Gloucester

Fairy Shrimp, Salamanders, and Frogs--Alive!

Ramona Latham - Directory of the Discovery Center at Ravenswood park in Gloucester, holds a yellow spotted salamander for closer inspection.

Venture to vernal pools where survival of fairy shrimp, salamanders, and wood frogs are crucial.  We will explore pools, learn how to protect them, and meet these creatures that depend on these pools.  This program is instructive to participants, so you can take home the techniques, forms, and methods to certify pools in your neighborhood...or back yard.  This is a family-friendly opportunity, so exploration is an important--and fun!--element in the program.  Directions to pre-registrants.

When: 
Saturday, April 16, 2016 1-3PM
Location: 

Creature Feature: Peeper Creatures

The Trustees of Reservations invite you to bring the whole family to Ravenswood Park for an introduction to Vernal Pools featuring live animals and a presentation by the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team. Meet salamanders and frogs that live on the North Shore and get a rare close-up view of these animals.  Learn their natural history and behaviors then journey with a guide into the park for a night-time walk. 

When: 
Saturday, March 19, 2016 6-8PM
Location: 

Mile Twelve Bluegrass Band

Rockport Musicv and the Hive in Gloucester host a free bluegrass live performance featuring Mile Twelve Bluegrass Band

Rockport Music and The Hive host a FREE performance in Gloucester! Mile Twelve is a fresh and innovative new voice in contemporary bluegrass music.  Based in Boston, MA they are fast gaining recognition for their outstanding performances in New England bluegrass and folk circles.  Combining a love for traditional bluegrass with songwriting skills honed at renowned music schools, they present a refined and powerful musical directive.  

When: 
Friday, April 15, 2016 7 PM

Cape Ann Summer Activities Fair

Cape Ann Summer Activities for North Shore Children

Kestrel Educational Adventures is hosting the 2016 Cape Ann Summer Program Fair. Speak with summer program directors and get your kids signed up for a summer full of outdoor advernture, including science and nature exploration all while enjoying wild adverntures this summer.

Come join us at the 1st Annual Cape Ann Summer Program Fair, hosted by Kestrel Educational Adventures! 1:30 to 4:30 at The Get Outside Center, 186 Main Street in Gloucester!

The Camp Fair is free and open to the community.

When: 
Sunday, March 6, 2016 1:30 4:30 p.m.

Story Time with Elsa at Ravenswood

Come to Ravenswood Park in Gloucester and meet Elsa!

The Trustees of Reservations invite you to Ravenswood Park to meet Elsa at their Pre-K Winter Story Time by the Woodstove!  Free if you become a member at the program.  Wear your prince or princess outfits!   Space is limited, register in advance at by contacting Ramona at rlatham@thetrustees.org or 978.281.8400. 

When: 
Saturday, March 6, 2016 10-11AM
Location: 

SFL: Storytime

SFL: Storytime, Gloucester MA

You and your child are invited to a morning of playtime, stories, songs, bubbles, movement, and crafts.  Children have lots of fun and a its great way to introduce your child to other children his/her own age.  For children ages 2-4.  All are welcome!  No registration required.

When: 
Fridays from 10 - 11 a.m.

Expedition! Vacation Week (ages 7-12)

This February Vacation week come join us for a week full of winter woodland family fun at Ravenswood Park and the Cape Ann Discovery Center.

This February Vacation week come join us for a week full of winter woodland family fun at Ravenswood Park and the Cape Ann Discovery Center. Activities are designed to encourage exploration, stimulate the imagination, and kick start creativity. With a new theme each day, you can register your child (accompanied by his or her favorite adult) per day or join us for the full week at a discounted rate!

When: 
Monday, February 15 - Friday, February 19, 2016 10AM-Noon
Location: 

Creature Feature: Night Creatures

Meet live night creatures at Ravenswood Park and go for a guided night tour

Have you seen the barred owls, foxes, or red squirrels of Ravenswood Park? Come to our new Cape Ann Center for Learning & Discovery when these live animals visit, and get a close-up view of these creatures to learn about their habits and behaviors. Tonight we'll discover nocturnal animals, such as bats and foxes, that sleep during the day and are active at night – then we'll take a guided hike in the park to see if we can spot a few in their natural habitat.

When: 
Saturday, February 20, 2016 5-7 PM
Location: 

Valentine's Day Apres Ski with Appleton Cheeses

Enjoy the snowy trails of Ravenswood Park in Gloucester on Valentine's Day!

Celebrate Valentines Day the natural way... outdoors! Escape the hearts and join us for an afternoon of skiing or snowshoeing (or hiking if no snow) through Ravenswood's carriage paths of rolling hills and dales. Warm up afterwards around the woodstove with a tasting of Appleton Farms cheeses, local chocolate, and wine. Pre-registration required. Bring your own skis or snowshoes (or rent snowshoes from us).

When: 
Sunday, February 14, 2016 1-3pm

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Appleton Farms offers great farm-based Vacation Week Programs for kids ages 5-11

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...
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

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...
7:00 am to 8:00 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

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.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Tuesdays are for Everyone at Salisbury Beach

Tuesdays are for everyone special events and activities at Salisbury Beach in Massachusetts
Come to Salisbury Beach every Tuesday, July through August for FREE seaside, family friendly activities! Starting July 11th, every Tuesday, thorugh August 22 there will be free family friendly programing at the Salisbury Beach Center.
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Gloucester Gratis Days at Hammond Castle

Bring your kids to the Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts during April Vacation
In keeping with John Hays Hammond, Jr's original vision for his seaside castle-home to serve as a museum offering the Gloucester community access to ancient works of architectural art, Hammond Castle Museum will offer Gloucester residents free, self-guided tours each Tuesday throughout the regular...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

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.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays

Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays includes great dining live music, dancing & extended shopping hours for shopping Downtown Ipswich Massachusetts Tuesday evenings!
Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays includes great dining, live music, dancing at the Take-Out Terrace Stage on the Riverwalk  & extended shopping hours for shopping Downtown Ipswich Tuesday evenings!  Each week will feature live entertainment on the Riverwalk, making for a fun evening out for the whole...
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Thursday, August 28

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.
11:00 am

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

Salem Farmers' Market

The Salem Farmer's Market bring the goodness of local farm to downtown Salem!
The Salem Farmers' Market brings fresh local produce and other foods from North Shore farms and other local resources to downtown Salem every Thursday at  Bentley Academy Charter School!
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Salisbury Farmers' Market

Salisbury Farmers Market is a great source of local produce.
The Salisbury Farmers' Market offers a vibrant community experience with a variety of fresh, locally sourced produce, unprocessed honey, farm-fresh eggs, and maple syrup. Enjoy music, local market creations, and engage with local farmers. The market also features monthly craft markets, cooking...
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Castle Hill Picnic Concert - Orville Giddings Band

Orville Giddings brings boogie blues music to Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in this Thursday evening concert. Photo ©David Stone
Looking for a fun family outing on the North Shore of Massachusetts? Don't miss the Thursday Night Picnic Concerts at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich! These concerts offer a perfect opportunity to enjoy quality time with your loved ones in a beautiful and exclusive setting on the North...
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Friday, August 29

Gloucester Schooner Festival 2025

The Gloucester Schooner Festival celebrates maritime, sailing and fishing heritage of Cape Ann Massachusetts
The Gloucester Schooner Festival is a  wonderful celebration of Gloucester's fishing and maritime history during labor day weekend. This year's festival, hosted by Maritime Gloucester, is Gloucester’s major marine event, with participating vessels coming from ports along the Eastern seaboard and...
7:00 am to 10:00 pm

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...
7:00 am to 8:00 pm

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.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

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...
7:00 am to 7:00 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
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