Cape Cod vs. Gloucester
May 18th, 2009, 06:23 AM
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Cape Cod vs. Gloucester
My husband and I are in the midst of planning a brief summer getaway. As children, we used to visit Cape Cod in the summers with our families. Now that we have a baby, we are thinking of starting up this tradition.
We visited the Cape a few years back and it was much as we remembered it. However, on our way back north, we popped in for a few hours to Gloucester. It wasn't enough time to fully appreciate the place; just enough to get a quick taste.
We know a few couples who return regularly to Gloucester. I'm wondering if we should consider vacationing there rather than Cape Cod.
While I know Cape Cod is made up of several communities and towns, and there are other areas on Cape Ann besides Gloucester, I would like it if someone could write up a comparison between the two, in terms of beaches, restaurants, crowds, accommodations, prices, activities, etc.
Thank you.
We visited the Cape a few years back and it was much as we remembered it. However, on our way back north, we popped in for a few hours to Gloucester. It wasn't enough time to fully appreciate the place; just enough to get a quick taste.
We know a few couples who return regularly to Gloucester. I'm wondering if we should consider vacationing there rather than Cape Cod.
While I know Cape Cod is made up of several communities and towns, and there are other areas on Cape Ann besides Gloucester, I would like it if someone could write up a comparison between the two, in terms of beaches, restaurants, crowds, accommodations, prices, activities, etc.
Thank you.
May 18th, 2009, 06:30 AM
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I just spent a long weekend in Gloucester. The Cape Ann area in general is less touristy and commercial than Cape Cod; there are no outlet malls, fewer souvenir shops, etc. Gloucester is still an active fishing port, though struggling to remain so.
May 18th, 2009, 06:39 AM
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I spent some time in Rockport (and Gloucester) SO GORGEOUS! Halibut Point State Park is one of the most beautiful parks I have ever seen. (A pic I took overlooking the lake is on my wall) I also have a really nice picture I took of some children playing on Front Beach.
If you like a little more touristy without being too much, I loved Bearskin Neck! There is also the infamous "Motif No. 1"
If you like a little more touristy without being too much, I loved Bearskin Neck! There is also the infamous "Motif No. 1"
May 18th, 2009, 07:15 AM
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MonaManuel, It is a difficult thing to try and compare the 15 towns on the Cape ( or thereabouts) with Gloucester&Rockport
both fairly substantial year round communities, but I shall try! Living on the Lower Cape, I find, with young children, the bayside, or Nantucket Sound Side, as well as our ponds and National Seashore activites and beaches,superior to the Cape Ann towns. The towns of Wellfleet, Eastham,Brewster on the Bay side, the Sound side, Harwichport and Dennisport have much to offer. Good restaurants abound bike trails, theatres, concerts,museums, each town offers much to do in the summer.
Gloucester, which is a fun town, has a busy downtown,and busy tidal beach, good restaurants, and more of a "small city" feel. I enjoy it for a few days, but find the shopping a bit too touristy for my taste- I'd google the individual Chamber of Commerce's of each town, which might help you make a decision. It is subjective!! Touristy is not the Outer Cape. more mid cape.
both fairly substantial year round communities, but I shall try! Living on the Lower Cape, I find, with young children, the bayside, or Nantucket Sound Side, as well as our ponds and National Seashore activites and beaches,superior to the Cape Ann towns. The towns of Wellfleet, Eastham,Brewster on the Bay side, the Sound side, Harwichport and Dennisport have much to offer. Good restaurants abound bike trails, theatres, concerts,museums, each town offers much to do in the summer.
Gloucester, which is a fun town, has a busy downtown,and busy tidal beach, good restaurants, and more of a "small city" feel. I enjoy it for a few days, but find the shopping a bit too touristy for my taste- I'd google the individual Chamber of Commerce's of each town, which might help you make a decision. It is subjective!! Touristy is not the Outer Cape. more mid cape.
May 24th, 2009, 09:32 AM
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The beaches are way better on the Cape. Water is a bit warmer too. If you want some "insider info" on Cape Cod you can visit my site:
www.cape-cod-insider.com
www.cape-cod-insider.com
