The thermometer says summer, but our heads tell us it’s autumn. Fall football has started and we’re on our way to Halloween. Cue the horror theme park fests, now underway at various locations around America. Seems Halloween is approaching Christmas status, starting earlier every year and getting bigger as well.
In fact, in Salem, Massachusetts Halloween is celebrated all year long. The town is famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view) for the Salem witch trials. You can visit the cemetery where the victims are memorialized. There are shops and “museums” where those dark days are celebrated in a weird kind of way.
But witch commerce means dollars for the city coffers. After all, time heals all wounds, right?
Rockport, Massachusetts is a picturesque seaside town located on the Cape Ann peninsula north of Boston. Known for its stunning natural beauty, historic architecture, and vibrant arts scene, Rockport is a popular destination for visitors seeking a peaceful and relaxing getaway.
In the summer, Rockport really comes alive as tourists and locals alike take advantage of the warm weather and sunny days. The town is situated on a rocky coastline that offers breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a stroll along the picturesque Bearskin Neck, a quaint and charming street lined with boutiques, galleries, and restaurants.
Rockport has several beautiful beaches where visitors can soak up the sun and enjoy the refreshing ocean breezes. You can also explore the beaches for colorful sea glass. Some of the most popular beaches include Front Beach, Back Beach, and Long Beach.
We’re fast approaching Memorial Day Weekend, the unofficial start of summer. Many parts of the USA are already experiencing sweltering temperatures, including the mid-Atlantic and New England states. Here are a few of my favorite spots in Maine and Massachusetts to enjoy cool summer breezes, nature parks, and good food in beautiful coastal settings.
Thirty miles north of Boston you’ll find it. A gorgeous spit of land called Cape Ann right on the Atlantic coast. It’s a scenic wonderland up and down Route 127A. Rockport is among a collection of cozy seaside villages ripe for exploring.
Rockport, MA
I arrived early in the morning and found a metered parking spot a few steps from the waterfront. Rockport is small-town bucolic New England. The Main Street scene has a collection of art galleries, unique shops, and eateries. But the real appeal is Rockport’s waterfront, which you can access through tiny sidewalk openings, sort of like nooks and crannies between downtown buildings. Skinny walking paths and small parks are everywhere. Free guided walking tours are available Monday through Friday during the summer months.
The Little Red Shack In The Background Is Motif#1 And Was Built In The 1800sA Scenic View From Main Street
Walk along the water’s edge and you’ll see a variety of sailing vessels, motor boats, lobster boats and dockside traps. Or, just simply sit and relax on a park bench and enjoy the serenity of the moment. There always seems to be a cool gentle breeze blowing in from the Atlantic. A welcome relief on a hot summer’s day!
Rockport Harbor
Walk down Bearskin Neck, a long peninsula with a street lined with shops, restaurants, and a motor lodge that dead-ends into a turnaround at a rock-lined jetty. You can park your vehicle there and chill, watching the boats enter and leave Rockport Harbor and Sandy Bay. If you have steady feet and good balance, walk along the jetty out to the point to enjoy a stunning view of the ocean and harbor . (I wasn’t that brave.) Near the jetty at the end of Bearskin Neck is a restaurant called My Place By the Sea. The outdoor deck seating area has stunning views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and a delicious lunch and dinner menu. Get there early for a waterfront table. (A lined formed at the restaurant entrance about a half-hour before opening for lunch.) Rockport is also a robust art colony with over 30 galleries and the Rockport Art Association and Museum.
Front Beach, Rockport
A visit to Front Beach is a good place to walk off a meal or spend a day basking in the sun. Front Beach is also a popular spot for shelling and sea glass hunting. If you’re in the mood for some spectacular hiking, visit Halibut Point State Park, just north of downtown Rockport. Due to limited parking, a free summer shuttle from the Rockport train depot takes visitors to Halibut Point. The 56-acre park is the site of a former granite quarry.
Halibut Point State Park Visitor CenterHalibut Point Scenic OverlookHalibut Point Self-Guided TrailHalibut Point Babson Farm Quarry OverlookHalibut Point Shoreline CairnHalibut Point Shoreline Tide Pool
There are many trails to explore, including some leading to the rocky shoreline with tide pools teeming with sea life. Swimming is prohibited but you’ll see visitors dipping a toe or two in the water. At the park’s highest point, on a clear day you can see more than 80-miles to Maine and Vermont. There are picnic tables, water fountains, and restrooms at the visitor center. Rockport has a very simple motto: Slow down and be renewed. I did!
Weird and wonderful is the only way to describe my brief visit to Salem, Massachusetts. If you have a fascination with the hauntings of Halloween, this is the epicenter for such things as ghost tours, a touristy witch “museum”, kitschy horror shops, and storefront psychics. On the other hand, the colonial charm and history of this waterfront gem are captivating.
