15 Spring Day Trips in Massachusetts

Now that Spring is upon us. It’s time to get out and enjoy all that Massachusetts has to offer, from state parks, to museums, aquariums, waterfalls and more!

Summer Star Wildlife Sanctuary
690 Linden St, Boylston, MA 01505

Tucked away at 690 Linden St., is a hidden gem close to Wachusett Reservoir and Tower Hill Botanic Garden. Summer Star Wildlife Sanctuary is forty-five acres of natural land is home to plants, streams, glacial boulders, and wild animals large and small. Summer Star features over 1.5 miles of trail, in addition to the Easy Trail – which is a 0.2 mile easily accessible wide trail loop. {summerstarwildlife.org}

Visitors may reserve the Freedom Chair, a wheelchair designed for off-roading, for use on our Easy Trail.  Reservations are required and can be made by calling (508)-869-3434 between the hours of 11AM and 3PM, Saturday through Tuesday.

We enjoyed a beautiful day exploring Summer Star, before we headed out on our hike we took a tour of the breathtaking Trailhead House, environmentally designed the Trailhead House models sustainability and engagement with nature. The large atrium features floor to ceiling windows and seating; the perfect spot to sit and take in the beautiful view or to read a book and relax.

Owen and I look forward to spending more time exploring Summer Star this spring. The trails and stream were beautiful. We collected acorns and sticks to toss into the water as we walked, climbed rocks and looked for fairy houses.

The sanctuary organizes a variety of events and projects to promote public awareness of science, nature, wildlife, and the environment, and aids in animal rescue and release in collaboration with Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine.  Throughout the year, the sanctuary also hosts various courses, lectures, conferences, and artistic and cultural events.

An Unlikely Story
111 South St, Plainville, MA 02762

An Unlikely Story Bookstore and Café, founded by “Diary of A Wimpy Kid” author Jeff Kinney is a beautiful new community gathering place where you can meet amazing authors, enjoy breakfast or lunch, or relax with your new book and a beer (or glass of wine). {anunlikelystory.com}

Our friends over at StowedStuff.com spent the day at this magical bookstore and have a full review HERE.

Fort Revere Park
60 Farina Road
Hull, MA 02045

Fort Revere Park is an 8+ acre historic site located atop Telegraph Hill in Hull Village. The Park contains the remains of two seacoast fortifications, a historic water tower, and picnic facilities. Fort Revere Park is open daily, sunrise to sunset, year round. There are grills and picnic tables available. {Mass.gov}

Willard Brook State Forest
Rte. 119, Ashby & Townsend, MA

Willard Brook State Forest contains 2,597 acres and is located in the towns of Ashby and Townsend, 50 miles from Boston. Here you can find the character and feeling of forests usually found much farther west in the state with a tumbling brook and quick water amid groves of classic New England woods.

A wide variety of activities are offered including 21 campsites spread beneath a pine canopy, swimming, walking, hiking, birding, fishing, horseback riding and winter trail sports. {Mass.gov}

Admission: Daily Parking Fee: $8 MA Vehicle, $10 non-MA Vehicle

Bash Bish Falls State Park
143 East St.
Mt. Washington, MA 01258

Bash Bish Falls, one of Massachusetts’ most dramatic and its highest single-drop waterfall. Cascading water tumbles through a series of gorges and a hemlock-hardwood ravine forest, and then drops about 60 feet into a sparkling pool below.

Bash Bish Falls is located next to the 4,169 acre Mount Washington State Forest which offers 30 miles of trails, including the South Taconic Trail and wilderness camping. {Mass.gov}

Natural Bridge State Park
107 Natural Bridge Rd, North Adams, MA 01247

Discover a geologic wonder at this 48 acre park. Examine the only naturally formed white marble arch and man-made white marble dam in North America, and tour an abandoned marble quarry. Home to the only natural white marble arch/bridge in North America.

There is a 0.25 mile walkway above and through the chasm, or the 0.5 mile wooded walking trail, fishing is also offered.  {Mass.gov}

Bridge of Flowers
22 Water St
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts

Once an abandoned trolley bridge, now a garden pathway, the Bridge has been cared for by the Shelburne Falls Area Women’s Club Bridge of Flowers Committee for over 80 years.

The Bridge of Flowers is a 400-foot-long former trolley line bridge that has been converted into a garden pathway. Open from April 1 to October 31, the bridge spans the Deerfield River between Shelburne Falls and Buckland.

Governor Oliver Ames Estate
35 Oliver St, North Easton, Massachusetts 02356

Set in the quiet town of Easton 30 miles outside of Boston, the historic 36-acre Governor Oliver Ames Estate features rolling hills, meadows, ponds, and a host of lovely and mature trees, as well as remnants of a storied and prominent past – all within walking distance of the North Easton National Historic District. Come to walk the gentle hills, picnic with friends, or just enjoy some quiet time among the centuries-old trees that dot the property. {thetrustees.org}

Wahconah Falls
Off Rte. 9/8A, Dalton, MA  (Pittsfield State Forest)

Located in the heart of the Berkshire Hills, Wahconah Falls offers visitors spectacular scenic views anytime of year.

Wahconah Falls Brook flows over several smaller tiered falls cascade about 40 feet into a deep pool. The falls “roar,” especially during spring run-off. Relax, picnic or fish in the shade of the northern hardwood-conifer forest, or take a hike on the 0.5 mile loop trail (moderate difficulty) through open woods and along upper portions of the falls. {Mass.gov}

Bartholomew’s Cobble
105 Weatogue Rd, Sheffield, MA 01257

Tour the cobbles, trees and understory plants, and river, on the Ledges Trail, which also passes two small caves kids love to explore. You can also trek through open fields, transitional forest, and freshwater marshes with beaver ponds along the Cobble’s other trails. Don’t forget to stop in to the natural history museum and visitor center either before or after your visit. And, to mix your natural history with some cultural history, follow the trail that leads to the nearby historic Ashley House, from where enslaved African-American, Mum Bett Freeman sued for her freedom, helping to end slavery in Massachusetts.

The high point at Bartholomew’s Cobble, Hurlburt’s Hill, rises 1,000 feet to a 20-acre upland field on the Massachusetts–Connecticut border that offers panoramic views northward up the Housatonic River Valley. {thetrustees.org}

Montague Bookmill
440 Greenfield Rd. Montague, MA 01351

Spend a relaxing day sipping coffee and perusing the used book, music, and art collections at Montague Bookmilll.

The Montague Bookmill is a used bookstore housed in an 1842 gristmill, set on the banks of the Sawmill River, a few miles north of Northampton and Amherst, Massachusetts. The mill building is also home to a unique café, a gourmet restaurant, a record store selling vinyl, CD’s and DVD’s, and an artists’ collective.

You can also attend concerts and performances during the spring, summer and fall months at the Bookmill. {Montaguebookmill.com}

George’s Island/Fort Warren
Boston, MA

Home of historic Fort Warren, a Civil War-era fort known for its graceful granite archways and reputed ghost, the Lady in Black. The fort and its grassy parade ground are a popular place for a scenic low-stress walk.

Take a ranger-guided tour or visit the new museum with exhibits about the history of the fort. Enjoy a picnic under the shade of a tree. Get exceptional views of the surrounding islands and Boston Light from the ramparts and towers. {bostonharborislands.org}

Cape Cod Children’s Museum
577 Great Neck Rd S, Mashpee, MA 02649

The Cape Cod Children’s Museum is a large indoor Museum/Discovery Center. There is a large variety of things to see and do.

The CCCM fosters and encourages play through imagination. A play submarine with sounds, play tractor, fishing boat, farm stand, large tree house, big climbing tower, climbing train, puzzle and brainteaser stations, fun puppet theater, even arts & crafts stations!

We visited last summer, Owen has a wonderful time spending the day here. It was an affordable and fun way to spend the afternoon.

Purgatory Chasm State Reservation
190 Purgatory Rd, Sutton, MA 01590

A unique natural landmark, Purgatory Chasm runs for a quarter of a mile between granite walls rising as high as 70 feet. Popular with picnickers and rock-climbers alike, the Chasm is believed to have its origin in the sudden release of dammed-up glacial meltwater near the end of the last Ice Age, approximately 14,000 years ago.

Trails lead to a wide variety of rock formations, with such romantic names as The Corn Crib, The Coffin, The Pulpit, Lovers’ Leap and Fat Man’s Misery.

An adventurous playground, equipped with a play structure, swings and a merry-go-round, is now located near the visitor center. {Mass.gov}

Be sure to stop at West End Creamy after your hike for a ice cram and a round of mini golf!

Woods Hole Science Aquarium
166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543

The Woods Hole Science Aquarium is a small public aquarium that displays approximately 140 species of marine animals found in Northeast and Middle-Atlantic U.S. waters. The aquarium is designed for self-guided tours of the main exhibits and a behind-the-scenes look at aquarium operations. {aquarium.nefsc.noaa.gov}

New Bedford Whaling Museum
18 Johnny Cake Hl, New Bedford, MA 02740

The museum, through its collections and exhibitions, tells the story of the international whaling industry and history. Governed by the Old Dartmouth Historical Society (ODHS), the museum collection contains over 750,000 items, including 3,000 pieces of scrimshaw and 2,500 logbooks (handwritten accounts of whaling voyages), both of which are the largest collections in the world.

The Museum also houses an extensive collection of fine art, including works by major American artists who lived or worked in the New Bedford area.

The whale ship Lagoda, the world’s largest ship model, is housed at the central core of the museum in the Jonathan Bourne Building, purpose-built in 1915 for the construction of the Lagoda. With an overall length of 59′ and a mainmast 50′ in height, the Lagoda is fully rigged and outfitted for an extended whaling voyage. {Wikipedia}