Calendar of Events

November

Nov 7 - Touch A Truck, Berwick, ME

Nov 7 - Pictures with Clydesdales, Merrimack, NH

Nov 8 & 15 - CMN Indoor Flea Market to benefit Children's Hospital of Boston, Raymond, NH

Nov 15 - Disney Live Rockin' Roadhouse, Lowell, MA

Nov 17 & 18 - Disney's Aladdin Jr., Palace Theatre, Manchester, NH

Nov 18 - Dolly & Me Tea Party, Kaleidoscope Children's Museum, Manchester, NH

Nov 21 & 22 - Thanksgiving Celebration, Plymouth, MA

Nov 21 - Books Alive! visit with Biscuit, Children's Museum of NH, Dover, NH

Nov 21 - The Merry Christmas Puppet Show, Henniker, NH

Nov 27 - Dec 20 - Santa's Holiday Express, Conway Scenic Railroad, North Conway, NH

Got a Shaw's Reward Card? Check out the discounts at these area attractions using your Rewards Card!

Do you know of an event that you would like to see listed here? Email me: onemomsreview@comast.net

Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, VT (4 smiles)

We went to the Montshire Museum of Science today and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty

Gate/Admission:  [$$$$$] View their admission here.

Birthday Parties:  Yes.  See info here.

Bathrooms:  They are located on the main floor.  They have changing tables & stools at the sink.

Cleanliness:  The museum is clean.  The trails and outdoor exhibit were also very clean.

Store:  There is vending machines by the bathrooms for water and snacks.  There is also a souvenir shop that has a lot of really neat stuff.  A lot of educational toys and games you don't see everywhere.

Overall:  We really enjoyed the museum.  It is not very big, but there is a lot to see and touch.  My son really enjoyed the children's area with the balls and the tunnels.  I was so impressed with the view and the building itself.  It is three floors with great exhibits that kept 2 three year old and their moms very busy.  The dinosaur exhibit is really fun.  My son spent a lot of time playing with the simulators!  The outside exhibit is really nice.  They use a lot of natural materials.  I definitely want to back in the summer where my son can get wet.  It was a bit too chilly to walk in the water.  We went on a walk down one of the trails and saw 3 deer!  The trail overlooked a beautiful river and right now the foliage is breath taking.  We had a fabulous day.  You can bring food into the museum, but only eat in designated areas.  We ate outside.  The train also picks up and drops off right there.  You can get more info one the train here.

We will be back.  We really enjoyed our visit!

Franklin Park Zoo, Dorchester, MA (3.5 smiles)

We went to Franklin Park Zoo today and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty

Gate / Admission:  [$$$$$] Admission rates are listed here.

Birthday Parties:  Yes.  See their birthday page here.

Bathrooms:  I wasn't overly impressed with the bathrooms.  They were really smelly and they reminded me of camping.  They are like out houses.  BUT they do have changing tables and running water :)

Cleanliness:  The park was very clean.

Store:  We went after the peak season so, the park only had one souvenir store and one place to get food.  Most of the food is available on the weekends still though.  Here is there schedule.

In the one store we did go into it had drinks for sale along with a bunch of stuffed animals and typical souvenir shop stuff.

Overall:  I like it.  My son had a great time.  We were disappointed that the train was not running.  They only run the train on weekends this time of year.  We really enjoyed the Gorilla's and the Lion.  I attached a picture of the Lion because it was just so amazing to me that he was posing for pictures.  It is kinda weird to be at a zoo in the city.  You can hear traffic and sirens in the background, but I felt that the animals were sheltered from the hustle and bustle of the city.  They are shooting a movie there, so a portion of the park is blocked off, but they have detour walk ways, so you can still see the animals.  I was pleasantly surprised with the park.  There is plenty to see and if you don't grab a map you will most likely miss a bunch of stuff.  Check out Franklin Park Zoo.  I think it's worth the visit!

Story Land, Glen, NH (5 smiles)

We went to Story Land in Glen, NH on August 25 and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty

Gate/Admissions:  [$$$$$]  See pricing page here.

Birthday Parties:  They offer group rates.  See pricing here.

Bathrooms:  There are bathrooms all over the park.  I also love that they have family rooms and nursing/napping rooms.  I saw changing tables in all the bathrooms we went into.

Cleanliness:  The park is clean.

Store:  There is food all over the park.  There are a few large souvenir shops also.

Overall:  We loved it.  It is kind of pricey, but we had a great day.  We got there at 9:30 am and stayed until 6:00 pm.  We brought our lunch, so we took a short break and headed right back to the rides!  The lines on some of the lines are pretty long.  For a three year old it can seem like forever.  At different times of the day there are shows going on and we did over hear an employee telling people in line that if you go to the rides with the long lines during lunch time you can usually get on a lot faster.  The water sprinkler/bubbler that is located near the raft ride is pretty fun on a hot day.  I wouldn't worry about changing into swim clothes for the Oceans of Fun Sprayground.  It's pretty had to get really wet over there.  We did bring all of our swim gear and it was not needed.  The kids got more wet on the raft ride!  Another huge hit at this park was the Loopy Lab!  We had 2 - three year olds and they loved shooting the balls around the room.  I posted a picture, so you can see what I am talking about! They could have spent the day in there!  We enjoyed Story Land.  Go check it out!

Santa's Village, Jefferson, NH (5 smiles)

We went to Santa's Village in Jefferson, NH on August 24 and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty

Gate/Admission:  [$$$$$] 3 and under are free.  See pricing page here.

Birthday Parties:  Yes.  See their page here.

Bathrooms:  There are lots of bathrooms through out the park with changing tables!

Cleanliness:  The park is very clean.

Store:  There is lots of food and goodies for sale.  There is a neat toy shop where the kids can make a toy and a souvenir shop.  We also bought sugar cookies that the kids can decorate.

Overall:  We loved it!  We got there at 11:00 and stayed until closing (6:00 pm).  Surprisingly the kids  (2 - three year olds) were not over tired!  We went on almost every ride including the roller coaster and the log ride!  We did skip a few rides that went in circles!  It rained on and off.  The park gives out ponchos!  We loved the sleigh that rides around on a rail over looking the park.  My son also got a kick out of the Elfabet Game.  Basically, your child gets a name tag with a tree that is made of letters.  Each time they come across an Elf, you punch the card.  When you leave you bring the card back and get a Diploma!  The staff is very friendly and I can't say enough about how much fun we had at Santa's Village!  In my book this is a must do.

Funtown Splashtown USA, Saco, ME (5 smiles)

We went to Funtown Splashtown USA in Saco, ME today and here is my review.....

Parking: Plenty of free parking.

Gate/Admissions: [$$$$$] They offer a combo pass for both the water park and rides or passes for only the water park or only the rides. You can see their prices here.

Birthday Parties: Yes. See there prices here.

Bathrooms: I noticed two places where they had bathrooms. One is over by the water park area and the other is in the ride area by the antique cars. There are plenty of stalls and there are changing tables. (one note: if you use the locker room in the water park there is no changing table, but there is a long bench)

Cleanliness: The park is clean. It is an older park, but well maintained.

Store: There are vendors everywhere! I was surprised to see how many places there were to get a cold drink or food. They also have picnic tables around if you bring your own food.

Overall: We really enjoyed this park. We started out at the water park area and ended up there after! It was an extremely hot and humid day, so having the water park was a big plus! The kids loved the water area. They also have a lot of younger children's rides. I was amazed at how many they had. We did almost everyone of them! My son loved the small water slide in the pirate area and the splash pool over by the big water slides. He was also very fond of the train! If you purchase the combo ticket expect to spend the day! We got there at 11:30 and didn't leave until around 4:30. We had a great time. This is a must do!

Kidzwurld, North Attleboro, MA (4 smiles)

We went to Kidzwurld in North Attleboro, MA today and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty.  It is located in a strip mall right off of Robert Toner Blvd.  Here's the link to the directions.

Gate/Admissions: [$$] $8.99 per child during the week, $10.99 per child on the weekends.  Under 1 is free with a paid admission otherwise it is $5.00.  Adults are free.

Birthday Parties:  Yes.  Check out their info here.

Bathrooms:  There are two.  The women's room is very large with a changing table and a stool in front of the sink.  Thank You!  (I am amazed at how many places we go and there is no stool.  All the parents come out soaked and the child is wet also let alone the fact that it is nearly impossible to wash a child's hands with one arm holding them and the other trying to lather their hands, get water on them and then switch to the other side).  Anyway, 5 smiles for the stool!

Cleanliness:  Very clean.  They opened only a few weeks ago, so the place is spotless.  However, I did see them walking around with a push broom and picking up after people who left stuff on the tables.  I have a good feeling this place will be pretty clean.

Store:  They do sell food and drinks.  No Food or Drink from outside is allowed into the facility.  They have juice, water and snacks.  They also have tables and chairs to sit at and enjoy your snack or juice at.

Overall:  Clean socks day!  If you forget they sell them for $1.00.  We really enjoyed it.  I thought the blow up bouncy things were really neat for the smaller children.  I have been to a few bouncy house type places and I am always so scared of the little ones being knocked down.  This place has really cool bouncy houses for toddlers.  One of them is a very large train that is like a large tunnel with screens so you can see in (love it), one has a bunch of rescue type vehicles in it and the other is a bounce house with a ball pit.  All of them were perfect for toddlers.  I must also mention that they have two really neat cars that roll down ramps to the floor and go into a soft mat.  The kids love them!  I attached a picture, so you could see what I am talking about.  There is a small wall climbing structure, a see-saw, air hockey (which my son really liked), some arcade type games, two smaller roller coaster type ride on toys, a bunch of ride on bikes, bouncy balls, a few small house structures and a nice spot for younger children (under 3) with a gate all the way around it.  I love that this place is really geared to the younger children.  Everything in there is perfect for them.  We had (2) three year olds there today and they loved it.  It is small, but the perfect size to have fun and be able to keep an eye on your children and still have a conversation.  If you live near North Attleboro go check out Kidzwurld.  I think you will be quite surprised how much fun your kidz will have!

EcoTarium, Worcester, MA (4.5 smiles)

We went to the EcoTarium in Worcester, MA today and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty

Gate/Admissions:  [$$$]  See pricing page here.

Birthday Parties:  Yes.  See Birthday Party page here.

Bathrooms:  They are everywhere.  I was amazed at how many bathrooms they have.  You will find them on every floor and outside by the dining area.  All of the bathrooms we went into had changing tables.

Cleanliness:  It was clean.

Store:  They have a souvenir store inside and an indoor lunch area with vending machines or an outside dining area with tables, chairs and umbrellas.  The menu is small, but we found what we needed.  They also serve slush drinks outside.

Overall:  We really enjoyed the EcoTarium.  The building is more like a museum/nature center with three floors of hands on exhibits.  There are also live animals inside ie. turtles, snakes, frogs, ferret and an opossum.  The outside has really nice walking trails.  Outside you will also find the Polar Bear, the Bald Eagle, numerous Owls, a Red Fox and a really nice playground area with a large sandbox.  The other really cool thing is that they have a train!  My son really enjoyed riding the train.  At one part there is a tunnel that the children love to yell in.  It's a really great place to go with children any age.  My friend and I went with two three year olds and we found plenty to do!  Go check out the EcoTarium.  You won't be disappointed! 

Southwick's Zoo, Mendon, MA (4 smiles)

We went to Southwick's Zoo in Mendon, MA yesterday and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty of parking in a grass field

Gate/Admissions:  [$$$$] Pricing page here.  My son was free (he's still under 3) and we printed the coupon from the website.  A $2.00 off per person coupon icon is at the bottom of the pricing page.

Birthday parties:  Yes (see website here)

Bathroom:  There are bathrooms throughout the zoo, but some are port-o-potty style or chemical trailers.  The chemical trailer I came upon had a ramp for strollers and a changing table.  There is a bathroom after you enter the zoo by the food with plenty of changing tables also.

Cleanliness:  Very clean

Overall:  We had a great day.  I did not bring a stroller for my son, so he had run of the place :)  It worked out well.  I just packed a backpack and followed him around.  He was smiling 90% of the day.  The first unhappy 5% was when we walked in and he could hear the Macaw behind a fence making very loud noises.  He decided then (at the front gate) that he had enough and was ready to go home....some coaxing and explaining, then just carrying him in past the Macaw and showing him what it was finally worked!  The other 5% of unhappiness was leaving!  I was amazed at how close you can get to the animals.  It is a pretty big zoo.  It took us 2.5 hours to cover most of it.  We didn't go on the rides, but they do have them.  You buy tickets or you can buy a combo ticket at the front gate.  There is a playground with a huge sandbox also.  You can bring in your lunch and you will find picnic tables scattered all around the zoo.  There was lots of shady spots and park benches along the way.  My son loved the train ride!  We drove 2.5 hours to get there and I would do it again.  We had a blast!  Go check out Southwick's Zoo!

Amoskeag Fishways, Manchester, NH (3 smiles)

We went to the Amoskeag Fishways in Machester, NH today and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty

Gate/Admissions:  There is no fee to get into the Amoskeag Fishways.  They do however, have a box that you can put donations into.  The staff is very kind and informative.

Birthday Parties:  I did not see anything listed for birthday parties.

Bathroom:  There are two bathrooms down stairs where you view the fish ladder.  I did not see a changing table.

Cleanliness:  Very clean.

Overall:  It is very small, but they have a lot to offer as far as family programs and events. (Check out their event list here).  They also offer a lot of education programs.  (Check out their educational programs here).  If you homeschool, they offer a programs for that too! (Check out the homeschool programs here).  My son enjoyed the fish ladder, where we saw four Salmon!  He also liked the snake, frogs and turtles.  We were there for about 35 minutes then he was ready to go.  After we went to Derryfield Park (you can read my review here).  

Museum of Science, Boston, MA (5 smiles)

We went to The Museum of Science in Boston on April 29 and here is my review.....

Parking:  Parking garage onsite.

Gate/Admissions:  [$$$$$] See pricing here

Birthday Parties:  I did not see birthday parties on their website, but in my opinion you can do a party just about anywhere!

Bathroom:  Plenty and well marked in the museum.  All of the bathrooms I went into had changing tables.

Cleanliness:  Very clean.

Store:  They have a wonderful cafeteria with just about everything.  They also have a souvenir store with lots of educational toys.

Overall:  We had a great time.  I recommend bringing a stroller or I saw some families with the child leashes.  I let my son walk around most of the time, but it is a huge museum and even though I only have one to chase after in a place this size with the amount of people it can be pretty difficult to keep your children close.  I found strolling through the exhibits that were geared for older children and letting him get out and explore the exhibits that were more hands on for his age, worked out great!  The other thing I love about the museum is that there is so much for all ages.  I was concerned that the museum may be geared for older children and adults and that he may not have as much of a good time, but I was wrong.  There was plenty for him to touch and explore.  The frog exhibit is great and don't forget to check out the Discovery Center.  That exhibit has stuff for children age birth to eight years old.  Lots of hands on stuff in there.  We also went to the Charlesbank Playground right around the corner from the museum.  You can see my review here.

Perpetual Motion, Lowell, MA (4 smiles)

We went to Perpetual Motion in Lowell, MA today and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty.  I made the mistake of parking when I pulled in and saw the sign.  I had to walk down an alley way to the other side of the building.  The alley way had broken glass on the ground and garbage.  There is a sign that points to the indoor play area, but being my first time there I didn't realize the door was on the other side of the building.  Now you know :)

Gate/Admissions:  [$$]  The price was $9.50 for my son and free for me!  They have a pricing structure based on age.  Click here for their pricing page.

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  There are two in the under 6 area and two in the 6 and over area.  They are large. The one we used was in the 6 and under area and it has a huge counter for a changing table and a small sink!

Cleanliness:  It was clean.  I saw staff sweeping and putting toys away while I was there.

Store:  They have a lunch counter with tables set up between the two play areas.  It is very large.  The menu items were pizza, hot dogs, yogurt, chips, cookies, milk, water, juice and a few other things.  You can also bring in your lunch!

Overall:  We enjoyed ourselves.  Here are the highlights:  large sandbox, indoor swings, a slide into a ball pit, a huge train with stairs and slides, circular bike thing you can ride on and a great climbing structure.  I like that the older children's indoor climbing area is separate from the younger one, but it got me thinking about a family with multi-age children.  If you go with a toddler and a six year old you really need two adults.  The younger children are not allowed into the older children's area.  Just keep that in mind incase you fall into that category.  The space is really large and bright.  It is in an old mill building so the ceilings are really high and the windows are huge.  Getting there is pretty easy.  You really have to look to see the sign as your driving by.  It is not right on the main road it is set back and you have to drive down an alley to get to the indoor playground area.  I would go back.  If you live around Lowell I would imagine this would be the perfect spot for a rainy day!

The Children's Museum in Easton, North Easton, MA (4.5 smiles)

We went to The Children's Museum in Easton, North Easton, MA today and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty.  There are spots along the street in front of the museum and a large lot behind the museum.

Gate/Admission: [$$$] $6.00 per person, children 1 year and under are free.  Staff is extremely friendly and attentive!

Birthday Parties:  Yes, see website for details. 

Bathrooms:  There are two bathrooms.  Both are quite large with changing tables and stools for the children to step on to wash their hands (love the small details!).  The upstairs bathroom also has a small seat that you can strap your child into so you can use the potty!  Imagine that :).

Cleanliness:  The museum is clean.

Store:  There is a small store behind the counter where you pay admission.  They have educational toys, etc.  No food or drinks are sold here.

Overall:  Fabulous!!  We loved our time at the Children's Museum in Easton.  My son spent one hour on the main floor not even realizing that there were two other floors to explore!  There is so much to do in the museum.  They pay close attention to detail.  The camp area is adorable and they have so much hands on stuff that you can spend a lot of time at each exhibit.  I also love that they incorporate learning into playing and they also have so much for toddlers and older children to do that this makes for a perfect spot for families with multi-aged children.  We spent at least a half hour pushing balls down tubes and waiting for the bells to ring.  If you live anywhere near this museum, this is a must do!  We drove 2 1/2 hrs to go and it was well worth it.  We had a great day!  They have a lunch area in the lower level.  Bring your own lunch though they do not provide food or drinks.  One other note, if you are a stroller roller...not here.  With three floors there is no space for a stroller and no way really to get it up and down stairs.  We loved it.  I only wish we had a duplicate closer!!  I also noticed that in the summer they have an outdoor area for the children to play and picnic tables to sit at.  We will have to go back in the summer!

Kids Playground, Woburn, MA (4 smiles) - Closed

We went to Kids Playground in Woburn, MA today and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty

Gate/Admission:  [$$$] It cost $8.99 for my son and $3.00 for me.

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  There are two bathrooms near the food area which are large with stalls and a changing table.  They also have stools for the children to stand on to wash their hands.  Thank you!  I am sure you have all tried the juggling act of holding your child up to the sink to wash their hands.  It's not easy.  Anyway, there are also two bathrooms to the back of the center near the climbing structure.  Only one stall and no changing table.

Cleanliness:  Overall the place was clean.  The facility is in a large warehouse area so it is kinda dusty on top of the structures.  I know I am picky!  Otherwise, the equipment looked good and I noticed an employee vacuuming when we got there.

Store:  There is a cafeteria with lots of lunch items (or dinner if you go at night).  They sell juice boxes, milk, soda, coffee!, pizza, hotdogs, chicken fingers, french fries and snacks.  No outside food or drink is allowed.

Overall:  We had a blast.  We were there for 3 hours!  That is a long time with a toddler.  The place was big enough and had a little bit of everything.  He definitely was not bored!  I climbed through the structure with my son and noticed some loose styrofoam in places.  I gave some to an employee and let them know where I found it in hopes that they would investigate.  The structure is huge and lots of fun.  There are benches all around to sit and enjoy watching the kids.  They have a cool tree house with a slide, two bounce houses, a small climbing wall structure, rooms with a theme (ie: police station, music room) a section for children 2 and under.  I did notice that a lot of the mats were pretty worn.  I think an upgrade in the mat department is needed.  That really is my only complaint unless you count dusting the top of the structure.  Otherwise, this is a great place.  I will go back!  Thanks to my friend Bryan for the recommendation!

Party Playland, Hampstead, NH (3.5 smiles)

We went to Party Playland in Hampstead, NH today and here is my review....

Parking:  small lot, but we had no trouble find a spot.

Gate/Admissions:  [$$] $6.00 per child, adults are free!

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  Yes.  They have one with a fold down changing table!  

                          Thank you, Staci for the info!

Cleanliness:  It was clean.

Store:  None.

Overall:  We had fun today.  My son really enjoyed jumping around and sliding down the slides. You have to really watch for bumping heads in a place like this though.  It is geared toward younger children which is great because there are only small children jumping around, but they do not have a lot of coordination, so bumps happen.  I liked that the doors on the jump houses had an elastic band on the bottom to help stop a child from falling out the door.  I also liked that it wasn't loud in there.  Also all of the jump houses are pretty small so it's much easier for the little ones to get into and out of them.  No adults are allowed in/on the jump equipment.  No food in the jump area.  You can however have snack or drink in the entrance area when you walk in.  Good socks day :)  All shoes come off before you head to the jump area.  We liked it.  I will go back again.

Children's Museum of Maine, Portland, ME (4.5 smiles)

We went to the Children's Museum of Maine in Portland today, January 25, 2009 here is my review....

Parking: There is a municipal parking garage on Free Street that offers discounted parking for musuem visitors. Make sure you have your ticket stamped by the musuem for your discount. They also list the Gateway Garage on High Street or parking next the museum (not at a discount). We parked right along the street.

Gate/Admissions: [$$$$] $8.00 per person under age 1 is free. Group rates are available.

Birthday Parties: Yes

Bathrooms: There are large bathrooms on every floor. They also have family style bathrooms on the main floor. Every bathroom has a changing table!

Cleanliness: Clean

Store: They have a souvenir store on the main floor and on the lower level they have a tables and chairs for guests to bring a picnic lunch. During the warmer weather they have picnic tables outside also. Keep in mind there is no eating in the exhibit area of the museum.

Overall: Fabulous! My son had so much fun. He loved the ball area where you roll balls down inclines and he also enjoyed climbing around in the tree house. They have a water exhibit set up and as you can imagine it was a hit! They also have a touch tank that the staff opens during the day, a fire engine, a store, a cafe, a race car, a veterinarian's office, a farm exhibit, a campsite, a logging exhibit, a wildlife exhibit, a craft area, a boat and a children's theatre. I know I am missing a few things. Check out their website for a complete list of exhibits. I did not see any strollers in the museum. I saw a lot of babies in carriers on thier parents, but not one stroller. I don't see how you could bring a stroller in there because there are a lot of narrow spots and stairs. I will call the museum tomorrow and find out what their policy is on strollers. In my opionion if you are in Portland or anywhere near Portland you should check this museum out. We loved it!

**Update:  I found out that you are allowed to bring strollers in, but they discourage it on busy days.  You can park your stroller where you hang jackets.  It's located right behind the front desk area.

New England Aquarium, Boston, MA (4 smiles)

We went to the New England Aquarium in Boston, MA today and here is my review....

Parking: There is a parking garage right at the Aquarium. We paid $30.00 to park there for 2.5 hrs.

Gate/Admissions: [$$$$] My ticket was $19.95 (Adult), my son was free (2 and under). No lines today.

Birthday Parties: I would think you could. They have group tickets.

Bathrooms: There are bathrooms when you enter (after they snap your souvenir picture) and there are family bathrooms on the same floor as the Cafe. Note to stroller users - when you go in take a right and follow the sign to the elevator to get up to the Cafe. Once your on that floor there are family style bathrooms with changing tables.

Cleanliness: Very Clean!

Store: There is a souvenir store (on the ground level) and a Cafe (on the second floor). The Cafe has lunch items and drinks of all sorts. You can also bring in your lunch.

Overall: We had fun. It was very quite today so my son could run around and check out all of the different exhibits. I brought a stroller an anticipated on using it, but being so quite there today it wasn't really necessary. I have been there in the past when it is very busy and being so dark in there I was afraid I would loose track of him weaving in and out of people. I brought my large stroller. Note to self: next time bring the umbrella stroller! There is a great touch tank there and the tank with all of the large fish is located in the middle of the Aquarium. The Aquarium itself is not very big. In my opinion it works well with a small child because you can take your time or if you have energy go around and around and around (like we did). I always get a little nervous driving in Boston. Today I got totally lost! The website says that if you heading there from the North take exit 25-24. I never found that exit. I ended up taking 24A and getting all turned around. It took me quite a while to find the Aquarium. Okay it took me about 45 minutes! If you are heading there I would call ahead just to get directions directly from somebody or if you have one of those very fancy navigators I would use that! I will go back. We really had a great day.

UPDATE:  I contacted the New England Aquarium.  They fixed the directions on their website!

CoCo Key Water Resort, Fitchburg, MA (4.5 smiles)

We went to CoCo Key Water Resort in Fitchburg, MA today and here is my review....

The official opening date is:  December 17, 2008

(My son and I were invited to an online media only day on 12/10)

Parking:  Plenty

Gate/Admissions:  [$$$$$]  The daily ticket is kind of pricey.  (Much cheaper then flying the family to the Islands though!)   They do offer a variety of ticket packages.  See their online pricing here.  Children 2 and under are free.  

Birthday Parties: Yes

Bathrooms:  There are two family style bathrooms with showers, a changing area and changing tables.  The family rooms are huge.  They also have bathrooms/locker rooms which are also huge.  They have a bunch of lockers and showers.  There is also a changing table in the handicap stall.

Cleanliness:  Very Clean!

Store:  They have a food counter and a bar located in the water park area.  They sell everything you can think of.  I saw hotdogs, hamburgers, pizza, french fries, etc.

Overall:  WOW!  As soon as we walked in I felt like we were on vacation!  The music was like being in the Islands.  The water park is really cool.  It has a lazy river (small one), large water slides, an indoor/outdoor jacuzzi, a pool with basketball hoops, an adventure pool with a net across the top and cool things to walk across and of course the large water playground area for the younger kids.  Beware that there is a large bucket that fills up on the top of the structure and dumps water over the structure.  A bell rings to warn you, but if it's your first time you have no idea!  My son was a bit scared of the water dumping all over the place, so he decided he enjoyed the showers in the locker room the best!  You just never know when they are 2 what they will gravitate too!  They have lifejackets in different sizes for the the small children also.  I was thrilled!  The temperature was beautiful and the water was warm.  I will go back to this park again in the dead of winter when I need the vacation cure!  They have other locations in New England:  Danvers, MA and Waterbury, CT.

**See comments - CoCo Key Management posted a note regarding visitors issues please see comments!  

Bounce U, Bedford, NH (3.5 smiles)

We went to Bounce U in Bedford today, November 19, 2008 and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty

Gate/Admissions:  [$$$]  It cost $11.00 for my son, but adults accompanying the children are free.  There is also a deal if you have siblings.  The first child is $11.00, siblings are $10.00.  You can also purchase a pass for $50.00 for 5 bounce sessions.  Kind of pricey for a two year old who only lasts about an hour!  Children under two are free.  Not sure I would bring a child under two because it can be kind of dangerous with bouncing toddlers and preschoolers!  I did see parents with babies and toddlers.  It looked pretty tricky.  

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  Two large bathrooms right outside the bounce area.  Both have changing tables.

Cleanliness:  Very clean.

Store:  There is a water bubbler in the bounce area and outside of the bounce area there is a soda machine that has soda and water.  No food or beverage inside the bounce area.

Overall:  For the first half hour we had a blast.  We went into this one bouncy house with a small slide and fun things to bounce off of and into.  Be careful of the door areas getting into the bouncy houses we saw a small boy bounce right out!  Then my son saw this huge slide!  You climb up the ladder to get to the top (the ladder is totally secure and part of the actual structure.  It's more like climbing up stairs with rungs that has side walls) anyway once at the top you are supposed to get into this bag and slide down....try explaining that to a two year old! He was more interested in just flying down the slide any which way.  I figured we could do this maybe twice then we could move on.....ahh...no!  Up and down, up and down, up and down with me at the top explaining to him that he has to move out of the way so others can come down.  I was pretty much ready to mosey along at that point.  Of course as soon as I got him out of the bounce room, got his shoes and jacket on, I noticed they were opening up the other room.  The other room looked like they had neat stuff in it.  I guess they open the other side at 11:00 so next time I will try to go around 10:30 so he can do both sides.  Be ready to climb on into the structures with your children.  Some of the structures seem kind of big for the little ones, but if you go when we did (preschool time which is Tues, Weds, Thurs 10am-12pm) there are only children 7 and younger, so they can take their time climbing up things.  One other thing I should mention, it is loud because of the machines running that keep the structures blown up. Some children found that kind of scary.  I liked it, but it is kind of hectic with a two year old.  I was worried that he may fall out of the bouncy houses and you have to really watch the knocking of the noggins!  I saw a few children bump heads.  I am curious what you guys thought...comment and share your reviews!

Chuck E. Cheese's, Manchester, NH (3 smiles)

We went to Chuck E. Cheese's today in Manchester and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty.  It is located in a strip mall off of South Willow Street. (Across from the Mall of NH)

Gate/Admission:  It is free to get in.   You can purchase tokens to play games or ride the kiddie rides.  Otherwise, it is free for the children to play on the climbing structures!  

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  There is a men's room and a women's room.  Both have changing tables.

Cleanliness:  We went early in the day and left around 12:30 pm.  The place was very clean, but then again there were only a few of us there.  I have been on the weekend before and it can be very crazy.  Obviously, on the weekend tables are messy and there is lots of stuff hanging around on the floor.  Not today!

Store:  They serve food.  They have pizza, salad, hot dogs, french fries, sodas, etc.  Prices seem reasonable.  I notice a lot of coupons with family deals in weekend flyers.  It's the kind of place where you order at a counter, find a table, place a number on the table and the staff delivers it when it is done.  Be prepared on the weekend to have a bit of a tough time finding a free table.  People tend to leave jackets, etc on the seats even when they are not eating.

Overall:  I have been before when my son was a bit smaller.  He wasn't able to do much then and really did not like the Chuck E. Cheese that walks around and waves to the kids!  We did not see the costume Chuck E. Cheese today only the mechanical one, which he was okay with.  It was a good place for my son to play indoors today.  He climbed around on the toddler structure and liked the small carousel horse ride.  He rode on a few other small token eating rides, but all in all I only spent $5.00 in tokens and we were  there for about an hour and I was okay with that!

Imajine that, Lawrence, MA (4.5 smiles)

We went to Imajine that in Lawrence today, October 21, 2008 and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty.  It's located in a large mill building with a huge parking lot.

Gate/Admissions:  [$$]  The staff is friendly.  Coats are hung in the hallway which is outside of the play space.

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  There are two located in the hallway outside of the place space (where you hang your coats).  Both rooms are equipped with changing tables!

Cleanliness:  Very clean.  The toys look well cared for also.

Store:  There is a food counter there with a dining area.  They have all sorts of things for kids.  The prices are great also.  I noticed grilled cheese, mac & cheese, chicken nuggets, french fries, yogurt, fruit, animal crackers, hot dogs, pizza to name a few.  They also sell juice, milk, water, soda and snacks.  The dining area has highchairs and is very clean.

Overall:  We really enjoyed Imajine that!  I had heard about it a while ago and wanted to check it out.  The location is great!  Once you get off of the highway it is right around the corner.  Easy to get on and off the highway.  My son loved the dinosaur climbing structure.  It is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers!  Not too big, easy to maneuver and neat nooks to explore.  He spent most of his time in there.  The craft area is wonderful.  I have been to quite a few places and I think this place had the best craft area and here is why.  The tables and chairs are spread apart so each child has their own space.  The crafts that they have out on the tables are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers (ie. stamping, play-dough, painting and drawing).  There is a large chalk board with large chalk.  The craft supplies are lined up along a wall with counter space and a sink.  The lighting in there is cheerful and the space is roomy.  The large mill windows supply the space with wonderful natural light also.   When we arrived they had a woman with a guitar singing children's songs.  When she finished singing they had fun children's music playing.  I know that sounds like a given, but you would surprised how many places we go to and they don't have music playing in the background.  I love when they do because I enjoy watching the children get into the music!  It's so cute to watch them make up their own dance moves.  Back to the review...there is a bounce house, an area for younger children / babies, a reading area, a boat to climb around in, a play house with a kitchen, living area, a garden area outside the house and a large grocery store!  My son enjoyed pushing the cart around and choosing his own plastic food!  Great place.  Worth the drive.  Check it out!

Space Center, Hooksett, NH (2.5 smiles)

We went to the Space Center in Hooksett today, October 15, 2008 and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty

Gate/Admissions:  This is a place where you purchase tickets to go on rides.  Kind of like a fair. We paid $3.00 per child to go in the jumping house (train) and $4.00 per child to ride on the carousel horses.   Adults are free for both of those activities.  Tokens are needed to play video games or ride on the little toddler rides (like the dinosaur or the Flintstones car).

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  There are two bathrooms.  The women's bathroom has a changing table.

Cleanliness:  From 1-10, I would give it a 4.  It's not super clean.  The carpet is quite old with stains and rips.  It is held together with duct tape in spots.  We were the only people there so I can't comment much past that.  The windows on the door were pretty filthy though.  The dining area looked okay.

Store:  They have a large dining area where they serve food and drinks.  I believe you order at the counter and pick up your food then find a table to sit at.

Overall:  This wasn't my favorite place to bring my son, but that being said I think it is geared toward older children.  For toddlers they have a carousel horse, a bouncy house (train), a little train to ride on, an indoor playground (it is pretty big) with toddler ride around toys, small rides for toddlers, and a few games that they can play.  There was nobody there though, so my son could run around and touch everything.  I would go back if it was raining or snowing and I had to get out of the house.  Otherwise, I think I will wait for renovations or when my son can tell me I am totally wrong and he loves this place!  On the way home we stopped at Livingston Park which is not that far from there and had a wonderful afternoon playing on the playground and walking around Dorrs Pond.  You can see my review of Livingston Park here! 

The Yankee Siege, Greenfield, NH (3.5 smiles)

We went to the Yankee Siege Trebuchet today, October 12, 2008 and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty in a dirt lot or along the road.

Gate/Admissions:  NONE!

Bathrooms:  Port-o-potties

Cleanliness:  This event is held outside in a huge field!

Store:  They sell hotdogs, snacks and drinks.

Overall:  Normally I do not review events.  I may start now!  We had a great time at this event.

They start at 1:00 PM and go until 5:00 PM.  They chuck pumpkins about every 30 minutes. They are in operation only in September - October and weather permitting.  The trebuchet is huge!  It chucks pumpkins really far.  Like 1800'!  It's really cool.  On top the hill there is a castle and in between chucks you can go up to the castle and check it out.  It has cute little rooms inside.  There is a huge gate where the kids love to explore the underground tunnel!  I think everybody should check this out!  It's free!  Oh, and they give free wagon rides pulled by Oxen!  I added a short video below to give you an idea of how this thing works!

KidsPLAYce, Brattleboro, VT (2.5 smiles)

We went to KidsPLAYce in Brattleboro today, October 11, 2008 and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty.  I noticed a metered parking lot directly across the street.

Gate/Admission:  [$$]  There are a lot of granite steps to go down to get to the entrance.  I had a bit of struggle getting my son and the stroller down them!  Luckily, there were some nice people around to help!

Birthday Parties:  Not sure...I will find out

Bathroom:  I saw two large bathrooms both had changing tables.  They were pretty old, but they work!

Cleanliness:  I would not say this is the cleanest facility we have been to.  It was just okay.

Store:  They sell snacks and ice cream!  There is a table in the craft area that you can sit at and have drinks and snacks.

Overall:  My son liked the sand table.  I thought the two story townhouse was neat.  The toys are worn and the rug was pretty old and stained.  The climbing maze is very small and it's old school.  It's a small facility.  It's okay.  If I was in Brattleboro and was looking for a spot to hang out I would go, but I would not make the trip if you live quite a distance from it.  Keep in mind it is also seasonal.  It opened October 1st for the season.

The Discovery Stop, Londonderry, NH (4 Smiles)

We went to The Discovery Stop in Londonderry today, October 7, 2008 and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty (It is located in a strip mall off of 102)

Gate/Admission: [$$] The staff is very friendly.  They give you a bin to put your shoes in.  (Good socks day!)

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  They have large bathrooms with changing tables!

Cleanliness:  The facility is very clean.  Some of the toys in the Toddler area look worn, but they are clean and orderly.

Store:  They have a snack counter with drinks and snacks.  The prices looked fair.  They also have a small store section where they sell toys.  (mostly wooden educational toys)

You can bring food and eat it by the snack counter, but make sure you do not pack any nut products! 

Overall:  I had been to The Discovery Stop once before when my son was under a year old.  Now that he is older (he's 2) I like it better!   There is more for him to do.  They have an awesome play structure that the kids love to climb around and explore.  Today it was very quiet and all of the children were around my son's age, so the structure was great.  I have been there though when the place is packed and older children are in the structure.  It can get a bit rough.  They have a play kitchen area, a Post office, cars for the kids to ride in, blocks, crafts, fun discovery tables, a small boat for the children to play in and they have two digging stations for children 4 and older.   My son and I enjoyed our visit today.  I will definitely go back.  The climbing structure alone is worth the trip. 

Polkadot Playhouse, Salisbury, MA (3 smiles)

We went to Polkadot Playhouse in Salisbury, MA today and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty (it's in a strip mall off of 110)

Gate/Admissions:  [$$] - No charge for adults!  The ladies behind the counter were very kind.

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  The bathrooms are large with changing tables.

Cleanliness:  The facility is very clean.  The toys look used, but well taken care of.

Store:  They sell drinks on site (water, juice, etc.) and they also have light snacks.

Overall:  My son had fun.  We were the only people there for about a half hour.  They have a climbing structure that is geared for the younger children.  They have a ship for the kids to climb on, a kitchen with play food, a train set, lego station and a large craft area.  They also have soft blocks to play on and toys for very young babies.  I noticed that they have a party room for birthdays also!  This is a nice spot, but it's pretty small.  We stayed about an hour. If your in the Hampton area and are looking for a spot to hang out I would suggest checking it out!

Davis' Farmland, Sterling, MA (5 smiles)

We went to Davis' Farmland in Sterling, MA today and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty

Gate/Admissions:  [$$$$$]  No lines today!  Must be the time of year.

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathroom:  All of the bathrooms are in the building where the dining area is located.

They have family rooms and men's and women's rooms.  All have changing tables and are very clean.  They also have small sinks!  Hurray!

Cleanliness:  The park is pretty clean.  It is a farm however, so expect all the traditional farm things like animal poop!  They do have running water outside to wash hands and plenty of antibacterial lotion dispensers.  There were a lot of flies in the dining area, but there are a bunch of picnic tables with shade that you can use right outside of the dining area.

Store:  They do have a traditional souvenir store and they have a wonderful lunch counter.  They offer just about everything that a toddler would eat!  They also offer a variety of lunch options for adults.  I thought the prices were reasonable.  You can also pack your own lunch and eat it at the picnic tables if you prefer.

Overall:  So far this year this is my favorite pick!  We loved it.  They have calves, pigs, sheep, llama, ponies, chickens, ducks, cows, horses and a bunch of goats.  (I am sure I am forgetting a lot of animals).  The children can feed them and pet them.  They have milking demonstrations and egg collecting!  They have a wonderful hayride that we enjoyed and play spaces for toddlers.  They have little houses that the children can play in with lots of toys.  They have structures for the kids to play on!   There is a water sprinkler park, but today was a bit too chilly for that.  It looked great though.  Next year we will plan to go on a day that my son can play in the water also.  They really did their homework here.  There are minimal "No's".  Everything is geared towards toddlers and young children.  I love that!  In my opinion Davis' Farmland is a must do!

Santa's Land, Putney, Vermont (3.5 smiles)

We went to Santa's Land in Putney, VT today and here is my review.....

Parking:  Plenty

Gate/Admission:  [$$$]  Friendly and informative.

Birthday Parties:  I saw a 3 hour park rental on their website.  No mention of actual birthday parties...

Bathroom:  There is only one, but the park is pretty small.  It does have a changing table!

Cleanliness:  For an older park I was surprised how clean it is.  It is in need of minor repair on buildings and maybe a complete sprucing up, but it's clean.

Store:  I was also very happy with the variety of food that they sell.  They have a concession stand with lunch items.  They also have an ice cream / candy / fudge store and a drink cooler in the main building by the parking lot.  They sell a variety of drinks (milk, water, juice boxes, etc.)  The main building has souvenirs, toys and Christmas ornaments.  There is a book and quiet toy building also!

Overall:  I was surprised.  I have to say the park itself is old and a bit run down, but they have a little bit of everything for the little ones.  There is a train ride, a couple of small rides, animals, two playground areas, small buildings that the kids can go into and write letters to Santa or walk through Santa's house.  There is a deer feeding/petting area that my son enjoyed.  The park was almost empty today.  I am not sure if it is always like this, but if felt like it was open only for us!  The staff is extremely friendly.  The gentleman that runs the train also runs the three other rides so when the train stops he opens the other rides then heads back to the train!  I would go here again.  Especially at my son's age (he's two).  The park is small, but he doesn't mind and there is plenty for him to do and I don't have to worry about him in crowds of people.  I would recommend it at least once! 

York's Wild Kingdom, York, ME (4 smiles)

We went to York's Wild Kingdom in York, ME today and here is my review.....

Parking:  There is a lot of parking, but I did notice that if you arrive later in the day the cars are parked along the road into the zoo and up at a field quite a walk from the main gate.  We arrived at 11:00 AM and the lines were long, but we parked up close to the gate.

Gate/Admission:  [$$$] - We paid for the zoo only.  The lines to get in were long.  I don't know if it's always like that or if it was a combination of the great weather and the time of day.  Anyhow, there were 4 lines open and we waited about 25 minutes to pay and get in.  The umbrella stroller was helpful so I could keep my son in one spot while we patiently (yah, right) waited to pay and get a wrist band.  The lines in the morning are in the shade!

Birthday Parties:  No mention of actual birthday parties on their site, but I love this zoo.  I think this would be a great place for a party!

Bathroom:  There is a bathroom to the right of the gate and there is another one inside the zoo near the Two-toed Sloth!  We used the one by the Sloth.  The changing table is outside of the bathroom in full sun during mid-day.  

Cleanliness:  The park is pretty clean.

Store:  There is a souvenir store at the main gate and another near the butterfly exhibit.  There is an area to get food.  They have the typical variety of hotdogs, chicken tenders, french fries and I think I saw a sign for tacos!  I noticed a few vending machines with drinks also.

Overall:  I like York's Wild Kingdom for a couple of reasons.  I like the zoo itself.  My son loves the deer petting/feeding area.  It's just the right size for a toddler.  It's not huge and it's not tiny either.  It has just enough to see.  I love the fact that if you walk through the ride area it ends up on the main road to Short Sands Beach.  We walked over to a diner and grabbed a grilled cheese and went to the grassy park overlooking the beach.  We had lunch there then walked the beach.  There is a playground right there as well.  We had a great day.  Go check it out for yourself!

Squam Lake Science Center, Holderness, NH (4.5 smiles)

We went to the Squam Lake Science Center in Holderness today and here is my review....

Parking:  Plenty

Gate/Admission:  [$$$]  Very informative and kind

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathroom:  We used the one near the front entrance.  It was clean with a changing table.

Cleanliness:  The grounds and the exhibits are very clean.

Store:  It's not the typical trinket store.  This store is packed with local products, cool carvings, fun games for kids, lots of books and stuffed animals.  I could have spent much more time in there, but with a two year old you gotta keep moving.

Overall:  This is a great place to experience nature in New Hampshire in a truly natural setting.  Most of the animals that live there are orphaned, injured, or cannot survive in the wild.  The exhibits are beautiful and the animals are so well cared for.  The staff is very educated on the animals and love what they do.  The animals are amazing.  We love the Bear exhibit and the Mountain Lion exhibit.  They have a children's play barn with fun things to crawl into and on while learning!  Go figure.  This spot is a true gem right here in our backyard.  The trail is well maintained.  I saw strollers.  I would recommend a jogging type stroller, but I saw other strollers doing just fine.  There is a spot with picnic tables that you can sit and eat.  No food or drink is allowed on the trail.  Just keep that in mind when your heading out!  Have fun and don't forget your camera. 

Mariposa Museum, Peterborough, NH (3.5 smiles)

We went to the Mariposa Museum in Peterborough today and here is my review....

Parking:  Plenty around town.

Gate/Admission:  [$$]  The staff is extremely friendly and they explain programs, craft, exhibits, where to hang your jacket, etc.  It feels like you just walked into a family member's house.  They are very warm.

Birthday Parties:  No mention of birthday parties on their website.

Bathroom:  There are two.  Both are large.  One on the first floor and one on the second floor.  I did not see a changing table.

Cleanliness:  The museum is very clean.

Store:  They have really neat souvenirs for sale.  I wasn't able to really check them out, but they were very colorful and they looked interesting.  There is no food or drink allowed in the museum, so take care of that business outside :)

Overall:  If I had to choose one word to sum up the Mariposa Museum it would be colorful!  It is so bright and cheerful.  My son loved the drum on the first floor.  I am sure it has a name, but I did not notice.  They encourage hands on!  At two you have to be a bit careful as to what "hands on" should be!  My son likes everything and some of the exhibits there are geared for older children / adults.  They have a lot of marionettes that we found interesting and fun to play with and on the third floor there are a whole bunch of instruments.  They also have events so check out their website for show dates/times.  There is also a craft room with a lot of books!  We spent some time in the craft room at the miniature tree house.  Go explore the Mariposa Museum.  While in town check out Adams Playground.

Seacoast Science Center, Rye, NH (3 smiles)

We went to the Seacoast Science Center in Rye today, August 1, 2008 and here is my review....

Parking:  Plenty

Gate/Admission:  [$] The staff is very friendly.  Just a quick note on admission that I will mention is that we had to pay to get into Odiorne State Park then pay to visit the Science Center.  

Birthday Parties:  Yes (ages 4 and up)

Bathrooms:  There are bathrooms inside the Science Center and bathrooms outside.  We used one that was inside and it had a changing table!  

Cleanliness:  It was okay.  Not filthy, but not spotless.  It could use some sprucing up!

Store:  There is a typical nick-nack store inside.  I did not notice any vending machine.  There is no food or drink allowed inside the Science Center.

Overall:  I think this spot is best suited for school age children.  There is a touch tank that has starfish that the children can pick up.  There is a small toddler area with books and a few other small toys.  My son really liked the fish tanks.  They have benches that the kids can sit on and get a good close up view of the sea life in the tanks.  Outside you can walk on the rocks and find sea creatures or have lunch at one of the many picnic tables.  Some of the picnic tables are right there overlooking the ocean.  It is a beautiful spot.  There is a playground with two structures and swings.  There are plenty of trails!  Today there were a lot of mosquitoes.  Odiorne State Park is heavily wooded so bring your bug spray!  See my review on Odiorne State Park.

Liquid Planet, Candia, NH (4.5 smiles)

We went to Liquid Planet Water Park in Candia today, July 30, 2008 and here is my review....

Parking:  Plenty

Gate/Admissions:  [$$$$$] The staff is extremely friendly and helpful.   Normally I do not comment on park pricing, but I will here.  Check the website for pricing.  There is a discount after 2:00 pm.  I would suggest arriving after 2:00 pm to avoid the full day price and the buses.

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  There are three bathrooms (men's, women's and a family room!).  We used the family room.  It was very clean with plenty of room to change.

Cleanliness:  This park just opened this season.  It's very clean.

Store:  They have a cute souvenir store that has a lot of merchandise for sale.  They also sell ice cream (in the package) and drinks.  There is an ATM in the store also.  They have a lunch shack which has a lot to choose from at reasonable prices.  Plenty of shaded seating outside to sit down and eat your lunch.

Overall:  My son loved this park.  I liked it also!  The area for the younger children is fabulous.  It's deep enough for them to get wet but it's not intimidating.  They have great sprinklers and bubblers for the kids to play in.  The small water slide structure has three slides.  The kids love it!  They have neat bouncy things to sit on that spray water and little seats for young children to bounce in.  The park itself is small which is great when you have little ones.  There is a small pool and two large water slides.  There are limited umbrellas around the pool area though.  They do not allow any outside food or drinks into the park.  Many parents pack a lunch and leave it in their vehicle.  They allow you to leave and come back in.  We enjoyed Liquid Planet.  Go check it out!

The Children's Museum of New Hampshire, Dover, NH (4 smiles)

We went to the Children's Museum of New Hampshire today, July 28, 2008 and here is my review...

Parking:  There is plenty behind the museum or along the street.

Gate/Admission:  [$$$] The staff is very friendly and informative.

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  They have family style bathrooms on both floors with small toilets for the little ones (so cute) and changing tables.

Cleanliness:  This museum is brand new.  It was very clean.

Store:  There is a souvenir store with lots of neat and colorful toys.  There is a snack area with tables and a vending machine with a variety of snacks, juice, water and I noticed soy milk.  They do not serve food.

Overall:  This is a great place for all aged children.  There are some really neat exhibits with something for everybody!  Even the adults were participating in the fun!  The craft area is really nice with tables set up for all age groups.  Head up the ramp for a really nice spot for children 0-3.  My son loved the train table and the book nook.  Right out back is the town playground with shaded picnic tables (full sun on the playground). They do not allow strollers in the museum, but they do have a room for stroller parking.  Keep that in mind if you have a very young child and a toddler!   The only downfall for me was that there are no structures for children to play on/in.  Otherwise, I think this is a great place to check out.

SEE Science Center, Manchester, NH (3.5 smiles)

We went to the SEE Science Center today, July 22, 2008 and here is my review....

Parking:  There is a few spots reserved for the SEE Science Center but most likely you will be paying to park by meter.  There are quite a few of meter spots out in front of the building.

Gate/Admission:  [$$] Helpful.  No line, no waiting.

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  There are bathrooms on both floors with changing tables.

Cleanliness:  It's clean.

Store:  No store.  There is a vending machine for drinks.  They have a small space set up for gifts/souvenirs.

Overall:  I liked it.  There is a small section for toddlers.  Most of the exhibits are for school age children.  They do have a bubble table that my son really liked.  It is two floors and it has an amazing lego display that is set up like downtown Manchester during 1915.  It's the largest permanent lego installation at minifigure scale in the world!  It's worth the visit itself.  Go check out SEE Science Center!

Boston Children's Museum, Boston, MA (5 smiles)

We went to the Boston Children's Museum today, July, 16th and here is my review.....

Parking:  There are two parking garages nearby that the museum can validate the ticket and you get a discount for parking (ours was $8.00 off).  Follow the directions on the museum website and it's pretty easy to find.

Gate/Admission:  [$$$$] Helpful and lots of attendants we had no wait!

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  Everything you could possibly need and then some.  There are bathrooms on each floor, some with miniature toilets and sinks for the kids.  Every bathroom has a changing station!

Cleanliness:  very clean.

Store:  There is a store on site with the typical souvenirs.  There is a lunch room if you choose to sit and eat inside, there is a restaurant (Au Bon Pain) attached to the museum and there is a sandwich / snack shop right outside.  There are plenty of spots outside to sit and eat your lunch overlooking the water and the cool tall buildings that the kids love to look at.  The boardwalk is pretty cool.  You can take a quick stroll down the boardwalk after lunch!

Overall:  This is a great place for children 2-6 years I would say.  It's all hands on!  It's three floors with plenty of things for children of those ages to do.  I really liked that you could go in one room and they had an exhibit for smaller children right near the exhibit for older children.  It can be a little hectic with more than one child.  There is a lot to do there so be prepared to jump from one thing to the next!  Have a blast and go explore the Boston Children's Museum!

Stone Zoo, Stoneham, MA (3.5 smiles)

We went to the Stone Zoo, Stoneham, MA today (July 11th) and here is my review....

Parking:  Great!  Lots of spaces and it's very easy to find off the highway.

Gate/Admissions:  [$$$] Helpful & Kind

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  The bathrooms are trailers with chemical toilets (not port-o-pottys).  They have individual stalls.  There is a sink with running water and a changing station.  The one thing I noticed though is if you are there alone with your child in a stroller, you have to go up a few stairs to get into the trailer and the trailer itself will not accommodate a stroller.  You will have to leave it unattended outside.

Cleanliness:  It's clean!

Store:  There is a store on site with typical souvenirs available.  There are a few vending machines near the picnic tables.  We did notice that the price of soda/water in the vending machine was quite high.

Overall:  I liked this zoo.  Not as much as York's Animal Kingdom (we went last year), but it's clean and it has a place to get food and a spot to picnic if you bring your lunch.  The zoo itself is pretty small.  It's great for young children.  There are some rough spots if you are pushing a stroller though.  It looked like some of the sand trails were washed out from rain so it can be a little bit of a struggle.  There were some areas where there were not any animals but there were still cages.  Not sure if they are working on expanding or if those animals no longer live there.  They had two beautiful black bears and a few large cats.  They also have wolves!  I would say it's worth the ride.  Go check it out!  Let me know what you think!

Meredith Children's Museum, Meredith, NH (2.5 smiles)

We went to the Meredith Children's Museum on June 22nd and here is my review....

Parking:  Plenty

Gate/Admissions:  [$$$] Quite different then I have ever experienced.  A ball on the counter with a hole in the top and a sign that says "Pay Wilson".  Really!  Then a man comes around when nobody pays Wilson and collects the admission.

Birthday Parties:  No mention of parties on their website, but I remember seeing a private function room in the basement.  If your interested in a party here, I would call them directly.

Bathrooms:  Scary!  They are located downstairs where it's dark and quite a walk from the main areas.  There is a changing table in the bathroom that looks quite old but it works.  

Cleanliness:  This place needs a good scrubbing and some general clean up and repair of the toys/structures.

Store:  None

Overall:  It's really sad to say, but I would not go back unless I was in Meredith with nothing to do.  It is too bad because it has a lot of potential and they have some great things for the kids to play with / play on.  Unfortunately, there has been little, if any, maintenance to this place.

Stonewall Farm, Keene, NH (4 smiles)

We visit the Stonewall farm often.  Here is my review....

Parking:  Plenty, dirt lot.

Gate/Admissions:  NONE!!

Bathrooms:  There are a few outside and one inside.  The one inside is the one I used.  It has a changing table and running water to wash hands.

Birthday Parties:  Yes (Personally, I can't think of a better spot for a party of any kind!)

Cleanliness:  Pretty clean for a farm.  I do have to tell you though that my son and I did take a trail off the beaten path and he stepped in a cow patty!  Yuck.  Other than that it's pretty clean.

Store:  There is a farm stand in the summer.  I saw a sign for one in the main building, but I haven't seen it yet.

Overall:  I really like the Stonewall Farm and here's why...it's free, the animals are healthy and happy and my son can pet the calves.  He loves the calves!  They have beautiful horses, sheep, cows (and calves), chickens and bunnies!  There are spots to donate if you decide to do so.  They have a few picnic tables if you decide to bring a lunch.  There is a green house (I haven't been in it yet).  There is a small playground and a babbling brook that my son loves to throw rocks into!  This is a wonderful place for kids to check out a working farm and enjoy the animals!

Kaleidoscope Children's Museum, Concord, NH (4.5 smiles)

We have visited the Kaleidoscope Children's Museum in Concord twice.  Once in April & once in May.  Here is my review.....

Parking:  It is kind of difficult to find parking on Main Street in Concord.  Once you find a spot you are all set :)  Update from a reader:  There is a parking garage across the street.  - see comments.

Gate/Admissions:  [$$$] Friendly and informative.  

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  Clean with changing tables!

Cleanliness:  Very clean.  I have seen the staff wiping toys down with a solution and have been told that they are all green!  Wonderful.  The staff is always cleaning up and rearranging the toys.

Store:  They have a cooler with water and juice (no milk) and they also have a great selection of neat toys.  Mostly wooden and educational toys.

Overall:  I really like the Kaleidoscope because they are so clean and the space is set up really nice.  You can take a break and sit on the benches in the middle of the room and still watch over the children.  It's not huge, but we can usually spend about one hour to an hour and a half there.  My son enjoys climbing into the treehouse and playing the instruments.  It's located right next to Foodee's on Main Street.

The Met, Derry, NH (3.5 smiles) - Closed

We went to The Children's Met in Derry, NH on July 2nd and here is my review....

Parking:  Plenty behind the building to the right.  The sign for The Met is small and up high so look up! 

Gate/Admissions:  [$$$] Attentive and informative.

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  There are three bathrooms.  One has a changing table (that needs a new pad) but it works.  

Cleanliness:  Pretty clean.  I didn't see anybody going around cleaning.  The toys looked used, but not filthy.

Store:  none

Overall:  I liked it.  My son loved the train set and the fire engine.  There is also a cute spot for real little ones with a gate that goes all the way around.  We were able to spend about 1 hour and a half there and he had a great time.   There are a few small tables that you can eat at if you choose to bring a lunch.

Beech Hill Farm, Hopkinton, NH (4 smiles)

We went to Beech Hill Farm the last week in May (the 25th) and here is my review....

Parking:  Plenty

Gate/Admissions:  Best Part... NONE!

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  Didn't use it.  Next time I will check.  They do have a sink with running water to wash your hands before you hit the ice cream!!! Yummy!

Cleanliness of Park:  Okay.  Not immaculate but not dirty.

Store:  They sell ice cream!  It's delicious.  They also have beautiful flowers and a small farm stand.

Overall:  I really like this place.  They have farm animals that the kids love, a cool maze in the fall and a horse drawn carriage ride.  There is also a sand pile with toys and a couple of picnic tables.  The best part...it's free!  (of course if you choose to buy ice cream or anything else that will cost.)

Canobie Lake Park, Salem, NH (5 smiles)

We went to Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH the last week of May (the 28th) and here is my review....

Parking:  Lots, lots, lots! (I mean parking lots :)

Gate/Admissions Attendant:  [$$$$$] Helpful and Kind

Birthday Parties:  I didn't see birthday parties mentioned on their website, but they do list group rates.  I think this would be fun for a birthday anyway!

Bathrooms:  Clean with changing tables and they even have a family bathroom!

Cleanliness of Park:  Spotless

Store:  Plenty of places to get drinks and lunch

Overall:  This is one of my favorite places to bring my son for this type of event.  There is plenty of room to stroll, plenty of shade to hide from the sun, plenty of amusing things to keep his attention and plenty of places to sit and take a break.  He's not too interested in rides at this point, but the other children his age that were into the rides were having a blast.  We were able to go on a few rides together such as the train and the antique cars.  He was pretty amazed by both!

Friendly Farm, Dublin, NH (3.5 smiles)

We visited the Friendly Farm in Dublin, NH last Wednesday (June 25th)

Parking:  Plenty right off road

Gate/Admissions:  [$$$] Helpful and Kind

Birthday Parties:  No mention of birthday parties on their website, but they do mention group rates.  I would have a birthday party here!  There is plenty of picnic tables to hang out at and lots of animals for the little ones.

Bathrooms:  We didn't use one but the next time I go I will update this.  There is running water with soap however in the field and plenty of antibacterial creams around.

Cleanliness of Park:  It's a farm.  Animals poop.  Be prepared.

Store:  I have been told they do.  Next time I will check it out!

Overall:  It was fun.  The animals are walking around with you.  Be prepared though if you buy the grain bag the animals will jump on you and follow you around until you feed them.  I took my son into the goat section with a bag of grain.  Bad Idea.  The goats were mauling us!  It's a hands-on farm.  The children can touch just about all the animals except the horse, the bull and the pigs.  There are a lot of picnic tables if you choose to bring your lunch beware of roaming animals though!  I will definitely go back!

Charmingfare Farm, Candia, NH (3.5 smiles)

We went to Charmingfare Farm last Friday (June 27th).  Here is my review....

Parking:  There is plenty

Gate/Admissions:  [$$$$$] Helpful and Kind

Birthday Parties:  Yes

Bathrooms:  Port-o-potties.  No running water to wash your toddler's hands.  (**Update:  An anonymous reader did write a comment that there is running water by the pigs and sheep.  I did not see the sinks, but I will go back and update this posting as soon as I do.  Thank you for the correction)  No changing tables.  They do provide antibacterial hand lotion at certain stations.

Cleanliness of Park:  Okay.  Some rough terrain if you are using a stroller.  There are some wooded areas to navigate through.  A lot of animals for the children to enjoy.  If you don't like seeing wild animals in cages this may not be the park for you.  

Store:  Lots of trinkets and stuffed animals.  They do have a cooler in the back with water, etc.

Overall:  Nice, would go again!  There are a lot of picnic tables in nice shady places if you choose to bring your lunch.  My son was happy and he loved the tractor ride.

About this blog

I am a first time mom with a beautiful boy who loves to keep busy! We find ourselves just about everywhere exploring new things and enjoying our days together. I wanted to start a blog to share our experiences of places we have been and why we either enjoyed them or will most likely not return.  

I searched high and low for a site that displayed all the places in New England for children and some reviews of each place. I have not found anything like that, so I decided I would start my own.  

Keep in mind that these are only my reviews. I think I have pretty high standards when it comes to places to explore with my son, but it really is only my opinion and it may vary from other people's opinions. I encourage readers to post their comments also! The more information we share, the better we can prepare for our adventures with our children.

If you would like to contact me with a suggestion, comment or question you can email me at: onemomsreview@comcast.net or comment under this post! If you comment under this post make sure you give me your contact information so I can reply to you!  

Enjoy!  

Mandy

3 Great Reasons why YOU should advertise with ME!

#1.  Affordability!  Attract regional customers to your website at an unbelievable rate!  Email me and I will get you rates and discuss where we will place the ad!

#2.  Market!  My site reaches families across New England (and beyond).  I have networked with a lot of regional family websites to create a large following on my site that is increasing daily!

#3.  Growing!  My site is a new site (1 year old).  

     I get feedback daily from readers who have just found it and love it!  Based on research I have done, in one year this site has grown to what the typical blog grows in two!

Interested?  Here are a few guidelines....

- Because of the nature of my site, I can not advertise any business listed under New Hampshire Attractions, Connecticut Attractions, Vermont Attractions, Maine Attractions, Massachusetts Attractions and Rhode Island Attractions!  I have to have an unbiased relationship with all attractions that I have done or may be conducting a review on.   

-Your attraction is listed there, but you want more exposure.  Great!  You can send me tickets to your attraction and I will happily raffle them off on my site for you.  I will also place a nice large feature spot on my site with your company's name and do a feature story in my newsletter!

- Must be a company that is family oriented!

That's it!  Okay here's my contact info.

Mandy Grenier

onemomsreview@comcast.net

Email me with your info and I will respond to you very quickly :)

Connecticut

No reviews / posts for Connecticut yet....I will get there eventually :)

Check out the links on the sidebar for places to bring children in Connecticut!

Contact Me

Do you have....

An event you would like listed?
A question on advertising on the newsletter?
A suggestion?
A comment?
A place to add that you love to go to with your family?
A general inquiry?

If so, email me at onemomsreview@comcast.net

If you would prefer to leave a comment here remember to leave an email address, so I can contact you back!

I love feedback!
Hope to hear from you soon,
Mandy

Rhode Island

No reviews / posts for Rhode Island yet...I will get there eventually :)

Check out the places for children on the sidebar under Rhode Island!

Haunted Seaport Hotel, Boston, MA

Haunted Seaport Hotel Welcomes Families

For Trick-or-Treating

and Spooky Fine Dining, “Family-Style”

WHAT:        This Halloween, Aura invites families to test their nerves and their taste buds at a special Halloween celebration at the Seaport Hotel. Under the cover of darkness, children trick-or-treat in costume through the hotel’s departments and visit the Hall of Horrors, featuring a jack-o’-lantern collection (courtesy of the Seaport staff) and spider webs.

After trick-or-treating, families sit down to dinner at Aura for Fine Dining, “Family-Style” (FDFS), a dinner program for parents looking to balance a night out with a welcoming spot for kids to act like kids. In addition to a play space filled with toys, kids will be entertained by face painting and a screening of It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. Zombie Chef Rachel Klein will also be serving up a special kid’s menu of culinary creep-outs, such as:

 Dracula Blood Soup

Tomato soup and grilled cheese

 Fried Bat Wings

Chicken wings, sliced blood orange and ketchup

 Sweet Brain Nuggets

Sweet & sour chicken, broccoli, pineapple

 and lo mein noodles

 Pumpkin Ice Cream & Zombie Eyeballs

Warm spice, pumpkin ice cream, tapioca pearls

with a sweet milk sauce

 Families are also invited to spend Halloween night at the Seaport Hotel with the “Family Fridays” hotel package, which includes FDFS dinner for 2 adults & 2 kids (ages 2-12), a Friday overnight in a deluxe room with 2 double beds, use of the Wave Health & Fitness club and pool, passes to the Children’s Museum (2 adults, 2 kids), complimentary valet parking, and a toy for each child from the Seaport’s Treasure Chest. The “Family Fridays” package is $275/Friday night; $145 for additional nights.

 

ABOUT FINE DINING:

“FAMILY-STYLE:”        Every Friday, Aura invites families in for FDFS’s early family dinner seatings, where parents enjoy Chef Rachel Klein’s fine dining stylings and kids are able to romp & play in a dedicated play space where it’s OK for kids to act like kids. Once a month—and twice in December—families will be treated to special guests and entertainment.

                                   

COST:    Adults can order from Aura’s regular menu or a 3-course, $30 prix fixe menu, while children enjoy their own menu of healthy kid-friendly favorites.

WHEN:    Friday, October 30, 2009

                             Trick-or-Treating                     4:00 – 8:00 PM

                              Dinner                                     5:30 – 8:00 PM

 RESERVATIONS:         For Aura/FDFS: 617.385.4300

       For Seaport Hotel/Family Fridays overnight package: 877.SEAPORT

 

WHERE:                  Aura at the Seaport Hotel

           One Seaport Lane

Boston, MA

www.aurarestaurant.com or www.seaportboston.com