Locations

Farmers Markets on the North Shore

You'll find locally grown food and much more at farmers markets on the North Shore, north of Boston Massachusetts.

The North Shore of Massachusetts, renowned for its fertile soil, is home to farms that produce an abundance of fresh, delicious foods. These can be purchased directly from the farms or at the local farmer's markets, where the experience is more than just shopping—it's about community. On a sunny Saturday morning, families can explore these vibrant markets, filled with colorful produce, homemade jams, fresh bread, and artisanal crafts.

North Shore Playgrounds

Sometimes when you're on the go, and things are getting hectic, it's great to be able to pull over and let the kids decompress at a playground.  We have compiled a list of alot (but not all) of the playgrounds on the North Shore.  We like to visit the different ones on our routes around Essex county, and compare them.  If we see one we haven't been to, we'll stop and give it a try. Have a look, explore and discover the North Shore through a playground tour!

North Shore Trails

Enjoy a hike on one of the many trails on the North Shore of Boston Massachusetts!

The North Shore has many miles of trails over all kinds of terrain.  Hike in the forest, through moraine boulder feilds, over dunes, and through varied habitats that offer many different kinds of flora and fauna. It's not just about hiking either - many trails are accessible to cross country skiers, showshoe enthusiast and mountain bikers too. Check out our complete list of places hike, run and walk on the North Shore, and discover the unique beauty of this wonderful part of Massachusetts!

North Shore Libraries

The Newburyport Library is just one of the wonderful libraries on the North Shore of Massachusetts

Libraries are wonderful community resources.  They offer a lot more than just a place to borrow books - they serve as venues, local archives, educations centers and social gathering places. Many offer a wide array of programming for kids and families!  Check out your local library, and don't be afraid to visit libraries in other towns.  At the library, you'll learn, have some fun and make new friends, so go today and see what you're missing!

North Shore Museums

Dragons on display at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem Massachusetts

There a many great musuems on the North Shore due to the area's history, cultural diversity, maritime heritage and roots in colonial America. There are plenty to visit, and if you include museums in the greater Boston area, there are almost too many to visit. Check out our list of museums.  You'll find that the North Shore and surrounding areas cover a wide variety of interest through their museums - everything from art to colonial settlements to textiles to science and robotics!

Ice Cream on the North Shore

There are plenty of place to buy ice cream on the North Shore! What's your favorite?

Whether you're headed home from the beach, looking for a snack after a walk or just want to get together with the family for some sweet fun, you'll be pleasantly surprised with the great places to buy Ice Cream on the North Shore!  Some make their own, some buy bulk and some are channels to the ever-popular Richarchardson's brand, made right here on at Richardson's Dairy Farm in Middleton! There are so many to visit the you could make a game of it and become the ice cream secret gourmet for the North Shore!

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Landmark Summer Experience at Landmark School in Beverly Massachusetts

Music Together - Wednesday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
9:30 am to 11:15 am

Dungeons & Dragons Club at Essex Library

The Essex Massachusetts Library hosts a Dungeons and Dragons club for local kids.
Enjoy a the role playing game Dungeons and Dragons on Mondays, 5:30-7pm with Student Dungeon Master, Gus Hall. Spaces are limited, register early!
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Thursday, January 23

LEGO Club at Danvers Library

LEGO club at Danvers Library Massachusetts
Peabody Institute Library - Danvers invites kids to an afternoon of building and fun! Activities will include free build, themes and instructional design. All structures will remain on display in the Children’s Room till the following weeks's session
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Friday, January 24

Music Together - Friday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
10:30 am to 11:15 am

Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

Kidleidoscope is a program designed for preschoolers at Bradley Palmer State Park
Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Animal Adventures Series: Inside & Out

Come learn about your favorite animals and their habitats at the Joppa Flats Center in Newburyport Massachusetts! Photo: Kathy Crane, NOAA Arctic Research Program
Joppa Flats Education Center invites families for family fun about your favorite animals with hands-on science, songs, a take-home craft and outdoor time, weather permitting. This is a three-week series for young "naturalists" and their adventure-loving adult to learn about animals together. Please...
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Drop-In Family LEGO at HWPL

Wednesdays are LEGO Build Days at the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library
Put your imagination and building skills to the test at this self-directed drop-in program. All ages are welcome with a caregiver.
3:15 pm to 4:15 pm

Saturday, January 25

Superbowl of Birding 2025

The Superbowl of Birding 2025 is a unique competition conducted in Rockingham County, NH, and Essex County, Massachusetts
The Superbowl of Birding 2025 is a unique competition conducted in Rockingham County, NH, and Essex County, MA. During a 12-hour period, teams of birders of all ages and abilities seek out the greatest number of avian species and amass the most points based on the rarity of the birds recorded....
5:00 am to 5:00 pm

Music Together - Saturday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
9:15 am to 11:15 am

Gloucester's So Salty 2024

Celebrate Gloucester Massachusetts recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions in the heart of downtown.
Celebrate the fish city’s recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions and businesses during the 4th Annual Gloucester’s So Salty festival on January 25 and 26, 2025 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm! Over 1,800 people came out last year to share their salty pride while enjoying free ice...
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Guided Tour | When Granite Was King!

Find out the story behind the history of granite quarrying at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport, Massachusetts!
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.
11:00 am to 12:30 pm

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...
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
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