Arlington Community Education

This walking tour traces a circle around the West End, exploring the people and places that shaped the neighborhood over the past 400 years. The West End’s history is one of continual change, from supporting immigrants on their journey to the American Dream to producing America’s first native-born architect and leading innovations in railroads and electric streetcars. The neighborhood also provided a home for free Black citizens after the Revolution. Following decades of Urban Renewal after 1950, the West End was dramatically reshaped into its modern form. Come see how this fascinating neighborhood has evolved over the centuries.

Join this spring nature walk at Arlington’s scenic Great Meadows, where we’ll focus on identifying the largest woody plants in the area. Discover tree identification techniques using branching patterns, bark, buds, galls, and leaves. We’ll explore 10–12 native trees, along with a few non-natives, while learning about the fascinating natural history and folklore surrounding these majestic trees.

Ready to hit the trail? Join two experienced thru-hikers for a hands-on introduction to backpacking and camping. Learn the basics, including how to choose the right gear, pack meals, filter water, and prioritize safety. This indoor preparation session is suited for beginners as well as seasoned hikers alike. We will also practice and share simple mindfulness concepts to deepen your outdoor experience. This session is inclusive of individuals identifying as transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming.

Have you ever wondered if that “tweet” is from a cardinal or a chickadee? Learn the language spoken by our feathered friends. Start with a few basic bird songs as a reference, then add to your repertoire with repetition and practice. You’ll learn the types of sounds birds make and why they make them, and explore common bird songs heard in Massachusetts. Each class will focus on approximately 10–15 different birds. Note: Have handy a notebook, pen, and a bird book if you have one.

Observe local birds on these birdwatching field trips. We will focus on different strategies for locating and identifying birds based on their appearance, songs and calls, behavior, and habitat. To get the most out of field trips, attendance at the Birdwatching 101 class is highly encouraged. Binoculars are highly recommended.

Maximize your enjoyment and appreciation of birds in their local environment. We’ll discuss necessary and recommended tools (binoculars, scopes, bird books, and phone applications); how to pick a place and a time for ideal birdwatching; and strategies for identifying birds using their appearance, flight patterns, songs and calls, and the habitats where they live and migrate through.

Discover this Cambridge neighborhood’s vibrant art and food scene, led by a friendly and knowledgeable guide. Visit Graffiti Alley and paint your own m asterpiece, then uncover a hidden second alley filled with even more art. Immerse yourself in large-scale murals and public art as you enjoy delicious bites from beloved local spots. Savor Vietnamese green papaya salad, butter beef spring rolls, and a fascinating beverage surprise at Shojo Cambridge. Indulge in Japanese tapas at PAGU, featuring tasty patatas bravas and black cod croquetas. At Viale, taste the best arancini in Boston and enjoy their occhi stellati mocktail under the stars. All ages welcome.

Enjoy a guided tour of the Codman Estate’s historic landscape in Lincoln and learn about its evolution and preservation. The last two generations of family members, who lived here between 1862 and 1968, made notable improvements to the grounds and gardens while carefully preserving aspects of what their 18th-century ancestors created. The grounds feature a hidden Italianate garden (c. 1900) with perennial beds, statuary, and a reflecting pool filled with water lilies, as well as an English cottage garden (c. 1908).

On April 19, 1775, the simmering cauldron of colonial discontent finally boiled over into inevitable bloodshed at the Old North Bridge in Concord, MA. Explore the events of that fateful day in the places they actually happened. Learn how the myriad strengths and weaknesses of the British Army and Patriot Militia clashed to form a spark that grew to the conflagration of the American Revolution.

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.

Explore the Gibson House Museum in Boston’s historic Back Bay neighborhood and learn about the gay subculture of early-twentieth-century Boston through Charlie Gibson’s eyes. American writer and preservationist Charles Hammond Gibson, Jr., created the museum to preserve his family home as a time capsule of the wealth, leisure, and elaborate social decorum of domestic life from the mid-nineteenth to early-twentieth centuries. His story is one of legacy and family history, of the fading grandeur of Victorian-era Boston, and of Boston’s LGBTQ history. Ages 10+ Please note: The tour is one hour and involves walking up and down five flights of stairs.

This tour offers private access to the Lincoln house and grounds of Walter Gropius, one of the most influential architects of the 20th century and founder of the German design school known as the Bauhaus. Modest in scale, this 1938 home was revolutionary in impact. Gropius believed that the relationship of a house to its landscape was of paramount importance. In keeping with Bauhaus philosophy, every aspect of the house and its surrounding landscape was planned for maximum efficiency and simplicity of design, revealing design strategies that have returned to architectural importance for green and sustainable design in the 21st century. Ages 10+ Meet at the front portico of the mansion. Parking is indicated at the main gate, then a short walk straight ahead up to the mansion on the left. Please note that the tour requires a considerable amount of standing and stair climbing. If you need special assistance, please contact ACE at least five days before the tour.

“Donut” miss out on this mouthwatering adventure through Cambridge’s iconic Harvard Square. Sample an irresistible array of artisanal donuts crafted with passion and precision by four local bakeries as your friendly guide shares stories about donuts and the historic sights you’ll see. Try uniquely flavored donuts such as Greek donuts, mochi donuts, and churros All ages welcome but children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Please Note: Unfortunately allergies cannot be accommodated.

Discover the dynamic food scene of Lowell with a friendly and knowledgeable local guide. Walk beside the canals and explore this historic town as you uncover a diverse array of culinary delights. Taste chef’s specialties, including delicious banh mi, refined Colombian dishes, flavorful bimbimbap, and the best Greek yogurt with granola. Learn about Lowell’s rich history, past and present, and how it has become a melting pot of cultures. With a variety of cuisines to savor, this tour offers a flavorful journey through one of Massachusetts’ most surprisingly exciting food destinations, just 40 minutes from Boston. All ages welcome.

Join us this Mother’s Day for a thoughtful stroll through Mount Auburn, celebrating the lives of women whose stories highlight the many facets of motherhood. Fanny Longfellow (1817–1861), wife of the poet, devoted herself to the loving care of her young children. Caroline Merriam (1808–1891) was heartbroken by the loss of her son, Lieutenant Colonel Waldo Merriam, who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Spotsylvania in 1864. His monument near Story Chapel honors his sacrifice. Civil War nurse Dorothea Dix (1802–1897) spent her life advocating for the mentally ill, and Fannie Merritt Farmer (1857–1915) helped generations of women master the art of cooking with her famous cookbook.

Discover new places to hike and hear tales about Native American settlers and esteemed writers such as Alcott and Emerson. We’ll walk five to six miles each week, rain or shine. Enjoy the camaraderie of fellow walkers as we learn and have fun, all while taking in the beauty of nature and local history. Please note: Locations vary each week and details will be emailed. All walks meet rain or shine, please dress for the weather.

Shrubs are a key part of our New England landscapes. We will take a close look at 10–12 common native New England shrubs such as high bush blueberry, silky dogwood, and staghorn sumac, as well as a few non-native invasive shrubs. The class will focus on plant identification as well as fun and interesting natural history. We’ll see a plant that can be used to make a lemonade-like drink packed with vitamin C and a plant that the Chippewa used to produce a remedy for craziness. Please note: Children ages 10+ are welcome to register if accompanied by a registered adult. Meeting location will be emailed upon registration.

Join us for a guided hike through former farmland, where vintage dirt roads wind through aged forests and a prolific number of natural kettle ponds and trees can be found. This moderate-level walk begins and ends at the Campion Center, a Jesuit health and wellness center located on the site of a former college. Along the way, we’ll pause to appreciate the natural beauty and hear stories of the area’s historical significance. Meeting location will be emailed before the first meeting. All walks meet rain or shine. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes and bring water and snacks to have throughout the hike.

Tour the house and grounds of Medford’s Royall House and Slave Quarters, part of the 600-acre Ten Hills Farm and home to the largest slaveholders in Massachusetts history, as well as the enslaved Africans who made their lavish way of life possible. The house is among the finest local examples of colonial-era buildings still standing, and the slave quarters are the only remaining slave quarters in New England. Today, this museum’s architecture, household items, and archaeological artifacts bear witness to intertwined stories of wealth and bondage and explore the meanings of freedom and independence before, during, and since the American Revolution. Children ages 10+ are welcome to register if accompanied by a registered adult. Please Note: the museum is only wheelchair accessible on the first floor of the Royall House and the Slave Quarters. The only way to get up to the second floor of the Royall House is by using the stairs.