27 Fun Things to Do in Rockport MA, A Coastal Delight

Rockport MA is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in New England. It looks straight out of a painting — the fishing boats and sailboats in the harbor, the wind-battered cottages on shore, the rocky coastline, the church steeples poking between the trees.

There are so many interesting things to do in Rockport MA, and throughout the North Shore (the coastline between Boston and New Hampshire). I grew up in nearby Reading, Massachusetts, and have spent so much of my life exploring the towns up and down the North Shore, from Gloucester to Salem to Newburyport.

Rockport, located on the tip of Cape Ann in Essex County, is the North Shore town where I most often bring out-of-state visitors. Why? It’s a photographer’s dream. It’s small enough to explore on a day trip, but there are tons of things to do. It feels like quintessential small-town New England.

And while popular among locals, the North Shore doesn’t get anywhere near the level of tourism of Cape Cod, making it feel special.

Rockport absolutely deserves a visit when you’re spending time in Massachusetts. Come take a look at what makes this little town so special.

Travel to Rockport MA

While Rockport is the ideal New England coastal town, you’ve probably already seen it on film — as Alaska! Rockport played the role of a small Alaska village in the 2009 film The Proposal, starring Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, and Betty White.

I recommend giving it a watch the night before you head to Rockport! It’s fun pointing out all the locations, from Motif No. 1 to the Fudgery, and noticing the CGI mountains in the background. (The mansion that served as Ryan Reynolds’ family home is in nearby Manchester-by-the-Sea.)

Things To Do in Rockport MA

The best things to do in Rockport MA are delightfully low-key — stroll…