E-voucher
English
Free Cancellation
Overview
Enrich your New England road trip with a self-guided audio tour of Cape Ann that you can listen to as you drive. Filled with evocative tales and historic information, the tour will lead you on a scenic loop between Gloucester and Rockport, highlighting the region’s top landmarks and attractions. The convenient app-based guide allows you to travel at your own pace and stop whenever you wish.
Operated by
Boston City Day Trips
Ratings & Reviews
Average Rating
3.98
/ 5
86 traveller ratings
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Well worth it
439aprila, Apr 2025
I was so glad to find this audio tour of Cape Ann. I am a local and there was a lot to be discovered with places on the tour that I didn't even know about. The tour was informative and not too long; just the right amount of time. For some stops, the narrative would get cut off by a directional cue so I didn't get to hear some of the clips in their entirety. All in all a wonderful tour. Very glad I found it.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
April, I’m glad you found the Cape Ann audio tour worthwhile. It’s great to hear you discovered new places and felt the timing and information were right. I appreciate your feedback on the occasional cutoff in narration, which usually happens if the GPS triggers a new cue while the current one plays. Following the route and speed limit on the app can help with smoother playback. If you're interested in more Massachusetts adventures, consider my Self-Guided Driving and Walking Tours Bundle, which includes the Freedom Trail, Salem, Plymouth, and more!
Great experience
billf306, Nov 2024
The whole process was very easy. The narration was excellent. Very enjoyable couple of hours seeing things we would not have experienced and we could do it at our pace by ourselves. I highly recommend this tour of Cape Ann.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Bill, I'm thrilled you enjoyed my Cape Ann Self-Guided Driving Tour in Gloucester and Rockport! It's terrific that the narration added to your experience, allowing you to explore at your own pace and discover those hidden gems. For more experiences like this, check out my East Coast USA Bundle, featuring a variety of self-guided tours from Acadia to Key West, all designed for you to enjoy at your own pace.
Surprises along the way!
880BarbaraM, Oct 2024
I thought this would be nice— we loved it!!! We stayed in Gloucester so started there. The drive took us to the lighthouse, art district, beautiful coastal drive to Rockport and back. We learned lots of facts along the way and wouldn’t have seen so many of the sites without it.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Barbara, I’m glad you loved my Cape Ann Self-Guided Driving Tour! It’s great that you enjoyed the scenic coastal drive from Gloucester to Rockport and learned many facts. For more experiences like this, check out my East Coast USA Bundle, featuring a variety of self-guided tours from Acadia to Key West, all designed for you to enjoy at your own pace.
Our time around the bay
Jennifer_G, Sept 2024
The beautiful scenery was amazing!!! We loved how it would pick up where we were and say something about the area or the town.
Response from Host, Sept 2024
Jennifer, I'm glad you loved exploring Gloucester and Rockport with my tour! It's great to hear the GPS-triggered audio added to the experience. For more experiences like this, check out my East Coast USA Bundle, featuring a variety of self-guided tours from Acadia to Key West, all designed for you to enjoy at your own pace.
Itinerary
Our Cape Ann excursion begins at the Gloucester Visitor Information Center. We'll get our view breathtaking views of the waterfront from this point.
Note: This 24 mile-long tour covers the essentials of Cape Ann in 1-2 hours.
Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
10 minutesInstead of setting off on our drive right away, we'll first check out the most striking feature of the scenery: the massive Tablet Rock. In 1907, the plaque the rock was unveiled to Commemorate the first settlers in this area.
5 minutesWe can also choose to walk around this area before our driving, admiring the amazing views of the park, the ocean, and the city.
5 minutesOur drive along Cape Ann's scenic harbor begins once we cross the canal. First, we'll admire Cape Ann's most famous momument: the Fisherman's Memorial. As we continue, we'll learn about the significance of fishing in Cape Ann's past — and the famous movie about it, "The Perfect Storm".
5 minutesHere we can choose to pause again to explore Cape Ann's Harborwalk. Along the path are 41 granite slabs containing pieces of the town’s long, odd, sometimes sad history. These “story moments,” as they are called, were put together by teams of volunteers eager to show the world what Gloucester is made of. Taken together, they form a mosaic of this strange, beautiful place.
5 minutesCape Ann and Glouchester’s whale watching industry guarantees whale sightings with every voyage. Their boats often take passengers to a marine wildlife preserve that’s been called one of the top five whale-watching destinations in the entire world!
5 minutesNiles Beach
As we drive along scenic Cape Ann's waterfront, we'll discover beaches both big and small. We can choose to stop at one, some, or all, as we learn more about what's unique about each one.
5 minutesBeauport, the Sleeper-McCann House
Beauport, also known as Sleeper–McCann House, Little Beauport, or Henry Davis Sleeper House, is a beautiful historic home tucked away on the Cape Ann waterfront. As we drive, we'll dive back into Cape Ann's history.
5 minutesEastern Point Lighthouse
During the early 1800s, maritime trade in Gloucester was booming. Ships traveling between these ports and China or India were turning enormous profits, and captains started to become especially anxious at the prospect of losing their extremely valuable cargo in a shipwreck. Enter: lighthouses!
5 minutesThacher's Island
Thacher Island is a small island off Cape Ann on the Massachusetts coast in the United States. It is a part of the Town of Rockport. It was a place where some naval confrontations, both minor and major, took place, which helped secure a victory for the colonists.
5 minutesRockport
Annisquam Harbor Light Station is a historic lighthouse on Wigwam Point. As we approach, we'll learn more about shipwrecks, shipping, fishing, and maritime trade.
5 minutesOur brings us to "the most painted building in America"!
5 minutesBearskin Neck
This land was once home to a large number of bears, but don’t worry! They’re long gone now. According to legend, one such bear was caught by the tide and killed in 1700, which is how this place got its name.
5 minutesRockport
Our scenic drive along Cape Ann now leaves Gloucester and brings us into Rockport. We'll learn more about Rockport and the region as we drive.
5 minutesGranite Pier is one of the Rockport’s oldest piers. As you might have guessed, this used to be where ships would be loaded with granite for transport. As we explore the pier and nearby beaches, we'll get a better understanding of the Cape Ann of days past, and that of the present. Our drive then continues along Halibut Point and Harvey Reservation.
5 minutesHalibut Point State Park
Halibut Point State Park and Halibut Point Reservation are adjacent parcels of conserved, oceanside land located on Cape Ann in the town of Rockport, Massachusetts.
5 minutesFront Beach
Front Beach is a beautiful sandy beach on Sandy Bay in Rockport. From warm summer days to bright winter mornings, this beach is enjoyed by visitors
5 minutesLocated on Washington Street in the northern section of the City, this small, quiet beach has been enjoyed by families in Lanesville for many years. It is a great place to bring small children due to the small confines of the beach. Parking is limited and restricted to vehicles with a current City of Gloucester beach sticker.
5 minutesHarvey Reservation is one of the best spots on Cape Ann to sit and watch the sunset. This small reservation offers a short trail, a granite bench, and a terrific spot for a seaside picnic.
5 minutesOur scenic drive along Cape Ann has finally looped back to Stop 1! We're nearly back at the Gloucester Visitor Information Center.
5 minutes
Experience
Highlights
Inclusions
- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
Exclusions
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Additional Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and text with instructions: • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password • Download the tour MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular Works offline after download
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
- Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
Guide Languages
English
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.