Things to do in Gloucester

Find and book activities, attractions and tours
Half Moon Beach which includes a beach, general coastal views and a sunset

Gloucester Attractions

It's little wonder so many travelers flock to Gloucester year after year. This captivating city is overflowing with tempting things to do. Whether you're into seeing the sights or having a go at more adventurous experiences, you'll never have a boring moment here.

If you're ready to hit the streets of Gloucester, join one of the top tours & day trips on offer, and let an experienced guide show you the most popular landmarks. Offering free cancellations and no added fees, our {83 fun activities in Gloucester fun activities in Gloucester} are also worth a look.

Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.

Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.

One Key members save 10% or more on select activities, hotels, cars and vacation rentals.

Gloucester must see attractions

1. Wingaersheek Beach

Bounded by the Annisquam River and Ipswich Bay, Wingaersheek Beach is an attractive destination to visit for those who love to swim and play in calm water. Wander along the long stretch of white sand and find the perfect spot to settle in for the day. You’ll find plenty to do and explore at one of the most popular beaches in Gloucester.
Learn more
Wingaersheek Beach featuring rugged coastline

2. Good Harbor Beach

Gloucester is renowned for its beaches, with Good Harbor Beach one of the most beautiful. Walk across long swaths of soft, white sand and choose the perfect spot for enjoying a day by the sea. The landscape changes dramatically with the tide and brings different adventures to enjoy. Sunrise and sunset are particularly enchanting, the favored times of the area’s artists and photographers.
Learn more
Good Harbor Beach which includes a sunset and a coastal town

3. Hammond Castle

Hammond Castle Museum was originally built in the late 1920s as a home for inventor, scientist and art collector John Hays Hammond Jr. Perched high on a cliff with Atlantic Ocean views, the magnificent fortress is a fitting site for Hammond’s extraordinary collections. Admire the stone archways and windows inspired by medieval castles before stepping inside to explore.
Learn more
Hammond Castle which includes heritage elements, general coastal views and a sunset

4. Half Moon Beach

Half Moon Beach is loved by couples for its romantic outlook and by families with children who enjoy splashing in shallow water. Choose a spot on the golden sand and admire the giant boulders adding to the scenery. It’s just a short walk to a park with facilities to suit everyone, along with sections of the popular HarborWalk trail.
Learn more
Half Moon Beach which includes a beach, general coastal views and a sunset

5. Maritime Gloucester

Enjoy plenty of seafaring action at Maritime Gloucester, with indoor and outdoor attractions. Visit the pier that’s home to the Marine Railway, the oldest continuously operating example in America. Wander through a gallery with interactive displays and artifacts and enter the aquarium to get close to marine species.
Learn more
Maritime Gloucester as well as a small group of people

6. Stage Fort Park

From picnics to ball games and regular events throughout the year, Stage Fort Park sets the scene for fun. Stroll from your picnic blanket to one of two beaches for a swim. Take advantage of the sports courts and playgrounds. The central location of the park makes walking to other attractions in Gloucester quite easy.
Learn more
Stage Fort Park showing a coastal town and a bay or harbor

7. Cape Ann Museum

Just a short walk from Gloucester’s waterfront, the Cape Ann Museum showcases the largest collection of work by local native Fitz Henry Lane, a renowned maritime artist. Admire the collections of other works by Cape Ann artists and exquisite decorative pieces. The preservation of culture and history here also includes artifacts from the major industries of granite quarrying and fisheries.
Learn more
Cape Ann Museum which includes outdoor art

Recommended things to do in Gloucester

Number of things to do
83
Things to do from
$5
Cheapest thing to do
Self Guided Audio Tour 'Hawthorne's Haunts' Haunted Walking Tour Salem
Top 5 things to do
Under $25
With kids

What to do in Gloucester

Free Things to Do in Gloucester

Leave your wallet in the hotel. It's easy to have a blast in Gloucester without handing over a cent.

Fishermen's Memorial Monument - Get to grips with some of the historical events of the area through this site.

Half Moon Beach - Practice skipping stones, watch the sun come up or just enjoy the views from the foreshore.

Stage Fort Park - No matter if you can tell your geraniums from gerberas, it's easy to find beauty in this gorgeous display.

Things to Do in Gloucester with Kids

Nothing tops hanging out with the family. Gloucester offers a superb range of family friendly experiences that the whole gang will love:

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Gloucester? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Frequently asked questions

What to do in Gloucester on a sunny day?
A Ultimate Cape Ann Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour in Gloucest is a fun way to explore the area and soak up some rays.
Are there cheap things to do in Gloucester?
There are lots of activities and tours here that’ll catch your eye if you’re traveling on a shoestring:


What can you do in Gloucester for free?
Your escape to Gloucester needn’t break the bank with free things like these to discover:

  • Good Harbor Beach
  • Wingaersheek Beach
  • Stage Fort Park
  • Niles Beach

Discover the most popular places to visit in Gloucester

Image for Wingaersheek Beach

Wingaersheek Beach

Offering fun in the sun, this coastal playground has calm water and everything you need for a day by the sea.

Wingaersheek Beach
Image for Good Harbor Beach

Good Harbor Beach

4.5/5(18 reviews)

With a reputation as Gloucester’s prettiest beach, this curve of white sand lapped by rolling waves sets the scene for soaking up the sun.

Good Harbor Beach
Image for Hammond Castle

Hammond Castle

4.5/5(8 reviews)

A medieval-style castle overlooking the blue ocean waters in Gloucester features a spellbinding collection of art, artifacts and quirky inventions.

Hammond Castle
Image for Half Moon Beach

Half Moon Beach

Shaped like a crescent moon and framed by greenery, this scenic beach rests in the heart of some of Gloucester’s top attractions.

Half Moon Beach
Image for Maritime Gloucester

Maritime Gloucester

Discover Gloucester’s maritime history at the historic working waterfront with an aquarium, a scenic pier and educational programs on marine sciences.

Maritime Gloucester
Image for Stage Fort Park

Stage Fort Park

5/5(1 review)

Enjoy a day by the sea in a grassy Gloucester park that’s popular for festivals, farmers markets and concerts during summer.

Stage Fort Park
Image for Cape Ann Museum

Cape Ann Museum

5/5(3 reviews)

Step back in time to discover Gloucester’s history at a charming museum featuring fascinating artifacts, maritime artworks and a sculpture park.

Cape Ann Museum
Image for Pavilion Beach

Pavilion Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Pavilion Beach during your trip to Gloucester? While you're in the area, stroll along the seaside.

Pavilion Beach
Image for Eastern Point Lighthouse

Eastern Point Lighthouse

Get your camera ready for a visit to this historic lighthouse that’s an iconic Gloucester landmark surrounded by spectacular views.

Eastern Point Lighthouse

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Gloucester

Default Image

Annisquam

While Annisquam might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Wingaersheek Beach and Plum Cove Beach.

Annisquam
Beautiful place to walk and enjoy the views. This foggy noon created the atmosphere of an unreal world.

Magnolia

You'll enjoy the beaches and restaurants in Magnolia. You might want to make time for a stop at Massachusetts Bay or Gray Beach.

Magnolia
See our Where To Stay guide

Popular day trips from Gloucester

Front Beach showing general coastal views, a sandy beach and swimming

Rockport

Photo by Christa Harlin

Essex

Manchester-by-the-Sea showing a sunset and a bay or harbor

Manchester-by-the-Sea