Out & About

The coastal towns and Cape Cod are packed with visitors in the summer, but they’re glorious and uncrowded in the fall. The weather is often still pleasant, and you can actually enjoy the beaches. Fall is our favorite season to tour the area.

For an easy day trip, we love driving to Gloucester. Stroll along Main Street, browse the local shops, and walk toward the water at the end of the street, where kids can climb around on the rocks. Then drive a few miles north to Halibut Point State Park. Follow the trail to the dramatic rocky coastline—you can easily spend hours watching the waves and exploring the rocks.

Another popular option is Singing Beach. The best part? You can take the commuter rail there, making it convenient if you don’t have a car.

There’s a long-standing debate about whether it’s safe to swim in the Charles River, but paddling is a great way to enjoy it from the water. In the fall, you get a whole different view of the foliage along the river.

With Paddle Boston, you can rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard for a single outing—or get a 2027 Season Pass for unlimited paddling through the rest of this fall. It’s fun, scenic, and very beginner-friendly.

If you’ve never been apple picking before, just go—you’ll pick apples, eat a lot of them, and everyone will have a great time! There are plenty of great apple-picking recommendations online, but here are a few tips for enjoying your visit:

There are working farms around Boston where you can see dairy cows up close, learn about farm life, shop for fresh eggs and produce, go for a hike, and enjoy seasonal treats like farm-fresh ice cream! Here are a few we often visit:

October is a great time to get outside and enjoy the fall colors. There are plenty of options, from trails close to Cambridge to destinations 2–3 hours away, including the majestic White Mountains. A few tips:

Have you ever extracted DNA from a strawberry? We did! That was one of the hands-on activities we tried at last year’s Cambridge Science Carnival.

This is a wonderfully nerdy, hands-on event, with science activities, experiments, demonstrations, and plenty of things for kids to try themselves. The Carnival makes great use of the open space next to the MIT Museum—and don’t forget to check out the food trucks while you’re there.

The Carnival marks the final day of the MIT Future Fest.

The annual HONK! Festival brings marching and street bands from around the country—and beyond—to Somerville for a long weekend of music, dancing, and joyful chaos. Check out their schedule for performances and parade.

Among the dozens of bands featured is Somerville’s “School of Honk.” This is friendly group very much open to beginners who want to learn to play horns, drums and other band instruments.

At the festival you’ll see bands of varying shapes and sizes on streets filled with music. Said one new fan: “I went there for the first time, and it was spectacular!”

For three days, about 2,000 boats and 11,000 athletes will descend on the Charles River for the Head of the Charles Regatta. We’ve watched it many times over the years, and it still amazes us every time.

There are college rowers, Olympians, and seasoned masters including some in their 80s and even 90s. The oldsters race Friday morning, demonstrating that rowing can be a lifelong sport.

The finish line and Harvard Square can get very crowded, but the race course is long, and there are plenty of quieter spots along the river where you can hang out.

North Cambridge Family Opera is looking for singers and performers of all ages to join its 2026 production, Space Opera. No previous experience is required—just a love of singing and performing.

Your child needs to be at least seven to participate. Children under 10 require a participating adult.

NCFO is a beloved Cambridge community organization founded by David Bass and Sue Hall, both MIT-educated. Since 1999, they have produced 27 community shows, bringing together children and adults to create excellent musical productions. Space Opera features original music and lyrics by David Bass.