Mass Audubon's Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary

Mass Audubon's Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick is one of the finest family nature spots within 30 miles of Boston. The sanctuary spans 624 acres of diverse habitat — forest, meadow, freshwater wetland, and stream corridors along the Indian Brook and Charles River — packed into a surprisingly compact and accessible property.

The boardwalk section is the signature feature for young visitors. It traverses the wetland area above the water level, giving kids the feeling of walking through a marsh without getting wet. Great blue herons are almost a guarantee here — they stand with patient stillness in the shallows and are often visible from surprisingly close range.

Turtles, frogs, and red-winged blackbirds add to the cast of characters.

The trail network spans about 9 miles total, which sounds like a lot, but the Old Pasture Trail loop (about 1.5 miles) is ideal for families with young children. It passes through multiple habitats and includes the boardwalk section — enough variety to hold kids' interest without becoming a slog. Older kids and teens can tackle more of the network.

Broadmoor is a Mass Audubon sanctuary, so members visit free. The modest non-member admission fee is one of the better bargains in the region for the quality of nature access you get. Closed on Mondays. Bring your own food — no concessions on site. Dogs are welcome on leash, which is a meaningful plus for families with pets.

The terrain is too uneven for most strollers on the main trails; a backpack carrier for toddlers is the better choice. The parking lot near the sanctuary center accommodates standard vehicles including minivans.