2012 Cape Ann Guide – Experience Cape Ann…serving Essex, Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Rockport. Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.
Issue link: http://capeannguide.epubxp.com/i/133875
NILES BEACH Eastern Point Road, East Gloucester Tucked away from the busy crowds, Niles Beach is located on Eastern Point Road in East Gloucester and is primarily enjoyed by residents, (a resident sticker is required for beachside parking) unless you can walk from another location. Not usually crowded, you can enjoy a quiet family beach day without the typical commotion that comes with a summer beach day with breathtaking vistas over Gloucester Harbor and the Boston skyline on the horizon. Portable restrooms are available seasonally. Alcohol is prohibited. Lifeguards are on duty daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from Father's Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. All floatation devices and surf boards are prohibited. Swim lessons are offered at the beach as part of the Gloucester Summer Recreation program. Rockport FRONT BEACH Route 127A, Main Street to Beach Street, Downtown Rockport Sandy Bay acts as the beautiful backdrop for Front Beach, the perfect beach for the swimmer in your group! During high tide, the sandy beach real estate is hard to come by, but that just means more time in the water. There are plenty of inns and B&Bs; located nearby to accommodate your beachside vacation. Metered on-street parking on Beach Street is available adjacent to Front Beach, and long term parking is available in a privately operated lot across the street. In season the CATA Park & Ride (Blue Gate Lane off of Route 127) provides free parking and a trolley shuttle ($1 per person) directly to downtown Rockport and Front Beach daily. When you are finished with the PEBBLE BEACH beach, dry off and enjoy the number of restaurants and shops located nearby. BACK BEACH Directions: Follow Route 128 North to its terminus at the Route 127A traffic lights in Gloucester. Proceed through the light and follow East Main Street through East Gloucester for approximately 2 miles. Niles Beach is located on Eastern Point Road, approximately 1/3 mile beyond the junction with Rocky Neck Boulevard and on the way to Eastern Point. A public parking lot is located along Rocky Neck Boulevard, offering easy access to Rocky Neck and a short hike to Niles Beach. PLUM COVE BEACH Washington Street (Route 127) in the northern part of Gloucester, near Lanesville Located just North of Gloucester is the perfect beach for families with small children. The cozy beach overlooks Ipswich Bay and offers a quiet day at the beach away from the crowds. Please note: a resident sticker is required to park at Plum Cove Beach, which assists with crowd control. Alcohol is prohibited. Lifeguards are on duty daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from Father's Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. All floatation devices and surf boards are prohibited. Directions: Follow Route 128 North the first rotary (Grant Circle) in Gloucester. Exit the rotary on Route 127 north toward Annisquam. Continue for approximately 4 miles to Plum Cove Beach and the village of Lanesville just beyond. Route 127A, Beach Street in Downtown Rockport Back Beach is home to one of the best scuba diving areas in the region. Dive in and discover the submerged world underneath the beautiful ocean. The sandy and rocky beach is perfect for divers, swimmers, and walkers. On summer Sunday evenings, the Rockport Legion Band performs free outdoor concerts at the bandstand located just across the street from Back Beach. Metered on-street parking is available along the entire extent of Back Beach. OLD GARDEN BEACH Old Garden Road, Rockport Old Garden Beach, a small sand and stone beach with an adjacent municipal park, offers a beautiful view over Sandy Bay and grassy areas for picnics with your friends and family. The small beach parking area is restricted to those with resident parking stickers. Directions: From Downtown Rockport, follow Route 127A (Mt. Pleasant Street) to Norwood Avenue to Old Garden Road. PEBBLE BEACH Penzance Road, Rockport Mostly smooth stone and pebbles blanket this long beach. Scour the rocks for shells or bring your binoculars to capture views of Cape Ann's variety of sea-loving birds and the Boston skyline to the southwest. There is a rocky reef just offshore where divers enjoy 20 to 30 foot depths. Limited parking is available on Penzance Road adjacent to the beach. Please observe posted parking restrictions. Directions: From downtown Rockport follow Route 127A south for approximately 3 miles to fork at Cape Hedge Inn. Continue straight on South Street for approximately 400 yards and then turn left on Penzance Road to Pebble Beach CAPE HEDGE BEACH South Street, Rockport This is a long, secluded, rocky beach, separated from Long Beach by a short, seasonal foot bridge. Smooth sand is minimal at high tide. Normally a quiet beach, Cape Hedge Beach is located about 2 ½ miles from Rockport's many unique shops and restaurants. Very limited non-resident parking is available along South Street. Please observe posted parking restrictions. Directions: From downtown Rockport follow Route 127A south for approximately 3 miles to fork at Cape Hedge Inn. Continue straight on South Street for approximately 400 yards to its terminus at Cape Hedge Beach. LONG BEACH Route 127A (Thatcher Road to Rockport Road; this beach is shared by Gloucester and Rockport) About a mile long (hence the name), this beach offers one of the best views of Thacher Island's twin lighthouses. Investigate the tide pools or take a casual stroll, soaking in the sun. The beach is lined with quaint New England beach houses and inns. Alcohol is prohibited. Enjoy the day at Long Beach and then head into town for a fresh lobster dinner. Directions from Gloucester: Continue past Good Harbor Beach on Thatcher Road (Route 127A north) for approximately 300 yards to the fork at Rockport Road. Continue straight on Rockport Road past the ice stand toward Cape Ann Motor Inn. Parking is available at privately operated parking lots (rates vary) located off Rockport Road, a short walk to the beach. Directions from downtown Rockport: Follow Route 127A south for approximately 5 miles to just beyond the Gloucester line, and then take a sharp left onto Rockport Road at the ice cream stand. Then follow directions above. Manchesterby-the-Sea SINGING BEACH Route 127 to Beach Street, Manchester This immaculate beach will have you singing as you look at the clear blue waters and white sands. Enjoy a thirst quenching Slurpie or Italian ice at the snack bar. Be forewarned, the parking area is for residents only so you may have to walk from the train station or the center of town to enjoy this beach. Everyone does it! $5 walk-on fee. Directions: Route 127 to Downtown Manchester to Beach Street (near the commuter rail station). Singing Beach is located at the end of Beach Street. *please refer to the maps on pgs 26-30 for locations www.capeannchamber.com | www.capeannvacations.com | www.rockportusa.com 33