What to do and see in Massachusetts, United States: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas

January 29, 2022 Vergie Nakamoto

Discover the best top things to do in Massachusetts, United States including Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, Halibut Point State Park, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Beech Forest, Wolf Hollow, Mount Greylock State Reservation, Quabbin Reservoir, New England Wild Flower Society Garden in the Woods.
Restaurants in Massachusetts

1. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA 01983-1922 +1 978-887-9264 http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/ipswich-river
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 20 reviews

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

2. Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

30 Wikis Way on Morris Island, Chatham, MA 02633-2557 +1 508-945-0594 http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Monomoy/
Excellent
72%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 289 reviews

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

Birdwatchers flock to this Cape Cod wildlife habitat with a special emphasis on migratory birds.

Reviewed By kezd07 - Coventry, United Kingdom

We were so pleased to find this place, it was a total hidden gem. You can walk for miles when the tide is out and we saw so many different birds and even a seal out to sea. We came back a second time and sat on the beach for the day. You can’t swim here due to great whites in the area and there is a high volume of boat traffic but that didn’t bother us. We were happy to walk this beautiful beach, sunbath and paddle. Very beautiful!!!

3. Halibut Point State Park

Gott Ave, Rockport, MA 01966 +1 978-546-2997 [email protected] http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-north/halibut-point-state-park.html
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 725 reviews

Halibut Point State Park

Scramble across ledges scarred by the granite industry and examine tide pools teeming with marine life.

Reviewed By hmuchas - Charleston, United States

Wonderful walk around an old granite quarry with markers explaining the process of extracting granite in the days before electric drills and heavy equipment.

4. Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA 01950-3220 +1 978-465-5753 [email protected] http://www.fws.gov/refuge/parker_river/
Excellent
76%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 334 reviews

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Covering 4,662 acres of diverse upland and wetland habitats, this refuge was established to preserve the feeding, resting and nesting areas of migratory birds.

Reviewed By MsSatin - Lawrence, United States

I walked the Hellcat Boardwalk Loop for the first time back in November and fell in love with the pampas grasses then caught the sunset before heading home. There is ample parking in the lot and the whole trail is stroller and handicap accessible, with a strong, even boardwalk and plenty of benches to stop and rest. There is also an observation tower that is perfect for 360 views and photos, especially at sunset! All in all, it's a great way to stretch your legs and enjoy the day!

5. Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

291 State Highway South Wellfleet, Wellfleet, MA 02663 +1 508-349-2615 http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/wellfleet-bay
Excellent
78%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 389 reviews

Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

This preserve is a great place to commune with nature and watch the sunset.

Reviewed By daveb0123 - West Hartford, United States

We really enjoyed the flat hiking trails here. The views are great and well worth the entry fee which supports the Mass Audubon Society

6. Beech Forest

Provincetown, MA http://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/beechforest.htm
Excellent
81%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 154 reviews

Beech Forest

This reserve is a primary birdwatching region on Cape Cod.

Reviewed By capecodgary - North Truro, United States

Take a quiet stroll in the autumn or any other time around the pond in Beech Forest. A well maintained trail in a quiet beautifully scenic walk. Great place to walk.

7. Wolf Hollow

Rte 133 east, Ipswich, MA 01938-2549 +1 978-356-0216 http://wolfhollowipswich.org/
Excellent
74%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 110 reviews

Wolf Hollow

Reviewed By maryaK5333RG - Boston, United States

This was my son‘s 16th birthday activity, must purchase 10 tickets for $100. The value of this private tour is worth much more! Our party consisted of 10-ages range from 6 to 68. Every person Completely enjoyed the experience!

8. Mount Greylock State Reservation

30 Rockwell Rd, Lanesboro, MA 01237 +1 413-499-4262 http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-west/mt-greylock-state-reservation-generic.html
Excellent
72%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 327 reviews

Mount Greylock State Reservation

Acquired by the Commonwealth in 1898, the first state park in Massachusetts also contains the states highest peak at 3,419 feet.

Reviewed By mareus12 - Rensselaer, United States

Drove up to the summit with younger grandchildren ( 6 & 8). The views are breathtaking, and the Lighthouse Tower is pretty awesome to see. A small restaurant and Inn are also at the site. Social distancing was respected, and everyone I saw wore a mask. Families picnic on blankets, and there are many trails and camping areas. This Reservation is part of the Appellation Trail, and is a, 'must see'.

9. Quabbin Reservoir

+1 413-323-7221 http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-central/quabbin-reservoir.html
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 83 reviews

Quabbin Reservoir

Reviewed By bernietaxes - Bondsville, United States

Our Meetup group did a hike to the observation tower that is closed because of Covid, then to Enfield Lookout and finally down to the water level. Over 7,000 steps and 80 flights of climbing. The highlight of the day was learning that it is the Winsor Dam and not the Windsor Dam as I thought for the past 70 years. Others in our group also had the same misconception to the name. Never too old to learn something.

10. New England Wild Flower Society Garden in the Woods

180 Hemenway Rd, Framingham, MA 01701-2636 +1 508-877-7630 http://massbotanicgardens.org/new-england-wild-flower-society-garden-in-the-woods/
Excellent
65%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 109 reviews

New England Wild Flower Society Garden in the Woods

A garden that is made up of 45 acres of wildflowers and native New England plants including some endangered species.

Reviewed By Diz8i8

Beautiful paths through curated plantings make this spot absolutely transporting. You are no longer in the suburbs, but in a wooded garden that goes on forever. My preteen and I spent a few hours and they flew by, taking pictures, reading about different plants, taking in the sculptures, we even monkeyed around in the family area for a bit. It felt like we had the whole place to ourselves! I plan to go back a few times to see how it changes with the seasons.

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