Chuck E. Cheese's Natick MA.

Chuck E. Cheese’s is a chain of pizza restaurants slash gaming arcades with a cartoon theme surrounding the title character and his band. The various locations offer an animatronics stage show, token operated kiddie rides, arcade & video games as well as a small indoor play area for tots.

The penny arcade games offer players rewards in the form of tickets which can be redeemed for a selection of prizes. Rewards range from small candies and dollar-store toys viewable in a glass counter up front, to the larger stuffed animals and board games displayed on the wall behind.

For some reason our kids really dig going to Chuck E. Cheese’s, so we usually plan for half a day at a local branch on every family trip to the US.

When in the Boston area you have four options in the immediate vicinity: Everett, Danvers, Burlington and Natick. We chose Natick since it was the closest to where we were staying and because of its proximity to Natick Mall where we were also heading.

Despite the somewhat mixed reviews on other sites regarding this particular branch, we were pleasantly surprised to find a large and relatively clean Chuck E. Cheese’s, outfitted with a good range of games and rides.

In addition to all the standard rides and games listed above, Natick has a full-cast animatronics band which features Helen Henny, Mr. Munch, Jasper T. Jowls and Pasqually as well as Chuck E. Cheese himself. (Some of the other locations we’ve visited only had the Cheese.).

While the staff did look a bit bored, they were generally courteous and helpful. Especially the fellow manning the exit, stamping and checking stamps, was jovial and friendly.

Two small issues are worth mentioning however:

The first is a matter of taste; in our opinion the Wings Platters are awful: Original, BBQ and Buffalo are all equally bad. Stick with the Pizzas which, while not great, are a lot better than their other food offerings.

The second is regarding the location: there is only one way to get to this Chuck E. Cheeses and that’s driving west on Worcester Street, a separated dual-carriageway. If you overshoot the entrance to the plaza you’ll have to take the off-ramp and drive all the way around via Ruthledge, Wentworth and Wethersfield Roads to be able to give it another shot. Look for the entrance immediately after Dover Carpets!

 

 

 

George's Surf 'n Turf, Uxbridge MA.

Lovers of fried foods (and who isn’t) and in particular fried seafood will probably feel clam-happy at George’s Surf & Turf in the small community of Uxbridge, Massachusetts.

Located right on the forested Uxbridge Road this little unassuming looking dive offers pretty good road-side fare at reasonable prices in a no-frills environment. Only outside seating is available with covered picnic tables on both the street-side and woods-side of the establishment.  In the evenings one can opt for car-hop service (sans roller-skates) by leaving your car lights on in the parking lot. 

Clockwise from top left: Bay Scallops, Shrimps, Fries
Whole Clams and Chicken Fingers.

George’s specializes in deep-fried Surf such as: Shrimps, Scallops (Bay and Sea), Clams (Whole and Strip) and Haddock. For the truly ravenous, a combination platter with all of the above plus Fries and Coleslaw is also on the menu. Other seafood options include Clam-Chowder, Lobster Rolls and Fish Sandwiches.

On the Turf side diners can choose from Burgers (Regular and Vegetarian), Dogs and Chicken Fingers.

For our group of 3 adults and 2 kids we ordered a variety of fried foods by the ½ pint: Bay Scallops, Whole Clams and Shrimps which were all served with Cocktail and Tartar Sauce, as well as Chicken Fingers and Fries.

The Bay Scallops, while sweet in taste, were a little greasy and the batter had a hard time adhering to their slippery smooth surfaces. All the other items tasted great, were fresh and fried perfectly crispy.

For the kids a little picketed play area with some toys, a sand-box and a play-house is located at the edge of the woods, but I have no idea how often these are cleaned and sanitized. Have the kids use it only after eating and keep wet wipes handy.

George’s Surf & Turf is a good place to stop after a day at Southwick’s Zoo, which is located just 10 minutes drive to the South.

Redcoats and Rebels at Old Sturbridge Village

Farm Vista at Old Sturbridge Village

If you are planning a trip to Old Sturbridge Village, check their website to find out if your visit coincides with one of the many historical events that take place there every year. For the price of one admission you’ll be getting two attractions (or three if you are able to take advantage of the free second visit).

Military buffs and anyone interested in learning more about the American War of Independence should definitely check out “Redcoats and Rebels” (R&R), New England’s largest reenactment event held at Old Sturbridge for two days in August.

Close to 1000 enthusiasts portray, in full battle dress, the Colonial, British, French, Hessian and Native American troops who took part in the conflict over 230 years ago and Sturbridge itself is transformed into an encampment with the units’ white picket tents pitched in regimental fashion on the village green.

In addition to mock battles, special demonstrations related to R&R include:

Camp tours: Explaining how soldiers of the time lived in camp during campaigns, including how they slept, what they ate, how discipline was maintained and what type of non-combat duties they were expected to perform.

Drill and safety inspection.

Drilling and Inspection: These are important not only for their value as reenactments, they are also a vital safety requirement to ensure that the arms being carried onto the field are sound and their barrels free of any obstructions.

Fife and Drum Sessions: Highlights the role marching music played in keeping the troops on the move and maintaining morale.

Canon Demonstrations: Keep those earplugs handy!

Children might like:

Making a Tri-Corner Militia Hat

Children’s Musket Drill

Reconnoiter with a Ranger 

The highlight of the show is of course the battlefield reenactment which takes place in the afternoon in the Freeman Farm Fields. (Try and secure your spot in the shade early).

Around 300 British Redcoats together with their Hessian allies advance on a fortified emplacement of Colonials and French, under a barrage of musket fire.  Both sides are supported by deafening heavy artillery and pretty soon the battlefield is shrouded in gun smoke.

The air is filled with the blasts of the canon, the crack of muskets fired in unison, the shouts of the officers calling the shots and the battle cries of men charging the barricades.

It is obvious that a lot of training and preparation has gone into the maneuvers which are executed with precision. And while the scale of the mock encounter is more akin to a skirmish, it is not hard to imagine that a real clash between armies must have been a chaotic, confusing and above all traumatizing experience.

Besides the activities surrounding Redcoats and Rebels, you can of course on those days also enjoy the exhibits and demonstrations that are part of the regular OSV program.

Old Sturbridge Village is a "Living Museum" where staff members dressed in period clothing from the late 18th to early 19th century capture the lives of early Americans during the Colonial Era.

That day the schedule included (among other things) demonstrations at the Printer, Shoemaker, Broom maker, Sawmill and Carding Mill. Hands-on experience could be had by Helping with Seasonal Work and Milking the Cows at the Freeman Farm.

In addition to the various free guided walking tours the Quinebaug River Boat was also open for business (USD 3.00, 3 & under free).

TIP: The August sun can be merciless, consider carrying sunglasses and a hat and make sure to remain hydrated. Cold bottled water can be purchased and the Bullard Tavern. Arrive early and you’ll acclimatize to the weather as the day heats up. (We stepped out of our air-conditioned car into the broiling mid-day sun which was rough!)

Blue Moon Bagel Cafe

Blue Moon in a strip mall off Main Street, Medfield MA.

In Medfield, Massachusetts (about 25 miles Southeast of Boston center) you’ll find the Blue Moon Bagel Café, a great little family-run bakery & sandwich deli. The store is located in a shopping plaza off Main Street, next door to a Shaw’s Supermarket.

While the exterior blends in with the rest of the strip mall’s façade and is distinguishable only by the billboard sign facing the parking lot, the café’s interior is invitingly decorated in warm tones and wood finishing.

The owners have over 35 years of bakery experience and it shows in the selection of their ingredients (organic flour, no preservatives or additives) and in the quality of their product.

Interior of the Blue Moon Bagel Cafe

In addition to its wide range of artisan breads (Challah, Ciabatta, Sourdough, Foccacia) they serve a good selection of Soups, Salads and Sandwiches in both regular and vegetarian varieties.

Left: Panini Cubano, Right: Corn Beef Reuben

I would particularly like to recommend the Cubano Panini (Roast Pork, Ham, Pickles and Gruyere) and the Corn Beef Reuben (Beef, Sauerkraut and Swiss on either Rye or Pumpernickel bread).

The Blue Moon Bagel Café is a good place to stop for breakfast when heading from Boston to points West and South, such as the Southwick’s Zoo near Mendon.

Southwick's Zoo, Mendon MA.

Entrance to Southwick's Zoo

Southwicks Zoo  can be found near the towns of Mendon and Uxbridge, Massachusetts, about 45 miles/1 hour Southeast from Boston via Interstates 90 and 495 or 26 miles/half an hour Northwest out of Providence via the 146 Worcester-Providence Turnpike.

 At 300 acres Southwick is larger than the next three largest New England zoos (Beardsley, Franklin Park and Roger Williams) combined. Since each of those other zoos boasts a greater number of both species and specimens, this means that in theory Southwick’s should have more square footage per individual than their competitors, which is always a good thing.




White Rhinos

Southwick’s keeps around 100 different animal species in average-sized but well maintained enclosures or “habitats”. Some highlights include the White Rhino, Chimpanzee, White Tiger, Giraffe and Siamang exhibits.

The animals generally appear well cared for and healthy and I personally did not witness any of the neurotic pacing that is so often evident in creatures living in cramped and un-stimulating environments.

Species are mostly limited to birds and mammals from Africa and South America with a few North American (Deer, Alligator) and Australian (Kangaroo, Kookaburra) representatives located here and there. Aquatic exhibits are currently limited to the aforementioned Gators and Turtles.

For families with smaller children Southwick’s is an ideal zoo destination thanks to its location in the woods of rural Massachusetts which provides respite from the baking summer sun and for the many kids-oriented rides and animal encounters.

Rides are not part of the general admission fee and can be purchased either through an upgraded park ticket (includes armband for unlimited mechanical rides) or through individual tickets which cost 0.75 to 1.25 each, depending on how many are purchased at once.

Kids can ride on an actual pony or dromedary as well as a bounce-a-bout and several mechanical animal-themed carousels.  The E-ticket attractions are the Woodland Train and the Skyfari Sky Ride.

I would not recommend the Woodland Train (basically a parking lot tram) as there was not much to see besides Deer and Ducks and the tour did not include any running commentary. I got the feeling that this attraction was a work in progress.


The Skyfari however was definitely worth the price of admission. This 15 minute ski-lift ride through the forest canopy was a cool and relaxing experience which provided unique viewpoints to animal exhibits which are sometimes difficult to observe from the ground (primates).

We liked: lots of shade in the trees, distractions for young kids and the Skyfari Sky Ride.

The kids liked: Deer Forest, Petting Zoo, Pot-Bellied Pigs and Animal Rides.

 

Wrentham Vilage Premium Outlets

Clock near the Food Court

About mid-way between the towns of Mansfield and Franklin, Massachusetts, just south of Interstate 495 you’ll find the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets, one of the largest factory outlet malls in New England.

The mall is laid out in simple fashion with five parallel streets connecting the parking lot to the East with the main North-South promenade (Wrentham Street) to the West. The grounds are very well maintained and immaculately clean.

All the walkways along the storefronts are covered, but you cannot complete an entire circuit of the mall sheltered from the elements as there are no canopies connecting one side of a street to another. A suggestion would be to connect all the East-West streets on the parking lot side and covering the North and South ends of Wrentham Street.

The resulting circuit (south down main street and then back and forth on each side street) would result in about 1.5 miles or 2.5 km of precipitation-free window shopping.

And then it started to rain.

From a shopper's point of view the mall has quite a lot to offer:

Clothing: nearly six-dozen stores including all the big names such as Guess, Gap, Levi’s, DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren.

For Kids: a little over a dozen mostly clothing outlets, including Carter’s, Oshkosh, Stride Rite, Gap for Kids and a Disney Store Outlet.

Sportswear and shoes: over two dozen choices including: Adidas, Puma, Reebok, Crocs and Timberland.

Jewelry and Accessories: again, over two dozen stores such as Coach, Fossil, Movado, Samsonite, Michael Kors, Ultra Diamonds, Cole Haan and Swarovski.

View down Colonial Court

House and Kitchen Wares were also well-represented with brands like Calphalon, Le Creuset, Corningware Corelle Revere, Waterford Wedgwood and Williams-Sonoma.

Restaurants and Snacks: for a complete meal or just a caffeine-fix there are over a dozen options, including: Auntie Anne’s, Dunkin Donuts, Green Mountain Coffee and Ruby Tuesday.

For a cool treat on a hot day check out Richie’s Italian Ice stand, dead center on Wrentham Street opposite DKNY. All flavors are great but Mango and Blue Raspberry are particularly good.

My only complaint is that for parents minding kids there isn’t a whole lot to do besides walk the plaza. Sure there are a bunch of coin-operated kiddie rides and claw cranes, but if you are planning to spend two hours plus at the mall while the other half does the shopping make sure to bring along your own entertainment.

I liked: lots of parking, clean & safe environment and decent dining options.

Wife liked: shopping, shopping, deals and shopping.

Kids liked: kiddie rides (for about 10 minutes), Italian Ice, Disney Store

.

Kids enjoying their Italian Ice.

TIP: before visiting this or any other Premium Outlets Mall become a member of their online VIP Club to get emails on specials and freebies such as the VIP coupon book (normally five dollars).

Nikon CoolPix AW100 "Rugged" Camera

Our kids love the water so we're sure to be visiting a number of attractions that feature ample opportunity to get soaked.

Nikon CoolPix AW100

Unfortunately our aging Sony Cybershot DSC-H7 wasn't built for that kind of abuse so I decided to go ahead and research a suitable all weather replacement. Enter the CoolPix AW100, Nikon's first entry into the so-called "rugged" class of cameras typified by their ability to withstand water, extremes in pressure and temperature as well as shock damage.

Reviews showed that the Nikon held its own against the more established Panasonic Lumix and Sony DSC-TX20.

Specs include:

   - Waterproof up to 33 feet

   - Shock-proof

   - Freeze-proof

   - GPS, e-Compass and Geotagging

At the time of this writing the orange AW100 was on special for around USD 269.00, which placed it at the affordable end of the rugged price spectrum.

I'll be putting this camera through its paces on our upcoming trip and will update this post with my findings and some sample pictures.