Our Murder Mystery Planner, Murder Mystery Hostest...and Walking Dead Innkeeper!

There was one very important zombie missing from the group photo we posted earlier -- our Zombie Town hostest and Murder Mystery planner, Patty the walking dead innkeeper. Check out this photo of Patty made up as one of the zombies.

Scenes from Zombie Town (Our October Murder Mystery)

A big thanks to the group that joined us for last night's Zombie Town Murder Mystery. Thanks to Mary, Sandy, Chad, John and Sheila for becoming zombies for the evening and bringing a new kind of excitement to the Blue Shutters! For those of you concerned about finding the walking dead around the Blue Shutters, no worries...they're gone. Until next Halloween. Speaking of Halloween, there are still plenty of spooky happenings planned around Gloucester and nearby Salem -- and the Blue Shutters is still decorated for this haunted holiday -- so if you can, come visit tonight or tomorrow.

After the Storm -- Come See the Surf...and the Sun!

While the rest of New England got whacked by the freak October snowstorm, here in Gloucester we saw no white stuff -- but there was plenty of wind and some wild surf...with the sun eventually breaking through the clouds. Here's a shot rom earlier this morning -- there's been more sunshine since this was taken. If you're without power or tired of looking at snow, come on up and see us. Our Murder Mystery Night is over but there's still plenty of Halloween happening here and in nearby Salem.

Enjoy the "Wintery Mix" Safe and Sound this Saturday at the Blue Shutters...and Celebrate Halloween with Us

The weatherman is predicting a "wintery mix" for this Saturday (October 29), and we can't think of a better place to settle in and watch the storm than the Blue Shutters. Why worry about driving in the rain and snow, when you can check in early at the Blue Shutters and enjoy the evening with us. Looking for a Halloween party? Why call it at early night at a friend's place when you can join us for our Murder Mystery Night that evening and then relax by the fireplace before heading up to bed? And then in the morning -- if we're lucky -- you'll awaken to a scene like this. Sound good to you? Call or email us and book a stay this Saturday night.

Join the Zombies and Come Invade the Blue Shutters for Murder Mystery Night this Saturday!

Zombies are everywhere these days -- in movies, televisions shows, books and now at the Blue Shutters. Our Murder Mystery Night is set for this Saturday, October 29, and we promised a "haunted Halloween" theme. Now we can tell you that the ghouls haunting the Shutters will be zombies. On that night, guests will become the residents of "Zombie Town" -- with characters like the zombie emperor, the zombie police chief, the zombie bounty hunter and the zombie comedian. Innkeeper Patty is pulling together everything that guests will need, and we're all preparing some spooky refreshments. There's still time to get in on this -- just call or email us. It'll be a great way to get into the spirit of Halloween!

Now Through October 27: Cape Ann Restaurant Week -- Great Food, Great Deals (and a Great Place to Relax That Evening!)

One of favorite times of the year is happening over the next days -- Cape Ann Restaurant Week. Anyone who has ever visited with us knows we're proud of the dining scene in Gloucester and surrounding communities. We're quick with a recommendation -- and always anxious to hear what our guests have to say. This week is a chance for us all to get a taste of the restaurants around Cape Ann. Now through October 27, you can get a 3-course meal at the participating restaurants for just $25.11. We're already forming our wish list -- you should too. And we have the perfect spot to relax after that great meal -- each of these restaurants is just minutes from the Blue Shutters. Check out the menus, enjoy a great meal and come tell us all about it!

Blue Shutters is Showing Off New Fall Colors

The Blue Shutters is showing off some new colors -- Ann Marie has been busy planting fall flowers, and you'll find pumpkins and scarecrows scattered around our front yard. You're invited to come up and see for yourself -- and while you're here, enjoy a walk on the beach and dinner and some live music downtown. If you sign up for our Murder Mystery Night (Octover 29), you'll get a special discount -- book Saturday night and stay Friday for half-price! Murder Mystery fun and fall colors -- does it get any better?

Witches, Vampires and other Spooky Fans of the Blue Shutters Are Ready for Halloween Fun

These next week, you're sure to see signs of Halloween at the Blue Shutters, across Cape Ann and in neighboring communities. Many guests have already headed a few miles south of Gloucester to enjoy the parades, parties and other Halloween activities in "Witch City" during their stay here. And Gloucester's Hammond Castle is now officially haunted, attracting visitors to a uniquely spooky experience. And here at the Blue Shutters, we've begun preperations for our Murder Mystery Night on Saturday, October 29. There's still time to sign on for this -- it'll be a fun evening, with plenty to time to enjoy other Halloween happenings...and other non-holiday activities like walks on the beach, dinner downtown and live music in one of the area's night-spots. Call or email us today for more information for the Murder Mystery and we'll help with other suggestions.

Join us for our Murder Mystery Night on October 29 and Get Into the Halloween Spirit!

Our Murder Mystery Night is coming up in a little more than a week -- on Saturday, October 29 -- and you still have an opportunity to get in on one of the Blue Shutters' most popular events. There are still a few spots open...all you need to do is call and make a reservation for that night (if you'd like to spend a second night, it'll be half-price!). On that evening, we'll provide the refreshments, assign you a character and props, and introduce you to other guests -- and then the fun begins. Check out these party-ers from our March Murder Mystery. While you're here that weekend, there will be plenty of time to get into the Halloween spirit -- with a visit to Gloucester's haunted Hammond Castle (which has been taken over by vampires this month) or a trip to nearby "witch city" Salem, where there's a full schedule of haunted happenings. Come join us!

Another Blue Shutters Family Affair

This was another busy weekend at the Blue Shutters, with a bachelorette party from Connecticut, some regulars from western Massachusetts, new Blue Shutters fans from greater Boston and a family from Staten Island, NY. There was mom and dad, their daughter and son-in-law, and their son and daughter-in-law...plus grandson Danny. As we've said many times in the past, the Blue Shutters is a great spot for family gatherings, and this weekend provided further proof. They enjoyed walks on the beach, fun at a local playground, dinner downtown, a road trip to nearby Newburyport...and a few sips of Irish whiskey on the front steps at the end of the day. If you haven't been back here with other family members, give it a try -- we promise you won't be disappointed.

Bringing the Beachside to Yosemite

We've shared a few photos of the Blue Shutters' travels and this time it's a shot from Yosemite Valley in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. As you can see here, the views were stunning...but we still like what we get to watch every day from the big windows overlooking Good Harbor Beach from the Main Room of the Blue Shutters. Next time you hit the road, bring along your Blue Shutters sweatshirt or tee and snap a photo. If you send it along, we'll spotlight it here.

Blue Shutters Helps Create WebCam Mania in Gloucester

When we launched the Blue Shutters BeachCam this summer, we hoped a few friends of the Blue Shutters -- and prospective guests -- would take notice. In fact, the reaction was beyond expectations -- and now webcam-mania is sweeping through all of Cape Ann. We actually got the idea for a webcam from our friends at Good Morning Gloucester, where we spotted a FiestaCam with images of the carnival at the St. Peter's Feast in late June. Good Morning Gloucester is now leading the charge to get other webcams installed around Cape Ann, giving everyone a look at restaurants, the harbor and other popular spots. You can visit a new site to see the current webcams and sign up for alerts when new live video comes online. But remember, there will always be one Blue Shutters BeachCam, with views of everyone's favorite Good Harbor Beach.

You'll Enjoy the Blue Shutters, Good Harbor and Cape Ann...Rain or Shine

We had a great year weather-wise, with some very summer-like temperatures right into the fall -- including an 80-degree day in early October. But it does rain here at times...and when it does guests find a different kind of beauty around the Blue Shutters. This is a photo sent to us by Tom from NY, who told us "I forgot about it being overcast it was still so beautiful." And there are also other ways to enjoy Cape Ann -- with or without sun...including restaurants and night-spots, gallaries and shops, museums and historic homes. So while we wish you sunny weather every time you visit, don't worry if it's a little wet.

Taste of Latin America Open House Returns Sunday November 20

On Sunday November 20, we're celebrating the return of our "Taste of Latin America Open House" -- an event that has become a Blue Shutters tradition and a favorite among friends of the inn who are looking for a unqiue holiday gift (or something nice for themselves).

On that afternoon -- from 2pm - 5pm -- the Blue Shutters becomes a bazaar where you can select from a collection of artisan-crafted sterling silver jewelry and items made from sustainable resources of the Amazonian rainforest and elsewhere in Ecuador. Why Ecuador? All the proceeds from the sale of these items go to benefit Por Cristo, a Massachusetts-based non-profit organization that has been providing healthcare to the poor in Ecuador for the past 30 years (Por Cristo is headed by a longtime friend of the Blue Shutters innkeepers, Joe Reardon).

Those who join us will also be able to enjoy a menu of Latin American delicacies courtesy of our guest chef, Mark Sapienza of the Langham Hotel, and a selection of wines from South America.

And it all happens with beautiful Good Harbor Beach as a backdrop -- giving you a good reason to come walk the beach or check out the shops and galleries downtown.

We hope you can be our guest for this special Blue Shutters event -- please call or email us for more information.

The Kids at Alright at the Blue Shutters -- Along with Brides, Grooms, Wedding Guests, Cyclists and Vacationers

With an amazing beach just outside our doors, an inviting main room and a vareity of comfortable guest rooms, we've found that the Blue Shutters is a great spot for families with kids. Even those guests without little ones in tow seem to enjoy watching kids have fun around the Blue Shutters. So long as the children are well-behaved, everyone wins! Here are three cuties who were here this weekend with their parents. And just to give you an idea of the cross-section of folks who shared the Shutters with them these past few days....we had a newlywed bride and groom, a number of guests attending another wedding in Essex, two contestants in a Gloucester bicycle race and some old friends from New Jersey who are newcomers to the Blue Shutters.