Location: Sturbridge, Massachusetts Years Active: 1946 – Active Old Sturbridge Village isn’t a theme park ride. As you can see from this Old Sturbridge Village map, it’s a full-body immersion into the 1830s. That means sights, smells, and sounds that might catch you off guard. The freshly baked bread is tempting, but so is the…
Location: Salem, Massachusetts Years Active: 1799 – Active The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem? It’s not your grandma’s museum. Sure, it’s old as heck (those sea captains founded it in 1799), but it’s definitely not stuck in the past. One minute you’re exploring this crazy-detailed Chinese house, the next you’re staring at a giant sculpture…
Location: Worcester, Massachusetts Years Active: 1961 – Active The Ecotarium in Worcester, Massachusetts, isn’t your average stuffy museum. It’s a vibrant place where you can learn about everything from buzzing bees to distant stars. They’ve got cool animal exhibits, hands-on science fun, and even a planetarium to blast you into space! Want the inside scoop?…
Location: Ludlow, Massachusetts Years Active: 1996 – Active Lupa Zoo in Ludlow, Massachusetts, has a special charm you won’t find in the big, flashy zoos. It’s got character. They’ve been connecting people with animals since 1996, focusing on education and making you think about the natural world. Expect to see fascinating creatures up close. Roaring…
Location: Springfield, Massachusetts Years Active: 1968 – Active The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame isn’t some glossy sports museum. It’s basketball stripped down – the triumphs, the heartbreaks, the under-the-table deals. You won’t find sanitized hero-worship here. Expect jerseys stained with sweat, exhibits about the grittier side of the game, and tech that puts…
Location: Attleboro, Massachusetts Years Active: 1937 – Active Okay, Capron Park Zoo isn’t huge. And yeah, some of the enclosures could use an upgrade. But this little zoo has a surprising amount to offer if you know where to look. This is a lemur hotspot! They have a ton of these playful critters, way more…
Location: Mendon, Massachusetts Years Active: 1963 – Active Southwick’s Zoo isn’t your mom’s zoo. It’s a little quirky, a little unpredictable – the kind of place where you might see a peacock strutting down the main path. Hey, that’s the fun of it, right? It’s been around since ’63, so it’s bound to have some…
Location: Boston, Massachusetts Years Active: 1912 – Active Franklin Zoo isn’t your picture-perfect wildlife sanctuary. It’s old – like, founded in 1912 old. But that’s part of its charm. You’ll find some seriously cool animals here and a focus on teaching you about them and the challenges they face. Want to beat the crowds? Go…
Location: Stoneham, Massachusetts Years Active: 1969 – Active Stoneham Zoo is a hidden gem. It’s small, and honestly, some of the enclosures could be bigger. But here’s why you should go anyway: they’re serious about making a difference for endangered animals. No lions or tigers – here you’ll find species actually facing threats in the…
Location: Carver, Massachusetts Years Active: 1947 – Active Edaville Family Theme Park people either seem to love it or despise it. There’s no middle ground with this place. It’s got those classic New England vibes, trains everywhere, and promises old-school fun in the middle of cranberry country. Now, Edaville’s a mixed bag. Some rides could…
