Massachusetts Attractions Guide

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Maria Mitchell Aquarium - Where but Nantucket could you find a real marine aquarium in a quaint waterfront shack? The marine organisms of Nantucket's salt marshes, harbors, and near shore waters await your acquaintance on Washington Street. There are friendly science interns to answer all your questions about the mollusks, crustaceans, and finfish, and hands-on exhibits for children.

Green Briar Nature Center And Jam Kitchen - The old jam kitchen was started in 1903 where they still make jam "the old fashioned way."  The nature center is great for families with exhibits, nature trails, a wildflower garden and organized programs.

Pilgrim Monument - Dedicated in 1910 to commemorate the first landing of the Pilgrims in Provincetown on November 21, 1620,the Pilgrim Monument is the tallest all-granite structure in the United States. Walk to the top of the Pilgrim Monument and delight in the panoramic view of Cape Cod Bay and Provincetown Harbor, including the sand dunes of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Cape Cod Children's Museum - The Cape Cod Children's Museum is a place where families can learn and play together. The museum offers lots of hands on exhibits including a pirate ship, an indoor planetarium, puppet theater, toddler play area, gift shop and daily programs.

Thornton W. Burgess Museum - Here the life, works, and spirit of Thornton Burgess, renowned children?s author, naturalist, and Sandwich native are preserved in the 18th century house once owned by his Aunt Arabella. The museum collects, maintains and exhibits artifacts, art, writings and other personal and professional memorabilia which relate to his life and work.

Central

Breezy Picnic Grounds Waterslides - Breezy Picnic Grounds is a family-owned recreational facility nestled in the heart of the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor in south central Massachusetts. The facility features two 300' Alpine waterslides, picnic areas, lake swimming with 500 ft. beach & sandy areas for kids, game rooms, snack bar and more.

Davis' Farmland & Megamaze - Two great parks and twice the fun. Davis' Mega Maze is a world class field maze. Designed for adults, but enjoyed by all ages, it's the ultimate 3-D challenge of your life!  Davis' Farmland is ""home"" to the nation's largest exhibit of endangered farm animals and part of a seven generation family farm, operating in Sterling since 1846. Farmland features discovery learning.

Eco Tarium - EcoTarium is an environmental science museum set on 60 scenic acres just two miles from downtown Worcester, Massachusetts. Visit EcoTarium and explore exhibits on water, energy, ecosystems and more. a planetarium, wildlife, nature trails, the Express Train, special programs and more.

Old Sturbridge Village - Explore early New England in the company of farmers, craftsmen, and fascinating characters. Celebrate yesterday's proud traditions on your remarkable journey into America's past.

Higgins Armory Museum - The Higgins Armory Museum enjoys the distinction of being the only museum in the Western Hemisphere entirely devoted to the study and display of arms and armor. Artifacts ranging from Corinthian helmets of ancient Greece to ornate suits of armor from the height of the Renaissance give visitors an exciting glimpse into the past.

North Of Boston

The Butterfly Place - The Butterfly Place is an indoor living environment which has been carefully designed for the propagation and development of some of nature?s most colorful living creations.

Moby Duck Sightseeing - A unique 55 minute family experience aboard amphibious U.S.C.G. certified vessels. Enjoy this narrated tour, with your personal, licensed Captain at the helm and narration by your ""Duck Mate"". Your trip will provide spectacular panoramic views, by ""land and sea"". A calm sightseeing cruise will provide fun for the entire family.

Pioneer Village: Salem In 1630 - Step back in time to 17th century New England at Salem's oldest living history museum. Discover Salem 1630: Pioneer Village. It is a recreation of the English colony established by Roger Conant and his intrepid band of settlers. From these humbling beginnings the seeds of Revolution were planted.

Wenham Museum - A museum of family life, the Wenham Museum invites visitors of all ages to explore how we have lived, dressed, worked and played from the 17th century to today. The museum features the Claflin-Richards House, international doll collection, model and toy-train exhibit, toy soldiers and a play and learn room.

Salem Witch Museum - The Salem Witch Museum takes you back to Salem 1692. Visitors are given a dramatic history lesson using stage sets with life-size figures, lighting and a narration - an overview of the Witch Trials of 1692.

South Of Boston

Buttonwood Park Zoo - Recently called ?one of the finest small zoos in the United States? by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, Buttonwood Park Zoo features over 250 animals, including elephants, bison, mountain lions, seals, otters and farm animals.  Train rides and pony rides are available on a seasonable basis, plus weekly programs and a creative arts playgroup every Monday. Pilgrim Hall Museum - The oldest continuously operating public museum in the nation, a gallery museum that uses the actual 17th century Pilgrim possessions - the cradle of Peregrine White, the bible of William Bradford, the sword of Myles Standish - as well as Native American artifacts to tell the story of the Pilgrims and Plymouth Colony.

Battleship Cove - For over thirty years, Battleship Massachusetts has welcomed visitors of all ages. The historic naval ships, military exhibits, and related memorabilia tell the stories of brave sailors and their proud fighting days long ago. Walk where these sailors fought, man the guns they used to defend our freedom, or try on a Navy bunk for size!

Children's Museum Of Easton - The Children's museum in Easton is a 'learning playground' where parents and children explore, imagine, and learn about our everyday world. The museum sparks curiosity, encourages questions and fosters creativity in children and adults through it's exhibits and programs. The Museum is a friendly place for children to explore.

Edaville Usa/railroad - Edaville Railroad recreates the era when traveling was slower and the little things enjoyed a lot more. You'll enjoy a 30 minute ride on America's oldest authentic 2 foot, narrow gauge railway. Steam engines and diesel locomotives will pull passenger cars through 5 1/2 miles of beautiful Massachusetts landscape.

Lobster Tales - Enjoy a fun, affordable, ""hands-on"" lobstering experience as a one hour excursion takes you to haul lobster traps from historic Plymouth Harbor. One of the most popular cruises aboard Lobster Tales is a Pirate Cruise. Pirate passengers will set sail to reclaim a treasure chest lying beneath Plymouth Harbor.

Plimoth Plantation - Plimoth Plantation is a living history museum founded in 1947. The museum has grown from one small re-created house on the Plymouth waterfront to include three major open-air exhibits-the 1627 Pilgrim village, Hobbamock's Wampanoag Indian Homesite, Mayflower II and other facilities, exhibits and programs.

Whale Watching - Discover the great whales of the North Atlantic during a 4-hour Capt. John Boats Cape Cod whale watch adventure. Among the whale and marine mammal sightings are the Humpback Whale, Finback Whale, Minke Whale, Right Whale and Pilot whale, as well as dolphins, porpoises and seals.

Capron Park Zoo - Capron Park Zoo is dedicated to the professional management of animal species, and providing the public with educational programs and recreational activities. The zoo features animals from around the world, Asian rain forest, nocturnal building and more.

Western

Magic Wings - Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens consists of a 14,400 square foot facility that includes a 4,000 sq. ft. glass conservatory filled with butterflies, moths and tropical vegetation.

Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum - Excursion train rides between Lenox and Stockbridge two times per operation day. 20 mile, 2 1/2 hour round trip plus new permanent Gilded Age exhibit. Open Saturdays, Sundays and summer holidays from June through October.

Hancock Shaker Village - Hancock Shaker Village is an outdoor history museum of Shaker life on 1,200 acres in the scenic Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts. Its twenty original buildings and historic working farm and gardens preserve and interpret the life of America?s most successful communitarian society.

Basketball Hall Of Fame - Visit the birthplace of Basketball in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Historic Deerfield - Historic Deerfield is a museum of New England history and art within the carefully preserved 330 year old western Massachusetts village of Deerfield. See a collection of 18th and 19th century houses and the Flynt Center of Early New England Life filled with some of the great decorative arts treasures of early America.

Six Flags New England - The all-new Six Flags New England offers amazing thrills, rides and shows for the entire family - from a SUPERMAN megacoaster to a BATMAN stunt show to BUGS BUNNY and pals.

Children's Museum At Holyoke - Located in the Heritage State Park Complex, the museum enhances the educational and cultural awareness of all children in the arts, the sciences, and the world around them in a museum environment which features participatory exhibits that invite the interaction of children and adults.

The Zoo In Forest Park - Visitors can see over 200 domestic and exotic animals. The zoo also features a Discovery Room, train rides, gardens, duck ponds, paddle boats, and picnicking.