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Cape Ann Self-Guided Driving Tour in Gloucester and Rockport

112 Reviews 4.26 out of 5 stars Based on 112 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Gloucester, USA
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 11 (1.57) days in advance.

2 to 3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Recommended: Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together!

Discover the natural beauty of New England’s most picturesque coastline with this narrated driving tour. Hear the tragic tale of the Perfect Storm and how that fateful day still reverberates along this coast. Cruise past perfect beaches, explore the history of quaint fishing towns, visit iconic lighthouses, and learn why the locals find the call of the sea so impossible to resist.

After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point.

New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

What's Included

  • Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
  • Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
  • Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
  • No live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

24 Hough Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930, USA

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

Gloucester Visitor Center at Stage Fort Park

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: The tour is over 23.5 miles long, with more than 43 audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete.New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Tablet Rock

Instead 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.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Stage Fort Park

We can also choose to walk around this area before our driving, admiring the amazing views of the park, the ocean, and the city.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

The Fishermen's Memorial

Our 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".
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Gloucester HarborWalk

Here 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.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Cape Ann Whale Watch

Cape 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!
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Niles 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.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Beauport, 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.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Eastern 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!
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Thacher'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.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Cape Ann Light Station

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.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Motif #1

Our brings us to "the most painted building in America"!
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Bearskin 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.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Rockport

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.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Rockport Granite Pier

Granite 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.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Halibut Point State Park (pass by)

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.
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Front Beach (pass by)

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
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Plum Cove Beach

Located 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.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Harvey Reservation (pass by)

Harvey 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.
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Goose Cove Reservation

Our scenic drive along Cape Ann has finally looped back to Stop 1! We're nearly back at the Gloucester Visitor Information Center.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Show 19 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
  • More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
  • Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Cape Ann Self-Guided Driving Tour in Gloucester and Rockport?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-259620P4

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.26
112 reviews

Average 4.26 out of 5 stars based on 112 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
59
4 stars
37
3 stars
7
2 stars
4
1 star
5
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 11 (1.57) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
  • Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
  • Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
  • Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
  • Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
  • One purchase covers everyone in your car, not per person.
  • Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
  • Access your tour in our separate audio tour app after booking.
  • Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.
  • Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour.
  • No live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
  • Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
  • At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
  • Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
  • Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
  • More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
  • Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
  • Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
  • Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
  • Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
  • The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.

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