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Travel

Family Fun in Central & MetroWest Massachusetts

February 16, 2024

family-fun-central-massachusetts

Planning a family trip but weary of the typical tourist destinations? Look no further than Central and MetroWest Massachusetts! This hidden gem region offers a diverse mix of historical sites, outdoor adventures, and engaging activities that will keep the whole crew entertained. Ditch the crowded city streets and delve into the charm of this friendly and dynamic area.

great-wolf-lodge-family-travel-massachusetts
For the Thrill Seekers
  • Great Wolf Lodge: Nestled in Fitchburg, this indoor water park promises non-stop excitement for all ages. With slides, pools, a lazy river, and even an interactive water playground, you can easily spend a whole day here splashing and creating memories. Don’t forget to check out the MagiQuest interactive adventure game for an extra dose of magic!
  • Urban Air Trampoline Parks: Located in Framingham and Bellingham, these trampoline parks offer hours of bouncing fun. From obstacle courses and dodgeball courts to slam dunks and ninja warrior challenges, there’s something for every member of the family to unleash their inner acrobat.
sturbridge-village-travel
For the History Buffs
  • Old Sturbridge Village: Step back in time at this living history museum in Sturbridge. Explore over 40 historical buildings, witness costumed interpreters demonstrate traditional crafts, and even hop on a horse-drawn carriage ride. Immerse yourselves in the stories of everyday life from 1830 and discover the rich history of the region.
  • Minute Man National Historical Park: Take a walk through history at this park in Lexington and Concord, where the first battles of the American Revolution were fought. Hike along the historic Battle Road, stand on the iconic North Bridge, and learn about the brave colonists who stood up for liberty.
travel-blogger-central-massachusetts
For the Nature Lovers
  • New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill: Escape the hustle and bustle at this serene botanical garden in Boylston. Wander through diverse displays of native and international plants, admire the stunning sculpture collection, and learn about the importance of conservation. The onsite children’s garden offers interactive play areas and activities that will spark a love for nature in little ones.
  • Wachusett Mountain: Embark on an outdoor adventure at this family-friendly ski resort in Princeton. In winter, hit the slopes with lessons for all levels, go snow tubing, or take a scenic chairlift ride with breathtaking views. During warmer months, enjoy hiking, biking, and mountain biking trails, or even try the disc golf course.
wachusett-massachusetts

Central and MetroWest Massachusetts offers so much more than meets the eye. With its diverse attractions, stunning landscapes, and friendly atmosphere, it’s the perfect destination for a memorable family getaway. Don’t forget to check out my extensive travel guide on Central Massachusetts and my travel guide on MetroWest Massachusetts.

Family Fun in Central and MetroWest MA Pin

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Kate Andrews

Travel, Fashion & Lifestyle Blogger

Hi, I'm Kate, the founder and editor of Fashionably Kate & Co., a website that encompasses fashion, travel and how to live life to the fullest.

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I fully intended to get a Mother’s Day post up yes I fully intended to get a Mother’s Day post up yesterday, but I was too busy living it. Aside from traveling, there is nothing I love more than the beautiful, loud chaos of my family.

Alex spoiled us with a gorgeous brunch. Then he set up a fun obstacle course for Arielle and Aurora to tackle with Leyla and Chicho, while my mom watched, laughing at the madness. I snuck in some prep for Arielle’s upcoming birthday (I can never resist a good party-planning session). Throw in some epic ice cream sundaes and lullabies with my girls, and it was perfect. ✨

Speaking of songs, I had to share this sweet memory from our recent trip to the Museum of Science. Arielle captured this magical moment while Aurora serenaded me with You Are My Sunshine—one of the lullabies I sing to them every night.

And honestly? It’s true. When life gets tough, or the political landscape leaves me feeling hopeless, these two are the absolute sunshine that chases the grey clouds away. 

As much as I love my career—the travel, the fashion, the glamour, the sheer joy of creating content—when you strip it all away, they are the reason I wake up every morning. I love showing them the world, proving to them that you can fiercely love your kids, be present, and still fiercely chase your own dreams. I want them to know you can absolutely get ready to walk a runway and still help them with a school science fair project—even when wearing sequins. 🪩🥂

I am lucky to have the support that I do, not every woman has that. But I still carry a massive weight on my shoulders, just like every mother out there. Beyond the everyday chaos of chauffeuring to activities and appointments, and making sure everyone is fed and functioning, there is the heavy, invisible load. It’s balancing my freelance schedule, creator events, and travel with Alex’s work commitments. And then there’s the late-night anxiety of wondering what kind of world are we leaving these kids?

To say motherhood is tough is the understatement of the century. But if I were given the chance to do it all differently? I would choose my children over everything, in every single lifetime. 

My girls are my life, my love, my 🩷🩷
There are two types of people at Epcot on Cinco de There are two types of people at Epcot on Cinco de Mayo: those braving the midday Florida sun, and those of us who know the true luxury of the Mexico pavilion. 🌮✨ 

It is a completely different world in here—perpetual evening, top-tier air conditioning, and margaritas that actually deserve the hype. 

Taking a slow boat ride with the family while enjoying a perfectly salted rim is my kind of ride. 

Because you can absolutely be fully immersed in the mom-life hustle and still demand a chic cocktail break. 🍹

#cincodemayo #epcot #waltdisneyworld #disneyfamily #DisneyWithKids
“Everybody wants this.” And honestly? Miranda Prie “Everybody wants this.” And honestly? Miranda Priestly was entirely right. 👠✨

I am still trying to convince myself I didn’t just dream up Thursday night walking the runway in honor of the sequel release for The Devil Wears Prada 2 with @showcaseus and @MarloMarketing!

But while walking a catwalk in a stunning Mac Duggal sequin dream had the butterflies working overtime, the real magic was in re-screening this film. You know I’m not just a regular fan; when the first movie was released in 2006, I was living in NYC, obsessed with fashion editorial, a theater major who had just rediscovered her love of writing. 

From my TV journalism career to becoming a Content Creator (the irony of being part of the ‘downfall of print’ narrative isn’t lost on me!), my perspective on The Devil Wears Prada has completed a full 20-year circle.

This film is a sharp, brilliant examination of social media superseding traditional editorial, gender equality, the death of print, and the new guard stepping into the spotlight. Miranda would certainly have something cutting to say about it, but I thought it was stunning. There is a moment when you almost wonder if Miranda has lost her edge, until you realize—we’re all just so tired as women.

I don’t want to give away too much, but I left the theater feeling a bit like a traitor to part of my own work, and I immediately went out and bought the May issue of Vogue with Anna and “Miranda” on the front. I had forgotten how good it felt to sit down with a real glossy magazine in my hands. I need to do this more often.

I’ll still always believe in Vogue as my bible. Who else is as excited for the sequel as I am?! 🥂🎬🍿

Sharing more of my thoughts over on my Substack (🔗 in bio)!

#TheDevilWearsPrada #ShowcaseCinemas #BostonBlogger #Vogue #PinchMeMoment
Florals for spring? Groundbreaking. Walking the ru Florals for spring? Groundbreaking. Walking the runway as a mom of two on a random Thursday? A whole different kind of magic. ✨👠

When @ShowcaseUS asked me to walk the runway for the premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2, my inner fashion girl screamed “YES!” while my mom-brain immediately started calculating science fair schedules and dance class drop-offs.

You’d think a decade in TV journalism would make me immune to stage fright, but stepping onto an actual catwalk in this stunning Mac Duggal sequin dream had the butterflies working overtime. But honestly? The hardest part wasn’t the walk—it was battling the mom guilt of missing Arielle’s science fair.

There’s a moment in the new film where Miranda talks to Andy about all the time she missed with her kids—because she loves her work. It struck such a chord with me. I unapologetically love the work I do. I love the thrill of building my career, taking these wild opportunities, and yes, stepping onto a runway. But I also fiercely love my girls and I am so protective of my time with them and I cherish it, so navigating the tension between those two truths is the ultimate high-low juggle. 

(Massive shoutout to Alex, my sister and brother-in-law for stepping in at the science fair so I could step out this one time!)

It takes a village to get runway-ready. From my girl Heather at The Hair Society preserving these curls for 48 hours, to Aurora acting as my glam squad assistant, this entire week was a masterclass in balance. And it was worth every single second.

Because sometimes, you just have to put on the sequins, silence the guilt, and show your daughters what it looks like to own the spotlight. 🥂✨

Who else has seen the sequel already???! (Review coming soon, and I have thoughts!)

#TheDevilWearsPrada #ShowcaseCinemas #MomLifeWithAnEdge #BostonBlogger #GRWM
Everybody wants this.” And honestly? Miranda Pries Everybody wants this.” And honestly? Miranda Priestly was entirely right. 👠✨

I am still trying to convince myself I didn’t just dream up last night! I had the unbelievable opportunity to walk the runway in honor of the sequel release to one of my absolute favorite films, The Devil Wears Prada.

Channeling a little downtown grit, a whole lot of sequins, and my favorite hot pink heels, stepping onto that catwalk was pure magic. Not too shabby for a 4’11” former TV host stepping into her supermodel era for the night! 😉

A massive, chic thank you to @ShowcaseUS and @MarloMarketing for making my high-fashion dreams come true. The energy, the glamour, the sheer joy of the evening—it was everything.

Florals for spring? Groundbreaking. Last night? Actually groundbreaking.

Plus, I had the chance to screen the film and let me tell you… I have THOUGHTS. A full review is coming soon, but I absolutely loved it. It is such a sharp, brilliant examination of social media superseding traditional editorial, gender equality, and the new guard stepping into the spotlight. It really makes you examine what this massive shift means for content and our society overall.  I thought it was stunning. 🥂🎬🍿

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Tomorrow, The Devil Wears Prada 2 drops—exactly 20 Tomorrow, The Devil Wears Prada 2 drops—exactly 20 years after the original. Which immediately brought me back to this photo.

Central Park. Strawberry Fields. 2006.

I had just wrapped my freshman year living in NYC. Despite what the camo dress and the grey Walmart hoodie might suggest (listen, college budgets and a fleeting grunge phase will do that to a girl), I was fiercely obsessed with fashion. I had also just started dating Alex—the guy who, 8 years later, would become my husband, and 13 years later, the father to my girls.

Back then, with a year of city living under my belt and having navigated childhood hardships that no kid should ever have to face, I genuinely thought I had seen it all. Looking at this picture now? I realize just how beautifully green I really was.

When I first watched the film, I was 100% Team Andy. (Though, let’s be honest, I was definitely vibrating on Emily’s frequency, wishing I could afford even a fraction of that wardrobe.)

But as I’ve gotten older, my perspective has shifted. I understand Miranda’s POV more and more.

Yes, she’s a caricature. The movie leans into extremes for the sake of entertainment. But at her core? Miranda expected a job to be done, and she expected it to be done well.

These days, I am absolutely doing a better job at giving myself grace and protecting my boundaries between work and family life—something that film definitely doesn’t advocate for. But I will argue that Miranda’s expectation of excellence is something we should all strive for.

I’m not accepting any job half-done when it comes to my work, my business, or my collaborations. I show up, and I expect the same energy in return.

And that’s what I learned from Miranda.

That, and it’s Cerulean .... ☕️🚕👠

(BTW - I have something really exciting to share that’s happening tonight to do with The Devil Wears Prada 2! Make sure to stay tuned to my stories later today! 🤫💃)

#TheDevilWearsPrada2 #ItsCerulean #MillennialNostalgia #NYCThrowback #citygirl

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