Find family, history, & cultural activities from Boston to Berkshires, indoors and out

Massachusetts > State > Things to Do and See > 90 Great Things to Do in Massachusetts

>Find great, fun things to do and fresh places to explore in the Bay State for every age and taste, from antique shopping to rock climbing to slithering through a water park. Check attractions' websites for updates to scheduling and other details, especially for activities affected by weather.

Every region, from the historic homes and gardens of the Berkshires to the beaches of Cape Cod offers memorable adventures for the whole family. Plan a getaway to the cultural and historic sites of Boston and spring for a luxury hotel or waterfront lodging in this “Athens of America.”

Berkshire East Mountain Resort

66 Thunder Mountain Road Charlemont, MA, 01339 Phone: 413-339-6617

Featured by USA Today as one of the Top Ten Zip Lines of the United States!

Berkshire East is New England's largest zip destination with three tours to choose from. The Base Tour is our introductory course… give zipping a try! Then move on to fabulous views of the valley on the Mountain Top Tour. Mountain Top zipping is a great family experience and summer memory.

Ready for tour number three? The Valley Jump is fun to the extreme. You will love it. Two 1/2 long mile zips, approaching 200' off the ground. This tour has been featured in the Washington Post.

Come, fly above the tree tops!

Zoar Outdoor

Route 2 (Mohawk Trail) Charlemont, MA, 01339 Phone: 800-532-7483

So many amazing activities at this adventure center for all skill levels

If you have ever wanted to try zip lining, or whitewater rafting or stand-up paddle-boarding, the place to launch your adventure is Zoar Outdoor in the Berkshires. It’s also the place for experienced folks, with whitewater rapids up to level IV and a three-hour zip lining canopy tour that reaches heights of 50 feet. Zoar also offers stand-up paddle-boarding, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, easy river floats and, at its center in Wilmington, Vt., snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and mountain biking. Experienced instructors and guides are ready to assist or teach people at every skill level, and the equipment they use is first-rate. Kayaks and paddleboards, for example, are stable enough for first-time users. Lodging options include Hawk Mountain Lodge, 11 cabin tents, five tent sites – and a yurt.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston

598 Assembly Row Somerville, MA, 02145 Phone: 617-702-5593 Toll-Free: 866-228-6439

Build a fun day at LEGOLAND Discovery Center

This magical place offers a 4D cinema, Kingdom Quest laser ride, Merlin’s Apprentice, 10 LEGO build & play zones and much more. Discover the city of Boston in miniature in MINILAND®. Plan a one-of-a-kind school trip to support the National Curriculum. Groups of 10 or more get special pricing on tickets. Hold a LEGO themed birthday party. Learn building tips from the Master Model Builder Workshops. Relax in the coffee shop with it’s selection of healthy food options, where annual pass members will receive a discount on select purchases. The amazing LEGO Retail Shop is packed with the latest LEGO® products plus exclusive limited edition items. Stay nearby at any one of LEGOLANDs hotel partners.

Stone Zoo

149 Pond Street Stoneham, MA, 02180 Phone: 617-541-5466

A century’s old great place to visit

This popular century old year round attraction sits on 26 acres and is home to exotic animals from around the world. You’ll meet “Major” the Polar bear and an arctic fox, bald eagle, black bear, lynx and reindeer in Yukon Creek. There’s Boston’s only white-cheeked gibbon exhibit featuring monkeys, lynxes, snow leopards, Mexican gray wolves, river otters, and the capybara. There’s, flamingos, tamarins, sloths and Meerkat in Windows to the Wild. See jaguars, cougars, coati and falcon at the Treasures of the Sierra Madre exhibit. The Safari Grill offers kid friendly food and you’ll find gifts and souvenirs at the Peacock Place Gift Shop. Opening Thanksgiving evening is Zoolights that runs through the end of the year.

THIS VIEW - Find it on the water - Spirit Cruises of Boston. Click here to cruise!

Island Queen

75 Falmouth Heights Road Falmouth, MA, 02540 Phone: 508-548-4800

Great places start with a great journey.

As if Martha’s Vineyard wasn’t enough of a great place to travel to, getting there only adds to the fun. From May through October, climb aboard the Island Queen in Falmouth, MA on ol’ Cape Cod and settle in for a sweet 35 minute mini cruise across beautiful and historic Vineyard Sound. The sea along the Massachusetts Coast is your soothing backdrop for 35 minutes of relaxation, conversation and a refreshing touch of sun, sky and salt air that fills the lungs and lifts the spirit. Passengers only are welcome aboard along with their bicycles, kayaks, paddle boards and pets. Reservations are not accepted. Group Bookings available for 20 or more passengers.

Armenian Museum of America

65 Main Street Watertown, MA, 02472 Phone: 617-926-2562

Explore three millenia of rich culture and history

You don’t have to be Armenian to find something fascinating at this premier destination for student groups, families and tourists. Discover the rich culture and 3,000-year history of this resilient people by exploring galleries that hold ancient artifacts and textiles, as well as exhibits celebrating Armenian art and artists. Permanent displays include the photography of Yousuf Karsh (containing his iconic portraits of Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa, and many others), along with an exhibition on the history and effects of the Armenian Genocide. Click on our link above to plan your visit and learn more.

Porches Inn at MASS MoCA

231 River Street North Adams, MA, 01247 Phone: 413-664-0400

MassMoCA and more in quaint and quirky North Adams

Visit the world renowned Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and stay across the street at this lodging in restored Victorian row houses. You’ll enjoy the relaxed, cozy atmosphere and quirky and colorful spirit within. Architectural framings and angles vary. Individual decors give a distinct personality to every space. No two rooms are alike and the comforts are everywhere from lofts and/or spiral staircases, separate living rooms, working fireplaces, to private slate floored baths with Jacuzzi, claw foot tubs, and separate shower stalls. There’s complimentary continental breakfast, a heated outdoor pool, fitness center and lobby bar. The museum highlights the northern Berkshire’s arts and crafts scene while quaint, walkable North Adams offers great shopping, restaurants, galleries and more.

Destination Plymouth

Visitor Center - 134 Court Street Plymouth, MA, 02360 Phone: 508-747-7533 Toll-Free: 800-872-1620

Where will your visit begin?

We have a variety of activities on land or on the water. The Atlantic Ocean itself is our playground! Trips such as whale watches, lobster excursions and pirate adventures are popular with visitors both young and not quite as young. Our beaches and parks offer families a place to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. Enjoy great seafood, fairs, festivals, the arts, a distillery, a winery or a brewery. Ride a narrow gauge train ride through acres of cranberry bogs at Edaville USA. Experience living history at Plimoth Plantation, depicting life in Plymouth in 1627. Please call 1.800.USA.1620, or visit our website to learn more about these activities and others to prepare for your trip to Plymouth.

Little Harbor Boathouse Kayaks Marblehead MA

Little Harbor Boathouse Kayak - SUP - Fish

40 Doaks Lane Marblehead, MA, 01945 Phone: 781-990-3552

Harbor fun on the water all summer long

Kayak and Standup Paddle Board FUN for the whole family at Boston's North Shore hidden gem Little Harbor Boathouse! Just 15 miles north of Boston, spend the day at our pristine beach, paddle around Little Harbor Islands and Marblehead Harbor and stroll our historic seaside village shops & cafes. Choose from pedal, paddle and sail Hobie Kayaks (singles & tandems) and Standup Paddle Boards. Hourly rentals and Groups of up to 50 paddlers are welcome. Summer Adventure Program (ages 8-14), Guided Tours and Kayak Fishing Guides. Helping people have unforgettable on-water experiences is what we’re all about.

Worcester Art Museum

55 Salisbury Street Worcester, MA, 01609 Phone: 508-799-4406

Discover a great museum in central Massachusetts

This central Massachusetts museum is considered one of the finest mid-sized museums in the country. Follow history’s path through 50 centuries of the world’s antiquities, paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures, decorative arts, arms and armor. There’s an exciting arms and armor demonstration, Art Carts, and interactive programs for children and families. WAM features a 37,500-piece collection including works by Cassatt, Gauguin, Goya, Monet, Sargent and Homer. You’ll find floor mosaics from the ancient city of Antioch, a medieval Chapter House and cutting-edge contemporary art. Exhibits change regularly showcasing masterworks, gems and important works on loan. Enjoy lunch in the Museum Café and unique gifts in the museum shop. For exhibition and program schedules, check the museum website.

Battleship Cove

5 Water Street Fall River, MA, 02721 Phone: 508-678-1100 Toll-Free: 800-533-3194

A day out you won’t forget

In 1964, the citizens of Massachusetts, including over 6000 school children, banded together to save the battleship USS Massachusetts from being scrapped, and bring her to the waterfront of historic Fall River on June 12, 1965. During her dedication, the battleship’s historic significance was further recognized as she was made the official World War II Memorial for the Commonwealth and opened as a public museum. Over the years, she has been joined by the destroyer Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., the submarine Lionfish, PT 617 and PT 796, and the Soviet built missile corvette Hiddensee to form the largest collection of historic naval ships in the world, America’s Fleet Museum at Battleship Cove. Today, Battleship Cove stands as one of the region’s most popular attractions.

Greater Merrimack Valley

61 Market Street, Unit 1C Lowell, MA, 01852 Phone: 978-459-6150

Great things await in the Greater Merrimack Valley

There’s no end in sight to the great things waiting for you just 30 minutes north and west of Boston In the scenic and vibrant Greater Merrimack Valley. A singular leisure and business travel destination the valley offers charming towns and cities each with their own unique flavor, not-to-miss attractions and activities, and a history dating from the very beginnings of the nation. There’s fun to be found in fairs and festivals, sightseeing adventures, shopping, sports and entertainment; things to learn in museums, educational tours and programs; and health benefits to savor in spas and retreats. Get out into the Valley’s state and national parks, watch a concert, hold a meeting, shoot a film. You can do it all here.

Taj Boston

15 Arlington Street Boston, MA, 02116 Phone: 617-536-5700

Rooftop Sunday Brunch with spectacular views of the Public Garden and Boston

Enjoy traditional breakfast preparations, contemporary New England cuisine, and Indian specialties, alongside a bounty of dessert items made in-house by our talented pastry team.
Every Sunday, April-November, with seatings from 10:30am - 2pm. Reservations suggested.

Monument Mountain Motel

247 Stockbridge Road (Route 7) Great Barrington, MA, 01230 Phone: 413-528-3272 Toll-Free: 888-592-7314

Make this heart-of-the-Berkshires hotel your base camp for endless adventure

Oh, the places you’ll go in the Berkshires – and all from your comfy, affordable room at the Monument Mountain Motel in Great Barrington. Hike up the hotel’s namesake and gaze in awe at the unending colors of autumn; in winter, ski with the kids at the Butternut Ski Area; take a summer tour or watch an open rehearsal at Tanglewood; stroll along the Housatonic River boardwalk. Don’t miss the concerts at the Guthrie Center and Foundation, inspiration for “Alice’s Restaurant,” or the latest installations at the prestigious Clarke Art Institute. Get in the holiday spirit in picture-postcard Stockbridge, go antiquing in the area’s numerous quintessential New England towns (or celebrate the spirit of those towns at the Norman Rockwell Museum).

Nantasket Beach Resort

45 Hull Shore Drive Hull, MA, 02045 Phone: 781-925-4500

Great seaside fun just south of Boston

Just minutes from Boston on the waterfront in Hull is this charming and fun filled resort that’s perfect for a quick getaway or longer stay. Set on a 3-mile stretch of sandy white beach you’ll enjoy spectacular sunrises and views of three of Boston's historic lighthouses. You’re at the gateway to historic Plymouth and Cape Cod, and to many of New England's most popular tourist attractions and historic sites. Full service amenities include an indoor pool and fitness club, an on-site restaurant, and an oceanfront conference center for meetings, celebrations and special events. With walking distance are a variety of fine and casual restaurants, eclectic shops and boutiques.

Red Lion Inn

30 Main Street Stockbridge, MA, 01262 Phone: 413-298-5545

Make the Red Lion Inn your headquarters for Berkshire memories

There is everything to like about a visit to Stockbridge, MA. There’s two plus centuries of America’s history. Here’s the adopted home of Norman Rockwell not far from his celebrated museum. The studios and creations of famed artists, musicians, and authors are within easy reach. The outdoors offers hiking, biking, skiing, water sports and more. In short, there is something for everyone. The Red Lion Inn has it too. Rooms with complimentary WIFI, air conditioning, cable television, and cozy plush bathrobes. There’s great food rooted in the region’s traditions. Enjoy the fitness room, the partners spa, a heated outdoor pool, a porch with rocking chairs, a gift shop, nightly entertainment at the Lion’s Den, and a very curious lobby cat.

Family at Tanglewood 500x250 - Berkshires Visitors Bureau - Photo Credit Ogden Gigli

The Berkshires of Western MA

Come play in the sweet mountain air this summer

Less than three hours from New York City and Boston, the Berkshires offer culture and adventure year round. The allure of the Berkshires in summer is a savory blend of sweet mountain air, migratory birdsong; rare wildflowers found in forests and open fields, and the return of locally grown foods to our tables. Nature, like us, sheds its early spring coat and greets the season with a warm welcome. Journey here as a couple or pack up the entire family, get out & about in the Berkshires. Whether you choose to spend your time indoors or out, the Berkshire region comes alive in summer. Come discover all the possibilities the Berkshires has in store during the most-welcomed seasons of all. To learn more visit us at berkshires.org or find us on Facebook at Visit the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.

Ponds at Foxhollow

Route 7 Lenox, MA, 01240 Phone: 413-637-1469

Endless adventure and recreation in a Berkshires vacation

The Berkshire Hills has it all. And you can have it too at this magnificent and secluded resort set on a picturesque 223 acre estate. Your home away from home can be a one or two bedroom condominium with master bathroom and Jacuzzi, a fully equipped kitchen, fireplace, living and dining areas, sleeper sofa, television, stereo, DVD player and a deck overlooking the pond. Right outside your door are gas barbecue grills, tennis, shuffleboard, bocce courts, a playground, indoor and outdoor pools, exercise room with hot tub and sauna, rowboats and canoes, trails for walking and cross country skiing. Within a short drive, enjoy Berkshire’s history, art, music, old inns and taverns, great food and shopping. Breathtaking mountain scenery included.

Old Sturbridge Village

1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, off Route 20 Sturbridge, MA, 01566 Phone: 508-347-3362 Toll-Free: 800-733-1830

A trip to historic, authentic and tasty

One of Massachusetts’ 50 great things to do has 50 great things all its own to enjoy when you arrive at this celebrated living history destination, one of the nation’s largest. Settle in at the Old Sturbridge Inn or Reeder Family Lodges. Savor authentic New England cuisine, cozy rooms and fireplaces, and delicious sweets from Ye Old Bake Shoppe. Then step into the 18th century and watch and participate in what people did then. Costumed interpreters will guide your visit on foot, on a stagecoach or standing beside a potter’s wheel or the blacksmith’s forge, or meeting with farmers and their animals at work. The 19th century is here, too, in 40 antique homes, buildings and water-powered mills in this most scenic town. Open year-round. Seasonal hours may vary.

Discover Quincy

Quincy Chamber of Commerce - 1400 Hancock Street, Suite 1A Quincy, MA, 02169 Phone: 617-471-1700

Coastal city a must for history buffs, fun-seekers

Whether you love history, nature or just plain fun, there is plenty to see and do in Quincy. The Stone Library at Adams National Historical Park houses the Bible given to John Quincy Adams by the Amistad slaves. Tour the house there where four generations of Adamses lived. At Blue Hills Reservation, explore 125 miles of trails or go rock-climbing or skiing. See 400 flags flutter at Flags for Vets Island, honor the nation’s history at Christ Church Burial Ground, have a seaside day at one of 11 beaches, enjoy dining with a view at Marina Bay, play a round of golf at one of three courses or learn about quarrying, early railroading, shipbuilding or early grist mills in this great historic city.

Mary Baker Eddy Library™

200 Massachusetts Avenue Boston, MA, 02115 Phone: 617-450-7000

Explore an Amazing World

This beautiful library and museum, originally built for the Christian Science Publishing Society, has become an historic landmark in Boston’s Back Bay celebrating the life of Mary Baker Eddy. Born in rustic Bow, NH in 1821, Eddy lived an extraordinary life as founder of the Christian Science movement and whose work lives on through the Christian Science Monitor and in reading rooms across the globe. You’ll find books, documents, photographs, and exhibits as well as the Mapparium, a three-dimensional perspective of the world of 1935 and a symbol of the global outreach of The Christian Science Monitor. A World of Ideas illustrates how ideas cross time and geography to change the world. Activities include special events, webcasts, and children’s programs. Photo Courtesy of The Mary Baker Eddy Library, Boston, MA

Franklin Park Zoo

One Franklin Park Road Boston, MA, 02121 Phone: 617-541-5466

Meet the animal kingdom in Boston’s largest park

There is not a drop in the excitement at this magnificent Zoo no matter your age. Part of Boston’s famed Emerald Necklace, this 72 acre natural setting is Boston’s largest park and home to wildlife from around the world. Three exhibit areas including the Tropical Forest, the Kalahari Kingdom and the Giraffe Savannah offer lions, zebras, giraffes, lowland gorillas, lemurs, pygmy hippos and other fine beasts. The Aussie Aviary, open seasonally, features a free-flight, interactive bird adventure. You’ll find programs and classes for families and school groups and facilities for birthday parties and corporate events. The southwestern-themed Giddy-Up Grill and Kalahari Kitchen serves great food and snacks. Franklin Park Zoo is open year-round except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Southwick’s Zoo

2 Southwick Street Mendon, MA, 01756 Phone: 800-258-9182

This zoo is full of animals, adventures, activities – and so much more!

Southwick’s Zoo is really more than a zoo: It’s a zoo-plus. The plus includes a carousel, a rainforest maze, a Skyari sky ride to give you a bird’s eye view of the African Plains, a Woodland Express train ride, pony and camel rides, a place where you can mine for gems and fossils – even a two-seater zipline! And have they got animals, from lemurs and lions to snakes and sloths. Feed a parakeet in the aviary or a deer in the 35-acre deer forest, interact with pygmy goats in the petting zoo, feed a giraffe or enjoy one of several live-animal presentations and educational exhibits. Lots of dining options, from burgers and wraps to New England tavern meals.

Panoramic View 500x250 - Cantor Art Gallery - Worcester, MA

Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery

College of the Holy Cross - 1 College Street Worcester, MA, 01610 Phone: 508-793-3356

A gallery with a mission

As a college art gallery, the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery’s mission is to promote the intellectual and cultural life of the College of the Holy Cross and greater community by exploring the fundamental intellectual, cultural, spiritual and aesthetic issues encountered through the visual arts. Through a series of exhibitions throughout the academic year, enhanced by receptions, guest lectures, readings, and students’ presentations, you’ll always find something of interest. Current exhibition information and hours of operation can be found on the gallery’s website.

ShoreWay Acres Inn

Historic Shore Street Falmouth, MA, 02541 Phone: 508-540-3000 Toll-Free: 800-352-7100

An old-fashioned Cape Cod vacation like your grandparents remember

If you want to experience Cape Cod the way your grandparents remember it, the place to stay is ShoreWay Acres Inn in Falmouth. We're family owned and family run. The main part of our inn is an historic sea captain's home, built in 1806 and located in downtown Falmouth. That means we're within walking distance to everything -- the beach, the village, bird sanctuary, day spas, shops, galleries, museums, churches, trolley stop, library, and more than twenty restaurants, pubs, and sidewalk cafes. With short notice we can prepare a traditional Cape Cod clam bake -- with lobster, steamers, corn on the cob, and watermelon -- or a cook out, with hot dogs, hamburgers, and BBQ chicken. These meals are served on the lawn, so it's come as you are. Bare feet and bathing suits are fine.

Photo for Great Things 500x250 - Beanstalk Adventures - Reading, MA

Beanstalk Adventure Ropes Course

50 Walkers Brook Drive Reading, MA, 01867 Phone: 781-942-9816

Exciting indoor ropes course adventure in Reading

Jordan’s BeanStalk™ Adventure Ropes Course in Reading Massachusetts, gets you moving from one activity to the next to test your agility and balance. Make your way across this one-of-a-kind sky ropes course and head up 12 or 24 feet onto zig zag beams, crisscross angled rope ladders, and spaghetti hand lines. Walk the plank at 24 feet then travel out on a 6 inch standalone beam, pivot and return. Enjoy two levels of challenging ropes course, 30 exciting activities and for young adventurers, there’s BeanSprout™, a specially designed course for children 2-7. Adventurers must be at least 48" tall or 42" if accompanied by a chaperone. Groups of 10 or more paying on the same transaction receive a 10% discount.

CoCo Key Water Park Boston North Shore

50 Ferncroft Road Danvers, MA, 01923 Phone: 978-777-2500

The Largest Indoor Water Park in New England!

Make a splash with the family at the largest indoor water park in Massachusetts. A tropical indoor paradise where it’s always 84 degrees and open every day for every kid of every age. There are water slides, a lazy river, a splash pad and dip-in-the- theater arcade, private, cozy cabanas and lots more where they came from. Hold one of a kind birthday parties, group swims, or even buy out the whole park for a day. Then enjoy a night at the Doubletree Hotel Boston North Shore adjacent to the Park with luxurious bedding and jumbo pillows, flat screen television, on-demand movies and premium cable channels. Look for Coco Key Discounts and packages that include overnight accommodations, water resort access, and breakfast in the family-friendly TradeWinds Restaurant.

Spirit of Boston

200 Seaport Boulevard - Commonwealth Pier Boston, MA, 02210 Phone: 617-748-1450 Toll-Free: 866-310-2469

Harbor cruise lets you see Boston from a unique – and fun – vantage point

Why not see scenic Boston from the sea? Take a Spirit of Boston cruise and check out all the sights, from the Boston Tea Party site to the Old North Church, the Bunker Hill Monument and Old Ironsides. Two-hour lunch and three-hour dinner cruises feature fresh, buffet-style offerings served in a comfortable, climate-controlled inner deck. You can even reserve a window table to savor the city – and a cocktail. The view from the huge observation deck is breathtaking, whether it’s a mid-day look at the spectacular Zakim Memorial Bridge or a sunset panorama of a sparkling cityscape. Onboard activities include games like tabletop shuffleboard and giant Jenga. There’s also a dance floor and DJ-provided music. Look for special holiday cruises and deals.

Seekonk Grand Prix

1098 Fall River Avenue Seekonk, MA, 02771 Phone: 508-336-8307

Everybody drives

Experience the wildest Go Kart action at this state of the art facility offering competitive fun at an affordable price. Challenge family and friends on more than 60 arcade games including Guitar Hero, Ski Ball, Air Hockey and Dance Dance Revolution. The Family Track, the longest in New England, features tunnels, hairpin curves and straight-aways and new two-seater go-karts. Little guys and gals get in on the action with the new Rookie Track, with the Kiddy Track and Beginner Track just ahead. Bump and bounce your buddies in bumper cars and boats and finish the day off with a friendly game on the adventure mini golf course.

Berkshire Days Inn

372 Main Street Great Barrington, MA, 01230 Phone: 413-528-3150

No boring moments during your comfortable stay in the Berkshires

Think of the Berkshire Days Inn, a comfortable hotel that is but a brief walk from historic downtown Great Barrington, as Point A. Points B through Z are all the nearby activities you can choose from. Go antiquing through quaint Berkshire towns, ski at Catamount, stroll through the Berkshire Botanical Garden, the Hancock Shaker Village or along the fascinating Housatonic River Walk. Marvel at MASSMoca or the Gilded Age Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, admire the offerings at the Norman Rockwell Museum or Clarke Art Institute or take in some exceptional theater at Shakespeare & Co. or the Barrington Stage Company. Catch a concert at Tanglewood. With hundreds of restaurants and shops to choose from, there will be no boring moments during your time in the Berkshires.

artisans market t rose kennedy greenway in boston

Artisans Market Brightens the Greenway Even More in Summer and Fall

The Greenway Open Market is an open-air artisan market featuring the works of artists, crafters, and independent designers. Come find exceptional art, locally produced good, and much more! Explore the parks, stroll tree-lined promenades, take in the city sights, soak up the sunshine, play in the Rings Fountain, grab a bite to eat at a food truck. Summer in this city is glorious. The market operates in the Wharf District Parks of the Rose Kennedy Greenway between Atlantic Avenue and High Street. Hours are Saturdays and every other Sunday in the summer and early fall. Details at The Greenway's events calendar .

Boating Out to a Historic Lighthouse

Bakers Island Light Station sits off the coast in Salem Sound and has a rich and interesting history. Essex Heritage hosts guided boat trips to the island and lighthouse from June through September on the landing craft, Naumkeag. Tours are offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Naumkeag departs from the Salem Ferry dock at 10 Blaney Street, Salem. The two-and-a-half-hour round trip includes the boat ride, landing at a stone beach, and a guided walking tour of the island, with panoramic views of the coast from Boston to Gloucester. There is plenty of time to explore the site, trails and gift shop. The most New England-y of all coastal adventures on my trip to seaside Massachusetts!

Whydah Pirate Museum in West Yarmouth MA

Real Pirate History and the Loot to Go With It

The Whydah Pirate Museum, opening June 2016 at 674 MA-28 in West Yarmouth, is a 12,000-square-foot treasure house, so to speak, of pirate history and pirate lore. The brand-new interactive science museum welcomes people to see, touch, and handle authenticated pirate treasure, discovered in 1984 off the coast of Wellfleet. The Whydah was a fully-rigged British ship that traveled between Africa, the Caribbean, and Great Britain.The Whydah Pirate Museum provides an interactive and fun learning experience for children and adults. Open daily.

World’s End in Hingham-photo by Trustees of Reservations

Out in the Woods, in Sight of Boston

For a romantic walk in a leafy woods, visit World’s End in Hingham, a nature preserve tucked into the end of a curve of shoreline that sweeps southeast from Boston. Rolling hills and rocky shorelines offer views of the Boston skyline, while tree-lined carriage paths make delightful walking trails. The 251-acre landscape includes rocky shores, broad hillsides, and open fields bracketed by woodlands. The property is ideal for walking, picnicking, jogging, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, or simply enjoying the outdoors. It is managed by the admirable Trustees of the Reservations, and open to the public for walking year-round.

plum island near newburyport massachusetts

Plum Island Is a Peach

Plum Island is an 11-mile long barrier Island off the shore ofNewburyport, with miles of public beaches and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, home to over 800 species of birds, plants and animals. Sandy Point State Reservation on the southern tip of Plum Island is a wonderful place to swim or explore the life of the tide pools (kids love this!). the Audubon Society's Joppa Flats Education Center is located on Plum Island Turnpike on your way to the island. Find chances to join bird watching tours and other educational programs for adults or the whole family. Join a kayaking excursion with Plum Island Kayak – entrancing!

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster MA

Sea Life in the Mud Flats Offers a Close-Up Adventure

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History at 869 Main Street in Brewster is a delightful museum for adults and children, but not overwhelming in size. Many exhibits explain the fascinating geology, flora, and animal life of the Cape, and the Salt Marsh Room offers a wonderful vista of the adjoining salt marsh. Downstairs is a small but satisfying aquarium. Just outside the back door is a self-guided walking trail of the marsh. Also, in the summer, naturalists offer guided treks of the marsh known a Mudflat Mania. A great way to see the fecund life of the salt marsh up close. Open year-round; seasonal hours. 508-896-3867

Artist Colony Is Vibrant in Gloucester

Rocky Neck Art Colony in Gloucester is the oldest working art colony in the country, and has been luring artists to its picturesque shores for more than 150 years. Today the area is still home to many working artists and to galleries showing paintings in all media, as well as batik, photography, jewelry, prints, sculpture, ceramics, and fine gifts. A convenient walking tour of Rocky Neck, along East Main Street, includes information about three dozen galleries and studios on the Neck. A new book about the artists and history of the region, titled Rocky Neck Art Colony 1850-1950, by Judith Curtis, is available. 978-515-7004.

Loines Observatory of the Maria Mitchell Association in Nantucket

Star Gazing From Nantucket

Loines Observatory of the Maria Mitchell Association at 59 Milk Street Extension Nantucket is open for public viewing year round, and for frequent special astronomical events. Climb a ladder to the eyepiece of a fine, old telescope and sample the sights of the distant heavens. Public hours are longer in the summer and more abbreviated in the winter, so check the calendar on the observatory’s website. Star-gazing nights are held regularly, and posted on the calendar. Remember, observing is weather dependent, so check the skies or call ahead. 508-228-9273.

Charlestown Navy Yard in Charlestown hosts a Chantey and Maritime Sing

Yo, Ho, Ho and a Beverage of Your Choice

Forget Talk like a Pirate Day. Do you want to sing like a pirate, or a sailor of any description? The USS Constitution Museum at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Charlestown hosts a Chantey and Maritime Sing on the third Saturday of every month from 2 to 5 p.m. These monthly gatherings, on the 3rd Sunday of every month, are family friendly and open to anyone who would like to participate. Bring singers; enjoy the museum. 617-426-1812.

Hayden Planetarium Thrills Star Gazers at Boston Museum of Science

The Charles Hayden Planetarium at the Boston Museum of Science is a bustling place for star gazers. A featured presentation is “Undiscovered Worlds: The Search Beyond Our Sun,” an astronomy show that explores planets outside our solar system. On weekend evenings, Music Under the Done immerses visitors in unusual musical offerings, Friday evening activities may include stargazing in the Museum's Gilliland Observatory on clear nights. 617-723-2500.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace: Much More Than Shopping

You know Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston as the ever-fascinating place to browse for all kinds of cool souvenirs and interesting food and even to take in some sidewalk entertainment. But the Marketplace also hosts tons of other activities: storytelling, Dominoes at Dusk, chess, Zumba, movies, body building, swing dances, salsa night, Rockout & Workout, line dancing. Dozens of ways to work out your mind and body, on a rotating schedule. Come explore!

Art’s Dune Tours Are Unbeatable Adventure

For three generations, the family-run Art’s Dune Tours, located at 4 Standish Street in Provincetown, has been taking spellbound visitors on tours of the dunes of the Provincelands, a marvelous, otherworldly place of sky, sea, bending dune grass, and wind-sculpted dunes. On the tours, you will travel through the majestic dunes where your guide points out the dune shacks where famous artists and writers like Eugene O'Neill and Harry Kemp became inspired to create their art. You will also pass the remains of the Peaked Hill Life Saving Station and learn how the brave "life savers" enacted their heroic efforts to save the lives of thousands from the doomed shipwrecks. Access by the public to the dunes is limited, so this is the to see them. 800-894-1951

Holyoke Heritage State Park in Holyoke MA

Come See Holyoke’s Historic Carousel

Holyoke Heritage State Park at 221 Appleton Street in Holyoke is a compact city park on the edge of the Connecticut River. Most important for people who love carousels, the park has a handmade merry-go-round dating from the early 1900s, the golden age of American carousels, many carved by immigrant craftsmen. The carousel was installed in 1929 at its first home, a former trolley park in the city, and it is open to riders. The Children’s Museum and the Volleyball Hall of Fame also are located within the park. The park is a sweet place to relax and have a picnic overlooking Holyoke's three canals and a row of historic mill buildings. 413-534-1723.

paintings of James Champney at the Deerfield Inn Deerfield MA

See Deerfield Through 19th Century Artist’s Eyes

In a place with such natural beauty as Massachusetts’s Pioneer Valley region, it is reasonable that painters have worked there to re-create the countryside on canvas. A painter from the 19th century named James Well Champney worked in Deerfield and much of his work now graces the walls of the Deerfield Inn and its bright, airy Champney’s Restaurant & Tavern. Deerfield Inn is among the several New England lodgings lucky to show original art, often by local artists. A visit to his historic town and inn, or a meal of fresh-cooked New England dishes at Champney’s puts you in the middle of a 19th-century vision of this unique place.

Shipwreck!!!

In the 19th century, hundreds of ships passed by Nantucket Island each day. Unpredictable storms, dense fog, and strong currents could catch the most experienced sailors off guard. Treacherous shoals and inclement weather led to over 700 shipwrecks near Nantucket, causing the area to be dubbed “a graveyard of the Atlantic.” The Nantucket Shipwreck and Lifesaving Museum at 158 Polpis Road, Nantucket, preserves the memory of Islanders who risked their lives to save shipwrecked mariners. Open daily, late May through Columbus Day.

Bridge of Flowers Is Like Nothing You’ve Ever Seen

The Bridge of Flowers was once a decrepit railroad bridge, before it fell into the hands to local gardeners. They draped the bridge in living gardens of flowers, shrubs, and trees that delight people from spring to fall. It’s a walk through a gorgeous garden above a rushing river with a lovely town on the side. The bridge is in Shelburne Falls, off Route 2 (the Mohawk Trail). It spans the Deerfield River and connects the towns of Shelburne and Buckland.

Brimfield Antique Show Roars Into 2018

The thrice-yearly Brimfield Antique Show is the rock star of all antique shows based on hugeness alone. Brimfield is home to 3,000 residents, but during the six-day shows, the population balloons to over 30,000 visitors and 5,000 dealers. The show’s carnival-like atmosphere is fun for all ages. Display booths for thousands of dealers run for a half-mile along Route 20 and about 500 feet from the road. The wildest imagination could not predict what you might find there. Show dates in 2018 are May 8-13, July 10-15, and September 4-9.

Country Store Fuels Your Day in Plymouth

A visit to Bramhall's Country Store at 2 Sandwich Road in the Chiltonville section of Plymouth will immerse you just as deeply in a traditional New England experience as will the store’s next-door neighbor, Plimouth Plantation, The 1750s-period saltbox structure houses a family business founded in 1828 by the present owner’s great-great-great-great grandfather. Let’s think of our gtaste buds: the store serves a New England triumvirate: lobster rolls, local corn, and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, along with local produce, smoothies, and other treats. Perfect for fueling the family on a Plymouth getaway. 508-746-1844.

Boston Bike Party Rolls Every Month

Each month, hundreds of bicyclists participate in a costumed, themed race on wheels around Boston . Routes end at special locations, where bikers can regain their energy with food and culture. Bicycle party themes change with the season and holidays, and cyclists are encouraged to make their own costume; everyone is welcome to join in, Spend some time spinning your wheels around the city’s buzzing streets, in the company of a swarm of other cyclists. Some themes feature special performers and chefs. E-mail: bostonbikeparty@gmail.com

kripalu center of yoga and health in stockbridge ma

Namaste

It might seem like all your trendy friends are heading off to yoga class these days, but the folks at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge have been doing it and relatged health treatments for more than 30 years. Tucked away in the beautiful Berkshires of western Massachusetts, Kripalu offers a multitude of classes, workshops, and weekend retreats. Different yogic programs focus on writing, creativity, relationships, body detoxification, cooking, dancing, and even snow-shoeing. So whether you’re a long-time yoga practitioner or a dedicated couch-potato, it’s a safe bet that a stop at Kripalu will make you feel peaceful and rejuvenated. Phone: 866-200-5203.

Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, located in the town of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard gingerbread cottages

Charming Neighborhood With Deep History

The Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, located in the town of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, is a neighborhood of hundreds of colorful, ornate gingerbread cottages that are a delight to the eye and great fun to see and photograph. The neighborhood has its roots in the religious revival camp meeting movement of the 1850s. Members of the campground – originally a tent community -- conducted popular Bible meetings where the cottages are now.

Visit a 1636 Working Grist Mill: Pilgrims! Gears! Cornmeal!

So many stories are packed into the reproduction on Town Brook in Plymouth of the 1636 Plimoth Grist Mill , built by the Mayflower travelers. People gather at noon on Fridays to see the 2,500-pound stones moved, positioned, and used to grind corn, a huge improvement in the lives of the English newcomers. Kids and adults love to watch the mechanics of the water wheel, gears, stones, and grain hopper. In spring, herring alewives fight the current up the adjacent fish ladder to go upstream. Buy cornmeal and learn about Pilgrim cooking and dining. Gift shop, too! You will remember this visit long after you return to the 21st century. 508-746-1622.

An Extraordinary Garden Experience

Seven Arrows Farm at 346 Oakhill Avenue in Seekonk is not your typical farm. During three decades , the farm is the product of owners/growers Judy and Michel’s mutual passion for plants, gardening, and all things green. Here you can stroll through the gardens and the uncommon plant nursery, find a remedy or a gift at the farm’s extensive herb shop, visit with the chickens and goats, seek counsel from one of the farm’s knowledgeable staff members, or simply relax with a book from the farm’s library or in the sunny tea room. Hours: Open year-round; call for spring and summer hours. 508-399-7860.

the West Tisbury Farmers Market, on Martha's Vineyard

Going to Market on the Island

A lazy day or weekend on Martha’s Vineyard is a perfect time to wander to the West Tisbury Farmers Market, which is open on Saturdays and Wednesdays at the Old Agricultural Hall, 1067 State Road in West Tisbury. The combination of the brightly colored floral bouquets, the scent of freshly harvested produce, the savory edibles offered and the music on Saturdays all combine to truly create a feast for the senses. Bring your children to visit the alpacas and enjoy the live fiddle music. And watch for the chance to try some more exotic treats, like wheatgrass juice and Vietnamese spring rolls. The Saturday market runs from early June to mid-October. The Wednesday market runs from mid-June 18 to late August. 508-693-9561.

deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum in Lincoln MA

Sculpture In the Outdoors

deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum at 51 Sandy Pond Road in Lincoln is a significant premier destination for contemporary art and sculpture, a mere 20 miles west of Boston. The vast grounds, covered with lawns and copses of woodlands, are the backdrop to a constantly changing landscape of large-scale, outdoor, modern and contemporary sculpture. Indoor space in the museum building also has exhibit space. The park and museum offer year-round activities, like snowshoe tours, yoga outdoors, nature tours, artist conversations, and screenings. Enjoy revolutionary artistic visions and stretch your muscles outdoors. Phone: 781-259-8355

Morgan’s Mansion Hosts Lots of Fun Seasonal Events

Call him a robber baron, but at least J. P. Morgan took care of his kid sister; the mansion built for her in 1893 is a testament to that. Ventfort Hall in Lenox is an imposing Jacobean Revival-style mansion with a history dating back to the grandeur and opulence of the Gilded Age. Despite its brush with demolition in the 1980s, today the mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and declared an official project of “Save America’s Treasures.” Visitors can tour the grand estate, peruse the art gallery, or simply enjoy the architecture. Open daily year round. Phone: 413-637-3206.

berkshire scenic railway museum in adams ma

All Aboard for a Fresh View of the Berkshires

Experience a side of the Berkshires that you won’t see from your car. The Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum is offering it Hoosac Valley Service, a 10-mile, hour-long, round-trip train excursion between North Adams and Adams. The train ride offers beautiful views of Mount Greylock (the highest point in Massachusetts) and the surrounding Hoosac Mountain Range. On-board narration is provided to offer educational, historical and cultural information. Trains depart from 5 Hoosac Street, Adams. Trains operate weekends, Memorial Day to Columbus Day, and there is a Christmas-themed Tinseliner at the holiday period in November and December. 413-637-2210

Historic Trades in Action in Deerfield

Crafts people will demonstrate dressmaking, shoemaking, medical care, basketmaking, gun smithing, cabinet making, coopering pottery making and even gravestone carving as these essential skills were done in places like Deerfield. See schedule for specific demos, offered on weekends from October 3 to December 12, 2015. Fun for the kids, too. 413-774-5581.

bish bash fall in mount washington state prk in ma

You Gotta Love the Name

Visit the most-photographed waterfall in Massachusetts at Bash Bish Falls. Located next to the Mount Washington State Forest, Bash Bish Falls tumbles through gorges and a hemlock ravine forest, and then drops about 60 feet into a sparkling pool. The park is open from sunrise to one-half hour after sunset and access is free. The falls is located next to the 4,169-acre Mount Washington State Forest, adjoining New York's 5,000 acre Taconic State Park.

Patriots Place and Gillette Stadium in Foxboro MA

Gillette Stadium Celebrates the Patriots

Patriot Place , off Route 1 in Foxboro, includes Gillette Stadium, home of the champion New England Patriots football team, but there is much more to the Place than football alone. The property includes 1.3 million square feet of shopping, dining, and entertainment, along with a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to the Patriots. Major retailers include Bass Pro Shops store, with everything and outdoorsman or outdoorswoman could desire. Dining runs the gamut from basic burgers to seafood to a gourmet bistro. 508-203-2100.

Dip a Paddle Into Wild Beauty

Get that kayak into new and interesting waters! Managers of the Crane Wildlife Refuge off of Argilla Road in Essex invite kayakers to put theif boats into the water and paddle in and around this glorious salt marsh it is easy to land on or adjacent to the dock on Long Island 9see map).Explore the beauty and tranquility of the island refuge, which is maintained to provide habitat for wildlife and to preserve the property in its natural state. 978-356-4351

Tarzan Never Had It So Good

As a kid, watching the movies, you always wanted to be Tarzan, right? Right?? A zipline canopy tour is the next best thing to living the life of the man of the jungle, but without the rope burns. Starting June 1, 2009, Zoar Outdoor on Main Street in Charlemont is offering three-hour canopy tours in the woods and forests nearby. The Deerfield Valley Canopy Zipline Tours leads adventurers on an aerial trek through the woods by means of zip lines and sky bridges suspended in the trees and connected through platforms that sit high above the forest floor. Zip line canopy tours originated 20 years ago in Central and South America as an exciting and unusual way to experience the forest canopy. Open April 1 through November 30. Phone: 800 532-7483.

Nantucket Bike Tours Shearwater Excursions and Raven's Walk on Nantucket

Island Tours to Suit Your Tastes

Get to know Nantucket on a guided tour just right for your style: by bicycle, by boat, or on foot for eerie nighttime encounters. Cyclists can follow experienced guides on Nantucket Bike Tours , visiting remote island spots. Shearwater Excursions will take you offshore to explore the lovely shoreline. For the earthbound explorer, Raven's Walk will guide you on a choice of spooky nighttime walks.

dinosaur museums in western Massachusetts

Fossils Fuel Curiosity at Dino Museums

Dinosaur history and folklore are alive and roaring in the Pioneer Valley region. A day or more of exploration awaits dino fans of all persuasions. The Nash Dinosaur Track Site and Rock Shop in South Hadley displays the largest number of dinosaur tracks in the region. Nearby, the Beneski Museum of Natural History at Amherst College in Amherst has impressive exhibits that include vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology, minerals, and other geologic specimens. Visitors to Dinosaur Hall in the the Springfield Science Museum in Springfield are riveted by the life-size replica of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Interactive exhibits at Dinosaur Hall include actual fossils of dinosaur tracks which can be touched and a cast of a huge sauropod footprint for children to climb into. Information: 413-755-1346.

Thoreauly Antiques Preserves History One Artifact at a Time

The home of Minute Man National Historical Park and many New England literary giants, Concord is an uber-historic place.. Thoreauly Antiques – its name a nod to Henry David -- at 25 Walden Street is crammed with unusual antiques from early America, Europe and beyond. Open daily; 978-371-0100 Browse awhile and then enjoy a gracious lunch or dinner at Concord’s Colonial Inn, welcoming guests since Colonial times.

Mitchell’s Book Corner and Nantucket Bookworks Nantucket bookstores

Book Lovers, Dig In on Nantucket

For some of us, vacation and the beach are the time and place to dig into a great (or silly, or sentimental) book. The little island of Nantucket can solve your book-buying needs year-round at at least two well-used bookstore. Mitchell’s Book Corner on Main Street is open-year round, and visitors praise its travel section, with lots and lots of titles – fiction, non-fiction, and coffee-table books -- about Nantucket history (508-228-1080). Nantucket Bookworks at 25 Broad Street gets big huzzahs from visitors who love books. It is near the ferry terminal and visitors say you will find a big selection of new books. It is welcoming to kids, and you can also shop here for board games, cards, calendars and silly gifts (508-228-4000).

Breathtaking Views

A highlight of natural beauty on Martha’s Vineyard is Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge on Chappaquiddick Island, adjacent to Martha's Vineyard. Chappaquiddick Island’s eastern edge is a barrier beach that extends for seven miles, passing the Cape Poge Lighthouse to the Gut. The refuge offers 14 miles of beachfront and oversand vehicle and walking trails. Facilities include picnic tables, bike rack, restrooms, which are open May 30 to October 30. Tours include a natural history tour, a wildlife kayak or canoe tour, a fishing discovery tour, and Cape Poge Lighthouse tour. Open year-round, daily, with an entrance fee May 30 to October 15. Phone: 508-627-8390.

The Minuteman Bikeway in Bedford, Lexington, Arlington, and Cambridge. MA

Burn Some Energy Along This Historic Trail

The Minuteman Bikeway, also called America's Revolutionary Rail-Trail, passes through the historic area where the American Revolution began in April 1775. Built on an inactive railroad, the Bikeway has become a treasured resource, used by residents and visitors from near and far. Connecting to the Alewife “T” Station in Cambridge, the bikeway provides an easy way for bicyclists and pedestrians -- and, in the winter, skiiers -- to travel. The bikeway passes through Bedford, Lexington, Arlington, and Cambridge. Bikeway map.

Sculptor Who Helped Immortalize Abe

Chesterwood , on Williamsville Road in Stockbridge, is the country home, studio, and gardens of Daniel Chester French, sculptor of the statue of Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C., and the Minute Man in Concord. The buildings are furnished with American and European decorative arts and paintings. Woodland walks feature mountain vistas and perennial gardens. The house and gardens are daily open for self-guided tours from May 1 to October 31. Phone: 413-298-3579.

essex shipbuilding museum in Essex Massachusetts

Essex: Tiny Town Builds Plenty of Ships

A visit to the Essex Shipbuilding Museum in Essex is a wonderful way to be immersed in the shipbuilding culture of Massachusetts. The museum tells the story of a New England village that built more two-masted wooden fishing schooners than any other place in the world. Exhibits are housed in the old Essex Central School House, built in 1835. Features include antique tools, photographs, documents, and exhibits. Tours include video presentations and hands-on activities. A gift shop offers ship plans, maritime gifts. Hours: June-October, Wednesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; at other months, weekends, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 978-768-7541

Paddling the Charles

The Charles River west of Boston is a welcoming place for kayakers and canoeists. Several nature preserves are run by the Trustees of Reservations along this 20-mile paddling route. Put in at Cedariver, a former farm, in Millis, which has a state-run boat launch.
Downstream is Shattuck Reservation, which is old pasture land, with nice views and trails. Next, watch for Bridge Island Meadows, accessible only when the water is flowing in Bogastow Brook.
Take out can be at Charles River Peninsula in Needham, with access to a state-run boat launch. 508-785-0339.

Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester MA

Broad Meadow Offers Woods, Streams, and Marshes

Within the 400 acres of woods, fields, streams, and marsh at Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary at 414 Massasoit Road in Worcester, visitors can hike, cross-country ski, watch birds, look for butterflies, prowl for owls, or learn to snowshoe. The center has a large 3-D model of the sanctuary and a huge map of the Blackstone River watershed. Nature gifts, children’s books, field guides, are available at the center, which also serves as a visitor site for the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Trails are open daily, dawn to dusk. Phone: 508-753-6087.

Where the Flowers Go Wild

Garden in the Woods at 180 Hemenway Road in Framingham is the botanic garden of the New England Wild Flower Society. Fifteen hundred native plants live throughout the gardens, along with two miles of paths meander under a canopy of trees past a pond, a wooded bog, springs, and a brook. You can come for guided tours and for classes and other educational opportunities. Bring or buy a boxed lunch for a picnic and browse the Garden Shop, with a charming selection of native plants, books, tools, gifts, and snacks. Check out the family programs, too. 508-877-7630.

Walking Tours at Tower Hill Botanic Garden

Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston hosts great special events and exhibits at all time of the year, but you can come for walks and tours held every weekend. A walking garden tour, included in the cost of admission, happens every Sunday at 2 p.m. See highlights like camellias in the Limonaia and subtropical plants in the Orangerie, and the beauty of bark and berries in the Winter Garden. Learn about the history of the Worcester County Horticultural Society and learn about the future plans for the garden. Also, the garden welcomes people to bring their dogs to wander the dog walking trail on weekends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cape Cod Lavender Farm, where even the scenery smells lovely

Cape Cod Lavender Farm on Weston Woods Road in Harwich is exactly as the name states. Visitors may explore the ground in the company of a couple of friendly farm dogs, take pictures, and buy lavender-infused products like candles and skin care lotions, lavender lemonade, and even a lavender teddy bear. New in 2018 is the Enchanted Garden, with a shade garden, plantings embracing a stone replica of a medieval castle, fairy houses and delicious paths to wander. During harvest time in June and July, the beauty of the fields in bloom at the Cape Cod Lavender Farm is stunning. Open daily, April 1 through Columbus Day. 508-432-8397.

Who Loves a Riddle?

Escape from screens and virtual life and lock yourself and a group of friends into Cape Cod’s only escape room, Riddle , at 61 Market Street in Mashpee. Riddle offers six different games; players are locked in a room and have 60 minutes to complete a mission by solving a series of puzzles, riddles and connecting clues. Riddle games all have their own theme, and puzzles work with the story line. Spark up your creativity and problem-solving skills to flow through the game. Who’s the brain in your huddle? 508-648-7664.

Lyman Greenhouses Bring the Outdoors Indoors

Here’s a fast treatment for the blahs: a visit to the Lyman Estate Greenhouses on Lyman Street in Waltham. The complex consists of an 1804 grape house, 1820 camellia house, 1840 orchid house, and a 1930 sales greenhouse. Rare orchids bloom throughout the year. The horticultural staff offers assistance. The gift shop sells gardening books, sundials, sachets, , pottery, rustic twig furniture, and more. Open year-round; days vary by season. Guided tours\. 781-891-1985.

natural bridge state park in north adams ma

Marble Luxury at the Hands of Nature

Discover a geologic wonder and a peaceful place to walk and view the artistry of nature at Natural Bridge State Park on McCauley Road, off Route 8, in North Adams. Examine the only naturally formed white marble arch and man-made white marble dam in North America, and tour an abandoned marble quarry. The natural bridge, according to geologists, is 550 million year old bedrock marble, carved into an arch by the force of glacial melt water over 13,000 years ago; one of the best places in New England to demonstrate the effects of glaciers. The bridge spans rushing Hudson Brook as it tumbles through a 60-foot gorge. Phone: 413-663-6392

Tea Party Ships & Museum, at Congress Street Bridge in Boston.

Watch a Tea Party With Muscle and Determination

We’ve all been hearing a lot about tea parties recently. Now, you can get close to the original at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, at Congress Street Bridge in Boston. The museum features interactive exhibits, reenactment with actors in period clothing, a Tea Party Ship shop, and a Tea & Tavern Room. There are two ship replicas, the Eleanor & the Beaver, with the Dartmouth. A new Visitor Information Center is a few feet away on the Boston HarborWalk. Phone: 617-592-0422.

Pilgrim Monument on the Provincetown waterfront cape cod

Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum

The Pilgrim Monument, a granite obelisk dedicated in 1910, is a visual icon of the Provincetown waterfront, visible from land and sea. The Monument, on High Pole Hill road, commemorates the history of the Mayflower Pilgrims, who landed at Provincetown before moving on to Plymouth. From May through October, visitors can climb to the top for a glorious view of the sweeping curve of the coastline. The adjoining Provincetown Museum describes the arrival of the Mayflower Pilgrims, the town’s maritime history, the early days of American theater in Provincetown, and the building of the monument. There’s a re-creation of a 19th century sea captain’s parlor at home and his quarters at sea and a scale model of the first theater of the Provincetown Players. 508-487-1310.

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park in Massachusetts

Whaling by Sail in the Tough Old Days

Commercial whaling conveys a very different scent in the 21st century than it did in the 1700s and 1800s when ships went to sea to capture animals that helped producd the cleanest light ever known. New England’s whaling industry ended by about 1900, but the stories of the unbelievable hardy men who went to sea hundreds of years ago still can shiver our timbers. New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, operated by the U.S. Park Service, tells the dramatic story of the old whaling industry in the very streets and buildings where ships departed and sometimes returned after years of chasing the wind around the globe. Stroll the cobblestone streets and see the world’s largest whaling museum, a merchant’s home, a whalemen's chapel, and a 19th-century schooner. Phone: 508-996-4095.

Dune and Beach Walks Near Provincetown

Never dismiss the Outer Cape as a romantic destination. Provincetown, Truro, and Wellfleet all have a core group of restaurants and bars dishing up warmth and sustenance and intimacy. You will be looking for both after a vigorous walk onto the Province Lands, north of Provincetown. On a bright day, the views are glorious. Start at the Province Lands Visitor Center on Race Point Road, off Route 6. Walking routes can be adjusted for shorter and longer distances, with wonderful views of the Province Lands, Race Point Lighthouse, the Coast Guard Station, and more.

'I Went to the Woods...'

Henry David Thoreau lived at Walden Pond in Concord from 1845 to 1847 and his experience there provided the material for his book “Walden.” Because of this legacy, Walden Pond is considered the birthplace of the conservation movement. Interpreters at Walden Pond State Reservation , 915 Walden Street in Concord provide tours and educational programs. The pond is open for swimming and people may visit a replica of Thoreau’s one-room cabin. A 2680-acre wooded area -- great for strolling, nature viewing, picnicking, and reflection -- surrounds the reservation. The property has a gift shop, bookstore and gallery. Phone: 978 369-3254

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