Gloucester

Throwback picture @ MBTA Gloucester StationnDated 18th May 2012

This is a great place to visit. There is a great beach within walking distance and some really neat looking houses.

My friend and I decided to stay in Gloucester during our visit to Salem, for a couple of reasons. The first, everywhere in Salem was booked solid, and expensive (especially in October), the second is that it is the place where the Andrea Gail was from, the ship in the movie The Perfect Storm. As a native New Yorker, I am very used to transit that runs 24/7 (altho very slowly). This lovely little town is nothing at all like New York. It is peaceful, and a wonderful place to relax and unwind, to re-center yourself and release any stress you have. Even with the holiday weekend (we went on Columbus day weekend) the trains worked very well. They aren't like NYC trains, more like MetroNorth here or perhaps Amtrak. You can even purchase your tickets on the train (credit, debit or cash, the conductors can take payments). The trains pass by some of the most beautiful scenery, through forests and by the ocean, with sailboats and fishing trawlers. We walked to the train station, mostly because we couldn't find the bus stop, but saw the most amazing and historic homes, and the Gordon's Fishermen location. (We were going to go whale watching, but there was a gale warning in effect, so we decided against that. It's still on my to do list). If you visit Gloucester, I encourage you to visit Zeke's Place, a wonderful little dinner on East Main street. Fair warning, this place is small, but hugely popular, so be prepared to wait for a table, (leave your name and cell number and they do call when they have a table for you) I promise you Zeke's is worth the wait. All food there is locally sourced, so its very fresh, and cooked on premises, even the bread, of which there are several different kinds to chose from. I had a Paleo breakfast, which is your choice of egg style over a roasted/grilled half of a sweet potato, with fresh watermelon slices, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries, and the most DELICIOUS Avocado, tomato and red onion salsa (I think that's what they called it). Honestly, remembering that breakfast is making my mouth water a week later. You know the food is fantastic if you remember it! Gloucester is a wonderful place overall, I would love to go back and spend more time exploring!

Best way to Boston / North Station... sit on the left side of the train for excellent seaside views...

Fairly clean and well kept train station, food in walking distance and normally one or two taxis waiting at peak times.