Stopping Between Boston and NYC

Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven

I grew up in New Jersey have a lot of family and friends in the NY/NJ/CT area, so we drive down that way frequently.  Sometimes we like to make stops on the way there or back to break up the drive and give my son the chance to stretch his legs, especially if we aren't in a rush.

For anyone else who does the drive regularly or plans to make a trip down there, here are some places on the way to help break up your trip.  I will add this as I find more activities.

Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT - This is a great aquarium and a bit cheaper than other aquariums in New England, like Mystic or the New England Aquarium.   You can easily spend several hours here.  The best part is the hands-on activities, like the ray touch tank!

Stepping Stones Children's Museum in Norwalk, CT - If you are a member of the Museum of Science or Boston Children's Museum, your membership card will get you into Stepping Stones!  This is a really fun children's museum.  It's spacious, clean, and has a lot to do.  We've been here a few times and would love to stop there again.

Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven, CT - This is a little pricey ($30 for out-of-staters to park their car) but it's pretty cool.  It has a nice lighthouse, a beach with lifeguards, a carousel, a splash pad, and concessions.  Pack a picnic and stay for a few hours.  Build it into your trip!

Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT - This is another museum that you can get in for free with a Museum of Science membership.  Otherwise, it's only $7 and kids 5 and under are free.  It's part science museum and part art museum.  It's not a big museum and you can get through it in less than an hour, but my son enjoyed it on our way home after Christmas last December.

Chip's Pancakes in multiple locations - After years of seeing billboards for Chip's, we finally stopped there a few months ago.  The billboards say they have the best pancakes in Connecticut and I must say, they were quite good and I am very picky with my pancakes!  Super kid friendly, inexpensive, breakfast all day, and a good place to stop for a quick bite when driving to or from NY.

Mystic, CT - If you take 95 home, stop by Mystic.  You don't need to spend money on the aquarium (which is quite costly) and you could just head to downtown Mystic.  There are restaurants including the famous Mystic Pizza, ice cream places, gift shops, and a draw bridge.  Nearby Stonington also has a lighthouse museum.

Lighthouses - You can check out my lighthouse blog that I haven't updated in years.  My husband and I love lighthouses and here are some that you can visit in CT.  Note:  you need to take 95 home to see most of these.

Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, RI - Another place you can get in with your Museum of Science membership.  It's a really nice zoo and you could spend hours there.  It's also great for a day trip.

5 Things to do over Memorial Day Weekend

The unofficial start of summer - Memorial Day!  Here are some ideas for things to do.

1.  Kids can do the Kids Fun Run associated with Boston's Run to Remember.  On Saturday, the kids fun runs begin at 10:00 AM on top of the Seaport World Trade Center.  Afterwards, visit the Sports and Fitness Expo.  There's bouncy houses, clowns, free samples, storytelling, music, and more.

2.  Do the whole Boston Common thing!  Picnic, Swan Boats, carousel, wander around the gardens...the weather looks great for Sunday and Monday so ENJOY!

3.  Venture to Rhode Island for a PawSox game on Monday.  Monday nights are $1 menu Mondays at McCoy Stadium, so enjoy hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, chips, and Cracker Jack for a buck!  After the game, there will be fireworks!  View their schedule for more info.

4.  Head up to Newburyport for their annual Springfest.  There's kids entertainment, music, crafts, and food in lovely Newburyport!

5.  Lastly, let's not forget the real meaning of Memorial Day.  Honor those that served our country and attend a Memorial Day Parade.  Here's a schedule of local Memorial Day Parades.

PawSox Games

Baseball season is here!  It's officially opening day and the first Red Sox game of the season is on Friday.

My son, Isaac, is only 4 so we haven't sprung for tickets to a Red Sox game yet.  It's pretty costly and I've suspected that he probably wouldn't be interested enough to sit still for the duration of a game.  When he showed interest in seeing a baseball game last summer, I thought of taking him to see one of the minor league teams.  Minor league games are way cheaper, so even if Isaac got bored by the fourth inning, it's not like we paid top dollar to see the Red Sox.  

Many of the games have fun kid-related events, like running the bases after the game, bobblehead giveaways, dogs catching baseballs, and more.  Some also have nut-free days, so if you have a child with a nut allergy, you can rest assured.  

There are 3 minor league teams within reasonable driving distance of Boston:  Pawtucket Red Sox, Lowell Spinners, and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in Manchester.  

We decided to go to a PawSox game and we had a blast.  The crowd was enthusiastic, so it felt like being at a major league game.  l Isaac actually didn't get bored until the 7th inning and by the 8th it was time to line up down by the field because kids got to run the bases after the game!  

Here were some of the prices:

Admission:  $8/adults, $5/children for general admission.  Box seats are $12.

Parking:  If you get there early enough, there's free parking.  The other lots charge only a few bucks.

Ice cream in a PawSox helmet:  $4.50

Beer for Mommy and Daddy:  $6

Hot dog:  $3.50

The prices really are quite reasonable.   Also, if you follow the MiLB teams on Facebook, you can find other great deals and promotions.  For instance, if you have 4 people in your party, you can do the "Family Four Pack."  4 general admission tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 bags of chips, and 4 sodas!  A total steal.

If your kids are interested in seeing a baseball game, but you don't want to pay Fenway prices, check out the PawSox.  

Free and Discounted Museum Days

The Boston Children's Museum is only $1 on Friday nights.

There's no shortage of excellent museums in Massachusetts and luckily, even if you're on a budget you can take advantage!  Many museums offer specific days where you can go for a reduced price - or even free!

• Harvard Museum of Natural History is free for Massachusetts residents every Sunday morning (year-round) from 9:00 am to noon.  From September through May, it's also free Wednesdays from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.  Don't forget to bring an ID; they will need to verify residency.
• Boston Children's Museum is $1 on Friday evenings 5pm to 9pm, sponsored by Target.
• Discovery Museums (both) in Acton are free on the first Friday of the month from 4:30-8:30 pm.
• If you're a Bank of America or Merrill Lynch customer, they have a "Museums on Us" program where you can into museums for free on the first weekend of the month.  Some area museums include: the Museum of Fine Arts, MIT Museum, American Textile History Museum in Lowell, Battleship Cove in Fall River, Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, NH, Providence Children's Museum, and the RISD Museum.  Check their website for more.
• MIT Museum is also free on the last Sunday of each month.
• Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton is free on Thursdays, 5-9 PM.
• The Museum of Fine Arts has a bunch of free Open House days: Monday, January 20, 2014 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day); Saturday, February 8, 2014 (Lunar New Year); Monday, May 26, 2014 (Memorial Day); and Monday, October 13, 2014 (Fall Open House).  On Wednesday nights after 4 pm, admission is by voluntary contribution, though the suggested donation is $25.
• Worcester Art Museum is free on the first Saturday of the month from 10-12.
• In the summer, Highland Street offers "Free Fun Fridays."  Their schedule for summer 2014 hasn't come out yet, but you can see last year's schedule to get an idea of where you can visit for free.
• Don't forget to check your library for discounted passes!  Some of the deals are great.  

Know any others?  Leave a comment!