Get ready for an awesome self-guided drive along Cape Ann's more secluded road, where adorable villages, stunning beaches, and history dating back hundreds of years come together! On this flexible, app-based tour, you can move at your own pace and stop for photos wherever you’d like! The tour begins just outside Gloucester, with gorgeous views of the harbor. Here, you’ll find the enormous Tablet Rock, which opens a window to the year 1623, when Pilgrims first landed on these shores. Hear all about their struggles to survive in this harsh new land.

Head into Gloucester and dive into the town’s uniquely New England culture. Learn about the importance of fishing to this community, the dangers of that high-stakes profession, and the tragic story behind the Perfect Storm, which still reverberates through this town to this day.
Check out Gloucester’s harbor to see why locals simply can’t live anywhere but here. Meander along the gorgeous harborwalk, breathe in the salty sea air, and maybe even spot a few whales! You can also explore the cape’s artsy southern point and discover the artist colony of Rocky Neck and the spectacular Niles Beach, perfect for catching some sun. Admire the huge, 56-room mansion of Beauport, then snap some iconic Massachusetts photographs of the Eastern Point Lighthouse.

Finally, angle back toward Gloucester, but not without getting the inside scoop on the so-called Witch House and the devastating shipwrecks that have occurred along this cape over the years. This comprehensive, self-guided driving tour will show you everything there is to see on Cape Ann and fill you in on all the stories you need to hear while you’re at it!

Explore picturesque, rocky coastline and untouched sandy beaches
Get to know the local rich history, from the Pilgrims to the "Perfect Storm"
Visit quaint New England towns rich with character

Important to know

Know in advance:

This is a self-guided tour; no guide will accompany you. The Action Tour Guide app functions as a guide, an audio tour, and a map all in one
Please arrange for a vehicle before you take the tour. You only need to book one tour per vehicle, not per person
After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions immediately to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do not wait until you are onsite
Works perfectly without cellular or Wi-Fi with offline maps
This tour has been developed by local guides, curated by creative writers, and narrated by professional voice artists
The audio stories play on their own based on your location. You can start anytime and pause anywhere
Most stops along the tour have animated videos allowing you to visualize what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or interior rooms
This tour is valid for an entire year - from the moment of booking. You can use it multiple times over multiple trips
This tour is an audio tour guide and not an attraction entrance ticket