Enjoy the ocean! and other Gloucester, MA Things to Do Tips

Who doesn't love to drive along Atlantic Avenue to enjoy the ocean views? Most of this area is a rocky shoreline... but there are sections where you can find sandy beaches as well. We see joggers, walkers, bicylists, and artists painting the crashing waves here. Our company from Pennsylvania were mesmerized by the drama of the northeast ocean views. It was the first time Fran had been to the northeast. Our coastline can be very different from the Carolina coast, which he is more familiar with.

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This is the most popular image in Gloucester...known for its fishing industry over the years. The statue is part of a memorial to all the men who have lost their lives at sea. The Perfect Storm movie publicized the tough life these men lead. Gloucester has been a major supplier of our seafood for years...altho the industry is declining drastically as our waters are depleted.
We always visit this monument whenever we go up to Gloucester...it's a beautiful piece of work, and sentiment.
There are plaques along the wall of the waterfront sidewalk with information about the fishermen of Gloucester....and every man ever lost at sea is listed on the memorial by name.

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The Beauport Mansion at the water's edge in East Gloucester is an excellent home to tour. The creator of the house was an eccentric designer who was an associate of Hammond (of Hammond's Castle) across the bay from Beaufort. Please see my travelogues for many more pics of this architectural delight.
Beauport is the collection of rooms designed by an eccentric decorator. Each room has a theme. This one is done in a 1700's vintage.
Early paneling, floorboards, beams, and furnishings give the PINE KITCHEN the air of a colonial home. Warmed by a fire in the hearth, it was a favorite room for autumn dinner parties.

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There are several wonderful whale watch companies out of Gloucester Harbor. They are an absolute MUST. Amazing to see those enormous creatures so close to your boat. I was a little nervous when they came up out of the water....thinking the boat would overturn. Do you suppose they know to be careful with us?
Capt. Bill's Whale Watch& Deep Sea Fishing
800-33-WHALE
Whale Safaris! 800-877 5110
Yakee Whale Watch & Deep Sea Fishing
800-WHALING

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OK, all you castle lovers! Here is Gloucester's answer to all those who think we don't have castles in this country. It seems that Hammond (of Hammond organ fame) had men gather pieces and parts of castles from around the world to create this imaginative structure which stands boldly at the edge of Gloucester harbor. Please visit my travelogue for some really interesting views and try identifying where he found all this stuff!! Crazy guy, but very clever.
Edison was the only one who outnumbered Hammond for the number of inventions. We all would recognize the Hammond Organ...but he also invented Remote Control. Many inventions were later used by the government for war time activity. His study gives many examples of his works.
Here is one of a number of stone arches at Hammond Castle in Gloucester. Hammond has so many pieces taken from the ruined castles of Europe and assembled here into one bazaar structure. What an inventor's mind will think of!!
On this trip I had all three of my kids and my daughter-in-law with me. We had fun getting lost in the passage ways, winding narrow stairs, the multitude of rooms, and the unusual collection from a true genius of a man.

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Directions: Tours are from 10-5 on weekdays, 10-3 on weekends. Adcults $8.50. tour lasts about 90 minutes. Worth every bit of it.
Website: www.hammondcastle.org/index.htm

Rocky Neck has been a favorite little spot of mine for many, many years. They claim it is the oldest continuing artist colony in the US. If you are an artist...or remember the colony at its height... you can't help but feel like opening your paint box and getting started.
Robert Gruppe' s studio is here...a MUST SEE. There are a number of studios along the tiny street. Some are better than others...but perhaps there will be one to strike your fancy as Gruppe always has done for me. Just before turning to the neck you can also find the Art Association which has quite a large gallery and many local artists' work. Take some time in this end of town. It's funky, fun, and I think... fascinating.

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Along the back wall we see models of ships...and there are nautical motifs throughout the building. Here we remember all the men lost at sea who were parishoners, fathers, husbands, brothers, the men of Gloucester who risk themselves to bring home the catch. Everything is symbolic in this church, and you cannot help but leave with different thoughts than you arrived with. The building is spanish looking in its architecture...probably owing to the predominance of Portuguese population.
The old church is devoted to blessing the men and the sea. Of course there is the annual blessing of the fleet as this community is intensely devoted...and very tightly knit. The men are hard working, hard drinking, hard living. There are many prayers for them to come home safely. This is the 2nd church built on the site...the first was destroyed by fire. The church sits high on a hill and looks down toward the Gloucester harbor and the bay. It's a great place to visit. If the door is locked, please go to the side and knock. There are wonderful people who will be proud to open the doors for you to visit....and see their beautiful sanctuary.

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I've included a little map which you could enlarge to see that Rockport and Gloucester, as well as Rocky Neck, and Atlantic Rd.....Thatcher Island...are all very close to one another. You move from one place to the other in a few minutes. Explore all of it...and then do it again.

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Driving around Gloucester through all the narrow streets that hug the harbor can be an interesting investigation. You find tiny shops, art galleries, antique stores, salty old fish markets, and little local theatre companies. As we were driving the road from Rocky Neck to the center of town, we stumbled upon this fun place. I absolutely loved these crazy looking fish...of all descriptions and color combinations. Made by a local artist, I decided I had to have one to hang on my shed at home. Prices vary according to size. It was entertaining just trying to decide which fish was the right one.

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Directions: Follow your nose along the waterfront.....on the way from town to Rocky Neck artists' colony.