Dubbed le Beau port, or the beautiful harbor, by 17th-century French explorer Samuel de Champlain, Gloucester is chiefly recognized for picturesque, nautical landscapes. Now, it’s featured on CNN’s 2023 list of top small cities in America for its prototypical, New England village feel set on the rocky coasts and sandy shores of Cape Ann. "It's a city that you don't need to leave. There's entertainment, grocery stores, live theater and fabulous restaurants," says Ruth Pino, a Gloucester resident and Realtor with Re/Max Beacon. "It's authentic and it's a very caring community."
As the oldest seaport in the United States, Gloucester is known for its fishing industry and rich maritime history. Major companies here include the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute and Gorton’s of Gloucester, the inventors of frozen fish sticks. About 36 miles from Boston by car or commuter rail, Gloucester houses both seasonal and year-round residents looking to trade in the big-city lifestyle for a seaside retreat.
The Gloucester Fishermans Memorial was built in 1925 as a tribute to it's maritime history.
Annisquam Light was serves as the beacon for the rocky shores.
Gorton’s of Gloucester, is a majpr company and inventor of frozen fish sticks.
Gloucester's commuter rail station gives quick access to Boston.
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Home to the oldest art colony in America
The area's remarkable scenery has inspired countless artists, authors and movie directors, bringing a thriving art scene to the city. Wolfgang Peterson’s “The Perfect Storm” was filmed in Gloucester, and Edward Hopper created a collection of paintings depicting the landscape. "People really want to come for the ocean and the art,” Pino says. “We're a huge art community. We have the first art colony in the country, that's called Rocky Neck.” This community on the south side of the Inner Harbor is home to dozens of painters, potters, photographers and jewelers. Visitors can explore the galleries and exhibitions or attend workshops and drawing classes at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck in East Gloucester . Just up the street from Rocky Neck, the Gloucester Stage Company, a professional, non-profit theater, puts on contemporary and classic plays in a century-old warehouse.
Painters and artists can be found working outside in the Rocky Neck Art Colony.
Visitors can explore exhibitions at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck in Gloucester.
Annisquam folks can view the largest collection of art on Cape Ann at North Shore Arts Assoc.
The wooden pile, Annisquam Bridge attracts local painters with its charm.
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Relaxing on Good Harbor Beach and learning about maritime history
Gloucester has several parks and recreational facilities, from the Stacy Boulevard waterfront promenade in Central Gloucester to the Cape Ann YMCA. Hikers and cross-country skiers can head to Magnolia Woods Recreational Area or Ravenswood Park. West Gloucester 's Stage Fort Park is the historic site of Gloucester's first settlers and features sandy beaches, athletic courts and a playground. Good Harbor, Niles and Wingaersheek beaches are popular spots for swimming, lighthouse views and exploring sand bars. Plenty of marinas and boatyards dot the coast, and numerous fishing charters operate out of the area. For those more interested in learning about the city’s fishing history, the Maritime Gloucester museum offers marine science and sailing exhibits. Museum visitors can also hop on the Ardelle, a 55-foot schooner operated by the Maritime Heritage Charters.
Residents enjoy using the gym facilities at the new YMCA in Gloucester.
Dogs savor a good walk at Raveswood in Gloucester.
Stage Fort Park in Gloucester has a large playground that over looks the waterfront.
People from all over the North Shore come to relax on Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester.
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Seafood restaurants on the water and authentic dining on Main Street
Downtown Gloucester is the city's central hub for shopping and dining. Cafes and vintage brick restaurants line Main Street and serve fresh Massachusetts Bay seafood, Italian and Mexican dishes. Seaport Grille has become an area classic for its surf n’ turf menu and waterfront patio. Shops downtown sell music, books, clothing and toys out of small, locally owned boutiques, and big-box stores are available at shopping centers like Gloucester Crossing.
Seaport Grille in Gloucester serves New England classics in a waterfront setting with views.
Try out an Igloo with a water view while dining at Mile Marker One in Gloucester, MA.
You can find residents greeting the bears that sit outside Toodeloos Toy shop in Gloucester.
Floating Lotus in Gloucester sells unique clothing, woodcarvings, and instruments.
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Multi-million-dollar estates on the water and landlocked cottages
Buyers can opt for homes in the densely populated downtown area or search for more square footage in neighborhoods like Annisquam and Magnolia . There are very few modern homes in the city, and many are over a century old. Styles range from cottages and Cape Cods to Victorian builds and contemporary mansions. Two-to-three-bedroom homes often fall between $300,000 and $700,000, while housing on the waterfront and elaborate inland estates sell from $1 million to $5.5 million. Condos in complexes or multifamily properties tend to start around $200,000 and can surpass $1 million, depending on proximity to the water. Luxury townhouses in communities such as Riverview can reach about $2.5 million.
Annisquam is famous for its lovely seaside homes.
Cute Cape Cods make up the streets of the Annisquam neighborhood.
Gloucester is home to many beautiful Victorians like this, which inspired a Hopper painting.
Condos in complexes in Gloucester typically start at 200 thousand dollars.
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Easy access to all of Cape Ann
Residents can easily get to nearby shopping and dining by foot, but the city also has a public transportation system. The Cape Ann Transit Authority provides several bus routes that also operate in Rockport and Beverly. The Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line runs through the Gloucester train station. For residents who prefer to drive themselves, the commute to Salem is just 17 miles south, and Boston is about 36 miles away. The Yankee Division Highway serves as a major thoroughfare on and off the peninsula and intersects with Interstate 95 in Lynnfield. Flights take off from Boston Logan International Airport, under 35 miles away.
Gloucester Public Schools and private schools in Beverly
The Gloucester Public Schools district earns a B-minus on Niche and consists of one preschool, four elementary schools, one middle and one high school. High school students can choose from several career vocational and technical education programs, as well as the Marine Corps JROTC program. The closest private-school options are about 15 miles away in Beverly.
West Parish School has an overall grade of B on Niche in Gloucester.
Plum Cove School serve Gloucester's youngest students.
O'Maley Middle is a public school located in Central Gloucester.
Gloucester High School gets an overall grade of B on Niche.
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Gloucester’s crime and weather patterns
According to the FBI, property crime rates are lower than national and state averages. Violent crime rates have fluctuated in the last five years, and as of December 2023, Gloucester saw less violent crime than the U.S. as a whole, but slightly more than Massachusetts.
Summers in Cape Ann can get hot, and the city can get some heavy snow in the winter. Residents are encouraged to shovel snow and ice from their sidewalks within 24 hours of a storm. Flooding can be another environmental risk, and houses near the water often require flood insurance.
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