Foliage

Fall Foliage Cider & Donut Cruises

Take a guided tour of the Essex Massachusetts Marshes with Essex River Cruises this Autumn

Essex River Cruises hosts a narrated sightseeing tour that winds down the beautiful Essex River aboard Essex River Queen, a pontoon boat. We’ll cruise up close to Hog/Choate Island to get a view of the area's magnificent dark spruce forest. See the leaves change into brilliant hues of yellow and orange. Enjoy complimentary hot cider and donuts from Russell Orchard of Ipswich. Don’t miss this magnificent opportunity to view some of New England’s most spectacular fall foliage.

When:

Saturdays & Sundays through October 2025 1-3 pm

Monday, October 13, 2025 1-3pm

Location:

Essex River Cruises & Charters

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Annual Ravenswood Trail Race

Race the trails at Ravenswood Park during the height of Cape Ann foliage season

Run the trails of Ravenswood Park during the height of foliage season this year at the Ravenswood Trails Race! This 4.1-mile trail race provides a beautiful overview of Ravenswood Park at the height of fall color, from rugged trails and boardwalks to carriage roads and stunning vistas.

When:

Sunday, October 19, 2025 9am

Location:

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Lighthouse & Foliage Cruise

See North Shore Fall Foliage from the water on this lighthouse tour!

Mahi Cruises & Charters invites you to take in the changing colors of fall by boat on a cruise out of Salem Massachusetts Harbor. Passengers will visit out five historic lighthouses during this 14-mile harbor loop through Beverly, Manchester, Salem & Marblehead. This 1 hour 45 minute tour gets you up close to view the lighthouses from the water, and gives you a brand new perspective on the splendor of the North Shore's changing fall foliage.

When:

Fridays-Sundays through October 10:30am-Noon

Thursdays through October 12:30-2pm

Mondays, October 9 & 30, 2023 12:30-2pm

Tuesday, October 31, 2023 12:30-2pm

Location:

Mahi Cruises & Charters

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All Family Field Trips: Foliage and Fall Preparations for Wildlife

Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the North Shore. Joppa Flats' engaging and experienced staff will introduce families to local beaches, forests, and wetlands to make observations in nature, identify wildlife, and enjoy hands on science activities outdoors. Sign up for one, some, or all!

When:

Friday, October 20, 2023 10am-Noon

Location:

Cedar Pond Wildlife Sactuary

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Ward Fall Foliage Fun Day

Join the Trustees on the top of Holt Hill to kick off the Fall foliage season with phenomenal views of Boston framed by gorgeous autumn color. Enjoy guided hikes to the unexplored areas of Ward Reservation. Take part in family activities including kite making and lawn games. Enjoy some of your favorite fall treats, like apple cider donuts, and roast marshmallows for s’mores.

When:

Saturday, October 14, 2017 11am-2pm

Location:

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Mothers Day Jazz Cruise

Bring mom on a Jazz cruise around Salem Sound for Mother's Day!

reat your mom to an experience she won’t soon forget! Love your mom and can’t think of a good gift? You can’t go wrong with our Sunday Jazz Brunch! We’ll cruise through Salem Sound to the melodic and soothing music our live jazz band.

When:

Sunday, May 8, 2016 11:30am 1:30pm

Location:

Mahi Cruises & Charters

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Afternoon Sightseeing Cruise

Take a seat in your classroom-on-the-sea. Absorb the invigorating sea and the rich history of Salem Sounds and its storied ocean front estates with Mahi Cruises & Charters. This tour gets you up close to view the coastline from the water, and gives you a brand new perspective on the splendor of the North Shore's coast.

When:

September 15, 2012 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Location:

Mahi Cruises & Charters

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Landmark Summer Program at Landmark School in Beverly Massachusetts

Today's Events
Upcoming Events

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Stargazing at Mendel Observatory

The Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night (weather permitting) starting at dusk or 7:30 pm, whichever is later. When special astronomical events of interest occur (total lunar eclipses, etc.) the Obs

Where: Mendel Observatory at Merrimack College

7:00 pm

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Thursday, May 21

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Friday, May 22

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Saturday, May 23

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Family Day at the Bird Banding Station

There's nothing like a visit to Parker River National Wildlife Refuge for wonderful family nature experiences, and seeing the bird banding station in operation is at the top of the list. See Mass Audubon scientists evaluate, examine, and release migrating songbirds while you learn about migration...

Where: Joppa Flats Education Center

9:00 am to 11:30 am

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Turtle Time at IRWS

Explore our wetlands in search of these fascinating reptiles. Walk about a half mile to visit areas where turtles like to nest and bask in the sun, look at and touch real turtle shells, and, with a little luck, get an up-close look at a painted turtle. Conclude with a trip to the Rockery to see if...

Where: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

10:00 am to 2:30 pm

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CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike

Come explore the lesser-visited corners of Castle Hill and its surroundings with us this season. This hike is a CraneOutdoors guide favorite because it’s got a little bit of all the things that make the Crane Estate such a special place…

Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

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4th Saturday at Lynn Museum

Come to the Lynn Museum and Historical Society for FREE family fun. Join us on the second and fourth Saturday of each month for FREE admission to the Museum from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.! You can view our latest exhibitions, purchase Lynn-themed goods in our shop, check out books in our free library, and...

Where: Lynn Museum and Historical Society

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

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The Legacies of Long Hill: House & Garden Tour

The Trustees of Reservations invite you to join our expert guides for a tour around Long Hill’s stunning Sedgwick Gardens and learn more about the special plants. Step inside the beauty and layered history of Long Hill with a guided tour of its breathtaking gardens and historic house. Once the...

Where: Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens

10:30 am to 12:00 pm

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Family Dusk Paddles

Have you ever seen a muskrat swimming or a beaver slapping its tail in alarm? We'll look for these elusive mammals while canoeing along the Ipswich River at dusk. Discover some of the clues—such as chewed trees, lodges, or burrows on the riverbank--that they leave behind as we paddle.

Where: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

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