Discover
Gloucester's Glow:
By StoryStudio on November 12, 2023
Gloucester offers an array of outdoor activities in the fall and winter months. With more than 5000 acres of green space, trail tours, hiking, running, biking, cold water swimming, and birding are some of the many nature-filled ways to explore Gloucester and Cape Ann. Gloucester's restaurants and cultural institutions warmly welcome visitors, with ample cozy, comfy places to retreat after a day of adventure. Whether it's savoring a locally-sourced meal or immersing oneself in maritime history, the charm is undeniable. Picture settling into a snug corner of a beloved eatery or a quaint bed-and-breakfast, cradling a cup of hot cocoa or tea, all while gazing out at the sea—it's a quintessential New England experience not to be missed.
Funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism
Foodies Delight along
Gloucester’s Seaport TraiL
Insert engaging Pull-quote from body text here. insert engaging Pull-quote from body text here. Insert engaging Pull-quote.
Learn about the 5000+ acres of green space in Gloucester, and even more across Cape Ann, through survival and outdoor workshops this fall and winter. North Shore Adventures is excited to offer four different survival and outdoor themed experiences this fall on Cape Ann! Courses are fun, exciting, and not physically demanding, although participants will hike approx. 1 mile. Join North Shore Adventures for Foraging Fundamentals, Survival Skills 101, Animal Tracking, or a 20-hour Overnight Immersion! Find details and plan your outdoor adventure on Cape Ann here.
Made possible by Cape Ann Art Haven and a number of local fishermen who donate their lobster traps each year, Gloucester’s famous Lobster Trap Tree draws visitors from around the world to marvel at its exceptional size and create Instagrammable moments! Grab your hat and gloves and step inside this glowing tree of lobster traps, ornamented with buoys painted by local children, organized by Cape Ann Art Haven. Don’t miss the Lobster Trap Menorah and the Lobster Trap Lighthouse in downtown Gloucester, as well!
The Lobster Trap Tree Lighting is just one of the many special holiday season events celebrated in Gloucester. For Ladies’ Night (All Day) on December 7, and Men’s Night (All Day) on December 14, downtown merchants offer deep discounts on goodies galore, host entertainment in their shops, or offer bites and sips from 10:00am-8:00pm. Grab your favorite shopping buddies, shop the sales, and soak up the holiday spirit! Other must-attend holiday events in Gloucester include the Holiday Parade, Tree Lighting, and the Middle Street Walk! Stay tuned for details here.
Insert engaging Pull-quote from body text here. insert engaging Pull-quote from body text here.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod.
This is the Font Size for the Subheader Text
Et harum quidem rerum facilis est et expedita distinctio. Libero tempore, cum soluta nobis est eligendi optio cumque nihil impedit quo minus id quod placeat.
LOREM IPSUM SIT
DISCOVER
2/2
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Request Consult
Winter Lights on Cape Ann
Gloucester’s Lobster Trap Tree, Ladies’
and Men’s Shopping Nights, and more!
Hammond Castle MuseuM
Hammond Castle Museum takes “decking the halls” to another level—literally! The Castle’s Great Hall spans 5+ stories, and Gloucester’s special seaside castle is decked from top to bottom in holiday decor each year, and illuminated from November 18 through New Year’s Day. Plus, take part in a Spiritualism Tour or a Writing Workshop while you’re experiencing the magnificent legacy of John Hays Hammond, Jr. Plan your visit at hammondcastle.org.
Embrace the holidays along Gloucester’s working waterfront with trees and wreaths, holiday lights, a gift shop full of maritime gifts, and crafts galore! Experience Maritime Gloucester's historic waterfront campus, where the Maritime Science Education Center is a unique "eduquarium" experience. Maritime Gloucester’s indoor touch tank exhibits allow visitors to explore Cape Ann's ecology, science, and animals through educator-led and interactive activities. No matter the weather, there is always something fun to "sea" and do at Maritime Gloucester!
Explore Gloucester’s Authentic
Artist Community on Rocky Neck
Autumn and winter months are perfect for feeding your inner foodie in Gloucester! With the largest lobster fishing fleet in Massachusetts, America’s oldest seaport has an abundance of fresh, catch-to-table seafood to enjoy. Did you know that many years more lobsters are caught in the fall season than in the summer? Chart your course along Gloucester’s Seaport Trail for unbeatable cuisine, arts and culture, maritime history, and more ! Learn more at discovergloucester.com/seaport-trail.
Celebrate the spirit of the season on the Cape! Pack up the car and enjoy the 4th Annual Winter Lights on Cape Ann. Businesses throughout Gloucester, Essex, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport get into the festive spirit each year by decorating their storefronts with twinkling lights and creative window displays, running from Small Business Saturday through New Year’s Day!
Survival & Outdoor Adventures
with North Shore Adventures
Dine in an Igloo at Mile Marker One Restaurant | Hotel at Cape Ann Marina
Culinary Delights, Holiday Lights on the Harbor, and Cape Ann's Coziest Corners
Enjoy dinner on the water in heated igloos, custom designed for a cozy, unique, and authentic Gloucester experience. Featuring the freshest locally caught seafood, grass fed beef, and carefully curated components to make every dish delectable, Mile Marker One also has an indoor dining room and bar with waterfront views. Head over for lunch, dinner, and breakfast on the weekends! Plan your stay with an overnight in the Hotel at Cape Ann Marina’s newly renovated rooms-with-a-view. Learn more and reserve at capeannmarina.com.
Visit Rocky Neck Cultural District, which includes Gloucester Stage Company, North Shore Arts Association, Ocean Alliance (in the former Paint Factory building), Rocky Neck Art Colony, and Salted Cod Arthouse & Wine Bar. For centuries the breathtaking and culture-saturated “island you can drive to” has inspired painters, poets, playwrights, novelists, and all styles of creatives. The Rocky Neck Cultural District is speckled with galleries, many of which are live-in work and show spaces for Gloucester’s many talented artists. Learn more about galleries, shows, events, and programs at rockyneckculturaldistrict.org.
Holiday Happenings at Maritime Gloucester
Experience a spectacular New Year’s Eve in Rockport, MA! Enjoy live music, dance, poetry, and puppetry at 12 downtown locations. Kids can join the parade, and everyone can ring in the New Year with style and artistry. Visit rockportnye.org for details and button purchase.
Celebrated year-round as a quaint and quintessential New England destination, Rockport is brimming with cheer and festive décor during the winter holidays. Plan a getaway to stroll Bearskin Neck along the ocean with a cup of hot cocoa, enjoy creative lighted window displays, and find unique presents for loved ones. Enjoy delicious cuisine at one of the area’s renowned restaurants, then cozy up listening to the sounds of the sea.
Rockport New Year’s Eve & Holidays
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s Travels with the Cranes. Each room in the 1920s mansion is decorated for the holidays, drawing inspiration from Crane travels around the world, including Paris, Japan, Egypt, and New York. Enjoy freshly baked cookies and hot chocolate, try the Crane holiday eye spy, and shop in the Castle Hill Gift Shop during your visit. Christmas at Castle Hill runs Fridays, December 1–30. Learn more here.
Christmas at Castle Hill in Ipswich
Foodies Delight along
Gloucester’s Seaport TraiL