Northeast - Cape Ann and marblehead next week.

Coming up north next week. Have a tuna trip out of Sciuate on Fri, but will be coming up Monday to Thur to just do some site seing. Have been up that way a few years ago and remember little craft villages onlog the water
, just cant remember weather it was cape Ann or Marblehead or both. Anyway going to be there, what are some good places to take my girlfriend for scenery and photo opportuniyies. Also some good restraunts. Thanks Dan

You can't go wrong with a visit to Rockport for the day if you like a village sort of setting with lots of galleries and jewelry stores. The harbormaster is very helpful and you can tie up right in town.

On your way there (coming from the south) you will pass Thatchers island otherwise known as "twin lights" because of the 2 light houses which are on the island. You will want to get a few good photos of the island and if you can do it at sunset all the better.

If you like sushi Lattitude 43 in Gloucester is good is a good take which you can access from Gloucester harbor. http://latfortythree.com/
There are several other decent resturaunts available by boat on the harbor.

Gloucester will have its annual St. Peter's Fiesta starting the middle of next week which is worth checking out. If you can stay till Friday afternoon you can take in the greasy pole competition which is part of fiesta and worth seeing at least once.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBbX4vOQUW8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

If you come to marblehead, be aware that moorings are on a first-come-first-serve basis at all the yacht clubs. There are no reservations taken. If you do come here though, there is always the famous Maddie's Sail Loft where I spend my time, The Barnacle, 3 Cod Tavern, and the Landing. Just some of the easily accessible and good spots for locals/tourists.

Thanks for the responses, wont be coming by boat. Will be driving up. Looking to drive the road along the water, 127 I think up to Cape Ann. Any other suggestions??

Bearskin Neck in Rockport, neat place, right on Rockport Harbor with Motif #1.

If you're coming for a few days you can do it all. Start in Marblehead. Plenty of shops downtown. Walk along the waterfront down to the Barnicle and over to Fort Sewal.
Next up a stop in Salem probably the North Shores biggest tourist trap. Lots to see and do.
After that cross the bridge into Beverly. Take a right at the bottom of the bridge and follow this st for about a 1/4 mile and take your next left. Follow this road along the water for about a mile and it will intersect 127.
127 is a great ride up the coast through Beverly Farms, Manchester, Magnolia, and into Gloucester and finally Rockport.

Get a good road atlas and look for the streets that hug the coast. Lots of great scenery along 127 if you take the time to look.

Depending upon how many days you're planning, Newburyport also has that old town tourist feel as well.

Bearskin Neck in Rockport, neat place, right on Rockport Harbor with Motif #1.Ill be tied up alongsige of it July 4 th

Steel,

You're either thinking of Bearskin Neck in Rockport or Rocky Neck in East Gloucester. Rockport can be tight on weekends, but generally, you can find a tie up in Rocky Neck. Three restaurants, The Studio, The Mad Fish and The Rudder all in Rocky Neck have tie ups.

I came across this the other day while grabbing a coffee. Pretty much what I was talking about before.

PG He mentioned they would be driving.

http://www.essexheritage.org/scenicbyways/index.shtml