'Trails and Sails' Weekends Will Bring Free Events to Swampscott, Nearby

Whether your idea of a good time is sampling food and wine or hiking a seaside trail or exploring a historic home, the Essex Heritage “Trails and Sails: Two Weekends of Walks and Water ” likely offers something for you.

On Sept. 18-20 and 25-27, more than 150 events will celebrate “the rich variety of historic, cultural and natural resources in the Essex National Heritage Area,” according to a press release.

The Trails and Sails weekends began 14 years ago and this year the events are expected to draw more than 5,000 participants.

In Swampscott, the Swampscott Historic Commission will offer walking tours of the Olmstead Subdivision on Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. A local architect ”will guide this tour, highlighting the architectural features and Olmsted’s vision that make this a unique setting.”

Each tour is limited to 20 participants and is “first-come, first-served.” The tours will depart from 22 Elmwood Road in Swampscott.

Throughout the Essex National Heritage Area, there are a wide range of offerings depending on your tastes. Here’s a look at a few itineraries suggested by Essex Heritage:

• Art Lovers: Join a photo tour of Downtown Lynn or of the historic mills in Lawrence; experience public art in Gloucester, Haverhill or Salem; listen to the Essex Harmony’s Trails & Sails concert in Danvers; see the highlight anticipated “Strandbeest: The Dream Machines of Theo Jansen” in Salem; visit with artists and their works in the galleries of the King Hooper Mansion in Marblehead;
• History Buffs: Discover Essex County’s Civil War history at various locations – from the Powder House in Newburyport to Hilldale Cemetery in Haverhill; go behind-the-scenes at Salem Maritime or Saugus Iron Works National Historic Sites; dig into history (literally!) at the Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Danvers; take an evening stroll all about Marblehead’s Architecture 1715 and beyond.
• Foodies: Enjoy a cheese making tour at Valley View Farm in Topsfield; learn about the cornucopia of plants that can be eaten or used medicinally in Manchester; explore winemaking in Rowley; learn about organic farming systems in Newbury.
• Outdoor Enthusiasts: Explore the beautiful bridges of Maudslay State Park in Newburyport; take a walking tour of Lynn Woods; go bird watching and explore the nesting box program in Groveland; stop in North Andover to explore Harold Parker State Forest; head out to Rockport for the Millbrook Meadow & Rockport Cultural District Tour; enjoy a guided kayak tour of the Great Marsh.

The events are free and most are first-come, first served. There are a few that require reservations, so be sure to check out additional ideas and events on the website.