7 Spring Things to Do in Gloucester, MA

Spring in Gloucester, MA is a beautiful thing. Fresh ocean breezes waft off the sparkling ocean waters of this historic seaside city. Gloucester’s working waterfront has drawn fishermen, families, tourists, and artists from around the world for over 400 years, and spring is a fantastic time to visit.

With the weather changing for the warmer, it’s time to explore the City of Gloucester.

Spend Spring Outdoors

After you’ve been stuck indoors all winter, it’s time to get outside and appreciate nature. The ten miles of carriage paths and trails throughout Ravenswood Park are perfect for nature walks, spring picnics, and bird watching. Take your kids on a two-mile round-trip hike along the fantastical, fern-covered boulders of the Ledge Hill Trail.

Visit a Castle

Spring weather, especially along the New England coastline, is fickle, so it’s important to know what you can do on a rainy day. Hammond Castle Museum offers guided and self-guided tours through the eccentric inventor’s castle home. If you want to feel like you’re still outside but not get rained on, there’s even an indoor courtyard garden.

Local Artisans

For incredible shopping and culture, you’ll want to check out the Cape Ann Artisans. It’s a vibrant arts community along the North Shore that open their studio doors for the public to see. You can visit the artists and see the fine art and crafts that they tirelessly work on. Many artisans are open year-round, so you can easily make an appointment to see their beautiful creations.

Set Sail On The Schooner Adventure

A waterfront city like Gloucester naturally has an abundance of seafaring adventures for visitors and locals alike. With a sailing season that starts in April, you can hop aboard the Schooner Adventure and sail into history. Book a private charter or come aboard for a public sailing voyage where you can help the crew hoist the sails.

Whale Watching On Cape Ann

Want something more relaxing? 7 Seas Whale Watch re-opens in April and has guaranteed whale sightings. This is because the boats sail to waters off the coast of Cape Ann, which happens to be between two major whale feeding areas; Stellwagen Bank and Jeffrey’s Ledge. This allows the captain to choose between them depending on recent sightings and migration patterns.

Gloucester’s Maritime Heritage

Meanwhile, Maritime Gloucester is the best place to learn about Gloucester’s rich heritage. One particular highlight is the Maritime Science Education Center. This indoor science education space features a touch tank, kid-sized lobster boat, plankton lab, and more. Once the rain has passed, you can take this knowledge of marine life into the field to discover more.

Seasonal Seafood

Being one of the nation’s top fishing ports, Gloucester is renowned for its seafood. Certain fish are more abundant than others during different times of the year, so be sure to ask what’s the catch of the day. Mile Marker One Waterfront Restaurant and Seaport Grille both offer incredible, seasonal, local seafood dishes and gorgeous waterfront views while you dine. There’s nothing better than dining on the freshest seafood possible while sitting outside on a beautiful spring day.

This spring, whether you’re looking for a seaside adventure or wish to learn more about local history and marine life, you’ll find it all in Gloucester, MA.