About Cape Ann
What Is Cape Ann?
Cape Ann is a region of Massachusetts’ North Shore, north of Boston, consisting of four towns: Essex, Manchester (or “Manchester-by-the-Sea”), Gloucester, and Rockport. The cape juts out into the North Atlantic Ocean, making it a natural hub for mariners seeking access to the region’s abundant ocean resources, including fish and whales.
Geologically, Cape Ann is an 11-mile granite peninsula exposed by massive glaciers during the last Ice Age, approximately 21,000 years ago. These glaciers scraped away topsoil, revealing the high-quality granite that has since been quarried for buildings across North America and Europe. The glaciers also carved the rugged coastline that defines Cape Ann and much of northern New England, creating steep, rocky headlands that dive dramatically into the ocean.
Diver Deeper into The Area
Gloucester, the largest town on Cape Ann, has long been the epicenter of the region’s fishing industry. Its sheltered harbor, facing southwest, protected ships from strong onshore winds and rough seas, making it a natural anchorage. This combination of geography and access to ocean resources helped Cape Ann develop a world-famous reputation for fishing, shipbuilding, and seafaring.
Explore Cape Ann
Discover Cape Ann’s history, beaches, museums, shopping and more.
Bearskin Neck
Thacher Island
Motif No. 1
Maritime Gloucester
Halibut Point State Park
Schooner Adventure
Singing Beach
Schooner Thomas E. Lannon
Schooner Ardelle
Shalin Liu Performance Center
Cape Ann Museum
Fishermen's Memorial & Stacy Boulevard
Cape Ann Lanes
Essex Shipbuilding Museum
Sargent House Museum
Wingaersheek Beach
The Monoliths
Stage Fort Park
Good Harbor Beach
Rocky Neck Art Colony
Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House
Cogswell's Grant
Eastern Point Lighthouse
Hammond Castle Museum
Dogtown Commons
Ravenswood Park
Sawyer Free Library
