Miniature Golf

Marlboro
Trombetta's Tee-Rarium
655 Farm Road
508-485-6429
An indoor mini-golf course, they also offer homemade ice cream and a garden. Birthday parties available.

Wayside Driving Range & Miniature Golf
890 Boston Post Road
508-480-8891
A miniature version of a traditional golf course.

Northboro
Lighthouse Mini Golf
1 Belmont Street, Route 9 W
508-898-9588

Others Nearby
Solomon Pond Miniature Golf
317 South Street, Berlin (at the rotary)
978-838-2333

Other Great Hiking Areas

Ashland State Park
Union Street, Rout 135 West in Ashland
508-435-4303

Hopkinton State Park
71 Cedar Street, Hopkinton
508-435-4303
Two beaches, picnicking, canoeing, fishing, marked trails for hiking.

Garden in the Woods
180 Hemenway Road, Framingham, MA
508-877-7630
The headquarters of the New England Wildflower Society offering 45 acres of woodlands, marked trails and of course, wildflowers! They also offer many programs for children. Restrooms and gift shop on premises. Hours vary by season, call for schedule.

Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
414 Massasoit Road, Worcester, MA
508-753-6087
This is an Audubon Sanctuary on 277 beautiful acres, home to over 70 species of butterflies! A great place to go for a stroll. Programs include evening workshops, pre-school story hours and guided tours. Call for more information.

Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary
260 Eliot Street, Route 16, South Natick
508-655-2296
This Massachusetts Audubon Society property encompasses 623 acres of fields, woodland and marsh. There are numerous walking trails where you can catch sight of birds, ponds, and forest animals. Admission charged.

Walking Trails, Conservation Areas and State Parks

Take a walk, go for a hike or have a picnic. Plants and animals are not to be harmed or removed and remember to leave behind only footprints! Abutting areas are not open to the public. If parking areas are full, please try another. For the very few that do charge admission check with your library for passes that allow free or reduced admissions.

Hudson
Danforth Falls
Route 85 (towards Bolton)
Small parking lot that can hold 2 or 3 cars. Hiking on clearly marked paths. Danforth Falls is less than a mile from the road with fishing along the brook.

Marlboro-Sudbury State Forest
Main Street or White Pond Road, Hudson
Hiking/marked trails, you may even see a deer.

Assabet River
Enter at canoe landing on Chapin Road near bridge.
A marked trail, less than a mile, following the Assabet River.

Gates Pond
Taylor Road, off Rte. 62 West, Berlin
Just over the Hudson border. As you drive under 495, turn left before the gas station. Easily traveled gravel road that circles Gates Pond. A full circle walk is approximately 2 miles.

Rail to Trail
Several "entry points" with parking in Hudson and Marlboro; Rte. 62 in Hudson, Main St., by Dairy Joy in Hudson, Rte. 85 at Brooks Drug Store in Hudson, Fitchburg St. by the Assabet Tech School in Marlboro, Mechanic St. in Marlboro.
This paved "reclaimed" train track is great for walking, bikes, cc-skiing- all seasons! Uphill from Hudson heading into Marlboro but down hill the other way!

Marlboro
Ghiloni Park
Concord Road
A paved nature trail winds through the Concord Road Recreation Area. A guide is available at the recreation office. Also available at this location are restrooms (seasonal) and two playgrounds.

Callahan State Park
Parking lot and entrance on Broadmeadow Road.
Well marked walking trails, cross country skiing on 900 acres. Part of this property lies in Framingham.

The Grove
Route 85 just after causeway.
A nice place for a short hike with wide trails, picnic area and a canoe launch area.

The Desert
Concord Road/Hemenway Street Exit, off Concord Road
Extensive trails on 600 plus acres in Marlboro and Sudbury.

Felton Conservation
Located on Elm Street across from Marlboro Fish and Game.

Holts Grove
Stevens Street - off Stevens Street and High School parking lot
Wooded loop trail.

Northboro
Mount Pisgah
Green Street and Ball Hill Road, take Green Street to Smith Road. Look for the sign marked Northboro Conservation
A simply delightful place to hike featuring marked trails and Northboro's highest point.

Southboro
St. Mark's School West Field
Parking for 3 cars off Sears Road opposite the intersection with Sadie Hutt Lane.
Upper half of loop is paved.

Neary School Grounds
Parking area off Parkerville Road overlooking the skating pond.
Playground available when school is not in session.

Phillips Farm
Access is from Middle Road - stay in walkways.

Breakneck Hill Conservation Land
Park in designated area off of Breakneck Hill Road at the southwest corner of the orchard.
A great spot for bird watching.

Turenne Wildlife Habitat
Follow Walnut Drive until the street bends sharply to the left. Continue straight on to the Bay Path for 50 yards. Once you pass a garage on the left, continue slowly straight along Bay Path for another 30 yards to the parking area.

Town Forest
This location can be reached from Walnut Drive, with parking at the Turenne Wildlife Habitat (see above).

Pine Hill Trail
Access is on Parmenter Road, Marlboro 0.2 miles west of entrance to Harvard University, Southborough Campus.

Westboro
Walkup Reservation
Located at the intersection of Flanders and Lyons Road, this is a 6.2 acre reservation with excellent trails for walking and jogging.

Chauncy Lake/Mass Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation
To access the trails from Fisheries and Wildlife take Route 135 N past Route 9. Turn right on North Drive (sign for Mass Technology Park). Follow road up hill and follow signs to DFW field HQ. At the far end of the parking lot there is a narrow road, normally gated. To access trails from Chauncy Lake take East Main Street (Route 30E) to Lyman Street. Take Lyman across Route 9 then take a left on Chauncy Road. The first right is a dirt road. Parking, trails and boat launch are down this road. Note the beach is for Northboro and Westboro residents only. Pocket trail maps available from kiosk.

Sawink Farm and Cedar Hill
From the Westboro rotary, take East Main Street (Route 30E) past Route 9. Continue approximately 1 mile to Walker Street. Turn left onto Walker Street and travel until the road becomes unpaved. Parking is on the right. Pocket maps available at parking lot.

Bowman Street Conservation Area (Sandra Pond)
From the Westboro rotary, take South Street (Route 135 S) to fork at Upton Road. Bear right on Upton Road and go approximately 2 miles, passing over the Mass Turnpike. Take the first right past the pike on Bowman Street (easy to miss). Pass back under the pike and parking lot is on the right. Three trails on 144 acres and one goes to an island in dry weather. Longest trail is 0.8 mile loop.

SuAsCo (Mill Pond)
From the rotary, take West Main Street (Route 30 W) to Mill Road. Turn right on Mill Road and continue about half a mile to pond. Parking on both sides of the road. From parking area walk over dam and into woods along the shore of the reservoir. The trail is about .75 miles, from the point the great blue heron rookery can be seen. Popular place for canoeing, fishing and bird watching.

Visits with Animals

Don't forget to check out the Orchard listing also, many of those also have animals.

Davis Farmland
Redstone Hill, Sterling, MA
978-422-MOOO (6666)
A children's discovery farm offering a play park, farm, petting zoo and themed fun play areas all in one place. During the summer you can escape the heat in the zero-depth sprinkler park. Animal encounters in their petting zoo include a Safari Hayride, milking a cow and feeding baby goats.

Southwick's Zoo
Off Route 16, Mendon, MA
800-258-9182
They offer a petting zoo, walk-thru deer forest, elephant and pony rides and animal shows. They have an incredible array of animals such as giraffes, bears, chimps, rhinos, lions, tigers, monkeys and many more. Gift shop, picnic area, restrooms and refreshment stand. Open 7 days a week 10am-5pm. Adults $15, Kids 3-12 and seniors $10.75, Kids 0-2 free.

Great Brook Farm and Dairy
247 North Road, Carlisle, MA
978-371-7083
Hiking, snack bar, homemade ice cream, working dairy farm, duck pond, petting zoo, milking shed, and more. Sit pond-side and enjoy.

Capron Park
201 Country Street, Attleboro, MA
508-222-3047
In addition to a variety of animals, this zoo also includes a tropical rain forest, and nocturnal zoo. You'll also find a playground for toddlers, walking paths, picnic area and gift shop. This is one of the smaller zoos in the area, but they have plenty to see. The prices are extremely low, take a few hours and check it out. It's worth the trip.

Roger William's Park Zoo
Providence, RI - Call for directions
401-785-3510
A world class zoo in neighboring Rhode Island. The zoo follows a long winding path through different appropriate plains (bring a stroller, or rentals are available). Here the habitats are designed for each species to live naturally and comfortably. You view the animals in their own environment allowing your children to see how the animals normally would live.. There is also a polar bear observation window, gift shop and refreshment bars.

Animal Adventures
366 Sugar Road, Bolton, MA
978-779-8988
A great place for hands-on animal fun. Open year round, rain or shine, Animal Adventures offers indoor an outdoor exhibits with walking paths. There is an adventure guide on hand to answer your questions. Call for drop-in hours and days, as well as show times for the exotic animal show.

Lookout Farm
89 Pleasant Street, Natick, MA
508-651-1539
This organic farm has a farmer's market, seasonal pick your own strawberries, vegetables and apples. Several animals to visit (sheep, deer, ostriches, and pot-bellied pigs) and an ice cream stand!

Orchards and Farms

These listed below offer more than just fruit picking, some have petting zoos, hay rides, scrumptious foods and much more. Call before you go to check on picking conditions. Quite a few also offer a variety of events. All offer a great way to spend a few hours.

Tougas Family Farm
Ball Street, Exit 24 off I-290
508-393-6406
Barnyard animals you can feed, playground and picnic area, yummy farm kitchen goodies including jam and freezing supplies. Pick your own fruit in season. Call for conditions and hours. A great way to spend a few hours.

Honey Pot Hill Orchard
144 Sudbury Street, Stow, MA
978-562-5666
Honey Pot offers pick your own fruit, pumpkin picking, farm animals you can feed, hayrides and a store. The store offers homemade items, fruit, cider and more.

Great Brook Farm and Dairy
247 North Road, Carlisle, MA
978-371-7083
Hiking, snack bar, homemade ice cream, working dairy farm, duck pond, petting zoo, milking shed and more. Sit pond-side and enjoy.

Nourse Farm
70 Nourse Street, Westboro, MA
508-366-2644
This is a pick your own farm that also offers hayrides during the peak season. The farm also sells pies, flowers, jams, honey and much more.

Harvey's Farm and Garden Center
120 South Street (Rte. 135) Westboro, MA
508-366-1545
This farm has so much for the children, a perfect family outing. Old dairy barn with crafts, food and jellies for sale. You can feed the ducks, turtles and fish. Pens with goats, pigs and cows to feed. Pick your own berry field.

Capasso Farms
118 Framingham Road, S0uthboro, MA
508-485-1680
This farm stand sells all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables. You can pick your own strawberries beginning mid-June. The patches are easy to get around with small children.

Ice Cream & More

Marlboro
Trombetta's Tee-Rarium
655 Farm Road
508-485-6429
And indoor mini-golf course, they also offer home made ice cream, garden center, and wooden toys and birthday parties.

Westboro
Uhlman's Farm Stand and Ice Cream
228 E. Main St., Route 30
508-366-2411

Dairy Queen
228 E. Main St., Route 30
508-366-5900

Other great places
Great Brook Farm and Dairy
247 North Road, Carlisle, MA
978-371-7083
Hiking, snack bar, homemade ice cream, working dairy farm, duck pond, petting zoo, milking shed and more. Sit pond-side and enjoy.

Berlin Orchards
200 Central Street (Rte. 62), Berlin, MA
978-838-0463
Open year round, Berlin Orchards has an indoor farmers market, gift shop, bee observation window, cider pressing operation, ice cream and farm animals. They also hold a large variety of family festivals.

Hebert Candies
Route 20, Shrewsbury, MA
508-845-8051
Here you can build your own sundae, as well as watch a chocolate making demonstration and take a tour. Call for demonstration times and upcoming events.

Hebert Candies
47 Sugar Road, Bolton, MA
508-779-6586
This Hebert location features a candy shop as well as an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, with make your own sundaes. This is just the spot to satisfy your sweet tooth. Mmmm.

Kimball Farm
400 Littleton Road, Westford, MA
978-486-3891
Here you'll find large portions of delicious homemade ice cream as well as mini-golf. Picnic tables are available. There is no indoor seating. While you are up this way check The Butterfly Place and Gymania.

Kid Friendly Restaurants

Curbside to go!
The following restaurants offer "curbside to go" service. Call ahead with your order, park in a designated area and your food will be brought out to you. You don't even have to unbuckle the car seats!

Applebee's
222 Washington Street, Hudson
978-567-1997

Ruby Tuesday
771 Boston Post Road, Marlboro
508-480-0300

Marlboro
TGI Fridays
601 Donald Lynch Blvd. (Solomon Pond Mall)
508-303-0996

Bertucci's Brick Oven Pizzeria
Solomon Pond Mall
508-485-3636

Bertucci's Brick Oven Pizzeria
374 Boston Post Road
508-460-0911

Westboro
Friendlys
96 Turnpike Road
508-366-8339

Friendlys
303 Turnpike Road
508-898-3916

Uno Chicago Grill
225 Turnpike Road
508-616-0300
Magician on Thursday nights!

Other Areas
Bugaboo Creek Steak House
Route 30, Framingham
617-924-9000