Free August Events for Families in Massachusetts

As August approaches, families across Massachusetts are heading into the final weeks of summer.

For many in the state, the new school year will start on August 27, 2025, meaning many parents and grandparents still have some time to fill with the kids. Thanks to the Highland Street Foundation some could be filling that time with free trips to zoos and museums across the region.

Once again this Newton-based, philanthropic organization is kicking off August Adventures, where every day in August a new adventure is free of charge.

For the last five summers, the Highland Street Foundation has partnered with different family-friendly institutions all over Massachusetts offering free admission to historic sites, art museums, local zoos and even hiking trails.

August Adventures 2025 Has Something For Everyone

There are sea adventures with the World Ocean School in Boston, Battleship Cove in Fall River and the Shark Center in Chatham.

Battleship Cove via Facebook

Nature exploration at the Mass Audubon Blue Hills Trailside Museum and Mass Audubon Drumlin Farm.

Free Events Happening Across Massachusetts

You could travel out to Deerfield and Holyoke or go out to the Cape with free adventures in Falmouth and Sandwich. Though if you don't want to travel very far at all, there are August Adventures right on the SouthCoast.

Tuesday August 5 - Battleship Cove (registration is required)

Wednesday August 6 - New Bedford Whaling Museum

Wednesday August 20 - Buttonwood Park Zoo

New Bedford Whaling Museum via Facebook

Some of the institutions require registering before the event, with space limited at a few as well. Though I'd love to hop in the car every day for a new adventure in August, top on my list this summer are,

Sunday August 17 - The Sports Museum

Friday August 8 - The Greenway Carousel

Tuesday August 26 - Heritage Museums & Gardens

Explore The World's Only Authentic Pirate Ship at this Cape Cod Museum

It's over 300 years old and has some serious history, now the Whydah Gally pirate ship of 1716 also has an entire museum dedicated to it.

See what makes this authentic pirate museum so special.

Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall

Lesser Known Museums of New Bedford

Everyone undoubtedly thinks of the New Bedford Whaling Museum when they look for an indoor day in the city. However, there are actually quite a few museums throughout New Bedford for a wide range of interests. We found a few you might not have explored yet that are definitely worth the trip.

Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall

14 Unique Museums in Massachusetts You May Not Know About

When you think of a museum, what do you think of? Maybe you imagine walls full of art or a giant T-rex skeleton at the entrance. But here in Massachusetts, we do museums a little different. While we do have your typical museums, we are also home to quite a few unique and sometimes a little off-the-wall museums that challenge the way we think about art, science, and what we hold dear. Take a look at 14 of the most unique – and treasured – museums in Massachusetts, and let us know which one you want to visit first!

Gallery Credit: Kari Jakobsen

Source: Free Family Fun Every Day in August Across Massachusetts