It is time to get out of the house, get some fresh air and safely explore local adventures with your family. Not sure what to do? Here’s a selection of 21 outdoor adventures just outside your doorstep, chock-full with learning and stimulation!

#1 Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary – September 5th & 12th

Westport —Join the butterfly brigade at Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary and register for the free 16th annual Butterfly Census to count butterflies across multiple habitats! Registration required. massaudubon.org

#2 Greenway Carousel

Boston —Take a spin on Boston’s famed Greenway Carousel in the heart of the city. Did you know these magnificent, hand-carved New England animals were all inspired by the imaginations of Boston school children? Find your favorite, and let your spirit soar. rosekennedygreenway.org

#3 Drumlin Farm’s Apple Honey Harvest – September 16th 

Lincoln — Make a bee-line for Drumlin Farm’s Apple Honey Harvest where you can meet the bees and taste delicious honey and apple pairings, then try your hand at some apple crafts. Stories will be shared and songs will be sung! Advance registration required. massaudubon.org

#4 Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary – September 19th

Lincoln — Discover the wonder that comes from observing birds at the All About Birds event hosted by Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. Meet a variety of fine-feathered friends, join a naturalist on a bird walk, and take home your own bird craft.  massaudubon.org

#5 Plimouth Plantation and Mayflower II – September 20th

Plymouth — Step back in time at Plimoth Plantation and attend the Pilgrim Doll Making workshop to learn how to make a 17th-century poppet just like the pilgrims did! All supplies included. plimoth.org

Plus, Mayflower II returned to her home port in Plymouth on August 10th. The ship is ready to welcome visitors to check out the refurbished beauty. For more information and updates visit: plimoth.org/mayflowervoyage 

#6 Allens Pond Field Station – September 26th

Westport — Want to learn more about the famed monarch butterfly? Sign up for the Monarch Tagging event at Allens Pond field station where you’ll find out how to handle and tag them, and understand more about this migration mystery through scientific investigations. massaudubon.org

#7 Shining Sea Bikeway

Cape Cod Return to one of life’s simplest pastimes on the Shining Sea Bikeway for a casual, coastal family ride from Falmouth to Woods Hole on a wide, flat path perfect for every age. Beautiful views the whole way through take you past seashore, inland marshes, beautiful neighborhoods, woods, and more for a truly unforgettable day. No bike? Local rentals of every kind abound!

#8 Cape Code National Seashore Salt Pond Visitor’s Center

Cape Cod — Share an off-the-grid day with your family on one of Cape Cod National Seashore’s hiking trails. Check in at the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham and venture out onto the 1.3 mile Nauset Marsh Trail for a walk that crosses woods, fields, and a breathtaking salt marsh. Want to hear some waves crash? Take the 1-mile trail extension to Coast Guard Beach, or start from the Doane Picnic Area (parking lot available) and walk just the extension. nps.gov 

#9 Blue Hills Trailside Museum

Milton — Visit the outdoor animal exhibits at Blue Hills Trailside Museum to learn about nature and native animals. Bring some duck feed, meet the resident snowy owl, and walk
the nearby trails. massaudubon.org

#10 Blooming Cranberry Bog

West Barnstable — Have you ever imagined what it would it be like to float in a sea of cranberries? See a blooming cranberry bog during growing or harvest season and learn about one of Cape Cod’s most important industries from a grower with 30 years of experience on a small group cranberry tour. 508-237-5478. capecodcranberrybogtours.com

#11 Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

Boston — Take the family on a revolutionary experience at The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum where you can step back in time to a 1773 meeting house, storm aboard 18th century sailing vessels, and even throw some tea into Boston Harbor! bostonteapartyship.com

#12 Lookout Farm

Natick — What better way to kick off the harvest season than with a family visit to a local apple orchard? Get inspired by your favorite apple-filled recipes, then make a U-pick weekend reservation at Lookout Farm. Check out the curbside market pickup menu before you go—
it’s never too early for an apple cider doughnut! lookoutfarm.com

#13 Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary

Natick — Experience a private, Naturalist-led nature tour at Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary for an up-close outdoor exploration that unlocks the mysteries of plants, animals, and ecosystems. Sign-up with another family to split the cost, and choose from Marsh Wonders, Magic Pool in the Forest, and Field Mysteries! Max 10 people. massaudubon.org

#14  Spectacle Island

Boston — Leave the mainland behind and daytrip to Spectacle Island via round-trip ferry passage from Boston’s Long Wharf terminal. Hike the trails for a (more) spectacular view of Boston Harbor and spend a couple of hours relaxing on the serene beach a world away from the urban hustle. Know before you go: Beach is rocky, bring water shoes. bostonharborislands.org

#15 Mendon Twin Drive-In

Mendon — Visit the 1950’s Mendon Twin Drive-In movie theatre and tune your car radio to the giant screen for a night of old-fashioned family fun. Arrive early and visit the nostalgic-fashioned snack bar popping fresh popcorn. Pop over to the ice cream window for another treat under the stars. mendondrivein.com

#16 Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Topsfield — Become a nature detective at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, and explore the wetlands and habitats along the riverbank trails that wind through the sanctuary. Want to make it official? Download a free wildlife scavenger hunt activity sheet and grab a magnifying glass before you go. Don’t forget the bird seed—chickadees will eat from your hand! massaudubon.org

#1Marshfield Drive-in

Marshfield — Head south of the city to one of Massachusetts‘ newest Drive-Ins located on the historic Marshfield fairgrounds and extend your summer with an outdoor family movie night! Showtimes start when it gets dark so kids won’t be up too late, and snack bar serves food throughout the show. marshfielddrivein.com

#19 Discovery Woods

Acton — Go on the coolest, greatest nature adventure ever at Discovery Woods, the all-outdoor exhibit at Discovery Museum. Climb up a ginormous treehouse built by the DIY network’s The Treehouse Guys, go native in the nature playscape, and run amok in the Great Hill Conservation Area. discoveryacton.org

#20 The Great Goat Experience

Barnstable -— Sign up for The Great Goat Experience hosted by a small Cape Cod farm certified wildlife habitat in Barnstable for a truly unique outing. Tour the beautiful land abundant with fruit trees and flowers, feed the goats, Stella and Bella, oak leaves right from your hands, and even learn to make goat milk soap! Lather up back home with your take-home sample. airbnbexperiences

#21 Old Sturbridge Village 

Sturbridge — Time travel with your family to the 19th-century at Old Sturbridge Village where kids’ admission is free through September 7th. Experience authentic New England on the farm, in the gardens, and in trade shops all in a day’s visit. Want to offer your children the opportunity to join in? Pre-register for the September 11th Homeschool Day for hands-on workshops. osv.org

Review current policies in accordance with Massachusetts reopening guidelines and the evolving Coronavirus pandemic.

Alyson Young Gregory is a native New Yorker, and Boston-based freelance writer, mother, and Holistic Health Educator specializing in Ayurveda. She has a passion for maximizing vitality through nutrition based on environment and individual body constitution for all ages, supporting children’s wellness policies, and finding inspiring local activities for families.