MASSACHUSETTS
By Golda Turner
Everyone knows about many of the interesting places in historic Boston and beautiful Cape Cod. Perhaps you have even gone whale watching off the Massachusetts coast. But nestled in the mountains and valleys of Western and Central Massachusetts are a number of treasures that are perfect for a short vacation or memorable day trip. They are sure to delight every member of your family.
As one of the original 13 colonies, Massachusetts is a good place to encourage your children’s interest in history. At Old Sturbridge Village (Sturbridge MA, 800-733-1830, www.osv.org) you will step back into the 1800s at an interactive living history museum to explore life in a typical farming town. Watch as costumed historians work on the farm, in trade shops, and in charming homes. Ride a stagecoach or take a boat ride. Accessibility guide available. ASL Interpretation by reservation.
For an action packed day, these attractions are sure to be a hit. For the adventurous, there are amusement parks, aerial adventures, whitewater rafting, and jump!
Six Flags New England (Agwam MA, 413-786-9300, www.sixflags.com/newengland) This huge amusement park has rides galore for all ages and stages. Safety and accessibility guide available. Special needs pass allows disabled guest and three companions to skip the lines and enter rides through the exit.
Berkshire East Children’s Aerial Adventure Park (Charlemont MA, 413-339-6617, www.berkshireeast.com/tree-house-trail) Children ages nine years and older will be thrilled by this suspended challenge course featuring a unique blend of elevated wooden platforms and exciting elements such as bridges, swings, rolling zip-lines, free falls and other challenging obstacles. There is also a Tree House Trail for children three years and up. Moving from platform to platform amongst the trees, kids will navigate a series of fun elements, such as netted bridges, Burma bridges, tunnels, and a small zip line. This course is netted and no harnesses are necessary. Kids explore this environment while being supervised by trained staff.
Jiminy Peak (Hancock MA, 413-738-5500, www.jiminypeak.com) This is the place for outdoor enthusiasts. Challenge yourselves on the aerial forest rope courses for various levels of ability, 3600 foot Mountain Coaster, alpine super slide, chairlift, giant swing, trampolines, rock climbing wall, kid climb, and more.
Whitewater Rafting---For those adventurers who love getting wet, the area of Charlemont offers three whitewater rafting outfitters who will bring joy to your day. They feature a full range including easy floats for anyone age 5 and up and class 1-4 rapids for those inclined to extra excitement. Choose from Crab Apple Whitewater (www.crabapplewhitewater.com 800-553-7238), Zoar Outdoor (www.zoaroutdoor.com 800-532-7483), and Berkshire East Mountain Resort (www.berkshireeast.com 413-339-6617). Professional guides will keep you safe on a rafting tour you will never forget.
Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline (Everett MA, 617-387-1000, www.skyzone.com/everett) Jump, jump, jump! Play Skyslam, Skyjoust, trampoline dodgeball, bounce off the walls, fly into the foam zone, or just freestyle jump. Sensory hours available the 3rd Sunday of every month.
Do you prefer connecting to animals and other living things? These attractions are custom made for you.
Southwick’s Zoo (Mendon MA, 800-258-9182, www.southwickszoo.com) Explore over 300 acres with more than 850 animals from around the world. Attractions include the Safari Sky Ride, Woodland Express train, zipline, deer forest, petting zoo, walk-through aviary, adventure maze, the Earth Discovery Center, and much more. The zoo is built on hilly terrain on three levels which may be slightly difficult for some wheelchair users.
Connors Farm (Danvers MA, 978-777-1245, www.connorsfarm.com) You can’t replicate the good old fashioned fun found on a real farm. Pick your own fresh fruits and vegetables, wander through the corn maze, pet and feed barnyard animals, ride the railroad, and other wholesome activities. Mostly wheelchair accessible, but ground may be uneven.
Davis Farmland And Megamaze (Sterling MA, 978-422-6666, www.davisfarmland.com) A discovery farm geared to children up to age 12 which includes 100 breeds of typical and endangered farm animals. There are also pretend and nature based play, a water spray park, hay and pony rides, and more. Help the farmers milk a goat, collect chicken eggs, bottle feed the babies, and groom the animals. Apple and pumpkin picking in season.
McLaughlin Fish Hatchery (Belchertown MA, 413-323-7671) Did you know that most states have fish hatcheries that raise the fish stocked in the lakes and rivers? Here you can see pools of fish of various sizes and learn how they are hatched and raised. Kids love to feed the fish and watch them jump and chase the food!
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens (South Deerfield MA, 413-665-2805, www.magicwings.com) Are you as fascinated with butterflies as I am? I can spend hours watching these lovely beings flit from flower to flower in my garden. Experience walking between thousands of multicolored butterflies in a natural habitat. Perhaps one will even land on you! Wheelchair accessible, but no strollers allowed inside.
Learning should be fun. These museums are a real treat for kids.
Animagic (Lee MA, 413-841-6679, www.mambor.com) Did you ever wonder how animated movies are created? Tour the museum of animation, special effects, and art in the very place that animation was done for a number of blockbuster movies. Learn about animation, then join a workshop to create your own animation movie, record it, and upload it to YouTube! Open by appointment only.
Ecotarium Museum of Science And Nature (Worcester MA, 508-929-2700, www.ecotarium.org) This is an amazing indoor-outdoor museum with three floors of indoor interactive exhibits, live animal habitats, multi-sensory shows in the digital planetarium, science discovery programs, hikes through forest and meadow nature trails, outdoor imaginative play, and a train ride around the campus. Wheelchair accessible. The train accommodates two passengers in wheelchairs.
Children’s Museum At Holyoke (Holyoke MA, 413-536-7048, www.childrensmuseumholyoke.org) A children’s museum featuring 34 interactive exhibits designed to help younger children discover how the world works and learn by doing.
Amelia Park Children’s Museum (Westfield MA, 413-572-4014, www.ameliaparkmuseum.org) Children learn by exploring. At this interactive museum, kids can pretend to be a doctor or dentist, construction worker, astronaut, banker, and more.
So jump in the car
It’s really not far
Try something new
There’s so much to do!