A- Amesbury Days- We’re excited to announce that Amesbury Days is a go! The dates will be TBA. In 2011, Amesbury Days marked 42 years in its present form and have expanded from a one-day picnic to a series of events taking place at various locations and venues from June 30th through July 9th. This year’s events include a variety of entertainment for the whole family as well as opportunities for shopping, historical exhibits, music, arts and crafts, races, a melting-pot cookoff, dining, children’s events, the annual block at the Huntington Square Gazebo, the fireworks display at Woodsom Farm, and a grande finale concert at the Town Park.
B- Beverly Commons- This beautiful area which is part of the Greenbelt- Essex County's Land Trust is a great place to bring your family to get outside to enjoy nature. Lots of hiking trails are available for a fun hike with the family.
C- Connors Farm- Great news! Connors Farm will be opening on June 11th! While this is a great Fall venue, it is also a great place to bring your family during summer months.
D- Driving Range- Hit the driving range at Newbury Golf Center & Ice Cream. There are lots of programs for kids and adults alike.
E- Endicott Park- Endicott Park’s varied landscape includes pastoral views, historic farm buildings, orchards, woodlands, and marshes, with a network of trails and gravel roads for stress-free and stroller-friendly exploration of the park.
Passive recreation activities for all ages abound, ranging from hiking, fishing, picnicking and enjoying the playground in the warmer months, to sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing in the winter.
Spotting wildlife throughout the year is not uncommon and can include species such as cottontail rabbits, beavers, coyotes, whitetail deer, and a plethora of grey squirrels! In addition, bird watching can be very productive, with ample food sources and resting areas for resident and migrating species.
F- Festival by the Sea- Festival by the Sea is a celebration of the things that are synonymous with Cape Ann in the summertime: Art, Music & Food! Booths will be spread throughout downtown Manchester. Your senses will be inspired by the beautiful art, extraordinary live music and the aromas of delicious, local foods.
G- Get your fresh produce! Cider Hill Farm- Amesbury MA has a month-by-month schedule to let folks know exactly what is "picken" at any time. Be sure to get some fresh strawberries, blueberries and peaches at Cider Hill this summer.
H- Halibut Point (Rockport)- On a clear day, visitors to Halibut Point State Park will be able to see Mount Agamenticus, located 81 miles away in Maine, and the Isles of Shoals off the coast of New Hampshire. You can explore the parks trails and tide pools, picnic on the rocky ledges, and learn about the history of Cape Ann's granite industry.
I- Ice Cream Crawl- How fun would it be for your family to try a different North Shore Ice Cream shop each week throughout the summer? Captain Dusty's Ice Cream, and White Farms Ice Cream are just two of the many ice cream shops on the North Shore
J- Jump, jump, jump! Sky Zone in Danvers is a great option for kids on a rainy summer day, on a scortching hot day to get in out of the heat or anytime the kids need to get energy out.
K- Kids Bowl Free All Summer- We are lucky here on the North Shore to have 3 bowling alleys participating in the "Kids Bowl Free" program. Don't wait! Sign your kids up now!
L- Lakes- Lake swimming is a great way to cool off in the summer! Chebacco Lake is located in Hamilton MA & Essex MA For many years the Chebacco Lake & Watershed Association has been working hard to protect our most valuable asset-Chebacco Lake. The Association continues to educate the community about our lakes history
M- Maudslay State Park- Maudslay State Park features 19th century gardens and plantings, rolling meadows, towering pines, and one of the largest naturally-occurring stands of mountain laurel in Massachusetts. It's the perfect place for a walk, bike ride or picnic. Educational programs are offered during the summer.
N- North Shore Boat Rental- What fun it is to bring the family out on the ocean off the coast of Gloucester! Gloucester Boat Rental has many options for boat rental. Pack a picnic lunch and bring the family out to the open ocean!
O-Old Town Hill- Newbury- A spectacular mix of tidal rivers, salt marsh, open fields, and woodlands define Old Town Hill—a site Indigenous Peoples called Quascacunquen—and lands to the west. In the upland, second-growth forest and fields support ground-nesting birds and serve as hunting grounds for hawks and owls. Mud snails, green crabs, and ribbed mussels live in the tidal creeks and provide food for wading birds, such as egrets and great blue herons. Salt meadow grass, cordgrass, seaside goldenrod, and sea lavender thrive in the tidal salt marsh, created through glacial action some 12,000 years ago. And today, the ebb and flow of the Parker and Little rivers—freshwater streams with sources miles inland that become increasingly tidal as they approach the coast—remain critical to keeping the marsh healthy.
P- Plum Island Beack and Parker River Refuge-Plum Island Beach is a beautiful New England barrier island offering locals and visitors an opportunity to explore, play and relax. A family-friendly Newburyport attraction, Plum Island Beach offers many fun and interesting things to do. Discover amazing bird watching and the natural beauty of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy fishing, boating, kayaking or just playing and relaxing on the beach.
Q-Quarries on the North Shore - Rockport Quarries Hike is a great way to see some woods and see some sights that make Rockport a destination for many tourists. Rockport is Beautiful. Expect 4 hours and near 8 miles for this hike.
R- River Cruises & Charters out of Essex-Since 1992, Essex River Cruises and Charters has offered interesting & informative narrated cruises, charters, clambakes, company outings, and other celebrations. They operate daily, Mother's Day weekend in May through late October. Spend an afternoon on the Essex River to discover the beauty and heritage of the area. Explore the antique stores and other specialty shops, such as the Essex Shipbuilding Museum, and Cogswell's Grant Folk Art museum, and let us tell you how their history helped to shape the town into what it is today. Contact us now to plan a trip through the unspoiled and pristine waters of the Essex River!
S- Salem Kids Tours -"A Wicked Good Tour!” We are Salem’s one and only walking tour for children and families. There is no other tour like this one.
Salem Kids Tour meets at 185 Essex St., Pamplemousse. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
This is the original, classic Salem Kids Tour, which is a fun, kid-friendly tour of Salem’s mysterious past. As we walk through Salem’s historic downtown, kids will hear Witchcraft Trials stories, but that’s not all! We talk about the Golden Age of Sail, famous visitors to Salem, a “moving” cemetery, and an incredible escape. The tour ends at the Witchcraft Trials Memorial.
T- Take Flight Aerial Adventures- While this venue is a bit north in Kittery ME of our North Shore area, it is a must do for families.The Aerial Adventure Challenge Course has over 65 activities and elements for you to climb on, over, around, and through. Plus, we have two different Adventure Zip Line Tours that will take you on a high flying adventure climbing and soaring through the trees!
U-Under Sea Divers- Summer is a time to try something new! We have many opportunities to get you diving in these beautiful local waters. Whether you’re looking for a private guided tour or looking to meet new divers and socialize, we have the diving group for you. Our New England waters are full of life! One day you might see an Atlantic Torpedo Ray and tomorrow you might go for a dive and see squid. Whether you are a cold water fanatic, or interested in trying out a cold water dive, let us be your guide to New England.
V- Visit Museums- Wait for a rainy day for some indoor fun! Our area boasts so many wonderful museums! Visit Essex Shipbuilding Museum or Maritime Gloucester for some educational fun. Drive to the Museum of Science, New England Aquarium or Children's Museum in Boston
W- Whale Watches- This is a favorite summer activity in New England! Visit Cape Ann Whale Watch, Newburyport Whale Watch, and 7 Seas Whale Watch are a few places you can pick up a whale watching boat.
X- experience something new! Summer is a great time to step outside of your comfort zone and try something you never have before. Foote Brothers Canoe and Kayak Rental offer sea kayaking and canoes for rental. That is on my summer bucket list!
Y- Yankee Homecoming- Excitement is building as we begin to plan for the 2021 celebration! While we cannot say with certainty, our goal is for YHC to be a lot closer to what you know and love from years past. What we do know is we are committed to bring you a fun, inclusive, and most importantly a safe festival to our community this summer.
Z- Zoo- Zip down a little south to Stoneham MA to Stone Zoo to see the Snow leopards, North American river otters, black bears, and reindeer are just a few of the incredible animals that call the Zoo home.
