FREE FUN FRIDAYS- 2017

FREE FUN FRIDAYS
Image courtesy of
Highland Street Foundation

Summer is here!  It's the time of year when vacations & staycations will be/ are happening!  It's time for FREE FUN FRIDAYS!!!  Friday is the day of the week when families, neighbors & friends can visit specific very cool venues in my home state of Massachusetts- without paying a General Admission fee!  This takes place through the generosity of the Highland Street Foundation.

This summer the program began last Friday, June 23rd & will continue until Friday August 25.  Every week on Friday there are 8 or 9 specific museums/ cultural events open to anyone living in, visiting, or traveling through Massachusetts.  The places to visit are located throughout the state!  If this sounds interesting to you, check out the list!

List of dates & cool places to visit with Free General Admission!

This Friday, June 30, the Springfield Museums in Springfield, MA is on the list.  There are 5 individual museums on their grounds.  Yes, this is the location of the newly opened The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss!  

The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in Boston, MA is another wonderful place to visit this summer!  View & appreciate countless beautiful pieces of art. 

Another great destination that's located in Boston, MA is the Franklin Park Zoo.  There is so much to explore while walking outdoors!  

Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA is another favorite.  Step back into the early 19th century & learn how daily tasks were completed.  There are water powered mills & a working farm in this rural village.

Old Sturbridge Village

Younger children & their families will also enjoy The Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, MA.  It's located in an old apple orchard.

These are only a few of the great venues to visit this summer with Free General Admission!  FREE FUN FRIDAYS are a great opportunity to learn something new while having FuN! 

Thank you Highland Street Foundation!!!
We will enjoy!

        

Free Fun Fridays 2016

Soon, we'll hear that schools across the country have finished their school year!  The carefree days of summer will be here.  It's the time when parents like to find an activity that will keep everyone happy!  :)  If you live in, will visit or will travel through my home state of Massachusetts, the Highland Street Foundation has an answer.

FUN FREE FRIDAYS!!!

Every Friday this summer starting on June 24 through August 26, there will be 8 specific places to visit- with Free General Admission!  These interesting places are located throughout Massachusetts.  From the Berkshires to Boston & The Cape (Cape Cod) and from northern MA to the southern border there are cool interesting venues that teach while having FuN!

During the summer months "Learning" does not come to a halt!  Take this opportunity with your children & grandchildren to learn another tidbit about Science, History or about an Artist!  This program is not limited to a certain age group, either.  It's open to everyone.  Jim & I enjoy this program!  If you have a chance to take a Friday vacation day, look at the list of places to visit & visit with a friend(s).

The Complete Schedule List  

Edith Wharton's home, The Mount, is in Lenox, MA.  This estate in the Berkshires is listed as one of next Friday's choices.  It's the opening day for this program.  Take the opportunity to walk in this great American author's gorgeous tranquil gardens after touring inside her beautiful home.

The Mount: Edith Wharton's Home

 

More Beautiful Gardens at The Mount

Go back in time with your family this summer to the 17th century!  Visit Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA.  Walk through the re-created 17th Century English Village and learn from the costumed Interpreters.    Learn about the grist mill for grinding corn that the Pilgrims in Plymouth Colony built.  They speak in the dialect of that day.

The Springfield Museums in Springfield, MA is 4 museums in 1 complex.  Art, Science, History Museums & the Dr. Seuss bronze sculptures.  Theodor Seuss Geisel was born in Springfield.  Chinese Cloisonne, Monet, Field, Indian Motocycles (Motorcycles), Early Automobiles & more await here. 

Springfield Museums
Dr. Seuss & his friend!

It's always great to stop in to Old Sturbridge Village, a recreated 1830's living history museum located in Sturbridge, MA.  A walk down the road to the village leads to the Center Meetinghouse.  

Old Sturbridge Village
Walking down the road!

A Printer's Office, the Mercantile, the Bank & housewives doing seasonal chores in their homes teaches us about life in another time period in our country.  The Freeman Farm is not far away.

Old Sturbridge Village
The Cooper

A fave of my grandsons is the Franklin Park Zoo located in Boston, MA.  They are always up for a visit there!  

These are only a few of the great places to visit!  There are so many interesting family friendly sites to visit on Fridays this summer with no regular admission charge!  Check out the list clicking here to discover what Friday you have available & what specific places you can visit for free.  

Thank you Highland Street Foundation for sponsoring this program again this year!

We will Enjoy!

    

Free Fun Fridays 2013!

It's offered Free of charge in Massachusetts!  It's Fun!  It's on Fridays during the summer!  Free Fun Fridays!

Again this summer the Highland Street Foundation very generously is offering FREE ADMISSION to 60 cultural and/ or historical venues throughout my state of Massachusetts.  The places to visit range from the countryside of Western Mass to the busy streets of Boston and include the salty air of the Cape (Cape Cod).  Click here for complete list. 

Families residing in or travelers vacationing or passing through Massachusetts are all welcome to choose from 6 venues each Friday.  Every Friday the venues change and are not repeated.  So many great places to visit!

June 28 is the first Friday! 

On the 1st Friday, 1 of the 6 places to visit is Heritage Museums & Gardens. Last summer my DH & I drove through Sandwich, MA on our return trip home after spending a few relaxing days at the Cape.  We stopped in to visit the Heritage Museums.  The Shaker style barn is fascinating and houses the antique cars.  Sitting in an antique car and also taking a ride on the carousel was FuN!   

Notice the Lantern Headlights!

On another Friday in August visit the Springfield Museums in Springfield.  There are 4 museums in this beautiful complex.  Works by Monet, Chardin and Bellows along with Currier & Ives prints are a few of the treasures on view in the Museum of Fine Arts.  Decorative Japanese Samurai Suits of Armour & beautiful Netsukes are displayed in the Victorian era Smith Museum.  View the Duryea and Knox cars and Indian "Motocycles" that are located in the Springfield History Museum.  A planetarium is located in the Science Museum along with other treasures.  I spend much time at the Springfield Museums during the school year in my role as a Museum Educator.  It's a wonderful place!            

"Horton Hears a Who" Bronze Sculpture at Springfield Museums

My Grandson totally enjoys the Franklin Park Zoo in Dorchester.  Kangaroos, Emus, Tigers & Zebras are some of his faves whenever he visits.  This zoo is where he learned the names of animals and how to pronounce their names.  A free visit awaits you in August!

This program ends on August 30 with 6 more great treasures to choose from.  The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge is great!  Located in the Berkshires, it's always picturesque driving down Main Street in the town.  Walking into one gallery, "Main Street (Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas)" catches your eye!  Details everywhere!

"Main Street (Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas)"

If you have questions about this program, the Highland Street Foundation has a FAQ.  Click here for FAQ.

As we all plan activities for our families for summer days and if you live in, near to or will be traveling through Massachusetts, check out the list!  Learning while having FuN is the best way to learn!

Thank you Highland Street Foundation!          

We will Enjoy!