Heritage State Park Visitor Center, Holyoke, MA

Holyoke's Heritage State Park is home to the Holyoke Carousel and Children's Museum, and the Volleyball Hall of Fame. Our recent stop at the Visitor Center revealed exhibits under construction. After speaking with Charlie Lotspeich of DCR, I learned that the renovations have been undertaken as part of a program called "Creating Holyoke." Funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities were matched by the state, via DCR. This is a wonderful enhancement to a city park, and a city that has an important place in the industrial development of the Pioneer Valley.

The renovation is nearly complete now, and the Visitor Center is open for business Tues-Sun from 12-4PM. I am looking forward to returning there to take a look at the new installments and will certainly post an update with pictures.

Dinosaur Footprints, Holyoke, MA

Pull of Rt. 5 onto a half circle parking area. Walk down a small hill and you'll find this sign, and actual, honest to goodness, dinosaur prints. There's a culvert with clean water running through, so there were some rock throwing opportunities. The river is in sight through some trees. We did not spend much time here as it was an adjunct activity.

Dinosaur Footprints (Trustees of Reservations)

Holyoke Children's Museum, Holyoke, MA

Overall a fun place to go. The climbing tower and tunnels are cool, as are the grocery store and restaurant areas. A small toddler area with privacy for nursing and toys is gated off. You can blow giant bubbles (though you probably won't be able to and either will your kids and they may cry over it, if they are prone to that kind of thing). Kids can pretend to drive a construction vehicle and/or an ambulance.
There is a seating area upstairs, but no food for sale.
This museum loses points for grunginess. It's a shame that it is so run down. However the staff are hard working and innovative. The museum seems to be improving every time I visit.
The climbing structure is right next to the water table area. You might want spare socks.
Restrooms are not gross.
The parking is across a park (Holyoke's Heritage State Park) from the museum. The Holyoke Carousel is the first thing you see. Outside the museum is a very small playground with benches around it. You are right by the canal so you can also look at the water. It's clean.
A very small gift shop area sits inconspicuously behind the check in area. They have toys from 25 cents or so, which is nice.
Passes for this museum are available at most local libraries.

Children's Museum at Holyoke