February Break, Simplified
Take the kids on a road trip through Massachusetts to discover charming towns, engaging activities, outdoor beauty and more.
An exhibit at the American Heritage Museum. Photo courtesy of MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau
Tired of battling airports but kids clamoring to get out of the house for February vacation week? Take a road trip to Massachusetts that will make them cheer (and keep your wallet equally happy!). Here’s an itinerary full of charming towns, engaging activities, interesting arts & culture, and outdoor beauty.
Day 1: Explore the American Heritage Museum where your visit begins in the depths of a WWI trench listening to a nurse’s account from the Western Front while bombs explode above you and the floor begins to shake. The Heritage’s astounding collection of historic aircraft, tanks, classic cars and relics from the Revolutionary War to today includes immersive exhibits and over a dozen one-of-a-kind artifacts that will engage the whole family.
An aerial class at Earth & Aerial Yoga. Photo courtesy of MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau
Grab a fantastic organic lunch at Good Earth Holistic Kitchen (try the Grilled Veggie Panini or the Mediterranean Chicken Wrap!) in downtown Hudson, then wander the adorable shops of this town voted Best Main Street in America. Don’t miss Serendipity and Hudson Art & Framing for some locally-crafted treasures. Book an aerial class at Earth & Aerial Yoga and let the kids swing from the rafters (literally!). Afterwards, visit the Wayside Inn, the oldest inn in America, with a stop on the way to browse the many local products at Duck Soup, from handcrafted cutting boards to Goodnow Farms Chocolate—winner of more international chocolate awards than any other maker in North America. (Duck Soup also offers a fantastic kids’ cooking camp during Feb break—consider signing your preteens up and give the grown ups time to sightsee each morning!) Have dinner at the Wayside Inn and take photos in front of the historic grist mill, chapel, gardens or pond. Later, check in to the newly renovated Renaissance Framingham Hotel. This gorgeous property not only provides a goodnight’s sleep, but also an unbeatable breakfast at Provisions—don’t miss their Irish Cream French Toast or the Sunrise Benedict…delish!
The newly renovated Renaissance Framingham Hotel. Photo courtesy of MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau
Day 2: Spend the morning at the Natick Mall for a little retail therapy and some amazing activities—from Bosse’s 21 indoor pickleball courts to Level99’s 50+ mental and physical challenges to Puttshack’s high-tech mini golf to Dave & Buster’s arcade to Immersive Gamebox’s interactive game world, there is something for everyone. When you’re all played out, indulge in a delightful lunch of ramen bowls at Doragon Eatery on your way to Unity Farm Sanctuary. Book your tour in advance for a chance to meet and hear stories about their 225+ rescued farm animals (plus, snap adorable selfies!).
One of the interactive games at Immersive Gamebox. Photo courtesy of MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau
Afterwards, pop over to Dulce D Leche for homemade gelato or decadent chocolates, then visit the Danforth Art Museum to see contemporary and historic works, including their new exhibitions…Rachel Loischild: Quarantine Islands, William Betcher: Memento Mori, and Memory is a Verb. After a casual dinner at Zaftigs or an upscale one at Buttercup, catch a concert at The Center for Arts in Natick in their cool historic fire station.
Day 3: Explore “Elevated, An Orchid Exhibition” at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. Opening February 7, this exhibit celebrates the beauty and wonder of orchids in combination with captivating aerial sculptures by artist Cicely Carew. Featuring a stunning display of over 2,000 orchids, Elevated transforms the Garden’s subtropical conservatories into an immersive world of color, movement, and botanical brilliance. Have lunch at their charming café, then head to nearby Marlborough to walk the floating boardwalk across Lake Williams and explore their Museum in the Streets exhibit. Grab a coffee to warm up at Lost Shoe Brewing & Roasting Co. as you wander. In the afternoon, catch a matinee at Solomon Pond’s Regal Cinemas, then let the kidlets ride the mall’s carousel. Head back to the Renaissance in the evening and relax with dinner at Malones, their new Irish pub, where you can get cozy with a bowl of Guinness Onion Soup followed by their Jameson & Cider Glazed Dry Aged Pork Chop.
Take the kids sledding at Hopkinton State Park. Photo courtesy of MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau
Day 4: Strap on your snowshoes, cross country skis, or just a great pair of boots to hike through Hopkinton State Park. This beautiful property’s 1,500 wooded acres are crisscrossed by trails around a lake stocked for ice fishing. Snowy out? Head to the back side of the lake’s dam for a thrilling sledding hill. After, take everyone to lunch at Central House Tavern, Prezo Grille & Bar or Ashland Ale House for some hearty pub food. Relax in the afternoon with a yoga class, sound bath workshop or spa treatment at Release Well Being Center or Synergy Wellness, then discover amazing Spanish tapas for dinner at Zayith Tapas and Bar and leave with full bellies and happy hearts.
The flameworking workshop at Elsie Kaye Glassworks. Photo courtesy of MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau
A fun display at the EcoTarium. Photo courtesy of MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau
Day 5: Spend the morning at the EcoTarium in Worcester, a fantastic hands-on museum of science and nature with both indoor and outdoor experiences for all ages. When everyone’s done exploring, indulge in a terrific burger or some gourmet pizza (and maybe a flight of craft beer for mom and dad) at Cold Harbor Brewing, then great crafty in Northborough. Sign up with your teen for a flameworking workshop where you can make your own glass beads, and then turn them into jewelry, at Elsie Kaye Glassworks. Or learn fiber arts with a beginner crochet or knitting class at Craftworks. Both places also offer excellent handmade gifts, as does nearby Sassy, Crassy & Creative. On your way out of town, make a last stop to celebrate your adventure—and grab a treat for the road—at BORO Sugar Shack, a charming candy shop that has a great mission
Want to extend your stay? Check out a wealth of other activities, attractions, restaurants and hotels online or in the free visitors guide at www.metrowestvisitors.org/guide.
