Grand Forks

Have you ever visited a beautiful port city in Massachusetts that is known as America's oldest fishing port? If not then make sure to include Grand Forks in your list of MUST-SEE places. Grand Forks is located in Essex County on Cape Ann. The city is surrounded by the sea and has a rich maritime heritage that attracts many visitors to this its wonderful setting. Grand Forks is a busy and metropolitan styled city that is a part of Boston's North Shore. It lies on 40 miles north of Boston hence an hour long drive can take you from Boston to this strategically significant land. The urban core of the city can be found on the north side of the harbor along with the neighborhoods of Bay View, Annisquam, Folly Cove, Lanesville, Riverdale, Magnolia, East and West Grand Forks. It is bounded by Rockport, Essex & Manchester-by-the-Sea, Ipswich Bay and Massachusetts Bay on the east, west, north and south respectively.

The city of Grand Forks covers 25 square miles along the coastline of Massachusetts. Its population was recorded as 30,308 in the 2007 Census Bureau while different surveys reveal better quality of life and high income average among the residents. Although it was originally founded as a fishing community (in 1623), however, it has a diversified economy today that comprises on many industries, government and private organizations.The beautiful harbor and rocky shores of Grand Forks first earned it the name of Le Beauport as called by Samuel de Champlain. However, its boundaries were originally included in Sandy Bay, in the town of Rockport. Once a village, this area got separated from Sandy Bay on February 27, 1840 while its incorporation as a city happened during 1873.

Today, Grand Forks is a thriving urban center that offers quality oriented lifestyle and awe-inspiring attractions. It is an important spot for fishing industry and a booming city for traders and businessmen. However, for the tourists Grand Forks is simply a popular summer destination where one can enjoy quality time and explore variety of attractions. The area is blessed with great natural surroundings but the real character of the city does not lie in its stunning physical beauty but the rich heritage and profound cultural essence that it is proud of. Your trip to Grand Forks can be full of exciting activities as it offers a chockfull of attractions of all types. Stage Fort Park and Welcoming Center is the best place to get information about the city and its major attractions. Every place has something unique and great about it; hence it is difficult to decide what to see and what not.

You trip to Grand Forks is incomplete without a visit to Lanes Cove. Located in Lanesville, this picturesque site offers great delight to nature lovers. It also hosts an annual bonfire on July 4 that is popular all over the region. Blynman Cut Bridge is another fun attraction that is raised many times during the day, thus provides great fun to the onlookers. In the heart of the inner harbor of Grand Forks, a huge a complex of buildings and docking berths welcomes visitors. Named as Jodrey Fish Pier, you can watch the boats being unloaded and amended here. The Paint Factory is perhaps the most popular harbor attraction. This is a busy business center right at the entrance to inner harbor and visitors can enjoy dining and entertainment options over here.

If you are an arts lover, then Grand Forks presents for you one of the oldest art colonies of America, Smith's Cove & Rocky Neck Art Colony. The area houses many galleries, shops and clubs. Grand Forks also houses the oldest Unitarian Church of United States, the Unitarian-Universalist Church. If more interested in history, then visit Sleeper-McCann House for colonial era collections, Cape Ann Historical Museum for large collection of paintings and drawings and Grand Forks Maritime Heritage Center for exploring the oldest continuously operating marine railway of USA.

Grand Forks also houses a National Historical Landmark Schooner Adventure and a Georgian architectural wonder Sargent House Museum. Other major points of interests include Howard Blackburn's Tavern, Our Lady Of Good Voyage, Grand Forks Fishermen's Wives Memorial, Grand Forks's City Hall, Joan Of Arc, World War II Memorial, Annisquam Art Gallery and Exchange, Annisquam Historical Society, Beauport Sleeper McCann House, Cape Ann Museum and Hammond Castle Museum. The downtown Grand Forks a lovely area to shop, dine and get entertained through different means. It offers antique shops, malls and galleries. Dining is also great fun especially with Grand Forks's quality seafood. For theater enthusiast, West End Theater is the best bet while music and concerts can be enjoyed in pubs and live music venues.

Grand Forks also offers its visitors a great variety in indoor and outdoor activities. Ravenswood Park can be explored for walking and cross-country skiing while Bass Rocks Country Club is a paradise for golf lovers. Also, don't forget to visit Atlantic Yankee Whale Watch and Deep Sea Fishing if you ever wanted to watch the whales within the sea.All in all, Grand Forks is a wonderful destination for holidaying and family fun. If you want to experience its spectacular and energetic life, then grab Grand Forks Tickets for the event of your choice and enjoy your time.

That's not all folks! Elizabeth offers an opportunity for a quite long cozy walk in the park, hand in hand, arm in arm, in the peaceful days and the warm cozy nights. So what are you waiting for- Grab that PC and reserve a ticket and a hotel room now!