Lookout Farm, South Natick, MA

Let me begin by saying that my visit here was several years ago, and since then the operation has been revamped and changed it's name from "Marino Lookout Farm" to "Lookout Farm."
The train that runs through the orchards is a delight for the kids. You can board/reboard however many times you like - getting off to pick a particular variety of pear or apple and then hopping back on the next time a shuttle comes by.
At the end of the train ride is a playground including a tree house, hay bale maze, and a bee house with plexiglass viewing windows. They offer other attractions, such as a petting zoo, seasonally. The petting zoo was open at the time of our visit, but little can be drawn from so far back.
In short, this is on my list of places to return to, and we had a WONDERFUL time the first time around. If anything, I suspect that the grounds have been improved.

Lookout Farm

West End Creamery, Sutton, MA

Just down the road from Purgatory Chasm, a visit to this creamery/entertainment center was a nice ending to our day.

We ate ice cream on the deck overlooking a beautiful lazy river, varied fields, a mini golf course that looked really nice from a distance.

I didn't see the "Farmyard" or the mini golf because I didn't want to open that can of worms when we were worn out from hiking. We steered clear. The barn houses various farm animals. According to another patron there it's not exactly a petting zoo, but you can visit with cows, horses, sheep, etc.

Before becoming an entertainment center/ice cream shop, this establishment was the milk purveyor for the area. My father grew up nearby, and remembers the half pint bottles of West End Creamery milk that he drank during snack time at school. Somehow it lent our ice cream an "authentic" taste - we learned that authenticity is creamy and delicious, and sometimes comes in a cute little mini cone.

West End Creamery

Purgatory Chasm

Purgatory Chasm (my post)

McCray's Farm and Creamery, South Hadley, MA

McCray's has improved it's petting zoo since my last visit, but still straddles the fence between ramshackle charm and dilapidated mess. My previous visit there was so unpleasant that it kept me away for several years. The animals had been groomed fairly recently and looked somewhat healthier than last time, but the smell was still overpowering (in relation to other farms and petting zoos). The beginning of the petting zoo path is well maintained, but the further you go, the grosser it becomes. The duck pond was adorned with lots of trash, as well as the adorable baby duck pictured above. They've removed the dirty but fun "castle" that used to be there. The pig was nowhere to be seen, but his sty was still the stinkiest pen. One of the best parts of the outdoor area is an old tractor planted in the ground for kids to ride. My boys spent more time on that tractor than anywhere else. So, McCray's is a mixed bag.

The store/restaurant is very clean and very cute, with murals painted all around. Cones of animal feed are 3/$1. Most of the patrons that we saw had brought their own bags of stale bread or vegetables, which the animals were eager to gobble.

The restrooms can be accessed from outside and were clean.

The real reason to visit McCray's is for the hayrides in the fall. They have a super scary one for adults, which I have been on and it really was scary! (Well, disclaimer: I can't even tolerate previews for horror movies). They have a more tame version for kids. The lines are often long but these are great rides. Next time I visit here, it'll be for that reason. In a couple years probably, when my kids are ready.

McCray's website.

3 County Fair, Northampton, MA

It will cost you a pretty penny, but you'll have an awesome time, too. Last year we paid for bracelets for the kids and it was so worth it. On the inflatable slide alone, which my middle son slid down about 700 times, we made our money back. There were tons of rides that both kids were tall enough to go on.

The food was good, the soda was cold. One child watched a puppet show with Grandma while I followed the other around. There were plenty of animals to look at, and in a special barn a children's paradise - from a toy tractor driving area, corn kernel sandbox, giant pig and horse, and goats, etc., a lasso game, a magnet board.... it was a really well done feature.

We found side street parking quite close - we were lucky that day. I believe you'll have to pay to park, but if you are willing to walk a bit, you can park free.

The dates for 2009 are August 28-30.

Three County Fair

Westview Farms and Creamery, Monson, MA

This was a nice spot to take the kids for a morning. It had a few things going for it and the biggest one for me was the incredible view. For my children, it was the goats. There were so many goats and kids in the enclosure, of all different colorations, all ages. They were some of the healthiest, best smelling, and beautiful goats I have ever seen. For only 25 cents each I bought my older boys wafer cones filled with animal feed (the goats can eat the cone, too).

We used the restroom inside the restaurant (totally clean, totally well stocked), but there was a porta potty provided outside, with - get this- a porta sink, which I have only really seen before at Phish shows. It's an awesome convenience, too bad there isn't a porta sink for every porta potty. The large lawn held picnic tables and various benches lined the sides of the lawn. The playground was clean, though as you can see from the photos, not the modern type.

We packed a lunch, but observed the protocol of "no picnic baskets" on the lawn. We just ate in the car. I was pretty disappointed about that, to be honest. But as the sign indicates, it is a full service restaurant and they do want to make money from their business and grounds.

Next time we'll sample the homemade ice cream, and eat it at the picnic tables. On a visit that does not happen, as I pointed out repeatedly to my eldest, before 11 AM. (Ice cream for breakfast? Check out Flayvors of Cook Farm, who hold ice cream breakfasts monthly in the summer).

During conversation with a couple who live nearby, I found out that the rolling fields in the background of the photos above are pumpkin patches. The large parking area and copious seating are all filled to capacity, I'm told, during the autumn season. I look forward to it.

Westview Farms

Quaboag Hills Region

Lupa Zoo, Ludlow, MA

Update:

My recent visit here was excellent. The zoo has put a lot of work into improving the landscaping, the insides and outsides of the enclosures, the seating areas. Even the signage directing you around looked fresh and was helpful. The playground had been reinvigorated, too. In all, the facility looked so well cared for, and the attention to detail was remarkable. I was so impressed, especially with my memory of a previous visit around 2006.
I highly recommend visiting here.

Original Post:

There is plenty of parking here, right when you pull in. Pay at the gate and buy food if you care to.
Once you're in, wander where you will. They have a very wide variety of animals.
This is not the most wonderful zoo in the world. Some cages are so thick with bars and mesh that the animals can't be seen. Some areas are not cared for or are stinky. However, compared to the higher profile Southwick Zoo, Lupa compared favorably in these areas. All zoos are smelly, and all except for a prize few have too many bars on the cages.

A small train ride is adjacent to the giraffes, who have their own viewing area up a staircase.

You can leave Lupa Zoo feeling nickle and dimed, as there are separate charges to enter, for animal food, for seeing the giraffe, for the giraffe food, for the train ride.... catch the drift? On the other hand, the admission price is really reasonable, compared to similar attractions.

Bring a lunch.

Restrooms are located in the main zoo building. As far as I know this is the only restroom location, so use it the first time you pass or you may be backtracking quite a bit.

Lupa Zoo

Earth Week 2009, Western Massachusetts

I'll continue to add events that look good, as I find them.

At the Notch - (April 20) This is one that I'll definitely attend with the kids. I have always been pleased with nature programs here. (my post)

Review: We had a good time at this event. The leader, Ginny, was very welcoming and very prepared. The group was larger than usual and all the kids were excited about the program. Children searched for signs of spring and collected loose treasures in clear boxes that were provided.

At UMass - (April 22) Sounds like fun, with a petting zoo and other attractions. Parking might be hairy - but on a nice day, park in downtown Amherst and walk.

Review: We attended this event and found it fun. A collaborative painting on big planks of wood was set up, my kids rather liked the bubble machine, there was live music and free tea. This event could possibly have been a little better organized, (the main thing being that there was no petting zoo as promised...)

In Belchertown - (April 22) The Conservation Commission will be hosting a Nature Walk of Piper Farm on Earth Day.
Article in: http://www.belchertown-news.com/

In Belchertown - (April 25) Earth Day Celebration at the Clapp Library, 11-1. Sponsored by the Belchertown High School L.E.A.F. Club (Local Environmental Action Club)

At the Springfield Quadrangle - (April 19) Earth Day Festival. We attended last year and had LOTS of fun casting a fishing line, making paper, eating free ice cream, dancing to live music, and much more. (my post)

Review: We arrived around 12:30 and were able to enjoy the all of the above exhibits and activities, as well as visit the George Walter Vincent Smith Museum to make an elephant puppet (one kid), visit the Science Museum (the other kid). They do a great job on this event.

At Mt. Tom - (April 22) Earth Day for Families. Two times with different activities/age groups at each one. (my post)

Southwick Zoo, Mendon, MA

My visit here was two summers ago, on a hot hot day. The zoo was less impressive than I remembered it, having gone there as a child. However, the large visitor/science center was great, volunteers were holding millipedes and snakes; there were a lot of activities. If I return to this zoo I'll spend more time here. There were some charming features like a wooded area with a stream. My kids enjoyed the fox that they glimpsed through the trees.

There was a dinosaur section with large dinos you could ride, as well as an excavation area. Adjacent to this was an amphitheater; on the day of our visit a really awesome bird show was taking place but they were too young to go in at that point - specifically because a sign by the entry said that loud noises scare the birds.

The sea otters put on a wonderful show for us. A seating/vending/ride area had a train and a couple of other things that ranged from coins to a couple of bucks for the train. Waters were $2.

Parking was free, but the lot was pretty packed. Lots of buses, too.

Southwick Zoo

Lupa Zoo

Lupa Zoo (my post)

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

Hyland Orchard, Sturbridge, MA

Hyland Orchard has something for everyone. Pioneer Brewing company owns this orchard; you can purchase a delicious beer for a reasonable price. Caveat: only one or two beers are on tap outside, but you can purchase different varieties inside. Wagon and hayrides are available during various seasons to U-Pick areas of the property.
The playground is fenced in and is an amalgam of those large plastic play structures that are usually purchased for home use. The petting zoo has some of the cleanest and happiest animals (if not the most exotic) at any petting zoo I've been to. Animal food is available in $1 bags, or in 25 cent handfuls from a dispenser. Human food is available also, but the selection is rather thin - hot dogs and popcorn is the general idea. We have brought snacks with us most times.
A very large pavillion contains the vending areas, picnic table seating, and a stage for musical acts. The music is free. Parking is free. Restrooms are clean enough but there are only two real bathrooms, and they are located inside. There are a couple of porta potties on the grounds, but I have no idea how they are because I don't go in those.
A large lawn forms the center of the outdoor activity, with animals on one side and the pavillion on the other. There are several shade trees. The grass is very nice, too - we have always had a really fun time here. There is so much room for the kids to play and run around.

Hyland Orchards
Pioneer Brewery
Old Sturbridge Village

North Hadley Sugar Shack, Hadley MA

During Maple Sugar Season this is a worthwhile place to visit. The restaurant provided an OK meal the only time I ate there. I was pregnant and starving, so that may have helped.

A door leads directly from the dining room to the sugar shack. Free samples of fresh syrup are available. The staff are friendly. Watch your kids near that fire - there is no barrier of any kind and the opening is large. A second door in the boiling room leads outside, to the rest of the activities.

Outside, a double gate leads into a petting zoo area. In the early spring I've found the ground muddy and littered with droppings everywhere - wear boots. However, the animals have very nice dispositions, they are well-cared for; that is the most important criterion for quality. Adjacent to the animal enclosure is a playground area. The equipment is old, but it's tidy.

Seasonally, wagon rides are available, pulled by the most majestic horses - very tall, with those bell-bottomed hooves and thick manes. The route is rather blah, however, and costs a couple of dollars.

The parking is free and the restrooms are fine. There is a cute store there which I'm looking forward to browsing more thouroughly someday.


North Hadley Sugar Shack

Massachusetts Maple Producers Association

Look Park, Northampton MA

Look Park is beautiful. You'll have to pay a $4 fee per car as you enter. Then you can park wherever you like. There are a LOT of activities here.

Water pad: instead of a wading pool, they've created a concrete "pad" with motion detectors which are linked up to a couple dozen different fountains which randomly turn off and on. Though it seems like kids would fall, they rarely do. Plenty of benches and chaise lounges encircle the pad. Many are under small pavillions providing shade. Bathing suit activity. Fenced in with two points of entry/egress. Free.
Petting zoo: Corn from a little machine costs 50 cents. A path leads through a wooded area lined with animal exhibits. Bald Eagles, sheep, owls, mountain goats, peacocks, chickens, more. The animals are well cared for, but the area is not too fancy.

Three playgrounds (small, large, and extra large):

The small playground is located right outside the petting zoo (convenient distraction!) and near the train station.

The large playground is on the other side of the park, near a pavillion, a stream, and some restrooms.

The extra large playground is right next to the water pad and restrooms and has a toddler structure, two other large structures, and swings.

River running by for rock throwing.

Train: Each ticket is about $2, the ride is cute - 10 minutes maybe? The kids LOVE it.
Paddle Boats: The rental fee is not ideal, but the ride is fun.
Picnic Areas with BBQ (rental fee), several pavillions for rent.
Restrooms are located near the water pad and are ok.