Discovery

Maritime History Walking Tour

Learn about 400 Years of Maritime History on a walking tour at Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!

Join the Salem Maritime National Historic Site for a 30-minute walking tour on the grounds of Salem Maritime National Historic Site. During the tour, learn about Salem’s rich maritime history, from its earliest days as a fishing village to the height of its global trade empire. Explore the historic wharves and buildings along Salem Harbor. Part of Trails & Sails.

When:

Saturdays, September 16 & 23, 2023 10:30-11am

Sundays, September 17 & 24, 2023 10:30-11am

Location:

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

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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

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All Family Field Trips: Study Between the Tides

Explore the tide pools of Sandy Point Reservation with Joppa Flats Educators in Ipswich Massachusetts

Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the North Shore. Joppa Flats' engaging and experienced staff will introduce families to local beaches, forests, and wetlands to make observations in nature, identify wildlife, and enjoy hands on science activities outdoors. Sign up for one, some, or all!

When:

Friday, October 6, 2023 10am - 12pm

Location:

Sandy Point State Reservation

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All Family Field Trips: Monarchs and More

Learn about butterflies with Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport!

Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the north shore. Our engaging and experienced staff will introduce families to local beaches, forests, and wetlands to make observations in nature, identify wildlife, and enjoy hands on science activities outdoors. Sign up for one, some, or all!

When:

Friday, September 15, 2023 10am-Noon

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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All Family Field Trips: Exploring at the Shore

Explore the shore at Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester with Massachusetts Audubon!

When:

Friday, September 22, 2023 10am-Noon

Location:

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Imagine, Sing, & Learn 3A: Is it Spring?

Learn about the creatures of Spring at Joppa Flats Education Center in Newbury Massachusetts

This Imagine, Sing and Learn with Lisa Hutchings is all about asking the question IS IT SPRING YET? This is an active indoor program for ages 3-6 and a favorite grown-up with some outdoor time (weather permitting). We will learn all about WOOD FROGS, SALAMANDERS, LADYBUGS, SONG BIRDS and more! Using props, group role play, song and movement, we will learn about the fascinating ways animals wake up and come back in springtime – each animal has its own special way of greeting the longer, warmer days of spring!

When:

Thursday, March 10, 2016 1-2:30 pm

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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All Family Field Trips: A Maritime Forest Walk & Bird Migration

A heron stalks prey at the PArker River Wildlife Sanctuary in Newbury Massachusetts

When:

Friday, October 27, 2023 10am-Noon

Location:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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Summer Solstice Celebration

Celebrate the Summer Solstice - the longest day - at Veasey Park in Groveland Massachusetts

Everyone is welcome at this Community Summer Solstice Celebration! Collaborate with us on a community craft, enjoy a nature hike around the property together, and finish off the evening with a bonfire by the lake to celebrate the longest day of the year!

When:

Tuesday, June 21, 2022 6-8pm

Location:

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First Day Hike at Ward Reservation

Enjoy a First Day Hike at the Trustees of Reservations' Ward Reservation in Andover!

The first day of the new year is best spent outside! Join Danielle Sugrue for a First Day Hike at Ward Reservation. Start the new year with a mindful walk to the top of Holt Hill then set intentions for the new year around the solstice stones. Warm up with some hot chocolate and walk in to the this new year with a clear vision.

When:

Sunday, January 1, 2023 11am-1pm

Location:

Trustees of Reservations

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Nature Walk Wednesdays - Who's Awake?

Kids ages 4-8 will explore the Deer Island Reservation in Amesbury Massachusetts with Mass Audubon!

Miss Lisa invites you to join her for some family-friendly seasonal nature walks in the area. Together we will explore the salt marsh, the woods, and more. We will look for birds, mammals, and of course, mushrooms! We'll use our "science eyes" and "nature ears" and learn, play, and discover together. Some mammals store food, grow thicker fur, and make dens or burrows in winter. Let's find out which animals are active and look for their tracks in the snow!

When:

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 10-11:30am

Location:

Hans Morris Reservation

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Bruins Pajama Drive

From February 1 through March 15, Cradles to Crayons®, the Boston Bruins, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and Wonderfund are coming together with organizations in your community to collect new pajamas for local children living in low-income and homeless situations. Together, we are...

7:00 am to 9:00 pm

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

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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Music Together - Tuesday in Marblehead

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

Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead

10:00 am to 10:45 am

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Guided Tour | When Granite Was King!

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 12:30 pm

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CraneExplorer: Family Full Moon Hike in the Dunes

There is almost nothing more peaceful than a evening walk at the Crane Estate, and we would like to invite your family to join us for a unique hiking experience. With the full moon rising over the Atlantic, we’ll start with a sunset stroll along Crane Beach admiring this spectacle before heading...

Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

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Chess Club at Salem Public Library

Salem Public Library the library is hosting weekly chess nights where players of all ages can play and learn from each other. Whether you're new to the game or a veteran player, all skill levels welcome, and basic instruction

Where: Salem Public Library

6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

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Setting Intentions: A Mindful Approach to Parenting in the Digital Age

How can we foster resilience, connection, and balance in an era where technology is woven into every aspect of our children’s lives? Join Brookwood School’s Jean Skaane, Wellness Coordinator, and David Saunders, Director of Leadership, Changemaking, and Technology, for a thoughtful discussion on...

Where: Jewish Community Center of the North Shore

7:00 pm

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Tuesday, February 18

Chess Club at Salem Public Library

Where: Salem Public Library

6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

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Wednesday, February 19

Bruins Pajama Drive

7:00 am to 9:00 pm

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

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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Quarry Quest Treasure Hunt

Enjoy an outdoor treasure hunt at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations during February Vacation! Halibut Point State Park invites kids and families to follow clues then unscramble to find a treasure box!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Hike & Seek: Magic in the Winter Forest

Have you ever wondered what happens in nature during the winter months? Do you have questions like, “where do certain animals go” or “why does it snow”? Join us this February school vacation for this self-guided winter themed family-friendly bundle for use along the Stevens-to-Stevens trail in...

Where: Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Appleton Farms | February Vacation Week Camps

In the winter, many people hunker down to stay indoors, but at Appleton Farms, we make the most of the cold, quiet season. There is no better place to spend winter farm days than in exploring in the snow and learning to love the outdoors in all seasons! This program is for kids who are looking to...

Where: Appleton Farms

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

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Music Together - Wednesday

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...

Where: St. John's Episcopal Church in Beverly Farms

9:30 am to 11:15 am

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February School Vacation at Bradley Palmer

Bradley Palmer State Park is located at 40 Asbury St. in Topsfield. All programs are free and open to the public. Reasonable accommodations upon request. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Events outside may include rough, uneven trails that contain ice and snow, warm clothing and...

Where: Bradley Palmer State Park

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

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