With Summer finally on the way, now is the perfect time to start planning that long waited and much deserved family vacation. If you are looking for somewhere amazing to bring the the entire family this summer, than an outdoor adventure awaits you now. This place is also just minutes away from the Boston area.
Captivating people of all ages for over a century, the Blue Hills Reservation lies only just a few miles outside Boston. Here you can experience the natural beauty of Massachusetts. Not only is this place breathtaking, but there are also 125 miles of trails to explore through forests and wetlands, up hills, and much more.
The woods, fields and vistas offer beautiful views that extend over 7,000 acres and spreads out over five towns that covers parts of Quincy, Braintree, Canton, Dedham, Milton, and Randolph. It’s safe to say that once you start exploring, you’ll quickly discover that there’s something for everyone. Here’s one way to begin your journey.
The beach at Houghton’s Pond is the one of the best swimming holes south of Boston. If you have young children, you’ll appreciate that the swimming area keeps them from venturing out too deep with a separate beach area to splash in peace. You can bring a picnic or grab refreshments at the snack bar.
If you plan a full day, you can bring the family to visit the Blue Hills Trailside Museum and Blue Hill Observatory in the same trip. You can check out the Museum’s live animals exhibits outside where you’ll find native wildlife. Then venture inside to see more live animals, local wildlife, and Native American displays.
You can then take a short steep hike up the summit of Great Blue and find the 100-year old Blue Hill Observatory, the oldest continuous weather record in North America. The short paths towards the back of the Quarries, you’ll find historic remnants of The Granite Railway, one of the first railroads in the US.