Looking for a great day trip this summer?
Here is a list of 10 fun places to visit throughout Massachusetts!
1.Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort located in Hancock, Ma. Jiminy Peak is the largest ski and snowboard resort in southern New England, summer home to the Mountain Adventure Park and the only mountain resort in North America to generate its own energy using alternative wind power. Jiminy Peak’s Mountain Adventure Park has something for everyone. Jiminy’s Mountain Coaster was the first of it’s kind on the East Coast. The coaster is thousands of feet of twisting turning fun through the woods with speeds of up to 23 mph. But don’t worry you control your speed. You can also try the Alpine Slide, Soaring Eagle, Giant Swing, take a Scenic Chairlift Ride, reach new heights on the Rock Climbing Wall, bounce on the Euro Bungy Trampoline, jump in the bounce houses, take a climb through the Kid Climb ropes course, or go for a hike.
The Aerial Adventure Park is an aerial forest ropes course consisting of 6 individual, elevated courses for different ability levels consisting of over 70 elements that will challenge you to new heights! Each course varies in terms of elevation and the strenuousness of the challenges. Elements include rope bridges, ladders, cargo nets, zip lines and more. All courses are self guided and every person is snapped into a guide line.
Jiminy Peak Aerial Adventure Park {photo courtesy of jiminypeak.com}
2. Look Memorial Park located in Florence, Ma. Open Saturdays and Sundays starting in April and 7 Days per week Memorial Day – Labor Day, Look Memorial Park if full of family fun! Ride the Steamer Train, Bumper Boats or Pedal Boats. Play a round on our 18-hole Mini-Golf course. Grab a terrific hamburger or hot dog at the Park Grill & Sweet Store, or pack a picnic lunch and just spend the day in a great family environment. Take a stroll though the 1.2 mile Walking Path, visit the animals at the Christenson Zoo, or splash in the 5,000 sq. foot Spray Park. Look Park also offers unlimited ride packages that allow access to all of their wonderful attractions all day long for one low fee! Remember, not only are you enjoying affordable family fun, you are also supporting a local non-profit organization. Be sure to check out their Special Events page for upcoming events and performances.
Look Park Stream Train {photo courtesy Lookpark.org}
3. Edaville USA located in Carver, Ma. Have a train lover in your family? Edaville USA was founded over 65 years ago on a 1,800 acre cranberry farm. With lots of exciting events throughout the year such as Day out with Thomas, Red, White and Blue Days, Dinoland, Pumpkins Aglow, The Polar Express and much more; Edaville is the perfect place to day trip to anytime of the year. You can purchases season passes and tickets one the Special Events page.
Day Out with Thomas {photo courtesy of edaville.com}
4. Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum located in Boston, MA. The Boston Tea Party Museum is a new kind of museum experience where you’ll not only view artifacts of historical importance, you’ll also have a all-encompassing, multi-sensory experience. You will be transported back in time and take part in an event that forever changed the course of American history. Live actors, high-tech interactive exhibits and authentically restored tea ships are just a taste of your experience! Your tour will last approximately 1 hour as you visit a variety of exhibits. Click here for special offers and discounts!
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum {photo courtesy of bosotnteapartyship.com}
5. Old Sturbridge Village located in Sturbridge, Ma. Old Sturbridge Village is a living, breathing, vibrant village depicting life in New England from 1790-1840. Visitors can meet historians in costume and tour 40 antique buildings, including a country store, school, and water-powered mills. Spend the day viewing the collection of more than 50,000 artifacts made or used in early New England includes quilts, clocks, pottery, and fine furniture. Also learn where food comes from at Freeman Farm, the importance of the harvest was to early New England farmers – and how much work was involved in preserving food to last through the winter. Visitors can meet heritage breed cattle, oxen, sheep, chickens, and pigs, and see the seasonal rhythms of work on a 19th-century farm! Visit the special event page here.
Old Sturbridge Village {photo courtesy of osv.org}
6. The Springfield Museums located in Springfield, Ma. The Springfield Museums, located in the heart of downtown Springfield, Massachusetts, is comprised of five world-class museums; the Michele & Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts., the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, the Springfield Science Museum, the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum and the Museum of Springfield History. The Museums Association is proud to be home to the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, a series of full–scale bronze sculptures of Dr. Seuss’s whimsical creations, honoring the birthplace of Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss. Each Museum is different and there is plenty to see, experience, and appreciate all in one day! Along with our permanent collections and galleries, we host major traveling art, history and science exhibitions. You’ll always find something new! Five museums. One admission price. Endless fun! Visit the calendar of events here.
Dr. Seuss Museum {photo courtesy of springfiledmuseums.org}
7. Purgatory Chasm State Reservation located in Sutton, Ma. A unique natural landmark, Purgatory Chasm runs for a quarter of a mile between granite walls rising as high as 70 feet. Popular with picnickers and rock-climbers alike, the Chasm is believed to have its origin in the sudden release of dammed-up glacial meltwater near the end of the last Ice Age, approximately 14,000 years ago. Trails lead to a wide variety of rock formations, with such romantic names as The Corn Crib, The Coffin, The Pulpit, Lovers’ Leap and Fat Man’s Misery. An adventurous playground, equipped with a play structure, swings and a merry-go-round, is now located near the visitor center. Please be aware chasm rocks and slopes are slippery and deceiving. Wear rubber soled shoes or hiking boots. Please stay away from the edges of the chasm. It is not recommended to hike the chasm after or during inclement weather due to extremely slippery rocks. Well behaved dogs are welcome, but must be leashed at all times. Don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch! Purgatory Chasm is located at 198 Purgatory Rd., Sutton, Ma 01590. Daily Parking Fee: $5 MA Vehicle, $6 non-MA Vehicle.
Purgatory Chasm
8. Heritage Museum and Gardens located in Sandwich, Ma. Heritage Museums & Gardens is comprised of three galleries and expansive gardens located in historic Sandwich, Massachusetts. It includes galleries for American Folk Art, a vintage carousel, automobiles and traveling exhibitions. The gardens feature a collection of thousands of rhododendrons, including a collection of the world-renowned Dexter variety. Their typical bloom time is from Memorial Day Weekend to mid-June. Other horticultural areas of interest include: holly, daylily, herb, hosta, and heather gardens, as well as more than a thousand varieties of trees, shrubs and flowers. The grounds also include the Old East Mill, a windmill built in Orleans, Massachusetts in 1800, and extensively restored in 1999-2000. In 2002, a labyrinth was also added to the grounds, designed by Marty Cain, one of the best-known labyrinth designers in North America. Also located on the grounds is the Hart Family Maze Garden and the Cape Cod Hydrangea Garden.
Heritage Garden {photo courtesy of heritagemuseumsandgardens.org}
9. Yankee Candle Village located in South Deerfield, Ma. One of New England’s most popular destinations! Yankee Candle Village offers a unique shopping, entertainment and dining experience. Stroll through the Bavarian Christmas Village, the Nutcracker Castle, and our home store. Enjoy fabulous candles, home decor and holiday shopping. Savor freshly-made fudge and other sweet treats in our fudge shop. Dip your own candles and watch history brought to life in our candlemaking museum. Visit the calendar of events here.
Yankee Candle Village {photo courtesy of deerfielfattractions.com}
10. Breezy Picnic Grounds & Waterslides in Douglas, Ma. A family-owned recreational facility nestled in the heart of the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor in south central Massachusetts. Breezy has been catering to families from Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts since 1953.
Children, as well as their parents and grandparents, can have a full day of family fun at Breezy. Just pack a lunch for a picnic … or visit our snack bar. Everyone will enjoy swimming in crystal-clear Whitins Reservoir, riding our waterslides (with unlimited rides!), and relaxing in our clean, well-groomed grounds. With three 300′ waterslides with unlimited rides, spacious immaculately maintained picnic grounds, large tables by the water and throughout the grounds, lake swimming with sandy areas for the kids, a snack bar, game room, certified lifeguards at the beach and slides, clean restrooms and changing facilities, and ample free parking, you will be sure to have a great day at Breezy Picnic Grounds & Waterslides.
Water Slides {photo courtesy of breezysummer.com}
What’s on your summer bucket list?
Surprised that SOUTHWICK ZOO in Mendon wasn’t on the list. Best zoo in Ma.!
It’s on my list for another post. We LOVE Southwick Zoo!!
Never heard of that zoo…I ‘ll have to check it out….Thanks
Davis Farmland is also a nice kid friendly place to go with the whole family…
It sure is! We will be visiting this summer 🙂
kool place
Ya but it will cost an arm and a leg
Check with your public library. They may have a discount pass.
Where is it?
https://www.davisfarmland.com/dffa_wp/index.php
Jiminy Peak is not the only ski resort in N. America that uses alternative energy. In fact it’s not even fully powered by it. Drive 30 mintues east to Berkshire East for the ONLY 100 percently powered resort in North America. Not only is it the most challenging ski area in Southern New England, it also has the longest and highest zip lines, mountain biking and soon a year round mountain coster.
I appreciate the update 🙂
Crystal, Riverbend Farm & Visitor Center in Uxbridge is Free, plus has free parking, a 2 store barn to tour and learn about the Blackstone Valley, pet friendly, walking trail along the Blackstone River. Great for families!
Roll On America Family Fun Center Lancaster, Mass. Rollerskating, Arcade, Fun and Games Theater, Pizza Restaurant, Laser Tag, bounce house, Reward Zone with lots of prizes to win.
Can you give me the address and cost? Website?
Deb,
Each of the 10 locations has the towns posted and you can click on the links within the descriptions for admission price, etc.
http://rollonamerica.com
Love all these places have gone and visited all…Very much worth the visit …..
Battleship Cove Fall river Ma
Derry, nh splashpad
Buttonwood Park, New Bedford, MA
Mayflower and Plymouth Plantation, Plymouth, MA
Why is Mountain Park mentioned and the slide? I thought those places were closed.
According the Jiminy Peak website they are open. Here is the link: http://www.jiminypeak.com/mountain-adventure-park
I think you are thinking of mt park in Holyoke. That is closed. Jiminey peak mountain adventure park is in Hancock or pittsfield ma area in the berkshires.
Mountain Park in Holyoke Mass has been closed since 1987. Jiminy Peak is a totally different park.
We went to End Of The World Park yesterday for the fist time yesterday. What a great family day of hiking and rock climbing for my 6 yr. old on the water.
Awesome list!! Many of these I have never heard of. Thank you!!
Nantasket Beach – Hull,Mass. x14 rt3s, follow signs ,
@Stacy, you’re thinking of Mountain Park and Mt. Tom in Holyoke.
Great list. I would add the Ecotarium in Worcerster as well, though.
Castle Island in South Boston. FREE TOURS of the Fort on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 to 3:30 P.M. Sullivans Food Stand at the foot of the Fort has the best Hot Dogs, Hamburgers and Fish at very good prices. The beach is right there as well as a Play Ground in the form of the Fort. On July 4th, the Constitution sails out to the Fort and does a 21 Gun Salute right outside the fort and then sails back to Charlestown. Great time that does not cost anything other than food. July 4th is a very busy day so if you want to go, go early to get a parking space or you will have a long walk.
Thank for all the great info!
Good job on the list. Don’t worry about the negative comments or questions on your selections. It’s not possible to list all of the great places to visit.
Thanks Matt 🙂
My favorite place to walk by the water!
Mary
That walk is by Castle Island
Mary
kimballs farm has mini golf, bumper boats, driving range, animals, home made ice cream, a hot air balloon ride and im sure im missing something
Any ideas for Adult day trips?
I will start working on a list 🙂
That will be great to have adult day trips and thanks for sharing this !
Some other favorites, Capron park and zoo, WWI park and zoo, Children’s Museum in Eastern, Wards Farm in Sharon. All fun for toddlers.
Boston is not far from us.. thanks for the list!! we are looking for summer ideas..
It does seem like a lot of fun. I think the family would love it.
Central Mass is really not that far from where we live and this is a great list of day/weekend trips! I know a few kiddos that would love Edaville!
All of these look like such great places to visit! I would especially love to go to the Yankee Candlemaking Museum. Museums and Yankee candles are two of my favorite things.
I love Massachusetts! It’s so much fun. Love this list.
Great list! I am in southern NH,(and grew up in MA) so I have been to some of these great places. There are definitely a few I haven’t and want to check out!
I’ve found the Cape Cod Canal bikeways to be a refreshing and economic day trip whether you like fishing, boating, walking, riding, swimming or roller blading. Miles and miles of clean beautiful paved pathways to marvel at the expansive scenery and wide variety of ships that transit the canal. A beach at one end and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy on the other. You can even take a train ride over the elevator bridge that rises to allow huge cargo and tanker ships by and lowers for the Cape Cod railway. Quality seafood at restaurants in Bourne or Kick back and picnic while watching fishing boats, million dollar yachts, tankers, cargo ships and personal watercraft either coast with the current or struggle into it depending on which way the water is going depending on the rising or ebbing tide. Its my favorite thing to do besides going all the way out to the outer Cape.
I grew up 15 minutes from Plymouth Rock in Duxbury, MA on the coast. I’ve been to a bunch of the places you mentioned. There’s also Harvard yard, Cape Cod and Heritage Trails retracing historical moments of the USA. I haven’t been back since 2003 for a wedding! Blessings to you~
Wow this looks so fun. That Aerial Adventure Park looks pretty awesome.
Please don’t forget your local libraries. They bring in different types of entertainment, that is usually free, for the children.
George ‘ s island and Fort Warren
Where?
http://www.bostonharborislands.org/georges
This is a great list of so many of MA’s hidden gems! It’s not a huge state, so it’s worth exploring it from end to end if you can!
Thanks Ellen!
Edaville RR is really run down. Go to Story Land in NH instead-much cleaner and better managed.
They have made lots of improvements since last year and are adding tons of new attractions in the next few years!
not true! Edaville is awesome! great way to spend the whole day! clean, great staff, i take my granddaughter twice a year!
I am rather surprised there is no mention of the caves at Purgatory Chasms. Some go in. I found one in my HS days that was a really tight squeeze, but once you got in there it opened up into a big cave that you could sit down in and just relax. The caves were the best part of the chasm in my opinion.
west End Creamery and farm in Whitinsville is a great place with a beautiful 18 hole mini golf, ice cream, farm animals, jumping pillows, and more. very family friendly and affordable. Corn maze and pumpkins in the fall,
I really appreciate the list. It also generated a lot of other great suggestions for some other local sites to see. So great job all around. I went to a lot of these places myself growing up. Now that you have reminded me about what’s out there I can take my grandchildren to see some of the same places that thrilled me along with some new ones. I’m really looking forward to trying Jiminy Peak this year. Ignore any negative comments, some people live to spoil the goodness of others!
All of these are great ideas, I would love to plan a trip with my family. Thanks for the tips:)
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You also forgot to mention Magical Wings. A butterfly conservatory right down the road from Yankee Candle. I go there twice a year with my daughter who is 16. We have been going there since she was 6. Love it.
This is a fantastic list! My family LOVED going to Look Park every summer. But there are a couple destinations on this list we’ve never tried. We’re looking forward to checking them out!
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Thanks for including so many Pioneer Valley things to do, like Deerfield’s Magic Wings, Yankee Candle and one you might have forgot, Historic Deerfield. Find them all at our local tourism website, http://www.deerfieldattractions.com thanks nice job Crystal!
Thanks Max!
For anyone wanting to head up to the northeast corner of MA, make sure to stop by Amesbury! This historic city has great museums, parks, shops, restaurants, and a wonderful community!
Visit http://www.ExploreAmesbury.com for information and to find out more! See you soon!
ExploreAmesbury.com recently posted…Things to Do in Amesbury this Week: April 12 – 18
Purgatory Chasms is one of my families favorite places. We moved tonNC 9years ago but we go to purgatory Chasms when we come back to visit.
How about Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston? It’s a great place for families and is gorgeous year-round. Check it out online @ http://www.towerhillbg.org.
Edaville ? Really ? I hope no one travels across the state just for that , if you’re in the area I guess but not worth a whole day of travel .
My family and I love a trip to Kaleidoscope: You Catch It!
You catch it! They cook it! Awesome sauce!
Where is it located?
Nice place to visit for local fun and information The Traiside Museam on the Stoughton ,Milton town line on Rt 138 small museum geared towards wildlife in the Blue Hills past and present admission used to be a donation have not been in a while
Thanks for the suggestion! I hadn’t heard of this museum before.
What about Ramblewild?
Ramblewild
110 Brodie Mountain Road
Lanesboro, MA 01237
Located in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Ramblewild is Feronia Forests’ first tree-to-tree adventure destination. Aerial parks are a new outdoor activity in and amongst the trees that offer excitement, challenge, and personal growth for families and adventurists of all kinds.
Feronia works with experienced foresters and ecosystem specialists to take an innovative approach to forestry. They strategically postpone the harvesting of trees to maximize investment returns. While the trees grow, they creatively develop sustainable, revenue-generating offerings within and from the forests: recreational destinations such as Ramblewild; the harvesting of maple sap for the production of maple water (Vertical Water) and maple syrup (Mission: Maple); harvesting foods and medicinal plants that grow naturally in the forest; and hosting renewable energy facilities. Their goal is to nurture the greatest long-term value of each forest to the local communities, the environment and their investors. They call this Sustainable Full Forestry™.
At Ramblewild, the focal point is a central wooden platform about ten feet above ground from which eight aerial obstacle courses originate, meandering from tree to tree at various heights through the forest. Each course consists of 15-17 elements (high wires, zip lines, balancing logs, rope ladders, cargo nets, suspended bridges, etc.) that meander through a pristine hemlock forest. Our tree-to-tree challenge courses are designed to have a profound impact on visitors’ self-confidence and happiness.
Engagement with the environment is the first step for people to begin caring about and supporting it: our mission is to bring people back to the forest and to develop an understanding, appreciation and respect for nature in everyone.
Heather, I will be doing a full review post about Ramblewild after we come for a visit!
Heritage Gardens is so nice! I think my boys would love to do the Aerial Adventure Park! It looks awesome.
This is going to come in handy… I am going to Boston in just a week!! BOSOX all the way!!
what great ideas so very fun
I would love to visit there during the summer! My kids would especially like to ride the train and have a look at the Dr. Seuss museum!
Western, MA also has Bousquet Adventure Park in Pittsfield, MA. It has fun for all.
I will have to check it out! Thanks.
I am surprised the list is so relevant to me. Thanks for including some of our Western MA treasures!
Western Avenue studios on an open studio weekend is a fantastic way to spend the day. And trust me you need all day with 5 floors and over 300 artists.