Exploration

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: 
Weekends, September 8-October 29, 2023 10am-5pm

Drop in Station | Explore the Pond at Bradley Palmer

Here is your chance to go inside the Willowdale Mansion (willowdaleestate.com) for a unique guided tour. Now an event and wedding venue, this over 100 years-old Arts and Crafts style home has been beautifully restored. The second floor is not accessible. Best for ages 8 years & up.

What kinds of fascinating creatures live in or visit the ponds? Come and visit with the Park Interpreter to see if any creatures are stirring, and if any plants are flowering. Best for ages pre-K and up. This is a great family activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

When: 
Fridays through October 6, 2023 9-11am

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, September 2-October 31, 2023 Hours Vary
Location: 

All Family Field Trips: Study Between the Tides

Explore the tide pools of Sandy Point Reservation with Joppa Flats Educators in Ipswich Massachusetts

Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the North Shore. Joppa Flats' 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: 
Friday, October 6, 2023 10am - 12pm

Visit the Saugus Iron Works Museum

Visit the Saugus Iron Works Museum and learn about the history of iron making in Massachusetts

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: 
Friday-Sunday, September 15-24, 2023 9am-4pm
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 9am-4pm

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. Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site preserves and interprets the first sustained, integrated iron works in British Colonial America, which operated on the Saugus River from 1646 to 1670. Explore the place where European iron makers brought their special skills to a young Massachusetts colony. Saugus Iron Works is a twelve-acre National Historic Site that includes working waterwheels, forges, mills, a historic 17th century home, and a lush river basin.

When: 
Thursday-Sunday, June 3-October 29, 2023 11am

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.

When: 
Saturdays & Sundays, June 3 - October 31, 2023 2pm

Annual Salem Merry-Time Fest

Celebrate 400+ Years of Maritime History at Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!

Presented by the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, the annual Salem Maritime Festival in August hosts an exciting array of free family fun festivities, including live music, traditional craft demonstrations and seaport trade exhibits, story-telling, and family fun! Each year, music, demonstrations, exhibits, and children's activities are available throughout the park and on Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!

When: 
Saturday, August 19, 2023

Pages

Fiddleheads | Preschool Drop-Off Series

The Fiddlehead program at Appleton Farms encourages kids 3-5 to explore their environment in Ipswich Massachusetts
Spring has sprung! It is an excellent time of year for exploring and learning on the farm. We will be planting and harvesting in our garden, taking care of our animals and finding all the signs of spring that nature divulges. Join us on Wednesday mornings from 9:30AM to 12:30PM for a preschool drop...
9:30 am to 12:30 pm

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 3:59 pm

We Walk the Woods!

Walk the trails in a group at Harold Parker State Forest Every Wednesday at 10am
Walk the trails with a group at Harold Parker State Forest every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. – Meeting location varies weekly. Email trek.reef@mass.gov for location.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield

Home and Food Truck show at the Topfield Fairground in Massachusetts
April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.
10:00 am to 6:59 pm

D&D (Tween Session) at Amesbury Library

Dungeons and Dragons for Tweens at the Public Library in Amesbury Massachusetts
Come play in a Dungeons and Dragons ongoing campaign! You'll create your own characters and build the story session to session. Come if you're a beginner or if you know the rules. All are welcome!  Registration is required and is for all 7 weeks.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Spring Blooms at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate

Spring Blooms at the Trustees Stevens Coolidge Estate in North Andover!
Join The Trustees of Reservations at our new entrance location showcasing contemporary gardens, historical gardens, and our Garden Gateway visitor orientation center at 153 Chickering Road, North Andover MA.
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Through Me to You Puppet Show

Through Me to You Puppetry at the Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester Massachusetts
Sawyer Free Library hosts Through Me to You Puppetry foran Extra Special Storytime event at Brown's Mall in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Puppet friends take turns reading stories & singing songs with us!
11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Salisbury Beach Carousel - Vacation Hours

Carousel at Salisbury Beach MA. Parties, Family Reunions, Weddings, Showers, Birthday Parties
Salisbury Beach Carousel Hours: Monday - Saturday 12 - 7:00 pm Sunday: 12 pm to 5:00 pm Hours of operation are to change.
12:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Wonder Workshop for PreK at North Shore Children's Museum

Pre-K Wonder Workshop at North Shore Children's Museum in Peabody Massachusetts
Join us this Wednesday at 1:30 PM for the Pre-K Wonder Workshop at the North Shore Children's Museum. Led by retired transitional kindergarten teacher Norma, each week explores a different question through hands-on activities.
1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Wonder Workshop for PreK at North Shore Children's Museum

Pre-K Wonder Workshop at North Shore Children's Museum in Peabody Massachusetts
Join us this Wednesday at 1:30 PM for the Pre-K Wonder Workshop at the North Shore Children's Museum. Led by retired transitional kindergarten teacher Norma, each week explores a different question through hands-on activities.
1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Open Door Empty Bowl Circus

Proceeds from the Open Door Empty Bowl Circus benefit community programs sponsored by tthe Open Door in Gloucester Massachusetts.
The Open Door hosts a new twist on an old tradition.  The Empty Bowl Dinner has been reimagined with a new twist—a circus-themed event at Cruiseport in Gloucester.
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Process Art Workshop at HW Library

Preschool and older kids will express themselves artistically at Hamilton-Wenham Library in Massachusetts!
The Hamilton-Wenham Public Library invites kids to get creative and have some fun! Join Ms. Eva of Early Childhood Partners for a themed story and activities that practice process art methods. The Process Art Workshop is designed for children ages 2 - 6 years old and their adult. Older children are...
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Stargazing at Mendel Observatory

Mendel Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night
The Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night (weather permitting) starting at dusk or 7:30 pm, whichever is later.  When special astronomical events of interest occur (total lunar eclipses, etc.) the Obs
7:00 pm

Science & Lore: Full Moon Walk at Appleton Farms

Hike at the Trustees Appleton Farms with your family under the Full Moon in Ipswich Massachusetts!
Join us as darkness settles on the farm to immerse yourself in a nighttime adventure, guided only by the glow of the full moon. On our journey, we will learn about both the science and the mystery that the full moon holds, celebrating her presence through a sharing of knowledge. We will venture out...
8:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Monday, April 29

Spring Blooms at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate

Spring Blooms at the Trustees Stevens Coolidge Estate in North Andover!
Join The Trustees of Reservations at our new entrance location showcasing contemporary gardens, historical gardens, and our Garden Gateway visitor orientation center at 153 Chickering Road, North Andover MA.
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Tuesday, April 30

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 3:59 pm

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield

Home and Food Truck show at the Topfield Fairground in Massachusetts
April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.
10:00 am to 6:59 pm

Spring Blooms at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate

Spring Blooms at the Trustees Stevens Coolidge Estate in North Andover!
Join The Trustees of Reservations at our new entrance location showcasing contemporary gardens, historical gardens, and our Garden Gateway visitor orientation center at 153 Chickering Road, North Andover MA.
10:00 am to 5:00 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

Wednesday, May 1

Fiddleheads | Preschool Drop-Off Series

The Fiddlehead program at Appleton Farms encourages kids 3-5 to explore their environment in Ipswich Massachusetts
Spring has sprung! It is an excellent time of year for exploring and learning on the farm. We will be planting and harvesting in our garden, taking care of our animals and finding all the signs of spring that nature divulges. Join us on Wednesday mornings from 9:30AM to 12:30PM for a preschool drop...
9:30 am to 12:30 pm

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 3:59 pm

We Walk the Woods!

Walk the trails in a group at Harold Parker State Forest Every Wednesday at 10am
Walk the trails with a group at Harold Parker State Forest every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. – Meeting location varies weekly. Email trek.reef@mass.gov for location.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield

Home and Food Truck show at the Topfield Fairground in Massachusetts
April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.
10:00 am to 6:59 pm

Spring Blooms at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate

Spring Blooms at the Trustees Stevens Coolidge Estate in North Andover!
Join The Trustees of Reservations at our new entrance location showcasing contemporary gardens, historical gardens, and our Garden Gateway visitor orientation center at 153 Chickering Road, North Andover MA.
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Subscribe to Exploration