Gloucester is located in
Essex County 38 miles NE of
Boston along Highway 127/127A near the Thatcher Island National Wildlife Refuge. Gloucester on Cape Ann is a summer resort with a rocky coast and safe harbor. The town was settled in 1623 and has remained a fishing center. The harbor also bustles with traffic from sightseeing cruise ships and charter vessels.
East Gloucester encompasses Rocky Neck Art Colony, said to be the oldest art colony in the country. Within the colony, open May through October, are art galleries, shops and museums. Gloucester is part of the Boston, Massachusetts-New Hampshire metro area.