Boston Museum of Science
Of all the science museums I’ve visited, I’m most familiar with the Boston Museum of Science. Relatively speaking, it’s right next door to me. When I visit, I plan to be there for the day, and I’m never bored. This is not an inexpensive day, but it is riveting.
My favorite things include the Butterfly Garden (additional fee), the Rube Goldberg machine, the static electricity demo, any of the interactive exhibits, the 3D cinemas (SO different from the red/blue glasses 3D of my childhood), and anything that teaches me something I didn’t previously know. That covers pretty much the whole museum.
The best way to take in the MOS is with a membership. The biggest benefit to an MOS membership is that benefits are not limited to the MOS. Membership includes the Association of Science and Technology Center (ASTC) Passport Program, which includes 250 science and tech venues worldwide. Six in Massachusetts; eleven in New England. There are some limitations, but generally speaking, what a slamming deal this is for families and/or science buffs!
Photo credit: John E. Lester
Scribner’s Mill Back to the Past Celebration
This annual event is the major fundraiser for the Scribner’s Mill Preservation group. They pull out all the stops and it is a great historical event. The Back to the Past celebration is always the first weekend in August. The efforts of dozens of volunteers and exhibitors help make this a great experience for the whole family.
There are people demonstrating and selling hand crafted items — e.g., spinners and knitters, a tatter, weavers, and a beader. There is a pig roast. There is music. There are diversions for children. There are antique vehicles like a fire truck that periodically shows how water was taken from the nearby stream to put out a fire. There is the mill itself, an amazing feat of restoration. There is a working blacksmith’s shop. There is the house, which is itself being put back to how it looked in it’s hey day.
It is a marvelous way to spend a day. It helps with the mill restoration and is a great step into Maine history.
Photo credit: Sharife
Yarmouth Clam Festival
It’s July in Maine and time for the annual Yarmouth Clam Festival, an event which involves about 3000 volunteers united to earn funds for Yarmouth’s non-profit organizations, school groups, and churches. This event begins at 6 p.m. on Friday with a parade which is as much fun for spectators as it is for parade participants. Following is three days of wonderful entertainment for the whole family.
Stuff you’ll find at the festival are a broad listing of competitions and events, an impressive craft and art show, and of course, lots and lots of good food, featuring clams — steamed clams, fried clams, clam cakes — lots and lots of clams. If you happen to be in Maine this weekend, check out the Clam Festival website for a listing of events and other information, including directions and parking suggestions.
As a side note, from personal experience, I can tell you to keep an eye out for any of the many yard sales in Yarmouth that are sure to be under way this weekend. As these are generally found on the way to or from the Festival doings, they help make the whole experience interesting.
Photo credit: KitAy
Car Shows in Maine: Inexpensive Family Summer Fun
I like car shows. Always have. It’s just really big fun to me to go and see old cars, new cars, foreign cars, stock cars, custom cars. It’s fun to talk with owners. It’s just fun.
In Maine, there are several such shows throughout the summer. Some are based on a specific theme (e.g., antique) or can be completely free form. As far as family entertainment is concerned, all are very affordable — most often, $5 or less for adults; $3 or less for kids under 12. I found one site that helps with looking for car shows in Maine and includes a description of the show, location of the show, and cost of the show. It depends on car show organizers to keep current, but a visit here will give you an idea what’s going on car show-wise while you’re in Maine.
Consider it at least once. It’s really a nice way to spend all or part of a day.
Photo Credit: mikebaird
Arizona Science Center
I personally love, love, love museums of science. The hands-on approach, designed primarily to entice children, is a big draw for me as well! I always learn something. I’m always in awe of something. I’m always stumped by something. There is no way a visitor can be bored. Read more
Maine State Parks: Cheap Day Trip Options
Maine has a lot of outdoors for vacationers to enjoy. Parks abound. There is one National Park (Acadia), a piece of the White Mountain National Forest, and 31 or so parks managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks that charge fees. The Appalachian trail passes through or near several of these.
Day passes are completely reasonable to visit one of these parks. Fees for adults range from $4 for residents to $6 for non-residents, depending on the park. For children 11 and under, admission is $1. Senior Maine residents go free; non-residents no more than $4. If you’ll be in Maine for an extended period, like a summer, or live in Maine, consider an annual pass. $70 vehicle pass gets access to all 31 of the fee-charging parks for a year.
Maine’s natural entertainment is it’s biggest tourist asset. If you go to Maine, don’t limit your visit to the beaches. Look into one or more of Maine’s state parks.
Photo Credit: Chris Dag
L.L. Bean’s Summer in the Park
In the summertime, there is more than one reason to put L.L. Bean on your list of “Stuff To Do While Visiting Maine.” In the summertime, the park outside the flagship store in Freeport, Maine, becomes a hot spot for live entertainment.
Summer in the Park starts in May with a Community Market which includes traditional Farmer’s Market fare, as well as handcrafted items and baked goods. Throughout the summer on Saturdays — June 26 through September 4 — there is a lot of musical stuff going on, a Food Festival, a Kidsfest, and a little something for the canine members of the family. There will also be three days of Shakespeare in August.
Before planning your summer visit to Freeport and L.L. Bean, check the Summer in the Park schedule to see if you can include some entertainment. Be aware, though, that the locals set up chairs and claim their spots the evening BEFORE and the morning of the performance! A wise concert-goer will do the same
Photo credit: PhillipC
Restaurant Review – P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
What I love is when a recommended restaurant lives up to the recommendation. I’ve been hearing about P.F. Chang’s China Bistro for a while now…in t.v. shows, from friends, from family. The nearest location to home is well over two hours away. So, on a recent trip to Phoenix, I was happy to finally have a meal at P.F. Chang’s. We visited the mothership location in Scottsdale, and there was nothing disappointing about the experience.
Our meal started with the very popular Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Then, we sampled two meals served family style with white or brown rice. The two entrees were Chang’s Spicy Chicken (P.F. Chang’s take on General Tso’s Chicken) and Orange Peel Chicken. Both were spiced to both our tastes and there was adequate not only for dinner but for lunch the following day! Delicious meal. Two thumbs up for both entrees AND the lettuce wraps!
Of note is the large number of gluten free items on the menu, including a recently added gluten free beer. Service is spectacular. Ambience is warm.
Visit P.F. Chang’s website to find locations, see the menu, make reservations, order take-out, see the new line of P.F Chang entrees in your grocery’s freezer section.
Photo credit: wolfgrins
Cruise the Kanc – Lower Falls
On a hot summer day, when the beach is two hours or so away, Lower Falls, a stop on the Kancamagus Highway in White Mountains National Forest and about 8 miles from Conway, NH, is a perfect destination.
Lower Falls is an extremely popular swimming place where kids of all ages can jump or slide into numerous pools and rapids. There is one fairly good sized pool for those who just want to be in the water. Dogs are welcome, too, as long as they are well managed. There is ample parking. Coming from Conway, Lower Falls is identifiable well before the numerous signs that mark it as such. It is frequently crowded on weekends and warm days. There is a picnic area and rest rooms.
Passes and permits vary. A day pass, however, purchased on site via honor system, is just $3.00. So, pack a picnic lunch, load up the family, and head to Lower Falls on the Kanc. Be sure to get an early start, though, because you won’t be the only ones heading there.
Photo credit: jason burmeister
Texas Roadhouse
As a rule, I don’t tout chain restaurants. There’s too much room for inconsistency from store to store. I believe I’ve found an exception. I recently had the opportunity to dine at Texas Roadhouse in two different states. The quality was consistent. It was fun…unlimited peanuts in the shell and an invite to drop those shells to the floor (warning to those with peanut allergies). The food was fresh and delish — I had pulled pork once and a remarkably tender and perfectly prepared sirloin on the other occasion. The service was great — friendly, attentive wait staff, and a quality check at the end of the meal.
Above and beyond the dining amenities, a notable plus for the budget wise is the list of 10 meals offered for 7.99 during the week for early diners. Hours vary by location.
All-in-all Texas Roadhouse is an enjoyable dining experience. I have no complaints and look forward to my next visit, no matter where I may be.
Photo credit: BKM_BR
