Taking the kids to a park where they can explore and get some fresh air is always a good idea. But when you take them to a park or wildlife preserve that also has animals, well, that's just the best! There's a one-of-a-kind nature center in Massachusetts that also has animals, almost like a miniature zoo. So, grab the whole family and head to Drumlin Farm in Lincoln where you can create memories while enjoying the great outdoors.
Drumlin Farm in Lincoln is not only a wildlife sanctuary but also a working farm. You can bring the whole family here for an unforgettable day in the great outdoors!
Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring the woods, wetland areas, and a field. There are several easy hiking trails throughout the sanctuary. Keep your eyes and ears open for the sights and sounds of birds and other wildlife.
Head to the farmyard where you'll see the pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, and cows. The kids will experience so much joy seeing all the adorable farm animals.
While visiting Drumlin Farm, you can also learn how crops are sustainably grown here. It's a fascinating place to educate your family on animals and our natural world.
Have you visited this one-of-a-kind nature center in Massachusetts yet? If not, you should make plans to go! To learn more about Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, visit the Mass Audubon website.
There is just something about fall that has me craving (I mean really craving) cider donuts. While plenty of local bakeries sell these treats all year long, there is nothing like devouring a fresh, warm cider donut straight out of the oven as you sport your favorite flannel and breathe in the crisp autumn air. A visit to any local farm, fall festival, or autumn event is always a great excuse for a delicious cider donut, and the best in the state can be found at Smolak Farms in North Andover, Massachusetts.
One bite of this delicious sweet treat and you will instantly know why the donuts are flying off the conveyer belt at Smolak. The farm sold approximately 450,000 cider donuts last year and returning customers are already running back for more this fall.
One of the best things about the cider donuts at Smolak is that they come in three different varieties. Not only does the farm bake traditional cider donuts, but they also make sugar and cinnamon sugar and honey-glazed options. I suggest trying all three!
The donuts are perfectly sweetened on the outside and are soft and tender on the inside. Smolack Farms has received several awards and accolades for its cider donuts, including an impressive “second best in New England” and "best sugar-coated cider donut."
You can grab your donuts hot off the belt or purchase them to bring home with you. Smolak also has an online bakery ordering system that allows you to order ahead of time. The delectable treats are available all year long.
If you enjoy the donuts at Smolak, you may want to try their muffins, pies, breakfast sandwiches, and quiches. The farm also makes weekly meals-to-go and a variety of delicious ice cream flavors, including one called Cider Donut Supreme.
Many people come to Smolak specifically for the donuts, but there is more to enjoy. The farm is a great place to go apple picking, take a hay ride, or visit the farm animals. Smolak also holds fun fall festival weekends and hosts birthday parties, weddings, and corporate events.
So what do you think? Are the cider donuts at Smolak Farms the best of the best or do you prefer the donuts from a different farm or bakery? Find out more about Smolak Farms at the Smolak Farms website and Smolak Farms Facebook page. You can find more great donuts at The ANGRY Donut in Newburyport and Kane's Donuts in Saugus and Boston. If you really love donuts and can't get enough of them, you may wish to embark on this utterly delicious Massachusetts Donut Road Trip.
It was the Roasted Corn for Me, Spending a Fall Day at this Massachusetts Pumpkin Patch
Looking for a great place to enjoy a day full of fall activities? With farm animals, pumpkins, apple picking, and delicious roasted corn, Parlee Farms is a must-visit.
An autumn visit to a local farm is a must-do when you reside in New England. Growing up in the area, I’ve been to various farms and found that each offers a slightly different seasonal experience. There are remote orchards with acres of apples as far as the eye can see and there are farms that offer jump pillows, play equipment, and tons of family activities. Other farms even have corn mazes to navigate and explore. Last year my family and I traveled to Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, and spent a day at Parlee Farms where we enjoyed a wonderful day of apple picking, farm animals, flower picking, and some great food. We also made some lasting memories along the way! Parlee Farms ended up being one of my favorite places to visit in the fall near Boston.
My family and I arrived at the farm early in the morning and decided to start our day by visiting the apple orchard. Parlee’s 19-acre orchard typically produces over 20 types of apples, including Golden Delicious, MacIntosh, and Honeycrisp. We were happy to discover that the apples were plentiful and easy to reach. Our bag got heavier and heavier as we quickly filled it to the brim with a variety of colorful apples. We may or may not have sampled a few along the way.
When we just couldn’t fit another apple into the bag, we brought our overflowing peck back to the car and headed over to the flower field and purchased wristbands that allowed us access to pick our own bouquet. I was thankful that we remembered to bring a bucket and, therefore, got a dollar off the price of the wristband. The farm provided the scissors. We had never done this activity before as a family, and it turned out to be so much fun. The colorful field was ablaze with dahlias, zinnias, and my favorite, sunflowers. We took turns cutting flowers and brought them together to form a gorgeous bouquet.
Kimberly Falchek/OIYS
But the fun didn’t stop there! Next, it was onto the pumpkin patch where we were met with pumpkins of every shape, color, and size. Parlee has one of the biggest and best pumpkin patches near Boston and grows over 40,000 pumpkins each year. I made the kids take an obligatory annual pumpkin patch photo and we all spent a lot of time perusing the various choices. In the end, the kids decided to go with some funky-shaped gourds instead of the traditional carving pumpkins.
After a brief stop to pet the goats and sheep, we ended our visit by purchasing some roasted corn. My mouth was watering before we even landed at the roasting station. We purchased an ear for each of us, but it was so good that we could have easily eaten more. If you have never tried this sweet treat before, I highly recommend doing so. Please note that the roasted corn is only available on the weekends. The farm has a delicious bakery and country kitchen where you can purchase cider donuts, ice cream, and lots of other tasty treats.
We had so much fun at Parlee Farms that we are planning to return later this month. I can already taste the roasted corn and have started to think about all of the delicious recipes I can create using those crisp apples.
What is your favorite local farm to visit in the fall? You can find further information about Parlee Farms near Boston on the Parlee Farms website (which is updated with daily picking condition information) as well as the Parlee Farms Facebook page. If you are searching for even more autumn fun, check out our recommendations for the seven best local fall festivals. Our Ultimate Guide To Fall Attractions And Activities In Massachusetts is also a wonderful seasonal resource.
