Live Animals

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 veggie, with other options available such as artisan pastries, seasonal salads and lighter fare.

When: 
Fridays through November 2023 4-7pm
Saturdays & Sundays through November 2023 12-5pm
Location: 
Appleton Farms
Ipswich
Tour
Exploration
Food
Farm
Live Animals
Ponies
Live Music
Trustees of Reservations

Donkey Derby at Myopia

The Donkey Derby at Myopia Hunt Club in Hamilton is a fun way to raise funds for the equine rescue network!

The Donkey Derby at Myopia Hunt Club in Hamilton is a fun way to raise funds for the Equine Rescue Network. The mission of the event is to ENJOY the day and raise awareness of donkeys, mules and other barnyard animals. Donkeys make great pets! They are affectionate, agile & athletic. There is no definition of a “DONKEY DERBY” because we made it up. Yes, there will be donkeys racing around, and perhaps a few mules, horses, goats or cows. There will be lots of people too – animals in costumes, food trucks and perhaps beer.

When: 
Saturday, September 30, 2023 9am-2:30PM
Location: 
Myopia Schooling Field
Hamilton
Fundraiser
Charity
Race
Live Animals
Horses

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

Topsfield Fair

Topsfield Fair is one of the longest running annual fairs in the United States

The Topsfield Fair is a perennial favorite for us.  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

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
Newbury
Newburyport
Exploration
Discovery
Mass Audubon
Live Animals
Tide Pool

Drop in Station | The Equestrians at Bradley Palmer

Learn about Bradley Palmers avid interest in equestrian sports at Bradley Palmer State Park in Hamilton Massachusetts

Bradley Palmer was an avid equestrian. He laid out bridal paths and a four-mile steeplechase race course on his estate. Come see photographs and maps of these historic activities. Drop-in program; come anytime. Best for ages 8 years & up.

When: 
Mondays June -July 2023 1-2:30pm
Location: 
Bradley Palmer State Park
Ipswich
Topsfield
Party
Outdoor Activity
Wildlife
Live Animals
Exploration
Discovery

Summertime Birding for Families

Kids will learn more about our local birds and how to identify them at Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport Massachusetts

Want to learn more about our local birds and how to identify them? Joppa Flats education interns will take you on an easy walk and introduce you to a variety of birds, from egrets and herons in the salt marsh, to ducks and shorebirds along the river, to songbirds and hummingbirds at our feeders. We'll provide binoculars and field guides along with tips on how to use them. Get started on the hottest new hobby around - birding!

When: 
Thursdays, June 22-August 17, 2023 8:30-10am
Location: 
Joppa Flats Education Center
Newburyport
Workshop
Outdoor Activity
Birding
Presentation
Mass Audubon
Live Animals

Family Open House: Butterflies & Bugs

Joppa Flats will have Free indoor and outdoor activities for kids and families!

Joppa Flats Education Center invites families to drop in to meet live caterpillars, moths, and butterflies! Learn how to attract birds and other wildlife to your own yard and safely identify insects. Enjoy a Backyard Bug Hunt with our naturalists, join in a Monarch Migration Relay Race, and take home a fun craft or two.

When: 
Saturday, July 22, 2023 10am - 3pm
Location: 
Joppa Flats Education Center
Newburyport
Exploration
Science
Nature
Live Animals
Discovery
Crafts
Games
Ecology
Environment
Mass Audubon

Snakes of New England and the World at Sawyer Free

Albino Milk Snake being held by a child at Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team Booth

Come to Sawyer Free Library's presentation of 'Snakes of New England and the World'*. Rick Roth and the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team bring the always exciting and popular program Snakes of the World to our outdoor amphitheater! Join Rick and his team as they introduce many snakes, large and small, and some local! You will have the opportunity to hold and handle the snakes if you choose, or just admire them as we learn about these amazing creatures!

When: 
Saturday, July 15, 2023 10:30am
Location: 
Captain Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3
Gloucester
Demonstration
Live Animals
Presentation
Library

Family Nature Series - Pond Habitat

Families will learn about the pond habitat with ECGA at Bailey Reservation!

Get to know the residents of a beaver pond! From tiny insects, to the beavers themselves, we'll use all our senses to look for signs of life! Join Greenbelt and Northshore Nature Programs to learn all about a pond habitat! Who lives there? What do they eat? How do they get around? We'll use our senses to find some answers to those questions and more!  Meets at Bailey Reservation in Haverhill.

When: 
Saturday, August 5, 2023 3-4:30pm
North Andover
Hike
Walk
Exploration
Outdoor Activity
Field Trip
Science
Live Animals

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Art Academy Summer Program at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly MA

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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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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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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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...
Where: St. John's Episcopal Church in Beverly Farms
9:30 am to 11:15 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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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.
Where: Harold Parker State Forest
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
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Bubbles & Books at the Castle
Kids will enjoy a story time and lots of bubble fun at the for Hammond Castle in Gloucester Massachsuetts
Come to Hammond Castle in Gloucester Massachusetts every Wednesday morning in July & August for Bubbles and Books on our seaside lawn. Fairytales do come true at castles by the sea! Doors open at 10 am. Stories start at 10:15 am.
Where: Hammond Castle
10:00 am
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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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Topsfield HomeGrown Market
Come to Topsfield Massachusetts Common for a homegrown market on the Wednesdays through July
The mission of the HomeGrown Market is to provide the Topsfield community with a series of family-friendly events that emphasize supporting local and offer the opportunity for Topsfield and surrounding North Shore farmers, gardeners, artisans, creators, performers, musicians, nonprofits, young...
Where: Topsfield Town Common
4:00 pm to 6:30 pm
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Feed the Beach Creatures at Joppa Flats
You can look at, AND touch the creatures in Joppa Flats touch tank! Feeding time is a lot of fun!
It's time to feed our touch tank animals! Assist our animal husbandry intern team with sorting, identifying, and actually feeding our live marine creatures. Feed periwinkles and rock crabs from the rocky shore, horseshoe crabs and minnows from the salt marsh and hermit crabs and shrimp from the...
Where: Joppa Flats Education Center
4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
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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
Where: Mendel Observatory at Merrimack College
7:00 pm
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Saturday, July 27

Olde Ipswich Days
Olde Ipswich Days brings art, crafts, food and music to the S. Village Green in Ipswich Massachusetts!
On the last weekend of July, artisans and fine craftsfolk from all over New England will show and sell their work on the South Village Green in Ipswich, MA. Olde Ipswich Days is a favorite for all to meet and greet old friends and new, browse the booths and do some early holiday shopping, or make...
Where: South Village Green Ipswich
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
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History Rises from the Ruins
Kids will learn about the secret history of Maudslay State Park at this presenta
Join the Maudslay State Park interpreter on a tour of the former Moseley Family estate to view the house sites, gardens and farm complex area and talk about their historical significance. 
Where: Maudslay State Park
10:00 am to 11:30 am
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Art on the Bartlet Mall
For 40 years there has been the Art on Bartlet Mall painting show the first weekend of Newburyport Yankee Homecoming.
For 42 years there has been the Art on Bartlet Mall painting show the first weekend of Yankee Homecoming.  This year 60 artists again will be showing all media of work including a few hand-pulled printing artists.  The artists are from Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and even New Jersey. ...
Where: Bartlet Mall
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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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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Greek Food Festival in Newburyport
Newburyport Greek Food Festival - a Yankee Homecoming tradition at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
Come to the Greek food Festival at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Chruch in Newburyport during Yankee Homecoming week!
Where: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
11:00 am to 4:00 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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