Thursday, December 31, 2009

The Ole Standby Dadventure: The Boston Children's Museum, Boston, MA

























Sydney made a beeline for the "encapsulated stairs of death," (thanks New Balance), the minute we walked in the place. I might have preferred a free climb at
Otter Cliffs in Acadia, at least there he would only fall into a raging sea.

The Boston Children's Museum
308 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210


It's day seven of vacation, ice skating at Babson is a no-go and the Farnsworth Museum won't open 'till noon. What is it about the Boston Children's Museum that makes it the fallback every rainy/cold, weekend/vacation day? Is it the millions of exhibits for ages 1-15? Is it that Flour Bakery and Cafe is the last finishing touch on making Fort Point a hipster hangout after this museum suffered years as the only outpost in a desolate wasteland? Perhaps it is the temptation of the incredibly cool and everlasting icon of Boston, the Hood milk bottle.


Whatever the reason, we always run into everyone we know and a million other folks whether on a weekday or weekend. We noted that Peep's World was a nice new addition of splashing and shadows. The Science Playground is always a great introduction to everything from mechanical physics to the habitat of turtles. Of course we always make sure to hit the dance floor at Kid Power. But, a baby no more, Elijah is so over the toddler Play Space.

As you can see, he much preferred hitting the aerospace with Arthur and Friends. (We're still a little obsessed with Arthur's Tooth, by Marc Brown from this summer even though none of us should be losing them anytime soon). But, what I am waiting
for patiently on pins and needles is the day that they are ready to construct a giant cyborg out of the remnants of the local industrial shops in the area at the Recycle Shop. Maybe, just maybe it will be the next rainy/cold weekend/vacation day when we have nothing better to do than fallback on an old friend.




Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Guest Blogger Kami Lewis Levin: It's Fun to Stay at the Y-M-C-A!: MetroWest YMCA, Framingham, MA
















Sydney gets ready to slamma-jamma at the Y!

Guest Blogger: Kami Lewis Levin,
Working mom blogger at
The Fence

The Metrowest YMCA in Framingham
280 Old Connecticut Path
Framingham, MA 01701


Almost as soon as we moved to Natick, we joined the Longfellow Sports Club to get our gym on where all the "cool" kids go. After about a year, we gave them a big "Peace out, yo!" and took up membership at the newly renovated
Metrowest Y. Mostly because the Dadventurer lurves the Village People. But a little because it's way awesome. We signed right up for kids swim classes and sports classes. And because Sydney is such a natural athlete (see us brushing our shoulders off?) his coach took it upon herself (thanks, Coach Kisha!) to push him up into the next level. A sans parents class. It's a whole new world.

On Monday and Wednesday mornings, the Y offer's Open Play (Gym/Sports/Dance) back to back for the pre-school set. I, personally, like to work my guys into a sweat before lunch. I mean, naps. They also have free drop in daycare so us grown ups can work out while watching the tube in the cardio room. Alone. The best part is: You don't even have to be a member to take advantage of most of this stuff! (Though family memberships are a great value.) And, if your kid happens to pee all over the floor of the handicapped stall in the women's restroom, they are REALLY nice about it. (You can read more about that little experience over at my blog by clicking here.)

Where the Fun Never Stops: Playtown Express, Hopkinton, MA


There's a little something for everyone at Playtown. Note here that Sydney lured Liji both onto the slide and into the moon bounce.


Playtown Express
25 South Street
Hopkinton, MA


Ok, so I admit that I am that dad. The one that wants to jump in the pool with the kids the minute the swim suits are on. So, it was with buddha-like patience that I had to stand and watch Sydney fly down the awesome, inflated slide (see above). Given the lines, Sydney had to have a little patience of his own. At least I could use Liji's age as a reason to sit in the bounce house with him, but hands-off, I most certainly am not.

This place is so popular, we couldn't even get Sydney a birthday party reservation two months in advance!, (I mean besides Super Bowl Sunday, but come on dads!) Where we all needed a little more patience in this pleasure dome was for the other tots. I had hoped they too would have read How do Dinosaurs Play with Thier Friends by Jane Yolen. The two staff on hand looked like they were playing D on a fast break of Jordan and Magic. So come prepared with your game face on for fun, just make sure you take a few mother's little helpers ahead of time.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Modern Art with Kids? Why not: The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA





















Sydney and "Pingu" are buffedled, but amused by this crazy instillation of "broken chairs." He is even fascinated enough to talk to his kid bro about it, creating another artist in the making.



The Museum of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA


Mom and I have a history of hitting the MFA for her birthdays, so when I proposed bringing the boys, like many folks she questioned, "art with the kids?" Which is exactly what was asked by my father about the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC last weekend. They had a blast. My advice to you weekend warrior dads is, "just do it!"

We warmed up their inner-artist with a reading of When Pigasso Met Mootise. Then, we had to promise them mummies, which under the new construction we never really found. But, man, were they impressed with the recent instillation in which 20-odd tv screens are singing heads of Madonna favorites. Sydney has now been to at least five of the major art museums in the states and he always finds something to rave about. So, when it hits ten degrees next weekend and you just can't stand in line at the Children's museum one more time this winter, take a gamble and head over to the MFA.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Hands-on Jersey!: The Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ





















Hands-on Jersey!: The Liberty Science Center
222 Jersey City Boulevard
Jersey City, New Jersey


reasons to venture:

  • Make your own volcanoes? Add sulpher and gas to watch your explosion on tv.
  • As hard as it may be to believe that anything lives in that river, Our Hudson Home has some really cool fish tanks.
  • Great views of Manhattan and how often do you get the Jersey tri-fecta? Jersey City Blvd in Jersey City, Jersey...
Your reasons to cross the Hudson?

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Check out the Tech: The Sony Wonder Technology Lab, NY, NY




















Check out the Tech: The Sony Wonder Technology Lab
The Sony Wonder Technology Lab
550 Madison Avenue
New York, NY


reasons to venture:

  • That jumbo-tron tv image is the one my kid created of himself, for all the world to see over four floors high.
  • Drive dancing robots, let your kids report live and check out the latest in PS madness (my kids don't even play video games and they were drooling).
  • You've blown a million bucks at the Lego store and FAO Schwarz (home of the dance-on keyboard from the movie "Big"), now head to Sony for free and just deal with the shameless promos for their products.
How does your kid get their trekkie techie on?

Mummies and Medieval Armor at the Met: Upper East Side, NYC




















Mummies and Medieval Armor at the Met: Upper East Side, NYC
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th Avenue at 82nd Street
NY, NY



reasons to venture:

  • Two boys, five mounted knights in full armor. No seriously, we hate violence but it doesn't get cooler than this.
  • Dadbreak central at the Temple of Dendur. Let the kids run and just enjoy... the... silence...
  • Work up an appetite looking at all that ahhhtt. Pastrami Queen on Lex and 78th makes a mean potato latke, a decent matzo ball and of course their namesake.
What's your kids' favorite art spot?

Enter the Dragon: Chinatown, NYC




















Enter the Dragon: Chinatown, NYC
Lower East Side of Manhattan
NY, NY


Reasons to venture:

  • Golden Unicorn serves the best dim sum this side of Beijing if you ask me, the roast pork buns are child-size pearls of joy.
  • Only in New York could you find more buddhist temples and old Jewish synagogues side-by-side than anywhere else in the world.
  • They have remodeled the Museum of the Chinese in the Americas, just in time to get ready for the dragons on parade at Chinese New Year.
Where do you go to get your dimsum on?

Sunday, December 6, 2009

The "Shot Heard 'Round the World": Minuteman National Park, Concord, MA





















The "Shot Heard 'Round the World": Minute Man National Park
174 Liberty Street
Concord, MA


Alright, so we were both social studies teachers. I know, you're picturing tweed coats and padded elbows, not Indiana Jones (although he did wear them when he was teaching Anthropology). Yes, we met in graduate school learning to become high school history teachers, and while I had not taken more than a single course in college on US History, I fell in love once I began to teach it. With every passing lesson on colonial history I thought back to what it meant to grow up in New England. My wife on the other hand, hand no interest in the foundation of our democracy. I blame my passion on the reenactment of The Boston Massacre trial, held at the West Newton court house in 1985. I was the dredded Captain Thomas Preston.

While the historical importance of "the British are Coming!" to Lexington and Concord may be tough to explain to a three year old, I used this as an opportunity to school my Floridian-wife on the significance of the birthplace of the Revolution. Did Sydney enjoy skating on the ice as we approached that fated bridge? Sure he did. Could he remember "one if by land, two if by sea" on a pop-quiz?" Ummmmm...

If the Revolution isn't heady enough for your friends from afar, try out Transcedentalists like Henry David Thoreau at Walden Pond just a hop, skip and a jump away. You may be more likely to skate on the pond, or ice fish this time of year. I've enjoyed a good skiaround the edges while meditating on the outdoors. There's even a "Thoreau for Kids" day at the visitors center.



But the money shot to guaranteeing your kids become life-long New Englanders is a pass by the Concord church steeples in a blanket of snow. It just doesn't get more mom and apple pie than this. After a quick tour you'll gunning the engine for the Norman Rockwell Museum, a great homage to Americana in Stockbridge, just a couple short hours down the Pike.

Performing Live!: The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN), Natick, MA



















Performing Live!: The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN)
Guest Blogger: Kami Lewis Levin
Livefromthefence.blogspot.com
14 Summer Street
Natick, MA



Reasons to venture:

Where do you take your kids for an afternoon out on the town?

Chickens, Chickens, Everywhere: Farm Class at the Natick Organic Community Farm, Natick, MA

















Chickens, Chickens, Everywhere: Farm Class @
The Natick Organic Community Farm
117 Elliot Street
Natick, MA


Reasons to venture:

  • What chores could possibly be more fun than feeding chickens and "borrowing" their eggs?
  • The produce is great, and your kids can help learn to grow it.
  • Pretend you live in rural Vermont, tap your own syrup and eat it up with pancakes at the Maple Magic Days in March.
Does your MetroWest suburb have a working organic farm?

Sunday, November 22, 2009

So Many Rooms, So Little Time: The Discovery Museums, Acton, MA





















So Many Rooms, So Little Time
The Discovery Museums
177 Main Street
Acton, MA



Reasons to venture:

  • Bessie's Play Diner makes the best plastic breakfast in MetroWest, hands-down (I know the chef)
  • Birthday parties are rumored to be a blast, we checked out the face painting that is one of their features.
  • The Sea of Clouds at the Science museum is cool whether you are 3 or 30.
Where's your favorite children's museum?

Sunday, November 1, 2009

In Memory of Rob Williams















In Memory of Rob Williams

Long before I had my own boys to run around with, I had Rob. This day at Mt. Hood the snow had shut down many of the lifts because the drifts had reached higher than the chairs. In true Rob form he made sure we got in a full day of turns on my teles and his board. We will all sorely miss Rob's adventurous spirit, but he will continue to shape every adventure I take with my boys and the way we lead our lives. On one of our last meaningful times together, Rob was getting ready for his ride across the US for the Spondylitis Association, reminding me as he always did to push myself both physically and mentally for what I believe in. Check them out at:
http://www.spondylitis.org/

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Follow Us to Emus and Apples: Belkin Lookout Farm, Natick, MA




















Follow us to Emus and Apple
Belkin Lookout Farm
89 Pleasan Street
Natick, MA


Reasons to venture:

When did picking apples become an international event?

Fall Foliage Fiesta: Callahan State Park, Framingham, MA




















Fall Foliage Fiesta
Callahan State Park
Millwood Road
Framingham, MA

Reasons to venture:

  • Sunday afternoon on the coach with Pats vs. Bucs (0-6) or a little fall foliage?
  • 7 miles of trails in Metro West and no one there on a perfect fall day.
  • Stop in at Sichuan Gourmet on the way home, our fav chinese in the burbs and see if you can brave the spicy cold bamboo.
Where do you go to get your foliage on?

Friday, October 16, 2009

High Plains Drifters: Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie,Wilmington, IL






















High Plains Drifters: Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
30239 South State Route 53
Wilmington, IL
Reasons to venture:

  • Who doesn't need a little time on the prairie with their kids?
  • Only an hour from Chicago with over 18 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horse back riding.
  • Support the end of the Cold War where ammunitions factories have been replaced by tall grass. If only every military base could look like this some day for our kids
Favorite Big Sky activity?

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Art, Indoors and Out: The Chicago Art Institute, Chicago, IL





















Art, Indoors and Out: The Chicago Art Institute
111 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL


Reasons to venture:

  • The New modern wing is spectacular... and a great place to run your toddler 'till he drops.
  • The giant bean at Millenium Park is just one of the kid-friendly sculptures lining the grounds.
  • Take the El over the marathon route, the T never gave you this good a bird's eye view.
Where do you like to take your kids to get their art on?

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Sliding Glass Doors for Great Apes: The Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL














Sliding Glass Doors for Great Apes
The Lincoln Park Zoo
2200 N. Cannon Drive
Chicago, IL


Reasons to venture:

  • We are picky about our zoos and this was clean, up close and personal and had plenty of opps for well-fed animals to get out and run around.
  • The carousel of endangered species was old-timey and faaaaassssst.
  • Did I mention it's free?
  • Throw in a trip cross town for the kielbasa of your life at Jim's Original. The kids will down the Chicago style hot dogs (hold the hot peppers for your kids) and the tasty fries.
Best Zoo in the U.S.?

Giant Bugs, Stuffed Owls and a T Rex: The Museum of Science, Boston, MA




















Giant Bugs, Stuffed Owls and a T Rex
The Museum of Science
1 Science Park
Boston, MA


Reasons to venture:

  • There is a little something for all ages... demonstrations with live owls for the older ones and hatching chicks to watch for the younger ones.
  • The Laser Light Show may be a little old for my kiddos, but what amazing stuff for tweens and teens.
  • The best in national traveling exhibits. We hit Frogs: A Chorus of Colors this summer, and have been to Darwin and Baseball in the past few years. With Harry Potter in the batter's box, how can you go wrong.
What's your favorite way to spend a rainy Saturday in Beantown?

Sunday, September 20, 2009

The New "Play Structure": Newton Centre Playground, Newton, MA





















The New "Play Structure": Newton Centre Playground
Tyler Terrace
Newton Centre, MA


Reasons to venture:

  • Who says Newton Park and Rec has no money, this thing is enormous! The new Newton North should be this fun.
  • What other park has clay courts for some DadBreak tennis?
  • Work off your Johnny's home fries fix by chasing the kiddos around the rubber track, or hitting a few at the volleyball grass courts.
Are you a steel slide purist, or can you handle all this plastic?

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Ahhhh the last "Natick Days" of Summer: Natick Days, Natick, MA



















Ahhhh the last "Natick Days" of Summer: Natick Days, Natick, MA
Natick Commons
Natick, MA


Reasons to venture:

Sunday, September 6, 2009

How 'Bout Dem Apples: Honey Pot Hill Orchards, Stow, MA
















How 'Bout Dem Apples: Honey Pot Hill Orchards
144 Sudbury Road
Stow, MA


Reasons to venture:

Where is your fav pick your own in metro west?

Saturday, September 5, 2009

The Best Pool Party in the Burbs: The Summer Club at Dedham Health and Athletic, Dedham, MA




















The Best Pool Party in the Burbs: The Summer Club at Dedham Health and Athletic Complex
200 Providence Highway
Dedham, MA


Reasons to venture:

  • Wave pool, water slides, pirate ships and lounge chairs. What a combination!
  • Kids "camp" if you need a dadbreak to hit the giant slide includes staffed-up water races, sports and playground time.
  • The pool side restaurant Vellos makes a decent coffee shake and the salads weren't too shabby. You can see why some mommies camp here for the summer.
How cool is your pool?

Guest Blogger: Nina Lewis: A Bangkok Adventure with "Catch Nina"













Guest Blogger: Nina Lewis
A Bangkok Adventure with "Catch Nina"
Bangkok, Thailand

I was in Thailand in '97, but now my sister-in-law is an ex-pat there teaching kids and running a non-profit. She showed my wife a few dadventure hot-spots this summer...

Reasons to venture:

  • The Chao Praya River Tourist Boat: For 3 dollars, you get an all-day, hop-on/hop-off pass for this boat that plies up and down the biggest river in Bangkok. Your kids will love sitting on the edge and checking out all things time from the boat. Then, hop-off, do some sightseeing, and get back on!

  • Muang Boran (The Ancient City): Just outside Bangkok in Samut Prakan, is a mini-Thailand park. You can rent bicycles or golf carts and tour through all of Thailand's major sites in just a few hours. The park is shaped like Thailand and all attractions are geographically correct, but to scale. Don't miss the deer running through the Northeast section.

  • A big market: Chatuchak market is open-air, while MBK is in an air-con building, which might be more comfortable on a hot day. You will be amazed by the endless rows of junk, and for 5 or 6 dollars, your child can buy an assortment of toys, dvds, junk food, etc. There is an excellent thai food court on level 5 and the fruit juices and smoothies are amazing.

What's your favorite kid-friendly developing nation?

Monday, August 31, 2009

Guest Blogger: Kami Lewis Levin: Our Fav Hang out: The New England Aquarium, Boston



















Guest Blogger: Kami Lewis Levin
Our Fav Hangout: The New England Aquarium
1 Central Warf
Boston, MA


Reasons to venture:

Your fav memory at the aquarium after 1975?

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Goooaalll Kinderkicks!: West Suburban YMCA Sports Parties, Newton, MA





















Goooaalll Kinderkicks!: West Suburban YMCA Sports Parties
276 Church Street
Newton, MA


Reasons to venture:

  • 20 kids, 4 sports, one hour of sideline heaven
  • Ever wonder what organized soccer for three year olds looks like?
  • They even throw a Petite Princess Ballet Party if you want the other end of the spectrum.
Best kids party local in Metro West?

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Beautiful Miami: Fairchild Tropical Gardens













Where do you go for floral fun?

Guest Blogger: Foodie Mommy: Come Talk to the Animals: The Roger Williams Zoo, Providence, RI
















Guest Blogger: Foodie Mommy
Come Talk to the Animals: The Roger Williams Zoo
1000 Elmwood Avenue
Providence, RI


Reasons to venture:

  • You have got to see a giant anteater to believe it.
  • How often can you see elephants right in front of you?
  • They have the coolest tortises, ever.
  • Note-avoid 95 degree days!
Check out Foodie Mommie's other dadventures

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Yes, We Have Some Tomatoes: Verril Farms Tomato and Corn Festival, Concord, MA




















Guest Blogger:
Foodie Mommy
Yes, We Have Some Tomatoes:
Verrill Farms Tomato and Corn Fest
11 Wheeler Road
Concord, MA 01742


Reasons to venture:

1. How often can you try 30 different TYPES of
tomatoes?
2. Because Verrill has some of the best
scones around.
3. Top it all of with the sweetest
corn-in 5 varieties.
4. And you can dance, too!


Check out one of my fav bloggers:
Foodie Mommy for the best eats in beantown with kiddies

Friday, August 14, 2009

Rainy Day Cape: The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History














Rainy Day Cape:
The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History 869 Main Street
Brewster, MA
Reasons to venture:

  • Isn't it nicer to see jelly fish in a tank than at the beach?
  • The Cape Playhouse has morning performances. We caught the High Peaks Juggling Show and laughed our way through the rain.
  • Old school fun at the Orleans Bowling Center
How do you keep from pulling out your hair when it rains on the Cape?

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Whales, Whales, Everywhere: The P'Town Whale Watches















Whales, Whales, Everywhere: The P'Town Whale Watches
Dolphin Fleet Whale Watches
307 Commercial Street
Provincetown, MA


Reasons to venture:

  • Four calves, a momma whale and an hour of blowhole spray. The boys were riveted.
  • The Provincetown dunes... home to the likes of artists and pirates.
  • We got to get back there for a lobstering tour.
What's your favorite place in New England to catch a few cetaceans?

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Fun in the Mud: Boat Meadow, Eastham, MA















Fun in the Mud: Boat Meadow
Bayview Road
Eastham, MA


Reasons to venture:

  • A great bayside swimming hole with tons of mud and unCapelike warm water.
  • Lobster and local oysters at Arnold's, call ahead and avoid the wait.
  • Monday night concerts nearby after dinner at Eastham Windmill Green.
Where do you take the kids after a long day in the Cape sun?

Thanks for the Beach Jack: The Cape Cod National Seashore, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro and P'Town, MA














Thanks for the Beach Jack: The Cape Cod National Seashore

Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro and P'Town, MA

Reasons to venture:

  • Where else does "three sisters" refer to a set of 19th century light houses?
  • Breakfast at Hole in One Donuts starts any day off right, with only 1000 calories to burn.
  • The DadBreak afterwards at Great Pond for kayaking, sailing or a swim across.
Wellfleet vs. Eastham beaches, you make the call...

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Hey, Pilgrims, Why'da Move on?: First Encounter Beach, Eastham, MA














Hey Pilgrims, Why'da Move on?
First Encounter Beach
Eastham, MA


Reasons to venture:

  • Best kept secret in history of kid beaches - what were the Pilgrims thinking when they moved on to Plimoth?
  • Literally, mile long tide pools with hermit crabs, fish, spider crabs and shrimp, oh my!
  • Five minutes from Wiley Park, a great swimming hole with a giant floating dock for kids to jump off and a sweet playground with ice cream truck drivebys to boot.
Your favorite place in Mass for a tide pool party?

Guest Blog: Panning for Gold under the Midnite Sun, Alaska
















Guest Blogger: astillman
(my uncle Arnie dadventures with my cuzins to the tundra)
Panning for Gold under the Midnite Sun, Alaska

Reasons to venture:

  • Bald eagles on every street corner, puffins, whales and seals on the Kenai penisula.
  • Denali National park has tremendous views, wildlife and ambitious hikes up America's largest peak.
  • Watch global warming live from the north pole as the glaciers calve off Valdez.
On a scale of 1-5 how much do you like bears, I mean big bears?

Monday, August 3, 2009

Why Maine Rocks: Acadia National Park, Mt. Desert Island, ME





















Acadia National Park
Mt. Desert Island, ME

Reasons to venture:

  • The sunrise at Cadillac Mountain is the first in the US, as you can see above we didn't quite make it in time.
  • Lij's first real hike at Jordan Pond with a killer salad overlooking the lake and the mountains to follow.
  • The Seawall is the best tide pool "jungle gym" in the east, the campground is pretty sweet too.
  • Sydney got to hold the reigns on Mr. Rockefeller's carriage rides at Wildwood stables, horses are so cool and so was Mr. Mike.
30 seconds or less, top five national parks...

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Guest Blog: Don't Worry About Triangles, Caves are Creepier: Crystal Caves, Bermuda


Reasons to venture:
  • who doesn't like caves?
  • who doesn't like Bermuda?
  • really seriously cool tour guides
What's your favorite island hotspot?