American History
Get your history fix at Lexington's National Heritage Museum. Hours: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat. and noon-4 p.m. Sun. Free. Visit www.nationalheritagemuseum.org.
Animal Planet
At New Bedford’s Buttonwood Park Zoo, investigate invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Learn about animal care and the natural world. The zoo is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission: $6; $4.50 seniors/teens; $3 children. Visit http://bpzoo.org.
Antique Auto Paradise
If you've dreamed of owning a shiny red speedster, then a visit to Toad Hall Classic Sports Car Museum is the next best thing! At the Simmons Homestead Inn in Hyannis Port, the collection features more than 50 classic cars, most British and all red. Admission: $8; $4, ages 10-16; free, ages 9 and under. Visit www.toadhallcars.com.
Animagic
Set an appointment to tour the Animagic Museum of Animation, Special Effects and Art. View the talent of local artists who have made significant impacts on the animation and special effects of the movies of today.
Free. Visit www.mambor.com/animagic/museum.htm
Art’s Alive
View the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University, and view a portion of its collection of more than 8,000 pieces of modern and contemporary art. Hours: noon-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun. Free. Visit www.brandeis.edu/rose.
Art Exploration
Visit the Fitchburg Art Museum and explore Egyptian & Classical Antiques, European & American Paintings, Twentieth-Century art and more. Open noon-4 p.m. Wed.-Fr. and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Admission: $7; $5 seniors/students; free, under 12. AAA members receive two admissions for the price of one. Visit www.fitchburgartmuseum.org.
Behind the Scenes
Want to know how your favorite public TV shows are produced? Take a free tour of WGBH's new LEED-certified studios in Brighton. Tours at 2 p.m. Wednesdays and the first and third Saturday of the month. Visit.www.wgbh.org.
Boston Bookworms, Rejoice!
If your idea of a perfect winter's day is visiting a fun bookstore, then Newbury Street's Trident Booksellers & Cafe is for you. Browse the shelves for that next exciting novel, and stop by the cafe for a treat or two. Visit www.tridentbookscafe.com.
Boston Frog Pond
It's that time again - ice skating has returned to the Boston Frog Pond. Glide (or wobble) across the ice with family and friends. Admission: $4; free for children 13 and under. Skate rental: $8; $5, children 13 and under. Visit www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org.
Celebrating the Cinema
Discover the architectural beauty of classic movie theaters at Lexington's National Heritage Museum. "The Art of the Movie Theater" features photographs of America's remaining neighborhood cinemas and examines their role in popular culture. Free admission. Visit www.nationalheritagemuseum.org.
Creative Play
Bring your children to the Providence Children's Museum for a day of fun no matter how cold it is outside. Exhibits include water activities, stories of immigration, marionettes and more. Admission $7.50. Visit www.childrenmuseum.org.
The Cutting Edge
Celebrate the winter chill by ice skating at the Bank of America City Center in Providence. Admission: $6. Skate Rental: $4. Visit www.kennedyplaza.org/skating-information.
Digging Discoveries
Take a trip to the Robbins Museum of Archaeology in Middleboro to see artifacts from local archaeological findings. View educational displays to learn more about discoveries that have been uncovered. The museum is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thurs., and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. Admission: $5; $2 children. Visit www.massarchaeology.org.
Discounts in Dudley
From vintage clothing to collectibles, treasures are waiting to be discovered at Dudley's Do Right Flea Market. Each Saturday and Sunday, the former Steven's Linen Mill hosts one of the largest indoor flea markets around. Get great deals and have fun searching for something new (to you). Free admission. Visit www.dudleydorightfleamarket.com.
Engineering Feat
Investigate the historic engineering of the Hoosac Tunnel that links Massachusetts to Albany at the Western Gateway Heritage State Park in North Adams. Explore interactive exhibits and watch a documentary on the tunnel’s construction. Visitor Center hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thurs.-Mon. Free. Visit www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/western/wghp.htm.
Fore!
Learn about the history of golf through the interactive exhibits at the Massachusetts Golf Museum in Norton. It's open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Free. Visit www.mgalinks.org.
Jump In
The South Shore Natural Science Center in Norwell hosts its Water Watch Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Wednesdays in March. Discuss topics related to local bodies of water such as the presence of marine invasive species and the process of restoring rivers and salt marshes on the South Shore. Free. Visit www.ssnsc.org.
Kids' Days at the Hall
Each Wednesday is Kids' Day at the Hall at Patriot Place in Foxboro. Preschoolers can participate in crafts, music and more. Then, tour the Hall and learn about Patriots past and present. The fun starts at 11 a.m. AAA members save 10 percent on general admission when they show their AAA card. Admission (with card): $9; $7, seniors; $5, ages 5-12; free ages 4 and under. Visit www.thehallatpatriotplace.com.
Nature Excursion
Come to the Lloyd Center Observation Deck in Dartmouth, and enjoy views of Demarest Lloyd State Park and the Slocum River. Walking trails wind through 55 acres of wetlands, marsh, estuary and forest. The center is open 10 a.m.-4p.m. Tues.-Sat. Free. Visit www.lloydcenter.org.
Once Upon a Time
Bring your little ones to storytime at Foxboro's Patriot Place. Each Tuesday at 11 a.m., CBS Scene hosts this event for children and their families. Listen to a story, watch a children's movie, and maybe even meet a special guest or two. Free admission. Visit www.patriot-place.com.
Puppet Showplace Theatre
For more than 30 years, Brookline's Puppet Showplace Theatre has entertained families with fun fairytale performances. Shows include "Rumpelstiltskin," "Woodland Cinderella" and more. Reservations recommended.
Admission: $10. Visit www.puppetshowplace.org.
River Bend Canal Walk
Take a self-guided walk or hike on paths along sections of the Blackstone River Canal, which date back to the early 19th century and were restored and turned into a State Park. The park offers canoe access, picnic areas and great spots to view wildlife. Free. Visit www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/blst.htm.
Silver City Heritage
Tour the Old Colony Historical Society in Taunton to investigate more than 150 years of the region’s past. With 12,000-plus objects and detailed archive records, the museum is a valuable resource for local heritage. Tours are offered 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Admission: $4; $2 children/seniors. Visit www.oldcolonyhistoricalsociety.org.
South Shore Science
Visit Norwell's South Shore Science Center for a day of hands-on learning and fun. Come face-to-face with frogs and turtles, or visit the tropical greenhouse. AAA members save $1 off adult admission and 50 cents off child admission when they show their AAA card. Admission (with AAA card): $4; $3, seniors; $2.50 children 2-15; free for children under 2. Visit www.ssnsc.org.
Stone Zoo
From 10 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of each month, guests are charged the children's admission price. Take this opportunity to check out the Stoneham zoo's impressive menagerie of meerkats, jaguars, flamingos and more. Admission: $7; free under age 2. Visit www.zoonewengland.org.
Under the Sea
Set your mind toward summer with a visit to the Ocean Explorium at New Bedford Seaport. Learn the secrets of the sea and investigate pertinent issues affecting aquatic environments. The museum is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thurs.-Sun. Admission: $6, $4.50 seniors, $4 children. Visit http://oceanexplorium.org.
Tick-Tock
At the Willard House and Clock Museum, learn about the history of clocks while discovering the family home of three generations of clockmakers. It's open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed.-Sat. and 1-4 p.m. Sun. Admission: $7, $6 seniors and students, $3 children. Visit www.willardhouse.org.
Up and Away
You'll see more than birds at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown. Wildlife abounds along the seven miles of hiking trails in a 325-acre wildlife refuge. There are special programs for children and groups. Trail fee: $5; $2, children. Visit www.normanbirdsanctuary.org.
U.S.S. Constitution
Tour the country's oldest commissioned ship afloat in Boston Harbor, and learn about its involvement in the War of 1812. The museum is open from 10 a.m.-5:50 p.m. Thurs.-Sun., with tours every 30 minutes. Donations accepted. Visit www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org.
Watercolor in the Park
Venture to Slater Memorial Park to visit the Rhode Island Watercolor Society’s changing display of watercolor art. Be inspired by the art as you think of spring. The gallery is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tues.-Sat. and 1-5 p.m. Sun. Free. Visit www.riws.org.
Weaving History
Discover industrial inventions that shaped history at the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation. The building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was once the Boston Manufacturing Co. textile mill. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thurs.-Sat. Admission with AAA card: $4; $2 seniors/students; free, under 6. Visit www.crmi.org.
Woodlands
Marshfield's North River Wildlife Sanctuary is buzzing with wildlife. Walk along the half-mile boardwalk, and look for a variety of birds and animals. You may even see a harbor seal or two. Admission: $4; $3, seniors, children 2-12. Visit www.massaudubon.org. |
