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Focus on Coastal Towns: Winslow Homer painted there. Mermaids, staring Cher, Winnona Ryder, and Christina Ricci, was filmed there. And it’s rumored that the remaining band members of the Grateful Dead summer there. It’s perhaps best known for its spectacular views and special light—a light of such magical quality that many artists and would-be artists have vacationed or settled there in hopes of capturing it in their art. And this place has inspired a lot of art. In fact, the red fishing shack on Bearskin Point is believed to be one of the most painted buildings in the world! (For more on the red shack, see Not That Quaint Little Fishing Shack Again?) And the oldest continuously active artist colony in America calls this place home.  Give up? OK, two more clues: it has a port, and a very rocky shore. Oh yeah—you got it. Rockport. The rocky port, located 30 miles north of Boston at the very tip of the Cape Ann peninsula, is surrounded by the Atlantic on three sides. Sailboats dot the snug harbor, which is surrounded by historic buildings. Everything has just the right amount of patina. If you didn’t see it with your own eyes, you might not believe that one town could ooze so much quaintness. But it does. Like many Massachusetts coastal towns, Rockport was a fishing village before it became a painter’s dry-brush dream. Thanks to its solid granite foundation and proximity to tier one fishing grounds, a dock was built in the early 1700s and mariners from all over the world have been taking advantage of it ever since. Also adding to the early economic development of Rockport were the granite quarries—the first in the states—and the timber industry (pine, in particular, was used for shipbuilding). Rockport was settled with a potpourri of people throughout the 1800s. Fins and Swedes with stone-working expertise migrated to the area to work with the granite, while others—notably the French, Italian, and German—made a living by fishing and foresting. Located directly next to Gloucester, and long thought of as a less-inhabited area of Gloucester, it wasn’t until 1840 that Rockport became a separate town. Today, it has a distinct identity as a residential town that approximately 7,000 lobstermen, fishermen, artists and those who love them—or are married to them—call home. And, whether or not you ever come to call it home, it’s at least worth a visit. Even if you’re not a fan of cute New England towns and gorgeous light, there’s a lot to do and see in Rockport. When it comes to recreation, Rockport packs a lot into its 17.6 miles of land and sea. There are beaches for swimming, sailing, and kayaking (for the sporty types) and deep-sea fishing tours on charter boats for those who want to try to catch their dinner, and plenty of restaurants for those who don’t. Amateur and professional photographers will be impressed by the number of Kodak moments to capture. There’s of course the aforementioned “Motif No. 1,” as well as Straitsmouth Island Lighthouse, the beach, the harbor, sea-weathered boats and houses, and, on a clear day at Halibut Point, views of Mount Agamenticus in Maine, and the Isles of Shoals. 
And when you’ve had enough of nature, there’s plenty to see in town. There’s a house made entirely of paper known by its oh-so-literal name, The Paper House, the historic Sewall-Scripture House (which contains a large collection of paintings done by deceased Cape Ann artists), and the Rockport Art Association’s two historical buildings containing seven art galleries. If that’s not enough art for you, there are 20+ art galleries in town—art for show and for sale. And, when you need the kind of quick pick-me-up that only pure sugar can give you, step into Tuck’s Candy—a Main Street staple since 1929 with enough homemade truffles, peanut butter cups, candy bark, toffees, and chocolates to make Veruca Salt salivate. If candy isn’t enough to sustain you, there are local restaurants to suit most tastes (especially if fresh seafood is your taste). Of note to those who like historic buildings, Rockport is home to Cape Ann’s only grand hotel and, historic hotel buff or not, you can dine in their Grand Café, which sits a mere 50 yards from the ocean. And a mere three quarters of a mile out in the ocean, the historic twin lighthouses of Thacher Island stand 160 feet above the sea—tours and binoculars optional. Paper houses, granite ledges, magic light, historic lighthouses, candy, lobster, and views for days—if any of this sounds interesting to you, Rockport could be your perfect daycation. Things to do and see…  General www.rockportusa.com Art, Food, & History Grand Café at Emerson Inn by the The Paper House Rockport Art Association Sewall-Scripture House Recreation & Outdoor Interests Halibut State Park Thacher Island Photographs by Claire Enterline | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Boston, MA 02114