CROSSING CAPE ANN
Sure, Cape Ann isn’t as sprawling or as renowned as Cape Cod. But that’s exactly what makes it a destination worth exploring. The four towns that make up the region—Essex, Gloucester, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport—offer up a bounty of natural beauty, art, history, and food, all with less driving and fewer tourist crowds than you’d encounter visiting its southern sister.
“Cape Ann is incredibly beautiful and diverse,” says Ken Riehl, chief executive of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. “What is so different about Cape Ann is the variety of what the communities have to offer.”
As you head up route 128, the first Cape Ann community you’ll encounter will be the tiny, gracious town of Manchester-by-the-Sea, a perfect place to enjoy postcard-perfect scenes of New England waterfront life. The town is mainly populated by commuters who choose to nest there for the beautiful homes, highly rated schools, and traditional charm.
Visitors, however, enjoy the compact, walkable character of the town. Grab a coffee and a snack at Allie’s Beach Street
