April showers might bring May flowers, but they also bring days cooped up inside with cabin fever! Bust those rainy day blues with a day trip to one of these destinations for loads of family fun! Here are some great rainy day activities in Central Mass and beyond!
Eastern Mass
The Butterfly Place, Westford, MA
This hidden gem in Northeast Central Mass has all sorts of butterflies native to New England and the tropics. As the butterfly atrium (pictured above) is kept at 80 degrees, it is the perfect choice for a chilly Spring day. Stop by the gift shop on the way out and pick up a butterfly hatching kit for home!
Discovery Museum, Acton, MA
The Discovery Museum boasts loads of exhibits that are hands-on, low-tech, open-ended, and interactive to encourage play and exploration. There are all sorts of STEAM activities that will have your family learning while having fun.
The Patriots Hall of Fame, Foxboro, MA
Perhaps the most exciting part of this Foxboro attraction is the new Super Bowl Experience. This exhibit will delight fans with an interactive experience that allows you to make Malcolm Butler’s Super Bowl XLIX-clinching interception! There is also an area dedicated to the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, along with the six Vince Lombardi Trophies and six championship rings. LFG!
Central Mass
EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature, Worcester, MA
This unique indoor-outdoor museum offers indoor interactive exhibits, live animal habitats, and a digital planetarium. Outdoor activities abound as well with imaginative play opportunities and even a train ride!
Hebert’s Candy Mansion, Shrewsbury, MA
Check out the indoor sundae bar, candy shop, and watch the chocolatiers at work! Nothing says beating cabin fever like hitting up a candy store. Make sure to grab a cup of their yummy coffee for the ride home so you can outlast their sugar highs!
Animal Adventures Family Zoo and Rescue Center, Bolton, MA
Animal Adventures was founded as an education center to house animals that would otherwise not be cared for. Your animal lovers will love checking the out reptiles, farm animals, rehabilitated wild animals, and exotic animals here!
Funstuf Party Place, Fitchburg, MA
An indoor playplace with indoor inflatable arenas and arcade sounds like every kid’s dream rainy day destination. And with massage chairs for the adults, it might be mine too! Open play times allow for two hours of indoor fun to burn off some energy.
Western Mass
Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield, MA
We are lucky enough to have a great sports hall of fame right here in Massachusetts! The Basketball Hall of Fame makes for a fun rainy-day spot with over 40,000 square feet to explore! There are thousands of artifacts, memorabilia items, movies, and interactive exhibits.
The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, Springfield, MA
This fun, new museum features interactive exhibits exploring Dr. Seuss’ life in Springfield, providing interactive stations and rhyming games we come to expect when we think of Dr. Seuss! Personally I think the Who-ville and Readingville exhibits look especially enticing!
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA
A whole museum dedicated to picture books and picture book illustrations? Count me in! With events and rotating exhibits you’ll find plenty to occupy a whole family of book lovers on a rainy day.
Which of these ideas would be your family’s favorite? Where is your favorite rainy-day destination?
