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! 

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.

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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.  

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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.
 

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SEASONAL BUSINESSES REOPENING THIS SPRING:

The Dairy Witch - Salem, MA

Newburyport Farmers Market - Newburyport, MA

The Clam Box - Ipswich, MA

Cider Hill Farm - Amesbury, MA

Lobsta Land - Gloucester, MA

Bearskin Neck - Rockport, MA

 

Narrow street lined with colorful shops and people walking.
Modern building with round tower, light blue exterior, surrounded by greenery and benches.
Greenhouse with vibrant red, orange, and purple flowers in pots and hanging baskets.
Colorful street with shops, people, and a large lobster sign. Bright, sunny day.
Tulip field with blurred people in the background under a blue sky.
Two cups of soft serve ice cream with cereal and rainbow sprinkles.
Fresh strawberries in turquoise baskets arranged on a table.
Seafood dishes with lobster, mussels, and tacos on a table.
Farm sign surrounded by blooming tulips and grassy field.
Fried seafood and fries in a tray outside a blue building with red doors.
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