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Welcome to the start of Boston.com's Route 127 tour. Please keep in mind that there are some discrepencies between GPS brand units, and even some coordinates differ slightly. This tour should get you in the approximate areas of the sites. Please note that the tour meanders on and around Route 127. Also note that your GPS may try to divert you to other routes, like nearby Route 128, so you may need to override your settings to stay on Route 127. Your first stop is Independence Park in Beverly, located on Lothrop Street. The historical significant of the site occurred on July 17, 1776, when American Col. John Glover first read the Declaration of Independence to the 14th Contintental Regiment that was camped on this site. They were here to protect the port of Beverly. Prior to the revolution, the site was originally called Queens Park. Next stop will be Lynch Park, which is off Route 127.

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We've veared off Route 127 to The David S. Lynch Memorial Park, which has a notable history and is a popular attraction in Beverly, also called the Garden City. During the revolutionary war, the park was called Woodbury's Point and had seven gun batteries used to disrupt British ships after England closed Boston Harbor in June 1774. Later, the area became an attraction for the elite, and Woodbury's Point became Burgess Point, controlled by the Evans Family. The family transformed the estate into one of the finest on the North Shore. In the summers of 1909 and 1910, President William Howard Taft leased the estate's Stetson Cottage, which stood on today's Rose Garden, and made it his summer White House. Taft signed the "Treaty of Beverly" here, which laid the foundation for future U.S. tariff policies. The property eventually passed into the hands of Mrs. Evans sisters, who died in 1936 and gave the property to Beverly Hospital. David Lynch, who owned a leather manufacturing plant, wanted a nice public park for his city, and bequeathed $400,000 to the Lynch Park Board of Truestees, which used $50,000 to purchase the park in 1943. Ironically, David Lynch never lived on the land that bears his name. There is a cost to park in season, but the park offers a nice stroll along the point. The park also features a beautiful rose garden, which is the site of many weddings in season. When you leave the park, you will return to Route 127. Your next stop will be a nice scenic vista near Endicott College.

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You're now approaching a beautiful scenic vista, which overlooks the ocean. Across the street is Endicott College in Beverly. AEndicott College was founded in 1939 by Dr. Eleanor Tupper and her husband. The couple had a vision to educate women to promote their independence and help them exceed in the workplace. For years, Endicott College remained an all women's school, until it became co-educational in the 1990s as it tried to compete to gain a larger student population.

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Welcome to downtown Beverly Farms. As you continue on Route 127, you'll pass several historical mansions along with West Beach. Next stop is Manchester-by-the-Sea.

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You are arriving in downtown Manchester-by-the-Sea. Manchester is a coastal town and features lots of great shops, including bookstores, unique furniture stores, and more.

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You have taken a slight detour off Route 127 to visit Singing Beach. In season, parking is limited and there is a cost. The beach features a nice snack bar. The beach is also unique because of the sound the sand makes, which is how the beach got its name. Although there are some differing opinions on why the sand makes its unique noise, the town endorses the theory that the shape of the sand, combined with silica and certain humidity levels, allows for the unique sound. Your next stop will be the Magnolia village.

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You have veared off Route 127 again to go through the village of Magnolia, which is part of Gloucester. Magnolia also features some nice small shops and restaurants, particularly on nearby Lexington Avenue. As you continue, you will next approach Hammond Castle.

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You are now approaching Hammond Castle. John Hays Hammond Jr. built the medieval style castle between 1926 and 1929 as his home and as a backdrop for his collection of Roman, medieval, and Renaissance

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Welcome to Stage Fort Park, which is a great place to stretch your legs, have a barbeque or picnic, let the kids plan at a great playground, and more. This is also the site of Gloucester's Visitor and Welcoming Center. The park was the cite of the city's first settlement in 1623. The park also features a wonderful view of Gloucester Harbor. Your next stop will be the boardwalk and site of the Fisherman statue.

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Welcome to Gloucester's boulevard and boardwalk. This is the site of the Fisherman's Memorial. The statue, sculpted of bronze, was installed in 1925 and commemorates more than 10,000 Gloucester fisherman who have been lost at sea while earning a living for their families. You may also stroll Stacy Boulevard's boardwalk to enjoy the nice view of the harbor. Your next stop will be a quick drive to Gloucester's downtown shopping area.

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You are arriving at Gloucester's shopping district. The Main Street area features several small shops, bakeries, restaurants, and more. Your next stop is Bearskin Neck in Rockport.

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You are now arriving at Bearskin Neck in Rockport. Parking is limited, but is available at nearby town lots or onstreet parking where allowed. Bearskin Neck is a busy place in the summer time, and even the holidays, because it offers unique items and crafts. Nearby, you can shoot a photo of red Motif #1 in Rockport Harbor, which is one of the most photographed buildings in the world. After this, your next stop will be Route 128, which will bring you back to points south, including Peabody and Boston.

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You are now approaching the turnoff to Route 128 South. We hope you have enjoyed your tour of Route 127. Please check back for more vacation ideas at www.boston.com/travel.

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