Looking for something fishy to do over this Independence Day weekend? There’s plenty to do on and around the northshore to celebrate this great nation and pay tribute to one of its oldest industries- fishing. And where better to celebrate than America’s oldest seaport? If you plan your day just right, you can stop at Turner’s in Salem on the way home for dinner…

Our partners at the Maritime Gloucester always have lots of fun things to do, and this weekend is no exception.  Visit the museum and enjoy fun for the whole family including the following:

The Sea Pocket Touch Tank Aquarium offers visitors – especially young people — a chance to become very familiar with the creatures of Cape Ann’s coastal habitats. Fishermen and divers routinely offer new specimens for our tanks. Educators and interns are there to help you touch and learn about the animals and their habitats.

The Gorton’s Seafoods Gallery houses “Fitting Out” an exhibit focusing on the shoreside industries that supported the local fleet at the dawn of the 20th century. This exhibit celebrates the Gloucester port and fishing fleet and includes elegant ship models, historic photos, a standing rig, artifacts ranging from oilskins to foghorns to sailmaker’s tools, and multiple interactive stations.

and, Maritime Gloucester’s newest exhibit is an exciting addition called “The Think Tank“- an interactive display that “is designed to welcome all to the table to have a conversation about the challenges one faces when managing fisheries.” Launched on World Oceans Day on 6/8 of this year, this exhibit is sure to get you thinking about some of the issues surrounding our local fishery. Check it out by clicking here.

Since there may be rain in the forecast, the Peabody Essex Museum may be the place to visit this weekend to stay dry. They are open all weekend (including the 4th) and regularly feature a Maritime Art exhibit.  Currently, they are also hosting a special exhibit called Turner and the Sea, which has been well received.  And the museum is just steps from Turner’s Salem location!

Looking to get out on the water this weekend? Check out the Schooner Fame of Salem or the Schooner Ardele for details on tickets and sail times.

Happy Independence Day!