About an hour's drive north of Boston, the Massachusetts seacoast's other cape, Cape Ann, is actually an island (map), separated from the rest of Massachusetts by the Annisquam River, a short salt water channel between Gloucester harbor and Ipswich Bay.

A bridge connects the cape to the mainland and carries MA Route 128 across the river.

The towns of Gloucester and Rockport cover the cape, with other historic towns such as Essex, Ipswich, Marblehead and Salem nearby (map).

Gloucester, famous for its fishing fleet for centuries, is the larger town, with more beaches, commerce and industry. It is historic and interesting rather than charming and quaint. It's a great place to board a whale watch cruise.

Rockport, once a granite quarrying port, became a renowned artists' colony in the latter part of the 19th century. It still has lots of artists' studios and art galleries, but many more tourist attractions, restaurants, boutiques and gift shoppes. Twice each year the artists and artisans open their studios for the Cape Ann Artisans Tour. More...

Halibut Point State Park, just outside of Rockport, is a great place to go for a walk to admire the dramatic granite-bound shoreline. Hammond Castle is a rich man's eccentric tribute to Europe's great medieval homes.

If you're driving, follow I-95 to MA Route 128 to reach Cape Ann.

You can also reach it by MBTA Commuter Rail train. The trains leave Boston's North Station and make stops in most towns along the route, including Salem, Gloucester and Rockport, the end of the line.

---

Salem Marblehead Gloucester Rockport Ipswich Essex Cape Ann Artisans North Shore Boston Massachusetts Guide