Summertime Stuff

Staff Writer
Wicked Local

Note: Although many summer events, such as fairs and festivals, have been canceled due to the coronavirus, there’s still plenty of summertime fun in the area.

Many of these sites will have social distancing protocols in place, including the wearing of face masks where necessary. Visit the event website for details.

CANOE RENTALS

BOATING IN BOSTON: Hopkinton State Park; Lake Cochituate State Park in Natick; and Spot Pond in Stoneham (the boathouse in Wakefield remains closed for now). By reservation only. Information: https://boatinginboston.com/

CHARLES RIVER CANOE AND KAYAK: 455 Nahanton St., Newton. Rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboard and explore the Charles. Other locations in Allston-Brighton; Kendall Square in Cambridge; Condon Shell in Medford; and the historic boathouse in Newton. Information: http://paddleboston.com/rentals/our-locations/nahanton-park-newton/

SOUTH BRIDGE BOAT HOUSE: 496 Main St., Concord. Rent a canoe or kayak and explore the Concord, Sudbury and Assabet rivers. Information: https://www.southbridgeboathouse.com/

DRIVE-INS

KOWLOON CAR HOP: Kowloon Restaurant, 978 Broadway, Saugus. Movie information will be posted on the website and social media. For information on reservations and schedule, visit https://www.kowloonrestaurant.com/kowloon-kalendar

MENDON TWIN DRIVE-IN: 35 Milford St., Mendon. $30 per auto (more than six people, $6 person). Watch movies and concerts. Snack bar, ice cream and beer garden. Information: https://www.mendondrivein.com/

LEICESTER DRIVE-IN: 1675 Main St. (Route 9), Leicester. $30 per carload. Concession stand available. Information: http://www.leicesterdrivein.net/

ZEITERION DRIVE-IN: Seastreak Ferry “Whale’s Tooth” parking lot, 532 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford. Come on down for concerts and movies. Tickets must be purchased online (zeiterion.org); you may either print the ticket or display it on a phone for entry. Each ticket admits one car, regardless of the number of occupants. Entry is one hour before showtime. Restrooms available; food and beverages permitted. Movie sound will be broadcast to your car radio.

NORTHFIELD DRIVE-IN: 981 Northfield Road, Hinsdale, N.H. (just over the Massachusetts state line). Information: https://www.facebook.com/northfielddrivein

WELLFLEET DRIVE-IN: 51 Route 6, Wellfleet. Advance tickets and early arrival highly recommended. Snack bar and restrooms. Information: http://www.wellfleetcinemas.com/drive-in-theatre/

MINI-GOLF

GOLF ON THE VILLAGE GREEN: 315 Worcester St. (Route 9 eastbound), Natick. Open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. every day. Information: https://www.facebook.com/GolfVG/

MURPHY’S EATS AND TREATS: 16 West Union St., Ashland. Ice cream, mini golf and more. Outdoor seating available. Information: https://www.facebook.com/murphyseatsandtreats/

MCGOLF: 150 Bridge St., Dedham. Mini golf, driving range, concessions and more. Information: http://www.mcgolfonline.com/

CRYSTAL CAVES: 790 Southbridge St., Auburn. Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. Eighteen-hole mini golf, trampolines, ice cream parlor and more. Information: http://www.crystalcaves.com/

TATNUCK DRIVING RANGE: 55 Marshall St., Leicester. Open daily from 9 a.m.-dusk. Driving range, mini-golf, ice cream and more. Information: https://tatnuckdrivingrange.com/

PARADISE FAMILY GOLF: 25 Lonergan Road, Middleton. Open daily from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Mini golf, driving range, concession stand and more. Information: https://www.paradisefamilygolf.com/

COURSES ON CAPE COD: There’s plenty of family fun at mini-golf courses, including Pirates Cove Adventure Golf in Yarmouth, Skull Island in Yarmouth, Sandwich Mini Golf, Cape Escape Adventure Golf in Orleans and more. For a full list of courses, visit https://www.capecod.com/lifestyle/where-to-play-mini-golf-on-cape-cod/

MUSEUMS

AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM: 568 Main St., Hudson. Wednesdays-Sundays through summer (starting July 8), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Check out America’s military history through the museum’s collection of armaments, from tanks to missiles. Information: https://www.americanheritagemuseum.org/

FAIRBANKS HOUSE MUSEUM: 511 East St., Dedham. Tentative opening July 8. America’s oldest timber frame house, the home to eight generations of the Fairbanks family. Information: https://fairbankshouse.org/

PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM: 161 Essex St., Salem. Opening July 18; hours Thursdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Explore the museum’s collections, both in-person and online. For updates, visit https://www.pem.org/

OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE: 1 Old Sturbridge Village Way, Sturbridge. OSV will operate with a new advance ticketing and online reservation system that books guests by time block for arrival to the village. Guests will be required to purchase tickets online at https://www.osv.org/plan-your-visit/ and select one of three time blocks per day for arrival: 10-11:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., or 1-2:30 p.m. Once in the village, guests are welcome to stay until the museum closes at 5 p.m. OSV members will still have free admission, but still need to reserve in advance.

OSV will welcome “Kids FREE” during the month of July, with up to three kids age 17 and younger admitted FREE into the village when accompanied by an adult paying full standard daytime admission. Advance reservation must be made for all attending guests, including those under the age of 17. Kids FREE in July is generously sponsored by partner and longtime supporter Country Bank.

Visitors with a complimentary admission pass or special discount of any kind should call the Old Sturbridge Village visitor center at 508-347-0213 or email visitorcenter@osv.org to reserve their date and time of entry.

Old Sturbridge Village will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday, rain or shine. Available tickets and time slots will be released each week on Wednesday for the following two weeks.

‘ONE-STOP’ FUN

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SITES: The DCR has reopened golf courses, beaches, spray parks, camping areas and more. For updates, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-state-parks-covid-19-update

ROCKY NECK ART COLONY: 6 Wonson St., Gloucester. Galleries, shops, restaurants and programs. Information: https://rockyneckartcolony.org/

PARAGON BOARDWALK: 197 Nantasket St. (Nantasket Beach), Hull. Open daily from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mini golf, pizza, ice cream and more. Information: https://www.paragonboardwalk.com/

VISITING ESSEX: Come to America’s antique capital, as well as the home of the fried clam. Information: https://capeannvacations.com/essex/

VISITING ROCKPORT: Discover the home of “Motif No. 1,” as well as galleries, shopping, food and more. Information: https://rockportusa.com/

SEE PLYMOUTH: Join in the celebration as Plymouth marks 400 years as a settlement. There’s the Mayflower and Plimoth Plantation, but there’s lots of other sites as well. Information: https://www.seeplymouth.com/

DISCOVER GLOUCESTER: Come for shopping, local artisans, special events and more. Information: discovergloucester.com

QUINCY MARKET: Faneuil Hall Marketplace has reopened; enjoy live music, food, gift shops and much more. Information: www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com

KIMBALL FARM: 400 Littleton Road, Westford. Ice cream, seafood shack, mini-golf, Clambake Series, batting cages, mini golf, bumper boats and more. Information: https://kimballfarm.com/

DAVIS FARMLAND: 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling. Open daily from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Spend a day at the farm, with an animal showcase, spray park, pony rides, food and more. Information: davisfarmland.com.

AT FOXWOODS: Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Lane Blvd., Ledyard, Conn., offers several socially distant activities, including:

• Golf —The Lake of Isles golf course at Foxwoods Resort Casino winds its way through 900 acres of wooded countryside, making it a picturesque and spacious outdoor activity.

• Drive-in Movies — Foxwoods will offer “A Night Out at the Drive-In” with movies every Thursday-Sunday throughout July and August, and every Friday-Sunday in September and October.

• Hiking Trails — The Pequot Trails at Foxwoods Resort Casino offer several different scenic trails that never get too crowded and are perfect for all fitness levels.

• Flower Fields — Wicked Tulips Flower Farm in Exeter, R.I., allows guests to drive through their 7-acre tulip field and curbside pickup bouquets of tulips to take home and enjoy.

For information, visit https://www.foxwoods.com/ or call 1-800-FOXWOODS.

CANOBIE LAKE PARK: 85 North Policy St., Salem, N.H. Opening July 16. Amusement park, games, live shows, food and more. Information: 603-893-3506, https://www.canobie.com/

SANTA’S VILLAGE: 528 Presidential Way, Jefferson, N.H. Rides, water park, dining, shopping and more. Information: 603-586-4445, https://www.santasvillage.com/

WATER PARKS

BREEZY PICNIC GROUNDS: 520 Northwest Main St., Douglas. Picnic grounds, water slides, swimming, snack bar. Information: 508-476-2664, breezysummer.com.

CAPE CODDER WATER PARK: 1225 Iyannough Road, Suite #1, Hyannis. Water slides, kiddie spray pool, wave pool, snack bar and more. Information: 855-861-4370, https://www.capecodderresort.com/amenities/cape-codder-water-park

COCO KEY BOSTON WATER PARK: 50 Ferncroft Road, Danvers. Scheduled to open July 21. Water slides, play area, outdoor splash pad and more. Information: 978-777-2500, https://www.cocokeyboston.com/

GREAT WOLF LODGE: 150 Great Wolf Drive, Fitchburg. Opening July 20. Indoor water park, ropes course, arcade, theater and more. Information: 866-678-9653, https://www.greatwolf.com/new-england

WATER WIZZ: 3031 Cranberry Highway, East Wareham. Scheduled to open July 11. Slides, Harpoon Lagoon, Little Neck Beach, food, gift shop and more. Information: 508-295-3255, https://www.waterwizz.com/

ZOOS

SOUTHWICK’S ZOO: 2 Southwick St., Mendon. Drive-through safari, restaurants, gift shop and more. Information: https://southwickszoo.com/, 1-800-258-9182.

ECOTARIUM: 222 Harrington Way, Worcester. Outdoor exhibits and trails open; buildings remain closed for now. Information: https://ecotarium.org/reopening-information/

ZOO NEW ENGLAND: Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston; Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham. Information: https://www.zoonewengland.org/