The beautiful seaside town of Rockport boasts many attractions that make it essential for a visit if you are in Massachusetts.
Located at the tip of Cape Ann and less than an hour’s drive from Boston, you can relax at the beach, check out the thriving art galleries, and grab some delicious fresh seafood, to name a few of our top recommendations.
Rockport is very quaint and has a gorgeous aesthetic throughout, making a simple stroll from the harbor to the main street a fun activity in its own right. The following are our favorite things to see and do when visiting that will guarantee everyone will have a memorable day!
How To Get To Rockport
Rockport is located at the tip of Cape Ann and is an easy trip from Boston whether you’re driving or taking public transportation. By car, the drive takes about an hour without traffic, and there is metered street parking around town (though spots fill quickly in the summer). You can also take the MBTA Commuter Rail Newburyport/Rockport Line directly to Rockport Station, which drops you right near downtown. From the station, it’s an easy walk to Front Beach, Bearskin Neck, Motif #1, and many of the main shops and restaurants, making Rockport a great car-free day trip.
1) Relax at Front Beach
One of the biggest charms of Rockport is its picturesque seaside setting, and Front Beach is a prominent feature of that. The beach is relatively small but is impressively clean and free from seaweed, which is nice if you are planning to stay for a few hours and sunbathe. The water here is also shallow and sheltered from large waves, which is perfect if you are planning to bring the kids, and while the water would be considered cold by most, in our opinion, it felt incredibly refreshing to take a dip on a hot summer day. The beach has bathrooms and changing rooms to the side, and metered parking along the adjacent Beach Street which we were pleased to find.
2) Browse Local Art Galleries
The town of Rockport has an extensive history, and its art scene is at the forefront of it. The fishing shack, named Motif #1, is considered by many to be the most often painted structure in the US. The view from Front Beach of the buildings along the cove and the boats out to sea is truly gorgeous, and you will quickly understand why the area has attracted so many artists over the past two centuries. Today, there are over 30 individually owned art galleries across the town, offering beautiful contemporary and landscape paintings. Many eccentric galleries are found as you walk away from Front Beach along Bearskin Neck, and we strongly suggest making your way into some of them and having a look, where you can also learn more about the art history as well as the artists working in the area today.
3) Have Lobster at Roy Moore’s
Being a coastal town, it’s no surprise that Rockport offers amazing seafood across various shacks and restaurants. Whether it’s lunch or dinner time, we recommend walking along Bearskin Neck and eating outside overlooking the harbor. On our visit, we ate at Roy Moore’s, and as we were waiting in line, we could gaze down into a tank of live lobsters, which gave us an immediate impression that our meal would be freshly caught and delicious.
When our number was called, we collected our food, and it absolutely lived up to expectations. From the crab cakes to the clam chowder to the lobster rolls, everything was scrumptious, easily some of the best seafood we’ve ever had! Sitting on their patio at the back to eat and take in the view of Rockport’s harbor was such a pleasant setting and made the meal even more memorable.
4) Visit the Paper House
For a truly unique excursion, you have to check out Rockport’s paper house, which is literally a house made of paper! Built over 100 years ago by a Swedish engineer, the house serves as a museum today that you can tour. Constructed with over 100,000 newspapers, you can even read news articles and advertisements of the past within the walls of the building as you make your way through. There is also furniture inside that is made of paper, including chairs, tables, and even a piano! Be sure to check the open hours before arriving, and although there is no fee to enter, generally, visitors donate 3-5 dollars each.
5) Visit Motif #1, Rockport’s Most Famous Landmark
If there’s one building in Rockport that encompasses the quaint aesthetic of Rockport, it’s the infamous Motif #1 on Bradley Wharf. This modest fishing shack is considered by many to be the most often painted building in the U.S., and when you visit, you’ll quickly understand why.
The boats and other nooks and crannies in the harbor surrounding Motif #1 really make for a picturesque view. The original, built in 1884, was destroyed and rebuilt in the 1970s but, thankfully, its charm wasn’t lost in the process, and it still regularly attracts artists and visitors to enjoy. For an extra special picture, come and have a look when the evening sun is bouncing off it, which illuminates its red paint beautifully.
6) Shop Along Boutiques at Bearskin Neck Street
Bearskin Neck is a haven for shoppers that runs right through the heart of the town. Embodying the small, quintessential New England town, this street is crammed with locally owned boutiques selling beautiful clothes, décor, and books. We felt as though we were in a place frozen in time as we window shopped and took advantage of the dozens of photo opportunities. Keep a lookout for the cute coffee shops nearby to grab yourself something to eat and drink in between visiting shops. Rockport is a very walkable town, and exploring around Bearskin Neck on foot is definitely the way to go. There is paid street parking which can be tough to come by, so we recommend parking further up Beach Street as you move away from the town, as we often have luck finding a spot here.
7) Enjoy A Concert at Shalin Liu Performance Center
Anyone who enjoys music and a night out in a theater must check out the stunning Shalin Liu Performance Center. Located in the heart of Rockport, this 300-seater venue boasts beautiful acoustics and has an enormous window behind the stage, giving visitors a lovely view of the bay with boats passing in and out of the harbor. The venue was built in 2010 and was done so in a way that retained the aesthetic of the rest of the town. Concerts are offered all year round and feature genres such as jazz, folk, and pop music, but make sure to plan well ahead of time when booking due to slots filling up quickly. You also catch pre-concert lectures here, as well as free family events but the highlight of the year is the Rockport Chamber Music Festival where over 20 concerts are performed over 5 weeks in the summer.
8) Visit the Twin Lighthouses on Thatcher Island
Located on a small island, just off Rockport’s coast, are an iconic pair of lighthouses that are well worth a look. These lighthouses were built in the 1860’s at a time when the revolving lens didn’t exist and two light sources were required for mariners to navigate safely. You can take a ferry over, where you can enter the lighthouses as well as the keeper’s house and learn all about Thatcher Island. There are a couple of nice trails to walk along, and we recommend bringing a bite to eat and finding somewhere scenic to take a load off and take in your surroundings. The twin lighthouses can be seen from the mainland, and the backdrop from here is quite nice. However, it is definitely worth making the trip over to appreciate them fully.
9) Back Beach
If you’re looking for a beach that is less crowded than Front Beach, then Back Beach is your best bet in Rockport. Located just a couple minutes’ walk from downtown, the beach is a bit rocky in places but has plenty of sandy spots too and is exactly where you need to be to enjoy the New England coastline. The surrounding bay shelters the beach from large waves, making it perfect for grabbing a couple of floats and relaxing on the relatively calm water. Back Beach is also renowned for its scuba diving due to its marvelous marine habitat and ease of access into the water. We have often found parking along the street next to the beach and there are public bathrooms available in the summertime.
10) Tuck’s Candy
If, like most people, you love an authentic, old-school candy store, then Tuck’s Candy will light up your day. Founded almost 100 years ago, they have perfected making a wide variety of candy with techniques and recipes passed down through three generations, and it is a staple in Rockport. Everyone will have their own favorites from the menu, which includes saltwater taffy, chocolate, fudge treats, freeze-dried candy, and much more. There is a wholesome family feel to the business today reflected in the friendly and accommodating staff and you can also check out the high-quality souvenirs on sale within the shop if you’re looking for more than sweets.,
9) Take a Kayaking Tour
For those feeling more adventurous, Rockport offers some fantastic kayaking tours that will definitely last long in the memory. Get an extra intimate look at the local marine life and birds as you paddle through outcroppings of rocks and across oyster reefs littered along the coast. The tours are run by a few different companies and vary depending on experience level and the time of day you plan to be on the water. For an extra special experience, we highly recommend the bioluminescent night kayaking, which will blow your mind as it’s a truly unique way to appreciate the sea and the life that it harbors. As you stroke your paddle through the water, it illuminates the microscopic plankton, creating a gorgeous glow, and it is just so cool to see.
10) Enjoy a Lobster Roll at Not Your Ordinary Bistro
Because the seafood is just that good in Rockport, we had to include another great spot to grab some, and Not Your Ordinary Bistro is the place to go. Located on the way to the pier, just across from Roy Moore’s, you will find delicious lobster, chowder, and genuinely some of the best fish and chips we’ve ever had. There is a row of picnic tables outside, making it perfect for family dining, and umbrellas are available for those seeking shade during the afternoon sunshine. The staff at the quick service window are incredibly friendly and welcoming which adds to a great dining experience.
11) Set Sail on a Lobster Boat
A fun and underrated way to enjoy any seaside town is to hop on board a boat and cruise the water. A local captain, Jim, will take you out on his lobster boat and teach you a little about the area whilst ensuring you get some stunning views of the town and the surrounding seaside. You can also look forward to getting hands-on experience with some lobster fishing techniques and learn some maritime facts in the process. The tour lasts 90 minutes and is a great excursion that genuinely has something in it for everyone.
12) Stroll in Halibut Point State Park
If you’re looking for somewhere to chill out and marvel at the beauty of New England’s coast, then Halibut Point State Park is guaranteed to tick all the boxes. Here, a short walk along the trails will lead you to stunning views of the coastline as well as an old, granite quarry, which is filled with water. When we visited in the summer, we saw an abundance of wildflowers growing in the rock ledges and plenty of crabs and hermits in the tide pools. The park is well-maintained and features a visitor center, toilets, and several picnic tables, making it a perfect spot to bring your lunch and take in the scenery (on a clear day, you can see Maine in the distance).
Frequently Asked Questions About Rockport, Massachusetts
How far is Rockport from Boston?
Rockport is located at the tip of Cape Ann and is less than an hour’s drive from Boston without traffic. It’s also accessible by the MBTA commuter rail via Rockport Station.
What is the best time to visit Rockport, MA?
Summer and early fall are the best times to visit Rockport when the weather is warm, the shops and restaurants are fully open, and you can enjoy the beaches, boat tours, and walking around town.
Can you visit Rockport without a car?
Yes, you can take the commuter rail from Boston to Rockport. The town is very walkable, and most of the main attractions like Front Beach, Bearskin Neck, and Motif #1 are within walking distance of the train station.
What are the best things to do in Rockport in one day?
In one day, you can relax at Front Beach, walk Bearskin Neck, take photos of Motif #1, browse art galleries, eat a lobster roll, and enjoy harbor views.