Travelers have long been attracted to the peninsula's natural beauty, beaches, artist colonies and fresh seafood. Prior to the advent of the automobile and airplane, resorts in Manchester-by-the-Sea and Magnolia were the summer tourist destinations in New England. In more recent years, people have been flocking to take advantage of Cape-Ann's clean beaches, whale watch tours, abundant museums, and seafaring history. This page is designed to serve as a good starting point for planning various activities for your trip to Cape Ann.
| Hiking |
Beaches |
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Many visitors are surprised at just how much open space there is on Cape Ann. Despite the close proximity to Boston, there are thousands of wooded acres open to exploring on foot, bike or skis. See hiking...
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Perhaps you've heard of Wingaersheek or Good Harbor beach, but there are quite a few smaller beaches to hide away and avoid crowds on a hot summer day. See beaches...
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| Special Events |
Museums |
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Plan your trip around one of the area's big events. St. Peter's Fiesta offers a peak into local culture, fantastic fireworks displays for Independence Day and Labor Day, the Schooner Festival. See events...
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Cape Ann has a variety of intriguing small museums to explore on subjects ranging from quarrying to boat building. See museums for more information...
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| On the Water |
Antiques |
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Counting numerous little inlets, rivers and islands, Cape Ann actually has over 100 miles of coastland. The area is a sea kayaker's dream. Check our sea tours...
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Essex is known as the Antique Capital of America. Some 40 unique shops are lined up along the Essex causeway and vicinity. See antiques...
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| Where to Stay |
Where to Eat |
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There are a multitude of small inns, bed & breakfasts, hotels, motels and rental properties to choose from. A complete selection can be found at the link above. See lodging...
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Of course there are a variety of great seafood restaurants on Cape Ann, but you may be surprised to find some good Mexican, Chinese and Thai restaurants as well. See restaurants...
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| Mariner's Guide |
History |
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Visiting us by boat? Check this page out to learn more about dockage, facilities, local charts and other services available for your cruise. See mariner's guide...
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Cape Ann has a colorful past. It's always fun to read up on a destination before you visit. Learn a bit about Cape Ann's past at this page. See history...
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| Lighthouses |
Arts |
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Six lighthouses are required on Cape Ann to keep mariners from our rocky shores of the peninsula. Learn a bit more about each at lighthouses...
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Cape Ann is filled with artists of all sorts, and most of the shops and galleries feature original artwork produced on Cape Ann. See arts for more information on Cape Ann's venerable art community.
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