Exploration

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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The Bridges of Maudslay

Maudslay State Park invites you to join the park interpreter on a walk to see the unique stone bridges of the former Moseley Family Estate. Learn about their construction and historical use, plus interesting stories about the family and their property. For ages 8 & up.

When:

Saturday, August 3, 2024 10-11:30am

Location:

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Healthy Heart Walk at Maudslay State Park

Find the hidden secrets of Maudslay State Park with the park interpreter

Join the park interpreter for a moderate walk designed to improve cardiovascular health, while journeying through the park on one of our many beautiful trails. For ages 6 & up.

When:

Sunday, August 18, 2024 10-11am

Location:

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Explore the Pond at Bradley Palmer

Join the park interpreter exploringt he ponds of Bradley Palmer State Park in Massachusetts!

What kinds of fascinating creatures live in or visit the ponds? Come and explore with the Park Interpreter to see if any creatures are stirring, and if any plants are flowering. For all ages. This is a great family activity! Meet at the ponds next to the Main Parking Lot, 40 Asbury Street, Topsfield.

When:

Fridays, June 21-August 30, 2024 10:30am-Noon

Location:

Bradley Palmer State Park

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Friendship of Salem Open-Ship Hours

Experience 400 Years of Maritime History aboard the Tall Ship Friendship at Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!

Presented by the Salem Maritime National Historic Site,explore the FRIENDSHIP OF SALEM, a replica tall ship based on a 1796 Salem vessel. 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.

When:

Saturdays & Sundays thru August 2, 2024 1-4pm

Location:

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

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Friday Family Farm Chores at Appleton Farms

Join The Trustees of Reservations at Appleton Farms for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays

Every day has a full list of barnyard chores we need to accomplish to make sure our farmyard friends are happy and healthy. Let’s get to work! Join us for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays and Saturdays! Get on your muck boots – your whole family will get to be farmers together. Help feed the rabbits, Violet and Vanilla, the goats, Morgana, Maeve, Merlin, and Mordred, and the dairy cows, Gray and Jasmine. Collect eggs from our flock of chickens, muck and bed the stalls, scrub buckets, fill hay managers, and more.

When:

Fridays, July 12 & 19, 2024 3:30-4:30pm

Fridays, August 2, 16, 23 & 30, 2024 3:30-4:30pm

Location:

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Tide Pool Exploration at Halibut Point

The tide pools at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport Massachusetts are some of the best in New England!

Halibut Point State Park invites families to join them on a tide pool adventure! See a great diversity of life at the rocky shore. Discover and identify different tide level zones and the unique creatures that cat these habitats their home. Learn about how salinity and exposure facilitate different creatures to live in these zones. Heavy rain cancels.

When:

Saturday, June 29, 2024 11am-Noon

Saturday, July 13, 2024 10-11am

Location:

Halibut Point State Park

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Nature at Night at Maudslay

Join the park interpreter for an evening walk to view the changes in nature as sunset approaches. For ages 6 & up.

When:

Fridays, July 12, 19 & 26, 2024 7:30-8:30pm

Location:

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All Family Field Trip: Birds on the River

Come see the different birds that live on the shore at Joppa Flat Education Center in Newburyport Massachusetts

Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the north shore. Our engaging and experienced staff will introduce families to local beaches, forests, and wetlands to make observations in nature, identify wildlife, and enjoy hands on science activities outdoors. Sign up for one, some, or all!

When:

Thursday, July 11, 2024 10am-Noon

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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Feed the Beach Creatures at Joppa Flats

You can look at, AND touch the creatures in Joppa Flats touch tank! Feeding time is a lot of fun!

It's time to feed our touch tank animals! Assist our animal husbandry intern team with sorting, identifying, and actually feeding our live marine creatures. Feed periwinkles and rock crabs from the rocky shore, horseshoe crabs and minnows from the salt marsh and hermit crabs and shrimp from the sandy beach. Sign up for one or more and learn all about our creatures fascinating behaviors.

When:

Wednesdays, June 12 & 26, 2024 4-5:30pm

Wednesdays in July 2024 4-5:30pm

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center