We were in town for a celebration of life last year on Father's Day weekend and the town was…read morebuzzing about this Fiesta celebration. We decided that we wanted to come back this year to see what the fuss was all about. I have to say I didn't have any crazy expectations for this event and wasn't sure really what to expect but it was so much more fun than I thought it would be. Everything from the greasy pole competition on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, to the carnival rides, games and food, to the late night drinking celebrations at the various bars by the wharf to the parade. It was all so much fun! I love that this small fishing town gets together for this crazy tradition. Check it out if you haven't before. Look up the YouTube videos of the Greasy Pole and see why it would make for a fun weekend getaway.

For the crowded streets and godawful street food in the name of Saint Peter, and for the hard-knock…read moresense of community shared by Gloucester Sicilians, and (of course) for the spectacle that is Greasy Pole, I wholeheartedly endorse road tripping for SPF. A more spread out version of any given weekend in the North End, the fest revolves around the parading of an ikon through the docked streets of G-town, lubricated with more booze than you can shake a funnel cake at. The real draw? A legendary contest known as Greasy Pole, where contestants deck out in costume and attempt to slip'n'slide their way across a slicked-up telephone pole to grab the flag at the end. Yep, that's it - but the most simple of challenges is rife with rules, traditions and customs that must be abided by, lest you meet the explanatory fists of Anthony "Matza" Giambanco, the game's enforcer. You're not going to make a ton of friends, but you'll hear some seriously tasty stories, making St. Peter's Fiesta absolutely worth the drive.

A wonderful small fair inside an amazing museum, Something…read morehappening every half hour and tours of the castle as well. Spoke with the Director who called himself Phinn, he gave me a personal tour until he was called away. I would recommend this to any family. Word of advice though, go straight to Stage Fort Park to par your car. There is no parking at the castle for the event.

This was my first time attending the Abbadia Fest and checking out Hammond Castle!!…read more I've been to A LOT of Ren Fests and this one ranks high in my book. Not only did the actors and actresses stay in character the WHOLE time but they all here very helpful with questions on the merchandise and had a great sense of humor while interacting with guests. If you're looking to compare it to King Richard's Faire, the Abbadia Fest actually felt like you were going to a village in medieval times WITHOUT the corporate hype you can get at regular fests! Price was resonable and parking was great since there was a shuttle to and from the Castle. Also the fact it was in Gloucester,MA was great b.c it's a much shorter drive than other fests I attend. Another positive was that the event caters to both adults and children. I never once felt anything was inappropriate for any age. In a nutshell, if you're looking for something new for the whole family or just want a change from the same ol summer routine check out Abbadia Mare Renaissance Festival! Thanks for a great time guys!

Have been here several times and the venue and location are stunning. Rockport is a charming town…read moreso if the weather is nice come early, walk around the harbor, have dinner and/or ice cream, stop into the many stores. My last visit was to hear a mixed media performance of photos taken from the space station accompanied by a wonderful jazzy group. The acoustics are fantastic, and if you are lucky enough to attend a perfomance where the harbor is visible behind the stage (sometimes the curtains are drawn) you are in for a major treat. Parking can be tricky but if you don't mind a little walk on-street parking can be had. It's a bit of a hike from Boston but I would return in a heartbeat,

An amazing venue with fantastic acoustics. The site is gorgeous. Unfortunately, the harbor doors…read morewere closed when we were there. But my imagination goes wild.

I finally made to Hammond Castle after having it on my list of places to see for years…read more I made a reservation for a self-guided tour with a flexible entrance time of 11-45 AM -2:30 PM for their "Deck the Halls" holiday celebration. Cost was $25 per person. When we arrived there were cars waiting for a parking spot as they are limited. We did not have to wait too long for a space since there was a constant flow of people coming and going. I am unsure how it would be for parking in the summer as people may take longer to enjoy the outside area so I am glad we went during a cold morning. I totally enjoyed my visit as it was much more than a castle as it incorporated some interactive exhibits and information about its former owner John Jay Hammond Jr. I'll admit that I knew very little about him but left the place more informed about him - including that he held over 400 patents. You learn more about his work as you explore the house. Don't miss watching a short introductory video where the coat check area is located. It is a medieval castle built in the 1920s and it is not handicapped accessible. It is also not the best place for someone with mobility issues as it has many staircases to get around the entire place.

Visiting family and they brought us here for an excursion. Such a unique experience, both…read morephysically and historically. We so enjoyed our tour with an amazing guide and also just freely exploring the grounds and the various rooms. The variations in architectural design are incredible. Unfortunately the gardens were not open as they are under maintenence. Well worth the time spent.

Family friendly. The kids loved the touch tanks and the free science lessons on the spot!…read more Maritime Museum is small, so you can easily do that and still have time for a whale watch nearby.

Kelsey (Natural Resources Education) and Justin (Historian) make this museum come ALIVE!…read more This place is an absolute gem. Thank you to the staff for presenting a wonderful display of natural history and seafaring artifacts. We'll visit again!

Over the top value in local history of New England thoroughly enjoyed my day trip there.read more

Located in Gloucester's downtown area, the museum is a hidden treasure. It looks small on the…read moreoutside, but it boasts 3 sizable floors along with a historical house that is off to the side of the main welcome desk. Its focus is local artists that have made significant contributions to Cape Ann region whether its nautical, household design, etc. The Fresnel lens (used in lighthouses) are one of the highlights that should not be missed! Bathrooms are available on the first and lower levels. It is handicap accessible for the most part with elevator access to the different floors. There are some galleries that require separate stair entrance.

Beautiful location - great art - wonderful people. Perfect way to spend an afternoon…read more UPDATED - I've now been to two of the North Shore Arts Association summer Auctions, and each time have walked away with paintings that I love. First off - If you've never been to an auction - they're awesome! The first time I went, was actually my first auction ever. And as a result, I was a little over-zealous and bought 2 of the first 6 paintings that came up. Luckily they were smaller, and very reasonably priced (I purchased one for $150 and the other for $250, both framed), so I didn't do too much damage, but I sat on my paddle for the rest of the day. This past summer, my wife and I were married, and as a wedding present to ourselves, we were looking for something a little bigger with some personal meaning. After some intense bidding, we ended up purchasing a large Nathalie Nordstrand watercolor of Pebble Beach - a place where we've spent a number of summer days. It is now hanging in our living room, and is a great reminder of our summers in Gloucester as well as the auction action at NSAA. If you are at all interested in the idea of owning original New England artwork, the summer auction at NSAA is a great and very exciting way to do it. Not to mention that the entry fee also includes an open wine bar and generous appetizers - it's really enough of a reason in itself to take a drive up the cost and spend the day in a beautiful location.

Driving to NSAA is a treat in itself. The view of Gloucester harbor from the parking lot of the…read moreassociation is breathtaking. This is an organization that displays the work of its membership in a gallery with rotating exhibits. There are two levels - so a surprisingly large collection of work can be displayed at once. Most of the work is representational oil painting of landscapes, still lifes, and a few portraits - although there are a few watercolors, charcoals and abstract pieces on display at the moment. The staff of the association are friendly and helpful. Insider tip: ask to have a ballot so you can vote on your favorite piece of work. It's a very democratic and yelp-like way of recognizing an artist! There is some world-class artwork on display and admission is free. Well worth a trip! They're open May through October, seven days a week. This would be a great excursion for a weekend date: combination art association, fried seafood on the water, and the proverbial long walk on the beach ;)