Family-Friendly Culture and History Await in Museums of Western Massachusetts

As I set out for Western Massachusetts, a region encompassing a number of counties and towns both big and small, I knew I would be in for a visit to a beautiful part of the country rich in culture and history. What I didn’t realize was I was also in for a world of unexpected surprises and family-friendly fun at the region’s incredible museums. The museums turn family travelers into lifelong fans of this charming corner of the country.

The largest city in the region, Springfield, is home to an incredible museum complex, simply known as Springfield Museums, offering something for all ages and interests. The campus is home to five different museums and for the price of one ticket ($25 for adults and $13 for kids 3–17), you gain access to all five museums, letting you and the family spend all day wandering the exhibits and learning about everything from the life of Dr. Seuss (born and raised in Springfield) to the history of Indian motorcycles, one of many household name brands started in Springfield.

While in between museums, or if you are just looking for a great outdoor spot to take the kids during your visit to Springfield, wander through Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, a peaceful space in the center of the complex home to a variety of sculptures depicting Seuss’s most beloved characters. His stepdaughter, Lark Grey Dimond-Cates, created the bronze statues that form the centerpiece of the garden, bringing characters like the Grinch and his dog, Max; Thing 1 and Thing 2; and even a smiling Horton from Horton Hears a Who to life.

Continue your museum experience north of Springfield in the city of Amherst with a place dedicated to the artistry of children’s books at Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Not only does this facility (created by the author of the beloved children’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar as a place where picture book art could be celebrated) introduce you to Carle’s work and artistic processes, but it also showcases the work of many other celebrated children’s book authors who helped shape generations with their work and creativity.

The museum is designed for all ages to enjoy and features a reading library and workshop where you can create art of your own. While most museums are designed to make you look in, this one is designed to make you look out through its floor-to-ceiling windows to a colorful meadow Carle designed in honor of his wife. While adults can relish in the nostalgia of the books they grew up with, children are catered to with stools at the drinking fountains so they can reach, and reading areas throughout the exhibits so they can stop and read the books they are learning about. The museum even has special glasses on hand for colorblind guests. Tickets for Carle are $15 for adults and $8 for kids and seniors.