This is a nice, easy hike easily accessible from the highway (Route 24) and Brockton’s Westgate Mall. By itself, this hike is short and sweet, but you can add it to the nearby Stone Farm Conservation trails and make a longer loop out of it. You’re never very far from civilization on this walk; you’llContinue reading “BROCKTON – Brockton Audubon Preserve”
Tag Archives: outdoors with kids
PEMBROKE – Willow Brook Farm Preserve
Willow Brook Farm Preserve is a fairly standard woodland trail with a few features that set it apart. There is a large open field in the middle, a high wooden tower with scenic views, and boardwalks and bridges over wet areas. There are two main loops (one is 1.1 miles, the other is 1.8 miles) that would be great options for children who are ready for a longer hike but might not be able to handle several miles. The only downside is the limited parking!
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 haveContinue reading “PORTSMOUTH, R.I. – Rail Explorers, The Southern Circuit”
MARSHFIELD – Hoyt-Hall Preserve
Hoyt-Hall Preserve is a beautiful two-mile (ish) loop through 123 acres of land that is chalk full of history. Hundreds of years ago, the Wampanoag summered in this area. Governor Winslow received a land grant in the 1630s and started parceling the area out to settlers for farming. The English eventually dammed the water inContinue reading “MARSHFIELD – Hoyt-Hall Preserve”
TAUNTON – Massasoit State Park
Massasoit State Park’s 1200 acres are conveniently located close to Routes 24 and 495; getting here is easy. The park is large and sprawling, but for this particular hike we concentrated only on the Rico Trail, which is a roughly 2-mile loop near the main entrance parking lot. In the past, we’ve been mountain bikingContinue reading “TAUNTON – Massasoit State Park”
DUXBURY – Lansing Bennett Forest
The Lansing Bennett Forest loop (roughly 2 miles long) is a fairly standard wooded trail. It’s well marked and a breeze to navigate, which makes it a great option for families with kids. From the parking area on Union Bridge Road, follow the yellow trail to the blue blazes. The blue trail is a loop,Continue reading “DUXBURY – Lansing Bennett Forest”
TIVERTON, R.I. – Fort Barton and Fort Barton Woods
This hike was a nice surprise for us when we went in summer 2020. After a short but pretty steep walk along a paved road from the parking area to the fort, we were rewarded with amazing views of Narragansett Bay. Fort Barton Woods itself was beautiful; it consists of 83 acres of heavily woodedContinue reading “TIVERTON, R.I. – Fort Barton and Fort Barton Woods”
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 ofContinue reading “N. ATTLEBORO/PLAINVILLE/MANSFIELD – World War I Memorial Park, An Unlikely Story Bookstore, and Flannel Cow Creamery”
HANOVER – Indian Head River Trail
This trail was a pleasant surprise for us. Although our hike got cut short by overtired children (as they sometimes do when you’re hiking with kids…), we still enjoyed the portion of the trek that we finished. If you start at the Indian Head River Trail on Broadway in Hanover, it’s roughly a four-mile loopContinue reading “HANOVER – Indian Head River Trail”
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 withContinue reading “NORTON – Paddle with Norton Kayak Company”