ReVamped Ecotarium Brings a Mountain of Fun

With our year's membership coming to an end shortly, I figured yesterday would be a great day to visit the Worcester Ecotarium with the boys.

We were pleasantly surprised to enter the newly renovated top floor.  Upon entering, we became emerged in The Arctic Next Door which has Mount Washington related experiments.  There is a new bouldering wall that Boog just had to keep trekking.  A wind tube that let them experience hurricane force winds.  An air flow construction area that was intriguing to look at with its colorful wall of 144 pinwheels.

Many of the tried and true fun-sploration was still there.  But there were some new additions too.  Right now there is a Playing Together area in which we played giant chess, giant manacala, and a bunch of other great games.

And of course since the weather was nice, we hit the playground and I even went up the rope net with Boog.  The boys stuck it out with me in the mud to do the Forest Trail.  And we payed our respects to Kenda, the Ecotarium's pride and joy polar bear who passed away this January.

This family pass was by far one of the best investments we have made.  Not only is the Ecotarium a great local place to visit and spend hours experimenting and exploring, but the pass has either full price or discounted reciprocity to 250 other places including the Providence Children's Museum and the Boston Museum of Science.  For  $100, it covers 2 adults and up to 4 children under 18. If you choose the $120 plus option, you get an extra 2 guests to bring. We are definitely renewing our membership.

So if you are thinking about things to do in the upcoming February vacation, you may want to check out the Ecotarium.  It is open Tuesdays thru Saturday, 10-5; Sundays noon- 5; closed Mondays, except as indicated on their website.

Looking for something to do? AppleFest!

This weekend at Wachusett Mountain is their 28th annual AppleFest.

Last year, our family went, bundled up to the max.  There were some bouncy houses.  Lots of crafters, activities and local farm fresh items.  And, yes, maple cotton candy. DELICIOUS!

For an additional charge, we took the Skyride up to the top of the mountain.  I would not necessarily recommend you do this with wiggly children under 3, but be your own judge.  My kids were so excited, and I held onto them pretty tightly since it is a ski lift.  But they did great and loved the unique view above the trees, down to the valley.  And we were able to walk around the top of the mountain, exploring the sights.

Adults are $10, 6-12 are $6, and under 5 get into the festival free as well as a sky ride admission.  Skyrides are an additional cost, but there are some great packages that include the sky ride, food and other fun activities.

So if you are looking for a great outdoor family friendly and food friendly day, head up to Wa.... Wa... Wachusett either today or tomorrow. Maybe I'll see you there.  Doors are open 10-5.

You still have Sunday to checkout Kidsfest!

If you are trying to figure out something to do with the family that incorporates bouncy houses, free healthy snacks, free schwag, and kid friendly entertainment then head to Wachusett Mountain 21st Annual Kidsfest.

The boys and I went today and we had a blast.  After all the rain last night, the grounds were mushy and muddy (no different than soccer this morning) but that didn't stop the show.  The North East Trixstars BMX bikers doing stunts, that Boog claims that he will do when he is 11.  There was a stiltwalker: Mom, where are his feet?  There was enough calcium enriched foods like the TruMoo Garelick farms stands giving away free chocolate and plain mild and the Stoneyfield guys dispersing delicious yogurt, cheese, and milk goodies, to strengthen the bones of all of Massachusetts.

Boog at the Worcester Sharks Hockey Shoot Out

There were reps from tons of local kid related business from the Worcester area including karate, golf, hockey (Go Sharks!), care centers, and gymnastics.  And we didn't even get to stay to see the Blue Dog Group do their amazing frisbee stunts.  Oh, and we "met" Smokey the Bear, you remember "Only you can prevent forest fires."  Well, Boog was not keen on going near the bear in jean with red suspenders, but at least he took the hat.

Entering one of the at least 5 bouncies.

Mudge learning the art of golf at the PGA tent

There were so many food products being given away, my bag was stuffed.  My snack drawer is now full of goodies.  So bring an extra back pack or something.  You can go there hungry, and come out full from tasting a ton of stuff. But they do have concessions and BBQ there if you need something a little more substantial.

I swear I didn't hoard.  That was just a one of each from the kids and me.

After about 2 hours there, the boys were toast and I wasn't going to push the limits.  Though I was lucky enough to have gone for the nadda, my friends that accompanied me agreed that the $8-10 admission fee, free for 2 and under, is well worth the bouncy house exercise and the free snacks.  There are other activities for additional fees, like the Sky Ride, crafts, and such.    Overall, it is a great way to spend the day finding new activities to do while wearing the kids out!

Wachusett Mountain, not just for skiing

Wa....
Wa...
Wachusett.
Wachusett Mountain, mountain skiing, minutes away.

I suppose it is good advertising, since it has been engrained into my brain.

Regardless, Wachusetts has more to offer than just snowy slopes.  In the fall, the mountain hosts a plethora of activities.

This weekend, September 24-25, is the KidsFest.  Music, food, and fun for the whole family. Admission varies if you purchase ahead of time compared to door price, and if you want to take advantage of packages.  Under 2 is free.

October 15-16 brings the Apple Fest.
The Apple Fest last year was AWESOMELY DELICIOUS! Local honey, local apples, local maple syrup, and maple cotton candy.  Besides the local foods, there were local craft vendors.  There was a variety of entertainment like clowns, bouncy houses, lifts to the top of the mountain.  Just a ton to do.  Plus AAA offers a discount, check it out.

You think I like food much?  I love BBQ. And I might have to just live there October 22-23. Its BBQ to the max with proceeds benefitting the Greg Hill Foundation.  Enough said.

Fall Fun

I love fall.  It is probably my most favorite time of year.  The weather is cool and crisp.  It makes me want everything apple, pumpkin or candy corn.  So I have been putting my feelers out on local places to do pick-your-owns.

Amazingly enough, there is a site called, you guessed it, Pick Your Own that helps identify places to harvest apples, berries, pumpkins, and whatever else might be in season in different Rhode Island counties.  I just highlighted a few in Providence County that I think I might stop by:

Barden Family Orchard in North Scituate, RI
Dame Farm and Orchards in Johnston, RI
Harmony Farms in Harmony, RI. I have been here a few years ago when Boog was just in a stroller. It was off the beaten path and quaint.
Steere Orchard in Greenville, RI.
Hill Orchards in Johnston, RI. They even provide a run down of exactly when to pick certain types of apples on their site.
Wojcik's Farm in Blackstone, MA. Though not in RI, its just a few minutes away for us, so we went there last year and had a great time.

Looking for a productive way to get lost?
Pumpkin Patches and More.org provide a listing of hay rides, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches in the Rhode Island area.

But if you live in Massachusetts, you can check out Davis's Farmland and MegaMaze. Always an impressive adventure.  Last time we went, Boog was in the toddler back pack and it took us well over an hour.

Near Putnam, Connecticut is Fort Hill Farms, hosting a Farmer's Cow corn maze in 2 abilities, under 8, lasting about 30 minutes, and over 8 which could take nearly an hour and a half, per their comments. Plus, you can get their delicious ice cream after you've worked up an appetite :)

Looking for a way to get out energy....

World War I Memorial Park, located at 401 Elmwood Street, North Attleboro is a hop, skip and jump from the Emerald Square Mall.  If you need to get some shopping done with the kids, and need some incentive for good behavior, this park might work for you.

WWI Memorial Park encompasses a great playground, with a massive climb and slide set, a toddler set up, a vestibular (tire) swing, a couple of standard sling swings and 1 supportive accessible swing for those with different abilities.  In another section, there is a huge "beach scene" sand pit.  And my boys favorite, a 40' tube slide to burn up any extra energy they may have left.  They went up and down probably close to 20 times. It was great.

But even if you are at stroller or Bjorn level, WWI Memorial Park also has a little "zoo" area with animals, as well as a marked path along the left side of the entire one way street for walking.

Even though it was super crowded today from day campers, the boys still had a blast.  Bring water bottles, snacks, lunches, sunscreen because you will be there for a while.  There are port-a-potties and water fountains (or bubblas for us northern Rhode Islanders).

Battleship Cove- Another Penny Squisher Adventure...

Battleship Cove located off exit 5 from Route 195 in Fall River, Massachusetts is the largest naval ship museum.  It offers a hands on and up close tour of 4 vessels: the USS Massachusetts, the submarine the Lionfish, the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., and the East German Hiddensee.

It gives you a whole new appreciation for what the naval officers have done and seen.  They have a touching memorial in the USS Massachusetts with the names of those who served along with a video of their experiences in World War II.  There is also an outdoor movie called the Pearl Harbor Experience during which aqua-technics give you a sense for what it may have been like being on the ships during an attack.

Adjacent to the site is the The Fall River Carousel, of which I have vague memories of my visit with my grandparents during my childhood.

Though we had a pretty good time, comparing height and weight of the children to the humungous anchors and chains and checking out the bunks, I would throw out some recommendations:

• Go on a not-so-hot day.  It gets stuffy and you will get sweaty walking and climbing through all of the vessels.
• Not recommended for claustrophobes.  Tight spaces, especially in the sub.
• After having my stomach in a knot for most of the visit, fearing one of my not-so-graceful children would trip and fall under the wide-gap netting plummeting them into the water 50+ feet below, I would recommend at least 6 years and up, if not 7.  The other reason for considering older children is that is ends up being A LOT of climbing up and down ladders and steep steps, approximately 2 1/2 hours to tour the 4 vessels.   Also, it is not stroller, wheelchair or walker friendly.  Its also recommended not to use baby backpacks for risks of head bopping into metal.
• There is a concession stand, but we always pack a lunch and plenty of drinks.
• There is a penny squisher! Bring 4 quarters and a penny for the souvenir.
• Adults were $15 per person, 6-12 are $9, and under 6 is free.  Click here for a $1 off coupon.  Bring your AAA card for a $2 discount.