The Children's Museum of Boston ................................. 617-426-8855
300 Congress St., Boston
www.BostonKids.org
Blow bubbles, roll golf balls, climb the two-story maze, explore Arthur'sTM World, visit a real Japanese House, float your own boat, truck into the construction zone, dress up, "shop" in the grocery store and more. Hands-on fun for kids ages 0-10, and parents, too! There's even a special area just for toddlers. An easy day-trip to Boston's downtown waterfront, near South Station's T, Amtrack and bus stops, as well as I-90/93. Open daily 10am-5pm, fridays 'til 9pm. Admission: $7 for kids 2-15 and seniors; $8 for adults; $2 for one-year-olds; free for infants and Museum Members. Friday nights 5-9, all visitors are only $1!
Franklin Park Zoo .................................................. (617) 541-LION
One Franklin Park Road, Boston.
www.zoonewengland.com
Enter the Kalahari Kingdom, where lions rule. Watch zebra & ostrich roam the grasslands of Bongo Congo. See snow leopards pounce. Peek at prairie dogs in the Children's Zoo. Travel the Australian Outback Trail. And more! Check out Zoo Encounter, offered hourly from 10am-4pm on weekends & holidays during the spring and summer. With Zoo Encounters, zookeepers will lead educational programs for kids of all ages at various sections of the zoo. Admission: Adults: $9.50, Srs: $8, Children (2-15): $5, Under 2: Free. Group rates with advance reservation. The museum is open weekdays from 10am to 5pm and weekends/holidays from 10am to 6pm from April 1 through September 30. At all other times, the Museum is opened daily from 10am to 4pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The Freedom Trail ...
Due to its size, Boston is a very accessible city, but it may be that its reputation as a walking city relies on the creation of one of America's first historic walking tours, The Freedom Trail. This is the perfect introduction to Colonial Revolutionary Boston. This walking tour takes you to 16 historical sites in the course of 2-3 hours & covers 2 1/2 centuries of America's most significant past. A red brick or painted line connects the sites on the Trail and serves as a guide. Since the past and the present live alongside the Trail, you have the opportunity to see the City as it truly is. Many visitors prefer to linger & study the many exhibits, thus a full day or more can be devoted to browsing along the Trail. Take a self-guided tour or one of the many tours available through the National Park Service, which begin every half hour from the park visitor center at 15 State Street opposite the Old State House. Or if you prefer to ride, you can pay for one of the trolley tours, which are unofficial guided tours, but do go to many of the sites along the Trail and allow you to disembark at selected stops. To find out more about guided tours contact the Greater Boston Visitors and Convention Bureaus.
The Museum of Science.............................................. 617-723-2500
www.mos.org
Science Park, Boston, MA.
Marvel at over 600 permanent, hands-on exhibits & a dynamic roster of traveling exhibits, Planetarium shows, Omni films, live presentations, lectures, & more. Reserve your Planetarium & Omni tickets in advance (especially in the summer) by calling 617-723-2500. Special events throughout the year. Annual memberships available. Regular hours are 9-5, Summer hours are 9-7, Fridays 9-9.
The New England Aquarium......................................... 617-973-5200
www.neaq.org
The New England Aquarium is much more than a place to see aquatic life. Our focus is on raising people's awareness of the environment through exhibits, education programs, public forums, and outreach programs. Our work extends beyond Central Wharf, Boston to conservation and research projects worldwide-from helping understand environmental changes in Lake Victoria, Africa to saving the endangered Hector's dolphin in New Zealand. It's an exciting time for us. We've just opened a brand new west wing, and plans are well underway for an IMAX theater and east wing that will more than triple our size with exciting new exhibits and technology. Call for times and rates. Group rates are available. Members are
admitted free.
Connecticut
Nature's Art .......................................................... 860-443-GEMS
1650 Route 85, Oakdale, CT.
(About an hour from Providence.)
An interactive science and nature experience. See the most amazing crystals and gems. Pan for gold! Something different that everyone in the family will enjoy.
Project Oceanography................................................1-800-364-8471
Groton, CT.
www.oceanology.org
Participate in oceanographic expeditions aboard Enviro-Lab. Reservations.
Submarine Force Museum............................................1-800-343-0079
Groton, CT.
www.submarinemuseum.com
Dedicated to U.S. Submarine Force, hosts the USS Nautilus, the first nuclear powered submarine.
Massachusetts
Davis' Farmland........................................................ 978-422-6666
Redstone Hill, Sterling, MA
www.davisfarmland.com
Davis' Megamaze....................................................... 978-422-8888
www.davismegamaze.com
(Just one hour from Providence - take 146N to I-290E to I-190N. Take exit 6 and follow the signs.) Awesome family fun! In farmland, enjoy animial shows, rides, exhibits, special themed events and lots and lots of interactive fun. In the Megamaze ... "Getting lost is half the fun!" Grown-up love it as much as the kids do!
Edaville Railroad....................................................... 508-866-8190
South Carver, MA.
www.edaville.com
Ride our 5 1/2 mile narrow-gauge train, antique fire engine, carousel and children's rides. Fly on Jumbo the elephant ride, explore the museum, and more. Call for hours and admission.
New Hampshire
Story Land ..............................................................603-383-4186
Route 16, Glen, New Hampshire
www.storylandnh.com
Children's theme park with rides, shows, and much more. In the White Mountains, 190 miles from Providence.
Canobie Lake Park......................................................603-893-3506
Rt. 93, Exit 2, Salem, N.H.
www.canobie.com
Amusement park with over 45 rides including 4 coasters, log flume, steam train, rock climbing and more.
A Special Place in Rhode Island.......
Tiverton
Tiverton, 4-corners.
Stroll through this special area with quaint shops, art galleries, and the best ice cream around. Don't miss the Mill Pond Shops, just a little further down on the left.
Outdoor Fun
Spend the day at fogland Beach. Or visit the Ruecker Wildlife Refuge (Sepowet Ave.) , with 1.5 miles of winding trails through beautiful marsh and meadow. Follow Rt. 77 down and visit Pacht Brook Tree Farm or Sakonnet Vineyards.
History and Nature
Visit Fort Barton (on Highland Rd.) and enjoy the view from the observation tower. Hike the trails. And relish in all the quiet beauty of the area.
Directions:
Take Rt . 195 to Rt. 24 South. Tiverton Exit, Left onto Rt.77.
Connecticut
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Tiverton, R.I.
family events