Come to downtown Newburyport on Sunday & Monday of Columbus Day weekend for our annual Fall Harvest Festival! Enjoy great food, live music, and family fun while celebrating autumn's arrival. Explore downtown shops as well as craft vendor booths from artisans all over New England! Bring the kids in the morning for children's entertainment in Market Square the annual Scarecrow Contest.
Join the park interpreter for a hike thru the Artichoke Woods to see this resource rich location and special part of the park bordering on the Artichoke River.
Maudslay State Park invites you to take a snapshot look at the three stone bridges erected by the Moseleys – and their history. The bridges are architectural wonders, still functional after many years of use. The three stone bridges of Maudslay make a visit to the park a unique experience and tell us stories about the family and the property. When were the bridges built? What did they replace? Where did materials originate from?
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary invites families for a great exploration of the pond habitat! Though they are small, ponds contain a rich variety of plant and animal life. Explore Waterfowl Pond for a close-up look at a place where hungry creatures are always on the hunt. Using nets and other collecting equipment, dip into the water, sweep through the weeds, and scoop up mud to discover the creatures that live there.
Come for an exciting family visit to the Joppa Flats Bird Banding Station on the Parker river National Wildlife Refuge. See Mass Audubon scientists capture, evaluate, and release migrant songbirds while you learn about migration and habitat use. Don't miss this chance - the station operates only during the height of migration in spring (April and May) and fall (September and October).
Learn about the history of the Barlet Mall, including information on Victorian era landscape architect Charles Eliot, the significance of the George Washington statue, the oldest functioning courthouse in the nation, how rope was made at the Mall, and a World War I memorial to a native son. Newburyport Preservation Trust, Historic New England, the Old Museum of Newbury, and others will be on hand to share their knowledge.
Maudslay is Haunted is a North Shore Kid favorite! We highly recommend this for Halloween fun for all ages because its spooky, and haunting, but not too scary! Theater in the Open host their notorious annual haunting of Maudslay! Join a cast of all ages for a one-hour walk through eerie vignettes, spooky sketches and haunting scenes, all in the autumn grandeur of Maudslay State Park. Discover parts of the park you never knew existed. Bring the whole family for a variety of tricks and treats.
Join the park interpreter for a moderately paced walk to view different areas of the park and experience the changes at Maudslay over the spring, summer and fall. Rain or shine. For ages 6 and up. Wear walking shoes, and bug spray is recommended.
Maudslay! has created this program for their youngest crowd! For the young set that loves nature, the park interpreter will lead a three-part preschool aged program that includes a Story, Craft & Walk that involves outdoor exploration. A different nature topic each week so come every week! Rain or shine. Wear appropriate walking shoes, sunscreen and bring water.
Many changes occur as our world moves from Summer into Fall. Join the park interpreter for this fun program that focuses on finding the changes with nature in Autumn.
