Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1239297
NORTHSHOREMAG.COM 24 MAY 2020 FAC E S + P L AC E S going to be a wonderful summer," says hotel spokeswoman Jeanne Hennessey. "We just can't wait to open our doors again." The return of freer movement and the lifting of business restrictions will hopefully restore activity on the working waterfront and the small businesses that line Main Street. Far from the malls and the big box stores, Main Street's shops and eateries give visitors a chance to find a one-of-a-kind gift or eat a special meal. There are bookstores, vintage boutiques, gourmet shops, and art galleries. As you wander, keep your eye open for art—several murals line side streets and alleys, and there are even spots where small mosaics have been created to fill holes in the sidewalk. Just a little off the main drag, City Hall features murals painted as part of the New Deal following the Great Depression, and the Cape Ann Museum immerses guests in the art, history, and culture of the region. "It's almost like going into a different world," Holmgren says. Hungry? Sandpiper Bakery, one block off the main drag, sells croissants that will transport you to Paris. For a heartier lunch, visit Virgilio's, a third-generation Italian bakery shop, where loaves of fresh semolina bread line the windows and locals crowd in for sandwich- lights. The most obvious of these is Rocky Neck, a working art colony since the 19th century, where colorful, quirky galleries line the streets and every corner reveals a new picturesque view of the city's working harbor. Around the corner, the Gloucester Stage Company produces profes- sional theater in an intimate setting, and up the street, Duckworth's Bistrot serves up lobster risotto, banana cake, and other acclaimed fare. Drive or stroll up nearby Eastern Point and view stately mansions built largely as second homes for wealthy summer visitors in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One of these, Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann house, is open to visitors; each room is impeccably decorated to a different theme, featuring detailed murals, stunning furniture, lush gardens, and lots and lots of color. To discover breathtaking water views that are not on most itineraries, follow Route 127 north from Route 128. The road winds next to the inlets and coves of the Annisquam River, and then along Ipswich Bay, serving up dra- matic glimpses of rocky shoreline, moored sail- boats, and open water. Cross the stone bridge and turn down into the village of Annisquam to get quite literally lost in its maze of narrow roads and quaint shingled homes. Continue up the main road to Lanesville, a neighborhood known for its expressiveness and eccentricity; keep an eye out for the yellow road sign warning "Beautiful Dreams Ahead." And there is, of course, so much more to ex- plore: the trails in the abandoned 17th-century settlement at Dogtown, the evolving village of Magnolia, the stunning views at the Tompson Street Reservation. "You could live here for decades," Holmgren says, "and still go down streets you never even realized were there." es piled high with flavorful imported meats. About a mile outside of downtown, sits Stage Fort Park, easily recognized by the towering rock that looms over the park's roll- ing green hills. Wander past the playground and follow a rocky path toward the water, and you will discover Half Moon Beach, a never- crowded crescent of sand edged by rocks and trees that just might be the city's most charming beach. Pick up the trail again on the other side of the beach to explore a network of wooded paths to take in views rarely experi- enced by visitors. East Gloucester, an arm of land stretch- ing south from the heart of the city, is largely residential, but offers a few unexpected de- PHOTOGRAPH BY SHUTTERSTOCK (TOP) Good Harbor Beach is the perfect famliy summer hangout. The former Ocean View Inn—overlooking the Atlantic in Gloucester—is undergoing a total renovation. Called "Aquarius," the a 8,000-square-foot home is scheduled for completion early this summer followed by developing an additional 4,500-square foot residence and four townhomes. The waterfront property is being developed by Melanson Development and marketed by The Marrocco Group.