En Garde in Worcester!

PLEASE NOTE: The Higgins Armory Museum has been closed. The collection was distributed  to other museums in the Worcester area.

Last weekend, we revisited one of our favorite winter indoor destinations - the unique Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester. Worcester steel magnate John Woodman Higgins assembled this one-of-a-kind collection in the early 1900s, and when when his wife kicked the collection out of their house, he erected a stunning steel building to house it!
On weekends, the Higgins offers demonstrations on armor, swordplay and other aspects of medieval life and combat. There's also a great kids' zone with a giant chess game and dress-up area, and a several authentic pieces of armor that kids can try on. At kids' birthday parties, the birthday boy or girl gets to be King or Queen in the Great Hall (for members only). Originally recommended by stained glass artist Dan Maher for one of our early Dispatches. About an hour from Boston but street access in Worcester is tricky; take a good map. Phone 508-853-9697.

Up, Up, & Away at Fruitlands

Forget the ballooning deficit and go hot-air ballooning at WinterFest, which contines weekends through Feb. 15 at a DayTripper favorite, the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard. The museum is closed on weekdays for the season, but if you're in the area on a Saturday or Sunday, join the Winterfest celebration for ice skating, sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, bonfires, and more. On Feb. 1 and 15, you can even hitch a (tethered) ride in a hot air balloon (weather permitting). On Jan. 31, watch snowshoeing and cross-country skiing demonstrations, then test techniques on nearby groomed trails. Although the Fruitlands shops are closed, the Harvard General Store Snack Bar stands by to provide the family with hot drinks and snacks. Admission is $5 per vehicle plus a non-perishable food item for the local Loaves & Fishes food bank. Winterfest is sponsored in part by Harvard Parks & Recreation Dept.

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Audubon's Superbowl of Birding!

You too can attend the Superbowl! RSVP now for the Superbowl of Birding this Saturday January 24, sponsored by Audubon's Drumlin Farm Sanctuary. Prep meeting on Thursday Jan. 22.

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