Rockport - Massachusetts - United States. Guide & Hotel Reservations from Cheap Hotels

Steeped in a history of the sea, historic Rockport, Massachusetts, is waiting to give you the vacation of a lifetime. At first glance you might pass over Rockport, with its population of 6000, as just another small town. However, the wealth of things to see and do while you are here will provide you with the ultimate vacation in the ambiance of a small town atmosphere. Just an hour north of Boston, you are never far away from the bright city lights if you find things a bit too quiet for you.

Visit the Paper House and marvel at the idea of a house and its contents being made from or entirely covered in newspaper. Motif No.1 is a dark red shack on the Bearskin Neck Wharf and is one of the most photographed buildings in the state. Visit the National Historic Site at Thacher Island. Here you will find twin lighthouses that have guarded the coast since 1771. The North Tower is open for visitors, but outside on the grounds naturalists will love the sights of the nesting colonies of the herring gull and the great black-backed gull.

At the Sandy Bay Historical Society and Museum you will find many exhibits telling the story of Rockport's fishing heritage, the local history of the town and the influence that the granite of the area has had on shaping this history. The Footprints Tour will take you on a one-hour walking tour of the town and point out all of the important points of interest.

See how your skills match up against the challenges of the wind at the Rockport Golf Course. The winds from the Atlantic seem to have more control over the golf ball than you do. Take a kayaking tour on the ocean where you can explore the inlets and caves along the shore. You will see Rockport from a different perspective as you paddle back into the harbor.

Art galleries abound, where you can buy the art of local artists or ones of international fame. Gift and theme stores also line Main Street and Dock Square, all containing untold treasures, depending on your individual taste. You won't find franchised hotels here, but you will find numerous bed and breakfasts where you are treated to home cooking and become a member of the family. The locally operated restaurants have many choices on the menus, most of them offering fresh seafood for which Massachusetts is famous.