It’s over. Winter has come to an end, and spring fever is upon us. And the North shore is an ideal place to indulge your desire to celebrate the arrival of warmer temperature, blooming flowers, and life springing back from its winter rest.
We’ve gathered six ways to do just that, from ambling through one (or more) of the region’s stunning outdoor destinations, to laying the ground for a summer of productive gardening.
Get outside
The North Shore is home to a rich variety of places to go for a stroll and watch for signs of spring. Visit Long Hill in Beverly to watch the buds burst into bloom throughout its beautiful gardens, or head to Maudslay State Park in Newburyport to enjoy profusions of azaleas and rhododendrons. Traverse the fields and woods of Appleton Farms and maybe catch a glimpse of a springtime baby farm animal while you’re there. Need more ideas? We’ve got some.
Visit a Lighthouse
The North Shore is dotted with spectacular lighthouses to check out for their history and spectacular views. Standing 40 feet tall, the Annisquam Lighthouse in Gloucester touches the Annisquam River for which it is named. Situated in the sea-faring town of Gloucester,Eastern Point Lighthouse offers some spectacular views for those visiting. Commonly known as America’s oldest seaport, Gloucester’s harbor has welcomed fishermen, whalers, and mariners as early as 1616 with the Eastern Point Lighthouse standing as a welcoming beacon since 1832. Sailing across Salem Sound you might happen upon this historic lighthouse located on Bakers Island, Massachusetts. The light station, which occupies 10 acres of land, has been continually run by the government since 1798. Since 2014, the land upon which the lighthouse sits has been owned by the Essex National Heritage Commission. Check out our article for more destinations.
Appreciate public art
Take advantage of the warming weather to explore some of the North Shore’s plentiful outdoor public art. In Newburyport, the Clipper City Rail Trail has a variety of figurative, abstract, and interactive sculptures, a mural along a highway underpass, and custom signage, in Salem the Punto Urban Art Museum includes more than 60 murals on buildings in the Point neighborhood and downtown Lynn is home to more than 65 striking and thought-provoking murals.
Bask in blooms
Flowers are the universal icon of spring. Get your floral fix at the Stevens-Coolidge House and Gardens’ Spring BloomFest running from April 30 to May 3 with plenty of events for kids, garden tours, and a Bulb Information Table. Want to get more hands-on? Buy a ticket for the event’s Designing with Spring Bulbs. Long Hill in Beverly will be hosting a Hike & Seek: The Blooming Woods Walk. Or consider buying a floral CSA share from a local farm for a constant supply of petals throughout the spring and summer.
Get your garden going
It’s never too soon to start planning and prepping, whether you plan to grow a gorgeous field of annuals or a bed of lettuce and tomatoes that will keep the whole neighborhood in salad. We’ve got some tips to get you started. Then, begin with a visit to Backyard Growers’ for one of the organization’s garden planning workshops. Come May, visit the Monarch Gardener at its new full-time location in Topsfield for locally grown native plants and definitely swing into Long Hill’s annual plant sale.
Go for a run
Join other runners to welcome the season with an organized race – there are dozens to choose from this spring. For the kids, check out the Daffodil Dash at The Track at Suffolk Downs on April 18 – 50-yard dash races for kids, plus food, face-painting, and flower crowns. Or consider the Black Excellence 5K in Lynn on May 16, a fundraiser for the North Shore Juneteenth Association.