The days are longer, the weather is warmer, and thoughts of summer vacation are on the horizon for families everywhere. Close-by day trips are an easy way to get the kids outside to explore, imagine, and burn off energy while adults savor scenic views and simple joys (like outstanding picnic spots). Good thing, The Trustees has plenty of these lined up for you, no matter where you live in Massachusetts. Jump to the day trip closest to you:

• MetroWest in Harvard
• North Shore in Ipswich
• South Shore in Hingham
• Central in Royalston
• Connecticut River Valley in Holyoke

A Fairytale Day at Fruitlands Museum

Don your wings, grab your crowns, and come play in the magical fairy forest of Fruitlands Museum right off Route 2 in Harvard. Inspired by a childhood memory of Louisa May Alcott, fairy and gnome houses dot the yellow trail near the Willard Archeological site. You are welcome to collect natural materials and build a new home to expand the sprite community, providing a hands-on activity for kids of all ages.

If you arrive on a Thursday through Sunday in the morning—after 10AM when Fruitlands opens—you’ll have plenty of time to explore the forest before lunch. Grab salads, sandwiches, and drinks from the Fruitlands Café or bring your own picnic to enjoy on the grassy hillside. There’s plenty of room to let the kids burn off some of their renewed energy.

After satiating the family’s hunger—and if it’s a dreary day—pop into the museum buildings, including the special kids’ room in the Four Seasons Gallery. There are also three exhibitions to explore, a 1790s Shaker building with one of the earliest collections of Shaker objects in the United States, and a historic 1820s farmhouse where Louisa May Alcott lived as a young girl.

Find the Missing Kitty at the Crane Estate

Oh no! Mrs. Crane’s kitty, Ptolemy, has gone missing just before just before a big party at their summer home in Ipswich. Help find this mischievous Siamese cat before you must dress in your 1920s-style garb and dance the day away. The Cat’s Meow tour at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate—designed for ages 3-8—is waiting for your family every weekend throughout the summer.

Pack your car with a picnic lunch before arriving for your 10:30AM tour. Be sure to leave plenty of travel time as The Cat’s Meow only happens once every Saturday and Sunday (it’s suggested you arrive 15 minutes early). After your 30-45 minutes experience, select a picnic spot on the Great House’s lawn overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Let the kids romp around the green to release any pent-up energy as you spread your blanket out for lunch.

Once everyone’s been refueled, take a walk to the Italian Garden, Rose Garden, Chauffeur’s Garage, and Casino Complex along a short loop with plenty of features for your kids to explore. If you have the time—and most importantly the energy—take the long walk down the Grand Allée for amazing views and access to Steep Hill Beach, where the kids can explore the shoreline. Just remember, you have to hike all the way back!

Explore a Barnyard and Shoreline in Hingham

Start your Saturday by interacting with some adorable farm animals during the Open Barnyard at Weir River Farm in Hingham. For one hour beginning at 10AM, meet pigs, rabbits, goats, sheep, and other furry friends on one of the last working farms on the South Shore. It’s a great way to kick off the weekend for kids of all ages, including those who might benefit from an experience with a reduced number of guests and a quieter environment during dedicated Sensory-Friendly Open Barnyards.

Once you’ve gotten your farm animal fill, hop back in the car for a 10-minute drive down the road to World’s End (also in Hingham). Here you can spread out a picnic lunch with ocean—and Boston skyline—views as the kids splash in the Tidal Marsh looking for sea critters. Restrooms are also available at the Wakeman O’Donnell Center right by the parking lot, so it’s best to stick close for lunchtime.

With accessible trails for strollers meandering through meadows, woodlands, granite ledges, and marshes, there is plenty to see and do for families with all different energy levels and attention spans. Spend as much of the afternoon exploring as you want, but remember to book your pass to World’s End in advance as it’s a requirement on weekends.

Paddle and Picnic Along Tully Lake

Nothing beats a hot summer day at the lake! In Royalston—a short drive North of Athol—sits the waters of Tully Lake with plenty of amenities courtesy of the Army Corps of Engineers. Picnic tables, grills, horseshoe pits, a small playground, disc golf course, boat ramp, toilets, and a field to run around or play catch mean there is plenty to keep even the most active kids busy all day. Just be aware that the picnic area does not have running water for drinking or washing hands, so bring your own beverages and hand wipes.

Plus, The Trustees rents canoes and kayaks from Tully Lake Campground on the northern shores of the 200-acre lake. Even if you’re not staying overnight—though it is a perfect spot for tent camping—you can paddle for two hours, four hours, or the full day. Forgot your disc golf frisbees or fishing poles? You can rent those too!

You’ll also pass Doane’s Falls while driving to and from the campground. This quick stopover for a short stream-side trail—part of which is also accessible for strollers—grabs your attention with a raucous series of plunging falls. It’s a great place to captivate the kids for a little distraction while circumnavigating the lake.

Touch Prehistoric Tracks at Dinosaur Footprints

Let your kids see and touch real dinosaur tracks—Massachusetts’ State fossil—just north of downtown Holyoke at Dinosaur Footprints. Only a short walk down a small hill from this pullout are hundreds of tracks imprinted into the sandstone from some of the earliest known dinos. Small plant-eaters, large meat-eaters (up to 20 feet long), alligator ancestors, plants, and other ancient beings are all represented and waiting to be discovered by your kids.

While you can spend quite a long time here finding trace fossils, it’s not the best spot for a picnic lunch. For that, you’ll want to travel only a few minutes North along Route 5 and turn left onto Reservation Road for Mount Tom State Reservation. Just past the main entrance is a picnic area near Lake Bray with restrooms and ample parking (there is a parking fee required by the DCR).

A Universal Access Trail—great for strollers—also loops from this parking lot if you’re looking for an easy walk to digest your lunch. Mount Tom State Reservation boasts plenty of trails and sites for kids of all ages and abilities. But if you’re in the mood for a longer hike, take the Knox Trail to Little Tom Mountain with its amazing views of the Connecticut River from an overlook only a short distance into the trail.

Become a Trustees Member—or renew your Membership—to access all of these places with FREE or reduced admission (plus discounts on programs and tours)!