Search Results for: zoo

family travel | Massachusetts | National Parks | National Parks Passport Program | Springfield | Springfield
Springfield Armory NHS Springfield, Massachusetts
ByJennRecord September 4, 2017February 19, 2026
I’ve visited Springfield, Massachusetts many times to meet up with my husband’s relatives and to explore some of the many family friendly activities (like the Dr. Seuss Museum and the Basketball Hall of Fame- tips coming at the end of the week) the city has to offer. However, until recently, I haven’t had the chance to explore the Springfield Armory, part of the National Parks Service. Since my family has been learning a lot about the the beginning of America’s formation (see my posts on Saratoga National Historic Site, Minute Man National Historic Park, and Fort Stanwix), I figured visiting the Armory would be the perfect complement.
Armories were places to create weapons and arsenals were places to store those weapons. After the Revolutionary War, George Washington proposed having armories built on the east coast so that the United States did not have to rely on other countries for production. He designated Springfield in Massachusetts and Harper’s Ferry in West Virginia ideal locations for armories.
Read More Springfield Armory NHS Springfield, Massachusetts
Botanical Gardens | Bronx | family travel | Little Italy | New York
The New York Botanical Garden
ByJennRecord August 28, 2017February 13, 2023
The New York Botanical Garden is one of my favorite places to visit. My family lives less than an hour from the Bronx and it’s a pretty drive on the parkways. The 250 acre campus was created in 1891 and has over one million planets, 30,000 trees, and over four million specimens on site. They have dozens of classes, workshops, field trips, family events, summer camps, and even college degrees; the fall 2017 catalog is 55 pages! There is so.much.to.do for every age and interest; the Saturday morning bird watching walks are especially popular.
We purchased a family membership four years ago and we visit at least once a season (yes, it is beautiful to visit during the winter!). The children always enjoy visiting, and the entire campus is stroller friendly (they will ask you to leave stroller outside at some buildings). Plus, they do a nice job of having plenty of clean restrooms spread throughout The Garden. The grounds are accessible by train, local buses, and car- there is a good size parking lot and a garage not too far away. You’ll notice my photos span the past 5 year when we started visiting
Read More The New York Botanical Garden
family travel | Massachusetts | museums | science center | Worchester
EcoTarium, Worchester, MA
ByJennRecord July 23, 2017September 9, 2023
During a recent trip to visit my dear friend, Sandy, and her family in Natick, Massachusetts, we spied rain in the forecast. Sandy found a great spot for us to meet in nearby Worchester, Massachusetts (more on family fun in Worchester coming soon!): EcoTarium.
EcoTarium participates in the Association of Children’s Museums and the Association of Science-Technology Centers reciprocity programs. This means that my friend’s membership to her local science center (or I could have used my membership to our local children’s museum) allowed her to bring us as guests- for free. This is a wonderful program that my family has taken advantage of dozens of times. Look for an upcoming post about all the benefits.
Part science center, part zoo, part outdoor classroom,EcoTarium also has a planetarium, outdoor train ride, plenty of hands on exhibits, and is tons of fun for toddlers, children, and adults alike! Here are our favorite parts:
Read More EcoTarium, Worchester, MA
Charleston | fall fun | family travel | hot dogs | National Parks | plantations | South Carolina
Boone Plantation, South Carolina
ByJennRecord July 17, 2017January 31, 2022
The South is known for numerous plantations: large estates with farms producing a wide variety of crops. One of the most popular and still functioning plantations is the Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant in South Carolina. Located just 20 minutes outside of historic Charleston, Boone Hall was founded in 1681 on the banks of the Wampacheone Creek by English Major John Boone. For centuries the plantation was known for growing and selling cotton and pecans. Now, the Boone Hall Farms Market also sells various fruits, vegetables, seafood (from the local docks), prepared foods, and gifts. Film buffs will recognize the estate from the film “The Notebook.”
The plantation offers a wide variety of ways to explore the site and learn from history. All tours are included with the admission fee. I first wrote about Boone Plantation for Kidventurous, but wanted to share some of my favorite parts of our visit and a few nearby bonus stops: (updated for summer 2017)
Read More Boone Plantation, South Carolina
beach | bridge | City Guide | donuts | family travel | lighthouse | lobster | Maine
Seven Things to Do in York, Maine
ByJennRecord July 10, 2017September 10, 2023
I’m lucky enough to have first cousins all over the country. We’ve been trying to get everyone together every few years and this past month, we reconvened in York, Maine for “CousinFest”. The oceanside community did not disappoint. The people were so friendly and welcoming, and I have never met a more pedestrian friendly place in all of my travels. York, Maine consists of four distinct areas: York Village, rich in history; York Harbor, with lots of cottages looking out at Long Sands Beach; York Beach, with many tourist attractions; and Cape Neddick, mostly residential, ocean front properties. Here’s a list of some things we all enjoyed in York:
Read More Seven Things to Do in York, Maine
Arkansas | Atlanta | Austin | Boston | California | Dallas | family travel | Georgia | Iowa | Kansas | Massachusetts | MIchigan | Missouri | New York | presidents | Texas | Texas Little Rock
Presidential Libraries & Museums
ByJennRecord July 3, 2017February 12, 2023
Don’t let the word “library” misguide you. While there are thousands of papers and personal records of the presidents to read, and spaces for scholarly research, there are just as many opportunities to explore, touch, see, listen, and learn about American history at the 13 presidential libraries located throughout the country. (President Obama’s Chicago library and museum is currently under construction.)
Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first to establish a presidential library, followed by each succeeding president, as well as predecessor Herbert Hoover. The National Archives and Records Administration oversee the 13 presidential libraries. I first wrote about presidential libraries for Kidventurous in 2014, but have since visited more libraries and museums and learned lots of new things! At your first stop, be sure to pick up the passport for all 13 libraries so you can collect the stamps.
Read More Presidential Libraries & Museums