March 19, 2026

Spring Awakening: Seasonal Activities & Reopenings on the North Shore

It's about time things started warming up in Massachusetts. Warmer months approaching means our seasonal neighbor friends are finally opening up for business again and people are spending more time outside. Here are some spring activities to plan for during your stay at Briar Barn Inn!

SALEM FILM FEST
MARCH 26-MARCH 29TH (SALEM)

Since 2007, Salem Film Fest has brought the world’s best independent documentaries and their makers to the North Shore. Going into its 19th year, this celebration of documentary filmmaking presents a diverse collection of the year’s best work from all over the world. The Fest will take place March 26–29 at three local venues: Cinema Salem, the Peabody Essex Museum and the National Park Service Visitor Center. Enjoy three days of in-person screenings at PEM, plus filmmaker Q&As, parties and other special events around town.

LEARN MORE

SPRING BLOOMFEST
MAY 2 (NORTH ANDOVER)

Spring BloomFest at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens is a seasonal outdoor festival featuring vibrant spring flowers, scenic garden walks, and family-friendly activities like crafts, games, and a nature scavenger hunt. Guests can also enjoy optional workshops, tours, food vendors, and a relaxed, picnic-style atmosphere.

LEARN MORE

TULIP FEST 2026
MAY 2 -3, MAY 9-10 - (Amesbury)

Celebrate spring at Cider Hill Farm during their annual Tulip Fest, a multi-weekend celebration, featuring 120,000 blooming tulips, live music, food, hard cider, orchard walks, and family activities.

LEARN MORE

MOTIF NO. 1 DAY
MAY 16 (ROCKPORT)

Motif No. 1 Day in Rockport is a beloved, all-day coastal festival celebrating the town’s iconic red fishing shack with live music, art, performances, food vendors, and family-friendly activities. The event also features a road race, local artists, and community programming that highlights Rockport’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.

LEARN MORE

THE LEGACIES OF LONG HILL: HOUSE & GARDEN TOUR
FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS (BEVERLY)

The Long Hill House & Garden Tour is a guided visit through the historic Sedgwick estate, featuring its Federal-style home and curated gardens. Guests learn about the property’s history, design, and unique plant collections on the tour!

LEARN MORE

HAMMOND CASTLE MUSEUM
OPEN FOR THE SEASON APRIL 3RD (GLOUCESTER)

Hammond Castle Museum is a historic seaside castle in Gloucester, originally built in the 1920s as the home and laboratory of inventor John Hays Hammond Jr., blending medieval architecture with science and innovation. Today, it operates as a museum featuring historic artifacts, interactive exhibits, and guided tours that highlight both the castle’s design and Hammond’s groundbreaking work. Self guided tours start April 3rd, and guided tours begin April 28th. Get tickets below!

LEARN MORE

GREAT HOUSE AT CASTLE HILL TOURS
EVERY WEEKEND IN APRIL, TUESDAY-SUNDAY STARTING MAY 23 (IPSWICH)

The Great House tour at the Crane Estate offers a guided look inside a 1928 seaside mansion, showcasing the architecture, rooms, and daily life of the wealthy Crane family. Step into the world of early 20th-century luxury living on a grand coastal estate—reserve your tickets in advance to experience it firsthand.

LEARN MORE