GLOUCESTER'S FREE SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOUR
Forty-two locally-quarried granite posts bring Gloucester’s mariners, artists, innovators, and interesting characters to life. In addition to the heritage and culture of the working waterfront and downtown, you’ll get a glimpse of today’s vibrant and diverse community.
42 Stories To Explore
Free Self Guided Walking Trail
The HarborWalk’s self-guided, free, public-access and award winning walkway trail is defined by 42 granite story posts installed as a permanent exhibit outdoors. Each marker highlights an aspect of Gloucester’s history as a seaport, our rich culture and community, and how we are evolving to a modern, sustainable fishing industry.
Discover Gloucester
Find out What to see and do
A short drive or train ride northeast of Boston, Gloucester, MA is the home to America’s oldest seaport and the oldest working art colony in North America. Gloucester’s rugged and beautiful coastline has drawn fishermen, families, artists and visitors for over 300 hundred years. Visit DiscoverGloucester.com for what to see and do.
HOW TO USE THE STORY POSTS
1 & 2 STORY POST NAME & NUMBER
Granite story posts along the walk are named and numbered for the story introduced on the graphic attached to each post. The stories presented are not in sequential order, so you are welcome to start your walk at any of the 42 story post locations. Refer to our printed map for specific locations or topics. Additional information to accompany each story post can be forun on this website by clicking the icon in the upper right corner or the popup on the right side of each page that says “Explore Story Posts.”
3 RAISED ICON
Each marker displays a unique icon. These are slightly raised and may be used to take pencil or crayon impressions. See Hunt The HarborWalk Challenge for activity using the Raised Icon.
4 POSTCARD
Many Story Posts contain postcards that showcase Gloucester life and culture. Use your mobile phone to access the postcards through the ‘Walking Cinema’ app. Many contain local tips, places to visit, and special promotions.
5 STORY POST TOPIC
Each story post introduces a different aspect of Gloucester’s heritageand culture, giving you a glimpse of today’s vibrant and diverse community.
6 TIPS FOR EXPLORATION
The black band at the bottom of each marker suggests museums, points of interest and cultural institutions for further exploration.
7 QR CODE
At the bottom right corner of each story post panel you will find a QR Barcode that can be scanned with a mobile phone or tablet. HarborWalk QR codes provide access to additional multimedia content (video, audio and text) specific to each Story Post.