The maritime center, which focuses on the area’s maritime history and marine life, provides a variety of year-round programs. My kids loved the Sea Pocket Touch Tank Aquarium, where they could touch starfish and lobsters. From the docks, join a public sail aboard the Ardelle, a 58-foot pinky schooner that was built by the ship’s captain in Essex, using reclaimed boat parts. His love and the Cape’s community support are evident in his stories, and he sails daily May through October, accommodating 49 passengers. The Gorton’s Seafood Gallery honors Gloucester’s history as the home to Gorton’s, and the exhibit includes model ships, ship maker tools and historic photos.