Drive 23.5 miles of Cape Ann coastline with a narrated audio guide from Gloucester to Rockport. Learn maritime history, spot lighthouses and whales, and stop where you like—download the tour before you go.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Salt air and the low slap of surf set the tempo as your car pulls away from Stage Fort Park and the Gloucester Visitor Center. The road hugs rocky coves, opens to broad sandy beaches, and threads through fishing wharves whose nets still smell of the sea. Voices on the audio tour cue each landmark—statues, lighthouses, granite piers—turning the drive into a narrated coastal walk.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal fitness required; mostly driving with short walks at viewpoints and piers.
Wildlife
History
Gloucester and Rockport grew on shipbuilding, fishing, and 19th‑century granite export—maritime trade shaped towns and lighthouses dotting the coast.
Conservation
Much of the shoreline is protected or managed; stick to marked paths, obey nesting-season closures, and pack out trash to protect dunes and seal haulouts.
Reserve your spot on the Cape Ann Self-Guided Driving Tour in Gloucester and Rockport today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Download before you arrive
Install the Action Tour Guide app and download the tour over Wi‑Fi so it works offline when you lose cell service.
One purchase per car
Buy a single tour per vehicle and play the audio through your car stereo for the best group experience.
Plan parking stops
Leave extra time for limited parking at Halibut Point, Bearskin Neck, and Front Beach—arrive early in summer.
Respect wildlife and closures
Observe seals and shorebirds from a distance and heed nesting-season closures on beaches and reservations.
Smartphone with Action Tour Guide app
Required to run the narrated tour and access offline maps and audio content.
Car charger/portable battery
Keep your phone powered for GPS and audio throughout the 2–3 hour route.
Comfortable walking shoes
Useful for short strolls on piers, rocky shorelines, and reservation paths.
Windproof jacket
Blocks coastal wind and cool temperatures, especially in spring and fall.
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