Heritage Museums and Gardens (formerly Heritage Plantation)

"Fun with the Family"

The newly renovated Heritage Museums & Gardens holds an interesting collection of antique cars in mint condition exhibited in a replica of a round Shaker stone barn (if you want to see the real thing, visit the Hancock Shaker Village near Pittsfield).
Catch a ride on the restored antique carousel at the Art Museum. Gardening enthusiasts and kids with lots of energy love to roam the one hundred acres of meticulously tended paths that wind through fantastic flower gardens and blooming shrubs.
A new addition is the Hart Family Maze Garden Labyrinth (the vines and shrubs are still growing, so your kids can’t get lost yet!) There are many activities geared for kids during the summer at the Museum. Fridays in July and August are Summer Fun Fridays at the Heritage Museum.
There are live performances for kids and families that run the gamut from storytellers to giant puppets from 11:00 a.m. to noon, followed by a fun craft or garden project from noon to 1:30 p.m. As a parent, I really appreciate the many interactive displays for hands-on fun throughout the museum as well as the Clue Tours and the Family Fun Packs with four different themes (animals, transportation, history, and plants) for use in the buildings and gardens.
The museum and gardens reopen during the holidays for the Spectacle of Lights display. The Spectacle of Lights opens the day after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday through Sunday.