“Perhaps it is the companionship, more than the scenery,
that turns a day into a memory.”
~Inspired by Emily Dickinson
Thoughtful Day Trips for Women
At Friends of the Forest, our day trips are intimate experiences created especially for women. Rooted in nature’s wisdom and shared stories, each journey invites you to slow down, connect with the earth, yourself, and a community of like-hearted women.
From historic literary homes to coastal walks, mindful workshops to gentle nature strolls, our trips offer space for rest, reflection, and renewal. These aren’t just outings—they’re sanctuaries where you can reconnect with your well-being and walk alongside others who value presence and authenticity.
Whether you seek inspiration, calm, or simply a beautiful day away, you’ll find a place where your spirit is seen, your voice is heard, and your heart can grow.
Join us in discovering the magic of nature and sisterhood—one meaningful day trip at a time.
What Makes Our Day Trips Special
Our day trips are crafted with deep care and quiet intention. We keep each gathering small—limited to just 11 women—so there’s space for presence, connection, and ease. These aren’t tours to rush through, but gentle, nourishing experiences that unfold with grace.
Every element is chosen to support reflection, beauty, and belonging. We believe in the power of small details—meals taken slowly, walks with time to wander, and spaces that hold both stillness and story.
What you can expect:
A thoughtful pace with time to rest, reflect, and breathe
Small rituals woven into the day—like a shared poem or seasonal offering
Intimate group size to foster genuine connection
Meals and spaces selected for comfort, atmosphere, and local charm
Historic and natural places that invite wonder and presence
Personalized touches—a keepsake, a journal moment, or a quiet walk with intention
These are days to remember—not just for where you go, but for how you feel while you’re there.
Join Us
Below is our upcoming journeys that take place throughout the fall and early winter—perfect seasons for slowing down, reflecting, and embracing the changing rhythms of nature.
If you feel called to deepen your connection with nature, literature, and women’s stories—and to nourish your soul alongside kindred spirits—please stay tuned. Full itineraries will be shared soon.
Sign up for our newsletter to express your interest and receive updates.
Upcoming Journeys
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The Quiet World of Emily Dickinson
For Lovers of Quiet Places, Wild Gardens, and Gentle Words
Date: Friday, September 12, 2025This day is for those who listen closely—to birdsong, to silence, to poems tucked inside drawers. It’s for women who find beauty in the small, who treasure language, gardens, and mystery.
Together, we’ll walk through the home where Emily Dickinson lived, wrote, and wandered—pausing beneath her bedroom window, standing in the stillness where so much of her inner life unfolded. We’ll move gently through rooms steeped in words and wildflowers, letting her poems guide our pace.
This is not a day to rush or explain. It is a day to notice, to wonder, and to remember what it means to live inwardly, honestly, and well.
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Concord in Her Footsteps: A Day with Louisa May Alcott
For Those Drawn to the Lives and Landscapes of Great Thinkers
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025This day is for those who carry stories close to their hearts, who find comfort in books and quiet woods, and who know the magic of gathering with kindred spirits. Together, we’ll walk through the very rooms where Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women, breathe the air that stirred Thoreau’s solitude at Walden Pond, and visit the Old Manse, where Emerson wrote Nature and the Hawthornes etched their love into glass. We’ll share moments of calm and connection among gardens, pages, and river paths.
In the golden hush of October, when the trees turn and the light softens, this journey becomes even more tender—a season made for reflection, for walking slowly, for holding books and conversations close.
It’s a gentle invitation to slow down, look around, and remember why we love to read, to write, and to be.
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An Autumn Day in Salem: Holiday Shopping & History
For Women Seeking Enchantment, Heritage & Festive Connection
Date: Friday, November 28, 2025Discover the rich heritage of Salem—not only in the stories we know, but in the quiet corners, creative makers, and old streets that still hold their magic. We’ll begin with a visit to the Salem Witch Museum to ground ourselves in the town’s complex past and the strength of women’s voices through history.
From there, the afternoon opens into spaciousness. Wander the historic district at your own rhythm—browsing independent shops, savoring warm drinks, or pausing in quiet places touched by time. Holiday shopping becomes something more soulful: a chance to choose gifts with meaning, made by hands, rooted in place.
It’s a gentle spell cast at the edge of winter—woven with stories, sisterhood, and the shimmer of what’s to come.
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A December Day of Elegance: Christmas in Newport
For Women Who Embrace History, Beauty & Meaningful Presence
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025As winter whispers through the trees, join us for a day steeped in holiday grandeur and quiet sophistication. Wander the halls of Newport’s iconic Gilded Age mansions, beautifully adorned for the season with candlelight, garlands, and the gentle magic of Christmas past. Twinkling trees and gilded rooms invite you to slow down and savor the beauty of tradition. As you move through these architectural treasures by the sea, the stories of the past begin to unfold.
Afterward, we’ll gather for an elegant lunch at The Dining Room at the Vanderbilt—a refined setting where exquisite cuisine meets warm hospitality. It’s a moment to linger, reflect, and connect in the company of kindred spirits.
A perfect December escape to honor the season with grace, wonder, and a hint of holiday magic.
