Rockport Harborfront: Past, Present & Future

Envision Rockport's historic Harborfront being given new life as a thriving coastal destination, brimming with the charm and character that defines this quaint city. In the 1800s, the Harborfront was home to La Playa Hotel, a beacon of the area's city center. Though a devastating hurricane took it down, Rockport’s Harborfront rose again in the early and mid-1900s, becoming a bustling center for seafaring businesses and local commerce, with prominent names like RYSCO and Jackson Seafood. As seafaring businesses slowed down in the 80's, the Harborfront was eventually abandoned, and has been a fenced off, vacant field for the last 35 years.

Now, as we look to the future, imagine this storied Harborfront being revitalized once more. Picture a boardwalk alive with families walking along the waterfront, enjoying the new businesses, cozy restaurants, and artisan shops. The echoes of its maritime past will blend seamlessly with a new vision, and the history remembered through historic markers along the boardwalk —a boardwalk that embraces Rockport’s heritage while carving out a future as a destination for families, artists, and entrepreneurs. Just as it did in the past, Rockport’s Harborfront is ready to thrive again, welcoming future generations to experience the magic of its coastal history and cultural arts presence.

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