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.
Top 10 Things to do on Cape Ann This Summer
By Atlantic Vacation Homes · April 1, 2026
Here’s the scoop: The towns of Gloucester, Rockport,Essex, and Manchester-by-the-Sea offer a wide variety of summer activities and entertainments. For our go-to list of the best things to do on Cape Ann when you visit, read on.
Check out our list of the top 10 things to do on Boston’s North Shore this Summer!
10. See the Lighthouses. You can drive or boat around Cape Ann to take in views of the Twin Lights on Thacher Island, the Ten Pound Island Light, and the Eastern Point Lighthouse.
8. Take a Cultural Stroll. Cape Ann Museum also offers a number of guided walks and tours throughout the area. Discover the houses painted by Edward Hopper, learn more about our local architecture, or the areas that inspired the art of Fitz Henry Lane.
**7. Go Shopping. **You can browse through many locally-owned shops and boutiques. Essex has a large selection of antique shops to explore, while on Main Street in Gloucester, on Bearskin Neck in Rockport, and in downtown Manchester-by-the-Sea, you’ll find unique and locally-made handcrafts, jewelry, clothing, art and more.
5. Watch Outdoor Performances. Enjoy unique outdoor theatre performances with Gloucester Stage! The renowned theatre organization is partnering with Windhover to create a safe, socially-distanced live theatrical performances for the 2021 season.
3. Explore the Tidal Rivers. If rivers are more your speed than the open ocean, you’ll find plenty of opportunities here. Take a guided river cruise up the Annisquam or along the Essex River. You can also explore the rivers with kayaks or canoes.
1. Go to the Beaches, of course! There’s nothing that says “Cape Ann Summer” more than spending a day at the beach. There are so many Cape Ann beaches to choose from, but here are a few options to get you started: Good Harbor Beach, Long Beach, Singing Beach, Front Beach, and Wingaersheek Beach.
There are so many things to do and see in Cape Ann, they can’t all fit on one page. Learn more by reading our Cape Ann Guide.
Atlantic Vacation Homes offers a wide variety of vacation rental homes across Cape Ann that would be perfect for your North Shore getaway. To book your accommodations, simply view available vacation rentals and enter your desired dates to get a quote. You can also call us at (978) 290-4331 to speak with a Guest Experience Specialist.
