The Great Falls Discovery Center is a nicely kept little nature center, near the fish ladder and Unity Park, a decent playground with the only real see saw I've seen recently. I parked on the street, for free, right outside the Center. There is a cute little garden outside and well maintained yards, but this isn't really outdoor space for the kids to play.
The interior boasts many dioramas of local animal life, including several interactive features (buttons to push, a computer program to play with). However, for my 5 year old, the displays were quickly digested (especially because he has seen quite a lot of these kinds of exhibits). The most engaging area for the kids was a small table set up near the gift shop that held tadpole-to-frog models and books on the same subject. There are quite a few activities held there for the preschool set, though I haven't attended any yet.
The whole museum was clean, including the restrooms.
After exploring the Discovery Center we made our way to Unity Park, down the street. What appeared at first glance to be dilapidated turned out to be a pretty nice park! The equipment was a good mix of new and old, a pavilion provided shade for our snack, and the sport fields were in use, creating a nice community feel.
Showing posts with label Museums. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Museums. Show all posts
West Hartford Children's Museum
We've visited the West Hartford Children's Museum several times. It takes one hour exactly from our home, and is very close to the highway so it's easy to find. Parking is free, and though the lot has often been crowded I've always found a spot.
This museum really is a kid pleaser. A physics oriented room painted vividly is a big draw. Other features: A large fossil dig area with goggles and dress up vests, a surprising number of live animals (many snakes, lizards, turtles, and a few small mammals), a lego room, a toddler area, and some other fun nooks and crannies. The outdoor space is disappointing here, and I haven't seen much improvement over the course of my visits - though I allow there has been some. A dinosaur themed mini golf area had really gross old water that the kids kept fishing golf balls out of. My friend and I were appalled. Really Gross.
You can choose indoor seating for your snack, next to some exhibits and basic vending, or outdoor seating at picnic tables under a shade tent.
Admission is FREE with your Springfield Quadrangle membership.
Boston Children's Museum, Boston MA
This is a wonderful place. The location is both a blessing and a burden. My dad's office used to be down in this area, and parking is very expensive in the private lots that surround the waterfront. I suggest parking at a T station and taking the train in - this is what we've done in the past. The T is easy-peasy (though the time we took our stroller was a little hairy) and once you arrive at South Station you are about 3 blocks from the museum. The museum's website has really good directions. In the coldest winter, on the waterfront, this walk might be unpleasant, but in anything but the most bitter cold it's a nice walk. The kids have been fascinated by the busy waterway and the seagulls.
The museum has so many exhibits that we've never seen them all in a day. The large climbing structure is a sibling to the one at the Holyoke Children's Museum, and goes up three stories. There is usually a staff member posted half way up the stairs to make sure that children don't exit there without parents and become lost. Lucky thing.
There is a large toddler/infant area that we've never spent much time in - but I anticipate using this area with my youngest the next time we visit. There is a large and complex water play area (the photo above shows the toddler water play table, but there is a much larger water system with canals, etc), a "city" including stores, barbershop, streets, etc., a construction area with full scale construction vehicles to sit in as well as various child-height tables with roads, ramps and underpasses which serve as a playscape for toy construction vehicles. On the ground floor, a physics exhibit has kids pedalling bikes to power light bulbs and tugging on a pulley to send a tennis ball high into the air. Plus more. These are the ones that stand out in memory.
The only place to buy food at the museum is an Au Bon Pain that is attached. If you bring your own lunch you can eat it at one of the picnic tables outside by the water - or I think you could bring it into the restaurant's seating area. Our experience at this particular Au Bon Pain was pretty terrible - think of many people standing around while you look at the empty sandwich counter and wonder why no one is making an $8 sandwich for your bawling children. When we got the food it was good. But by then I was almost crying with anger and frustration so my taste buds were compromised.
Admission is FREE for members of the Springfield Science Museum, so I'll have to repeat my harangue that this membership is a WONDERFUL VALUE. You'll gain admission to Boston Children's Museum, Boston Science Museum , the Ecotarium, as well as the Springfield Museums. This has been a great membership for our family and I highly recommend it.
Boston Museum of Science, Boston MA
We've visited this museum several times, and keep discovering pockets that we missed before. This is a large museum with exhibits that will fascinate kids from 1 on up. The youngest visitors will probably spend lots of time in the Discovery Center. Though only a corner of this enormous building, it has two floors of preschool age activities: a vacuum tube, various building materials, a strong blower, a water table, a bee hive, animal costumes, live woodland animals and insects, animal bones, hiding spots... those are the elements I can reel off without even thinking about it. Not comprehensive - so you can get an idea of how much the Discovery Center offers. The exhibits in the rest of the museum are too numerous to count. An electricity show is free with admission and is exciting. I still remember the climax of the show from my childhood, when lightening is created right in front of your eyes. The last time I took my children there, my oldest, at 4, did not have the attention span for the show so we'll try again next time.
Parking is extremely convenient and usually costs us $11. The garage is attached to the museum itself so even in winter weather it works out great. There is a large cafe with tons of food choices and copious seating. We choose to bring our lunch and then supplement with buying a treat there. It's really expensive. The other huge advantage is that by bringing your own food you are skipping the whole line experience. There are often large school groups, and it is always crowded. Once the kids' tummies are full they are ready to go.
If you are a member of the Springfield Science Museum/Springfield Quadrangle, your admission is FREE. And you don't wait in line, just continue on to the turnstiles, show your membership card and you are in the museum. That's it. Through the Association of Science and Technical Museums, the Springfield membership will privilege you to free admission at the Boston Children's Museum, the Ecotarium, the Boston Science Museum, and many more museums in other states. We have been members for several years now- our annual fee would be paid for in visits to the Quadrangle alone, never mind the aforementioned additional places.
Eric Carle Museum, Amherst, MA
On the grounds of Hampshire college sits this unusual building with it's enormous windows and gnarled apple trees studding the lawn.
There are several areas inside to explore. The staff and volunteers at the museum are very friendly and knowledgeable.
In the art room, children are invited to do a project. They can also choose to color on a papered table. If they are not interested in, or too young for, the project, they can play with a variety of toys in an attractive play area.
In the library, board books, toys and puzzles are available for play. Thousands more picture books line the shelves.
The gallery has some great exhibits, but we usually skip it. It is best seen with a 1:1 child-parent ratio.
The cafeteria is a large sunny room equipped with high chairs. There is no longer any food served there, but there are several vending machines with drinks, snacks, and lunchy items from Atkins Farms. I'm sure the food is good, but it's also quite expensive.
The movie theatre is well appointed. We have seen a couple of shows there.
The gift shop looks lovely, but I've been telling my children for years that it is off-limits to children. I've never really looked around.
The outdoor space is beautiful and we always spend time out there when the weather is nice.
The restrooms are immaculate, cute, and each has a child size potty. Best restrooms ever.
Parking is copious, but there is no shade in the lot.
Eric Carle Museum
The cafeteria is a large sunny room equipped with high chairs. There is no longer any food served there, but there are several vending machines with drinks, snacks, and lunchy items from Atkins Farms. I'm sure the food is good, but it's also quite expensive.
The movie theatre is well appointed. We have seen a couple of shows there.
The gift shop looks lovely, but I've been telling my children for years that it is off-limits to children. I've never really looked around.
The outdoor space is beautiful and we always spend time out there when the weather is nice.
The restrooms are immaculate, cute, and each has a child size potty. Best restrooms ever.
Parking is copious, but there is no shade in the lot.
Eric Carle Museum
Grossology Exhibit, Springfield Science Museum, Springfield, MA
This exhibit was better than I expected it to be. My oldest, who is almost 5, liked it the most and utilized almost every display, except for one that really required reading. The activities spanned oversized "Operation," a climbing wall, a burping feature where you pumped soda up a straw until the machine burped (a favorite), video games and a fart noise maker. It really kept them occupied, though I was pretty bored. I get my share of gross raising my family, you know?
The exhibit is housed in the same special exhibit room that is usually used. Take the right hand staircase when you reach the double stair, or wheel up the African animal ramp then make a left.
The prices of the special exhibits keep going up, unfortunately. This time you'll spend $4 per person over 3 years old.
Ecotarium, Worcester, MA (Update)
Our recent visit (June 2009) was a lot of fun. I found that exhibits had been changed/renewed since our last visit, sometime in the midwinter of 2008-2009.
We got to see the polar bear. The tree canopy was still not open. The person I spoke with said that there are pretty strict weight and height limits so my kids might not be eligible to do that yet anyways. We'll be back there soon - after several visits I am even more convinced of it's lasting interest. The boys played on the pirate ship in the toddler area for a good 45 minutes, a feature that had barely caught their eyes previously. There are plenty of corners to discover here.
Original Post:
We are very happy to have discovered the Ecotarium. Our admission is free with our membership pass to the Springfield Museums. After gaining admission at the front gate, the parking is free.
The museum itself is an interesting building with an eclectic array of exhibits. You'll enter at the top level, right by the gift shop. The shop is nice and they do have some smaller items. When we get our kids a treat we tend to want to spend $1 or so.
Walk down a curved staircase to the second level. More animal stuff, some dino stuff, a presentation area - on our first visit we saw an excellent owl presentation.
On the ground floor, there are live animals in the aquarium/terrarium area, lots of fun weather related exhibits. My husband's favorite feature is a tidal pool camera; by turning a dial you can watch hours of sea activity in mere moments. It is really cool to see the starfish and sea urchins moving in time lapse.
From the ground floor you exit to the grounds. This is the reason that the compound is such a wonderful destination. There are more animals in small, self contained buildings and environments throughout the grounds. We haven't seen the polar bear (!) but it has been fun to explore the trails.
The playground is fine - the rope ladder is an interesting feature & the sandbox is large.
There is a train - tickets are several dollars. We haven't gone yet.
The snack bar that is open only a few hours a day, so bring your food.
Ecotarium
Ecotarium
Dr. Spooky's, South Deerfield, MA
"I vill Suck zee Money out of your Wallet!"
Dr. Spooky's cost us $26.50 to get in with 2 parents and 2 kids . However, there were a lot of cool exhibits. Spiders, bats, birds, and rodents were the stars of this zoo. There was also a dinosaur section which included killing claw fossils (the second toe of many carnivorous raptors was elongated, curved, and razor sharp), a model of a large pterosaur, and a somewhat disappointing "dinosaur fight" where you basically go in a dark tent and they play a recording of roars and thundering footsteps. The store area had a lot of dinosaurs also. It was open to the rest of the museum (slightly annoying).
On one hand I would love to go back to see it again, on the other hand.... $26.50? I could take us all out to lunch.
Trolley Museum, Shelburne Falls, MA
This small museum has model train sets which function, history and hobby items. The treat is the real, working trolley car outside which you can ride in - the trip is short but exciting for toddlers. My visit was around 2006/2007 - when we go back I'll add some updated information.
Opening Day for 2009 is May 23rd.
Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum
Higgins Armory, Worcester, MA
Parking is ample, and free. Admission is on the pricier side. The exhibits were fantastic, many many full suits of armor, weaponry, a large and fun kids room, stained glass windows, and more. The museum is even designed to look like a castle inside.
The children's area was a large open room. My sons spent most of their time at a model castle, using a myriad of toy horses and knights. There was a large dress up area - I wore the "queeniest" thing my oldest could find. An oversized chess board was surrounded by smaller gaming tables, set with checkers or chess. Other features were a puppet theater, a reading area, crayon rubbings, real helmets to try on.I was disappointed that they were asking an additional $5 for the kids to make a cardboard shield. I peeked in, to decide whether I wanted to pay that much, and it was a very easy decision. We did not participate in that project. Just a few months ago we made much more impressive shields at home with a diaper box and some hot glue. For free.
There was a gift shop downstairs with several small tables adjacent to it. There was a vending machine with soda and juice.
Magic Wings Butterfly Museum, South Deerfield, MA
This is a truly magical experience. This large facility has a greenhouse filled with flowering plants, birds, lizards, and THOUSANDS of amazing butterflies.
Parking is free, the lot is large. You enter into an atrium filled with butterfly art and information. Off to the right is a cafeteria. The food prices are ok, not great. You are not supposed to bring outside food, but I have done so in the past without a problem. The last time I visited my middle son requested a dish of fresh pineapple, which I bought for him even though it was $2.50 - it was a pretty good deal as the pineapple was fresh (not canned) and fresh (cut that day) and the portion was fairly generous. There are two entrances to the butterfly area proper. One is through a gift shop - it looks lovely but is filled with countless butterfly decorations made of glass and other non-child friendly materials. I have steered as clear as possible. The other entrance leads through a bug zoo. Many glass cases contain insects of note, and the displays are really great. You will get a lecture on the rules of the butterfly sanctuary but, in short, don't run, don't kill, and don't touch.
Each tour gives you about an hour in the butterfly area, which is a good amount of time. Aides handle the lizards and bugs and allow kids plenty of opportunity to touch them and learn about them. In addition to butterflies, many lizards and birds are housed here.
Look out - it is HOT in here - about 85 degrees year round. Dress yourself and kids in light clothing. There is a coat closet in the main room that you enter into.
Restrooms were not memorable, so, fine.
Magic Wings
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.
Winsor Dam and Visitor Center, Quabbin, Belchertown, MA
The Quabbin has many entrances and points of interest. The visitor center is located off Rt. 9 in Belchertown, close to Ware. A State Police Station is also there. The Winsor Dam is a half mile across and offers a spectacular view. It is perfect for strollers, wagons, bikes, etc., since it is paved. One side of the path drops away dramatically in a long steep hill of grass, on the other, soft and otherworldly hillocks rise up from the calm waters of the reservoir.
The visitor center is not a museum but it does have many interesting historical documents, pictures of the valley throughout history, and some animal themed displays like some stuffed birds.
The dam is very buggy, especially with gnats, most of the summer. It has two stone walls which children naturally gravitate toward, and which toddlers cannot really be trusted to navigate alone. The wind can be strong - once my stroller was knocked over with baby, infant seat, diaper bag, etc. It's also quite bright out there, with the water reflecting the sun back and no shade whatsoever. You may continue your hike after you reach the other side, a wide path leads over a bridge, with a view of a waterfall - an overflow outlet for the dam. Once, we continued down the brook for some way on a dirt path accessible by a flight of steps off the side of the main road.
Restrooms in the visitor center are adequate. Parking is free and copious; no shade.
The Quabbin
The visitor center is not a museum but it does have many interesting historical documents, pictures of the valley throughout history, and some animal themed displays like some stuffed birds.
The dam is very buggy, especially with gnats, most of the summer. It has two stone walls which children naturally gravitate toward, and which toddlers cannot really be trusted to navigate alone. The wind can be strong - once my stroller was knocked over with baby, infant seat, diaper bag, etc. It's also quite bright out there, with the water reflecting the sun back and no shade whatsoever. You may continue your hike after you reach the other side, a wide path leads over a bridge, with a view of a waterfall - an overflow outlet for the dam. Once, we continued down the brook for some way on a dirt path accessible by a flight of steps off the side of the main road.
Restrooms in the visitor center are adequate. Parking is free and copious; no shade.
The Quabbin
J.A. Skinner State Park, South Hadley, MA
You may hike up this mountain from the bottom or from a midway point. I recommend driving up to the top parking area, which is next to the Summit House. This costs $2.
Climbing up the wooden stairs to the wraparound deck, you'll see beautiful views all around. Sturdy railings which are tall enough for me to lean my elbows on. However, my stomach has turned more than once as my kids carelessly flung themselves at it.
Inside the house (Which is open only on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day until mid-October) are some rooms decorated with period antiques and style, and various items that represent the history of this building.
A path leads through some picnic areas and to several lookout points along the ridge. Huge boulders are fun to climb for the kids. One particular rock pile boasts an official summit marker.
Climbing up the wooden stairs to the wraparound deck, you'll see beautiful views all around. Sturdy railings which are tall enough for me to lean my elbows on. However, my stomach has turned more than once as my kids carelessly flung themselves at it.
Inside the house (Which is open only on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day until mid-October) are some rooms decorated with period antiques and style, and various items that represent the history of this building.
A path leads through some picnic areas and to several lookout points along the ridge. Huge boulders are fun to climb for the kids. One particular rock pile boasts an official summit marker.
Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hills, CT
In the late 60s, during excavation of a construction site, one worker noticed some dinosaur tracks in the rock. Turns out, this area is home to one of the best preserved sections of prehistoric footprints in North America. A large geodome was erected directly over the fossilized bedrock. The exhibits inside the museum were not very fascinating, but adequate. The largest exhibit features an indoor bridge across a dinosaur scene which incorporates models, wall murals, and sounds. The track exhibit explains how the fossils are formed and other relevant information. Several dioramas set into the walls show the terrain in various eras. The activity area was very well equipped with art supplies, lots of dino toys, puzzles, models, live lizards, books, etc.
The real prize of this museum is the network of trails outside. The woodland has been cultivated with Jurassic species so that it more closely resembles the terrain where Coelephysis roamed.
There is plenty of free parking.
The restrooms were not memorable - adequate.
There is no food for sale here, but indoor and outdoor dining areas are provided.
Dinosaur State Park
Public Parks in Rocky Hill
Rocky Hill Ferry
Museum of Natural History, Amherst College, Amherst, MA
I don't have a complete review because I sat in a side hallway with 8 day old baby boy the whole time. What I saw from the entrance to my spot was impressive. My husband and kids had a great time. We are looking forward to visiting again.
The parking situation is not great. I would use downtown Amherst metered parking or street parking, especially during the school year when the Amherst College lots are full.
Montshire Museum, Norwich, VT
We've visited this museum only once, but we will surely return. The main floor has numerous hands-on science exhibits as well as a toddler corner/climbing area with a ton of neat surprises (like a bear hibernating in a tunnel). The second floor has more educational exhibits for older children, an enormous ant farm and a stuffed moose! Up on the third level there is a fog machine and the exit to the outdoor portion of the museum. When we were there the weather was frightening, and we ventured no further than the trail head. It looks like a gorgeous network of trails with easy one mile hikes through much longer ones. The outdoor spaces here are really beautiful so we can't wait to go back. We had lunch in a diner nearby. No food is served at the museum though there is a cafeteria provided. I don't remember the restrooms, so I probably found them adequate.
Montshire
Montshire
Clark Art Museum, Williamstown, MA
We had a great time on our visit here. It was early spring and unseasonably cold with snowflakes coating the grass. The museum was hosting a completely free family day with an equestrian theme. They have these events frequently - we are looking forward to going back at some point. Our kids were able to pet miniature horses, ride a regular one, and do two separate craft projects related to the cowboy theme. We also took a few minutes in the galleries to look at some actual art. But not too long! The large open atrium that greets you as you enter the museum is a relaxing space. A cafe has basic snacks and coffee - I don't remember what I purchased but it was pretty good. There is plenty of seating. There is also a museum shop in the same open space.
Springfield Science Museum, Springfield, MA
Parking is free - there are two lots, one directly in front of the ticketing area, and another across the street.
The Science Museum is the first building you'll see as you approach. This museum hosts the popular dinosaur exhibit once per year. Regular exhibits include an aquarium & terrarium area, many examples of stuffed animals, early American History, an Earth Sciences section, a planetarium (still looking forward to this - have removed myself due to crying both times I tried to take them in), and a dinosaur area.
The Science Museum hosts most of the special programs that are available at the Quadrangle. On certain days additional areas are opened - a really awesome activity room in the basement and a second area with art projects near the planetarium.
The Science Museum hosts most of the special programs that are available at the Quadrangle. On certain days additional areas are opened - a really awesome activity room in the basement and a second area with art projects near the planetarium.
The gift shop is lovely, and set up pretty well so that the high end fragile stuff is on one side and the kid friendly stuff is on the other. Unfortunately it's impossible to avoid the gift shop because the seating area where you can have your lunch is literally inside the store. There are a few vending machines there, but otherwise no food for sale, so definitely bring your own. The restrooms are fine. The best one is the handicapped one located right in the entrance area.
We have a membership to this museum complex and it is a GREAT DEAL. The regular admission, the other museums that we can visit for free on the passport program, such as the Boston Children's Museum, the Boston Science Museum, or the Ecotarium. The special programs that they hold there, the permanent exhibits and the weekend family events... all of these make the membership very worthwhile for us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
