Massachusetts Family Attractions

Newcomers will discover a wonderland of world-class attractions that entertain and educate young minds in interactive museums or encourage artistic expression. In addition to venues and entertainment centers that are designed especially for the younger set, parents will discover a virtually unlimited number of resources that provide special family programs or special displays areas for the kids. Zoos, nature centers, and parks beckon newcomers to explore outdoor treasures. For a real family adventure, enjoy one of the many whale-watching excursions.

Whale Watching

From April through October, hundreds of whales—usually humpbacks, minkes, finbacks and right whales—head for the Stellwagen Bank, a dozen miles off Cape Ann, to feed on the small sand eels. This group makes up the world’s largest concentration of whales, both in number and species. On any whale watch excursion, you can expect to see from four to ten whales. Have your camera ready because humpback whales will come as close to your boat as 50 feet, breaching (raising their entire 50-foot, 40-ton bodies out of the water), spying-ho (raising their massive snouts out of the water) and lob-tailing (waving their huge tails in the air.)

Amusements
Boston Duck Tours Departure Points Vary Boston 617-723-3825 View Website	Boston Natural Areas Network Green Space & Gardens Boston 617-542-7696 View Website
Capron Park Zoo 201 County Street Attleboro 508-222-6202 View Website	Faneuil Hall & Marketplace Boston 617-523-1300 View Website
Forest Park Zoo Sumner Avenue, Rt 83 Springfield 413-733-2251 View Website	Frank Newhall Look Memorial Park & Zoo 300 North Main Street Florence 413-584-5457 View Website
Franklin Park Zoo One Franklin Park Road Boston 617-541-5466 View Website	Marino Lookout Farm 89 Pleasant Street South Natick 508-651-1539 View Website
Old Town Trolley Tours 380 Dorchester Avenue South Boston 617-269-7150 View Website	Puppet Showplace Theatre 32 Station Street Brookline 617-731-6400 View Website
Simons IMAX Theater New England Aquarium Boston 617-973-5200 View Website	Six Flags New England 1623 Main Street, Route 159 Agawam 413-786-9300 View Website
South Shore Arts & Recreation Center 10 Cordage Park Circle Plymouth 508-747-1234 View Website	Stone Zoo 149 Pond Street Stoneham 617-541-5466 View Website
Cultural Programming
Boston Children's Theatre 321 Columbus Avenue Boston 617-424-6634 View Website	Boston Symphony Orchestra Youth Concerts Locations Vary Boston 617-266-1492 View Website
Chamber Theatre Productions Two Park Plaza Boston 617-542-9155 View Website	Concord Youth Theatre 358 Baker Avenue Concord 978-371-1482 View Website
North Shore Music Theater Children's Programming Beverly 978-232-7200 View Website	Wheelock Family Theater 200 The Riverway Boston 617-734-5203 View Website
Quick Links
Connect for Kids View Website	Discovery School View Website
Kid's Domain View Website	Time For Kids View Website
Yahooligans Web Guide View Website
Science & Discovery
Boston Children’s Museum 300 Congress Street Boston 617-426-8855 View Website	Discovery Museums 177 Main Street Acton 978-264-4200 View Website
EcoTarium 222 Harrington Way Worcester 508-929-2700 View Website	House of the Seven Gables 54 Turner Street Salem 978-744-0991 View Website
Museum of Science & Hayden Planetarium Science Park Boston 617-723-2500 View Website	New England Aquarium Central Wharf Boston 617-973-5200 View Website
Whale Watching
Cape Ann Whale Watching Gloucester 800-877-5110 View Website	Captain Bill's Whale Watching Gloucester 800-339-4253 View Website
Dolphin Fleet of Provincetown Eastham 508-240-3636 View Website	Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises Barnstable 508-362-6088 View Website
New England Whale Watches New England Aquarium Boston 617-973-5281 View Website	Portugese Princess Excursions Provincetown 508-487-6458 View Website
Seven Seas Whale Watch Gloucester 888-283-1776 View Website	Yankee Fleet Whale Watch Gloucester 800-WHALING View Website