Gloucester

See

• Fisherman's Memorial Statue, Stacy Blvd. Iconic statue of a typical storm-dressed "Old Salt" at the wheel commemorating the over ten thousand Gloucester fishermen who have been lost at sea.
• Rocky Neck Art Colony, Rocky Neck Av. off East Main. The oldest art colony in America, with galleries of local artists, bars and restaurants.

Do

Gloucester was voted "Top 5 whale watching destinations in the World" by the World Wildlife Fund as several species of whales migrate to the shores of Gloucester every year to feed on the abundant natural resources. Whale watching enthusiasts can expect to potentially see humpback whales, northern right whales, minke whales, blue whales, fin whales, sperm whales, pilot whales among other whale species.

Do Hammond Castle

Castle overlooking the Atlantic Ocean since 1929, now a museum open to the public, once served as John Hayes Hammond, Jr's laboratory and home, inventor and pioneer of remote control. Hammond held over 400 patents and built a weather chamber in his home where he tried to control rain, snow, sleet and wind inside his lab.

📍 80 Hesperus Ave☎ +1 978 283-2080⚠ Last checked Jan 2018 — confirm before you go

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• Stage Fort Park The site of the city's first establishment, with giant bronze plaque to prove it, the fort retains the original cannons used for defense pointing towards Gloucester Harbor. A good place to enjoy a picnic, have a swim at two of the parks beaches, or wander through the maze of stone step remains of the original fort. Gloucester's Visitor and Welcoming Center is also found here.

Events

• St. Peter's Fiesta This five-day festival began in 1927 and is organized by the Italian American community in Gloucester. It honors St. Peter, the patron saint of fisherman, and locals come out to pay their respects and pray for the safe return of all fishermen. The Fiesta features all the carnival rides, street performers and food stalls you'd expect from any classic summer festival. The real highlight, however; is the Greasy Pole contest. An idea imported from Sicily, a 45-foot pole is suspended over the ocean, and slathered in all manner of greasy, slippery substances imaginable. A flag is attached to the end, then contestants try to walk across. Whoever grabs the flag first is declared the winner for that day. Winners don't get much, outside of bragging rights and free drinks for the night. Yes, alcohol is involved, injuries occur, and the Coast Guard is on hand for safety. The contest runs daily throughout the festival with Sunday being considered the championship round.

Buy

The main downtown area of Gloucester holds a number of local shops and restaurants for many tastes. Although the downtown area has lost the department stores it used to have, many new shops and eateries have opened. The area is a pleasant walk around, and it's easy to drop in and visit shops for Souvenirs, such as the Weathervane and the House of the Raven. The area is changing daily, into a more tourist friendly venue for visitors attracted to a still operational fishing port. Although the city has suffered from the loss of the fishing industry, residents have moved towards recognizing other avenues that the city can survive economically, including tourism, while still maintaining the active fishing community. The main street area has begun sprouting condos downtown, and a new retail spot has arisen in the former Browns Mall with a kitchen specialty store and a few bookshops and antique stores.

For more typical needs beyond souvenirs and an enjoyable downtown section, there are two main plazas in town, one on Eastern Avenue, and one on Bass Avenue which hold supermarkets and drug stores, along with other outlets.

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Sleep

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Campground