Summer in the Southeast

Summer is the perfect time to get away to the coast, and while many will look to Cape Cod and the Islands for their summer adventures, there is so much to discover before you cross the bridge. Whether you have a few hours or a full weekend, don’t hesitate to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Southeast Massachusetts. 

Weekend on the Coast  

Kick off your adventure at Great Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Wareham. Nestled within Buzzards Bay and just over the bridge from Cape Cod, this coastal gem is not to be missed. Start your journey on the Widow’s Cove Loop, which leads to a beach overlooking the marsh and Buzzards Bay. Take some time to sit on the benches and survey the salt marsh. This time of year, you could see a variety of wading birds, including Great and Snowy egrets.  

Continue your stroll on the Old Pasture Loop to explore the beauty of the coastal forest, where Great Horned Owls roost and a Pine-Oak forest dominates. The view from the trek to the Osprey Overlook is worthwhile, as this spot provides an excellent view of a coastal marsh where Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and a mix of shorebirds search for food.  

On day two, travel to Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary in Westport and South Dartmouth. This wildlife sanctuary offers seven miles of trails that cross fields, forests, and coastlines. 

Enter at the Stone Barn Farm entrance to take in the sprawling salt marshes of Reuben’s Point as Ospreys fly overhead, and keep your eyes peeled for nesting Saltmarsh Sparrows. These sparrows are critically endangered, making healthy salt marshes a priority for their survival. No visit to Allens Pond is complete without a stroll along a walking-only beach where the crashing waves provide a soothing soundtrack to end your hike.  

If the forest is more your jam, explore the uplands of the sanctuary along the Woodland and Boulder loops, where you can see firsthand the incredible ecological changes taking place. Extensive restoration work along Boulder Loop has removed invasive vegetation on more than 20 acres and replaced it with native species that will provide habitat for wildlife. Make your way to the Grassland Trail and the marsh’s edge to get a glimpse of the many Bobolinks and Monarch butterflies that live here throughout the summer.  

Adventures in Attleboro  

For explorations beyond the beach, look no further than Oak Knoll and Attleboro Springs wildlife sanctuaries in Attleboro. Stop by the Oak Knoll nature center to meet some animal ambassadors, including turtles and salamanders, then head out for a short hike around Lake Talaquega, where you can search for them in the wild. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head a mile down the road to Attleboro Springs Wildlife Sanctuary, where you’ll find the Attleboro Farmers’ Market taking place right next door every Saturday throughout the summer. Grab some trail snacks and some produce to take home before ending your day scouting for river otters, herons, and more while traversing the universally accessible All Persons Trail that encircles Brothers Pond.  

Explore the South Shore  

The sanctuaries that dot the South Shore from Marshfield to Plymouth make for a fantastic full-day jaunt.  

Start your day in Marshfield at Daniel Webster Wildlife Sanctuary—a designated Important Bird Area and a favorite locale for bird lovers, photographers, and artists alike. Listen for Marsh Wrens along the Riverwalk as you make your way to watch the sunrise over Fox Hill.  

A late-morning visit to the nearby North River Wildlife Sanctuary, also in Marshfield, offers panoramic views of its namesake waterway and nesting Ospreys that can be observed from the trail. The nature center, with interactive displays, and the outdoor nature play area make this a great sanctuary for the whole family.  

After grabbing some lunch, head south to Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Plymouth. Once a working cranberry farm, this landscape now hosts a vast expanse of cold-water streams, ponds, forests, and woodlands. The real highlight this time of year is the blooming wildflowers and native grasses that make up the restored sandplain grassland at the heart of the sanctuary. Make sure you spend some time taking in the view from the Overlook, where bluebirds dart in and out of the nestboxes that dot the landscape and Monarch butterflies search for Milkweed to lay their eggs.  

Ready to explore Southeast Massachusetts? 

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