Family Fun in North Central Massachusetts
- Visit North Central
No matter when you visit, North Central Massachusetts offers great opportunities for great family fun. Whether you’re in the mood for a day in the great outdoors, or would rather enjoy some “quality time” inside, youngsters — and the young at heart — will be happy to find the boundless family-friendly spots in Johnny Appleseed’s backyard!
Pinball Wizard, 2021 Style
Forget the hand-held gizmos and home TV screens. When you’ve had enough “quiet time” and want some real arcade action, go to an arcade!
Bring on the lights, noise, and fun! Along with the arcade games, FunStuf Party Place in Fitchburg has bouncy arenas and an inflatable park for the younger set. Check it out at 791 Water St., or online at funstufpartyplace.com.
The Northern Lights Arcade at Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg is packed with incredible games to challenge the entire family, too! Great Wolf is easy to find, just off Route 2 Exit 28.
Combine a lively arcade with a laser tag arena and roller skating rink, and what do you get? Roll On America, of course! Kids of all ages can blow off excess energy and have a great time, just off Route 2 Exit 34 in Lancaster.
Putnam Street Lanes
Step Out of Your Lane
What could be more satisfying than seeing the pins go flying as you score a stylish strike at a bowling alley?
If it’s been a while since you’ve rolled a great score (or any score, for that matter), you don’t know what you’ve been missing.
Enjoy an out-of-this-world experience at Gardner Ten Pins on Route 2A in Gardner, where you can test your skills at Galactic Bowling. There are bumper lanes for the kiddos, too, so the whole family can get in on the action.
And did you know that there are two great bowling options here? Along with the traditional ten pin game, you can also take a spin at the popular New England version, candlepin bowling! Stop by Mason Bowling Center in Leominster, Putnam Street Lanes in Fitchburg, Brian’s Bowlaway in Gardner, or Harvard Bowling Lanes in that town when you want a new challenge.
Not Par for the Course
Have you tried our hand at disc golf? It’s popularity keeps growing for players of all ages. And there’s a growing number of courses here when you can test your skill.
Flat Rock
Ready to step up to the tee? Try these courses:
Barre Falls, 200 Coldbrook Rd., Barre. 18 holes.
Coggshall Park, 798 south St., Fitchburg. 18 holes, mostly wooded.
Devens Disc Golf, 80 Antietam St., Devens; two courses, 36 holes.
Flat Rock, 2260 Flat Rock Rd., Athol. 18 holes (fee)
Roylaston Fish & Game Club, 55 Baldwinville Rd., S. Royalston. 18 holes.
Tully Lake, 6 Athol-Richmond Rd., Athol. 18 holes.
Splash & Slide the Day Away
Tandem tube rides. A huge wave pool. A dipping, curving river of fun. A four-person, high-speed raft ride filled with serpentine curves and high-bank thrills, dropping riders into overlapping 360-degree coils before plunging into the belly of the snake—a high-bank funnel that will have you sloshing from side-to-side. There’s no doubt about it: Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg in totally focused on wet and wild family fun.
From the giant, floating lily pads and cargo nets to the six-story Howling Tornado raft ride and the 20-foot free fall (followed immediately by a 360-degree, high-speed loop) of the Wolf Tail, there’s something for all ages to enjoy. And the good news is, no matter what the weather is outside, the atmosphere is always balmy in the water park.
You can find this family vacation spot just off the Route 28 Exit of Route 2 in Fitchburg.
Batter Up!
What could be more all-American than a day at the ball park, rooting for the home team? And we’ve got a team that’s really close to home — and definitely geared to family outings.
The Worcester Red Sox — quickly dubbed the Woosox when their move to Massachusetts was announced — will open their season in the brand-new Polar Park in Worcester this spring. This minor-league team, playing in new Triple-A East League, will be bringing some major league excitement to the area starting on April 13 when they host the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
And if you’re staying in this area, the new Worcester ballfield is an easy half-hour drive down Route I-190 from Leominster.
Load the family into the car, head down the road, sing a few choruses of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” — and get ready to see some great baseball this season!
