Self-Guided

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.

Take a self guided tour at Maudslay State Park during the spring bloom season! Maudslay’s laurels have covered the banks of the Merrimack River for centuries. From 1849 to 1870, Mr. and Mrs. William Ashby of Newburyport hosted annual literary parties at the Laurel Grounds called the “Feast of Flowers.” Guests included such famous figures as John Greenleaf Whittier, who composed several poems about the site. The formal gardens at Maudslay State Park bloom from May through August with a vast array of species and can be enjoyed before or after a wooded trail walk.

When: 
Daily Dawn to Dusk through Spring 2023

Hike & Seek: Tales of Trees

Come enjoy enjoy a self-guided outdoor activity adventure at the Trustees of Reservations Stevens-Coolidge Place.

The Trustees wants to bring you closer to the fantastical elements of the forest with this self-guided outdoor trail bundle for use on the Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens property. Avoid the bugs and the crowds and get outside this winter to discover the hidden life of trees!

When: 
Daily through March 13, 2022 9am-5pm

Manchester 375th Scavenger Hunt

The Manchester Essex Conservation Trust Scavenger is a healthy challenge for the entire family!

—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! It's a healthy way for your family to engage with the beautiful habitats you can find on the North Shore.

When: 
Daily through September 30, 2021

Self-guided Tours at Hammond Castle Museum

Take a self-guided tour of Hammond Castle in Gloucester as part of Trails and Sails!

Hammond Castle Museum was built in the 1920s by inventor John Hays Hammond, Jr. as a home for his extensive collection of medieval artifacts and his research laboratory. The first 30 walk-in guests on Wednesday, September 22 will receive free admission for a self-guided tour of the Museum and the grounds. During your visit you can explore the expansive rooms, see the medieval architectural components and collections, and wander on the back lawn overlooking the ocean.

When: 
Wednesday, September 22, 2021 9:30am-4pm
Location: 

Meet Cassie at Cape Ann Museum!

Meet Cassie the Sea Serpent at Cape Ann Museum during April Vacation Week

Take a break from the screen and come visit the Cape Ann Museum with your kids during April Vacation Week - Meet Cassie at the Cape ann Museum! Reserve a timed entrance for you and your family to follow the Museum's new family-friendly guide, Cassie the Sea Serpent, through the galleries. Inspired by the Cape Ann Sea Serpent, which was seen by hundreds in Gloucester Harbor between 1817-1819, Cassie poses questions and activities for students of all ages to engage with the collection. During April Vacation Week, all visitors will receive a free copy of Cassie’s Scavenger Hunt with activities and crayons included.

When: 
Thursday - Sunday, April 22 - 25, 2021 10am-3pm
Location: 

Autumn Feature Story Walk

Join DCR’s Autumn Feature StoryWalk® at Maudslay State Park, featuring One Small Place in a Tree, written by Barbara Brenner and illustrated by Tom Leonard

Join DCR’s Autumn Feature StoryWalk® at Maudslay State Park  Walk a trail and read the story One Small Place in a Tree, written by Barbara Brenner and illustrated by Tom Leonard.  Come and participate in this self Guided StoryWalk for Pre-K kids with adults!  Autumn is a perfect time to enjoy the magic of reading together outdoors!

When: 
Daily, October 1st - October 20, 2019

The Lady of Salem: Maritime Art

Tour the Ladies of Salem with Trails & Sails! Learn about the history of Salem Massachusetts through this unique public art installation!

Learn about Salem's maritime history and view "Lady of Salem" public art through a guided walking tours of the "Ladies." This festive Beautification Committee public art project features over 15 artistically decorated ship figureheads adorning downtown Salem. Tours will focus on Salem's maritime history, the public art project, and Salem's community involvement in public art. Maps for self-guided tours and Lady of Salem photo opportunities will be available. The project is supported by a Salem Cultural Council grant.

When: 
June-October 2018
Adirondack Leadership Program at Gordon College’s La Vida Center

Todd Farm Market

Come to Todd Farm on Sunday - A classic New England Fleas Market in Rowley Massachusetts!
From early Spring to late Fall, Todd Farm is a great Sunday destination for families!  Head to the farm and explore the outdoor award-winning Market featuring up to 240 vendors from all over New England and New York!
5:00 am to 3:00 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

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Take a self guided tour at Maudslay State Park during the spring bloom season! Maudslay’s laurels have covered the banks of the Merrimack River for centuries. From 1849 to 1870, Mr. and Mrs.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Salem Arts Festival 2023

The Salem Arts Festival is a joint project of Salem Main Streets and Creative Collective in Salem Massachusetts
For three days, this annual family friendly art festival transforms downtown Salem into an opportunity for the arts community to showcase their talents. The popular free event will feature many artists and performers, and includes a variety of art, music, dance, and theatre performances. The family...
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Faerie Houses in the Gardens

Explore the gardens in a fun and magical way at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate in North Andover Massachusetts!
Explore the gardens in a fun and magical way! Moonrise Fae have made faerie houses and nestled them in to corners of the garden. Join us to explore and let your imagination lead you on an adventure among the flowers.
10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Annual Walk/Run for HAWC

The annual walk for HAWC in Salem Massachusetts is a major fundraiser for the organization!
HAWC hosts their annual fundraiser run and walk in Salem, Massachusetts. Come together to support HAWC and raise critical funds and awareness for HAWC's work. Participate in our 5K traditional walk, a timed run, through historic downtown Salem. Then stay to participate in our Family Fun Festival...
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Vintage Base Ball Opening Day and Sheep Shearing Festival

Come see how baseball used to be played at Spencer Pierce Little Farm. Photo: Matthew Muise Photography
Take a step back in time and enjoy a spring day on the farm. Watch a live sheep shearing demonstration at 11:00am with shearer Leslie Sullivan. Cheer on your favorite teams of the Essex base Ball Association on their opening day.
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Magnolia Farmers Market

Come enjoy the Magnolia Farmers Market on Lexington Ave every Sunday!
The Magnolia Community Farmer’s Market will reopen in June of 2021 with a full line up of vendors, followers, entertainment and community purpose.
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

CraneOutdoors: Kayak Historic Fox Creek

Kayak the twists and turns of Fox Creek in Ipswich with the Trustees of Reservations
The Great Marsh—the largest contiguous salt marsh in New England—is not only brimming with fascinating natural history, it is also home to a rich cultural history. Nowhere is this more evident than in the meandering waters of Fox Creek. Connecting the tidal estuaries of the Essex River basin and...
11:00 am to 2:30 pm

Long Hill Garden Tours

Tour the Spring 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...
11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Farmhouse Wood-Fired at Appleton Farms

Farmhouse Wood-Fired Pizza at the Trustees of Reservations' Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts
Join the Trustees at Farmhouse Wood-Fired every Friday 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 seasonal...
12:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Newburyport Spring Festival 2023

Celebrate the onset of Spring in beatuiful downtown Newburyport Massachusetts
The Newburyport Chamber of Commerce invites you to welcome Spring's arrival to Newburyport at the 2023 Spring Fest!
12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

TitO presents Petrushka's Puppet Theater

Theater in the Open presents Petrushka's Puppet Theater at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
Come one! Come all! Join us in Maudslay State Park for Petrushka’s Flying Puppet Circus! Your favorite Panto clown is bringing her puppet friends to life in feats of daring to tell fairy tale stories in ways you’ve never heard before. Grab your sunscreen and a blanket and join us for a puppet-...
2:00 pm to 4:30 pm

CraneExplorer: Family Full Moon Hike in the Dunes

Walk through the Crane Wildlife Refuge in Ipswich Massachusetts with the Trustees under the full moon.
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...
7:45 pm to 9:45 pm

Monday, June 5

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Take a self guided tour at Maudslay State Park during the spring bloom season! Maudslay’s laurels have covered the banks of the Merrimack River for centuries. From 1849 to 1870, Mr. and Mrs.
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

Monday, June 5

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Faerie Houses in the Gardens

Explore the gardens in a fun and magical way at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate in North Andover Massachusetts!
Explore the gardens in a fun and magical way! Moonrise Fae have made faerie houses and nestled them in to corners of the garden. Join us to explore and let your imagination lead you on an adventure among the flowers.
10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Monday, June 5

Beverly Farmers' Market

Get fresh local produce at the Beverly Farmers Market in downtown Beverly Massac
The Beverly Farmers’ Market supports local agriculture while making healthy food available to all members of the Beverly community at affordable prices; the market promotes sustainable living practices and fosters community connections through our vendors, free activities and events. The market...
Where: Odell Park
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Monday, June 5

Safe Boating Class Newburyport

The Massachusetts Environmental Police will be holding a Safe boating course in Ipswich at Town Hall
Boat America is a boating certificate class that offers an in-depth and interesting boating safety course, and provides the knowledge needed to obtain a boating certificate. Boating certificates are required for youth ages 12-15 to operate motorized vessels in Massachusetts waters. Some insurance...
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Tuesday, June 6

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Take a self guided tour at Maudslay State Park during the spring bloom season! Maudslay’s laurels have covered the banks of the Merrimack River for centuries. From 1849 to 1870, Mr. and Mrs.
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

Tuesday, June 6

Landmark School Tours

Landmark School is a day and boarding school in Beverly, Mass., serving students in grades 2–12 with dyslexia or other specific learning disabilities.
Got Dyslexia? Be part of a community of day and boarding students in grades 2-12 diagnosed with dyslexia or other language-based learning disabilities. Landmark School is tailored to meet the needs of students who have Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, or Expressive Language Disorder.
8:45 am to 11:30 am

Tuesday, June 6

Butterfly Detectives at Stevens-Coolidge Estate

Kids will learn about monarch butterflies at the Trustees of Reservations' Stevens-Coolidge Estate in North Andover!
To encourage outdoor play and exploration of the great outdoors, this nature-based toddler playgroup will combine themed guided play with opportunities for free time for children and their caregivers to peek under rocks, inspect tree bark for hiding bugs and explore the gardens.
9:30 am to 10:30 am
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