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Location
Best time
Plan your visit around the limited hours (Friday-Monday, 10am-4pm) and check the calendar ahead of time for special events like Schooner Fest, which transforms the harbor with sailing ships, concerts, and festivities
Visitor tip
Don't miss the knowledgeable tour guides and staff who share firsthand stories of working sailors and fishermen—ask them about the maritime history and connections to local events like 'A Perfect Storm' filming
Visitor tip
Combine your aquarium visit with the working waterfront experience and schooner tours for the full maritime education; the venue's strength is its integration of history, hands-on learning, and actual working harbor views
About Maritime Gloucester
Maritime attractions in restored harbor. Restored industrial harbor buildings, now with education & visitor centers, aquariums & exhibitions.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Aquarium & Maritime Museum
- Key Features
- Working waterfront, schooner sailing, on-the-water learning experiences
- Hours
- Friday - Monday, 10am - 4pm
- Educational Programs
- Ocean Explorers (grades 3-5), Maritime Apprenticeship (ages 16-22), internships
What visitors say
We really enjoyed seeing this museum and wanted to come here to see part of the history of where the movie A Perfect Storm was filmed. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and told stories of their own experiences of being real…
This was so pleasant to discover! It was s small but very detailed aquarium/schooner museum right on the harbor. They have a smapp but informative marine life section and very knowledgeable staff! It was interesting to see the history…
Gloucester is such a beautiful city with a working harbor. We visited for Schooner Fest and the harbor was alive with sail ships, concerts, lighted boat parades, fireworks, vendors, and food trucks.
From 315 Google reviews
Did You Know?
- Maritime Gloucester operates the Ocean Explorers program for Gloucester Public Schools, featuring 18 distinct educational experiences designed to be completed over 3 years, providing comprehensive maritime education progression
- The venue offers on-the-water learning experiences aboard the schooner Ardelle, combining interactive maritime education with active sailing, making it a working educational platform rather than just a static museum
- Tour guides at Maritime Gloucester are former working sailors and fishermen who share firsthand experiences and personal maritime stories, providing authentic historical perspective and expertise
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