The 413 Mom

The Big E with the kids -- 2019 edition!

I once again snuck out to the Big E this morning without the girls (I'm taking them after school so they don't mind too much) because I wanted to be able to give you a 2019 tips and tricks guide for when you visit with your kiddos. The good news? The Big E is just the same as it was last year. And the year before. And the year before that. But there are a few new things to note so here ya go:

We'll start at the back of the fairgrounds at Gate 9:

• There is now a cream puff stand at Gate 9A! I repeat! Get your cream puffs as soon as you enter from Gate 9A OR take them home with you right before you leave. 
• Milkshakes for only $1.50 at the 4-H Milk Booth near the butter sculpture (Mallary Complex) -- these are really more like flavored milk but kids can choose from chocolate, vanilla or strawberry. 
• Also, look for the Christmas tree display near the Mallary Complex --  a nice place to let the kids free to explore -- it's never too busy back here. There is a lovely pond landscape and some paved pathways where toddlers can safely get some stroller freedom and stretch their legs.
• If your kids love the animatronic veggie show in the Farm-A-Rama building  (who am I kidding -- I'm the one who loves this) don't miss the singing refrigerator show in the Mallary Complex.
• This is also where you can see all the livestock being shown at the fair -- it's worth a walk through as many farms participating also have educational displays for the kids. Here you can see live sheep shearing daily at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. You can also see goat milking at 9:30 a.m. or 4:30 p.m. 
• Look out for the Stella's Milk & Cookies food cart which offers a great value for feeding a crowd: a bucket of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies for $16 or a cone of cookies for $8.
• Also consider the Fluffys Donuts Jumbo Donuts for $8. These are some of the most beautiful treats at the fair (think unicorn donut. It's a thing). 
• The Orphaned Wildlife Center is worth a look (big wooden trailer that reads Bear Country). Admission is only $2/person or 2/$3 to go inside the trailer and look at some bears; however, even without paying the entry fee there is a neat educational display about rescuing and rehabilitating injured or abandoned wildlife. 
• The Wine & Cheese bar is also located in this area of the fairgrounds. There is a FREE wine tasting daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
• Don't miss the Mutts Gone Nuts comedy dog show outside the Mallary Complex daily at 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. & 6 p.m.
• Tons of Pokemon, Minecraft, Paw Patrol and plush as prizes on the Midway so be prepared for that battle with the kids.
• You can purchase a Midway Express Access Wristband for $15 which grants your kids an express line for rides -- a separate line just for kids with express wristbands. Note: you still must buy ride tickets OR a ride wristband. This $15 fee is in addition to ride cost. 
• Giant slide is still $2/ride (don't forget to save your post slide coupon for a FREE medium french fry at New England McDonald's locations). New burlap to sit on this year. It makes for a faster ride. Like, way faster. 

Avenue of the States:

• Omar Coffee at the entrance to the Avenue of States -- best cup of coffee at the fair. (Can't beat the large coffee and ginormous apple fritter for $6.00 -- enough to share). 
• If you're looking for an inexpensive souvenir that will survive the car ride home, there is a small display of Hot Wheels vehicles for sale for only $2 in the CT building. 
• Also in the CT Building, check out the state police display before you exit out the side door -- kids can try on uniforms and take pictures at a selfie station. 
• My new (to me) favorite treat is the maple iced coffee and pumpkin chocolate chip cookie with cream cheese frosting for sale in the CT Building. Amazing. 
• If you're the type to start your holiday shopping at the Big E, the Vermont Building has bottles of pure maple syrup in the shape of gingerbread men for only $10. They're even wearing Santa hats! (#adore)
• There are cups of fresh raspberries or dried cranberries for only $1 in the MA Building near the talking cow.
• There are also bucket sundaes for only $6.50 near Henrietta (the talking cow). This is a steal if your kids are good sharers. Much cheaper than buying individual ice creams. Plus you can reuse the cute little bucket they come in. 
• The Massachusetts building has a great tourism booth. Stop by and see my friend and booth manager, Matt Peabody, on the weekends and tell him I said "hi." You can take a selfie with the Cat in the Hat here too. 
• Visit Cold Hollow Cider Mill in the VT Building for a large apple cider slushie for $3.  
• New Hampshire Building food deal: roasted ears of corn on the cob are $3.50. 
• Two "Ultimate Maine Hot Dogs" for $8.00 located outside the back of the Maine Building. 
• You can't beat the pulled pork baked potato from Danny's located outside the CT Building. It's twice the price of the Maine potatoes, but it is ginormous and is a complete meal. 
• Super fun lobster trap photo opp in the Maine Building. (I'm a Catch!)

• There's a fun, interactive "Ride the Rails" exhibit outside of the Rhode Island building. 
• The display for the Jack O'Lantern Spectacular at the Roger Williams Zoo in the Rhode Island building is not-to-be-missed. Truly stunning (even if you're not a Halloween freak like me). 

• I always love the backyards of the state buildings as a great place to relax and let the kids run around in the grass. It's never overwhelmingly busy and you can usually find a spot at a picnic table. 
• Don't wait in line for the kettle corn behind the New Hampshire Building. Walk down to the kettle corn stand behind the Rhode Island building -- no wait and better taste, IMHO.
• DO NOT MISS the Timberworks Lumberjack Show at the top of the Avenue of the States -- it's SO fun. Plays daily at noon, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.  

Farm A Rama (Stroh Building): 

• Farm A Rama deserves it's own category since this is where you can really sneak in some learning time for the kiddos.
• The Farm to Table exhibit is a great place to let the littlest fair goers stretch their legs and play. They can grab a shopping basket and harvest some potatoes and apples and do some other produce shopping. They can grab an egg from a hen and milk a cow (pretend, of course). It's really fun. 
• Shiny apples (love, love, love the folks who shine the apples) are still only $.50. 
• Chick Hatchery! Enough said. 
• Mama pig and her piglets are a-dor-a-ble.
• Baby goats. Enough said. 
• Honey sticks are $.25 each at the Beekeeper's table. 
• The agriculture display are really top notch this year. The kids will love to see the crazy gourds, painted pumpkins and landscape vignettes.
• The Stroh Building offers bathrooms and a large, separate diaper changing station. You can wheel the stroller right into the space and there are lots of clean counter tops.
• There are lots of fun freebies for the kids in this building: Hood cow visors, coloring books, temporary tattoos, etc. 
• Make sure you stop and talk to the FFA kids with their displays. These kids work SO hard on their projects -- take a minute to ask about their work. 
• The Veggie Show, you guys? The animatronic veggie show with the weed?! It was BROKEN today! I was devastated! I hope it's back up soon. I mean, tradition, right?!.

Other scores: 

• Utter Delights Soft Serve is very good about food allergies. If you want to get your allergy kid a soft serve -- look for the blue awnings (and sprinkles are free). Kiddie size is only $3.
• The Circus shows daily at 1:00, 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Admission is FREE (but get there early to get seats). You can purchase premium seats for $10 each, otherwise seating is first come first served. 
• Soltar the fortune teller was located outside the Main Stage when I visited. Super fun. Make sure to try to catch his act. 
• The Granville Country Store food truck is located outside the Better Living Center. They're mac and cheese and cheddar melts (THE BEST around -- don't even argue with me) are $6 each. 
• Foozys socks in the Better Living Center has a fun deal with any 10 pairs of crazy socks for $20. Adult and child sizes. (They have Ramen socks. I repeat. Socks with Ramen noodles on them). 
• Fun photo opps in the "A Walk Through History" exhibit in the Eastern States Museum. 

Other notes:

• Gates open at 8:00 a.m.; however, I wouldn't recommend going that early with little kids. Even though you can get a great view of the animals this early -- there is a lot of vehicular traffic on the grounds. Delivery trucks, cars, etc. It's a little crazy. I wouldn't want to have to chase a little one during this time. All vehicles must be off the grounds by 9:30 a.m. so plan to enter fairgrounds then. All buildings open at 10 a.m. 
• Stroller rentals are $10/day. $15 for a double. Wagons and wheelchairs are also $15/day. Electric scooters run $50/day. The rental booth will keep your ID as collateral. Stroller rental can be found near Chevrolet Court along the main avenue or near Gate 9 in the rear of the fairgrounds.
• The 4-H section of the New England Center (think Cream Puffs building) usually has some hands-on activities for the kids. Again, take a minute to talk with the 4-H kids. You'd be surprised what you can learn! We enjoyed making our own slime, creating a tie-dye handkerchief, and learning how to solve a Rubik's cube. All for FREE. 

• The Green at Storrowton has a lot of shade and is another great spot to let the kids run around while you decompress for a few minutes. Not only can you tour the historic buildings here, there is usually an old-fashioned game going on or a demonstration of tool making or other interpretive event around the green. There's even a yoga class offered here every Saturday of the fair at 9 a.m. 
• The Mardi Gras parade runs at 5 p.m., Friday - Sunday at at 7:30 p.m. on weekdays. Catch some beads and you have a free souvenir for the kids. 

• If you want to leave the fair and return later that day -- be very careful of your hand stamp. They wash off very easily (and who doesn't want to wash their hands multiple times after leaving the Big E?!).

 

Road Trip Worthy: Sleepy Hollow for Halloween (Sleepy Hollow, NY)

If you didn't hear by now I'm obsessed with all things Halloween. So of course I've always wanted to visit Sleepy Hollow, NY for all the seasonal fun in October. 

(Also...do you remember reading Judy Blume's Otherwise Known As Sheila The Great? When she spends the summer in Tarrytown? Yeah. Me too. Literally this has been on my mind since the third grade. And I FINALLY checked it off the bucket list). 

Anyway, Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown/Irvington makes a perfect fall weekend getaway, or even a day trip from our neck of the woods. Depending on how many attractions you want to check out, it's all road trip worthy.

We began our weekend at the historic home of the man who started it all -- Washington Irving, author of "Rip Van Winkle" and "Sleepy Hollow." We owe the headless horseman to this guy. And touring Washington Irving's Sunnyside was worth the price of admission. It was fascinating to learn about the life of this prolific American writer and explore the beautiful grounds of his estate. While history nerds like us will eat up the guided house tour, younger kids may be bored. However, when we visited there were a few hands-on activities scattered about for the younger set. Also, there is plenty of lawn space for littles to run around if you don't want to take them inside the house. 

The guided house tour takes about one hour to complete and tickets run $12/adult and $6/kids. Even without a tour, the grounds are worth exploring and photo opps abound. It was raining when we visited so it was a bit of duck and cover; however, I would love to go back on a sunny autumn day to really take it all in. The property is located at 3 W Sunnyside Lane, Irvington, NY. There is plenty of free parking on site and the grounds are stroller accessible. 

Restaurants abound in this bustling area; however, we had a jam-packed schedule and wanted something quick. But, oh my word, did we choose right. If you only eat at one stop, make it Revenge BBQ at 48 Main Street in Irvington.

This is a tiny take out spot with a counter and a few tables. You'll probably have to eat standing up or in your car (which you'll park on street) -- but it will be worth it. They're open Thursday - Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. (or until sold out). This place literally has THE BEST pulled pork and slaw I've ever had. (Seriously. I think about this sandwich all the time). Sandwich, side and a drink runs you about $18. 

If you're looking to add a hike in to your visit, drive over the Rockerfeller State Park Preserve at 125 Phelps Way in Pleasantville. The park contains 45 miles of scenic carriage roads that are wide, clear, beautiful and easy to walk. There are also wooded trails, a beautiful lake, stables, and a museum-quality visitors center. I mean, it is the former country estates of the John D. Rockefeller family and William Rockefeller. I could have spent all day here. You need to purchase metered parking on site from the automated machines in the parking lot. Dogs are welcome on leash. The carriage paths are very stroller friendly.

And now we arrive at the real reason anyone wants to visit Sleepy Hollow in the October -- for the haunts. My favorite is Historic Hudson Valley's walk-through haunted attraction, Horseman's Hollow. Basically a giant haunted house, the Hollow includes a 45-minute walk through different scenes of horror -- everything from historic settings, fairy tale sets, gory murder sites and clowns (why are there always clowns?!). 

Is it family friendly? Only you know your kids' tolerance and if they'll be sleeping on your bedroom floor until Christmas. We didn't bring our girls -- they do NOT share our love of haunted houses. There was no inappropriate language or overt sexiness. But there were a lot of good scares. The attraction is recommended for ages 10 and up. You take the tour with a large group of attendees, but it is not overwhelming. Being in a large group adds to the fun IMHO. 

I've done a lot of haunted houses. Like, A LOT of them. The Horseman's Hollow is #1. Hands Down. The scenery is a-ma-zing. This attraction alone makes the drive worth it. If you like haunted houses that keep you guessing, you'll love this. 

This attraction takes place at Philipsburg Manor, 381 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY. Parking here is a bit of a nightmare (or at least it was for the 2018 season). We parked in a mud filled parking lot on a construction site and had to walk a lonnnnggg way to the gate. Just be prepared. Wear comfortable walking shoes if you visit. Tickets run $22/person ($28/person on Saturday). 

While in the region you can also take in the Sleepy Hollow Experience, which although I did not see at Sunnyside, I have seen at Old Sturbridge Village. It is a terrific show. Tickets seem pricey at $45/adult and $25/children but this is a top quality show -- the cast, music and setting is unforgettable. 

This is just the tip of the iceberg for what you can enjoy in Historic Hudson Valley in October. Check out their website for all the offering. Pretty much any museum or show requires advance ticket purchase -- and they mostly all sell out early. You can't just drive in and expect to get tickets. Tickets go on sale in early September so plan ahead and have your credit card ready. If you're Halloween freaks like we are, I can't recommend visiting the region enough. Happy Haunting! 

Gotta Visit: Boulder Park/Chester-Blandford State Forest (Chester) #hikingwithkids

I've got the most fun little forest scramble to share with you -- Boulder Park in Chester. This spot looks like nothing more than a rest stop on the side of Route 20 in Chester but it's actually an old recreation site built by the Civilian Conservation Corps back in the 1930s. The kids will have a great time exploring the site and looking for the old ruins. 

The trail is open and clear -- it's basically just a straight line from one end of the trail to the other. Along the way you can cross a few stone and wood bridges, find the old outhouses and a pavilion and see how many stone grills you can find which are slowly being reclaimed by the forest. The trail is marked with blue blazes -- it's hard to get lost. There are a few trails that head up into the hills; however, they are not marked and are pretty overgrown. We explored a bit but there was not much to see so we headed back down to the base trail. 

There's a large parking lot for Boulder Park, just pull in and take any of the stone stairways up to the trail. The kids will love scrambling up and down the stone steps. However, if you take the grassy slope from the parking lot the trail is considered Universal Access. 

Boulder Park is named for the large rocks scattered through the property which were left by glacial ice sheets. Many are too big and shear to climb, but some fun bouldering can be done here. There is a stream that runs through the property but it was pretty dry when we visited. 

This was a solitary trek -- we were the only ones on the trail. And although it was peaceful in the woods, it was not quiet. You can hear the traffic from Route 20 as the trail runs parallel to the busy road. I've driven past this site dozens of time and have never seen a single car in the lot. I'm surprised since it's a such a fun explore. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! 

This hike makes a great stop on the way out to the Hilltowns or Berkshire attractions, or you can pair it with a hike at Sanderson Brook Falls which is a few miles down the road or with a visit to the Chester Railway Museum. 

There are no amenities on site but it such a short explore you don't even need to bring anything with you -- your car is only a few hundred feet away at all times. Don't forget the bug spray and wear long pants -- we're pretty sure we spotted poison ivy along the trail. 

Boulder Park is located on Route 20 in Chester. See you on the trail! 

Gotta Visit: Flayvors of Cook Farm (Hadley) #supportyourfarmers #eatlocal

I think we can all agree there's no such thing as bad ice cream. But, there's ice cream. And then there's ICE CREAM! If you want a memorable cone or dish this summer, you've got to head to Flayvors of Cook Farm in Hadley. 

Flayvors offers one of the loveliest views around to soak in while enjoying your homemade ice cream. There are cows and chickens to visit with too. The friendliest cows you'll ever meet.

The ICE CREAM! Delicious ice cream. Fun and funky homemade flavors. Flayvors is very allergy friendly with all of their flavors marked with egg, gluten, soy or nut allergens. This alone makes it worth the ride, but even with the unique deliciousness the prices are reasonable (it was only $10 for our three orders). We also appreciated that the portions are appropriate -- just the right amount. It's a pet peeve of mine when I order a kiddie size and it ends up being bigger than my child's head. They also offer a more substantial lunch menu if you want a small meal before your dessert. 

There's a certain sneaky learning element to visiting a working dairy farm for ice cream -- 'hey, kids, this is where the ice cream comes from' and all that. Visitors are welcome to walk around the paths on the farm and visit with the animals.  However, if petting cows is not your jam you can sit inside the air conditioned dining room to enjoy your food. 

Cook Farm is a fourth generation dairy farm that has been in operation for over 100 years. By dining here you are supporting a local, family-owned business. That's always a good choice. 

A visit to Flayvors combines well with one of the other attractions in the area -- The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, a hike up Skinner Mountain or The Notch, shopping on Route 9. Any excuse will do, really. 

Flayvors of Cook Farm is located at 129 South Maple Street in Hadley.  They are open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can also follow them on Facebook. #supportyourfarmers #knowwhereyourfoodcomesfrom #livelocal #eatlocal

Road Trip Worthy: Schuyler Mansion (Albany, NY)

Who has a Hamilton-obsessed adolescent in their home? (Does anyone NOT have a Hamilton-obsessed adolescent in their home?!)

For those of us Hamiltrash who just can't get enough of our Revolutionary War history (strike while the iron is hot here, people), it's very easy to take a quick road trip down the Mass Pike to visit the Schuyler Mansion in Albany, NY. 

You know, the Schuylers? As in, the Schuyler sisters. As in, "Work work, Angelica...work, work...Eliza....and PEGGY!" As in, Eliza married Alexander Hamilton. Now, you get it. This historic site was the home of the sisters' parents, Philip and Catherine Schuyler. Philip Schuyler himself was a renowned Revolutionary War general and US Senator; however, all your kids are going to care about is that "[t]he wedding of daughter Elizabeth Schuyler to Alexander Hamilton took place in the house in 1780." (NY State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation). 

Admission to the mansion is only $5 for ages 13 and up, everyone 12 or younger is admitted FREE. Admission to the Visitor's Center is FREE. Ticket purchase buys you a guided one hour tour through the home. There is no self-guided tour available, only the scheduled group tour that takes place hourly. 

Even if an hour tour is not on your agenda, the Visitor's Center itself is impressive. There's a great collection of hands-on exhibits to explore. 

I sat out the house tour out, so I can't tell you what it details. However, this post written by Kevin Philbin for the Journal of the American Revolution,  "Visiting Philip Schuyler's House of Dreams" can tell you what to expect (scroll down to the second half of the article for the mansion tour). 

Although the Schuyler Mansion is located in a tight neighborhood in the city, parking should not be a problem as there is a dedicated lot just for the site's visitors. Parking is FREE. Set your GPS for 32 Catherine Street, Albany, NY. It's just over an hour's drive from Springfield. 

There is a small garden in the backyard of the home where you could enjoy a picnic or let family members who might not be interested in house tour wait out your time in the mansion. 

The site is open as follows: May 15 - Oct 31, Wednesday - Sunday
May & June: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
July & August: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
September & October: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

I wouldn't say the drive to Albany is worth just this quick trip house tour. However, you could pair the visit with another attraction in the area or make it a rest stop on the way to the Adirondacks. I hope your Hamilton obsessed family enjoys it as much as we did! For $5 you really can't beat the sneaky learning. Or indulging your kid's obsession. 

ENTER TO WIN: 4-pack of tickets to Edaville Family Theme Park (Carver, MA)

We're teaming up with one of our favorite Massachusetts attractions -- Edaville Family Theme Park --  to get your summer started off right with chance to win a four-pack of admission tickets to the park. Also known as the "Thomas the Tank Engine" amusement park, Edaville is located right outside of Cape Cod in Carver, MA. The venue offers over 90 rides and attractions including Thomas Land, Dino Land, and some of the best classic amusement rides like a giant Ferris wheel and old timey bumper cars. Read all about Edaville in my Road Trip Worthy review post.  

To enter to win, use the comments field below and share your favorite part of the summer season here in Massachusetts. One winner will be chosen at random from all eligible entries submitted on all social feeds of The413Mom -- you may enter up to one time on each site and right here on the blog for a total of 4 entries:

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Theme park tickets will be valid for dates in June or July only. ARV of the prize is $148. Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, 2019. Good luck to all who enter! 

Road Trip Worthy: Edaville Family Theme Park (Carver)

Just outside Cape Cod is a hidden gem of an amusement park....perfect for the littlest thrill seekers but still offering enough to keep the biggest kids happy. This space has all the magic of a rich historical site but also boasts some brand new updates worth the price of admission. 

When you enter Edaville, you might be underwhelmed. You look out on a large pond (the kids can try their hand at fishing here) and a tiny carousel. But looks can be deceiving. Once you get further into the park....your little Thomas fans will bust their buffers.

Historically, Edaville is regarded as one of the oldest heritage railroad museums in the country -- it opened in 1947 and visitors were welcome to ride locomotives around the large cranberry bog on the property. Not much of the original setup remains; however, the park was rededicated in 2015 as the new home to Thomas Land. I can't imagine a better place to bring your little engineer. 

Walking through Thomas Land is actually like being on the Island of Sodor. You can visit Tidmouth Shed, see the post office, ride on the troublesome trucks (a pretty fun roller coaster), fly in the air with Harold the Helicopter, take a lift with Bertie the Bus, visit with the peg people, and so much more. The setting and decorations are so, so, so much like the show. My girls enjoyed all the rides; but their favorite was actually the Sodor Play Zone -- an indoor climbing station/obstacle course with slides, stairs, nets, and hiding spots. This attraction is for ages 4-12 and they could have spent the whole day there. FYI: you HAVE to wear socks here. If your kids wear crocs or flops for the season bring socks in your bag. And of course, in Thomas Land, you can actually ride Thomas the train. 

Riding on the Thomas train is a great opportunity to recharge your batteries. It's a gentle, lengthy ride through the entire property -- if you need to feed an itty bitty here's your chance. The bigger kids will be enchanted by the conductor who comes by to punch their ticket and by watching the passing scenery. (No worries if you don't get a ticket when you board -- the conductor has extras on hand to pass out to little riders). 

Edaville is a sure to be a big hit with little dino fans too. Their Dino Land is a walk-through attraction hosting 23 life-like dinosaurs and a themed kiddie coaster. Although we didn't see any on our visit, the website boasts lots of classic kids character meet and greets on specific days: the Berenstein Bears, Madeline, the Hungry Catterpillar, Curious George, Pete the Cat and more. Check the calendar link to see when your child's favorite friend may be at Edaville. 

I adored the vintage rides -- all the classics: bumper cars, ferris wheel (what a beauty -- even when Faith and I got stuck at the top under a freak rain cloud...we'll never forget that ride), tilt-a-whirl, Scrambler. Edaville has all the rides I remember from when I was a kid and I loved being able to share them with the girls. There are so many other great kiddie rides too -- the spinning ladybug coaster was voted our personal favorite. All together, the park hosts 90 rides and attractions. 

I appreciate the low-key vibe at Edaville. I can easily get overwhelmed at the big theme parks but it's a slower pace here. And Thomas Land and the kiddie rides are all grouped close together so it's easy to divide and conquer if the kids want to try different rides. It's perfectly stroller friendly and there are food options scattered throughout the park (popcorn, burgers, pizza, sandwiches, fried dough, candy shop). We brought a picnic to eat in the car. Parking is FREE. 

If you have a Thomas fan I can't recommend this park enough. It's really magical for those who adore the little blue engine and his friends. And there are enough rides for the bigger kids that they'll be happy too. It's a great New England family destination. Residents of Massachusetts can purchase discounted tickets for only $30 by using this link (proof of residency required). Regular admission for ages 2 and up is $37. Kids under 2 are admitted FREE. There are a lot of special admission deals offered throughout the season as well -- for scouts, star students, military, teachers, etc. Follow these events and much more on their Facebook page. 

Edaville is located at 5 Pine Street in Carver, MA. They are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the season. There are special events off season as well. You can check it all out on their website. 

Gotta Visit: Flight Fit N Fun (Holyoke)

Good things come to those who book flight.....

This well-known travel quote doesn't just apply to airfare -- it now applies to the family adventures that await you at one of the newest recreational attractions in the area -- Flight Fit N Fun located in the Holyoke Mall.  Whether you want to bounce away an afternoon on one of the dozens of trampolines, challenge each other on the ninja warrior course, or shoot some hoops, there's guaranteed fun and fitness here for all ages. 

We recently checked out an Open Bounce session here which includes access to all the trampolines and dodgeball courts, the Ninja Warrior obstacle course, basketball courts, the battle beam and the laser maze. You can purchase Flight time by the hour. 

The price to "fly" for one hour is $17. However, in order to use the facility you must purchase their specific "Flight Socks" with grips on the bottom which cost $3/pair. You can reuse them each time you visit, but you really need to look at your first hour costing you $20/person due to the sock purchase. 

There is something for all ages at Flight Fit N Fun and there are no age restrictions -- if you can walk, you can bounce. The obstacle courses are challenging and hilarious. The six-year-old, the thirteen-year-old, and the 40(somethings) in our party all had SO much fun. We laughed until we cried. We played for two hours until we were completely exhausted.

We had so much fun "racing" each other through the ninja course (only one person can use the course at a time so we timed our runs and then compared), playing multiple rounds of dodgeball and just bouncing around all the trampolines. I loved the laser maze -- even chasing lights in this small room was a great workout! 

It's important to note that parents do NOT have to pay admission if they are just watching the action. Flight Fit N Fun has plenty of seating available including a raised pyramid platform in the center of all the fun so parents can always keep an eye on their kiddos. Parents are also welcome to bring in their own coffee or drinks to enjoy in the observation areas. There are vending machines on site to purchase cold drinks or snacks. No outside hot foods are allowed on site. There are lots of USB ports available in the waiting areas to charge phones and devices. 

And if you're happy to let your kids have all the fun but you'd rather go shopping in the mall, well that's fine too, as long as your kiddos are age 10 or older. If your kids are old enough you can drop and go once they have been checked in and waivers have been signed. 

While Open Bounce is available to all ages, there are a few age-specific times on the schedule to note. Kids Flight takes place Monday - Saturday from 10-11 a.m. and during this time the facility is only open for children ages 6 and younger and their grown-ups. Teen Flight Night takes place every Friday evening from 8-11 p.m. for ages 11 and up only and Family Flight takes place every Saturday evening from 8 - 11 p.m. for all ages. Cover charge for Night Flight is $27/person -- a bargain if you stay for all three hours. 

The "Fit" in Flight Fit N Fun is no joke. We honestly played until our muscles were begging for mercy. It's such a good workout but you can't even tell because it's just play. According to their website: 

The simple (and extremely fun) act of jumping has incredible health benefits, including improved stamina, muscle control, and coordination. Children who jump can strengthen their balance, agility, rhythm, and timing skills. Jumping improves heart and cardiovascular health, increases circulation, increases bone density, speeds up metabolism, and can burn over 500 calories per hour. It uses almost every muscle in your body, which helps promote weight loss and toning, and it’s a low-impact workout that’s much friendly to your bones and joints than pounding pavement.

If you're looking to ramp up your fitness as a family without making workout time seem like a drag, you can't do better than Flight Fit N Fun. 

It's important to note that every participant must fill out a waiver prior to entering the flight zone. You can do this on site upon arrival, or save time and fill out the waiver online before you go. When it comes to minors, the waivers must be signed by a legal guardian so if you are bringing some of your kiddos' friends along, make sure their grown ups sign the waiver online before you bring them to the facility.  

The staff was very attentive, supervising all of the play areas and making sure everyone was staying safe and following the rules. The facility is also very clean! We arrived at opening and noticed several employees cleaning the play areas -- a happy comfort in such a busy, communal space. 

Flight Fit N Fun also offers great party packages which you can book any day of the week, not just weekends. Their weekday party package pricing offers a nice discount so you can really make out of your birthday falls during the summer or a school vacation week. They also offer packages for other private events like fundraisers or corporate gatherings.

Flight Fit N Fun is located on the lower level of the Holyoke Mall, 50 Holyoke St., Holyoke. They are open seven days a week, see link for hours and schedule. Follow their Facebook and Instagram page for updates. 

This post is sponsored by Flight Fit N Fun.

Gotta Visit: CT Section 21 New England Trail (Suffield, CT) #gotakeahike

The snow has finally melted and so we continue our quest to hike the entire New England Trail. This month's installment takes us to CT NET: Section 21 which takes us from Suffield, CT over the Massachusetts border into Southwick, MA. 

I love this trail; however, it is a trippy one. The path is clear (thank you to all the volunteers who maintain the NET!) but it is a rocky and rooty terrain. We all stumbled. A lot. You definitely need to pay attention to your underfoot. I was super impressed by the few trail runners we encountered on a Saturday afternoon -- but then we returned to the parking area and noticed the Spartan and BoneFrog bumper stickers on the vehicles and realized we had brushed shoulders with some real professionals. For us regular folks, approach this trail with caution. 

There are two great entry points to this trail: either from the Alcorn Wildlife Preserve on Mountain Road in Suffield, CT or from the Rising Corner trail head on Rising Corner Road in Southwick, MA. This section of the path is 2.3 miles. We actually had to break the trail into two hikes (it was our first time out for the season and we didn't want to discourage the younger members of our crew) but it is completely doable as a through hike if you park one vehicle at either end. 

Whichever end you start from, Section 21 is a fun hike with some steep terrain (your quads will definitely get a workout), a few makeshift bridges to traverse, and if you hike after a good rainfall you can pick your way across a small stream. There's enough here to keep hikers of all ages entertained. 

These power lines are a particular highlight: 

Once you pass by them coming in from the CT side, ignore the gravel path straight ahead -- look for the path back into the woods off to the left:

If you're coming in from the MA border -- walk along the lookout ridge and back into the woods -- you have to look carefully for the blazes in this area. Just know that the gravel path is not the hiking trail. 

If you're hiking in from the CT border, getting on the trail at the Alcorn Preserve is easy -- just look for the dirt pull-off parking on the edge of Mountain Road near the Preserve's large sign.

However, if you're starting on the MA side of the hike (Rising Corner) it's a bit trickier to find the trail. Park your car in the large, well-marked grassy field parking lot. Lock you car and then turn around and look across the road. When facing the large, white house, look to the left of the home. If you look closely at the left edge of their yard you'll see the white-marked trail head. This is the NET path (NOT the rather obvious-looking large path that edges the hemp field here. Do not trespass here like I did). This red star shows the entrance to the trail as seen from the parking area. 

You're looking for this post in the brush:

IMPORTANT Please note: since this trail crosses the Connecticut/Massachusetts border remember that the trail is marked with BLUE blazes in Connecticut and WHITE blazes in Massachusetts. There is a border sign to note but keep in mind the trail markers will change -- you're still on the right path just different colors to note. 

I would not recommend this trail to new hikers. Little hikers will need to be in a backpack/carrier. There are steep drop offs very close to the trail. This is a 2.3 mile hike -- it took our party of six (two six-year-olds, two teens and two adults) about an hour and 45 minutes. 

Some older blog posts you read will tell you that this section of the NET is a road walk -- this is no longer true. The property owners have generously granted access to hikers once again so the trail is completely open. And here's your gentle reminder that I always include with my NET posts -- access to these trails is often through private property. Please be respectful of the owners' land and STAY ON THE TRAIL. Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints. 

There are no facilities on the trail -- use the potty before you go. Bring lots of water and snacks. Pro Tip: we always bring M&Ms as this section of the New England Trail is formerly known as the M-M (Metacomet-Monadnock) Trail. Set the GPS for Alcorn Wildlife Preserve, Mountiain Road, Suffield, CT or Rising Corner, Rising Corner Road, Southwick, MA. We hope you enjoy this hike as much as we did. See you on the trail! 

Road Trip Worthy: Animal Adventures (Bolton, MA)

Animal Adventures Family Zoo & Rescue Center in Bolton, MA is way cooler than a zoo. 

If you want to have an up close and personal experience with animals you may have only read about in books or seen on TV, come visit here. If you have an aspiring veteranarian at home, visit here. If you are interested in animal conservation, visit here. If you're looking for a memorable day trip about an hour from Springfield, visit here. Bottom line: just visit here. 

We spent a Sunday afternoon on site here in April and it was truly unforgettable. During our visit we got to interact with kangaroos, goats, llamas, geese, a crocodile, a toucan, a porcupine, an albino skunk, a corn snake, a kinkajous and so, so many more animals. (Find a list of their animals here). You'll see animals here that you didn't even know existed. Right here in Massachusetts! 

Animal shows are held throughout the day (11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.) where you can interact, pet and visit with some of the residents. I can promise you will learn more about any of these species during these 10-15 minute shows than watching a years' worth of Wild Kratts episodes. 

You can't visit here expecting a sterile zoo experience like when you visit one of the large regional zoos in the area. Animal Adventures is first and foremost a rescue center -- the love for animals comes first, presentation is not the priority. That being said, I can't think of another local zoo that allows you to get so close to the animals and offers so much interaction. Wear your boots or old shoes -- the grounds are dusty and/or muddy. I would recommend bringing a spare pair of shoes for everyone to change into upon arrival, then you can throw them in the trunk for the ride home (we visited on a rainy day and I'm so glad we did this). 

It's important to note that because all of the animals here have been rescued or rehomed -- some from less-than-ideal situations -- some of them may not look like the sparkly showcase animals you'd see at other zoos. Realize that this doesn't mean they are not living out there best lives here at Animal Adventures. It's a great learning opportunity for kids to see that all animals have an important role to play in ecosystems. 

If taking a general tour is not enough animal adventure for you -- there are options to book private tours, extreme tours or a zookeeper for a day experiences where you can get even more up close and personal with some of these rare species. This is a great birthday, anniversary or graduation gift idea. You can find pricing information here. 

You may have actually encountered an Animal Adventures program at a local school, church or recreational program -- they travel all around New England educating audiences about preservation. Visiting their home site as an unprecedented opportunity to interact with their animals in such a close, personal way. I cannot think of a better experience for any child who loves animals. It is amazing to witness how dedicated all of the staff and volunteers are on site. Their passion for protecting all species is a beautiful thing to see. Everything from a tiny frog named Booger to a giant anaconda. 

There is plenty of free onsite parking and the bathrooms are clean, but you need to bring your own lunch, snacks, and drinks. There are no concessions on site but there are picnic tables available. There is a Dunkin' about two miles away but other than that you are going to need the GPS to research dining options in the area.

The property is not large -- I wouldn't even recommend bringing a stroller. Even the newest walkers can toddle around on their own without tiring out or bring a carrier for the littlest visitors. A stroller will just be too cumbersome here. The site also features a large playscape area where little visitors can work out their wiggles. 

Bring some small bills if you'd like to purchase cups of grain to feed the goats and alpacas. Or, if you're lucky, you might catch a volunteer offering trays of green beans to feed these guys (feeding a goat a green bean is hilarious). There is a small gift shop in the reception area. Know that any money you spend here is being put toward the care for the rescued animals. 

Animal Adventures is located at 336 Sugar Road in Bolton, MA. The zoo is open to the public Monday - Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed on Tuesday except for during school vacation weeks and the summer season. Admission is $14/person for ages 4 and up, $7 for kids ages 2 & 3, and FREE for kids under 2. A military discount of 25% is offered. #WayCoolerThanAZoo