Visit six “off-the-beaten-track” museums in our local area. We’ll set up carpools and meet up to tour an intriguing variety of historic, artistic, and educational venues. Each week we’ll take a docent-led tour that will add a new dimension to our museum-going experience. Discover more about where we live through these museums and what they tell us about our place in history. Museum admission not included.

Join this late-winter walk focused on identifying woody plants during the colder months, when many trees and shrubs have shed their leaves. Arlington’s scenic Great Meadows will be our field site. Discover how to identify plants by their branching patterns, bark, buds, galls, and any persistent fruits that remain throughout the season. We’ll also look at winter weeds—hardy non-woody plants that stand up tall even through the colder months. Learn not only plant ID techniques but also fascinating natural history and folklore about the plants we see. Please note: Children ages 10+ are welcome to register if accompanied by a registered adult. Meeting location will be emailed upon registration.

Learn to navigate the water safely and confidently while earning your NASBLA Massachusetts boating certificate. Explore boating laws and navigation rules, required safety gear, trailering basics, and how to handle emergencies from man overboard to sudden weather changes. The in-person format keeps it hands-on and engaging, as you practice radio calls, see demonstrations of safety equipment, and get answers tailored to your boating interests. Connect with fellow boaters and Coast Guard Auxiliarists who will share their experience and answer your questions. Completing the course may even qualify you for discounts on boating insurance. Please note: Students 16+ may register and attend solo; students 12-15 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Registration covers one exam/certificate fee and immediate family members who wish to observe the class. If additional certificates are needed please register individually. In MA, ages 16 and 17 are allowed to operate a PWC alone, but must pass this course. Ages 12 through 15 can operate a boat as long as (a) they have passed this course and (b) an adult over 18 is onboard and has also passed the course.

Rediscover Boston through its sweetest side on a chocolate-focused stroll through historic downtown, including Beacon Hill and the Boston Public Market. Sample handcrafted truffles, flavored bonbons, and other unique chocolate treats, and try a rare chocolate tea. We’ll visit both hidden gems and iconic spots, including the Omni Parker House for its famous Chocolate Cream Pie. Enjoy a delicious, indulgent walk through Boston’s charming streets. All ages are welcome.

H Mart is a supersized Asian market chock full of culinary treasures. But for some, the unfamiliar ingredients, unrecognizable labels, and football-field size of the store can be overwhelming. Join a culinary expert for a guided and curated tour around the market. We’ll highlight certain sections: sauces, noodles, dumplings, seaweed, rice, tofu, fresh banchan (Korean side dishes), an ocean of fish, meats, and condiments. If you like, bring along a recipe to help focus our search. The last half hour will be for sourcing specific ingredients or Q&A over tea and sweets in the food court. Receive a goody bag, recipes, and tips on how to stock your own “starter” Asian pantry.

Discover what Jo March, Louisa May Alcott, and Charlie Gibson have in common—and how their lives and stories diverged—on this lively tour. Explore the worlds of these real and imagined nineteenth-century Massachusetts writers and hear behind-the-scenes details about the filming of Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation of Little Women at the Gibson House. Note: This tour climbs 5 flights of stairs and is just under an hour long

Step inside the home of renowned architect Walter Gropius, founder of the influential German Bauhaus school. Built in 1938 in Lincoln, the Gropius House showcases the largest collection of original Bauhaus furnishings outside Germany and works by his notable friends such as Marcel Breuer, Joan Miró, Toko Shinoda, Sori Yanagi, Eero Saarinen, and Henry Moore. Experience a space that embodies Gropius’s personal design philosophy and celebrates the innovative spirit of the Bauhaus movement.

Breathe in the crisp winter air as we spot plants in their winter form, watch for animal tracks, and enjoy the beauty of nature. Learn plant identification and fascinating natural history along the way. Please note: Meeting location will be emailed with course confirmation. All walks meet rain or shine. Children ages 10+ are welcome to register if accompanied by a registered adult.

Curious about flying or buying a drone (also called a UAS, or Unmanned Aircraft System)? This beginner-friendly, two-session course will get you started. Drones can be fun to fly, whether as a hobby or for commercial purposes like photography or surveying, but they come with responsibilities. The first online session introduces drone types, safety rules, regulations, and tips for choosing your first drone. Please join this session on a laptop or computer, as we’ll take the online test together to obtain your hobbyist license, which will allow you to pilot a drone during the outdoor in-person session. Get ready to see the world from a whole new angle!

Late winter in New England often features cold nights and warmer days, providing ideal conditions for the “running of the sap.” We’ll take a close look at some majestic maple trees, identify the various species, and taste sap right from the bucket. Along the way, you’ll learn about the history of maple sugaring and how syrup is made. Then we’ll boil down a small batch ourselves to watch the transformation from sap to syrup. A blind taste test will reveal who can tell the difference between real 100% maple syrup and a typical “pancake and waffle syrup” made mostly of corn syrup. Please note: All walks meet rain or shine. Children ages 10+ are welcome to register if accompanied by a registered adult.

Explore the rich history of the Old State House and Old South Meeting House with a knowledgeable and friendly guide. Discover the pivotal moments that unfolded within these iconic buildings and hear the stories of the people who shaped Boston and the nation. This walk offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and connect with the Revolutionary era in a personal, engaging way.

Discover artistic and cultural creativity from around the world at the oldest continuously operating museum in the U.S. Led by a PEM docent, see a selection of notable works unique to the museum and hear the stories behind them. Explore how these pieces reflect the museum’s rich history and the diverse voices of the artists who created them. Learn what makes this museum special and why these works continue to inspire visitors today. Attendees are welcome to stay and enjoy the museum after the tour for no additional cost.

Journey through American history while savoring the vibrant culinary scene of Quincy, the City of Presidents. This walking tour intertwines the stories of Presidents John and John Quincy Adams with the city’s authentic flavors. Sample breakfast tater tots from a neighborhood favorite, refreshing smoothies, a buttery French croissant from Niveaux Patisserie, tempura green beans, and creamy hand-crafted ice cream. Along the way, learn about Quincy’s growing Asian American community and its influence on the city’s thriving food culture, and discover fascinating tales of the Adams family legacy at the Adams National Historical Park. Perfect for history buffs and food lovers alike. All ages are welcome.

March 20 is the vernal equinox, marking the beginning of spring. In New England, the weather begins to moderate, the first flowers push through the soil, and daylight stretches a little longer each day. Celebrate this time of rebirth and renewal the following day with a walk through a local conservation area in search of signs of spring. We’ll begin with a touch of poetry and equinox lore, then focus on plant identification and fascinating bits of natural history. Please note: Meeting location will be emailed with course confirmation. All walks meet rain or shine. Children ages 10+ are welcome to register if accompanied by a registered adult.

Get a behind-the-scenes tour of one of Boston’s most prominent theatrical landmarks. Learn about the theater’s architectural highlights and unique history—from its hotel roots and glamorous days as a movie “cathedral” to today’s role as an impressive venue for performances and events. Visit the dressing rooms and hallways walked by entertainers such as Bruce Springsteen, Ella Fitzgerald, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Elton John, Lady Gaga, and many more. Walk away with a newfound appreciation of this theater and why it was once referred to as “The Showplace of New England.” Ages 10+