VISIT - Gloucester HarborWalk

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INFO & FAQs

VISITING GLOUCESTER

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN GLOUCESTER

The HarborWalk winds through Historic Downtown Gloucester where you will find shops, art galleries, museums, historic homes and a wide range of restaurant and food establishments serving everything from authentic Italian sandwiches and pastries to casually sophisticated dining – and of course the freshest seafood you’ll ever taste. Downtown Gloucester is also home to numerous whale watches, boat excursions, theatre, art house cinema, lectures, readings, exhibitions, a monthly summer block-party and an outdoor ‘Bazaar’ in August.

There are 3 Historic Districts in Gloucester. The Front Street Historic District is located from 55-71 Main Street in the West End. The Central Gloucester Historic District roughly follows the boundaries bounded by Middle, Main, Center, Hancock, Short, Prospect and Pleasant Streets. The Historic District Commission (HDC) reviews, recommends and imposes requirements on development proposals within the Historic Districts for the purpose of preventing developments incongruous with the historic aspects or the architectural characteristics of the surroundings.

Have Questions?

Below is more info on where the Harborwalk takes you, technology that can be utilized on the walk such as Wi-Fi and QR codes. Information to use along your walk to find local restaurants and public restrooms.

We’ve included directions from all points to Gloucester, as well as more detailed directions if driving to the first story post! Metered parking is available on streets and lots throughout the city, and if you come by bus, boat or prefer to park and ride the trolley (summer months) we have info available here to get you started. Have a wonderful walk around our city, enjoy the view!

ADDITIONAL SOURCES

» VISITORS GUIDE-DISCOVERGLOUCESTER.ORG
» CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
» MONTHLY SUMMER BLOCK PARTY
» RESTAURANT MAP

WHERE TO BEGIN THE HARBORWALK?

Although you could begin your walk at any one of the 42 story posts, the first story-post titled “St Peter” is located at St. Peter’s Square at the corner of Washington and Rogers Street (10 Rogers Street). Look for the large green ocean buoy in front of the Cape Ann Brewing Co.

WHERE DOES THE HARBORWALK TAKE ME?

From St. Peter’s Square on Rogers Street, the HarborWalk traverses the working waterfront to Harbor Loop. The Walk then turns up to City Hall (9 Dale Ave.) and the civic center, then turns back down through the historic district to St. Peter’s Square.

Several markers lead to some of the City’s most famous landmarks away from downtown. They include the Gloucester’s Fisherman’s Memorial, Man At the Wheel and the Fishermen’s Wives Memorialstatues on ocean-front, Stacy Boulevard, leading to Stage Fort Park. In all directions are views that have inspired well known poets, writers and painters. The Gloucester HarborWalk introduces the City’s unique heritage and cultural contributions.

The Gloucester HarborWalk is always FREE and OPEN

TECHNOLOGY: WIFI & QR CODES

The HarborWalk self-guided tour relies on mobile technology to deliver expanded content for your walk.

You Will Need:

A modern ‘smartphone’ (Apple iPhone or Android) with an active mobile service plan.
The ability to scan a QR Code Scanner that you will find (typically free) in you App store.

WI-FI: There are many locations offering free public wifi service WI-FI MAP

The HarborWalk mobile experience relies on a strong mobile signal. For users without a mobile device, the content and features are also available on this website by visiting the STORY POSTS.

RESTAURANTS

Along the HarborWalk there are many restaurants, cafes and pubs located on Rogers Street and Main Street. Benches are sited along the HarborWalk so that you can take advantage of the views with your take out, or choose to dine in with a beautiful harbor view. Picnic tables are located by the Fitz Henry Lane House on Harbor Loop and barbecue pits are available at Stage Fort Park/Welcome Center that are open from dawn to dusk. Click here to browse restaurants in the area.

PUBLIC RESTROOMS

Public Restrooms (Open During Business Hours): Near Story Posts 2, 6,13, 20, 24, 31, 42

Cape Ann Brewery @ 11 Rogers St.
Fitz Henry Lane House @ 8 Harbor Loop
Gloucester City Hall @ 9 Dale Ave.

Gloucester House @ 63 Rogers St.
Gloucester Police Station @ 197 Main St.
Maritime Gloucester @ 23 Harbor Loop

Minglewood Harborside @ 25 Rogers St.
Rose Baker Senior Center @ 6 Manuel R. Lewis St.
Sawyer Free Library @ 2 Dale Ave.

DIRECTIONS, PARKING & TRANSPORTATION

DIRECTIONS BY CAR

DIRECTIONS

From Boston

I-93 North to I-95 North/ Peabody

Continue on Rt. 128 North to Gloucester. Travel time approximately 40-45 minutes.

From New York & Points South

I-90 East (NY Thruway) to Mass Turnpike. Exit at I-95 North (exit 14), continue on Rt. 128

North to Gloucester. Travel time approximately four hours.

From Maine & Points North

I-95 south to Rt. 128 North to Gloucester.

Directions to Your First Story Post

From Boston, travel time is approximately 1 hour:

Take RT 93 N or RT 128/95 N to Peabody.
Do not take RT 95 toward New Hampshire, however continue on RT 128 North to Gloucester. RT 128 ends in Gloucester with a Rotary
From the Rotary, take your 1st exit onto Washington Street
Follow Washington Street until it forks which will be in front of the Joan Of Arc Statue
Bear to the to right of the statue, then take a quick left on Angle Street
Continue to the right and down the hill. St. Peters Square (Story Post #1 St. Peter’s) will be directly in front of you.
Limited FREE parking is available in St. Peter’s Square, which is at the corner of Washington and Rogers Street (10 Rogers Street). Look for the large green ocean buoy in front of the Cape Ann Brewing Co.

PARKING

There is metered parking & pay stations throughout the city, along the streets and other municipal lots. Near story posts 1,10,18, 30, 42

Park your car at Stage Fort Park (41 Hough Avenue) across from the Stage Fort Park Visitors Center and take a seasonal trolley to St. Peter’s Square or Harbor Loop.

BY BUS

Cape Ann Transportation Authority (CATA) provides local bus services throughout Gloucester and Rockport including additional services to Danvers and Peabody Malls and in Ipswich, Essex and Beverly.

In the Summer months a Trolley operates so you can park and ride. You can find more info on the trolley schedule or catch it at the Stage Fort Park Welcome Center (45 Hough Ave., Gloucester, MA, Near story post 42.)

CATA BUS LINES/SCHEDULES
STAGE FORT PARK TROLLEY – SEASONAL

BY BOAT

The seasonal Water Shuttle (Near story post 3 & 26) stops at points along the harbor, including St. Peter’s Square, Harbor Loop, Cruiseport, Cripple Cove, and Rocky Neck. Visitor Moorings are available on a first come, first serve basis. Planning as far in advance as possible is advised. A Launch Service is provided for a fee by the Harbormaster, see link below for details and costs.

BY TRAIN

The MBTA “Rockport Line” originates from North Station, Boston, and continues to Rockport. The Gloucester Depot is a short walk to the Cape Ann Museum, City Hall, Main Street, and the harbor. To get to your first Story Post exit Gloucester MBTA station, walk Southeast on Railroad Ave. to Dale Ave. Begin HarborWalk at City Hall, 9 Dale Ave. Near story post 31

Private Taxi services are also available.

MBTA ROCKPORT LINE TRAIN SCHEDULE