Cape Ann is the charming alternative to Cape Cod, boasting historic towns, scenic beaches, and unspoiled coastline, perfect for a quick New England getaway.
Rockport, MA 01966 Get directions
"With the various travel restrictions throughout New England, I’ve been looking for places to unwind and experience nature that are close to home. Enter Cape Ann, the locals-only alternative to Cape Cod. Sure, its beaches aren’t as sweeping and maybe there’s a bit more suburban sprawl here, but it’s close enough to most of the Boston suburbs to make a day trip or even a half-day trip within reach. Despite the proximity to the city, it's easy to find unspoiled stretches of coastline. Its constituent towns of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, Essex, and Rockport each have walkable historic downtowns where you can find the quintessential New England pit stops, including clam shacks and adorable owner-operated inns should you opt to spend the night. Some of my favorite stops? Rockport's Blume, for a single-origin cold brew, Tuck’s Candy Factory for some saltwater taffy, and Feather and Wedge for the fish stew and lobster rolls."
Coleen Fenton
Kamala Rakesh
Anne Pérez
Alexine Raineri
Regina Dickerson
Pavel U
Alice Kraft
Donna Alibrandi