Experiential Play

—During the month of September explore conservation lands, learn a bit about Manchester’s history, and have some fun! Accept the challenge to visit multiple locations at surrounding conservation areas, learn some history and celebrate the 375th Anniversary of the founding of Manchester by the Sea!...

Essex County Greenbelt Association will host the annual road cycle event to raise funds for conservation efforts on the North Shore!  Cycling enthusiasts of all abilities can ride through some of Essex County’s most beautiful landscapes in this annual road cycle event to benefit local land...

Enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the 22nd Annual Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay Exhibit September 12 through October 2 featuring 50 site specific sculptures by local artists addressing this year’s theme, ‘Reach’ within the magnificence of Maudslay State Park in Newburyport. Look for the large...

The 12th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit will feature more than by established and emerging New England artists, all displayed on the 100-acre campus of Pingree School. Once again, Pingree will display more than 50 works by artists from as nearby as Hamilton and as far away as the...

Pristine beauty, wide open space, gorgeous views, and the chance to float up and down the peaceful, winding creeks of the world's second most productive ecosystem.

Sign up for the 17th Annual Run for the Trails! Don't miss out on this great course over some of the North Shore's best trails! Divisions: 39 and under, 40-49, 50-59, 60+. Don't miss out on this great course over some of the North Shore's best trails! 

Come to Connors Farm to find your way through this year's maze, "The Music Maze"! 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.

The Marblehead Farmer's Market boasts 15+ local farms, and booths with an educational spin nutrition, vendors and farms selling homemade prepared goods and craft vendors that are switched up in a rotation basis week to week. Additionally there are entertainers and exhibits by environmentally...

As part of COASTSWEEP 2021, volunteers are encouraged to come to Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate to help in the statewide effort to keep our

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.  For ages pre-K and up.  Come to the ponds next to the Main Parking Lot, 40 Asbury St., Topsfield.

Join us for a cruise in Essex Bay aboard our pontoon boat the Osprey!

As part of COASTSWEEP 2021, volunteers are encouraged to come to Gloucester to help in the statewide effort to keep our coastline clean along the Gloucester beaches and shoreline. Trash collected will be measured and analyzed, and the data will be sent to Washington DC to aid the government in...

Essex National Heritage Area sites will offer over 150 free family fun events from September 17-26, 2021 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...

Come to Rebecca Nurse Homestead to try your hand at ancient hunting practices! The technique of using an atlatl, or spear throwing stick, is an ancient global technology. Join us, along with the Eugene Winter Chapter of Mass Archaeological Society, as they teach you the finer points about hunting...

The NH Maker & Food Fest is back for 2021 and we're excited to once again host a wide variety of Makers for this day of exploration and discovery. The NH Maker & Food Fest, hosted and organized by The Children's Museum of New Hampshire in Dover, is a gathering of fascinating, curious people...

Head to North Andover to the Annual Fall Festival sponsored by the North Andover Merchants Association held on the grounds of the North Andover Common - Old Center. This event is a combination of a merchant market and a fun filled day of activities for kids. 

Come to Marini Farm for a fun journey through our corn maze! The Maze Park, corn maze, farm stand, bakery and other attractions provide a great destination for kids birthday parties, school trips, corporate team building, scout outings, and family activities. Marini Farm is located in beautiful...

Come to Rebecca Nurse Homestead and get your hands dirty with us as you become an archaeologist for the day! Working alongside professionals from the University of Southern Maine, kids and adults can try their hand at digging and uncovering pieces of history. Over the past decade we have uncovered...

Join the staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a tour of the industrial site which will include operating water wheels and discussions on the iron making process. Stay for a second presentation, a demonstration of blacksmithing techniques.

Follow trip leader Dave Marro (Cape Ann Trail Stewards Director and Chair of the Magnolia Woods Advisory Committee) on a walk across Magnolia Woods. This newly created trail links the southern edge of the Trustees of Reservation's Ravenswood Park with the City of Gloucester's Rafe's Chasm Park. The...

Visit Valley View Farm to learn about Essex County's largest farmstead goat cheese maker. See nubian goat herd, learn about cheesemaking, see the cheese cave and sample cheeses. Cheese and farm products available to purchase.

United States Coast Guard Station Gloucester is having an open house and safe boating day! Stop by and learn all about the Coast Guard and its important role in Gloucester. The United States Coast Guard Station Gloucester annual Safe Boating Day Open House will feature local marine vendors, safe...

Produce and locally-grown and made farm products can be purchased on-site from our farmers from 10am-1pm at the Rockport Farmers Market. Just stop by, follow our protocols, and buy fresh food directly from your farmers and food producers! A huge thank you to Rockport Music for their generosity in...

One of Beverly's most familiar landmarks, this lighthouse commands a spectacular view of Salem Sound, and 3 other lighthouses. An enduring monument to Beverly's nautical heritage, it is one of 5 Massachusetts lighthouses that still retains its original Fresnel lens.

Maudslay State Park invites you to take a snapshot look at the three stone bridges erected by the Moseleys – and their history. Join the park interpreter on a walk to see the unique stone bridges of the former Moseley Family Estate. Learn about their construction and historical use, plus...

Discover a wonderful world of wetlands of the Crane Estate! Families are invited to get your feet wet and hands dirty in the salt marsh while using scientific tools to investigate marsh soil, water, & weather, and identify marsh flora and fauna. Learn what lives in the salt marsh, how the tides...

Come fly a kite at Cogswell's Grant! Bring your own kite or build one of your own, and watch professional kite flyers from Kites Over New England. Supported by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Rolling grasslands, grazing livestock, agricultural fields, stone walls, and historic farm buildings are part of this 1,000-acre pastoral landscape – a rare glimpse into New England’s agricultural past. A gift of Colonel Francis R. Appleton, Jr., and his wife Joan, Appleton Farms is one of the...

NBPT Cornhole and the Merrimack River Watershed Council present the 1st Annual "Save Our River Festival". This event will take place at the outdoor pavilion of the Newburyport Elks, and will feature a Giant Cornhole Tournament, BBQ, a cash bar, live music, an art show, games and more. This will be...

PlumFest is a community-driven project to bring local musicians, island residents and visitors together to showcase the natural beauty and artistry that make Plum Island such a special place. As an early participant in the “porch-fest” movement that is gaining popularity nation-wide, PlumFest...

Join Historic Beverly for an Open House at Hale Farm. Learn about Beverly’s early history with free tours of the c.1694 Rev. John Hale House. Children’s activities all day; Beer Garden onsite for 21+ with Gentile Brewery.

Join the Trustees at Farmhouse Wood-Fired every Thursday through Sunday, throughout the summer and fall. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets for a perfect wood-fired dining experience surrounded by the idyllic beauty of Appleton Farms. The menu will change weekly, featuring local and...

Get your blood flowing as you climb up the clock and bell tower of Gloucester's magnificent City Hall to the belfry level! At the belfry level you will look down on Gloucester's civic center and, weather depending, beyond to Thacher Island's twin lighthouses, to Ipswich Bay and Magnolia. As you...

Join the staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site National Historic Site for a blacksmithing demonstration.

Are you a young person who loves being outdoors, cares about the environment, and wants to share your knowledge with others? Take your first step toward becoming a Teen Naturalist volunteerr with these trainings. You'll work with our staff and other youth exploring local habitats, collecting...

As part of Trails & Sails 2021, visit the Newburyport Powder House, built 1822, as it opens as a historic park and learning center. The open house will feature a militia demonstration by the Acton Minutemen and guided tours of this unique historic landmark critical to our defense. Special...

Grab those wagons, bikes, doll carriages and push, pull, ride, stroll or walk and DECORATE. Children's wheels of all kinds are invited for an old fashioned bike parade at the Beach Center.

The McVann-O'Keefe Skating Rink in Peabody is open for Public Skating weekdays from 10-11:45 am, Saturday's at 2 pm, and Sundays at 2:10 pm. Call today to ask about the Learn to Skate program at with the Peabody Skating Club. The ice is perfect. The Halloween and Christmas parties are a blast, and...

Come to Ipswich MA for a night of lights, illumination and light inspired artistry!  There will be live entertainment, bonfires and luminaries along the ipswich River, Interactive dance, art shows lasers and more!

Join Essex County Ghost Project on a FREE guided ghost tour of Hilldale Cemetary - one of the Merrimack Valley's most active cemeteries as part of Trails & Sails 2021.  The gates open at 6:30 pm and at 7pm we will start exploring one of New Englands most haunted sites. There have been reports...