Topsfield

Fall Full Moon Family Hike at IRWS

Walk through the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary lit only by the full moon

Spend an evening walking in the crisp autumn air looking and listening for nocturnal wildlife and experiencing the sanctuary in a whole new way. Let your eyes adjust to the moonlight, hear the distant hoots of owls, feel the crunch of leaves underfoot, and smell the chilly air reminding us that winter is just around the corner. Walks are leisurely in pace and lead by an experienced nature educator. What a perfect way to spend a quiet evening and give thanks for the natural wonders all around us!

When: 
Saturday, November 18, 2023 5:30-7pm
Location: 
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Topsfield
Hike
Walk
Mass Audubon

Into the Woods: Guided Halloween Hike at IRWS

At sundown this Halloween season, Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary will be transformed into a magical forest.

At sundown this Halloween season, Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary will be transformed into a magical forest. Take a guided walk along our Halloween trail, lit by glowing luminaries and home to some interesting characters that come out just for Halloween. Learn about local animals of the night and signs of the season on this, fun family-friendly walk. Allow about one and a half hours for this walk.

When: 
Friday, October 20, 2023 5-8:30pm
Saturday, October 21, 2023 5-8:30pm
Location: 
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Topsfield
Halloween
Holiday
Hike
Tour
Walk
Crafts
Haunted Tour
Mass Audubon

Topsfield Fair - Opening Day

Topsfield Fair opens the gates at 1pm Friday! Topsfield Fair is one of the longe

The Topsfield Fair is a perennial favorite for us.  We're not the biggest fans of the midway, although it is always worth a walkthrough and a ride or two.  We love fruits and vegetables, and are always on the lookout for the winning 'biggest pumpkin'.  Another favorite is checking out the pigs and other farm animals, as well as the interesting variety of guinea pigs and rabbits.

When: 
Friday, September 29, 2023 4-10pm
Daily, September 30-October 9, 2023 10am-10pm
Location: 
Topsfield Fairgrounds
Topsfield
Food
Concert
Fair
Race
Live Performance
Live Animals
Presentation
Contest
Competition
Festival
Farmers Market
Crafts
Games
Rides
Show

Wetland Wonders at IRWS

Explore the Bunker Meadow Pond at Ipswich river Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield Massachusetts

Wetlands are known for their rich variety of plant and animal life. Come explore Bunker Meadow Pond and the Ipswich River for a close-up look at a place where hundreds of hungry creatures are always on the hunt. Using nets and other collecting equipment, we'll dip into the water, sweep through the weeds, and scoop up some mud to discover the creatures that live there. Wear boots if you have them. For kids ages 3-11.

When: 
Saturday, October 14, 2023 10-11:30am
Location: 
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Topsfield
Hike
Walk
Exploration
Outdoor Activity
Mass Audubon

Fun in the Field at IRWS

Learn about butterflies and other field creatures at the MassAudubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary!

Fields are alive with animal activity on warm, fall days. Spend an early October day chasing butterflies, grasshoppers, and crickets with nets while taking some time to closely observe these amazing insects. We may also encounter predators of the field, such as Blue Birds, Leopard Frogs and Garter Snakes! This will be a hands-on experience the entire family can enjoy.

When: 
Saturday, October 7, 2023 10-11:30am
Location: 
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Topsfield
Hike
Walk
Exploration
Outdoor Activity
Science
Discovery
Ecology
Mass Audubon

Life Under Logs at IRWS

What lives under logs? Kids will find out at Mass Audubon Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

What is hiding under the rocks and logs of the sanctuary? Is it a centipede? Is it a salamander? Come find the hidden treasures beneath the forest floor. Walk with us through the forest to see how the changing season affects animals, trees, and plants. Examine tree holes and look for animals in the leaves, whatever we find, we will explore!

When: 
Saturday, October 21, 2023 10-11:30 am
Location: 
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Topsfield
Hike
Walk
Exploration
Story Telling
Discovery
Mass Audubon

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 abilities can ride through some of Essex County’s most beautiful landscapes in this annual road cycle event to benefit local land conservation. Whether a seasoned road cyclist or a beginner, you can enjoy at your own pace one of three routes offered by Tour de Greenbelt: a 50 mile ride, a shorter route (25 miles), and Gravel Grinder Routes (40 mile and 28 mile), with off-road excursions into protected forests and reservations.

When: 
Daily, September 18-24, 2023
Location: 
Cox Reservation
Essex
Hamilton
Ipswich
Newbury
Rowley
Topsfield
Boxford
Georgetown
Bicycle
Bike
Charity
Fundraiser
Race
Bike Race

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.

When: 
Fridays through October 6, 2023 9-11am
Location: 
Bradley Palmer State Park
Ipswich
Topsfield
Party
Outdoor Activity
Wildlife
Live Animals
Exploration
Discovery

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Adirondack Leadership Program at Gordon College’s La Vida Center

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk
Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts, offers a delightful self-guided walk that is perfect for families with children. The park's 480-acre expanse, once the Moseley Estate, is rich with historical charm and natural beauty. Families can embark on a self-guided tour through lush...
Where: Maudslay State Park
7:00 am to 7:00 pm
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StoryWalk Series at Maudslay
It's Summer by Linda Glaser storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Its Summer by Linda Glaser is the subject of this STORYWALK Series.  Watch the world transform when Spring comes!Enjoy this preschool storywalk at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time outside in nature!
Where: Maudslay State Park
7:00 am to 8:00 pm
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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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
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Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
7:00 am to 7:00 pm
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Acera School Information Session
Acera School focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Art in Winchester Massachusetts
Discover Acera: Where Your Child's Potential Soars! Join us for an engaging two-hour information session designed for parents, guardians, and caregivers eager to explore the innovative learning environment at Acera School.
Where: Acera School
9:30 am to 11:30 am
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Kidleidoscope at Bradley Palmer

Kidleidoscope is a program designed for preschoolers at Bradley Palmer State Park
Kids ages 3-6 are invited to join this fun, engaging activity session where they will learn about nature through stories, craft and outdoor activitiies. Topics vary by week, so come for them all! Meets at the Nature Center at 40 Asbury Street.
Where: Bradley Palmer State Park
10:00 am to 11:00 am
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Sing & Dance with the Music Man
Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
Where: Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham
10:00 am to 10:45 am
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Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden
Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
Where: Boston Common and Boston Public Garden
10:00 am to 3:59 pm
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US Coast Guard Station Tours
Tour the Newburyport Coast Guard station as part of Newburyport Yankee Homecoming.
The Coast Guard Station in Newburyport stands as a testament to over 100 years of service to the opening of the Merrimack River and the coastal regions from the North Shore to Portsmouth, NH. Join us as we honor the men and women who serve our City at the U.S. Coast Guard Station on the Merrimack...
Where: US Coast Guard - Newburyport
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
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Backyard Growers Garden Storytime
Join Backyard Growers at Sawyer Free Library Garden in Gloucester Massachusetts for Garden Storytime
Backyard Growers brings a fun outdoor children's gardening program to the library! Children will plan, plant, water, weed, maintain & harvest a garden at the library all summer in this series of Thursday morning events.
Where: Sawyer Free Library
10:00 am
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Plankton Safari
Join the team at Maritime Gloucester Massachusetts for a Plankton Safari every Monday and Thursday
Come to Maritime Gloucester and discover what lives near the bottom of the oceanic food chain using digital microscopes!
Where: Maritime Gloucester
10:30 am to 3:30 pm
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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.
Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
11:00 am
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Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour
Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
Essex Hertiage invites you to learn the true causes and events behind the Salem Witch Trials in our documentary film, then discover the myths during our walking tour. The Salem Witch Trials happened over 300 years ago, and it has been dramatized in books, documentaries, movies, and even TV shows....
Where: Downtown Salem
11:45 am to 3:00 pm
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Saugus Iron Works Tours
Free Ranger guided tours at Saugus Iron Works Colonial Industrial Site in Massachusetts
Join the National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a tour of the colonial industrial site. On select days, you may be able to stick around and witness pop-up molten iron pour, blacksmithing, waterwheel demonstrations, and take part in hands-on river stewardship activities.
Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
2:00 pm
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The Backyard Growcery
Join Backyard Growers at Burnham's Field in Gloucester Massachusetts for a weekly Farmer's Market
Stop by Gloucester’s new weekly farmers market, the Backyard Growcery, managed by Backyard Growers. The Backyard Growcery is located at Burnham's Field, an urban park near Gloucester’s thriving waterfront, and features small-scale North Shore farmers, bakers, a seafood vendor, an artisanal pizza...
Where: Burnham's Field
2:30 pm to 6:00 pm
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Ipswich Homegrown Market
Ipswich Homegrown Market on the Middle Green in Ipswich Massachusetts.
Every Thursday through the Summer, you will find fresh local produce and other foods from local vendors at the Middle Green in Ipswich Massachusetts! Come enjoy this weekly community event featuring local growers, makers, artists, and dreamers.
Where: Middle Green Ipswich MA
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
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Salem Farmers' Market
The Salem Farmer's Market bring the goodness of local farm to downtown Salem!
The Salem Farmers' Market brings fresh local produce and other foods from North Shore farms and other local resources to downtown Salem every Thursday at  Bentley Academy Charter School!
Where: Derby Square
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
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Cow Connection at Appleton Farms
Join The Trustees of Reservations at Appleton Farms for Cow Connection in Ipswich Massachusetts
Immerse your family in the heartwarming experience of being up close and personal with one of our favorite farm animals – cows! Cuddle, brush, and sit with our hand-raised cows at Appleton Farms. Visit our scenic and historic farm and enjoy Family Cow Connection session with our two Jersey Dairy...
Where: Appleton Farms
4:00 pm to 4:45 pm
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Salisbury Farmers' Market
Salisbury Farmers Market is a great source of local produce.
The Salisbury Farmers' Market offers a vibrant community experience with a variety of fresh, locally sourced produce, unprocessed honey, farm-fresh eggs, and maple syrup. Enjoy music, local market creations, and engage with local farmers. The market also features monthly craft markets, cooking...
Where: Salisbury Town Common
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
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Yankee Homecoming Bed Race
Yankee Homecoming Annual Bed Race hosted by the Lions Club of Newburyport
The Newbuyrport Yankee Homecoming Bed Race is an annual event in Newburyport hosted by the Lions Club of Newburyport.  The race is a ¼ mile team sprint down Federal Street to the finish line. Each team consists of 3 pushers, 2 pullers and a 'sleeper', and the goal is to get to the finish line with...
Where: Downtown Newburyport
5:30 pm
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Summer Concert Series at Lynch Park
Free Summer Concerts hosted by Bev Rec at Lynch Park in Beverly Massachusetts
Enjoy free concerts this Summer at Lynch Park in Beverly, Massachusetts!  Families are encourages to grab a chair and a blank and head to the park for a free concert at Lynch Park's ampitheater.
Where: Lynch Park
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
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Castle Hill Picnic Concert - Soul Rebel Project
Soul Rebel Project brings reggae jams to Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts!
Looking for a fun family outing on the North Shore of Massachusetts? Don't miss the Thursday Night Picnic Concerts at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich! These concerts offer a perfect opportunity to enjoy quality time with your loved ones in a beautiful and exclusive setting on the North...
Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
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Saturday, August 3

Yankee Homecoming Family Day

Newburyport Yankee Homecoming's Family Fun Day has a lot to offer in events and activities.
Kick off your Super Saturday with Yankee Homecoming at the Nock Middle School, the perfect place for family fun! Enjoy a day filled with exciting activities, crafts, and games offered by local businesses, organizations, and non-profits—all for free! Take a break for lunch while enjoying live music...
Where: Rupert A. Nock Middle School
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
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Festival-by-the-Sea
Manchester Festival by the Sea celebrates art on Cape Ann and the local bounty of Artistry.
The Festival by the Sea is an annual event hosted by the Manchester Division of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, this all-day extravaganza taps into the long-line of local talent with musical and artistic performers alike. Festival by the Sea is a celebration of the things that are synonymous with...
Where: Masconomo Park, Where: Downtown Manchester-by-the-Sea
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
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Kids Sail Free on the Schooner Lannon
Kids ride free on the 10:30am an Noon Saturday Cruise on the Schooner Lannon through Summer
Schooner Thomas E. Lannon is a fixture on the Gloucester Harbor vista throughout the day in the warm months, but to really experience the Lannon, you need to come aboard and go for a cruise!  Sail and see lighthouses, castles, scenic beaches, and magnificent waterfront homes.
Where: Schooner Thomas E. Lannon
10:30 am to 12:00 pm
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Cat's Meow at the Crane Estate
Kids will have a blast exploring the Trustees of Reservations Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts!
Our imagination is one of our greatest assets. Imagine living in 1929 and visiting the Crane family at their summer home in Ipswich. The house is so big and Mrs. Crane’s kitty, Ptolemy, has gone missing just before the party! Can you help a family servant find our mischievous Siamese? Once he’s...
Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
10:30 am to 11:30 am
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Salem Maritime Festival
Celebrate 400+ Years of Maritime History at Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!
Presented by the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, the annual Salem Maritime Festival in August hosts an exciting array of free family fun festivities, including live music, traditional craft demonstrations and seaport trade exhibits, story-telling, and family fun! Each year, music,...
Where: Salem Maritime National Historic Site
11:00 am to 6:30 pm
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Boat Tour to Misery Island
Journey on Essex Heritage’s landing craft Naumkeag to Great Misery Island in Salem Sound Massachusetts
Journey on Essex Heritage’s landing craft Naumkeag to Great Misery Island in Salem Sound. Along the way, hear stories about the rich history of the harbor and how the Misery Islands acquired their unique name. When you arrive, you’ll have 2 hours to explore the trails, open meadows, rocky shoreline...
Where: Salem Ferry Terminal
11:00 am to 2:00 pm
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Guided Tour | When Granite Was King!
Find out the story behind the history of granite quarrying at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport!
Halibut Point State Park is also a granite quarry with a history that goes back billions of years! Over one hundred years ago, the Rockport Granite Company quarried granite stone here.
Where: Halibut Point State Park
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
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Long Hill Garden Tours
Tour the Gardens at the Trustees of Reservations Long Hill Gardens in Beverly, Massachusetts!
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 it’s most known for. In addition to learning about what plants are in bloom as well as the rare and unique species in our collection, you...
Where: Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
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Befriend the Barnyard
Befriend the Barnyard is a hands-on barnyard experience at the Trustees of Reservations' Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts
Discover our special barnyard animals! Our Angora rabbits Violet, Mabel, Oiver and Charles; Nubian goats Maeve, Morgana, and Mordred; dairy cows Gray, Jasmine, their calves Gigi and Joanie and our friendly flock of heritage chickens will take center stage as we learn about what makes them so unique...
Where: Appleton Farms
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
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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.
Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
11:00 am
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