Contact: Lisa Simmons, MOTT
617-973-8508
Vicki Cimino, Connelly Partners
617-521-5428
For Immediate Release
BOSTON, April 10, 2012 - School’s out for the week and April Vacation is a great time for some family bonding. Whether you’re looking for a spring break filled with outdoor adventure or experiential day trips, Massachusetts offers kid-friendly destinations and exciting ideas to help you plan a week full of activities. From the historic ride of the American Revolution to the world famous Boston Marathon to numerous museums offering vacation week programs, Massachusetts is teaming with great things to do.
For additional assistance in planning your April Vacation activities, check out the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism’s “Ask a Local” iPhone application, which is now available on iTunes. This on-the-move guide provides travel information, “local” tips, and deals from Massachusetts hotels, attractions, restaurants, and shopping destinations.
Below is a sample of some of the things you can do during school vacation week. For a full list of activities visit massvacation.com and "Like" us on Facebook at Visit Massachusetts (http://www.facebook.com/VisitMassachusetts) and "Follow" us on Twitter @VisitMA (http://twitter.com/VisitMA).
Greater Boston:
116th Boston Marathon: April 16
Cheer on the oldest marathon in America and the largest single-day event in New England. The 26.2-mile course from Hopkinton to Boston’s Back Bay.
The Sports Museum at TD Garden
The Sports Museum preserves and showcases New England’s distinctive sports heritage through an unparalleled collection of artifacts, multi-media, works of art, and interactive exhibits. Open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. $10/adult; $5/children (10-18) and Seniors (60+); children under ten are free.
Fenway Park Tour
Celebrate Fenway Park’s 100th Birthday! Visit the park where the Babe pitched, The Kid hit, Yaz dazzled, and today's stars still thrill Red Sox Nation. Fenway Park Tours provide a 50-minute historic walking tour of the ballpark, guided by an official Fenway Park Tour Guide. Tours held every hour, on the hour, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. $16/adult; $14/senior; $12/children (3-15); $12/student; $12/military.
Franklin Park Zoo
At Franklin Park Zoo, children and adults alike can experience hundreds of exotic animal species from around the world right in the middle of Boston! Explore the wonders of a tropical rainforest, the Australian outback, or the African savannah in one of these exhibit areas. Open weekdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; weekends, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. $16/adult; $13/senior; $10/children (2-15); children under 2 are free.
North of Boston and Greater Merrimack Valley
Verrill Farm, Concord: School Vacation Cooking Classes with Chef Kevin
Chef Kevin Carey dons his teacher's toque for classes, which include instruction and participation. Novices and aspiring chefs leave with skills and tips for preparing meals at home. Food prepared in class is packaged 'to go' at the end of class. $25 per child. Registration and prepayment are required. To sign up, call 978.369.4494.
Garden in the Woods, Framingham
New England’s premier wildflower garden; this ever-changing living museum has more than 1,000 native plant species, with many rare and endangered native specimens throughout the gardens, as well as the unique New England Rare Plant Garden. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, Concord Youngsters try their hand at activities popular with Louisa May Alcott and her sisters; trained staff assist in acting, writing, making crafts, and drawing. April 19-22; 9 – 11 a.m.
Lexington Battle Reenactment and Parade, Lexington Green
The Town of Lexington celebrates the first shots of the American Revolution with a reenactment of the early-morning engagement between the town's militia and the British regulars. Reenactment begins at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, April 16; the Lexington Parade begins at 2 p.m.
South of Boston
Liberty Week at Battleship Cove, Fall River
Enjoy fun-filled educational workshops for the entire family and special guest appearances and entertainment. Open Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. All activities and workshops are free with paid, discounted admission. $12/adult; $7/child (6-12); children under six are free.
South Shore Art Center: April Adventures in Art, Cohasset
Creative art-making, featuring projects in printmaking, clay, watercolor, and multi-media. April 17 – 20; 9:30-12:30. $155/member, $185/nonmember.
Cape Cod Central Railroad - Hobo Express, State Pier – Fall River Experience the thrill as the whistle blows, smell the ocean air breeze through your window, and relax while “hobos” provide live entertainment for the kids. Enjoy discounted admission to Battleship Cove. April 16 – 19 at 9:45 a.m.; $14/person (ages 3+).
Cape Cod
ZooQuarium, West Yarmouth
The ZooQuarium strives to provide a safe home for Massachusetts wildlife, to keep the spirit of farming alive with a Children’s petting zoo, and to offer high-quality educational opportunities. Open seven days a week throughout school vacation week; 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster
The museum is housed in a 17,000-square foot building on its own 80-acre site and abutted by 320 acres of town- and Conservation-owned land. There are two floors of exhibits about the flora and fauna of Cape Cod, including exhibits on whales, indigenous birds, and coastal change, and several aquaria holding different species of crustaceans, mollusks, fish, frogs, turtles and snakes. Several displays are interactive and geared to children. Special, temporary exhibits enhance the permanent collection. Open daily throughout Massachusetts school vacation week; 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. $10/adult; $7/senior; $5/child (ages 3-12); children under three are free.
Central Massachusetts
EcoTarium: Earth Week, Worcester
From hands-on explorations and Earth Day celebrations to traveling to the far reaches of the universe, EcoTarium's popular Earth Week will be jam-packed with activities for the whole family. Culminating in Worcester’s annual Earth Day Festival, Earth Week takes place April 17 – 20. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. $14/adult; $8/child (2-18); and $10/senior.
Higgins Armory Museum, Worcester
Wield a sword! Joust a knight! Attack a castle! An adventure awaits around every corner at the Higgins Armory Museum during school vacation week. From hands-on shield design workshops to exciting swordplay classes, your noble knight or valiant princess will return to school with their own tale to tell! Open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sunday 12 – 4 p.m. Admission: $17/adult; $9/senior; and $9/child (4-16).
Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge
Enjoy expanded hands-on and interactive activities throughout the Village, along with family-friendly performances and entertainment. Meet the new arrivals at the farm (every day) and on Monday (Patriots Day), take part in martial activities. Open daily from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. $24/adult; $22/senior; $8/youth (3-17).
Western Massachusetts
AniMagic, Lee
Offering visitors a guided tour of the Museum of Animation, Special Effects, and Art, a glimpse of original models used in famous movies, and a genuine Academy Award won by Eugene Mamut, co-owner of AniMagic. Workshop participants will be introduced to modern animation technologies, create a model, and make an animation movie. By appointment only, open every day. $40/person – check website for specials.
Norman Rockwell Museum: School Vacation Week Workshops, Stockbridge
Hold that Pose! Portraiture for Children: What’s in a face? This workshop dynamic series will draw inspiration from the art of the masters, including illustrator Norman Rockwell and portraitist Everett Raymond Kinstler, whose works are on view. Works will be created with tempera paint on mat board. For students 7 and up. Take one or take them all! Free with Museum admission. April 16-20, from 1-4 p.m.
MASS MoCA: Under the Sea Exhibit, North Adams
Under the Sea features six internationally-acclaimed artists who explore the ocean as habitat, myth, and a necessary element of life on earth. Through various themes and innovative materials, the artists examine the mystery and power of the ocean as well as the catastrophic consequences of our abuse of this natural resource. Open 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. every day except Tuesdays. $15/adult; $10/student; $5/youth (6-16); and free for children five and under.
About MOTT
The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) is the state agency dedicated to promoting Massachusetts as a leisure-travel destination. An integral part of the state’s economy, tourism generates more than $915 million in state and local taxes and $14.4 billion in travel related expenditures and supports 121,500 in-state jobs. Web site: http://www.massvacation.com/
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- Where to Go
- Things to Do
For New England's largest theme park, head to Six Flags New England in Agawam. Experience the "Glow in the Park Parade", an all new nighttime spectacular with dramatic state-of-the-art floats, cirque-style music and thousands of sparkling lights! The Dept. of Conservation and Recreation presents Park Passport, a program where families are encouraged to continue to visit parks statewide in an effort to fill their passport with stamps from all the parks.
- Plan Your Trip
- 50 Under $50
- Getting Around
State and regional resources, including air, land, and water transportation; Boston public transit info; detailed info on travel to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island
