Hike

Invertebrates of the Field and Forest

Families will learn about invertabrates of the North Shore with North Shore Nature Programs

North Shore Nature Programs is happy to be participating in our first ever Trails and Sails event! Join experienced naturalists Andrew and Dan on a guided hike through Camp Denison’s fields and forests. Your family can expect to see katydids, dragonfly’s, centipedes, millipedes, and sow bugs! Each family will have the opportunity to touch and hold as many invertebrates as they please! You will also learn about the amazing adaptations these creatures require to live in the wild.

When: 
Sunday, September 29, 2019 2-4pm
Location: 
Camp Denison Recreation Area
North Andover
Hike
Walk
Exploration
Outdoor Activity
Field Trip
Science
Live Animals

Children's Fall Fair

Marblehead Susatainability Children's Fall Fair at the Hamond Nature Center in Marblehead

Get outside, learn and play this fall! Join us for a few hours of fun and discovery at the Children's Fall Fair -- Sunday, October 6th 10am -1pm at Hamond Nature Center located at the end of Everett Paine Boulevard in Marblehead.  Hosted by Sustainable Marblehead in partnership with Marblehead Recreation and Parks Department, the Fair will include hands-on, family-friendly activities, displays and presentations connected to sustainability and environmental protection, designed for ages 10 and under.

When: 
Sunday, October 6, 2019 10am - 1pm
Location: 
Hamond Nature Center
Marblehead
Fair
Sustainability
Ecology
Outdoor Activity
Walk
Hike

Sense of Wonder Walk: Meadow Exploration

Learn about the meadow habitat and who lives there at Ipsiwch River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield

A meadow with grasses and wildflowers is home to many insects, from bees and butterflies to grasshoppers and crickets. Take a walk to a meadow to see how many different wildflowers you can find, and then take a closer look at insects using nets and collecting jars.

When: 
Sunday, September 15, 2019 1:30-3pm
Location: 
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Topsfield
Hike
Walk
Class
Exploration
Discovery
Mass Audubon

Medicine in Colonial Salem - Witch House

Learn about colonial medecine at the Witch House in Salem Massachusetts as part of Trails and Sails!

Join us at the Witch House and Pioneer Village for a look at medicinal curiosities from the 17th century. At the Corwin House (a.k.a. the Witch House) we will share an exhibit featuring some of the more startling remedies our New England settlers trusted such as “snail water” and “skull moss”. The exhibit will be included in admission and free to Trails and Sails attendees each day of the festival.

When: 
Saturdays and Sundays, September 21-29, 2019 10am-4:45pm
Location: 
The Witch House
Salem
Hike
Walk
Outdoor Activity
Trails & Sails 2019
History
Demonstration

Surfcasting 101

Plum Island Beach in Newvburyport is an excellent spot to try fishing in the surf.

Ever wanted to try your hand at surfcasting from the Plum Island beach? Come join two local experts as they discuss the basics you’ll need to get started (or improve!). Topics will include what gear you will need, what to use for bait and lures, how to find a spot that may hold fish, and the best tides and times to go.

When: 
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 7-8:30pm
Location: 
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Ipswich
Hike
Walk
Instruction
Volunteer

Eco-Art: Bark Boats

Eco-art programs programs combine nature exploration and a craft project. Construct simple sailboats out of bark and leaves, then hike to the river and launch them from the canoe landing. What might a tiny sailor onboard see in the water? Using strainers and tubs, we will dip into the water to see what organisms we can find.

When: 
Thursday, July 25, 2019 9-11:00 am
Location: 
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Topsfield
Hike
Walk
Exploration
Outdoor Activity
Science
Discovery
Ecology

Family Adventure | The Edge of the Sea

Discover the natural beauty and varied beach to woodland habitats of Eastern Point with Mass Audubon

Join Mass Audubon as they explore the habitats of Eastern Point Wildlife Sanctuary in Gloucester. The cool breezes, superb coastline, and easily observed wildlife will delight your senses. We'll visit tide pools, salt marsh, woodlands, and adjoining fields using hands-on activities as we investigate each habitat.

When: 
Tuesday, July 23, 2019 9:30-11am
Location: 
Eastern Point Wildlife Sanctuary
Gloucester
Hike
Exploration
Discovery
Mass Audubon

Pages

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

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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
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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.
Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
7:00 am to 7:00 pm
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Trails & Sails
Explore the North Shore with over 150 Free Events in Essex National Heritage Area's Trails & Sails celebration in Massachusetts.
Essex National Heritage Area sites will offer over 150 free family fun events from September 14-29, 2024 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...
7:00 am to 10:00 pm
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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...
Where: Maudslay State Park
7:00 am to 7:00 pm
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Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
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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Crescent Farm Corn Maze
Crescent Farm corn maze in Haverhill Massachusetts
Imagine the biggest puzzle you’ve ever seen. Now imagine a day in the sunshine with your friends or family. Now add an adventure that takes teamwork and memory skills. All these things and more can be found at Crescent Farms Corn Maze. Crescent Farm Corn Maze trails cut into 9 acres of corn. Inside...
Where: Crescent Farm
9:00 am to 9:00 pm
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Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour
Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a self guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
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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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...
Where: Hammond Castle Museum
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
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Paddle Around Historic Rockport Harbor
Paddle around Rockport Massachusetts Harbor for FREE as part of Trails and Sails
Come join North Shore Adventures and Outdoor Center for some fun on the water! No experience necessary. Depart from our private beach in one of our safe, stable kayaks or paddle boards and paddle around the historic Rockport Harbor for 30 mins. See lobster boats, Motif #1, the Rockport Break water...
Where: Downtown Rockport
10:30 pm
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Sunday, September 21

Marbleheaders in the American Revolution
Glovers Regiment in Marblehead Massachusetts is just one stop on this Trails & Sails tour.
Pick up a program book and experience Revolutionary War-era Marblehead at various sites in the Historic District. Meet the wife of war hero, James Mugford; explore Fort Sewall with Glover’s Regiment; meet diarist Ashley Bowen portrayed by Donald Friary and experience an Anglican service at St....
Where: Downtown Marblehead
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
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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...
Where: Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
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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.
Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
11:00 am
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Vintage BaseBall at Spencer-Peirce Little Farm
Come see how baseball used to be played at Spencer Pierce Little Farm. Photo: Matthew Muise Photography
It’s Base Ball, 1864 style at Spencer Peirce Little Farm! These fun, historically accurate games feature underhand pitching and no gloves are allowed. A ball bounced once and caught is an out! Snacks, baseballs, and cards are available for purchase. Come and see for yourself how this game was...
Where: Spencer Peirce Little Farm
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
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Fireman's Muster in Salisbury
Join the fun of the Fireman's Muster in the heart of Salisbury Massachusetts as part of Salisbury Days
The Town of Salisbury hosts a fireman's muster as part of Salisbury Days! Come join the fun with your family and watch the teamwork involved in this New England Tradition! As Part of Salisbury Days Celebration, on Sunday, in addition to the Muster event attendees can enjoy:
Where: Salisbury Town Common
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
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Salisbury Days: Touch a Truck
Kids (and adults) can get up close and personal with all kinds of trucks in Salisbury Massachusetts
Salisbury Days are hosting a Touch-A-Truck event! Get up close and personal with all the trucks/unique vehicles you see on the road. Meet the people who drive them and learn about what they do!
Where: Salisbury Town Common
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
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Brocklebank Museum Open House

Explore the Brocklebank Museum in Georgetown Massachusetts as part of Trails and Sails!
Visit the Brocklebank Museum, built in the late 1600s, with ties to the abolitionist movement and the famous Beecher family. tep back in time to the birth of our Nation. The Revolutionary War era in Essex County. Stop by and visit the Georgetown Historical Society in our tavern room at the...
Where: Brocklebank Museum
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
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Step Aboard the Friendship of Salem

Permission to come aboard the Friendship of Salem is granted at Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!
Explore the FRIENDSHIP OF SALEM, a replica tall ship based on a 1796 Salem vessel at Salem Maritime National Historic Site.
Where: Salem Maritime National Historic Site
1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
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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.
Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
2:00 pm
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Nice n' Easy Hike at Maudslay State Park
Take a nice n' easy stroll at Muadslay State Park with your family in Newburyport Massachusetts!
Take a nice n' easy stroll at Bradley Palmer State Park with your family! Join the park interpreter for a basic recreational hike to explore the diverse landscape on a variety of trails through different areas of the park. For all ages.
Where: Bradley Palmer State Park
2:00 pm
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