What we said: Southwick Zoo is one of the best zoos in Massachusetts! This place just kept going and going and rivals some of the country’s top big-city zoos. Do not worry about having to sit through a show with your kid – they are short programs designed to keep their attention.

What we said: The Mass Audubon sanctuaries take many different forms, from beaches and salt marshes on Cape Cod to woodlands and mountains in the Berkshires. Mass Audubon’s land protection efforts protect more than 34,000 acres of ecologically significant land in Massachusetts.

What we said: If we lived closer we would be members in a heartbeat. Like the three bears, the size wasn’t too big or too small, it was just right. I wasn’t worried about losing our little one or letting him run around.

What we said: If you told us that a Bald Eagle, a Polar Bear, a Boa Constrictor, and a Great Horned Owl all lived within 15 minutes from our home in Central Mass, we probably would have called you crazy. That is, until we visited the EcoTarium in Worcester, MA.

What we said: This was one of my favorite places to go hiking when I was young and I am excited to share that with my husband and son. The best part about the chasm is that the granite rocks keep it cool, so even on a hot, humid day you can stay outside and cool down.

What we said: It’s hard to summarize Davis Farmland as there was so much to do, see, touch, feel, and experience. The Davis family really thinks like parents and keeps a stash of safety items on hand everywhere you look: wipes, sunblock, bug spray, and ‘Boo-Boo Stations.’ The food choices they offer are good (they even have baby food!), but they also have an abundance of picnic tables so you can pack food for the family and bring it in with you.

What we said: The SSNSC is one of those “hidden gems.” It was cool to see some of the local animals and learn about the local trees and plants. I can’t wait to go back again with my nephew to see a “Meet an Animal” show.