of wildlife too. It was truly an enjoyable ride and the staff were great. Our trip was packed with people and the top priority was safety which they did a great job ensuring we all knew about. Definitely something to check out if you're in the area.

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.

Must see if you are a fan of eighteenth and nineteenth century architecture. This home has been…read moremuseum since 1921 (the met tried to buy part of the interior in 1919 and that spurred the locals into preserving it) since it has been a museum for so long, it is remarkably intact, with little guesswork in the restoration. The interior woodwork is incredible. There is little original furniture, but the house itself is the show stopper. It is only open three days a week but is worth the visit.

From the owner: Built in 1782, this elegant Georgian-style manse, which overlooks the harbor, is the former home of…read moreJudith Sargent Murray (1751-1820), considered the most important female essayist of 18th-century America. View ornate hand-carved woodwork, Federalist-period furniture, and portraits by important early American artists. See unique works by John Singer Sargent, Murray's great grandnephew.

Memorial to fishermen - "They that go down to sea in ships"…read more Enjoyed the breeze and reflecting on those lost over the years.

Very picturesque place to walk around in the summer. There's not too much to do but it's a nice…read moreview and historic.

Had so much fun touring Rockport today! Got to see a taste of several fabulous local artisans, and…read moremet some fantastic people. Looking forward to my next excursion!!

From the owner: Plug-In Cape Ann Tours offers a new way to be entertained, while discovering the beauty and…read morebewilderment lying at latitude 43. Be it your first visit to the north shores of Boston, your annual pilgrimage to Cape Ann, or just an escape for some fresh air

My girlfriend and I toured Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House, on Friday, August 8th…read more The house was beautiful and we enjoyed the wonderful interior designs, but unfortunately our tour was tainted by our rude, disrespectful, and unprofessional tour guide. Shortly upon beginning the tour, our guide, Alberta Hill, made an extremely rude and uncalled-for comment, slut-shaming and embarrassing my girlfriend in front of the entire tour group for her clothing. Her outfit was not that revealing- it was a hot day and she had on shorts and a tank top- but even if it were, it would not grant a tour guide the right to treat a guest in this manner. It's sad that what was otherwise such a fun experience was impacted by an insensitive guide who made my girlfriend feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. It's disappointing that Historic New England would employ someone with such an old-fashioned mentality, someone who would go out of her way to police another woman's body and enforce traditional gender norms. This is especially troubling to see at the Beauport Sleeper-McCann House, a space that was once a sanctuary for the queer Henry Davis Sleeper and a pinnacle of early individual expression. I would expect those employed by the Beauport house to reject moral conservatism and embrace personal freedoms and expression, but sadly Alberta did not.

I loved this museum tour! Incredibly informative and every room was beautiful. The original owner…read morewas considered one of the first interior designers and when he would acquire a fabulous collection of furniture, art work, etc. he would add on to the house in order to showcase it. The grounds and wildflowers are lovely and the view is exquisite. I highly recommend a visit to the Sleeper - McCann House if you are in the Gloucester area.

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.

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.