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    Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

    4.6 (34 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Tamra F.

    If I had to describe this place using one word, it would be magical. I've never been anywhere else where you can put bird seeds in your hand and birds will just fly right into your hand and eat from it. It was truly a magical experience. I felt like a Disney princess feeding the birds. Aside from that, the hiking trails are also really nice and well maintained. This was a great hiking adventure and awesome place to take photos! Highly recommend!

    Red squirrel enjoying a snack.
    Jeffrey C.

    This is heaven on Earth. I have been visiting this sanctuary for years, and it never gets old. It is the only wildlife sanctuary I have ever visited where birds will fly to your hands and eat seed right out of them. Any basic bird seed mix will do. Just find a quiet spot with a few low-to-the-ground trees and some Chickadees chirping. Hold out a handful of seed and a flurry of wings will drop down. My wife and I have also had luck enticing White-breasted Nuthatches and Tufted Titmouses, although the latter seem to be more reserved. The experience will make the most seasoned bird watcher giddy, and it will make even the most skeptical couch potato an instant naturalist. Beyond the draw of holding songbirds in the palms of your hands, there are many sprawling acres of lush flora and plenty of other wildlife action to boot. We usually see hawks, snakes, deer, and chipmunks bustling about. It seems like there is never a time of year we don't see something scurrying around, and we almost always see something new. A family, couple, or individual hiker could easily spend a day here, and at four dollars for admission, the value of a trip really cannot be beat. Take advantage of the seemingly perennial offer to use your admission as credit toward a Mass Audubon subscription so you can take advantage of the kayaks on the premises as well.

    Young P.

    Came here with my wife and had a great time. Trails were long and at times a bit confusing but I think that made it more fun for me since I felt like I was actually out in the woods trying to survive. If you live in the city and you want to get away and enjoy the nature, this would be a perfect place to visit. It is only about 40 min drive from Boston. While we were hiking, we ran into deers and other wild life which was pretty cool! Some tips to follow: 1. Bring bug spray - This one might be an obvious one but we didn't bring one and suffered greatly. Don't let those annoying bugs and mosquitoes ruin your hike! 2. Wear long pants - It might get hot but it is worth it. You don't want to end up getting tick bites that could possibly lead to lyme disease! 3. Come after 4pm. If you come before, they will charge you $4/person.

    Ipwich River Wildlife Sanctuary
    Jocelyn G.

    Beatiful property with a lot of different habitats to wander through and great for bird watching. If you belong to the Audobond society, you can rent the little cabin that they have on the property overnight that sleeps 2. Also, they rent out canoes and have some great swampy areas to explore.

    My personal pictures @stephjung21 from the rockery trail!
    Steph J.

    I went here on my own for a little getaway and I can't believe I haven't been here sooner!! For $4 you can go through beautiful trails and see some crazy birds and sites! You see and hear birds everywhere you go. It's true, the chickadees WILL eat out of your hand and will keep following you. It felt almost surreal when they flew onto my hand and phone. I went about a week ago, and since it rained a lot the day before I couldn't go through most trails due to very wet and muddy trails. I only went through the Rockery trail which features the pretty and peaceful pond and cave-like walkway. I am definitely coming back when it's a little more green with friends! I can only imagine how much prettier the place looks which the place is more lush and dry so I can go through more trails. So if you just want to escape life and be surrounded my nature, I highly recommend coming here. There are so many places to take good pictures and to just sit and relax!

    Becca C.

    I come here at least once a week, and it is my absolute favorite place to go for some quiet time with nature. Even though it's winter and there probably isn't as much wildlife as in warmer seasons, I have seen deer each time I've come as well as a hawk close-up three times. If you bring bird seed and find yourself amongst some feathered friends, they will happily eat out of your hand. They even line up to wait! Several trails, wonderful staff and so many beautiful sights. Although it's true that if you come past 4 you don't need to pay, I usually try to come early enough so they are still charging admission. It's only $4 for adults and it supports this amazing place, I'm more than happy to contribute.

    Katherine S.

    I come here several times during the year and find it very relaxing enjoying nature, walking the trails. In some spots with a little patience the wild life have grown friendly... chickadees, nuthatches and tufted titmice, will land right on your hand!! (see pictures) They also have different events here during the year, definitely watch the website.

    Viewing window into Bird/Butterfly Garden

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    16 years ago

    Excellent place to take my young boys. The Rock area is awesome.

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    13 years ago

    This is an absolute family favorite of ours! What a great, easy, manageable with kids hike to enjoy for the whole family.

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    11 years ago

    Nice place. 4 stars except for the $4 per person charge. Not a big fee but many similar places for free. Saw a deer up close which was cool

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    Ask the Community - Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

    Review Highlights - Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

    My wife and I have also had luck enticing White-breasted Nuthatches and Tufted Titmouses, although the latter seem to be more reserved.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Bradley Palmer State Park

    Bradley Palmer State Park

    4.3
    (18 reviews)
    1.6 mi

    Nice splash park for younger children, in a pretty setting. Nice changing rooms…read more We only stopped at the splash park, but as we drove through it looked like there were nice trails for walking. Google maps directed us the wrong way, to the southern entrance, which is now an exit only! We had to drive 10 minutes round to get to Northern entrance.

    QUICK SUMMARY: Excellent State Park with partially-paved bike trails, beautiful sights especially…read morein the Fall, and a great place to take portraits! The park is open from sun up to sun down. Parking is by a self-pay meter and is $5, entry to park itself is free. My boyfriend and I came here on a whim one crisp Saturday morning in September. We brought our mountain bikes and spent about two hours leisurely exploring the trails, which are paved only half of the time, but still well-maintained. There are many lush sights to see, both with colored/green trees and the Ipswich river (along the path) was a pretty sight as well, with turtles/ducks swimming nearby. We saw only a few people while on the trails, mainly people on bikes, but we did see some walkers as well. If you decide to walk, I would definitely suggest grabbing a trail map at the beginning of the trail, as there are many different routes along the way and it can get confusing without one. There is a giant treeless field at the center of the park which made for a great landscape for my boyfriend and me to take pictures using our tripod/camera. Overall, I would highly recommend this park for all ages/types of people!

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    Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary - parks - Updated June 2026

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