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Fun Places to go with Kids
Have you been wanting to take your kids someplace fun but don't
want to go to the same old places? Then this page is for you. We all know that Rutland is a little off the beaten
path, but that doesn't mean that there aren't a lot of great destinations within an hour's drive. Below are some great
places that we've been. If you know some fun places to go, please type them into the form at the bottom of this page.
Coco Keys Water Park - Wouldn’t it be great to be able to
get away to the tropical islands any time you want without having to leave Massachusetts? Now you can, at CoCo Key Water Resort,
Massachusetts’ Newest Indoor Water Resort. CoCo Key combines the relaxation and enchantment of the islands with the
wild excitement of a 55,000-sq. ft. indoor water park. Every day is a bright, sunny 84 degrees at CoCo Key. The water resort
is located only thirty minutes away in Fitchburg. For more information call 978-342-7100 or visit the website at http://www.cocokeyfitchburg.com/.
Overlook Farm in Rutland - This 270 acre working farm is part
of Heifer International and educates the public about world hunger, poverty and solutions. The farm is open from 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m. for visitors to take self-guided tours, watch a video, visit the gift shop, picnic, etc. If you want
to go just call ahead or stop by the office first. There are also many special annual events, including Living
Nativity (December), Pancakes at the Farm (March), International Fair (June), summer camps, and Harvest Festival (Fall).
For more information call 508-886-2221 or visit the website at www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.201558/.
Rutland State Park - A 300 acre recreation area
with developed facilities for fresh water swimming, picnicking, boating and hiking. At Whitehall Pond, there is a swimming
beach and adjacent picnic area. For more information call 508-886-6333 or go to the website at www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/rtld.htm.
Wachusett Mountain - Located in neighboring Princeton, this Mountain
has great skiing and snow boarding in the winter and hiking at the State Park all year. For more information about
skiing call 978-464-2300 or visit the website at www.wachusett.com. State Park information contact 978-464-2987 or www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/wach.htm.
Higgins Armory Museum - Located in Worcester, this
museum has 5,000 objects on 4 floors and is the only institution in the Northeast dedicated to the collection, preservation,
exhibition, and interpretation of arms and armor. A visit to the Higgins will spark your imagination with the fact behind
the fairytale! For more information call 508-853-6015 or visit http://www.higgins.org/.
The EcoTarium - Located in Worcester, this museum of science
and nature boasts lots of exhibits, animals, and nature trails. Some highlights include a tree canopy walkway and
the Explorer Express Train, which takes you around the outside exhibits. For more information call 508-929-2700 or visit
http://www.ecotarium.org/.
Worcester Sharks - Minor league hockey at its best.
The Sharks, a developmental team for the San Jose Sharks, play at the DCU Center. For more information visit http://www.sharksahl.com.
Worcester Tornadoes - This CanAm Baseball team plays on Fitton
Field at Holy Cross. Tickets are inexpensive and the atmosphere is all about fun. For more information call 508-792-2288
or visit www.worcestertornadoes.com.
Brimfield Fair, Brimfield, MA - This fair
is the largest outdoor antique show in New England, with over 5000 dealers from all over the country. The shows, a week
each, happen three times a year, May, July, and September. For more information visit http://www.brimfield.com/index.htm.
Brookfield Orchards, North Brookfield, MA -
This family owned and operated orchard boasts pick-your-own apples from Labor Day through October.
The Country Store offers a large selection of apples, cider, cheese, jams, honey, maple products, a "penny candy"
corner, a "book nook", old maps, antiques, collectibles, crafts and more. For more information go to http://www.brookfieldorchardsonline.com/.
Barre Falls Dam, Hubbardston, MA -Just a short drive from Rutland,
take your dog and go frisbee golfing then to Calico and Cream, also in Hubbardston, for ice cream. The park
offers canoeing, picnicking, hunting, fishing, hiking, horseshoes, sightseeing, mountain bike riding, horseback riding, cross-country
skiing, 18-hole disc golf, and wildlife observation. The recreational benefits are an "extra dividend" to the main
purpose of this flood reduction project. For more information go to www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/bfd/bfdhome.htm.
Leicester Triple Drive-In, Leicester, MA - Open in the summer,
Leicester Drive-In is a great place to take the kids. There are three screens and always double features. Cost
is about $20 per car, so load-up the kids, bring along your bug spray, lawn chairs, snacks and a frisbee to play with
before the movie, and have a unique movie viewing experience. You can even stop at Hot Dog Annie's on the way.
For more information call (508) 892-4400 or visit www.drive-ins.com/theater/matleic.
Southwick's - New England's Largest Zoo, Mendon, MA -
The Zoo also boasts elephant and camel rides, a train, and a 35 acre interactive deer forest ... plus much more.
For more information visit http://www.southwickszoo.com/.
Mass Central Rail Trail - A 104 mile railroad line was
shattered by a hurricane in 1938. The line once stretched from downtown Boston to Northampton, MA. Now, almost seventy
years later, dedicated volunteers, property owners and our government agencies and business partners in 24 communities are
working to dig it out and open it up. The trail going through Rutland is complete and includes a scenic tunnel at Charnock
Hill. For more information call 413-575-2277 or visit http://www.masscentralrailtrail.org/.
Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield, MA - Basketball
fans will love this place! Open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. -
5 p.m. Admission is $16.99 for adults, $13.99 for seniors, $11.99 kids ages 5 thru 15, and free for ages 4 and
under. Discounts available for groups of 15 or more. For more information call 877-4HOOPLA or visit http://www.hoophall.com/.
Central Rock Climbing Centers - "Central Rock Climbing Gym" speaks for itself, right? It's in the center
of the state,and you climb rockwalls. It has so many different things to do! You can climb some of the biggest rockwalls in
the Worcester County area, or you can belay (manage the rope) the person who is climbing the rockwalls. For more info
visit http://www.centralrockgym.com/worcester/ .
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