Editors’ Choice
Halibut Point State Park
Rockport
At the heart of Halibut Point is an early 20th-century quarry that is now filled with water and ringed by trees, creating a unique and picturesque centerpiece for the property. A trail circles the quarry with numbered stops along the way; download the park guide to learn about the history of the spot at each location. Miles of additional trails let visitors explore the rocky shoreline or take in views that reach as far as Maine on a clear day.
Gott Ave., Rockport, 978-546-2997, mass.gov/locations/halibut-point-state-park
Readers’ Choice
Maudslay State Park
Newburyport
With a combination of formal gardens, wooded walks, and rolling meadows, Maudslay State Park is an ideal place to walk, bicycle, or picnic. Some of the biggest naturally occurring stands of mountain laurel in the state set the park ablaze with flowers in the spring.
74 Curzon Mill Rd., Newburyport, 978-465-7223, maudslayassociation.org