Rockport Recommendations

Whenever I travel, I always like to check in with friends who are familiar with the area to get the inside scoop on the best places to eat, stay and explore. So, here are my recommendations for you, should you ever decide to visit the quaint seaside village of Rockport, MA.

TO EAT:

Roy Moore's Fish Shack/Lobster Company: This waterfront restaurant is easily situated on Bearskin Neck and is famous for its fresh lobster caught daily. We ate here our first night in Rockport and were very satisfied with the prices, quality of the food, and service. As an aside, it's one of the few places in Rockport you can enjoy a cold beer, provided you order an entree.

Helmut's Strudel: After our first morning swim. Mom and I stopped here for coffee and breakfast pastries. I was impressed with the quality of the offerings (we bought a big bag of "day old" sweet pasties for $3), and the coffee was hot and fresh. Here, you can find both sweet pasties like blueberry turnovers and savory goodies like ham and cheese croissants.

Tuck's Candy: What more can I say other than old-fashion candy store. Yum. Tuck's has two locations in Rockport, with a large selection of hand-dipped chocolates and various flavors of saltwater taffy. Definitely try the dark chocolate-sea salt caramels and pecan clusters. Double yum.

TO STAY:

We found our rental property on HomeAway, and decided to stay here. It was a great situation with us (especially with small cribs), and the owner was very accommodating. It was about a 10 minute walk into town and 5 minutes to the beach. Some other accommodations (that looked especially cozy) include the Linden Tree Inn and the Peg Leg Inn (both are close to the beach and town).

TO DO:

One of my favorite activities on any vacation is just to stroll through town and take in the sights. Rockport is perfectly suited for this. The town is home to Rocky Neck Art Colony, and there are plenty of galleries to browse and window-shop. If money wasn't an option, I certainly would have come home with a few original pieces to add to my fledgling artwork collection.

Definitely head to Front Beach, which faces directly East, and take in the breathtaking sunrises. You'll be glad you woke up early for it (then head to Helmut's Strudel for breakfast!).

There are plenty of sailing and fishing charters available, as well as hiking trails, parks, wildlife sanctuaries and lighthouses to patronize.

The entire North Shore of Boston and Cape Ann area is immersed in history. Take the time to explore the seaside villages of Gloucester, Essex, Marblehead and Salem (of witch trial fame).

There is also a convenientt commuter train that can quickly transport you to Boston within an hour.

If presented the opportunity, definitely visit Rockport. You certainly feel the "roots" of America here, and time slows a little as you meander through the twisty streets of yesteryear here. Happy travels, no matter where you are headed!