From Wolves to Apples: Your Guide to Exploring the North Shore in Fall
The North Shore is a particularly generous host to the fall season, with fun activities at every turn. The list below will offer you nearby locations to embrace all that this incredible season has to offer, from seasonable to spooky, there’s something for everyone.
Apple Picking: Two nearby farms offer this quintessential fall activity. Brooksby Farm in Peabody and Russell Orchards in Ipswich each welcome guests to visit their Farm Stores, animal farms, and apple orchards. After you’ve filled your bags or boxes with fresh apples, you can warm up with some hot apple cider and donuts from the bakery!
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary: Located in Topsfield, the sanctuary hosts a diverse array of wildlife and 12 miles of hiking trails. Adventurers can pass through forests, wetlands, meadows, and more. If you’re looking for a scenic paddle, the sanctuary rents canoes out from May 1 through October 31 each year. If you’re interested in connecting with the wildlife, bring a bag of birdseed with you on your walk, as the chickadees are known to eat right from the palm of your hand! Learn more.
Hiking Trails: In addition to the trails that surround Endicott’s campus, there are a wealth of conservation areas and pockets of trails that provide ample room to walk, run, mountain bike, and explore. To find locations, maps, and more, check out Essex County Green Belt, Trustees of Reservations, and Mass Audubon.
Corn Mazes: Test your sense of direction in the seven-acre corn maze at Connors Farm in Danvers or the eight-acre maze at Marini Farm in Ipswich. You and your friends can work together to find your way from start to finish, all while enjoying the country air, just minutes from campus! If you’re looking for something a little more eerie, sign up for one of their evening flashlight maze experiences.
Topsfield Fair: The origin of this fair dates back to 1820, and what started out as a single-day cattle show has now grown into a quintessential county fair. Guests enjoy a wealth of attractions, from carnival rides and games to agriculture and fair food. The fair ends Monday, October 11, so make sure to plan your visit today!
Wolf Hollow: Located in Ipswich, this wolf sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to witness grey wolves interacting with one another as a pack. During the one-hour presentation, guests enjoy a safe but close-up view of the wolves, allowing the members of the audience to better understand wolves, their hierarchy, their delicate (but necessary) state within our ecosystem, and to experience their individual personalities! Plan your visit today.
Haunted Happenings: The City of Salem is located just south of Beverly, and shares its coastal views of Manchester and beyond. Salem is a historic city, infamous for its 17th-centry witch trials. Today, the city has become a sanctuary for people of all faiths and walks of life. The city’s residents and tourists embrace the Halloween season and celebrate Haunted Happenings throughout the month of October. If you’re intrigued by Salem’s history, you can cruise through the city on a Trolley Tour or sign up for a walking tour to explore its walkways on-foot. However, as night falls, and if you’re looking for a fright, join one of its ghost tours to get to know more about Salem’s most notorious spirits. Plan your visit today!
Haunted Woods: For a truly haunting experience, sign up for Hysteria at Connors Farm—open only through the month of October. Thrill seekers will take a 30+ minute trek through a fright-filled forest, navigate the edges of a swamp, and sneak through a 17th-century burial ground! As you move through the trails, take in the smells, sights, and sounds, as they are all meant to terrify.
We hope that you enjoy this list of seasonal must-dos and take the opportunity to get to know the areas that surround our beautiful campus.