Exploration

Choate Island Day

The annual Choate Island Day celebration hosted by The Trustees at The Crane Estate is coming up on Saturday, September 28th! With a ticket to this family-friendly event, you can access Choate Island, the crown jewel of the Crane Wildlife Refuge located behind Crane Beach in Essex Bay. Hop on the bus at Crane Beach, and then take the Essex River Cruises riverboat over to the island. Enjoy guided or self-guided tours allow you to explore the island and tour three historic buildings, with a kid's scavenger hunt, light refreshments, and history & wildlife stations and talks along the way.

When: 
Saturday, September 28, 2024 10AM-3PM
Last Admission at 1pm

Kimball Farm Corn Maze

Kimball Farm corn maze in Haverhill Massachusetts

At the Kimball Farm Corn Maze all are welcome to come and enjoy the challenge of finding your way through the winding corn field maze. Our originally designed CORN MAZE  is full of Crazy angles and is sure to be a fun challenge. Have no fear, there will be clues along the way.  Be daring and try the maze on a Saturday Night with a Flash Light  (TBD). 

When: 
Fridays, September 6-November 1, 2024 5-9pm
Saturdays, September 7-November 2, 2024 10am-9pm
Sundays, September 8-November 3, 2024 10am-5pm

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 the tall field of corn, we have cut several walking paths, creating a Maze with only one way in and one way out. Visitors can enjoy getting lost in the maze’s twisting turns and dead ends trap!

When: 
Daily, August 31-October 31, 2024 Hours Vary
Location: 

Farm Days Festival

Farm Days is a family event held at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts

Join us for our Annual Fall Celebration at Appleton – Farm Days! Spend the afternoon exploring the farm, listening to music, enjoying great food & beer, hiking our trails, entertaining the kids and more. Please Note: Tickets are per vehicle, not per person, and include access to the farm and all of the events and activities listed below. Food, drink, and hayrides are purchased separately.

When: 
Saturday, September 14, 2024 12-5PM
Sunday, September 15, 2024 12-5PM
Location: 

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. Learn about the voyages of the original FRIENDSHIP and the lives of the crewmembers onboard. The two-decked, three-masted, square-rigged, 342-ton vessel represents New England’s influential role in the development of global and domestic maritime trade. Part of Trails & Sails

When: 
Saturdays, September 14, 21 & 28, 2024 1-4pm
Sundays, September 15, 22 & 29, 2024 1-4pm

A Spiritual Quest Weekend at Hilldale Cemetery

Hilldale Cemetary in Haverhill Massachusetts is one of the North Shore's most active paranormal spots!

Do you believe in Ghosts? If you do then join the Essex County Ghost Project and Witches Wonder fort a spooktacular evening of haunts and fun . The gates open at 6:30 pm and hunt starts at 7pm . We are exploring one of New England’s most Haunted historical sites . There have been reports of full and partial body apparitions, voices , shadow figures and more . So pack up your cameras , pendulums, digital recorders and other paranormal equipment for a night of paranormal history and intrigue .

When: 
Saturdays, September 14, 21 & 28, 2024 6:30-10:30pm
Fridays, September 21 & 28, 2024 6:30-10:30pm

Farm-Forest-Ice Cream Hike

Join this Trails and Sails Hike through the woods in Ipswich for a Ice Cream Treat!

Come to Marini Farm for a group hike through the forest to White Farms for an optional ice cream. The group will hike the same route back. Approximately two hours. Bring bug spray, water, sunscreen and hiking shoes. Meet at Linebrook Road entrance to Willowdale State Forest just west of Marini Farm - Look for the event sign.

When: 
Saturday, September 14, 2024 11am-1:30pm
Location: 

Creature of the Week at Maritime Gloucester

Come to Maritime Gloucester for a Creature of the Week Session on Cape Ann Massachusetts! Photo ©Bill O'Connor

Every week, we will highlight a different ocean animal that lives in our aquarium and can be found in and around Gloucester. Learn some interesting fun facts about the creature as you get up and close and personal through a meet and greet and a take-home craft. For kids aged 4-8.

When: 
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays 10:30-11:30am or 2-3pm

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Art Academy Summer Program at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly MA

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.
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

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

Music Together - Tuesday in Marblehead

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® of Salem classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

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

Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms

Kids can meet the barnyard animals and hear a story at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts.
Barnyard stories really come alive when you get to see the main characters in real life! Bring the kids down to Appleton Farms for our farm-fresh version of story time. Explore the farmstead, visit our learning garden, see our cows and rabbits, and find a spot to play under a shady tree in our...
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Raptors Rule at NPL

Tailwinds Raptor Education will present Raptors Rule at the Newburyport Public Library in Massachusetts
Spring is in the air! Meet our amazing owl and raptor species up close while learning all about them. This program illuminates some of the many amazing adaptations that allow the animals here to not only survive but thrive!
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Saturday, May 10

Tulip Festival at Cider Hill Farm

Come cut your own tulips at Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury Massachusetts
A gorgeous, fan-favorite variety of 100k tulips are scheduled to bloom in early May. Welcome spring with this multi-weekend festival featuring free live music, self-guided blooming orchard walks, outdoor hard cider bars, food trucks, fitness n' family activities and cut-your-tulips. General...
8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Annual Long Hill Plant Sale

The Trustees of Reservations Long Hill Plant Sale - a North Shore tradition in Beverly Massachusetts
The Trustees of Reservations invites you to Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens for their annual Long Hill Plant Sale. Enjoy this local tradition in it's 32nd year! Look through a wide selection of plants, from old favorites to rare and unusual species all grown here at Long Hill.
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Beverly Library Spring Book Sale

Beverly Library in Massachusetts hosts hosts their annual book sale and fundraiser. Image is AI generated.
Our annual Friends' Spring Book Sale takes place daily at the main library from Saturday, Saturday May 10 through May 17. The sale will be open daily during regular library hours: Mon.-Thurs., 9AM-9PM; Fri.
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Music Together - Saturday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
9:15 am to 11:15 am

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

2025 Salem Living Green Expo

Salem Living Green Expo at Derby Square in Salem Massachusetts
The Salem Chamber of Commerce and City of Salem Department of Sustainability and Resiliency are collaborating to co-host a Living Green Expo downtown! Come explore the Living Green Expo at Old Town Hall on Sat, May 10th (10AM - 1PM)!! Lots of great North Shore businesses and community organizations...
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Newburyport Kitchen Tour

Newburyport Kitchen Tour is a a self-guided tour that benefits the Newburyport PTO
The Annual Newburyport Kitchen Tour is a a self-guided tour where historic design meets modern amenities with sweet & savory bites & spirits.You are invited to tour magnificent kitchens at the 23rd Annual Newburyport PTO Kitchen Tour & Taste of the Port on Saturday, May 10th, 2025 10-3...
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

CraneExplorer: Mother's Day Coastal Crafts

Make a Mother's Day gift from nature the Trustees of Reservations Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts!
This Mother’s day, give a gift from the sea! From seaweed pressings to shell collages, beach treasures make beautiful greetings and keepsakes. Join this workshop to make a gift for Mom, OR bring Mom along for a fun coastal art-making outing! This program will start with a beach walk to collect...
10:00 am to 12:30 pm

2nd & 4th Saturday at Lynn Museum

Lynn Museum in Massachusetts offers free admission on the second Saturday of each month.
Come to the Lynn Museum and Historical Society for FREE family fun. Join us on the second and fourth Saturday of each month for FREE admission to the Museum from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.! You can view our latest exhibitions, purchase Lynn-themed goods in our shop, check out books in our free library, and...
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

LEGO Club at Salem Public Library

Come to the Salem Massachusetts Public Library for an afternoon of LEGO and fun!
Salem Public Library hosts a morning session of LEGO fun! We provide the LEGO, you provide the imagination.  Stop by the library on Saturday mornings (every other Saturday) to play and build.
10:30 am to 11:30 am
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