Latest Stories, Events, Activities, Camps & Recipes

Stroller Walks at Appleton Farms help families with toddlers to connect with nature in Ipswich Massachusetts!
To encourage time in nature, familiarity with the natural world, and a time for parents and children to get together outdoors, our popular infant/toddler stroller walks will return at Appleton Farms. These hour long walks will be on Tuesdays from 9-10am. Come to one or all of the sessions and explore the farmyard, fields, and forest, and imagine hidden worlds beneath our feet and above our heads. Children and their care-givers will have the opportunity to take in fresh air, be with other families, and walk diverse trails on the farm. This is a great time to socialize with other parents and get your kids in nature, unwind and relax at the farm!
Location: Appleton Farms
The Lynn Museum Will offer free admission and a workshop with artist Kelly Slater during Trails and Sails in Massachusetts!
Come to the Lynn Museum and Historical Society enjoy complimentary admission! View our latest exhibitions, buy locally made goods in our shop, take advantage of our virtual tour, or read a book in our courtyard.
Location: Lynn Museum and Historical Society
Get fresh local produce at the Beverly Farmers Market in downtown Beverly Massac
The Beverly Farmers’ Market supports local agriculture while making healthy food available to all members of the Beverly community at affordable prices; the market promotes sustainable living practices and fosters community connections through our vendors, free activities and events. The market offers fresh local produce as well as cheese, meat, eggs, bread, dog treats, jewelry, and books.  The kids have a blast playing tag, meeting new friends, and listening to music. Beverly Farmers Market Accepts WIC, SNAP, Credit/Debit, Senior Coupons and of course cash. Stop by the BFM Information table while at the market and we'll help answer any questions you might have!
Location: Odell Park
The Gloucester Massachusetts Fish Box Derby encourages teamwork and friendly family competition!
The Fish Box Derby Race is a family event that focuses on teamwork and fun! Contestants race their own cars, built on their design and with the assistance of their parent, grandparent, or other adult influence in their lives. Boys and Girls from ages eight to fourteen are eligible to enter (there are no fees to enter). The cars reflect each individual style and mechanical abilities.
Location: Downtown Gloucester
Appleton Farm's Farm Days Fall Festival will have lots of fun, food and live music in Ipswich Massachusetts!
Join us for our Annual Fall Celebration at Appleton – Farm Days! Spend the afternoon exploring the farm, listening to music, enjoying great food & beer, hiking our trails, entertaining the kids and more. Please Note: Tickets are per vehicle, not per person, and include access to the farm and all of the events and activities listed below. Food, drink, and hayrides are purchased separately.
Location: Appleton Farms
Ipswich Museum hosts a Trails and Sails Historic Tour of the Town of Ipswich Massachusetts as a port.
Join local history buff, Scott Jewell, on a walk around the town of Ipswich and learn about the fascinating history of its former bustling port. Once a hub of maritime trade and commerce, the fate of the port was intricately tied to the rise and fall of the town’s 18th century economy, and the fortunes (and misfortunes) of many of its residents. Part of Trails & Sails.
Location: Downtown Ipswich, Ipswich Museum
Learn about colonial medicine at Pioneer Village in Salem Massachusetts
An amazing number of the plants at Pioneer Village are nutritious food, or good medicine, or useful in other ways. Some are native and were already here when the settlers came, others were introduced. In this fun and informative walk you will learn about these wonderful plants and some of their uses, whether they are wild and weedy or cultivated and tame. You will leave with an appreciation for our plant neighbors and the many gifts they offer us!
Location: Pioneer Village
Hamilton and Wenham Massachusetts celebrate the onset of Autumn with their annual Fall Festival
Local HW hosts the 5th annual LocalHW Fall Festival, where we bring together local small businesses, live music, food trucks, a beer and wine garden and fun family activites for a great day for our community. The festival takes place in Hamilton on Railroad Avenue and across the street at the Shops at 300 Main. We thank our sponsors Hamilton Development Corporation and Salem Five Charitable Trust for helping to make this wonderful day happen!
Location: Downtown Hamilton
Salem Arts ArtOberFest showcases local artists and explores Salem's history with witchcraft, religion and Haloween.
Salem Arts Association is proud to present our annual exhibit exploring Salem’s history with Autumn, Halloween, Witchcraft, and the Spirit of the season. The resulting exhibit represents diverse interpretations of the theme and how, by bringing them together, we create a collective understanding of it.
Location: Salem Arts Association
The Rowley Antique Tractor Contest has more than tractors!
Come to the Rowley Town Common to enjoy a celebration of farms and farming.  In addition to the famers market, there will be working antique tractors will be on display for judging.  Enjoy a live bluegrass music performance at the common's Gazebo by the Essex River Rounders from 10 am - noon.
Location: Rowley Town Common

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

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

Cambridge Science Festival 2023

The Cambridge Science Festival makes science accessible, interactive and fun in Cambridge Massachusetts
Cambridge Science Festival, the first of its kind in the United States, is a city-wide celebration showcasing the leading edge in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM).
7:00 am to 7:00 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

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

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

Stargazing at Mendel Observatory

Mendel Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night
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
7:00 pm

Saturday, September 30

Spooky Sea Creatures | Salem Coastwatch

Come to Salem Coastwatch Headquarters in Salem Massachusetts for a spooky touch tank experience!
Come to Salem Coastwatch Headquarters in Salem Massachusetts for a spooky touch tank experience! To get into the Halloween spirit, we are holding our spookiest community education event yet on September 30th from 11am to 12:30pm. Come see what lurks in the depths of Salem Sound with the help of our...
11:00 am to 12:30 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

Salem Arts Artoberfest

Salem Arts ArtOberFest showcases local artists and explores Salem's history with witchcraft, religion and Haloween.
Salem Arts Association is proud to present our annual exhibit exploring Salem’s history with Autumn, Halloween, Witchcraft, and the Spirit of the season.
12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Amesbury Farmers Market

The Amesbury Farmers Market happens every Saturday at Barewolf Brewing in Amesbury, Massachusetts.
he Amesbury Farmers' Market is a local community farmers’ and artisans’ market located in the heart of the historic mills of Amesbury, Massachusetts at BareWolf Brewing. We are a regularly scheduled community market supporting our local food system, small businesses and neighborhood community where...
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Hayrides at Appleton Farms

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

Drop-in Open House at the Nature Center

Drop-in Open House at the Bradley Palmer State Park Nature Center in Hamilton Ipswich Massachusetts
Explore the Nature Center at your leisure. The Park Interpreter will be on hand to demonstrate and answer questions. Come see and touch animal furs, replica skulls, animal models, and other natural history materials. For little artists, coloring pages and washable markers will be on hand.
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Fall Festival and Apple Armada

The Essex Massachusetts Festival in the Shipyard is fun for the whole family. Part of Essex Heritage Trails & Sails
Essex Shipbuilding Museum invites families to the the Fall Festival in the Shipyard. This family friendly event is a great introduction to Essex culture. Join us in the Historic Shipyard for food, drinks, games, craft stations, and the Apple Armada, apple boat race! This FREE event is open to all!
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

The Lamson Farm: 1680-Present

Learn the history of the Lamson Farm at Bradley Palmer State Parkin Hamilton Ipswich Massachusetts
Before Bradley Palmer bought the land that became a State Park, it was the Lamson Family farm for over 200 years. Take a stroll to see the remaining farmhouse exterior and other features of the farm. Best for ages 8 years & up.
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Fiesta en la Calle | Salem

Celebrate the cultural diversity of Salem Massachusetts at the Fiesta en la Calle
This beloved event is back after 4 years! Fiesta en la Calle is North Shore CDC’s annual festival celebrating the vibrant culture of the Point neighborhood that includes live music, dancing, art and the premiere of a new collection of murals in the Punto Urban Art Museum by New England based...
2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

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.
2:00 pm