Sixty-one homes across Boston’s North Shore, looked after by the family that has welcomed guests here since 1985. Book direct and skip the platform fees.
Hosted by Atlantic Vacation Homes4.74· 199 reviewsSince 1985Book direct, no service fees
Atlantic Vacation Homes4.7199 reviews · 157 Google + 35 direct + 4 Airbnb + 3 Booking.comSince 1985
Atlantic Vacation Homes is a family-owned, full-service vacation rental and real estate company rooted in the four coastal towns of Cape Ann, a little more than half an hour north of Boston.
Hear first when this host opens direct rates or adds a new place.
Waterfront antiques, beach houses a short walk from the sand, cottages in Rockport’s lanes. Three are open to book on this site today; the full collection is on atlanticvacationhomes.com.
The booking sites add a traveler fee of up to 15% to the same home you can book here. Book with us and that fee stays in your pocket, you get our Best Price Guarantee, and the person who answers the phone knows how many steps it is from the driveway to the front door.
I was born and raised in Gloucester and grew up in this business; my mother Carole built it from the ground up. I came home after college and a career in sports management to carry what she built into its next chapter, and I have worked every role here, from reservations to maintenance.
What has not changed is the promise: a home that is clean, fully equipped and exactly as described, a local team you can reach, and the best price when you book with us directly. Call us at (978) 290-4331 or write to info@atlanticvacationhomes.com with any question at all. We would love to show you our Cape Ann.
Jonathan Fonvielle
President, Atlantic Vacation Homes
Pack Lighter
A company that belongs to the place
Through our Pack Lighter program, guests leave unopened food behind and we deliver it to The Open Door food pantry in Gloucester. Our staff volunteer with the Rotary Club of Gloucester, Action, Inc., the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and Discover Gloucester; retired linens go to Cape Ann Animal Aid and the Beverly High School culinary program; and we partner with Triangle, Inc. to employ young people and adults with disabilities.
Affiliations
Partners and memberships
In motion
A few seconds on Cape Ann
The river at River Watch, the beach from Over By Good Harbor, Rockport harbour.
Cape Ann is a little under an hour from Boston and Logan Airport by car, up Route 128 to the A. Piatt Andrew Bridge. The MBTA commuter rail runs from North Station to Manchester, Gloucester and Rockport, and the CATA buses and the Rockport shuttle cover the towns in summer. Head north along the coast for Newburyport and Plum Island; south for Beverly and Salem.
Notes from the North Shore
Seasons, festivals, day trips and the homes to book for them, from the Atlantic Vacation Homes team.
6 Ways to Turn Your Long Weekend on the North Shore Into a True Summer Vacation
By Atlantic Vacation Homes · April 5, 2026
If you are in need of a summer vacation on the Massachusetts coast, but can’t seem to fit it into your schedule, consider visiting Boston’s North Shore over a long weekend. There are so many things to do and see that even a quick trip will rejuvenate you and make you feel like you were able to “get away from it all.” Here are some ideas to help you get the most out of your Cape Ann vacation getaway.
1. Go to the Beach
Nothing says “summer vacation” like a day at the beach. The North Shore has a wide array of world-class beaches, like Good Harbor Beach, Wingaersheek Beach, Singing Beach and Crane Beach, just to name a few. Spend the whole day, or if you want to get more out of your long weekend, spend just a half a day. Pro **tip: **As this is one of the area’s most popular summer activities, we recommend timing your beach visit either earlier in the day to get in before the crowds, or later in the afternoon (after 3pm) as the bulk of the visitors start leaving.
2. Go on a Whale Watch
Whale-watches are a fantastic way to spend a day out on the water and get a little marine education in at the same time. Gloucester is considered one of the best ports for whale watch trips, as it is located in between two important whale feeding areas, Stellwagen Bank and Jeffrey’s Ledge. For a great day at sea, the crew at 7 Seas Whale Watch are knowledgable and entertaining and they guarantee whale sightings on their excursions. There are both morning and afternoon whale watch options, which mean you still have plenty of time in the day to see other sights, dine in a local restaurant, or go to the beach.
3. Explore the Village of Rockport
We recommend dedicating one of your long weekend days to exploring Rockport. From Dock Square to the tip of Bearskin Neck, the vast collection of boutiques, art galleries, ice cream shops, restaurants and seafood shacks ensures something for everyone. Spend a few hours browsing on your own, or catch a free Walking Tour, given by The Rockport Cultural District. Tours start daily in summer in Dock Square. For the music aficionados: make sure you catch a performance at the incredible Shalin Liu Performance Center, located on Main Street. Search our Rockport accomodations.
When you need to take a break from touring around, sit back and relax while you watch Cape Ann’s sailboats, fishing boats, and schooners from any of these incredibly scenic vantage points: Along Stacy Boulevard and at the Cut Bridge, Stage Fort Park, Niles Beach, the Dogbar Breakwater at Eastern Point Light, the Bearskin Neck jetty, and Halibut Point.
6. Live Like a Local By Staying in a Vacation Home
Where you stay should be one of the best parts of your vacation! Atlantic Vacation Homes offers a special way to experience the North Shore. The fantastic (and cost effective) benefits of vacation rentals include extra space, a level of privacy that you won’t get in a hotel, and the amenities of a real home, like full kitchens and laundry equipment. With many properties now offering shorter 3-night stays, you can truly “live like a local” on your summer vacation or long weekend. Browse our shorter-stay vacation rentals on the Atlantic Vacation Homes website.
