Massachusetts - Pitstops for Kids

Tougas Family Farm: U-Pick apple orchard

September 25, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

U Pick apple orchards Massachusetts: An autumn tradition for many families, Tougas Family Farm in Northboro, Massachusetts offers some of the best apple and peach picking in the Northeast, as well as family harvest activities and harvest baked goods for purchase, such as apple cider doughnuts, freshly baked pies, and cookies.

Plan your visit to coincide with the harvest you’d like to pick by using Tougas’ picking schedule. You can also see picking conditions and best fruit selection right on the site. Throughout the summer, pick berries, then switch to peaches and apples in autumn, followed by pumpkins. Only 40 minutes from Boston, families can enjoy a city escape without needing to make a weekend or family trip of it.

Unlike some harvest festivals and farms that are more like carnivals than working produce suppliers, Tougas is still the real deal: their farm is authentic, and while you’ll find some family fun on site, the main focus here is the fruit and the communal experience of picking it yourself. Get recipes on site, and head home for a day of baking. The Tougas family has owned the farm since 1981, and it’s been a family operation exclusively since.

Find more apple picking around Boston!

Admission/Rates:

No admission charge. Rates are by the pound, and vary by fruit and season.

Distance from the interstate:

Several minutes from I-290.

Directions:

From Boston, take the Massachusetts Turnpike, I-90, west to exit #11A for I-495. Take I-495 north to exit #25B for I-290 west. Follow toward Worcester. Take exit #24, Church St., Northboro/Boylston. Turn right towards Boylston, take your first right on to Ball Street, and follow the signs up the hill!

Photo credit: Flickr/lakelou

Northampton Parents’ Center

February 1, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Visiting western Massachusetts with young kids this winter? A great option for a cold or rainy morning is the Northampton Parents Center, a co-operative community center for young kids (birth to kindergarten) and their caregivers. While most visitors live in the area (my kids are regulars at the parents center—we’re there each week!), there are always new families stopping by, many of whom are in the area for a visit with local family or friends.

The Northampton Parents Center is open Monday to Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30am, has music class on Thursday mornings, and often hosts special events, such as local storytellers, musicians, or puppeteers (check the website for an updated schedule). There is a big room for tumbling, tricycles, and ride-on cars; a smaller room with rice and play-doh tables; and another small room with books and toys for younger babies.

The Northampton Parents Center provides a comfortable, supportive environment for parents and plenty of fun and stimulation for kids. If you do stop by, be sure to ask for me—I’m sure we’ll be there!

Date last visited:

Distance from the interstate: About one mile off of I-91, in the center of Northampton, Massachusetts.

Hours of operation: Monday-Thursday 9:30–11:30. The Northampton Parents Center follows the Northampton public school calendar, and is closed during school holidays and during the summer (although informal summer playdates at local parks will be posted on the website). Be sure to check the website to plan your visit.

Admission: Everyone is welcome at the Northampton Parents Center, regardless of ability to pay. Visitors donate between $0 and $5 per family for a visit, or local families can buy a year membership for $100.

Food services: Coffee is always brewing in the kitchen! Also, snack time is provided for the kids at 10:15am. There are also plenty of spots nearby in the town center for breakfast or lunch before/after your visit to the parents center.

Directions: The Northampton Parents Center is located in the basement of Edwards Church (the parents center is not affiliated with Edwards Church, although the church generously provides space for the center) on Main Street in Northampton, but the entrance is located on State St. (you’ll notice all the strollers parked by the door!)

Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory

July 19, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

A great way to spend a rainy (or snowy, or sweltering) day with young kids while traveling in western Massachusetts is the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. The conservatory (or as my toddler calls it, “Butterfly Farm”) is a huge greenhouse filled with trees, flowers, turtles, lizards, and of course, butterflies. One of its biggest selling points is the fact that the greenhouse is kept nice and warm year round. This can be especially appealing in winter, or on rainy days when parents are desperate to avoid being cooped up with babies and young toddlers.

Another bonus: the conservatory is always open! They operate 7 days a week, from 9 to 5 (9 to 6 in the summer), every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. This makes it a great option during school holidays and family visits (which often coincide with holiday closings and wintery weather).

This is a great option for toddlers. The paths that wander throughout the conservatory are easy for a new walker to navigate, and although the butterflies are the main attraction, there are all kinds of other critters on display. The staff are often willing to take animals (lizards, frogs, etc.) out of their cages to let kids get a closer look.

Date last visited: June 29, 2011

Distance from the interstate: Magic Wings is approximately 3 miles off Interstate 91, in South Deerfield.

Hours of operation:

9-5 during the spring, fall, and winter
9-6 during the summer
Every day of the year, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

Admission: Adults are $12, kids 3-17 are $8, and kids under 3 are free. Bring a student ID and get in for $8 until the age of 22!

Food services: Monarchs Restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday and has many kid-friendly options, including burgers, sandwiches (shaped like butterflies), mac and cheese, etc. You can also bring your own food and eat at the outdoor picnic tables, weather permitting. When going on this outing with napping kids, I found that the best option was to spend the morning at the conservatory, then let the kids eat lunch in the car on the drive home, getting back just in time for nap (of course, this only works if you’re not picky about car seat cleanliness…).

Contact info: (413) 665-2805

Directions: Magic Wings is located at 281 Greenfield Road, South Deerfield, MA. Detailed directions are found on the website.

Nantucket with kids: guide to beaches and biking

July 18, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

The island of Nantucket, Massachusetts is well-known as a summer playground for travelers of all ages, but with so much to do in the immediate vicinity of the harbor, the further reaches (only a few miles in any direction!) are often overlooked. Ferrying your car to the island is expensive, rentals even more so, but that’s ok: biking is more affordable, more fun, and easy to do on such a flat and manageably-sized piece of land.

Because biking is such a great mode of transportation on Nantucket, there are many rental outfits ready to provide you with bikes during your stay. On our most recent visit, we chose Young’s Bicycle Shop, located conveniently near the Steamship Authority dock one block from the harbor. Even more convenient? Young’s will deliver your bikes to your hotel or vacation home for a flat $10 fee. Bike rentals range from $20-50 per 24-hour period, depending on the bike type, and they carry everything from baby seats to ‘tag-alongs’ to trailers.

Finding your way around the island is easy with so many well-marked bike and pedestrian paths. Trails stretch all the way from Madeket to ‘Sconset, Jetties Beach to Surfside, Cisco to Brant Point light, and where the trails don’t lead, biking on the streets is safe and easy. In town, it’s necessary to walk bikes over the cobblestones and on sidewalks to avoid pedestrians, but out of town, biking with the flow of traffic is hassle-free and often faster than fighting traffic in your car.

We could easily carry our beach equipment on the backs of our rented bikes and in backpacks, and as a result, biked nearly everywhere we went on the island. Nantucket boasts close to a dozen distinct beaches along its miles of coastline, each one with a different personality. Below is a run-down of our favorites for all activities, ages, and interests:

Jetties Beach is perfect for families of all ages. Close to town without being crowded, it’s easy to bike to, the calm water is shallow and warm (you can walk for what seems like miles along a submerged sand bar), and the sand is dotted with seashells. Also appreciated by families are its clean bathrooms, lifeguards, playground, and full restaurant, complete with beach store for all the essentials, like sand buckets, towels, and paddle board. We loved their ‘leave a book, take a book’ shelf, where Nate found great summer reading!

Surfside Beach is located directly opposite of the town of Nantucket on the island’s unprotected south shore. The lack of the harbor means large waves (which have a habit of breaking nearly on shore). Wide and sandy, Surfside is a great beach for a game of Frisbee or paddle ball, sunbathing, and playing in the surf. Be advised, however, that the depth of the water greatly increases just yards from shore as the sandy bottom drops out abruptly. Lifeguards are on duty during daytime hours, and a snack shack serves fare such as hot dogs, drinks, and ice cream. One of the island’s many bicycle paths deposits visitors directly into the Surfside parking area.

Madaket beaches are great for visitors seeking isolation, crashing waves, and sunsets. A long bike ride from town, the journey to Madeket is beautiful and can be accessed entirely by bike path. Located at the end of the island on the western tip, Madaket is comprised of solitary vacation homes and windswept beaches; don’t expect many more services than a port-a-potty and a bike rack. Bring your own picnic, however, and you might forget you’re on a busy vacation island in the middle of high season on Madaket! Expect big, crashing waves, wind, and
frequent fog!

‘Sconset beaches are located at the end of another long bike ride, this time to the eastern side of the island. The town of ‘Sconset (short for Siasconset) is far less commerical than the heart of the Nantucket harbor area, but unlike Madaket, some services, such as a small grocery store stocked with ice cream, drinks, snacks, and souvenirs, do exist near the beaches. You’re likely to encounter more company as well; the homes nestled near the shore are almost always occupied in the summer months. Come to ‘Sconset beaches for picturesque beauty (think sand dunes, shingled cottages, and well-kept gardens), the family-friendly atmosphere (there’s almost always a kite or two flying), and the smaller (but still existent) surf.

Children’s Beach is located in the center of the harbor area, just west of the wharfs. Easy to bike or walk to from town, Children’s Beach is always busy due to its protected (though limited) beach access, views of the harbor (kids love to boat watch), and playground right on the beach. With virtually no waves, kids can splash and play in the warm water to their hearts’ content, and parents are within strolling distance to downtown shops and restaurants.

Nantucket with kids: Shearwater Excursions Harbor Cruise

July 14, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

A great introduction to island boat cruises for families, Nantucket’s Ice Cream Harbor Cruise is operated by family-run Shearwater Excursions. Only one hour in length aboard the adorable Minke, the harbor cruise departs from Straight Wharf multiple times daily in the summer season, and true to its name, it includes ice cream! More importantly, it takes you past the harbor and around the coast to views like this:

We experienced the harbor cruise on a sunny Monday in June with Toby (age 6) and my nephew Homer (age 2). Both dug into their ice cream (brought in by Nantucket’s famed Juice Bar in each guest’s choice of flavor…and yes, adults get some, too) before we’d even left the dock, and were ready to focus on the sights of the harbor by the time we’d steered clear of the luxurious yachts and colorful fishing vessels and made our way along the coast. We were captained by Shearwater Excursions owner Captain Blair Perkins’ son Max (21), who’s been on the water with his family since age nine, and who was a wealth of information on the island, sailing, and, of all things, soccer…a family passion we shared.

The tour takes passengers past the busy harbor and Children’s Beach to the Brant Point Light and Jetties Beach, then back around through open water (during which the kids were invited to steer, much to Toby’s excitement). It was the perfect length for young kids, a beautiful day to be out on the water, and we learned a lot about the island we’d been playing on for the past few days.

If you have early risers, be sure to book one of Shearwater’s Morning Coffee Cruises, which instead of ice cream, serves coffee, muffins, and juice boxes for the kids. A great way to start the day for anyone, this sort of activity is gold for parents who wonder what on earth to do with the kids who wake up early in a (late-sleeping) town like Nantucket!

Tip: Older kids may prefer Shearwater Excusions’ Seal Cruise or Whale Watch!

Date last visited: June 2011

Cost: $30 per person

Hours and cruise times: Cruises depart daily at 10 am, 11:15 am, 1 pm, 2:15 pm, 4 pm, and 5:15 pm. (The early and late ones fill up fastest!)

Website: www.explorenantucket.com

Reservations: Make reservations by calling (508) 228-7037.

Directions: The Minke is docked at slip #1011 on Straight Wharf. It’s easy to find at the end of Main Street.

Summer in the Berkshires: Tanglewood Amphitheater

July 11, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

An afternoon or evening spent enjoying live music in the beautiful outdoor amphitheater at Tanglewood is a great addition to any family vacation in western Massachusetts. Tanglewood is located in the picturesque town of Lenox in the heart of the Berkshires. On a recent visit, we packed our cooler with sandwiches, cheese and crackers, fruit salad, and strawberry shortcake and picnicked the night away while listening to “A Prairie Home Companion”.

Tanglewood hosts all kinds of events, and is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It is also one of the few truly kid-friendly music venues I’ve been to. The lawn is huge, with plenty of room for energetic kids. The atmosphere is relaxed, and no one seems to mind if their picnic gets interrupted by the occasional soccer ball or wondering toddler. Show times are conducive to young kids too–“A Prairie Home Companion” started at 5:45 and ended with a sing-along at around 7:30/8:00.

Tip: To get the most out of your visit, show up early. We arrived at 4:00 for a 5:45 show, and had plenty of time to eat and explore before the show started. In anticipation of bedtime, we brought pajamas, and ended a blissful evening with a quiet ride home, complete with two sleeping kids in the back seat.

Date last visited: July 2, 2011

Distance from the interstate: Tanglewood is about 10 miles off of I-90/Massachusetts Turnpike.

Hours of operation: Tanglewood is a seasonal venue and operates from June through September. Check out show times and dates on the Tanglewood website.

Admission or ticket prices: If traveling with kids, I strongly recommend getting lawn seats (as opposed to the covered seats in the Koussevitzky Music Shed), which are $21. Kids under 2 are free. An unexpected plus: onsite parking is convenient and free!

Food services: Boxed dinners and picnics can be purchased online ahead of time, and there are two eateries on site (the Tanglewood Café and Grill) but the best (and probably least expensive) way to eat at Tanglewood is to bring your own picnic. People come armed with coolers, lawn chairs, blankets, and even candles for a more romantic dinner.

Contact: (617) 266-1200 or (888) 266-1200

Directions: Tanglewood is located at 297 West Street, Lenox, MA. Full directions can be found on their website.

Best Beach Towns: What to do with kids in Nantucket, MA

September 7, 2010 By Amy Hagstrom

Beachside vacation living on Nantucket, MA

It’s no secret that Nantucket, Massachusetts is a destination beach town for families. It’s been listed in the same breath as Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod as a premiere summer playground for decades. We were lucky enough to see this idyllic island getaway from a local’s perspective, and suggest the following activities, beaches, and shops for families visiting with kids (some may surprise you!):

Where to Play: If you’re visiting with young kids, everyone on-island will point you in the direction of Children’s Beach, located at the end of Harbor View Way, and for good reason. Protected by the harbor, the water is calm and lends itself to easy wading, splashing, and sand castle building. Plus, it boasts a great playground right on the sand and is close to shops and restaurants. Also within walking distance from town, however, is Jetties Beach. With rolling sand dunes, a snack shack, another playground (they’re onto something here!), and both protected and unprotected surf, our kids felt there was more to explore (and loved walking the sandy boardwalk over to the shack for ice cream cones).

When you’re ready for a break from the beach, be sure to check out the Whaling Museum (13 Broad Street). There’s a staffed room just for young kids to try activities and games, and lots of interesting exhibits for the older set (some might be disturbing if you have a whale lover in your group).

Then if you really want to get off the beaten tourist path, head down Madaket Road just past the dump (yes, you read that right) to Turtle Pond. (With older kids, you can easily bicycle here from town.) Are there really turtles here? You bet. And they’re huge. Bring pieces of raw chicken (yes, you read that right, too) to dangle on string as bait, and they’ll rise to the surface to nibble. Needless to say, kids can’t get enough (but keep little fingers out of reach of turtle mouths!).

There are also many walking and home tours offered by the Nantucket Historical Association. Most won’t hold the interest of very young kids, with the exception of the church tower at the First Congregational Church (62 Centre Street). Kids can climb 94 stairs to the top of the tower, which affords beautiful views of the entire town (and most of the island).

Calvin and Nate ready to feed turtles at Turtle Pond.

Where to Shop: There’s lots of fun shopping in town, but if you want to keep kids interested, head to The Toy Boat (41 Straight Wharf) and buy a traditional wooden boat (they have everything else you can imagine, too) to sail on nearby Children’s Beach.Â Then head to Bookworks (25 Broad Street) to pick out some titles about the island’s maritime history.

Where to Eat: We loved Cap’n Tobey’s Chowder House (20 Straight Wharf) for fast service and a kid-friendly atmosphere. Be sure to stop by The Juice Bar (12 Broad Street) during afternoon or after-dinner strolls through town; they have the best ice cream (and a great selection of Nantucket Nectar juices).

Where to Stay: As hotel prices can get crazy on Nantucket, we opted to stay in a home rental. Most are rented by the week, and there’s an abundance to choose from (reserve early and consider a fall getaway for reduced rates). Our favorite vacation home rental company with a nice selection on Nantucket: Home Away.

Looking for a West Coast beach town? Check out our Great Beach Towns article on Laguna Beach, CA and Bandon, OR!

Purgatory Chasm State Reservation

July 27, 2010 By Amy Hagstrom

Between a rock and a hard place at Purgatory Chasm!

198 Purgatory Rd.
Sutton MA

This pit stop submitted by Pit Stops for Kids reader Sonia Beshiri. Thank you, Sonia, for your submission!

Purgatory Chasm State Park runs for a quarter of a mile between granite walls rising as high as 70 feet (just outside of Sutton, MA). It’s a great place to climb natural rock formations, and it’s completely free! There are trails as well. You just need your sneakers/bug spray/sunscreen/water bottle/snack! You can also have a picnic or use their BBQ pits (you’d have to provide the coals). There’s a pavilion for shading, ice cream truck (when we went) across the street, a playground, and more walking trails. I saw forest rangers too. The place gets lots of traffic when there’s great weather.

Extra Tip: This pit stop isn’t for the faint at heart; I saw 3-4-year-olds practically sprinting across the rocks better than I did!

Date last visited: May 2010

Distance off the interstate: Just off Route 146. (Approximately 7 miles from the MASS Turnpike/I-90.)

Admission Prices: FREE

Hours of Operation: Sunrise to sunset daily

Food Services: Picnic and BBQ space on-site.

Bathrooms: On-site.

Website: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/purg.htm

Directions: Take MASS PIKE (Rte. I-90) to exit #10A in Millbury (rte 146 South). Take Rte 146 South to exit # 6 in Sutton, Purgatory Rd. Take a right onto Purgatory Rd. Reservation entrance & visitor center is Â¼ mile on your right.
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