State House, Boston

GREATER BOSTON

Tour guides and tour books have long said that rainy days are museum days and it is the ideal time to explore museums, and in Boston there is no shortage. The Museum of Fine Arts {open late on Wednesdays} and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum located in the Fenway, give art lovers the perfect escape because of their close proximity to each other. There is no need to venture outside either for a bite to eat because each museum has a café on the premises. You can easily spend an entire day at the Museum of Science {open late on Fridays}, with so many exhibits to see, interactive displays, live animal shows, the Mugar Omni Theatre and the Hayden Planetarium. If you get hunger pangs you’ll find a good assortment of restaurants to choose from on the first floor.

The penguins and the seals will happily greet you at the New England Aquarium. Even though there’s water all around you here with all species of seal-life you won’t have to worry about getting wet. The four-story Giant Ocean Tank’s coral reef is home to sea turtles, sharks, eels and numerous species of fish. Just outside the giant IMAX Theatre features spectacular shows with a wide variety of subjects. Faneuil Hall Marketplace is just a short walk up the street and offers a vast array of indoor shops and restaurants worth exploring.

Another way to stay warm and dry is take a tour: Beantown Trolley, Old Town Trolley and the Boston Duck Tours {they’re covered with roofs!) provide city tours highlighting Boston’s main attractions. Gray Line Tours {operate mid-April-mid-October} offer day trips to Concord/Lexington, Salem, Plymouth and Cape Cod. In Boston’s Copley Square both Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library offer conducted tours of these architectural gems. Finally, take a tour of the Massachusetts State House.

If you're in the Metro West area, just outside Boston, you can visit Danforth Museum of Art in Framingham. Free Fun Fridays and Family Drop-in Art on some Sundays. Performances for kids at Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham and The Center for the Performing Arts in Natick. Skate 'til you drop at Roller Kingdom in Hudson. Finally, Discovery Museums in Acton are two separate museums with interactive exhibits for children of all ages inviting exploration and discovery.

For more rainy day ideas visit these regional sites:
Greater Boston CVB
Metrowest Tourism & Visitors Bureau

Crane Estate, Ipswich

NORTH OF BOSTON

Take in an exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, where Ansel Adams': At the Water's Edge is on view until October 8. Interested in more local exhibits and collections? Be sure to check out the Cape Ann Museum and the Ipswich Museum.

Lift your spirits at one of the region's distilleries. Head to Ryan & Wood Distillery in Gloucester for a free tour, or try Turkey Shore Distillery's award-winning Old Ipswich Rum! Grab a delicious microbrew at Cape Ann Brewing Company, and enjoy some classic pub food while you're there. Go for a wine tasting at Mill River Winery in Rowley or Alfalfa Farm Winery in Topsfield.

Embrace your inner child at Joe's Playland on Salisbury Beach! Play pinball, classic arcade games and skeeball to your heart's content - then treat yourself to some locally made caramel popcorn.

Enjoy a film at a historic 1920's theatre: the Cabot Street Cinema in Beverly. Independent and foreign films play at the Cape Ann Community Cinema in Gloucester, if that's more your style. Or head up to the Newburyport Screening Room to take in artistic films and documentaries.

What better to do on a rainy day than go shopping? If big box stores aren't your cup of tea, check out the unique shops and boutiques that line downtown Salem, Main Street in Gloucester, downtown Marblehead, and State Street in Newburyport where you're guaranteed to find quality local wares.

Visit a castle - yes, a castle! The North of Boston region is home to not one, but two castles: Winnekenni Castle in Haverhill and Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester. Another great site to see is The Crane Estate in Ipswich, a "castle-like" mansion with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding conservation land.

Stroll through local art galleries featuring a wide variety of mediums. Montserrat College of Art in Beverly and the Addison Gallery of American Art in Andover are great places to start. Patronize the local artisans and associations in Cape Ann.

Trade in your rain coat for a swimsuit and splash around at CoCo Key, North of Boston's largest indoor water resort. Located in Danvers, CoCo Key Water Resort features over 65,000 sq. ft. of fun for the whole family!

For more rainy day ideas visit these regional sites:
North of Boston CVB
Greater Merrimack Valley CVB

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Children's Museum, Easton

SOUTH OF BOSTON

Take in some history. Captain John Wilson House in Cohasset contains a rare collection of antique furniture and artifacts to recreate an early-American dwelling.Alden House Historic Site was built by John Alden in 1628 on what is known today as the "first site." The oldest wooden courthouse in America is in Plymouth. 1749 Courthouse and Museum is in the heart of Plymouth's historic district. Visit a working heritage craft center at Harlow Old Fort House. And visit the only existing house in Plymouth where Pilgrims actually lived. Jabez Howland House

Browse for art at the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton. The Art Complex Museum offers a year-round schedule fulfilling the founders' vision that their family's many interests be shared with the community. And the North River Arts Society fosters participation and appreciation of the arts. Exhibitions and gallery programs, sales of fine art and workshops await you at The South Shore Art Center and the Plymouth Center for the Arts.

Take step back in time and ride the ponies at the Paragon Carousel in Hull or the Fall River Carousel at Battleship Cove in Fall River.

For more rainy day ideas visit these regional sites:
Plymouth County CVB
Southeastern Mass CVB

JFK Museum, Hyannis

CAPE COD

Ride the Rails on the Cape Cod Central Railroad. They offer fully narrated scenic tours. Choose from the elegant dinner train, the luncheon train or the Sunday brunch train.

The Cape has lots of great towns to explore with fun things to do on a rainy day. Here's just a few suggestions. In Sandwich make sure to visit the Sandwich Glass Museum and Heritage Museums & Gardens including the antique automobile collection and the American Museum.

In Falmouth visit the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Woods Hole Science Aquarium ; Woods Hole Museum and Historic Highfield Hall.

In Mashpee it's the Old Indian Meeting House and Mashpee Commons

You might need a couple of days in Barnstable. Don't miss Coast Guard Heritage Museum; JFK Hyannis Museum (Hyannis); Cape Cod Baseball Hall of Fame (Hyannis); Cape Cod Maritime Museum (Hyannis); and Ryan Family Amusements (Hyannis).

In Yarmouth visit Edward Gorey House ; Ryan Family Amusements and Zooquarium .

Dennis has Cape Cod Museum of Art and Cape Cinema

Brewster has The Brewster Store and Cape Cod Museum of Natural History

If you're in Orleans stop by French Cable Station Museum; Church of the Transfiguration and Nauset Light.

While in Eastham stroll along the Cape Cod National Seashore.

And finally if you're all the way at the tip of Cape Cod in Provincetown, you'll want to see the Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum; Art's Dune Tours ; Marine Specialties Store and the Provincetown Trolley.

For more rainy day ideas, visit these regional sites:
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce
Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce
Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce

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Hanover Theatre, Worcester

CENTRAL MASS

Kids skate or bowl FREE! at Roll On America in Lancaster, Putnam Street Lanes in Fitchburg, and Gardner Ten Pins in Gardner. Putnam Street Lanes is the oldest candlepin bowling house in the country. Gardner Ten Pin offers galactic bowling on Friday and Saturday nights.

Take a tour of Wachusett Brewing Company in Westminster. Wachusett Brewing Company is a true Massachusetts microbrewery. Beer is brewed, bottled, put in a keg and shipped. They offer a variety of fresh ales with distinct character from their Westminster facility. Fun and educational tours and tastings are offered Wednesday & Thursday Noon - 4:00.

Visit a museum. Top Fun Aviation Museum in Fitchburg displays toy airplanes, games and puzzles from 1928 to the present. Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton displays more than 400 Russian Icons, the largest collection of its kind in North America and one of the largest private collections outside Russia. And the Fitchburg Art Museum is the area's oldest cultural institution, with 12 galleries of American and European paintings, prints, sculptures and decorative arts, as well as Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Asian and Pre-Colombian antiquities.

Watch a play at a local theater. There are several options in the area. Center Stage at Fitchburg State College, Theater at the Mount, in Gardner and Stratton Theater located in Fitchburg. On weekends you can visit Drawbridge Puppet Theater in Lunenburg.

And the #1 fun thing to do on a rainy day... GET EVEN WETTER! Visit Coco Key in Fitchburg where it is always 84 degrees. Waterslides, pools, splash park and best of all-the hot tub!

For more rainy day ideas visit these regional sites:
Central Mass CVB
Johnny Appleseed Trail Association

National Yiddish Book Center, Amherst

PIONEER VALLEY

There are plenty of great attractions in the Pioneer Valley. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens in Greenfield is an 8,000 square foot conservatory - a tropical paradise that is home to thousands of butterflies from all over the world. Yankee Candle Company in South Deerfield has more than 2 million people visit each year. The Scenter of New England will delight candle lovers everywhere with more than 160 scents to choose from in their Sampler Emporium. The whole family will also enjoy the magic of the Bavarian Christmas Village, which includes the Black Forest, the Village Square with its quaint shops, the Nutcracker Castle and Santa's Toy Factory. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. One of the world's most beloved sports is lovingly enshrined here. Fans of the sport can see its history come alive with a series of interactive exhibits and rare artifacts. Interskate 91 in Wilbraham has roller skating and so much more! Exciting attractions for all ages. Kringle Candle Company in Bernardston shows off Kringle Candle's distinctive crisp, all-white shades that fit every decor scheme with understated elegance. No matter which scent or style you select, these carefully-crafted candles are an ideal match for every setting in every room. And of course, their robust naturally-derived scents will please at the first fragrant whiff. their Christmas Shop is also filled to bursting with a huge selection of holiday treats. And Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke showcases the history & achievements of the world's #2 sport with large scale graphics and interactive exhibits. Visit Holyoke - the Birthplace of Volleyball.

If it's arts and culture you seek than look no further. National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst is one of the largest Jewish cultural organization in America. Dedicated to rescuing Yiddish books and celebrating the culture they contain, they offer a full schedule of public events, including tours, Sunday films, performances, lectures, and concerts, exhibits, an English-language bookstore, and more. Titanic Historical Society Museum in Indian Orchard was established over 43 years ago. The Titanic Historical Society Museum has one of the finest collections of pre-discovery artifacts in the world. Mementos saved by actual survivors of this historic tragedy are displayed. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst is devoted to picture book art, with the aim of celebrating the art that we are first exposed to as children. Browse three Galleries. Create in the Art Studio. Relax in the Reading Library. Watch films in the Auditorium. Shop in the The Carle Book Shop. Mount Holyoke College Art Museum in South Hadley has a beautifully exhibited, broad-based collection of ancient to contemporary art representing diverse cultures. Imaginative special exhibitions; scavenger hunts for kids. and more. Smith College Museum of Art in Northampton has a distinguished collection featuring Degas, Seurat, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso and O'Keeffe in contemporary galleries. Springfield Museums & the Dr. Seuss National Memorial in Springfield has it all! Travel back to the time of the dinosaurs, see classic Indian motorcycles, marvel at art from the ancient world, fly to the stars in the planetarium, view Impressionist paintings and play among life-size Dr. Seuss characters. Amelia Park Children’s Museum in Westfield is a safe, fun, family-friendly place for children ages 1 to 12.

Interested in shopping? visit Holyoke Mall at Ingleside in Holyoke, Western New England's largest shopping destination with nearly 200 specialty shops, restaurants and department stores. Hampshire Mall in Hadley is located in the heart of the Five Colleges and just minutes from UMass. One of the premier shopping and entertainment destinations in the Valley where you'll find an eclectic mix of restaurants and shops. Thornes Marketplace in Northampton is an exciting collection of 20+ shops, cafes, studios and restaurants all under one roof in the heart of Northampton. And The Village Commons in South Hadley is a fresh, upbeat translation of a traditional New England village. Spend an afternoon or a day enjoying winding brick pathways, beautifully landscaped grounds, unique shops, entertainment, movie theatre and exquisite and varied restaurants.

For more rainy day ideas visit these regional sites:
Greater Springfield CVB
Greater Northmpton Chamber of Commerce
Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce

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Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge

THE BERKSHIRES

Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge holds the world's largest and most significant collection of works by Norman Rockwell, including more than 700 paintings, drawings, and studies and an archive of more than 150,000 photographs, letters, and materials. Find a little something for everyone at Where’d you get that!? in Williamstown; See what’s happening at Kid Space at MASS MoCA in North Adams; Find “the unique” at Persnickety Toys in North Adams & Pittsfield; Bounce away all that energy at Super Bounce in Lanesboro; See how money is made at Crane Museum of Papermaking in Dalton; Visit the aquarium or dig for dinosaur bones at The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield; Learn beading or paint pottery at Bisque, Beads & Beyond in Pittsfield; Throw a strike or play indoor mini golf at Cove Bowling & Entertainment in Pittsfield; Make your own animation movie at Animagic – Museum of Animation Special Effects and Art in Lee; and Explore Tom's Toy's in Great Barrington for the “out of the ordinary”.

For more rainy day ideas, visit these regional sites:
Berkshire Visitors Bureau
Mohawk Trail Association