1. Jacob’s Pillow
“The Pillow” is a treasured
National Historic Landmark,
home to America’s longest-running international dance festival
offering more than 50 dance
companies and 500 free
performances, talks, and
events each summer, ranging
from hip hop to ballet.
413-243-0745
358 George Carter Rd, Becket, MA
jacobspillow.org |
2. Tanglewood
Don’t miss the iconic
Berkshire tradition of
picnicking on the sprawling
lawn at Tanglewood while
listening to the Boston Symphony Orchestra or one of many
contemporary artists.
888-266-1200
297 West St, Lenox, MA
bso.org/tanglewood |
3. Cape Cod Hydrangea Fest
Enjoy this annual Cape-wide
celebration of the region’s blue,
pink, and white signature flowers
and everything gardens on Cape
Cod! This 10-day July festival
includes daily tours of private
gardens, each carrying a unique
charm.
capecodhydrangeafest.com |
4. WaterFire Providence
Wander the shops and galleries
of the city then attend WaterFire
at night, where fire dancers and
fire-tenders in gondolas light
over 80 floating bonfires. Walk
along the river to enchanting music,
stop at a food truck for dinner,
and browse the booths of local
artisans as aromatic wood smoke
and flickering firelight engage
the senses.
508-393-6406
Waterplace Park, Memorial Blvd, Providence, RI
waterfire.org |
5. Bristol 4th of July Parade
Founded in 1785, Bristol’s 4th
of July Parade is the oldest
Independence Day celebration
in the U.S. Over 200,000
spectators arrive in the tiny
seaside town to line the 2-mile
parade route each July. The
parade starts at 10:30am, but
arrive early for a good spot to
watch the floats, marching
bands and performers.
Hope St, Bristol, RI
fourthofjulybristolri.com |
6. Museum of Science
Spend the day at this constantly
innovating museum with more
than 700 interactive exhibits
and activities that explore all
realms of science, from the
human body and electricity
to Arctic exploration and
dinosaurs. Afterwards, catch
a Duck Boat tour of Boston,
for a unique land/sea ride
you’ll never forget!
617-723-2500
1 Science Park, Boston, MA
mos.org
bostonducktours.com |
7. New England Botanic
Garden at Tower Hill
Featuring 18 distinct gardens,
an arboretum, preserved
woodlands, and miles of
walking trails, along with a
visitor’s center offering a
charming café, beautiful
conservatory, shop, gallery
space, and special events.
508-869-6111
11 French Dr, Boylston, MA
nebg.org |
8. Centuries of the Soldier
This August living history event
includes historical encampments, demonstrations, and battle
re-enactments on the American
Heritage Museum grounds
with soldiers from the Romans,
French & Indian War, Revolutionary
War, Civil War, World War I,
World War II, Korean War, and
the Vietnam War. Be sure to also
visit the museum itself, which
has a stunning collection of
antique tanks, cars, planes,
and military memorabilia from
all over the world.
978-562-9182
568 Main St, Hudson, MA
americanheritagemuseum.org |
9. Boston Paintball
Challenge your friends on one
of 3 paintball courses: woods,
scenario, or airball. You’ll have
the time of your life!
978-261-5046
145 Powder Mill Rd, Sudbury
bostonpaintball.com |
10. Hopkinton State Park
The park’s 1,500 acres are
crisscrossed by trails around
a lake with beaches, stocked
fishing, and more. The
Boathouse rents sailboats,
kayaks, canoes, rowboats,
pedal boats, paddleboards,
and complimentary beach
wheelchairs. The bucolic
forest offers hiking, horseback
riding, and mountain
biking trails.
508-435-4303
164 Cedar St, Hopkinton, MA
mass.gov/locations/hopkinton-state-park |
11. Baby Goats Yoga at
Happy Goats Farm
During this hilarious yoga
class (taught be certified
instructors), baby goats
will snuggle up to you,
jump on you, and sometimes
gently nibble your clothes.
617-272-0170
400 Norfolk St, Holliston
happygoatsfarm.com |
12. Urban Air
Wear everyone out with
Urban Air’s trampolines,
battle beam, Warrior Course,
Sky Rider, Drop Zone, ropes
course, trapeze, and climbing
wall.
508-232-4604
189 Mechanic St, Bellingham
urbanair.com |
13. Natick Center
Cultural District
The Natick Center Cultural
District’s majestic neo-gothic
architecture serves as a
visually impressive backdrop
for the cultural offerings
surrounding the town common.
The Center for Arts in Natick
(TCAN), housed in a c. 1875
fire station, is a premier
performing arts center and
an anchor of the District,
which is also home to over
100 working artists and
dozens of independently-owned restaurants and boutiques.
The quintessentially New
England common provides
ample green space and a
gazebo for public concerts
and festivals, including Art
in the Park, ArtWalk open
studios, Earth Day, Holi Festival, Juneteenth Festival, Multicultural
Day, a Holiday Lighting and Stroll,
and Natick Nights, a weekly
summer arts and cultural event
with vendors and performers.
The District is famous for a vast
array of public art including murals, mosaics, painted electrical boxes, temporary installations and more.
Central crossroads:
Main St & E. Central St, Natick
natickcenter.org |
14. Danforth Art Museum
This jewel box museum houses
3,500+ works of art from the
18th century to today, including
a large collection by 20th c.
sculptor Meta Vaux Warrick
Fuller, famous for representing
the black American experience
in her art.
508-215-5110
14 Vernon St, Framingham
danforth.framingham.edu |
15. ātac: downtown arts + music
From plays to live music
to comedians, there is always
something going on at ātac!
Check the schedule, and
head to a show! Don’t
miss their A Night at
the Circus spectacular.
508-405-2787
160 Hollis St, Framingham
www.atac160.org |
16. Ghiloni Park
Explore all the fun of Ghiloni’s
splash pad, playground,
soccer fields, and woodland
nature trails.
June–Sept, 10am-5pm
239 Concord Rd, Marlborough
visit-marlborough.com/splash-around |
