Family Fun Trips: 12 Places to Go in Massachusetts This Weekend
Looking to get away for a bit this weekend? We’ve put together a dozen ideas that are within driving distance.
But remember to stay safe and practice social distancing measures as you explore some of the wonders the Bay State has to offer.
Salem
Salem is a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly City where its residents, and over a million tourists annually, can easily visit historic architecture, unique attractions, world-famous museums, and an eclectic mix of shops and dining options. Don’t miss the Gallow Hills Museum, The House of Seven Gables, The Witch House, The Salem Smugglers’ Tour or Salem Willows.
Old Sturbridge Village
Old Sturbridge Village, the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s. Step inside more than 40 original buildings, and explore homes, meetinghouses, a district school, country store, bank, working farm, three water-powered mills, and trade shops – all situated on more than 200 scenic acres. Talk with authentically costumed historians and see heritage breed farm animals. Discover the endless ways to immerse yourself in the Village.
Plymouth Rock
This waterfront park, home to historic Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II museum, draws more than 1 million visitors each year. You’ll also find fantastic views of Plymouth Harbor and monuments. 30-minute guided walking tours are given daily at 11 am, 2 pm, and 4 pm. Walking tours start from the wooden kiosk near the restrooms at the beginning of Frazier State Pier. Tours end at the top of Cole’s Hill.
Battleship Cove, Fall River
Kids will love exploring the world’s largest and most diverse collection of historic naval ships, imagining thrilling missions aboard ships like the mighty USS Massachusetts. Whether you’re a casual visitor, tourist, history buff, a student, teacher or scout leader, this world-class maritime heritage museum has something for everyone. Battleship Cove is a nonprofit maritime heritage museum, comprising five National Historic Landmarks and the world’s largest and most diverse collection of historic Naval ships.
Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln
At Drumlin Farm, you can experience life on a working farm and explore a wildlife sanctuary at the same time. Watch the pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, and cows in the farmyard; see how crops are sustainably grown; walk the trails explore field, forest, and wetland habitat; and observe resident owls, hawks, and a fox in the native wildlife exhibit.
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo “Court of Dreams.” Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad.
Minuteman National Historic Park, Concord
At Minute Man National Historical Park, the opening battle of the Revolution is brought to life as visitors explore the battlefields and structures associated with April 19, 1775. Known as the site of the “’shot heard ‘round the world.”
Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston
Gather, play, unwind or explore.
Wachusett Mountain, Princeton
Known for their excellent, close to home skiing, this beautiful spot is also a Summer destination with loads of festivals, Skyride and lunch on the mountain and hiking trails.
UMass Lowell Kayak Center, Lowell
The UMass Lowell Kayak Center is open to the public and university community. Offering rentals, instruction, tours and fun with kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards.
Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, Sudbury
Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge (refuge) encompasses 3.5 square miles located within the towns of Hudson, Maynard, Stow and Sudbury which is approximately 20 miles west of Boston. Formerly part of Fort Devens, this area was known as the Sudbury Training Annex. The U.S. Army transferred 2,332 acres to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the fall of 2000. The refuge has a large wetland complex, several smaller wetlands and vernal pools, and large forested areas which are important feeding and breeding areas for migratory birds and other wildlife. It also has 15 miles of trails (half are open to biking) open to the public for the enjoyment of nature as well as a visitor center located on Winterberry Way. Our primary purpose is to manage these lands for migratory bird conservation. The refuge is one of eight national wildlife refuges that comprise the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, Springfield
The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum is devoted to Springfield native Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss! The fully bilingual first floor features family friendly, interactive exhibits exploring Dr. Seuss’s Springfield roots and providing opportunities to experiment with new sounds and vocabulary, play rhyming games, and invent stories–all in line with Geisel’s revolutionary role in changing how we learn to read.
The second floor, curated by Geisel’s two step daughters and great nephew, recreates Geisel’s studio and living room (with the furniture and art materials he actually used) and features never before publicly displayed art, family photographs and letters, and the original Geisel Grove sign which used to hang in Forest Park. You can even find Theophrastus, the toy stuffed dog Ted Geisel’s mother gave to him when he was a boy in Springfield.
