Greater Cape Ann Continues to Grow as a Year-Long Tourist Destination
Greater Cape Ann has long been focused on extending the tourism season, and in 2025, we’re seeing more winter and spring events and activities that attract and engage visitors than ever before. The February 21 meeting of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber Tourism Council gave organizations across the region an opportunity to talk about this year’s busy winter and spring seasons and look ahead to still more exciting time in the months ahead.
Representatives from Hammond Castle, The Open Door, the Crane Estate and Cape Ann Museum shared updates on events and activities in February, March and April. For some Tourism Council members – like the Cabot Theater in Beverly – these months are busier than the summer. Check the events calendars on the Chamber website and its Cape Ann Vacations site for details on these and other happenings this winter and spring. Together with other events and activities earlier in the winter – including Cape Ann Winter Lights and Gloucester So Salty – and celebrations around winter holidays and holiday weekends greater Cape Ann is truly a vibrant year-round tourist destination.
The Council also looked further ahead to events like Rockport’s Easter Egg Hunt (April 19) and Motif #1 Day (May 17). Another upcoming event – the Cape Ann Community Foundation’s Candlepins for a Cause fundraiser (June 5) – celebrates the charitable work made possible by sales of the Cape Ann license plate, which is also an important contributor to the region’s tourism promotion.
A key event for Greater Cape Ann’s tourism community is the annual Spring Tourism Mixer, which will be held on May 13 this year. Each year, the Mixer gives members of our visitor-based economy an opportunity to come together to share updates and network with peers.
As is typical, the Council dedicated time in the February meeting to discuss issues of concern to the tourism community, including Gloucester’s short-term rental ordinance, the St. Peter’s parking lot, and Lyft and Uber service across Greater Cape Ann.
Looking further out, the Council learned that organizers of this June’s Bunker Hill Reenactment, which will take place at Gloucester’s Stage Fort Park, will join our March meeting to provide an update on plans and preparations for what promises to be one of the highlights of the year for residents and visitors alike.
All of these events and issues will be on the agenda for our next meeting, on March 21. We invite anyone who is involved in or has an interest in Cape Ann’s visitor-based economy to join us for this and upcoming monthly meetings. We gather on the third Friday of each month at the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce offices — and via Zoom. If you’d like to be part of these discussions, please reach out to me or contact the Chamber staff.
Tony Sapienza
Co-owner, Blue Shutters Beachside Inn
Chair, Tourism Council
tsapienza@gmail.com
Learn more about the Greater Cape Ann Chamber’s Tourism Council
