Trails & Sails 2024

Trails & Sails | Ipswich River Paddle

Ipswich River Watershed Association invites Save the River Day as part of Trails and Sails!

Come tot he IRWA headquarters in Ipswich where we will paddle to downtown Ipswich River and then back. Through restoration projects like dam removal and invasive species management, to advocacy work around water conservation – we have the solutions to ensure a bright future for our river. Join us on tis paddle to learn more about our vision for the river and witness this precious resource first-hand. A full schedule of Ipswich River Watershed Association events is available at ipswichriver.org/calendar. Part of Trails & Sails

When:

Thursday, September 19, 2024 2-4pm

Location:

Ipswich River Watershed Association

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Self-Guided Tour of the Patton Homestead

Come to the Patton Homestead in Hamilton Massachusetts for a self-guided Sails and Trails Tour

Visitors are invited to engage in a self-guided audio tour created by the Wenham Museum for the Patton Family Archive and Town of Hamilton. Participants may come to the property at their leisure. A kiosk housing the QR code, and start of the tour, is located in the lower, gravel parking lot; parking is free of charge. The tour shares historical information about the Patton Family and grounds. Upon completion, guests are encouraged to explore the nature trail along the Ipswich River and take in the view at the Greenbelt River Overlook.

When:

Daily, September 14-29, 2024 8:30am-5pm

Location:

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Ocean Views Walk from Ravenswood to Rafe's Chasm

Take a hike along the 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.

Join us for a hike across Magnolia Woods to the oceanside cliffs of Rafe’s Chasm! This 3-mile round trip hike takes us through a 300-acre area of woodlands owned by the City of Gloucester (across the street from Ravenswood Park), out to Rafe’s Chasm, which features spectacular views of the ocean from rocky cliffs.

When:

Saturday, September 21, 2024 10am-12:30pm

Location:

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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.Guests may explore the breathtaking building and grounds of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester and take a SELF-GUIDED tour offering new insight into the inventor that was one of the North Shore’s most dynamic residents. Guests should plan 60 minutes to explore the Museum. We look forward to your visit!

When:

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 10am-3pm

Location:

Hammond Castle Museum

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Shipyard Open House

The Essex Massachusetts Shipbuilding Museum's Shipyard is fun for the whole family. This open house is part of Essex Heritage Trails & Sails

Essex Shipbuilding Museum invites families to enjoy complimentary admission to the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum and explore the Shipyard!

When:

Saturday, September 14, 2024 10am-3pm

Location:

Essex Shipbuilding Museum

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A Quarryman’s Tales and Tools!

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry and learn about the tools used to cut Rockport Granite

Before power tools: how long did it take a stonecutter to drill a hole with hand-tools? Join us for a demonstration tools and presentation of the granite industry of yesteryear and granite’s use today. Co-sponsored by The Friends of Halibut Point State Park. All ages.

When:

Saturday, September 28, 2024 10am-Noon

Location:

Halibut Point State Park

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Visit the Saugus Iron Works Museum

Learn about the history of iron making at the Saugus Iron Works Museum. Exhibits include artifacts excavated during the archaeological dig performed on-site in the 1940s-1950s. See the original 17th century blast furnace waterwheel, an anvil base and hammer head from the original forge, and other tools and items from the 1600s. The museum also includes Native American artifacts that predate European settlement by thousands of years. This is a Trails & Sails event.

When:

Wednesday-Sunday, September 14-29, 2024 9am-4pm

Location:

Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

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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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Saturday, January 31

CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike

Come explore the lesser-visited corners of Castle Hill and its surroundings with us this season. This hike is a CraneOutdoors guide favorite because it’s got a little bit of all the things that make the Crane Estate such a special place…

Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

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Animal Tracks | Family Nature Series

This event with North Shore Nature Programs is geared toward families of all ages who would like to learn about the signs and tracks that animals leave behind! We will explore outdoors and look at tracks, chewed sticks, scat, nests, beaver constructions and more! Waterproof and warm...

10:00 am to 11:30 am

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CraneExplorer: Family Full Moon Hike in the Dunes

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...

Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

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Sunday, February 1

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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Watching the Coastal Edge at Halibut Point

Meet at the Halibut Point State Park visitors center to learn about the role Halibut Point has played in America’s military history. One day after the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, U.S.

Where: Halibut Point State Park

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

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CraneOutdoors: Family Winter Wildlife Walk

A CraneOutdoors Family Winter Wildlife Walk will take you on a stroll through the Crane Beach dunes while learning about the plants and animals that call this special place home. You may be familiar with Crane Beach, but have you ever visited the dune trails? The dunes of Castle Neck are a much...

Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

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Sunday STEAM Club at North Shore Children's Museum

Join in on Sundays at 2:30 for STEAM Club for ages 5-11. Each week participants will explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math with our NSCM staff! Every STEAM club session will see your kids participating in hands-on activities while exploring a new topic. Space is limited, please...

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

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Snow Moon Winter Celebration

Come to Spencer Peirce Little Farm to celebrate the season under the stillness of February's full Snow Moon! Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm opens its gates for a winter celebration that honors the beauty of the land, th

Where: Spencer Peirce Little Farm

3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

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