Christmas Event at the Stone Zoo in Boston

Lights, Camera, Reindeer!

Enjoy a holiday family gathering at the Stone Zoo in Massachusetts. Promenade through the paths of shimmering Christmas lights that enhance the natural ambiance of wildlife all around you. All admittance will be able to take part in naming the two newly adopted reindeer. Give your child or loved one this special gift and wonderful outdoors experience in New England. Make this a holiday to remember.

Stone Zoo Reindeer

As you wonder through the park you will be able to enhance your education, and learn more about the magical holiday spirits all around you. Gaze at the nearly extinct bald eagles, gray fox, and porcupines. Enjoy a visit to Santa Claus, and conclude your evening with a carousel ride and famous musical.

The Admission is $5 per person and free for children under the age of 2. Call 617-989-2000.

New England attraction- A historic whale museum in Nantucket, Massachusetts

NHA’s Whaling Museum
Nantucket, MA

Back in 1846, a candle factory was built by the Mitchell family just shortly after Nantucket’s Great Fire. Less than two years later, two island businessmen put their mind and money together in keeping the candle factory running until the end of the island’s whaling era in the 1860s. The building remained a warehouse before it became the New England Steamship Company’s offices and then finally converted into the NHA’s Whaling Museum in 1929. Since then, it has been dedicated to the history of whaling and restored for prime exhibition space, a fully accessible rooftop observation deck overlooking Nantucket harbor, and the sperm whale skeleton. In 2008, the whaling museum received accreditation from the American Association of Museums, which only 22 other museums have been awarded across the nation. Inside the museum you’ll find a vast array of whaling artifacts and memorabilia, including longboats, harpoons, and scrimshaw, but the centerpiece is the complete skeleton of a 46-foot bull Sperm whale suspended from the ceiling. They’re only open for a short period of time: September 7-October 31 from 10am to 5pm for $15 a person and an extra $3 to see the other historic sites around the area (Hadwen House, Oldest House, Old Mill, and Quaker Meeting House).

A 46-foot skeleton of a sperm whale that washed ashore on New Year's Day in 1998

Learn the history of the Chatham Railroad Museum – A New England and Cape Cod attraction

Even if you’re not crazy about railroads, a trip to this beautiful 1887 Victorian building filled of “Railroad Gothic” work of wooden art and tapering turrets. Inside you’ll find volunteers revealing the lore and historic artifacts featuring the “walk-through” 1918 New York caboose. This only 7-mile long railroad once connected Chatham, MA with the Old Colony Railroad main line in Harwich, MA. What’s stunning is the depot construction was begun in June; it and the neighboring engine house (with turntable), car house, work shed, and water tower (with well and windmill) were completed just 6 months later on November 22, 1887. The property of the Town, the Museum is run by an unpaid director and a group of volunteers and is welcome for donations. There’s a playground across the street which is perfect for a picnic lunch. They’re open from mid-June to mid-Sept Tuesday through Saturday 10am-4pm and located on 153 Depot Road off Main St. (1 block N of the rotary) in Chatham, MA. Being not so up to date, there’s no phone number or website to contact this New England attraction

Going northeast up Old Harbor Road for just about a half a mile is the Captain’s House Inn. The most distinctive Cape Cod bed and breakfast, the Captain’s House Inn is regarded by many respected lodging reviewers as “The Cape’s” finest smal inn. This four-diamond sea captina’s estate on two acres in Chatham, Massachusetts is the perfect choice for an affordable romantic getaway. There are four distinct facilities – the Main House, an 1839 Greek-Revival style mansion, the attached Carriage House, the luxurious Stables and the 200-year-old “bow roof cape” called the Captain’s Cottage. Find the right accommodation and check out their specials and packages to make your romantic getaway weekend perfectly fit for you.

Chatham Railroad Museum

A fun-for-the-family Cape Cod Beach – Race Point Beach in Provincetown, MA

RACE POINT BEACH
Provincetown, MA

Travel to the absolute tip of Cape Cod and you’ll arrive at Race Point Beach, which is recognized as one of the best beaches in the country. Why is it called Race Point? Those strong Atlantic offshore currents can travel you so fast that it makes for an exciting race amongst your friends as you let the fierce rip tide take you away. This beach is said to be the “wilder ocean sister of Herring Cove” as all the sand collected in this spot and then formed the sandy Race Point Beach we know today. The best part of this area is that swimming and sun tanning aren’t just the only things to do. Take a stroll through Provincetown’s spectacular sand dunes or over to Race Point Lighthouse, which marks the tip of the Cape. The shoreline at Race Point has an incredible drop off that welcome occasional whales and sailboats coming from the deep water close inshore. Being the Atlantic waters it’ll surely be a chilly swim, but you can easily warm up again for Race Point faces north and gets sun all day long.

Before you enter the beach on Race Point Road off Rt. 6 you will see the Province Lands Visitor’s Center for you to find out more about the area and also the many summer activities offered by the Seashore. Parking costs $10 per day with facilities including  restrooms, lifeguards, and showers. Seasonal Oversand vehicle permits can be purchased at Race Point Beach from April 10-November 15 for $60. SUV’s with these permits can drive from Race Point all the way to High Head Beach in Truro.

Aquarium and animal petting zoo in Cape Cod, MA

For 40 years now, the ZooQuarium in West Yarmouth, Massachusetts has provided a fun-filled family adventure for you to explore and discover the marvelous creatures that live close by to the busy roads of Cape Cod. At the Petting Zoo you can get right up close and feed the farm animals while learning how they came to be such an important part of human life. At the Aquarium, you’ll see up close the creatures that lurk the Cape Cod waters from Stripers to Lobsters, Frogs to Turtles. You can even pick up and touch the little critters that inhibit the shoreline at the Tidal Touch Pool. You may see hermit crabs, horseshoe crabs, mussels, sea stars, urchins, clams, fiddler crabs, and much more. At the Zoorific Theater, the naturalists present and will teach you about the animals that you may have never gotten close to like skunks, alligators, or even hedgehogs. In one upcoming event (July 18 & 19, September 5 &6), the Rainforest Reptile Show from Beverly, MA will demonstrate why reptiles are so important to the planet and will let you get up close and personal with many different type of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. About 25 minutes east down Route 28, is a four-diamond sea captain’s estate nestled on two acres of Cape Cod soil now called the Captain’s House Inn. Check out their many specials and packages and enjoy a luxurious weekend in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

History Museum and the Allen Sisters Photography Art

Hay Cart - Photography by Allen, Frances and Mary (c. 1899)

One of the greatest treasures in Memorial Hall Museum and Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association in Old Deerfield, Massachusetts is the vast collection of Allen sisters’ prints and glass plate negatives. Frances Allen and Mary Allen are renowned for idealized photographs of country scenes, figure and child studies, and landscapes dating from 1885-1920. This excerpt from their photography journal in 1894 is a bit of insight to their work:

We use the camera simply as a quick way of sketching, and regard all the technical part, which comes after the exposure is made, as a necessary evil…. In pictures, artistic excellence is usually entirely at variance with what is called a perfect photograph. The eye cannot focus itself on every object in its field of vision at the same time. If a photograph does this, the effect is hard and unnatural. But there must be method in this madness. A picture is not necessarily beautiful because it is blurred, and there’s need of all one’s technical skill, even after a good negative is made, in adapting the print to its peculiar individual qualities.

The Memorial Hall Museum is open seasonally (May 1 – November 1) from 11 am – 5 pm, 7 days a week. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for youth and students aged 6 – 21. Only a few blocks away is the Deerfield Inn, a traditional country inn located in the center of this 350-year old landmark village. Right now they are running a special package to get a free third night at the Deerfield Inn! When you book a two-night weekend stay and extend your getaway into a Thursday or Sunday, that third night will be free! Also included is a twenty-five dollar credit towards food and beverage on your free room night. This offer is only for a limited time (June 18-July 25, August 14-September 6) so book soon and enjoy your stay in Deerfield, Massachusetts.

Visit the historical basketball coaches and players at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Latest News at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Dream Team and Piston Coach Hall of Famer, Chuck Daly, passes away at 78
May 11, 2009

Chuck Daly in 1994 with his Hall of Fame Medallion

Chuck Daly gained worldwide fame as coach of the legendary Olympic Dream Team in 1992, but long before Barcelona and the gold medal, the twelve-year NBA coach was established as one of the game’s premier mentors. (Read more)

For all you extreme basketball fans or simply the interested, visit the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame museum in Springfield, MA and learn about the most incredible athletes of our past. Learn and understand the fascinating stories of legendary players and coaches whom performed phenomenally and touched many lives. Tickets run for no more than $17 and its usually open from 10am-4pm (click here for details on tickets and hours). After all the basketball excitement, you have plenty of choices of where to go for dinner: Max’s Tavern, Pazzo Ristorante, Cold Stone Creamery, j.Quincy’s & Samuel’s Sports Bar, Subway, Onyx Fusion Bar & Restaurant, and UNO Chicago Grill. Stop by the Official Museum Store online or in Springfield, MA and grab something suitable before visiting the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Cape Cod, MA Spring Town Fair Festival – Brewster in Bloom

Welcome to the 23rd Annual Brewster in Bloom

May 1, 2, 3, 2009

An exciting Cape Cod town festival, Brewster in Bloom, organized by The Brewster Chamber of Commerce Board of Trade and The Brewster in Bloom Committee is coming just around the corner for you and your family to enjoy. There will be plenty of events to attend such as: golf contests, antique exhibits, art and craft shops, historical tours, clothes sales, raffles, anniversary celebrations, beer and wine tastings, band concerts, Kidsfest, and plenty more! The fun will run for three days from 10am until 5pm and end with the Brewster in Bloom Parade starting at 1pm on May 3rd. Each day features several different activities for all ages so make a whole weekend vacation out of Brewster in Bloom. To accommodate your stay, the Captain’s House Inn lies just 20 minutes away with spectacular views of the south coast of Cape Cod. Before you begin your days of festival fun, Chef Kevin and Claude will prepare an absolutely delectable breakfast to start your day right. With the Captain’s House Inn’s luxurious amenities and comfortable atmosphere, you won’t want to go back to reality after your weekend getaway vacation.

The Channing Blake Meadow Walk by the Deerfield Inn

As Spring rolls around the corner and the flowers begin to bloom, there’s no better time to view these spectacular views. The Channing Blake Meadow Walk will take you through the working farms then through the stunning meadows until the Deerfield River. This fully accessible path describes the local geology, natural history, and Native and European presence that once occupied Deerfield, Massachusetts. The path will open May 1st until December 1st. On your relaxing stay, be sure to accommodate your night at the traditional country inn, The Deerfield Inn. Located in the center of the 350-year-old National Historic Landmark village of Deerfield, you’ll find peace and serenity in any of their 24 guest rooms with their exceptional hospitality. You can reserve online or call 800-926-3865.

Nashoba Valley Wine Tour and Bed & Breakfast – Bolton, Massachusetts

Nashoba Valley Wine Tour and the Charlotte’s House

Bolton, Massachusetts

Up in a hilltop orchard in the charming town of Bolton, Massachusetts, The Nashoba Valley Winery is producing the most superior fruit wines and exquisite foods since 1978. Here’s a brief overview of this fantastic winery that makes them worthy of over 100 national and international medals and perfect destination for your next vacation. Every Saturday and Sunday of the year join the tour-guides and discover the process for making their highly-acclaimed fruit wines, brandies and distillates. The one-hour tour includes a tasting of four selected wines plus two additional standard wines and then receive a commemorative wine glass to take home. As book your wine tour, don’t forget to make the dinner reservation at the carefully restored rustic farmhouse now called J’s Restaurant. Mix up the vacation the next day to check out some of the finest distilled spirits and crafted beers made from the freshest ingredients. If you and your loved one really enjoy everything, Nashoba Valley Winery hosts a stressless and elegant wedding day.

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