Tour

On-the-River Cruise for Families

Explore the lower Merrimack River ecosystem with Lisa Hutchings from Joppa Flats Education Center and the crew of the Yankee Clipper

Join Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center on a On-the-River Science cruise aboard Newburyport Harbor Tours Inc.'s Yankee Clipper through the Merrimack River Estuary! Teacher Naturalist, Lisa Hutchings and the crew of the Yankee Clipper will guide a unique cruise where participants will do some birdwatching, examine marine plankton, and investigate tide pool touch tubs on every trip. Enjoy cruising and learning about this vital part of the area's natural history.

When: 
Saturday June 24, 2023 8:45-10:45am
Saturday, July 15, 2023 8:45-10:45am
Saturday, August 12, 2023 8:45-10:45am
Saturday, September 16, 2023 8:45-10:45am

Ocean Views Walk from Ravenswood to Rafe's Chasm

Take a hike along the newly created trail links the southern edge of the Trustees of Reservation's Ravenswood Park with the City of Gloucester's Rafe's Chasm Park.

Follow trip leader Dave Marro (Cape Ann Trail Stewards Board Member and Chair of the Magnolia Woods Advisory Committee) for a hike along a trail that links the southern edge of the Trustees of Reservations Ravenswood Park with the City of Gloucester’s Rafe’s Chasm Park. The walk will include spectacular views of the ocean from the dramatic Rafe’s Chasm cliffs. Participants should be prepared to walk on uneven trails for 3 miles round trip.. This event is part of Trails & Sails.

When: 
Saturday, September 16, 2023 10am-1pm
Location: 

The Wetu and the White-Ellery House

Visit the Native American WETU at White Ellery House in Gloucester Massachusetts

Visit the Cape Ann Museum (CAM) Green, the Museum’s second campus off Grant Circle and Route 128, for a tour of the historic White Ellery House (1710) and the newly constructed Native wetu. These two structures provide an important opportunity to explore the early colonization of Gloucester and the impact on the Native people of the area. . You can learn more about the wetu here and watch a video of it’s construction on the CAM website. Registration Required. Part of Trails & Sails.

When: 
Friday, September 15, 2023 10-11am
Friday, September 15, 2023 10-11am

Farmhouse Wood-Fired at Appleton Farms

Join the Trustees for Farmhouse Wood-Fired every Friday through Sunday at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts

Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets for a perfect wood-fired pizza experience surrounded by the idyllic beauty of Appleton Farms. The menu will change weekly, featuring local and seasonal ingredients, including produce from our own farm. Pizza varieties will include cheese, meat and seasonal veggie, with other options available such as artisan pastries, seasonal salads and lighter fare.

When: 
Fridays through November 2023 4-7pm
Saturdays & Sundays through November 2023 12-5pm
Location: 

Halloween on the Hill

The Trustees host a celebration of Autumn and Halloween at Long Hill Sedgewick Gardens in Beverly Massachusetts

The Trustees of Reservations invite you to tour the gardens at Long Hill Gardens in Beverly, Massachusetts to celebrate Autumn and Halloween! Come explore our beautiful property as we transform Long Hill into a celebration of autumn and the Halloween season. As always, there are a few new surprises and of course many more pumpkins this year. Follow our seasonal-themed trail that will feature over 1,000 jack-o’-lanterns, hundreds of mums, elaborate Halloween decorations, light displays, music, and more. This is the perfect Halloween event for the whole family!

When: 
Wednesdays-Sundays, September 29 - October 29, 2023 5:30-8:30pm

The Lady of Salem: Maritime Art

Learn about the history of Salem Massachusetts through this unique public art installation self-guided tour!

Discover Salem’s Golden Age of Sail as you uncover clues! Celebrate America’s Maritime History! The Ladies of Salem will have you looking up at whimsical and beautifully designed figureheads gracing lampposts downtown. “What is a figurehead ?” you may ask? It’s a large carved wooden decorative three dimensional representation of a person, animal or mythical creature located at the bow (forward part) of a sailing ship. They were thought to bring good luck as the “eyes” of the ship. Each “Lady” has a unique story to tell. Enjoy your journey!

When: 
June-October 2023

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A Landmark Summer Experience at Landmark School in Beverly Massachusetts prepare students for success in the fall and beyond.

Trails & Sails

Explore the North Shore with over 150 Free Events in Essex National Heritage Area's Trails & Sails celebration in Massachusetts.
Essex National Heritage Area sites will offer over 150 free family fun events from September 15-24, 2023 for the annual celebration of TRAILS & SAILS. Discover special places in your backyard and be guided through unique landscapes on land and sea, explore historic properties, and take in...
7:00 am to 10:00 pm

Tour de Greenbelt

Essex County Greenbelt will host their annual road cycle event to raise funds for conservation efforts on the North Shore!
SEPTEMBER 15: RIDE IS CANCELED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, PLEASE RIDE VIRTUALLY SEPTEMBER 18-24! VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION. Essex County Greenbelt Association will host the annual road cycle event to raise funds for conservation efforts on the North Shore! Cycling enthusiasts of all...
7:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sculpture at Maudslay | Fracture

Artists will install their sculptures at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport for public viewing!
Enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the 24th Annual Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay Exhibit September 10 through October 1 featuring 50 site specific sculptures by local artists addressing this year’s theme, ‘Fracture' within the magnificence of Maudslay State Park in Newburyport. Look for the large...
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

The Flying Horse outdoor sculpture exhibit features works by José Criollo and many others at Pingree School in Hamilton Massachusetts
Pingree School hosts the 14th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, MA. Pingree will display more than 50 temporary works by artists from as nearby as Hamilton and as far away as the state of Washington, including 20 works that are now in the school’s...
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Visit the Saugus Iron Works Museum

Visit the Saugus Iron Works Museum and learn about the history of iron making in Massachusetts
Learn about the history of iron making at the Saugus Iron Works Museum. Exhibits include artifacts excavated during the archaeological dig performed on-site in the 1940s-1950s.
9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Corn MAiZE and Haunted Attractions at Connors Farm - Danvers

Corn MAiZE, Maze and Haunted Attractions at Connors Farm - Danvers, Massachusetts
Come to Connors Farm to find your way through this year's maze and enjoy many family fun activities! After completing the maze, stay and have some fun around the farm. Children enjoy apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, and most of all, visiting the barnyard animals.
9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Crescent Farm Corn Maze

Crescent Farm corn maze in Haverhill Massachusetts
Imagine the biggest puzzle you’ve ever seen. Now imagine a day in the sunshine with your friends or family. Now add an adventure that takes teamwork and memory skills. All these things and more can be found at Crescent Farms Corn Maze. Crescent Farm Corn Maze trails cut into 9 acres of corn. Inside...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Lynn Museum Trails & Sails Free Admission

The Lynn Museum Will offer free admission during Trails and Sails in Massachusetts!
Come to the Lynn Museum and Historical Society for free admission on during Trails & Sails! As part of Trails & Sails, we are offering complimentary visits to the Lynn Museum on Friday, September 15, Thursday, September 21, and Friday, September 22. Stroll through one of our exhibitions...
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Student Explorations: The Great Marsh and Climate Change

Student Explorations: The Great Marsh and Climate Change at the Cox Reservation in Essex, Massachsuetts
Join Essex County Greenbelt Association at the Cox Reservation in Essex, Massachusetts where art, science and the Great Marsh all come t
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Abbot Hall Scavenger Hunt

The famous painting 'The Spirit of '76' by Archibald Willard at Abbot Hall in Marblehead Massachusetts
Did you know the famous painting The Spirit of '76 painting resides at Abbot Hall in Marblehead? Have some family fun at Marblehead’s historic Abbot Hall!
Where: Abbot Hall
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works House Tours

Free Ranger guided tours of the Saugus Iron Works House in Massachusetts
Join National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a 30-minute tour of The Iron Works House.
11:00 am

Kidleidoscope

Kidleidoscope at Maudslay State Park is a chance for preschoolers to explore the park, enjoy a story and make a craft!
Maudslay State Park has created this program for their youngest crowd! For the young set that loves nature, the park interpreter will lead a three-part preschool aged program that includes a story, craft & walk that involves outdoor exploration. A different nature topic each week so come every...
11:00 am

Hayrides at Appleton Farms | Fridays

Hayrides at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts are fun for the whole family!
Experience the beautiful scenery, crisp air and changing and vibrant colors of Appleton Farms in the fall as you enjoy a hayride across ths idyllic property. Rides will depart every twenty minutes between 12-4pm on weekends and 4-7pm on Fridays. Space is limited, pre-registration is strongly...
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Farmhouse Wood-Fired at Appleton Farms

Join the Trustees for Farmhouse Wood-Fired every Friday through Sunday at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts
Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets for a perfect wood-fired pizza experience surrounded by the idyllic beauty of Appleton Farms. The menu will change weekly, featuring local and seasonal ingredients, including produce from our own farm. Pizza varieties will include cheese, meat and seasonal...
12:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Hamilton-Wenham Farmers' Market

Hamilton-Wenham Community House hosts a Popup farmers market on the front lawn!
The Hamilton-Wenham Farmers’ Market is a food and flower market presented by The Community House. Vendor offerings must be grown, raised, or produced within 100 miles of Hamilton.
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Kickball Tournament at Salisbury Beach

Salisbury Days Kickball Tournament at Lions Park Salisbury Beach in Massachusetts
Round up your peeps and join us for an all ages game of kickball at Lions Park! Join us for this super fun, all age event. Everyone is invited and encouraged to play!
5:30 pm

A Spiritual Quest Weekend at Hilldale Cemetery

Hilldale Cemetary in Haverhill Massachusetts is one of the North Shore's most active paranormal spots!
Do you believe in Ghosts? If you do then join the Essex County Ghost Project and Witches Wonder fort a spooktacular evening of haunts and fun . The gates open at 6:30 pm and hunt starts at 7pm . We are exploring one of New England’s most Haunted historical sites . There have been reports of full...
6:30 pm to 10:30 pm

Star Party with the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club

Join the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club in a free star party at Battis Farm as part of Trails and Sails!
In addition to the moon and Saturn we’ll be showing off an assortment of binary and double stars, nebula, clusters, and the Andromeda galaxy at the annual NSAAC star party at Battis Farm in Amesbury. Co-hosted with the Lake Gardner Improvement Association, we’ll have a number of volunteers with...
7:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Saturday, September 23

Rockport Farmers' Market

The Rockport Farmers' Market runs every Saturday at Rockport Music in Downtown Rockport!
The Rockport Exchange Farmers Market is held every Saturday June 17th - October 14th at Harvey Park in downtown Rockport, Ma (located on the corner of Broadway &  Mount Pleasant St) It runs from 9 am to 1 pm and offers a variety of locally-grown produce, hand crafted products, live music, and...
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Crescent Farm Corn Maze

Crescent Farm corn maze in Haverhill Massachusetts
Imagine the biggest puzzle you’ve ever seen. Now imagine a day in the sunshine with your friends or family. Now add an adventure that takes teamwork and memory skills. All these things and more can be found at Crescent Farms Corn Maze. Crescent Farm Corn Maze trails cut into 9 acres of corn. Inside...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

AtlAtl Days in Danvers!

See an ancient weapon demonstration at the Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Danvers Massachusetts as part of Trails and Sails!
Come to Rebecca Nurse Homestead to try your hand at ancient hunting practices! The technique of using an atlatl, or spear throwing stick, is an ancient global technology. Join us, along with the Eugene Winter Chapter of Mass Archaeological Society, as they teach you the finer points about hunting...
9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Guided Tour of the Patton Homestead

Come to the Patton Homestead in Hamilton Massachusetts for a guided Sails and Trails Tour
The tour will include facts about the property & how it was used from the 1920’s through 2012 when the Patton’s donated it to the Town of Hamilton. Marc Johnson, Friends of the Patton Homestead Board Member, and Town liaison, will lead the tour through the stables, past named family trees, and...
9:00 am to 10:30 am

Blacksmithing Saturday at the Essex Company Forge

Lawrence History Center hosts a day of blacksmithing at the Essex Company Forge in Massachusetts!
Step back in time with us for a day of blacksmithing at the Essex Company forge, the company that built the city of Lawrence! Blacksmith Richard Wright will be demonstrating the craft of traditional blacksmithing methods, forging both iron and mild steel to create items for practical use in our...
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Haverhill YMCA River Ruckus 5k

Join the fun and help the the YMCA raise funds for a great cause at the River Ruckus 5k in Haverhill Massachusetts!
Team Haverhill’s River Ruckus is an annual city-wide festival celebrating the natural resources and beauty of the Merrimack River and the economic and cultural revitalization of the City of Haverhill, MA. To join the celebration the Haverhill YMCA hosts the River Ruckus 5k. In 2022 North Shore Ys...
9:00 am

Drop in Station | Explore the Pond at Bradley Palmer

Here is your chance to go inside the Willowdale Mansion (willowdaleestate.com) for a unique guided tour. Now an event and wedding venue, this over 100 years-old Arts and Crafts style home has been beautifully restored. The second floor is not accessible. Best for ages 8 years & up.
What kinds of fascinating creatures live in or visit the ponds? Come and visit with the Park Interpreter to see if any creatures are stirring, and if any plants are flowering. Best for ages pre-K and up. This is a great family activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
9:00 am to 11:00 am

Carriagetown Car Show

Hundred of Classic Cars will be at the Carriagetown Car Show in downtown Amesbury Massachusetts, a Trails and Sails Event
Come to Downtown Amesbury to look at hundreds of collector cars. All the downtown streets will be closed to regular traffic while the Hot Rods, muscle cars and antique vehicles take over the streets.
9:00 am to 2:00 pm

CoastSweep: Palmer Cove

Join Salem Sound Coastwatch for a Coastsweep cleanup at Palmer Cove in Salem Massachusetts
As part of COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup, volunteers are encouraged to come to Palmer Cove Park and Playground to help in the statewide effort to keep our coastline clean along the shore in Salem Massachusetts. Trash collected will be measured and analyzed, and the data will be sent to Washington DC to...
9:00 am to 10:00 am

Visit the Saugus Iron Works Museum

Visit the Saugus Iron Works Museum and learn about the history of iron making in Massachusetts
Learn about the history of iron making at the Saugus Iron Works Museum. Exhibits include artifacts excavated during the archaeological dig performed on-site in the 1940s-1950s.
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
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