Walk

The Lady of Salem: Maritime Art

Learn about the history of Salem Massachusetts through this unique public art installation self-guided tour!

Discover Salem’s Golden Age of Sail as you uncover clues! Celebrate America’s Maritime History! The Ladies of Salem will have you looking up at whimsical and beautifully designed figureheads gracing lampposts downtown. “What is a figurehead ?” you may ask? It’s a large carved wooden decorative three dimensional representation of a person, animal or mythical creature located at the bow (forward part) of a sailing ship. They were thought to bring good luck as the “eyes” of the ship. Each “Lady” has a unique story to tell. Just head to Destination Salem Visitors Center on Derby Street to pick up the scavenger hunt, and use QR codes to find the lady locations!

When:

June-October 2025

Location:

Destination Salem Visitors Center

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Discover the Highest Point on the Essex Seacoast!

Take a Trails & Sails hike to the top of Powow Hill in Amesbury Massachusetts!

Come join Amesbury Trails for a guided hikeup Powow Hill, at the summit of the highest peak on the Essex County Seacoast! This narrated hike will include the historical background of the area and descriptions of the features and landscapes encountered along the hike. Enjoy exploring a variety of biomes as we climb from the edge of Lake Gardner, through wetlands, hardwood and pine forest to reach the highest point on the Essex Seacoast – Powow Hill! Views of three states and the Isles of Shoals await us as we visit Batchelder Park on the summit, established 100 years ago!

When:

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 10-11:30am

Location:

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Half Marathon by the Sea

Named for the host community of Manchester-by-the-Sea, the race provides scenic views. Race through the historic and charming downtown and past the pristine fresh water lakes in nearby Hamilton, MA.

When:

Sunday, September 14, 2025 9:45am

Location:

Manchester Essex Regional High School

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Happy as a Clam 5k & Kid Fun Run

The Happy as a Clam Road Race invites children and families to race in Essex

The 15th Happy as a Clam 5k Race, Walk and Fun Dashes - powered by Great Marsh Brew Co, our exclusive Flagship Sponsor - is Friday, September 15, 2023! This event is open to anyone who wants to support a community school and all the wonderful enrichment programs the students hope to enjoy throughout the year. The 5K route meanders through the beautiful back roads of Essex. The Kids' Fun Dashes are always a hit, with even the littlest ones smiling from start to finish. Come out, lace up, and pound the pavement for the students of EES. It's sure to be another fun race this year!

When:

Friday, September 12, 2025 5pm

Location:

Essex Elementary School

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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. Visit Long Hill’s breathtaking gardens and stately historic house for a guided tour. Enjoy the rich history of this grand country estate, home of the Sedgwick family, as you learn about the elegant lifestyle of wealthy Bostonians on the North Shore, and the artisans who created it. The tour takes you through the Federal-style house and the spectacular gardens, with terraces, statues, fountains, and pagodas, each section filled with unique perennial flowers from around the world. Highlights of the tour include a room filled with stunning 19th century Chinese wallpaper, the evolution of the stunning Sedgwick gardens, and the hidden connection between the house and an old Southern antebellum mansion.

When:

Saturdays & Sundays, April 12 - September 21, 2025 11am-Noon

No Tours: April 20, May 10 & July 26

Location:

Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens

Trustees of Reservations

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StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

“Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser Storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts

Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! “Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser is featured in this StoryWalk Series. Younger kids will love this gentle, richly illustrated children’s nonfiction book aimed at preschool–third grade readers. It explores the life cycle, physical traits, and behaviors of the monarch butterfly in clear, simple language accompanied by vibrant, full-color drawings

When:

Daily during park hours through September 2, 2025

Location:

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Beverly Commons Walking Tour

Learn about the area once called the "witches' woods" while enjoying forrested greenery in Beverly Massachusetts.

Beverly Commons, once part of a colonial-era common land, was known as Sheep Pasture. This area holds great stories of the past. Join us for a walk into history as we explore this wooded area and discover the stories hidden inside including that of an early 20th century immigrant settlement and the tale of Witches Woods. We will also discuss the general uses of common land in the city including that of pasturing and military training grounds. Tour is 2 miles.

When:

Saturday, August 9, 2025 2-3:30pm

Location:

Beverly Commons Conservation Area

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Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

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 nineteenth-century gardens, scenic meadows, and towering pine forests.

When:

Daily Dawn to Dusk through the Season 2025

Location:

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CraneOutdoors: Choate Island Kayak and Hiking Adventure

Take a guided kayak paddle and hike to Choate Island with the Trustees of Reservations!

Join The Trustees of Reservations for a paddle and a hike – what better way to spend an afternoon? Kayaking the pristine, sheltered waters of the Essex River Basin offers one of the top on-the-water experiences to be had in Northeast. Add to that a hike on the area’s largest island and you have the makings of an epic adventure. This combined outdoor trip in the Crane Wildlife Refuge—home to myriad birds and mammals including egrets, herons, deer, and coyote—offers an opportunity to fully experience all this beautiful area has to offer.

When:

Sunday & Monday May 25 & 26, 2025

Saturdays, May 31 - August 30, 2025 1-4:30pm

Sundays, June 15 - August 31, 2025 1-4:30pm

No session: June 14, 21 & 28, July 13 & 27, August 16

Location:

Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

Trustees of Reservations

Kayak

Boat

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Firefly Foray

Come Explore Maudslay State Park on a Firefly Expedition in Newburyport Massachusetts!

You’ve always wanted to know about those flashing insects who come out at night. Here’s your chance! Learn about the life of a firefly, then go on a walk to observe firefly behavior and see them close up. Bring a net or jar to catch (and release) fireflies.

When:

Fridays, June 20 & 27, 2025 8:30-9:30pm

Saturdays, July 21 & 28, 2025 8:30-9:30pm

Location:

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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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Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

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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Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .

Where: Pingree School

8:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....

Where: Downtown Salem

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

Travel back in time to a castle filled with lush, opulent textures inspired by the great medieval and Renaissance castles of Europe. Wander through rooms adorned with White Birch and Christmas trees, sparkling fairy lights, hydrangea-lace garlands, and elegant bows, each space transformed with its...

Where: Hammond Castle Museum

10:00 am to 8:00 pm

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Saturday, November 29

Thanks for the Trails 5k

ECTA is holding its 8th Annual Thanks for the Trails 5k and Kids Fun Run the Saturday after Thanksgiving at Patton Park in Hamilton (November 29, 2025). The Kids' Run will begin at 9:30AM and the 5k will start at 10AM. Using a scenic and challenging course and offering great prizes, this will be...

Where: Patton Park

7:30 am to 11:30 am

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Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .

Where: Pingree School

8:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Where: Downtown Salem

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Tree Jubilee at Marini Farm

Come to Marini Farm for the Tree Jubilee fundraiser to benefit The Ipswich Humane Group. Tour the gallery of uniquely decorated trees and wreaths donated by local organizations, families, and businesses then choose the ones you want a chance to win! OVER 100 spectacularly decorated trees and...

Where: Marini Farm

10:00 am

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Bevrec Toy Drive

The BevRec will be hosting a Holiday Toy Drive at Lynch Park to benefit the great work that Beverly Bootstraps does for our community. We’re collecting new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages to help make this season brighter for everyone in our community.

Where: Lynch Park

10:00 am to 1:00 pm

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Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

Where: Hammond Castle Museum

10:00 am to 8:00 pm

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SeaFestival of Trees in Salisbury | Saturdays

The Seacoast’s most magical holiday tradition is back! The 13th Annual SeaFestival of Trees opens Saturday, November 22 at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury, transforming the oceanfront venue into a sparkling winter wonderland of more than 145 themed trees, a giant sand sculpture, Santa’s...

Where: Blue Ocean Music Hall

11:00 am to 8:00 pm

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Take a Trolley Ride with Scrooge!

Join Scrooge on the Salem Trolley as you ride through Salem Massachusetts in this rolling production performed by the Griffen Theater . Now entering into it's 39th Season, this humorous & whimsical interactive performance reanimates Dickens’ timeless seasonal holiday classic. Experience...

Where: Salem Trolley

2:00 pm to 9:30 pm

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Cape Ann Symphony Holiday Pops

Celebrate the Holidays on Thanksgiving weekend with the Cape Ann Symphony conducted by Yoichi Udagawa. The annual Holiday Pops is a musical celebration of the season.

Where: Ipswich High School, Where: Manchester Essex Regional High School

2:00 pm

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