The winter months have finally begun to thaw and the crocuses and daffodils are popping up from where they’ve been sleeping. New Englanders too have begun to put their skis away to poke their heads outside of their warm and cozy homes to greet the spring season.
It’s now time to shake the snow off your shoulders and step into the sunshine, greeting spring warmly with some exciting excursions around the Greater Merrimack Valley.
Pack a Picnic
There are few things more classic for outdoor fun than a picnic. Great for friends, family, or romantic outings, it’s a symbol of peaceful togetherness and being one with nature. And there’s no shortage of picturesque places you can have your picnic, either. The Acton Arboretum is a beautiful 56-acre property just perfect for laying out a blanket so you can lay back and listen to the birds or watch butterflies flutter through the gardens.
The best part is that you can fill your picnic basket with local goodies and not fear it’ll be stolen by a smarter-than-average bear. Pick up some sandwiches from Blackbird Cafe and some sweet treats from the Cookie Fairy for an easy pleasing meal for the family. Planning this picnic as a special event, like a date or proposal? For a more extravagant basket, order a cheese or charcuterie board from Concord Cheese Shop to snack on, with some handmade truffles. Just make sure you don’t bring any alcohol, as most parks prohibit it.
Take a Hike
The Greater Merrimack Valley has no shortage of nature and hiking and biking trails. What better way is there to stretch those legs, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy being one with nature? Pack a lunch, put on your hiking boots, grab a walking stick, and experience some serene exercise as you observe flowers budding, animals waking from hibernation, and the world coming back to life.
Open from sunrise to sunset, The Nashua River Rail Trail is a former railroad right of way that travels 11 miles through the towns of Ayer, Groton, Pepperell and Dunstable. Perfect for long hikes, it’s also fantastic for biking, fishing, and horseback riding. Or there’s Willard Brook State Park, which has the Friends Trail Loop – a 4-mile trail that connects to Pearl Hill State Park.
Get on the Water
It might be a bit early to simply dive into the pool, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had in the water. Walden Pond is perfect for fishing, boating, and swimming as the weather warms up. The boat ramp is the perfect place to set off in a canoe, rowboat, or kayak. Get your bait and tackle together and go fishing with friends, passing the time between fish bites by sharing stories or catching up. Experience the connection with nature that inspired Henry David Thoreau’s Walden by walking around the famous pond.
Excited for spring? Get out of the house and into nature in the Greater Merrimack Valley!
