1. Fruitlands Museum
Explore this 210-acre landscape
housing five collections: the 1820’s
Fruitlands Farmhouse; the Shaker
Museum, the first such museum in
the country; the Native American
Museum, celebrating the history of
indigenous peoples; the Wayside
Visitor Center, an education and
exhibition space; and the Art Museum.
978-456-3924
102 Prospect Hill Rd, Harvard, MA
thetrustees.org/place/
fruitlands-museum |
2. Museum of Fine Arts,
Boston
One of the largest art museums in
the world, the MFA is home to over
450,000 works of art. From ancient
Egyptian artifacts to European Old
Masters, French Impressionism to
imperial Chinese ceramics, musical instruments to Native American art,
you can spend an entire day exploring.
617-267-9300
465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA
mfa.org |
3. EcoTarium
Explore indoor interactive exhibits,
live animal habitats, daily Science
Discovery programs, hikes through
forest and meadow nature trails,
outdoor imaginative play, and a
train ride (seasonal) around the
45+ acre campus.
508-929-2700
222 Harrington Way, Worcester, MA
ecotarium.org |
4. Southwick’s Zoo
So much to see and do! New England’s
largest zoo is home to over 850
animals in naturalistic habitats
including lions, tigers, giraffes,
chimpanzees, white rhinos,
two-toed sloths, and more.
Enjoy live shows, the Soaring Eagle
Zipline, and the Skyfari Sky Ride.
Here in the fall or winter? Don’t
miss their Great Jack O’ Lantern
Journey or Winter Wonderland
special events.
508-883-9182
2 Southwick St, Mendon, MA
southwickszoo.com |
5. Mystic Seaport Museum
The Museum includes the largest
historic watercraft collection in
the U.S. plus a recreated,
interactive 19th c. seaport
village—from shipsmiths and
coopers to woodcarvers and
riggers, discover how America’s
maritime past shaped life today.
Buy the Mystic Pass Card
for joint admission to the
Mystic Aquarium.
860-572-0711
75 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, CT
mysticseaport.org |
6. Modelville Hobby
Try slot car racing! Modelville
Hobby rents everything you
need and offers 4 different
racetracks great for kids and
adults alike.
508-881-7616
280 Eliot St, Ashland, MA
modelvillehobby.com |
7. Boston Ballet
This internationally renowned
ballet company presents a broad repertoire of works, including
timeless classics and innovative contemporary pieces by some
of today’s most groundbreaking choreographers. Take the short
walk to Boston Common before
or after the performance to ride
the iconic Swan Boats and see
the glory of 25,000 tulips in
bloom.
617-695-6955
539 Washington St, Boston, MA
bostonballet.org |
8. Arnold Arboretum
With 400+ plants, the Arboretum
has one of the biggest lilac collections
in North America. While open daily,
Lilac Sunday (May 12) offers a unique
visit with tours, hands-on children’s programs, and more; picnicking is permitted on this day only.
617-524-1718
125 Arborway, Boston, MA
arboretum.harvard.edu |
9. Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises
Cape Cod is a world-class whale
watching destination! See humpback, finback, and minke whales, seals,
seabirds and dolphins at Stellwagen
Bank during this cruise of a lifetime. Afterwards, wander the quaint
shops and beautiful beaches of
the Cape.
508-362-6088
269 Millway, Barnstable, MA
whales.net |
10. Newport Mansions
From the soaring marble columns
that greet you at Marble House to
the Baccarat Crystal chandeliers in
The Breakers dining room, hear the
fascinating Gilded Age stories of
people who lived and worked in
these spectacular mansions
referred to as “cottages” by their
original owners, then head to
America’s Cup Avenue to
browse the waterfront shops
of this historic seaside town.
Newport, RI
newportmansions.org |
11. Ward Park
Discover Ward Park’s numerous
offerings for outdoor fun,
including pickleball and
tennis courts, a playground,
wading pool, skate park,
and BMX trails.
508-624-6925
57 Orchard St, Marlborough, MA
marlborough-ma.gov/recreation-department/pages/ward-park |
12. Garden in the Woods
Explore the beauty of New England wildflowers at Garden in the Woods,
a place visitors often describe as
magical. The Garden’s 45 acres were sculpted by retreating glaciers into
eskers and steep-sided valleys, with
a brook, pond, and wetlands that showcase native plants of the region.
508-877-7630
180 Hemenway Rd, Framingham, MA
nativeplanttrust.org/visit/garden-woods/ |
13. Jam Time/Natick Mall
Head to Jam Time’s Natick Play
for drop-in playtime for the little
ones, followed by a wander of the interesting and high-end shops at
the Natick Mall, the largest
shopping mall in New England.
While there, be sure to stop in at Lightmoon Candles to create
your own soy candle in their
candlebar, then head to
Zero Empty Spaces to see
the artists’ studios, watch them
work, and shop their wares.
1245 Worcester St, Natick, MA jamtime.com
natickmall.com |
14. Level 99
Put your mind to the test at Level99,
a sprawling real-life game world
with over 40 rooms of physical and mental challenges (plus great food
and craft brews!).
617-865-8599
1235 Worcester St, Natick, MA
level99.com |
15. Marlborough Country Club
This stunningly beautiful private
golf course allows the public to
play on Mon and Tues.
508-485-1660
200 Concord Rd, Marlborough, MA
marlboroughcc.com |
16. Franklin Cultural District
The Franklin Cultural District is home
to the nation’s first public library,
the Franklin Historical Museum,
Dean College School of the Arts,
The Black Box theater, a variety
of restaurants and boutiques, and over
25 other performing, visual arts
and dance studios and associations.
In addition, the District’s plethora of
public art includes the Franklin Sculpture
Park; murals in the District’s alleys;
25 individually-decorated ladybug statues (pick up a map to find
them all!); and a new series of murals
on electrical boxes and fire hydrants!
Each year the Cultural District hosts
the Harvest Festival, Strawberry
Stroll, Celebrate with Pride festival,
a multi-day 4th of July celebration
with carnival, concerts, and
fireworks, and a summer concert
series, plus the Franklin Farmers
Market, with local farms, craft
and other vendors, live music,
and food trucks.
Franklin, MA
franklinculture.org |
