Local Attractions
Museums
Attleboro Museum
86 Park Street
Attleboro, MA
(508) 222-2644
office@attleboroartsmuseum.org
www.attleboroartsmuseum.org
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sunday 12 - 5 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Admission: free to the public for all exhibits and most events.
Description: This museum focuses on art exhibits, programming, and classes that promote community interaction and celebrate Attleboro's rich cultural heritage. The museum's collection includes paintings, prints, and objects of historical significance to the Attleboro area. There is also an outdoor sculpture garden, and the museum hosts numerous films, performances, and presentations. There are classroom facilities on-site, and the museum has helped develop several art-focused community outreach programs.
Directions: 10 minutes from campus.
Take Route 123W from the center of Norton into Attleboro. At the fourth traffic light turn left onto Park Street. The museum is on the left, and parking is available.
The Children's Museum in Easton
The Old Fire Station - 9 Sullivan Avenue
P.O. Box 417
North Easton, MA 02356
(508) 230-3789
info@childrensmuseumineaston.org
www.childrensmuseumineaston.org
Description: Housed in a former fire station (complete with a fire pole to climb and a bell to ring), this museum is a "learning playground." There are many hands-on exhibits and programs designed to foster children's curiosity. Visitors can explore the performance center (theatrics), the "moon room," the "kid's clinic," and much more. Free parking and picnic area available.
Directions: 25 minutes from campus
Take Route 123E out of Norton, and turn right onto Route 106 (coincides with Rt. 123) in Easton. Follow Route 106 to the intersection (there's a shopping center here) and take a left, remaining on Rt. 123. Follow this road to a small rotary with a statue in the middle. Take a left onto Center Street. Follow this road for 2 miles and take a right at the end onto Main Street. Take the first left onto Sullivan Avenue.
Heritage State Park and Battleship Cove
Davol Street
Fall River, MA
(508) 675-5759
mass.parks@state.ma.us
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/frhp.htm
Description: Heritage State Park and Battleship Cove are adjacent to each other on Fall River's historic waterfront. In addition to the Marine and Railroad museums, the USS Massachusetts is docked here. There is also a carousel and a lovely outdoor area.
Directions: 30 minutes from campus.
Take Route 495S to Route 24S. Take exit 7 and follow signs for Battleship Cove along the waterfront.
Marine Museum
70 Water Street
Fall River, MA
(508) 674-3533
Hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday 12 - 5 p.m., Sunday 12 - 4 p.m.
staff@marinemuseum.org
http://www.planetware.com/fall-river/marine-museum-at-fall-river-us-ma-533.htm
Admission: $4 for adults; $3.50 for seniors; $3 for children 5 - 12; children under 5 are free.
Description: One of the main attractions at this museum is its Titanic exhibit. This display includes a 28-foot model used in the 1953 movie, as well as survivors' accounts, photographs, and an extensive collection of artifacts and memorabilia rescued from the ship. There is also a slide show about the Titanic (about 50 minutes long) at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Other exhibits focus on navigational aides, WWII vessels and the Fall River Line, a combination steamboat and railroad line that transported goods from New York to Boston from 1847 to 1937.
USS Massachusetts at Battleship Cove
Five Water Street
P.O. Box 111
Fall River, MA 02722
(800) 533-3194 (New England Only)
(508) 678-1100
battleship@battleshipcove.org
www.battleshipcove.org
Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. everyday
Admission: $14 for adults; $8 for children 6-14; children 5 and under are free.
Groups rates for 10 people or more: $12 for adults; $7 for children 6-14, children 5 and under are free. Please call to schedule group visits a week in advance.
Description: Explore this ship as well as the other battleships and submarines at Battleship Cove. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the boat and see the living quarters, command centers, and various decks as they were on a WWII battleship. There is also a snack bar on board.
Needham Children's Museum
460 Hillside Avenue
Needham, MA
(781) 455 8114
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; 12 - 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission: $5 per person. Children under 1 year are free. WGBH members are $4. The museum only accepts cash or checks, not credit cards. No strollers, food, or drinks are permitted inside. Parking is available at the museum.
Description: This new museum, where two Wheaton alumnae, Janis Robinson Daly '84 and Roma Fanton Hoyt '84, have volunteered their time and expertise, offers interactive displays and creative activities for children and families. Hands-on exhibits let children explore such things as weather, music, puppetry, Native American culture and a doctor's office. Be sure to check out the train platform and Piper Tomahawk airplane climbing structure. The museum is geared for children between the ages of 2 and 10.
Directions: 30 minutes from campus.
Take 495N to 95N. Take exit 19B for Needham / Highland Avenue. Go to the 3rd set of lights and take a right onto West Street. Take your first left onto Hillside Avenue. The museum is down the hill on the left.
Providence Children's Museum
100 South St
Providence, RI
(401) 273-KIDS (5437)
provcm@childrenmuseum.org
www.childrenmuseum.org
Hours: September-March: Tuesday - Sunday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; also open Monday holidays and the third Friday evening of each month for "MetLife Family Friday - Free at Five!"
April-Labor Day: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. everyday; Also open Friday evenings in June, July, and August for "MetLife Family Friday! - Free at Five!"
Admission: $6.50; Museum members children under 1 year are free. Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month.
Description: This museum has moved from its former home in Pawtucket to its new location. In addition to many interactive exhibits, there are a variety of special programs daily. Information about current programs can be obtained by calling.
Directions: 30 minutes from campus.
Take 495N to 95S. Take exit 1 for downtown, and take a left at the fork in the road. Go under the highway and continue on this street, which becomes Eddy Street. Take the third right onto South Street and look for the dragon on top of the building. There is parking available just beyond the museum.
Parks and Zoos
Borderland State Park
257 Massapoag Avenue
Easton/Sharon, MA
(508) 238-6566
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/bord.htm
Hours: 8 a.m. - sunset everyday
Admission: for Mansion Tours on the third Sunday of the month between April and November, from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.; $3 for adults.
Description: The park occupies what was the country estate of Blanche and Oakes Ames. She was an artist and he a professor of Botany at Harvard at the turn of the century. The 1800 acres of woodlands offer many trails for hiking and ponds for fishing, as well as plenty of room for games and kite flying. The centerpiece of the park is the Ames mansion, which houses several historical exhibits. Tours may be scheduled.
Directions: 20 minutes from campus.
Take Route 123E into Easton. At the junction with Route 106 turn right. Follow this street half a mile, and turn left onto Poquanticut Avenue at the Borderland sign. After about a mile, the road forks. Bear left. The park is about two miles down on the right.
Capron Park
201 County Street (Rt. 123 W)
Attleboro, MA
(508) 222-6202
info@capronparkzoo.com
www.capronparkzoo.com
Hours: April to October - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. everyday (last ticket sold at 4 p.m.)
November to March - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. everyday (last ticket sold at 3 p.m.)
Admission: $3.50 for adults; $2.00 for seniors; $2.00 for children ages 3 - 12; children under 3 are free.
Description: Capron Park has a 6 acre zoo with many exhibits of exotic animals and their habitats, including primates, bears, lions, and nocturnal animals. The park also features a playground and concession stands.
Directions: 15 minutes from campus.
Take Route 123 W (West Main Street) from the center of Norton to Attleboro. You will go through three sets of lights on Route 123 in Attleboro. Just before the fourth set of lights, bear right to stay on Route 123W (which goes under train tracks). After going under the railroad bridge, follow Route 123 around to the left. Here you will see two more traffic lights. Continue straight on 123 W away from the center of Attleboro. You will go through two more traffic lights (one in service and one not) after leaving the intersection downtown. Capron Park is on the right about 1.5 miles from the intersection.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge
301 Brown Avenue
Seekonk, MA 02771
(508) 761-8230
www.arsi.org/caratunk.htm
Hours: Hiking trails are open from sunrise to sunset every day. Nature center is open Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., assuming the availability of the manager.
Admission: free, a donation of $1 for adults and $0.50 for children is suggested.
Description: This Wildlife Refuge is run by the Audubon Society. Hiking trails in the Refuge's 200 acres of pine forests pass streams and ponds where one may see birds such as warblers, wood ducks, and turkeys. There is a nature center with exhibits, a gift shop, and restrooms. Plenty of free parking is also available. There are picnic tables; however, visitors must remove all their own trash, as there are no trash facilities on site.
Directions: 30 minutes from campus.
Take Route 123 from the center of Norton into Attleboro. At the fourth light in Attleboro, continue straight onto Route 152 South. Stay on 152 into Seekonk. Take a left off of 152 onto Pine Street and follow this road about a .5 mile, crossing the railroad tracks. Take the first right off of Pine Street onto Brown Avenue and follow this street about .5 mile. The Wildlife Refuge is on the left and has a large sign.
Roger Williams Park Zoo
1000 Elmwood Ave
Providence, RI 02907
(401) 785-3510
info@rwpzoo.org
www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org
Hours: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. everyday
Admission: General Admission - $12 for adults; $8 for seniors; $6 for children ages 3-12; children under 3 and Zoo Members are free.
Special Rates Jan 2-March 31 - $6.00 for adults; $4 for seniors; $3 for children ages 3-12; children under 3 and Zoo Members are free.
Admission to the park is free.
Description: Roger Williams Park Zoo is one of the best zoos in the country, according to the New York Times. It is known for its expansive, naturalistic exhibits of many habitats, such as the Plains of Africa. Adjacent to the zoo is a park that features a playground, carousel, pony rides (on weekends), paddleboats, and a natural History Museum. Family passes are available.
Directions: 45 minutes from campus.
Take 495N to 95S. Stay on 95S into Providence, and take exit 17. Roger Williams Park Zoo is 1/4 mile from the exit.
Shopping and Entertainment
Emerald Square Mall
Route 1 South (999 South Washington St)
North Attleboro, MA 02760
(508) 699-7979
(508) 699-4100
http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=335
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Description: A three-floor shopping mall featuring Filene's, J.C. Penny's, Sears, The Disney Store, a food court, restaurants and many other shops.
Directions: 25 minutes from campus.
Take 495N to 95S. Take 95S to 295S (Massachusetts exit 4). Take 295S to Route 1S (exit 1A, which is the second exit after you get on 295S). The mall is just ahead on the right.
Mansfield Crossing mall
280 School Street, Mansfield, MA 02048
http://www.mansfieldcrossing.com/
Located less than five miles from campus, this shopping center features a variety of national retailers, including L.L. Bean and Borders books, as well as several restaurants.
Narrows Center for the Arts
16 Anawan Street, Fall River, MA 02721
(508)324-1926
http://www.ncfta.org/
Description: Located in the waterfront district of Fall River, Mass., the Narrows Center hosts national and local musicians, performing and visual artists, writers and performers. The volunteer-run center includes a 280-seat performance space and an art gallery, housed in an old mill building with views of the pier, Braga Bridge and Battleship Cove.
Showcase Cinemas
Route 1 North (640 South Washington Street)
(508) 643-3900
North Attleboro, MA
Prices: $9.50 for adults, $6.75 for children under age 12. The first show of the day (the matinee) costs $6.75.
Description: A large cinema with 12 theaters.
Directions: 25 minutes from campus
Just down the street from the Emerald Square Mall. Take 495N to 95S. Take 95S to 295S. Take 295S to Rt. 1 N (exit 1B, which is the first exit after you get on 295S). Theater is just ahead on the right.
Silver City Galleria
2 Galleria Mall Drive
Taunton, MA 02780
(508) 823-3333
www.silvercitygalleria.com/html
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sears opens Saturday at 8 a.m.
Description: 2-floor shopping mall featuring Hoyt's Cinemas, an indoor mini-golf course, Filene's, J.C. Penny's, Sears, a food court, restaurants and many other stores.
Directions: 25 minutes from campus.
From Route 495S take exit 7B for Route 24S. Take exit 12 to Route 140S, and then take exit 11B for Galleria Mall Drive. When leaving the mall, make sure to follow signs for 140N.
Note: This information was updated on June 4, 2007, and is provided as a courtesy to Wheaton's visitors. However, please remember that the organizations themselves are the most reliable source of information on hours of operation, admission prices, and the like. You may email hbenoit @ wheatoncollege.edu with corrections or suggestions for additional listings.