Gloucester, 33 miles (53 km) northeast of Boston on Cape Ann (map), was at one time an important shipbuilding town, and still prides itself on being the birthplace of the schooner (1713).

Like many others on the New England coast, it profited from the wealth of forests inland, the plentiful fish, and the richness of trade. Today visitors come to explore its nearly four centuries of history, to enjoy a seafood dinner overlooking its harbor, or heading out on a whale watch cruise.

The Pilgrims founded Plymouth in 1620, and three years later (1623) fishermen founded Gloucester. The marvelous natural harbor and the plentiful fishing grounds made that early settlement a fishers' paradise.

Over the years, Gloucester lost so many of its sons to the ravages of the sea that the town thought it fitting to set up a memorial to them. The Gloucester Fisherman (also known as "The Man at the Wheel") at Fishermen's Memorial is one of New England's most famous statues, with the legend "They That Go Down to the Sea in Ships, 1623-1923."

The sea is still Gloucester's provider, and "fishing boats out of Gloucester" still head for open water early each morning, although overfishing has seriously depleted the once-rich fishing grounds and the catch is now severely limited in order to renew fish stocks. You'll see some of these sturdy little boats, festooned with all sorts of nets and rigging, down in the harbor.

The joys, perils and tragedies of fishing from Gloucester were dramatically chronicled in Sebastian Junger's book The Perfect Storm, and in the motion picture (2000) based on it.

Fish-packing plants at quayside process the catch as soon as it's brought in.

East Gloucester, and especially the peninsula named Rocky Neck, due south of the town center, is famous as an artists' colony. Come to see the artists at work and to visit their galleries.

Gloucester has several good beaches that fill with those seeking sun, sand and sea in summer.

South of Gloucester, but on its outskirts in neighboring Magnolia, Massachusetts, is the fascinating Hammond Castle Museum, built by the brilliant (if quirky) technical genius and eccentric, John Hays Hammond, Jr. More...

To get to Gloucester, follow I-93 or I-95 to MA Route 128 north to Cape Ann. More...

Also, MBTA Commuter Rail trains run regularly from Boston's North Station to Salem, Gloucester and Rockport. More...

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What to See & Do in Gloucester Gloucester Visitor Information Gloucester Transportation Rockport Manchester-by-the-Sea Cape Ann North Shore Guide Massachusetts Guide