I'm going to take the commuter rail from Boston on June 19 to spend the day and night in Gloucester and I have a few questions:

Do I need a car to get around in Gloucester to shops, restaurants, and other sites of interest or are most things within walking distance (a mile or two) from HarborView Inn (Western Ave/Stacey)?

Is there enough to do in Gloucester for the day/night or do we need to plan a trip to Rockport or another nearby town?

What restaurants have the best food (local, fresh, gourmet preparations) -- price is no object?

What are the "don't miss" attractions, sites, activities, etc. that set Gloucester apart from other coastal NE towns?

Thanks in advance!

I personally much prefer Rockport over Gloucester, but Gloucester is a bigger town compared to Rockport. "Don't miss" in Gloucester would be Stage Fort Park (nice view), and the Fisherman's Memorial. http://www.essexheritage.org/sites/s...ort_park.shtml

We love all the locations of Franklin Cafe. The Gloucester/CapeAnne one often has tuna tartar as an app - exceptional and great pricing.

http://www.franklincafe.com/

There is plenty to see with the park mentioned above. And Atlantic ave is a hike but a nice one to go by grand homes and hotels while taking in the ocean. Also a stroll thru Rocky Neck is wonderful, checking out the galleries and restaurants and boats.

The Causeway on Essex Ave has great food - it's about a 15-minute walk from the Harborview Inn.

The Causeway is a popular casual place that draws visitors and locals alike. I looked at the location of your lodging and think that Atlantic Ave and Rocky Neck may be farther then I thought. A car would offer you more freedom, but visiting the park and exploring downtown may fill your day and night as well.

If you're looking for something to do at night (apart from dinner), don't forget the Gloucester Stage Company http://www.gloucesterstage.com/gsc_currentSeason.htm
They are staging Table Manners by Alan Ayckbourn.

Or, you can head over to Rockport for the Rockport Chamber Music Festival. They have a brand new performance hall this year. http://www.rcmf.org/

Gloucester’s Main Street is a short walk from where you’re staying with its bookstores, art galleries, cafés, jewelry stores and other shops. A sail on The Lannon schooner, www.schooner.org, is a great way to see the Harbor and learn about Gloucester’s maritime history.

For dinner, Latitude 43, www.latfortythree.com, has outdoor seating on the Harbor a few feet from the fishing boats. Cape Ann Brewing Co. and its locally-brewed beer, www.capeannbrewing.com, is a good spot for an after-dinner drink, with its festive picnic tables and wooden bar that looks like a ship’s hull. Sugar Magnolia’s is a great brunch spot on Main Street, www.sugarmags.com. It’s very popular with locals so get there early. The Cape Ann Museum is a gem www.capeannmuseum.org. It’s also just off Main Street and a short walk from the Harbor.

Cape Ann Brewing is a family friendly spot that's popular with locals and tourists alike. Beer Hall style picnic tables, award winning beer, friendly staff, and free tours until 5pm. Definitely worth stopping by and having a pint. *disclaimer: I am the owner*

Other fun things to do in Glolucester apart from the great restaurants in town.
-Cape Ann Museum
-Ryan & Wood Distillery tour
-Beauport and/or Hammond Castle
-Farmers Market on Thursday afternoons
-Maritime Heritage Center down in Harbor Loop
-Halibut Point State Park
-Thomas Lannon and Adventure Schooners
-Kayaking with North Shore Kayak

Also, I'd advise having a car to take some nice scenic rides around Bass Rocks, Annisquam, and East Gloucester. Cheers!

A car would be better for Gloucester if you can swing it. It would be a shame to only see the center of town as there is a lot more to Gloucester than that. I would add Magnolia to the list of scenic drives after you go to Hammond Castle, and maybe the Coolidge Reservation.

Also, Wingaersheek beach is very picturesque. I don't think there's any way to get there without a car.

If you don't have a car in Gloucester, there is a city bus that goes all over Gloucester and Rockport. It runs frequently through downtown Gloucester, around Cape Ann, around East Gloucester (Rocky Neck and the beach). And for late night returns, two taxi companies that are FANTASTIC!

Thank you all for your suggestions. As you recommended, I have rented a car so I can explore more of Gloucester and check our Rockport, too. Thanks again!

p.s. AngerHeSmiles, you can count on a visit from us. Love good craft beer. We usually go to Sam Adams, but this trip we'll be visiting Harpoon. Looking forward to trying some of yours too!

Harpoon makes one of the finest IPAs imho

rolands is right, there is a bus system that runs around Cape Ann, connecting various points in Gloucester, Rockport, and Pigeon Cove. Note that it does not run on Sundays, however, if that's the day you're coming up to explore the area.

You're coming on a good weekend. Gloucester's first Downtown Block Party of the summer is this Saturday. The City closes off Main Street to vehicles and there's music, dancing, outdoor dining, even an outdoor movie when it gets dark. Outside seating at restaurants fills up so it's a good idea to make a reservation. More info. is here: http://bit.ly/a5GQgb