by Charlene Peters

Created on: May 12, 2009   Last Updated: May 27, 2009

The feel of vacationing in Bermuda, Nantucket or even Hawaii is one that may be achieved without having to endure up to a 12-hour flight, or even a long car ride followed by a ferry ride and a lot of walking. The coast of the North Shore offers an assortment of seaside communities, but Rockport is a must-see. The majestic quarries of Rockport offer a unique aesthetic and walking experience, where you'll find stillness and peace among the surrounding minerals.

Halibut Point State Park offers a self-guided walking path where you can circle the quarry or take another path to the adjacent ocean.

Bearskin Neck is reminiscent of Quebec City, with its narrow streets and French shops filled with pedestrians, browsing through art galleries and stopping in the vast array of eateries along the way. Around the corner, a musician may be heard playing James Taylor tunes, adding to the ambience, while sea scents intermingle with smells of nearby lobster, chocolate, candy and strudel at Helmut's Strudel Shop.

Although this area is a drive-through, it's best to park outside Bearskin Neck and alongside Main Street. (Note: If you go on a Sunday, you must feed the meter or you'll get ticketed for sure.)

The arts scene is worth the trip on its own, but if you go, be sure to visit Square Circle Gallery on Dock Square, where artwork forms such as vitreography of Beatles images, serigraphs and Judaic micro calligraphy artwork offers unique art forms. Check out Boston Night at the Met, by Fazzino, a New York artist, as well as works by Jim Lewk, an artist who incorporates hot-air balloons of blown glass paired with copper sculptures of shipwrecks, lighthouses and men on bikes.

Borsari Gallery on Tuna Wharf in Bearskin Neck highlights photography by Andrew Borsari, who successfully captures lighting and nature that might only be peripherally viewed by most passersby. His unique vision is highlighted in this gallery worth browsing through, if only to view the reflection of Rockport through a house lantern, or the reflected image of the famous Rockport motif of boats in the boatyard.

Dining to either satisfy a sweet tooth, a carb or seafood craving is just around the corner in the downtown area (Helmut's Strudel shop and My Place by the Sea are must-stops in Bearskin Neck. At My Place by the Sea, try the grilled lobster taco, deck side, or the sliced chicken on baguette with warmed brie). Or take a ride to fine dining at The Grand Cafe inside Emerson Inn by the Sea

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