Massachusetts
Looking for the perfect fun Bay State fall experience? It’s in the bog
Since I live in a vacation spot – the South Shore of Massachusetts – I’m often asked what season is the best for a visit.
The sparkling days of summer, when the beaches are warm and the days long? Love it. The winter days of snow, bundling up and early night star gazing? It’s a special time as well.
But there’s one season I tell everyone to focus on for a visit: Cranberry season. From mid-September through the end of October, the Bay State shines even more. With awe-inducing foliage, the tilt of the earth slanting the sun’s rays in a way that just makes the ocean, ponds, lakes and sky even bluer, “sweater weather,” and less humidity – this is the place and time to be.
The cranberry harvest gives it all the exclamation point of beauty. Rosy red berries floating in a blue pond, surrounded by vibrant colored trees? It’s just perfection, and an experience you cannot have just anywhere.
Massachusetts isn’t the top cranberry producer in the nation – at just under 30% of the total crop coming from the Bay State, we’re just behind Wisconsin for that. But when it comes to ways to savor the Cranberry Harvest season, Massachusetts may just have them all beat. Consider these adventures:
Ride past them: There are so many safe, well-maintained and easy-to-ride bike paths in Massachusetts. Take the Cape Cod Rail Trail and you’ll spot some bogs along the way. Or, sign yourself up for the Cranberry Century Ride (https://www.crw.org/Centuries), a multi-distance choice bike ride held by the Charles River Wheelers this year on Oct. 15.
You can go anywhere from a very doable 29 miles up to a full 100. You started and finish at Plymouth’s beautiful Myles Standish State Forest and then loop out to Mattapoisett and back, passing many a bog and other sites. Each distance is led by a team leader, and you’re well taken care of with sustenance and support at break stops along the way. Pre-registration is required.
Golf over them: (And hopefully not into them). More than a few Massachusetts golf courses offer peeks at bogs, but no place puts you up close more than Souther’s Marsh Golf Club (https://southersmarsh.com) in Plymouth.
The executive course was built around and through bogs that have been producing cranberries for longer than most can remember. During harvest season you’ll play up along (and sometimes over) bogs in the process of harvesting. And should you get lucky and there’s a wedding that week, you may even see their signature move: floating cranberries in the shape of a heart.
Get right into them: What better way to celebrate, view and learn about cranberries than getting right in there and working a bog? Sign on for the Cranberry Bogger for a Day program curated by Keolis Mass Adventures (https://keolismassadventures.com). You’ll board a train at South Station in Boston and head to Benson’s Pond in Middleboro where for two solid hours, you’ll don your waders and work the bog, using antique harvesting tools, picking fresh cranberries, and enjoying cranberry-inspired snacks and beverages.
Should you want to get up close but not as wet, they also offer walking tours of bogs. Preregistration is required and spots fill up fast.
Celebrate them: Harvest Fairs are the happening of the season and cranberries get in on the fun. Edaville Railroad (https://edaville.com) celebrates Oct. 12 and 13 with a flea market, craft fair, steam train rides past bogs, live music and more. Family friendly to the max.
Pick and cook them: Massachusetts is home to 300+ cranberry farmers, 14,000+ acres of cranberry bogs, and 65,000+ acres of associated open space. Sounds like a lot to take on, but luckily we have the non-profit Massachusetts Cranberries (https://www.cranberries.org) on our side.
Operating since 1988, the organization supports the industry and also offers, via their website, the history of the crop – a cool thing to understand before savoring the season.
Their website lists bog tours across the state, spots you can get fresh berries and other season fruit, special events around the harvest and even better: tried and true recipes so you can take the berries home and pay the love forward.
Gov. Maura Healey spoke Wednesday about the public health and safety preparations it is making ahead of this summer’s World Cup matches in Massachusetts.
Gillette Stadium — to be called Boston Stadium — will be the site of seven matches between June 13 and July 9.
The state is carrying out planning and training with local, state and federal agencies on everything from transportation and crowd management to cybersecurity, public health, and emergency response.
“Residents and visitors alike can be confident that we are prepared to host a safe, secure and successful World Cup,” Healey said.
Healey said the state secured about $76 million in federal funding to pay for security and preparedness.
The state has more information about the World Cup at Match-Ready Massachusetts.
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Gillette will host a friendly Thursday between France and Brazil as a warm up to the World Cup.
5 different ways Easter is celebrated around the world
Did you know that Easter isn’t always just celebrated with chocolate? Easter is marked very differently around the globe.
unbranded – Lifestyle
The arrival of spring means Easter is almost here – it falls on Sunday, April 5, this year.
With the holiday only two weeks away, Christians all over New England are preparing to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. However, for children, the holiday is significant for another reason: candy.
All across the country on Easter Sunday, children will hunt for hidden Easter eggs in hopes of finding a sweet treasure inside. Wondering where they can do so in Massachusetts?
Here are eight Easter celebrations and egg hunts in Massachusetts to bring the kids to this year.
Easter Egg Hunt at Smolak Farms
Hop into Easter fun with the egg hunt at Smolak Farms, where children are welcome to gather as many eggs and goods they can find. Tickets, which cost $25 per child, also include photos with the Easter Bunny, lawn games, music and animal viewing. Hayrides and fresh apple cider donuts will also be available for purchase.
The egg hunts will take place on April 4: one at 11 a.m. for childen ages 1-4, and another at noon for children ages 5-9. Smolak Farms is located at 315 South Bradford St. in North Andover.
Patriot Place Easter Egg Roll
Head to Patriot Place for an Easter Egg Roll right across from Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. Open for ages 1-8, the event promises to be an “egg-citing day filled with adventure,” according to the website.
Patriot Place’s Easter egg roll will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, April 3, located on the North End Zone Plaza across from the Patriots ProShop. Registration is required for this event and can be done through the Patriot Place Advantage App.
Eggstravaganza at The Zoo in Forest Park
Celebrate Easter with your children’s favorite zoo animals at The Zoo in Forest Park, where the Eggstravaganza event includes face painting, crafts, a Bunny Trail with goodies throughout the zoo and, of course, visits with animals including the Easter Bunny himself.
Tickets cost $13 for adults, $8 for children or $9 for seniors and military, with discounted admission available to zoo members. All tickets must be purchased online in advance.
The Zoo in Forest Park’s Eggstravaganza will be from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 4 at 293 Sumner Ave. in Springfield.
Bunny Bash with The Arc South Shore
Head to Derby Street Shops for the fourth annual Bunny Bash on The Green, presented by The Arc South Shore. Along with an egg hunt, the springtime event includes fac painting, temporary tattoos and photos wirh the Easter Bunny.
The Bunny Bash will take place on Friday, April 3, with one session at 10 a.m. and another session at 11 a.m. Tickets, which can be bought online, cost $10 per person. The Green at Derby Street Shops is located at 92-98 Derby St. in Hingham.
Easter Sunday Brunch Train
Looking for a unique way to celebrate Easter? Hop on the Cape Cod Central Railroad for an Easter Sunday brunch on wheels. The 2.5-hour train ride will allow you and your family to relax, take in the sights of the Cape Cod Canal and enjoy a three-course meal, with specialty Easter options including Cadbury creme French toast, poached pear overnight oats and carrot cake for dessert.
Train tickets start at $54.99 for children ages 3-12 and $74.99 for adults, though premium and lounge seating options are also available at an increased price. All bookings can be made online, and any remaining tickets will be sold in-person on a first come, first serve basis.
The Easter Sunday Brunch train will start at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 5. Trains depart from 252 Main St. in Hyannis.
Easter Egg Hunt at C.N. Smith Farm
The Easter egg hunt at C.N. Smith Farm includes 12 eggs per child, pictures with the Easter Bunny, a model train display, a bubble machine and goods from the farmstand. Plus, after hunting for eggs, children can enjoy hot cocoa with Peep bunnies, as well as cider donuts and treats in the donut barn.
Admission costs $15 per child, and all reservations must be made online in advance. C.N. Smith Farm’s egg hunt will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4. The farm is located at 325 South St. in East Bridgewater.
Hammond Castle Easter Egg Hunt
Would your kids enjoy hunting for eggs on the grounds of a real castle? Hammond Castle Museum is hosting its annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 28. The castle has not yet released a time or tickets, so be sure to check the website for the latest details.
Easter Bunny Adventure at Silver Bell Farm
At Silver Bell Farm’s Easter Bunny Adventure, the goal of the egg hunt is to look for the rare silver egg in the Christmas Tree Forest. However, the fun doesn’t stop at the egg hunt. Additional activities include visits with the Easter Bunny, a story walk along the bunny trail, an outdoor play area, a train ride and more. Be sure to stop in the City Sidewalk Cafe or Santa’s Sleigh Shop to shop for some special treats and gifts.
The Easter Bunny Adventure will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, with sign-ups for specific timeslots available. Silver Bell Farm is located at 305 Silver St. in Monson.
Massachusetts tourism and political leaders have plenty to cheer about in 2026.
“This year for tourism is going to be huge,” said Marykay Wydra with Explore Western Mass.
“It’s going to be an incredible summer,” said Martha Sheridan with MeetBoston.
Millions of visitors are expected over the next few months as the Bay State prepares to host seven 2026 World Cup matches, America 250 celebrations and normal summer tourism.
But while Boston and Foxborough will be the epicenters of activity, Gov. Maura Healey says it’s critical that the rest of the state is able to reap some of the economic benefits.
“The state is going to help, private organizations are going to help, companies are going to help,” said Gov. Healey.
The statewide push is aided in part by $10 million in state grants.
“We wanted to make sure there was money there for communities to host watch parties during the World Cup event,” Healey said.
“With more we can do more,” said Wydra.
“Any funding where we can help add a special angle to that, this being the World Cup, is helpful,” said Jessye Deane with the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
Beyond those broader goals, Massachusetts will get a preview of how the World Cup matches will play out this week as France and Brazil play an international friendly match at Gillette Stadium.
“From an operational perspective, from a security and transportation perspective. It does give us a good opportunity to test some things out,” said Healey.
“It’s a 4 p.m. match so it mirrors time slots for the World Cup, we’ll test out train routes on Thursday,” said Sheridan.
It’s an early challenge for the Commonwealth as it looks to come away with an economic win.
As a reminder, the first World Cup match will be held on June 13 between Haiti and Scotland.
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