September 3, 2024 – Presented by Essex Heritage, Trails & Sails is an annual event series that features more than 200 free events over 16 days, this year held from Saturday, September 14th through Sunday, September 29th. These events celebrate the many incredible historic, cultural, and natural resources in the Essex National Heritage Area: the 34 cities and towns of Essex County, a 500-square mile region just north of Boston, MA. Participants can visit the website to explore all events at www.trailsandsails.org or pick up a guidebook at local libraries and visitor centers throughout Essex County.  

 “Trails & Sails was created 23 years ago to encourage residents to experience some of the wonderful trails, museums, historic sites, and water-based activities that abound in this region. All the events are free, so there is plenty of incentive for locals to visit these special places that they drive by every day.”
Annie Harris, Essex Heritage CEO

Event participants can take advantage of a variety of family-friendly activities including bird walks, guided hikes, historical tours, interesting lectures, schooner sails, river paddles, and more – happening morning, afternoon, and evening over 16 days. With so many things to do and see during Trails & Sails, there’s something for everyone.

In 2024, Essex Heritage has identified five themes of significant importance to the Essex National Heritage Area. Highlighting these themes helps to raise awareness about the work being done by our regional partners to make Essex County a better place to live, work, and visit. Our themes for this year include:

On the Trail to a Better Future
The natural beauty of the Essex National Heritage Area is something to be cherished! During Trails & Sails, you can learn more about local plant life with its many practical uses in Salem, enjoy birding at a historic site in Saugus, explore Den Rock Park in Lawrence and Andover, or forage for mushrooms in Amesbury. There are so many ways to connect with the natural resources in Essex County.

Essex County Revolution 250
As the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War approaches, our partners are hosting free activities that highlight the unique roles played by various Essex County communities including living history events, special lectures, and walking tours. 

Exploring Our Coast and Waterways
With the impacts of climate change and other factors, it is important to appreciate the many coastal and water-based resources of the Essex National Heritage Area and to learn how we can better protect them. During Trails & Sails you can identify marine invasive species in Gloucester harbor, take a walking tour of an extinct salt marsh in Salisbury, or discover what happens in watersheds when beaver ponds pop-up in Newbury. 

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
Trails & Sails falls during the first half of Hispanic Heritage Month and is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the important contributions of the Latino community in the Essex National Heritage Area. Be sure to take advantage of the “Casa de Abuela Experience” in Salem, a life-size replica of a country home in the Dominican Republic, check out a special exhibit celebrating local Latino artists in Lynn, or take a special “Lynn de Noche” tour in Spanish!

Sharing Untold Stories
Hear the lesser-known stories of Essex County during Trails & Sails! Learn about early American poet, Anne Bradstreet, during a hybrid walking tour/theater presentation in North Andover, take a peek into the history of the Remond family of Hamilton Hall in Salem, or hear from the project director of the new “Through a Rainbow Lens: A Reflection on Lynn’s LGBTQ+ History” exhibition in Lynn. Telling the stories of all the people of the Essex National Heritage Area helps us to better understand and appreciate its diverse history. 

All Trails & Sails events are free, and many are available on a first-come, first-served basis except for certain reservation-required events. Be sure to visit trailsandsails.org for the most up to date information and instructions as applicable.  

Trails & Sails 2024 is generously sponsored by Eastern Bank, Salem Five Charitable Foundation, M&T Bank, and Institution for Savings.

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About Essex Heritage and the Essex National Heritage Area
Essex Heritage is a non-profit organization that takes a community-driven approach to heritage conservation and economic development. Working through public-private partnerships, Essex Heritage uses the Area’s heritage resources in unique ways to engage diverse audiences.