By 4Squares Residential Group in Partnership with Judi 411
Water Parks in the 02155, Boston, and Beyond
While New England sports the finest beaches around, there's nothing quite like a run through a sprinkler in the hazy, hot, and humid dog days of summer. Whether you're beached out or crave a family adventure, 4Squares knows where you can cool off "in the 'hood" and beyond.
In the 02155
Medford Playgrounds are fun year-round, but summertime is delightful. For days you want to cool down close to home, consider these water park options:
Harris Park (226-238 Middlesex Ave, Medford, MA)
Perfect for the early-morning outing on those Triple H days, Harris Park's winning combo of splash pad and playground will wear out your little ones in time for an afternoon nap. Older kids will enjoy the playground and basketball and tennis courts, and parents can sit in the shade and enjoy an iced cup of joe.
Speaking of parents, find your tribe at Harris Park's Thursday morning Medford Family Network Traveling Playgroup!
Capen Street Park (99 Capen St, Medford, MA)
Are you looking for a way to while away in the late afternoon? Mosey on over to Capen Street Park in Medford's Hillside neighborhood and enjoy the tot-lot and spray area. While there's not as much shade as other playgrounds, you can set up your afternoon snack station on the picnic tables under the shade structure.
The MFN also hosts a Traveling Playgroup on Wednesday mornings, complete with Circle Time at the basketball court at Capen.
Heading to the Big City: Water Parks in Boston
We've said it before, and we'll say it again: one of the best parts of Medford living is our proximity to Boston. On days you need to combat cabin fever and stay refreshed, make a memory and visit one (or both!) of these 4Square favorites:
The Boston Common Frog Pond (Beacon Street, Boston, MA)
For a quintessential Boston experience, head on over to Frog Pond, located at the historic Boston Common downtown Boston. Kids of all ages can frolic in the giant spray pond, then burn some energy at the adjacent Tadpole Playground or vice versa!
Top off the day with a treat from the Frog Pond Café, and wind down on the classic-styled, pie-top Carousel, replete with Bradley and Kaye horses, wildlife figures, and of course, a chariot.
For a different kind of wind-down, meander over to The Public Garden Lagoon to ride on the iconic Swan Boats. Keep an eye out for Boston's resident swans, Romeo and Juliet, and the myriad wildlife that resides on Mallard Island, in the middle of the lagoon.
Rose Kennedy Greenway Fountains (Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA)
Create an epic date night by taking a post-dinner twilight stroll along The Greenway!
Grab Dim Sum in Chinatown, stroll along the peaceful Chinatown Stream, and cool off in the Harbor Fog Sculpture. Pasta lovers will enjoy a post-dinner toe dip in the North Canal Fountain by the Haymarket T stop adjacent to the North End.
Continue in either direction along the stretch of fountains along The Greenway and take in various ever-changing contemporary art displays. The 4Squares Favorite? The Abstract Sculpture at Armenian Heritage Park. A split dodecahedron sculpture atop a Reflecting Pool, the sculpture is reconfigured each year. Its water washes over the sculpture's sides and re-emerges as a single jet of water at its center, representing continual hope and rebirth.
Time your trip right, and you can indulge in The Wicked Boston Experience of The Monstah Truck, traveling home of The Cookie Monstah Ice Cream Sandwich.
The Mother Lode: Full Day Trips North and South of Medford
Venturing to an amusement park is a time-honored water-bucket list item for New Englanders. For those looking for an all-day adventure with family, friends, or a combination thereof, check out our recommendations for an epic "Farewell to Summer" road trip:
Canobie Lake Park (85 N Policy St, Salem, NH)
Pull on your bathing suits, pile up the car, and head north to Canobie, where a full-tilt amusement park experience awaits, including the Castaway Island Water Park!
Castaway Island features over 200 ways for patrons to get relief from the blazing heat, including a Tidal River, River Slides, and Rain Fortress. Adults can enjoy crafted cocktails from the elevated patio at the Castaway Island Monkey Bar while teens wax poetic about their Sponge Bob-viewing days at the Dole Whip Pineapple Bar. Fill everyone's bellies with a Grab-n-Go lunch from the Outrigger Grill, which you can enjoy under a rented cabana.
If you forgot your bathing suit, fret not! The Boston Tea Party ride will do the trick as you plunge 50-feet into 250,000 gallons of water! There's also a host of park attractions, from kiddie rides to thrill rides and a series of live shows, including Friday Night Fireworks and the Mermaid Swim Experience!
Water Wizz (3031 Cranberry Hwy, East Wareham, MA 02538)
Touted as "Cape Cod's only water park," you may recognize Water Wizz from the movie "The Way, Way Back." Daredevils will enjoy sliding down Devil's Peak, Squid Row, or Thunder Falls, while more cautious water lovers opt for Herring Run River or Mussel Beach.
Enjoy sweet treats like fried dough at Billy's Bait Shop, hand-scooped ice cream at Captain Cones, or Chocolate-Covered Frozen Bananas at Salty Dawg's Sugar Shack. Don't forget to grab a souvenir of your day past the 93 Gas Tank at the Buzzards Bay Trading Company, which features Water Wizz t-shirts, hoodies, towels, keychains, and koozies.
What are looking forward to hearing about next? As we enter into Fall, the 4Squares Team would love to hear your suggestions for future features in the “A Day Away in MA” blog. Feel free to email Jennifer Keenan at jen.keenan.re@gmail.com with your suggestions!
Please note: With the ever-changing parameters around the COVID-19 pandemic, 4Squares recommends checking each recommendation’s respective website for capacity limitations and safety restrictions, in addition to parking and admission prices.
Photos: North Canal Fountain in Boston's Rose Kennedy Greenway, Harris Park in Medford, Water Wizz and Canobie Lake Park.
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