Conference moira::parenting_v3

    If you'll be staying in Stow, that's not too far from the Children's
    Discovery Museum in Acton.  We've never been, but it gets rave
    reviews from friends (and in this notesfile as well!)

    There are two places that I know of that do re-enactments of colonists:
    Plimouth Plantation and Olde Sturbridge Village.   You probably about
    equally far from both.   If I recall correctly, Plimouth Plantation
    is more primitive and the people totally play the role.

    I personally like the shoreline north of Boston: Newburyport, Rockport,
    etc....the mansions, the artsy shops, etc.

    Have a great time!

    Carol

    The first place that came to mind is Drumlin Farm. It is a working farm
    located in Sudbury on route 117 East. The children get to pet baby animals
    and roam around freely, knowing that they can't hurt anything. It may
    cost a couple of bucks to get in, but it's well worth it. It may be
    $3.00 adults, children under 3 are free, I think. 
    
    There is also the Discovery Museum in Acton on Route 27 North. I've
    never been in there, but have heard that alot of parents enjoy the trip
    as well as the children do. Just about everything is out in the open
    for children to touch/play/enjoy.
    
    If I think of any other places for children, I'll post them here.
    
    As for beaches... it's still pretty nippy out here to go to the beach,
    but we have our fair share of nice clean beaches to go to. Follow Route
    495 North for a hour and follow the signs to Salsbury or Hampton
    Beaches.
    
    Have fun!
    Norma

    
    Plymouth Planation is appx. an hour and half to hour and 45 minutes
    from Stow it's in Plymouth Ma. on the ocean, in what's known as the 
    South Shore.  It's on the way to Cape Cod via Rte 3.  You can kill two 
    birds with one stone by visiting there, history plus seeing the
    ocean.  A replica of the Mayflower is also there.  There was also a 
    local winery, which made Cranberry Wine. I'm not sure if it's there 
    anymore. Make sure to bring warm sweaters and/or windbreakers, it can get
    pretty cold on the ocean with the wind. 
    
    My folks have a summer place on the South Shore and I know when
    we've gone down in May it can be pretty cold when the wind blows
    of the water.                   
    
    Directions from Acton:
    
    RTE 2 east to RTE 128 south (I hate this Highway - Mass drivers
    at there worst!) stay on this until the end (Braintree area) then
    take RTE 3 south (Cape Cod). You'll be on Rte for appx 1/2 hour to 
    45 minutes. Look for the signs for Plymouth Plantation.  There is
    also a State Park there, not sure if it is open yet or not.
    
    Hope you all have lots of fun when you are here,
    
    Pat K. ( one week of work left, three weeks and counting for our
    new arrival)
    
    

    Actually, Olde Sturbridge Village is probably a bit closer than
    Plymouth - from Stow it's roughly 60-70 minutes. It's a village that
    recreates life from the 1830's - very pretty and essentially hands-on
    for all ages.
    
    If you opt for a day in Boston, Shellie would get to see the
    waterfront; you could lunch/shop at Faneuil Hall, and for Evan there's
    the Children's Museum and/or the Aquarium. Quite a full agenda, but all
    fun.
    
    regards,
    Lynn
    

    A nice beach is Good Harbor beach in Gloucester, Mass., but the
    water is COLD.  (I'm used to Chesapeake Bay/Gulf of Mexico beaches.)
    
    Salem, Mass., has a lot of nice house tours and things like that.
    The House of the Seven Gables may be a little much for a youngster,
    but the tour doesn't last forever, and there are plenty of shops
    along Pickering Wharf that you can wander in and out of.  Also
    call the Essex Institute in Salem and see if they have any kids'
    programs that you can take advantage of.
    
    I'm assuming that you've already been told about the Children's
    Discovery Museum and the Science Discovery Museum in Acton and
    the Children's Museum in Boston.  These places have "hands-on"
    policies and let kids mess around to their hearts' content.
    
    If you have family members in this area and they belong to one
    of the local public libraries, see if you can get free or discount
    passes to local attractions.  My M-I-L works at the Beverly Public
    Library and can get serious discounts to the New England Aquarium,
    the annual Flower Show, etc.
    
    Have fun!  Stop by if you get a chance!

You folks give *great* directions!  The time estimates *really* help,
since I don't know town names (I think I can find Boston, though).  ;-)
For long trips, it especially helps, because I can figure if he will have
enough time to nap on the way home!

Are the beaches mentioned places where there are tidepools, or just sand
to walk on?  Do you have many shells on the beach (California doesn't,
unless you hit a tidepool, but I don't know the Atlantic)?

Remember, I will be there in late June, so all of the tourist places, etc
would be open, I would think.

If we go to the Acton museum(s), how long should we plan to spend there?

        Carol

    One recommendation about visiting Boston...
    
    Take it from a native...unless you are an exceptionally brave and 
    adventurous person, you may not want to drive into Boston, especially
    on a Friday during the summer. You could opt instead for public
    transportation. From Stow, you could drive via Rt 2 to the Alewife "T" 
    station in Cambridge and take the Red-line subway into town, and/or
    even stop off in Harvard Square for some sightseeing and
    stuff...Another possibility would be to take the commuter train from
    Acton (the station is actually quite close to the Discovery Museum in
    Acton) into Boston.

    Ditto on 829.1--Children's Discovery Museum in Acton
    
    We were in Mass. over the Xmas holidays last year.  My 6 year old
    daughter and almost 3 year old at the time had a blast there.  It was a
    very popular place and we spent two hours there.  The kids did not want
    to leave.  There is alot of hands-on activities which is great for this
    age.  I highly recommend it!  Take your camera.  There's two
    buildings--one for younger and one for older children.  You want to go
    in the one with the dinosaur in front of it.
    
    Karen

    This might help with your planning --
    
    The Children's Discovery Museum in Acton is open on Tuesday, Thursday
    and Friday 1-4:30;  Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 9-4:30.
    
    Admission is $5 per person.
    
    You might want to make sure that the hours haven't changed by June.
    The phone # is (508)264-4201.

    Answer to "How long at Discovery Museum?":
    
    Your 3 year-old child's stamina will be exhausted before she runs out
    of things to play with.  So make it the first thing you do that day,
    while she's fresh.  Also, try to avoid a weekend or holiday.  Museum
    has a 'members-first' policy, so if you can go early on a weekday,
    you won't be crowded out.  mike
    

    I just spent the day at Old Sturbridge Village will my 3.5 year old and
    her 11 month old sister.  (Yesterday was Digital Day.)  I was surprised
    and delighted to see how interested the 3 year old was in going into
    the houses.  They also have 2 small farms on the place and we were able to
    see newborn lambs.  
    
    We brought lunch and had a small picnic, which was a real success.  The
    weather was cooperative so a grand day was had by all.  Don't try to
    eat in the cafeteria; the lines were long and the food was expensive.
    
    Sturbridge is just off the Mass Pike and is about 70 minutes from the
    us at the Newton exit.  From Rt. 495/Stow area it's less.     
    
    I've also been to Drumlin Farm in Lincoln and the Children's Museum in
    Acton and would recommend both.  If you're in downtown Boston, you might 
    try the Aquarium, although it's not cheap.  I would also second the
    writer who suggested mass transportation in the city.
    
    Just as an aside...I find my 3 year old really loves outdoor
    activities.  She'd go to Death Valley if she thought we could picnic
    there.  
    
    Lois
      

    Carol,
    
    I too would suggest the Aquarium as a possible destination. It's
    right on the T (Aquarium stop on the Blue Line), keeps both kids
    and adults interested, and it's right on the harbor so there's lots
    of maritime activity going on. I live 20 minutes away and still find
    it a fascinating part of the city no matter how often we go. 
    
    If you have the time and energy, you can take a boat around the harbor
    - they leave from the wharf next to the Aquarium. 
    
    Another idea: Old Ironsides at the Charlestown Naval Shipyard. They
    run a shuttle bus from the T. You should plan to get there early to
    get aboard the ship, otherwise there's a long wait in line. Let me
    know if you want more info.
    
    Lucy 

    
    One comment about the aquarium.....there are some big sharks in the
    center aquarium that are really fascinating, but somewhat ominous to
    children at some ages.  Don't know if 3 years old is the "'fraid of
    everything" age or not, but thought it worth mentioning.  If you do
    decide to take in the aquarium, don't miss the dolphin show but don't
    sit front and center else you'll get wet!!
    
    Carol

    RE: last few
    
    Also be aware that there's an inexpensive water shuttle that ferries
    people between Old Ironsides and the Aquarium. It sure beats a busride,
    and gives you an interesting view of the Boston skyline.
    
    Freddie

    I think that the New England Aquarium has free admissions on Thursday
    after 4pm.  Also, my brother works at the Discovery Museum so let
    me know if you are going and maybe he can provide some extra fun
    (he's great with kids).
    	Linda

     If you go into Boston, another reason for taking the subway
(the "T") is that the subway goes above ground to cross the Charles
River, and you get a very nice view of the Charles River Basin
area.  You can see the Esplanade, where the Boston Pops has
concerts in the summer, and if it's a nice day, you will see
hundreds of sailboats.  You can also see the Museum of Science
(probably a bit "old" for Evan).  If you're a technoweenie, you can
marvel at the great dome of  MIT and Lotus Corp's. headquarters.
     The Museums in Acton are much less crowded when the weather
is nice, and conversely more crowded when the weather is bad.  I
forget if one admission gets you into both Museums, but there is
stuff for a three year old to do in the Science Discovery Museum 
(the one in the back).  If you go there, proceed immediately to the
back of the first floor.  There's a table on which you can draw
figures (I believe the mathematical term is Lissajous figures) with
harmonic motion.  There's usually a line there, but it's
fascinating to do and watch, and you end up with something you can
hang on your wall (too big for a refrigerator, though).  There's
also an easy hiking trail that begins at the lower part of the
Science Discovery Museum parking lot that goes through Acton
conservation land.

Clay

    Most of the towns around Stow (Acton, Concord, Sudbury) have "castle"
    playgrounds - large, wooden structures and slides. They usually have
    picnic tables as well. My 3 year old niece loves them.
    
    There is a state park in Carlisle (25 minutes from Stow), which has a
    working dairy farm, trails around the pastures, a pond and a great ice
    cream stand. From Stow take Rt. 27 north to Rt. 225 east. At the center
    of Carlisle, take the second exit at the rotary (Lowell St.). The park
    is about 2 miles down the road towards Chelmsford. It's a pretty ride.
    
    Cyn