Get out and try something new this spring in Massachusetts!

Spring is here and in the Northeast, it can never come soon enough! Here in Methuen, living so close to the Massachusetts coast means bitter winters and harsh storms. So when spring rolls around, there’s nothing we love more than getting outside and stretching our legs with some amazing outdoor adventures. Luckily for you, Methuen and its surrounding towns have a multitude of wonderful options for outdoor fun!

From our retirement communities in Massachusetts to you, here are some of our absolute favorite outdoor activities that you can try with your neighbors and loved ones this spring!

Methuen Rail Trail

One of the best parts of living and visiting Methuen is the lovely rail trail. At 2.4 miles, this trail has both asphalt and crushed stone paths, making it an excellent trail for walking, running, and cycling. The sturdier ground means it’s a great walk for people of all ages and abilities. Not only is it a beautiful location, but it is also great for nature lovers with a number of birds and native plantlife to identify along the way. The plus with this portion of the rail trail is that it connects to the next great location on our list!

Nevins Bird Sanctuary

Meandering on the Methuen Rail Trail one afternoon might bring you straight through the Nevins Bird Sanctuary. Home to 93 species of birds including grackles, starlings, a black-crowned night-heron, and a belted kingfisher, this bird sanctuary consists of 18 acres of land, much abutting the wetlands in the area. Perfect for those who love to bird, this sanctuary offers a few smaller paths to roam that off-shoot from the Methuen Rail Trail. Bordered to the west by the Spicket River, birders can also spot shore birds like a variety of sandpipers as well as birds of prey like red tailed hawks and ospreys. There’s truly no better activity to make you feel one with nature than an afternoon spent birding.

Canobie Lake Park

Taking a complete 180 from nature, but still making the most of the beautiful weather, we love Canobie Lake Park, an amusement park just a hop, skip and a jump over the Massachusetts and New Hampshire border. Located on (you guessed it) Canobie Lake, this seasonal amusement park opens in May and offers 85 attractions, including classic carnival games and rides like an antique carousel, log flume, and a loopty-loop metal roller coaster called Untamed. Offering rides for everyone from toddler to adult, this amusement park is one that the whole family can enjoy! Be sure to check out their awesome Castaway water park on warmer summer days and enjoy rides there like the water slides, toddler lagoon, and rain fortress!

With only so many days in spring, it can be hard to squeeze in every area activity, but we definitely think these are worth the time to fit into your busy schedule! From relaxing in nature to the adrenaline rush of a ride on the Star Blaster at Canobie Lake Park, we think you and your loved ones are in for a most excellent adventure of a spring!

If you are interested in learning more about our over 55 apartments in Massachusetts, please visit our website or give our friendly team a call. We’d love to take you on a virtual or in-person tour of our community!