We have plenty of non-hiking adventures to share with you, too!
WEYMOUTH – Sledding at Weston Park behind Tufts Library
Weston Park, behind the Tufts Library in Weymouth, is perfect for sledding, especially with little ones.
The 1,000 Hours Outside Challenge
The 1,000 Hour Outside Challenge is the best thing we’ve found all year (we did not invent this)! It’s free, it’s simple and straightforward, and it works! You don’t need to register or sign up–simply join the Facebook Group (if you want–you don’t have to) to get some amazing ideas and get your family outside!…
BRIDGEWATER – Stanley Iron Works Park
This lovely little park, tucked away in an unlikely place (near the Highway Department), makes a great spot for a picnic or a short walk. There is more here on these 12 acres than meets the eye–if you’re willing to explore a little. HOW TO GET THERE 93 High St. Bridgewater, MA 02324 Parking is…
EASTON – NRT Sheep Pasture Scavenger Hunt
This is a great FREE event that was organized by local Girl Scout Reilly Clark. She designed a series of scavenger hunts for kids of all ages, ranging from easy to difficult. The hunts are a great combination of tasks related to nature as well as social-emotional/bonding questions to foster teamwork and group identity formation.…
PLYMOUTH – The Harbor, Brewster Gardens, and Court St.
When we were kids, our dad would mark the end of every school year with a last-day-of-school trip to Plymouth. After eating a mile-long hot dog at Lobster Hut (no fish for us as kids!), we’d make our way to the beach for a late afternoon swim and some playing in the sand. We cherish…
WEST BRIDGEWATER – War Memorial Park
A picturesque park that is popular with photographers, families, and dog walkers. It’s not very large, but there are many nooks and crannies to explore, along with some fun spots to discover. This scavenger hunt will get you to all parts of the park! HOW TO GET THERE Address: River St. West Bridgewater, MA 02379…
NORTON – King Philip’s Cave
This is the cave the Wompanoag sachem Metacomet used as a hide out as he was running for his life at the end of King Philip’s War. While not necessarily a worthy destination in its own right, this is a great stop if you’re already nearby. It’s located on a “private way,” basically in someone’s…
NORTON – Paddle with Norton Kayak Company
Dave Lennon, a long-time Norton resident, founded the Norton Kayak Company in 2008 so that he introduce others to kayaking and help locals appreciate the Norton Reservoir. He is also a parent, Tri-County Saints hockey coach, and outdoor enthusiast. We find Dave to be a knowledgeable, gracious, fun, and personable host who is great with…
BOSTON – Commuter Boat, Rose Kennedy Greenway, & the North End
Taking the MBTA commuter boat from Hingham is one of our favorite ways to get into Boston in the summer. It’s not too expensive, parking is cheap (currently $2), and the boat in itself is part of the adventure. The ride to Boston is roughly 30 minutes, and the route provides views of Webb State…
N. ATTLEBORO/PLAINVILLE/MANSFIELD – World War I Memorial Park, An Unlikely Story Bookstore, and Flannel Cow Creamery
This combo is one of our favorites! These three things are close to each other and can easily occupy you and your family for a half or a whole day. World War I Memorial Park is a true gem. It’s *free* and, although popular, never insanely busy. It features a small “zoo” (for lack of…
EASTON – Fishing @ New Pond
Fishing is a super relaxing and surprisingly addictive hobby. Honestly, it’s not something we EVER expected to like; we didn’t grow up fishing, so it was a bit of a foreign concept for us! However, we wanted something to do with the kids that was relaxing–that would calm them down–while still providing time in the…
LITTLE COMPTON, R.I. – South Shore Beach/Goosewing Beach Preserve
We’ve been hearing so much about South Shore Beach in Little Compton, RI, that we figured we had to give it a try. We do not recommend this excursion as a hike (which was our original intent), but we do endorse it as a beach trip! First of all, if you’re coming from the Mass…
SOUTH BOSTON – Castle Island
Castle Island’s 22 seaside acres offer something for everyone. For history buffs, the land houses Fort Independence, which was built between 1834 and 1851. You can’t go in or on top of the fort, but you can walk around it and get up close. Castle Island also has a beach and a large playground. The…
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. – Newport Car Museum
The Newport Car Museum is actually housed in a former missile production site in Portsmouth, RI. This private collection contains over 85 cars, each carefully selected as a work of fine art. There are over seven decades (1950s to the present) represented, and the museum is divided into various categories: Ford/Shelby Cars, Corvettes, World Cars,…
LITTLE COMPTON, R.I. – The Barn Restaurant and Old Stone Orchard
The Barn Restaurant was absolutely delicious–a hit even with my ridiculously picky eaters–and if we lived closer, it would be hard to resist becoming regulars. The restaurant has ample parking, and there are benches scattered around outside so you can sit while you wait to be seated–because you will probably wait! But don’t worry–the food…
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. – Rail Explorers, The Southern Circuit
Rail Explorers USA has four sites across the country, and we are lucky to have one of them so close to the South Shore in Portsmouth, RI. This has become a yearly tradition in our family because it is something very unusual that we can ALL do together–Kids and adults of all ages will have…