What comes to mind when you think of a quintessential New England town? For many of us, it’s a small community with a town center, a small downtown with shops and restaurants, and perhaps a church spire that can be seen from a distance. Historical homes are as common in New England towns as seafood restaurants. We may also expect a typical town in the region to be on the rocky coast with a harbor filled with fishing boats. Encompassing just about every trait belonging to a New England town is Rockport. It’s one of the most quaint New England towns in Massachusetts.

Rockport, Massachusetts is located approximately 40 miles north of Boston in Essex County. Its population is just under 5,300 with tens of thousands more visiting during the summer months.
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Pictured here is Bearskin Neck, an area of town where you'll find numerous restaurants, boutique shops, and galleries. This part of Rockport bursts at the seams with tourists come summertime -- it's easy to see why with all it has to offer.
Set on the rocky coast, Rockport is a typical New England town that exudes charm. No wonder why it's a popular vacation spot.
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Located on Bradley Wharf is the picturesque Motif #1. The red fishing shack replica (pictured here) is one of the most photographed buildings in the state. But Rockport's beauty isn't just tied into this one location.
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Halibut Point State Park is also a stunning destination found within Rockport. Hiking here leads through the forest to a former quarry and spectacular views of the Atlantic.
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You can read more about Halibut Point State Park in this article.
And then there's Thacher Island off the coast. Here you'll find not one, but TWO lighthouses! Located about a mile from Rockport Harbor, the island can be accessed by boat.
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As a coastal town, Rockport has a large commercial fishing and lobstering industry, so it's quite common to see lobster buoys and lobster traps around town.
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While here, you may as well enjoy some incredibly fresh lobster at one of Rockport's many restaurants.
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Have you visited Rockport yet? What did you do and see while you were there? What are some other quaint New England towns in Massachusetts you love? Tell us everything in the comments!

Rockport certainly is wonderful, but there are a few additional small Massachusetts towns that are worth checking out. You can read about those towns in this post.

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