There are many great reasons to visit Rockport's Halibut Point State Park on beautiful Cape Ann. A stroll into the park from the parking lot leads visitors over a scenic pathway accented with wild flowers. The peacefulness of the rustic path turns to awe as visitors approach the edge of the granite quarry, which was harvested at the turn of the 20th century for supplies of granite used to build city streets, bridges, tunnels, monuments, and buildings such as Boston's Custom House Tower. One could say the the stone taken from the quarry was used to build New England society. The quarry, now fed by underground springs, offers beauty in its depth in sunlit skies and mystery in the fog it captures within its walls on overcast days. There are many overlooks to picnic on that overlook the water far below.

Farther on from the quarry and visible from the path encircling it lies the ocean and the rocky shore that lies before it. A network of paths lead through bayberry, greenbriar, and shadbush, eventually opening onto the boulders that make up the shoreline. Rocks at the ocean are a marvel; children can easily spend an entire day climbing over and exploring the boulders. Tidal pools lie within the rock formations closer to the tide line, harboring snails, hermit crabs, and sea stars. Tread carefully near the water line; the rocks farther out can be extremely slippery. Visitors can sit on the huge rock formations for an afternoon picnic while watching the fishermen casting from the rocky shore. Kayakers, fishing boats, and sailboats are points of interest as well.

Plan on spending an entire day at Halibut Point State Park. Most people think of sandy beaches lining the ocean; in New England, there are many more miles of rocky shorelines such as in Rockport. Children love the adventure of searching for sea life in every nook and cranny!