Maritime Gloucester

Fantastic experience: Small but well organized museum. Loved the schooner history and my 10 year old loved the touch tanks with crabs, class, starfish and more. Friendly and knowledgeable staff members, clearly passionate about ocean life and conservation. Had a great visit!

Fantastic experience: As I approached the adelle alone I wasn't unsure of what was in store for me. I was feeling kind of sad because of a break up I was going through and as I approached Captain Harold, he reassured me it was going to be a great day... and it was.

Fantastic experience: We had my daughter’s wedding welcome party on the dock here on July 4th. Perfect location and blessed with perfect weather. We used the tent provided, hired a caterer, rented a PA system (for music and toasts) along with tables/chairs, linens and string lights. We also set up a cornhole court which got a lot of play! Lovely evening! Lovely venue.

Fantastic experience: Good tour but felt the tour with a guide was somewhat short.

Fantastic experience: Amazing. Thr aquarium and touch tank was fantastic for the kids and the museum was really interesting.

Fantastic experience: Must do in Gloucester. Lots of history. Ask questions, and learn a lot. Staff is great.

Positive experience: Typical seaport for small town fishing business. Quaint, historical, interesting, and authentic.

Fantastic experience: Oh my goodness it's beautiful there and so relaxing not just the maritime place because it was not open the whole place has history loved it

Positive experience: Was ok. Not what we expected. But not everything is. So don't be put off by it. Lovely area

Fantastic experience: Super cute museum. We went off-season and had the place to ourselves. This would be a great place to take children, super interactive, and lots to explore.

Fantastic experience: Cool museum with a nice little interactive aquarium. Staff I'd very nice, and there is a good amount of parking. Nice little place to check out.

Fantastic experience: I always visit Gloucester for the schooner festival. 10/10 recommend! Pictured: Dennis sulivan

Fantastic experience: Great place to visit especially with Heritage days festival! Go early.

Fantastic experience: Great place for adults and children. They have nice activities younger children would love

Fantastic experience: The kids enjoyed their time their,

Fantastic experience: We loved our sail on the Isabella!!

Fantastic experience: It's a tiny aquarium with a few exhibits and bright docents. Perfect for young children.

Fantastic experience: Was here to visit the schooner Ardelle

Fantastic experience: Best little gem of a place to explore local history and understand our biosphere.

Fantastic experience: I love this museum, small but packed full of awesome information and the gentleman who works there is very smart and very informative about the area and the fishing business in general

Fantastic experience: Very helpful staff. More than just passing out a map. They are very courteous and kind and even took time to go to the window to point

Fantastic experience: Great place to learn about Gloucester's maritime heritage. The schooners and marine railway are really neat. Excellent presentations throughout the winter, as well.

Fantastic experience: What a cool museum with so many awesome things like super rare lobster! They had a blue one and an orange one swimming around.

Fantastic experience: Justin is a outstanding book of local knowledge. Both history and science. Extremely friendly atmosphere.

Fantastic experience: Go, learn about the core of the area with with a well-curated collection of models, history, explanations, as well as the small aquarium collection representing local marsh and sea life. A gem.

Fantastic experience: Very nice experience for the grandchildren. They loved learning about the boats coming in and what everything was for.

Fantastic experience: Simply terrific local resource. Touch tanks are the consistent highlight.

Fantastic experience: This place was so much for kids a little bit of an aquarium and museum. There were lots of things in the touch tank. We were in there for about two hrs.

Positive experience: Very interesting tour, especially if you like ships and marine life. You also get to see wharf and building featured in the movie, "The Perfect Storm" where they unloaded first catch and filmed bar scenes and balcony scene. Thank you Director Mike DeCoster for your personable and kind tour!

Fantastic experience: So cool! Staff were super friendly and helpful, and the touch tanks were so fun :) The blue lobsters were an awesome surprise

Positive experience: Free with a ticket to sail in the Ardell

Fantastic experience: The updates that have been made are amazing! The touch tanks are now indoors. There were a variety of activities that are fun and informative. We have been visiting for years and will continue such a local gem.

Negative experience: There is a (public?) Restroom here that used to be accessible but it seems that has changed since the door is now kept locked. Not sure what the reason is for the change but it is no longer available for just anyone to use. Considering the scarcity of public restrooms available in the area it certainly makes one feel unwelcome. Therefore I recommend anyone who would like to visit the surrounding area be aware that for the moment at least that public restrooms are not as public as you might be expecting. Hopefully, the shortsightedness of this decision will be recognized and corrected in a timely manner.

Fantastic experience: went here for my field trip, and went on a boat!! it was a really fun experience for me!! im actually about to go on a field trip here today!!!

Fantastic experience: Absolutely an amazing museum. Small, but full of information and history. The staff is very friendly and informative. Twelve dollars for an adult, but military is only eight. Other discounts as well.

Fantastic experience: The museum is small but has plenty of content to see. The museum historian is very friendly and helpful, he has tons of knowledge. Loved this museum and totally recommend it!

Fantastic experience: Great info on martime history in Gloucester. A must stop. Hand on aquarium awesome 2. Staff great

Fantastic experience: Senior $8, $8 each for 5 and 7 year olds. 3 levels, moderate size. Great for young children to learn about the ocean, whales and other sea creatures. Touch pool, with clams, crabs, starfish and periwinkles. See the 1 in 500 million blue lobster!

Positive experience: We had a good time learning about the history of schooners ships and dory fishing. Micheal was filling in for the original tour guide, and he did a good job. Very personable and welcoming.

Fantastic experience: So me my mom and sister went to this place and everyone was super nice there was someone named Fran and he was super nice, he taught me how to do the rope thing, also there was something I read and apparently he said I was the first to read it of the year he talked about everything it was super fun

Fantastic experience: Loved it! Been wanting to go since I was a teenager! So much knowledge and history to be shared and learned! Worth it!

Fantastic experience: Be sure to see the Pocket Aquarium!

Fantastic experience: My family had so much fun at this place, probably out best stop in Massachusetts. Definitely a must see for the kiddos as they have a section they can learn and touch real ocean life

Positive experience: Wonderful amenities to sit and eat your sandwich from Virgilos, The information provided on the boards is excellent, although they do need a bit of a refresh with the weather eroding them, wonderful to see the history of the area expressed so strongly, Gloucester is a true working town still

Fantastic experience: What a wonderful educational exhibit that supports STEM education for the community.

Fantastic experience: So many memories at this location, so I'm very biased. Just take a walk down the pier. See for yourself.

Fantastic experience: We held our daughters wedding on the docks at the museum and it was Fairy Tale perfect! The weather cooperated as it was a clear day and pleasant evening with just a mild breeze. The space was awesome for several reasons. The stunning views and backdrop for pictures, the open area where we set up the bar a game area for Cornhole and the stage for the band. The band sets up inside the "ice house" which projects the sound primarily to the dance floor thus making it comfortable for non dancing guests to converse at their tables without music blasting the conversations. We used an event planner who works frequently with the Museum and she did a great job coordinating whatever was needed. This venue allows for more or less involvement by the bride depending on budget or preferences. My feeling is anyone can provide a nice ballroom but not many can provide stunning views of Gloucester's waterfront and a unique atmosphere that guest will remember and talk about for years.

Positive experience: Small but very informative museum about the fishing industry.

Fantastic experience: So interesting, the history lesson was great.

Fantastic experience: Really cool historical venue and learning center.

Negative experience: Very disappointing pay for it experience. I guess it is a donation for improvements. Gloucester will be celebrating 400 years & is renowned fishing, maritime location. There was 1 small level (2 rooms) of models and equipment. The word aquarium was painted so expecting more than 6 fish and some crabs. Few lobsters. Good side the young men in the aquarium area were friendly & knowledgeable about the aquatic life of the area.

Positive experience: Museum is on the smaller side but pretty interesting. Includes admission to a small outside aquarium with a moderated touch pool full of fun local sea creatures. Outdoor dock tours also available. A fun 45m to an hour experience.

Fantastic experience: Took the family. Son wife 17 and 21 yo and spouse - VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE guide. Enjoyed it and all the information about the growth of fishing. Sad that the short staffing eliminated the aquarium.

Fantastic experience: What a special place! The view all around the docks are unique and picturesque. An experience that will stay with you. Don't miss it!

Fantastic experience: Such nice lights to add joy to the season

Fantastic experience: The Waterfront is a great place to walk around, and take in the town.

Positive experience: Great place to visit for the day. Plenty of shops and restaurants along the board walk. Also have whale watching and other boating excursions.

Fantastic experience: Was great seeing the history of the area.

Fantastic experience: Great Gloucester maritime history. We start our Taste Gloucester food tours right out front!

Positive experience: I enjoyed this area a lot. Got to speak with a really nice gentleman at the diving locker. Thanks for the talk snd history.

Positive experience: Interesting to learn some maritime history. The docent was knowledgeable and kind.

Fantastic experience: Very educational and enjoyable! Wonderful location with a large deck with interesting schooners and spectacular views of Gloucester Harbor!

Positive experience: Very informative, lots of history.

Fantastic experience: You need stop by there great place

Fantastic experience: Very interesting history of Gloucester. We also went on the pinky schooner Ardelle for a 2 hour ride around the harbor. Loved seeing Hammond Castle from the water.

Fantastic experience: Maritime Gloucester was extremely fascinating..... I learned about different types of whales, global warming and how it affects this part of the Massachusetts coastline, other types of fish that have been coming back to the area because the waters are warming, as well as the lobster population dwindling because they thrive in colder waters..... Lobsters are all heading upto colder waters in Maine..... Anyway, I'd highly recommend this educational adventure as well as the Aquarium..... Great for kids! And very high tech with huge screens for for interactive learning....

Fantastic experience: The best Gloucester museum that I visited.

Fantastic experience: Great place to learn about the history and culture of Gloucester

Fantastic experience: Awesome place to explore! They have a rare 1 in a million blue lobster too!

Fantastic experience: Waterfront, harbor, lots to see.

Fantastic experience: Loved the aquarium part! The baby seahorses and Ray's are precious!

Fantastic experience: Doesn't get any prettier than here in the spring

Fantastic experience: Definitely worth visiting!

Fantastic experience: The dory shop next door is very interesting and I recommend. We learned a little bit about boat making and the way of building boats.

Fantastic experience: Great time, off season so we had the whole place to ourself

Fantastic experience: Do not miss the aquarium down stairs and the ships out back

Fantastic experience: Fabulous place, grateful to be a member, they have wonderful programs for the family!

Fantastic experience: I went to an 80th birthday party here. The staff was nice and informative. It seemed like a place a family would have a fun time.

Fantastic experience: Wonderful place to take the kids! Everyone there are so friendly and knowledgeable.

Fantastic experience: Amazing place to discover ocean and the human interaction with it, outstanding educational institution in the New England maritime tradition...

Fantastic experience: If you love history this is your place...

Fantastic experience: Great town very nice people and beautiful view of the ocean life.....

Fantastic experience: Thank you Maritime Gloucester! We love visiting the Pocket Aquarium! Fantastic harbor loop experience!

Fantastic experience: Great place to learn about Gloucester's maritime history and regional ocean life

Positive experience: I highly recommend taking the water shuttle tour that goes all around Cape Ann.

Fantastic experience: Good for children. My five year old loved it.

Positive experience: Just went to the gift shop. Cute little shop. Lots of perfect gifts.

Fantastic experience: it looks small but don't be fooled. You enter through an area packed with lots of touchscreen information from NOAA, whale research and sounds touch screen information. Several outside touch tanks, film on wooden ship building on the second floor which overlooks a shop and has a dead end excellent children's play area just passed the film seating. Continue up to the historic hands on ship equipment and ship models. Adults and stronger kids can crank the bellows operated fog horn. If you exit there is a ship building shop next door and you can walk out onto the pier where there is a giant Lobster Pot large enough to for kids to enter and crawl around on the netting. Hats and sunscreen advised, although at the certain times of day the touch tank area is shaded.

Positive experience: Great little museum and aquarium, with fun playroom for little visitors. It does feel very expensive for what it is though

Fantastic experience: Great place to visit.. lots of local color , history and a pocket aquarium. Terrific gift shop and love the views from the dock

Fantastic experience: Glooucester's maritime traditions are a part of American history. You can learn much more at this museum.

Fantastic experience: Love the history

Positive experience: Small but fun for the kids, staff at the touch tanks are knowledge.

Fantastic experience: So it go like this i witness only good things about this wonderfull educational place to visit and learn some thing extraordinarily display in a way that it all become amazing sea out there

Positive experience: They were all very nice and would answer any questions you may have. The only thing that kept me from giving a 5 was the fact that they seemed to always keep the whales on the starboard side so if you see them on the port side and had a great view they were sure to turn. Another thing is that we weren't allowed to be on the front of the upper level. If we were we could have seen much better

Positive experience: $25 for a family of four, was over an hour of taking it all. Will return on future visits to the area

Negative experience: This was such a disappointment, we walked in with 30 minutes to closing and were notified that they would be closing soon!! We said we were ok with that as we wanted to see the animals. Here is what we saw: two-three aquariums with fish, the lab had bunch of fogged up and unclear water with supposedly fish inside?? In addition they had bunch of European green crabs that some were in tuppaware and some were in a huge plastic bin. When asked what they were being fed, we were told nothing... they eat things in the water? And anyhow they were to be frozen soon....? This whole ordeal took us about 6 minutes so we decided to check out the museum part, that took another 3 minutes of exhibits that were broken and non-operative. Waste of money, but hopefully they will buy those crabs some food!

Positive experience: There isn't a million things to do here, but it has a scenic small town feel. As a visitor from Chicago, it looked quintessentially New England to me.