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Stage Fort Park & Welcoming Center
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
8 reviews for Stage Fort Park & Welcoming Center
8 reviews in English
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Review from Jenna A.
Gloucester, MA
7/29/2010
Stage Fort Park isn't really one of those places that come to mind when I think of my childhood. Maybe I just took it for granted back then. Maybe we didn't visit very often, even though we lived right down the street at one point. I don't know. What I DO know is that as a teenager, and now as an adult, I love the place.
Other reviewers have commented that it's $10 to park. If you don't have children with you, I'd suggest finding a place to park on the boulevard instead. Free parking! It's a nice walk right along the ocean, too. What's so bad about that?
Stage Fort has everything you might need, right in one area. There's a great playground -- definitely the best playground on Cape Ann -- with tire swings and slides and things to climb on and see-saws. There's a ton of wide open grassy land to play frisbee, and even a baseball field. (If tennis is your thing, there's a tennis court down the hill from the park -- not technically part of Stage Fort, but close enough.)
There are two beaches, too, and even though they're small, they're usually not packed full of people. It's definitely a good area for kids, because you don't have to worry about losing them on a huge beach like Good Harbor.
The bottom of the Welcoming Center has public restrooms, which is always a good thing... and I believe there's a porta-potty outside of The Cupboard, too. Speaking of The Cupboard, during the summer, this is the best place to grab some food. You can eat there or take it across the street to the park and hang out on the picnic tables.
But my favorite part of the place is the walking trails. They're all very short, but still a lot of fun. One brings you to the top of that huge rock you see by the baseball field. Or you can walk down to the cannons and look out over the ocean. It's beautiful, it really is. -
Review from Jeff D.
6/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Only stopped here briefly, but it was a lovely and picturesque place to walk around and kill some time.
Maybe I timed it right (early June) but we didn't pay anything to park at about 4pm or so. -
Review from Gianna L.
Cambridge, MA
8/1/2011
Compared to Good Harbor, Stage Fort Park is affordable ($15 for the day vs. $25 at GH). However, I left wondering what I paid this $15 for...
I wasn't paying for them to clean the restrooms -- they were cramped, dirty, and smelly. I wasn't paying for a shower after a salt-water dip since there isn't a shower. I wasn't paying for them to maintain the lawn since it was dry as all get out and very patchy.
Anyway, despite my negativity the two beaches in this area are about average. One is very ROCKY -- so be prepared and bring beach chairs instead of just a blanket or be prepared to lounge on the lawn. The water is frigid but bearable if you can suck it up and it's oh-so crystal clear! There is a summer shack called The Cupboard just off the beach with pretty reasonable prices given that they could really rip you a new one and even some tasty fried seafood options (the clams were tasty!). -
Review from Tom T.
Lowell, MA
7/19/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Very clean and relaxing beach. It can get really crowded
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Review from Nina U.
Waltham, MA
7/4/2011
The beach was small and dirty. $15 to park- Crane Beach is well worth the $25 compared to this. I will NEVER go here again.
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Review from Kate G.
Burlington, MA
8/22/2009
This park is so much fun. It boasts 2 beaches, a ton of open space for games and whatnot and there is even a small restaurant on site. The key here is to get there early, and be prepared to walk especially if you are using the beaches.
We recently spent the morning at Half Moon Beach and loved it. It's small enough to be able to see everything yet there's a lot of room to spread out.
With the beaches, the playgrounds, the dining facility and everything it has to offer the fact that it's only $10 to get in is amazing considering the bigger more popular beaches in the area are at least double that and are always much more crowded. This has become our beach of choice. -
Review from Kathleen M.
Lowell, MA
7/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
First time ever to Gloucester. My boyfriend took my daughter and I here and it was amazing. I really love places like this! The parking was free on Sunday & the sand was amazingly soft! Tons of fun exploring to do for all of us. The snack stand wasn't open and I'm not complaining because there was an ice cream truck to get any drinks we needed. There are plenty of places to cook out and lay out some towels and relax $ a playground for the kids. We spent most of the time relaxing on the rocks and listening to the water. It was both peaceful and fun. We found all sorts of critters....crabs, lobsters, mussles, and snails in the ocean. My daughter had a blast and so did we! I will definitely go back, in fact I can't wait! The gazebo is really nice and the view of the ocean and surroundings are fantastic. They even had a live band in the gazebo at night. Definitely would recommend this place :)
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Review from heide i.
Cambridge, MA
1/17/2008 2 photos
I am cold and bitter. I am searching for my happy place. Ah, yes, it's the beach in the summer.
One of the many perks of being a bartender is to be home during the day. All summer long my son, my little brother and I pack up the car and head to Stage Fort Park. Unlike Wingaersheek Beach and Good Harbor Beach that are both $20-25 to park, you can afford this beach. It is only $10 a day to park here and it still has all the amenities of the other beaches. Bathrooms until 5pm, but don't worry the ocean is there around the clock.
Stage Fort Park has a great play ground, a huge field to play ball, frisbee, tag... You can bring grills and pets, both must stay on the park area. Picnic tables and trees for shade in case you need it.
Then there are the beaches, Cressey and Half Moon. Cressey is rocky and fun to explore, but I have never laid out there. Half Moon is so perfect for everyone. It is a small sandy area where you could never loose anyone. You can't drift in the beach area. There are tons of huge rocks to climb, and tide pools. Your kids may get to see starfish, barnacles, or little cute crabs. There is a life guard on duty most of the day. Climb the rocks and dive off if you dare.
It can get crowded. People have huge parties on the park part. I think you can get permits to reserve space. It is beautiful and fun. It also has an amazing view from the rocks above.
There is also an icecream/hotdog/ff/yummy stand across the street. Will the warm sunny days every come back???
