Boat

Santa at Sea Cruise

Sail with Santa aboard the Beauport Princess on the water of Gloucester Harbor in Massachusetts

Enjoy a holiday harbor cruise aboard Beauport Cruiselines with Santa! Take in the beautiful views of Gloucester Harbor, all while singing holiday carols with elves, enjoying hot cocoa and cookies, and listening to a reading of “The Night Before Christmas.” Plus, a visit from Santa himself! Tickets include hot cocoa, cookies, and a picture with Santa. A Cash bar will be available. Two 90 Minute cruises are offered.

When: 
Sunday, December 10, 2023 11am or 2pm

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 cultural experiences of all kinds. Find what makes Essex County like nowhere else during Trails & Sails! It’s all FREE and it’s all located within the 34 cities and towns of Essex County.

When: 
Daily, September 15-24, 2023

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

CraneOutdoors: Sunset Kayak in the Crane Wildlife Refuge

Enjoy a sunset paddle with the Trustees of Reservations at the Crane Wildlife Refuge in Ipswich Massachusetts

Join The Trustees of Reservations for a sunset paddle in Essex Bay! On this outing into the heart of the Crane Wildlife Refuge, we will be paddling in the protected waters of one of the most scenic sections of the Great Marsh—the largest contiguous salt marsh in New England. We’ll either paddle around Choate Island with a landing on Long Island, or down the Castle Neck River, landing on Castle Neck (varies based on wind/tide conditions on the day of the event). Along the way, we’ll observe the wide variety of wildlife found in the marsh, including egrets, herons, and other shore birds. You can count on making an amazing connection with nature and creating enduring memories as we paddle home into the setting sun.

When: 
Saturdays, June 17 & 24, 2023 Time Varies
Wednesdays, Friday-Sunday, June 28-September 17, 2023 Time Varies

Essex Heritage Boat Tours to Bakers Island Lighthouse - Salem

Boat and Light Station Tour Bakers Island Tour out of Salem Massachusetts

Climb aboard Naumkeag, Essex Heritage’s landing craft for a trip to Bakers Island Light Station. Enjoy a 30-minute cruise from Salem past rugged coastline, harbor islands, and five lighthouses to Bakers Island. The light station is a 10-acre property that has been in use aiding in maritime navigation for almost 250 years. The site features an 1820 light tower, two keepers houses, and historic trails. During your visit you will have the chance to explore the natural landscape, learn about the history of the light station, and relax on the island setting.

When: 
Sundays through September 18, 2022 1-3:30pm

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, and hidden coves on the island. The Misery Islands are managed by The Trustees. More information about the islands as well as a trail map can be found HERE

When: 
Saturdays, July 22 - September 16, 2023 11am-2pm

Gloucester Maritime Rendezvous

The Gloucester Maritime Rendezvous celebrates its combined heritage with Lunenburg Nova Scotia

The Gloucester Maritime Rendezvous celebrates the combined heritage of two great fishing towns and their connection to the sea. Gloucester, Massachusetts and Luneburg, Nova Scotia. In this annual tradition, once more the Gloucester International Dory Racing Committee hosts the Canadian Dory Rowing Association from Nova Scotia to compete against the best dory rowers from Gloucester, going head-to-head on Gloucester's historic harbor.  Boat tours and deck tours happen daily and there are many opportunities available to sail aboard the particitpating vessels!

When: 
July 6-9, 2023

Tours of the Nao Trinidad Tall Ship

The Custom House Maritime Museum proudly hosts the tall ship replica Nao Trinidad comes to Newburyport

The Custom House Maritime Museum proudly hosts the tall ship replica Nao Trinidad as it sails into Newburyport flying the Spanish flag. This ship is a replica of Megellan's historic vessel, the original Nao Trinidad. Magellan completed a groundbreaking nautical circumnavigation of Earth voyage between 1519 and 1522, and was revered for the most remarkable maritime achievement of that time. This awe-inspiring 200-ton sailing vessel is meticulously crafted by the Fundacion Nao Victoria, the same private foundation responsible for the renowned tall ship, El Galeon, which graced the port of Newburyport in the past.

When: 
Daily, July 1-9, 2023 9am-6pm

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Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms

Kids can meet the barnyard animals and hear a story at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts.
Barnyard stories really come alive when you get to see the main characters in real life! Bring the kids down to Appleton Farms for our farm-fresh version of story time. Explore the farmstead, visit our learning garden, see our cows and rabbits, and find a spot to play under a shady tree in our...
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Reading to a Therapy Dog at NTL

Kids can sign up to read to a therapy dog at the Newbury Town Library in Massachusetts
Children can register to come and read to a certified therapy dog. This program encourages reading confidence and is a fun way for kids to practice literacy. Sessions last for 15-minutes, and we ask that you please arrive for the time slot that you register for.
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Wednesday, March 20

Story Walk |This Is the Nest Robin Built

Kids will enjoy this self-guided story based tour of the Halibut Point State Park in Rockport Massachusetts! Photo by Bill O'Connor
Enjoy a story, fresh air and exercise at Halibut Point State Park ! Join us on the grounds of the for a self-guided StoryWalk® featuring the children’s picture book This is the Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming. Follow the path to book pages posted along the route. A wonderful story awaits! For...
8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Fiddleheads | Preschool Drop-Off Series

The Fiddlehead program at Appleton Farms encourages kids 3-5 to explore their environment in Ipswich Massachusetts
Spring has sprung! It is an excellent time of year for exploring and learning on the farm. We will be planting and harvesting in our garden, taking care of our animals and finding all the signs of spring that nature divulges. Join us on Wednesday mornings from 9:30AM to 12:30PM for a preschool drop...
9:30 am to 12:30 pm

We Walk the Woods!

Walk the trails in a group at Harold Parker State Forest Every Wednesday at 10am
Walk the trails with a group at Harold Parker State Forest every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. – Meeting location varies weekly. Email trek.reef@mass.gov for location.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Abbot Library Story Time A-Go-Go

Abbot Library in Marblehead Massachusetts story time for kids aged 1-4.
Children are invited to a weekly Wednesday program with stories and movement led by early childhood educator Debbie Leibowitz. Story Time A-Go-Go is for children ages 1-4 years old in the Program Room, or outside depending on the weather.
10:30 am to 11:00 am

MPL: Mother Goose Storytime

Manchester Public Library Storytime with Miss Audrey Manchester by the Sea Massachusetts
Join Miss Audrey for Storytime for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers! We'll share books, songs, and games. Registration is required each week as space is limited.
10:30 am

Read to Jackson at TOHP Burnham Library

Kids will read stories to Jackson the Reading Dog in Essex Massachusetts!
TOHP Burnham Public Library invites children, kindergarten and older, reserve your 15 minute slot to read aloud to Jackson, our sweet Reading Dog! Bring your own books, or choose from ours. Register for your individual reading time, slots are as follows: 5:00, 5:15, 5:30 or 5:45.
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Thursday, March 21

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,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Dungeons & Dragons | Roaming Realms

Table Top Role Playing Games (RPG) at Newburyport Massachusetts Public Library
This program is registration only. Space is limited so register right away! Join the adventure guild and explore the Roaming Realms! All you need is your wit and a level 4 character sheet. Premade character sheets will be provided as well. This D&D club is for new players as well as experienced...
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Read to Keeva at HW Library

Read to Keeva a certified therapy dog at the Hamilton Wenham Public Library in Massachusetts
Read to Keeva the Therapy Dog! Keeva and her trainer, Ms. Fleming, visit the library to help children practice reading! Therapy dogs provide a calm and non-judgemental environment that's perfect for practicing read-aloud skills. Open to children in Grades K - 3. Registration is required. Reading...
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Pokemon Club at Newbury Library

Pokemon Club Newbury Town Public Library in Massachusetts.
Newbury Town Library invites kids of all ages for some Pokemon fun!  Grab your trading cards and come join us for Pokemon Club! Recommended for ages 7+.
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
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