Wocester’s EcoTarium features science and nature exhibits that will wow kids. The exhibits teach children about such things as ecosystems, minerals and communities around the world. In addition to the exhibits, the EcoTarium has a digital planetarium where kids and adults can learn about space, constellations and planets. Visitors to the planetarium can watch shows that incorporate light projection with real images from space. The EcoTarium has a preschool area specifically for little ones. If the weather is nice, visitors can venture outside to explore the 55 acres of outdoor habitats. These habitats are home to many animals, including hawks, turkeys, birds, fish and woodland creatures.
Elm Park is one of the oldest public parks in the United States. There is a memorial plaque in the park that claims it was the first. This is subject to debate, as parks in Hartford and New York opened in the same year as Elm Park, but there's no arguing that Elm Park was among the first. The park is located between Park Avenue and Elm, Highland, and Russell Streets. It has three lakes that are stocked with fish, and visitors often visit the park to see the historic bridges as well as to go ice skating. The first chairman of Worcester City Parks, Edward Lincoln, felt that ice skating was a healthy activity, so a rink has been set up every year since the park opened. Kids can play on the playground, hike along the nature trails, and play tennis or basketball at Elm Park.
Kids can step back in time while visiting Worcester’s Higgins Armory Museum. The museum features arms and armor dating back as far as ancient Greek times. The museum originally was built to house the private armor collection of John Woodman Higgins in 1930. It opened in 1931 to outside visitors. The Armory Museum contains suits of armor, swords and ancient tapestries. Kids can also visit an interactive exhibit where they can participate in a “virtual joust,” hoist a real lance, and learn about famous knights of the Middle Ages.
Worcester has a minor league baseball team, the Worcester Tornadoes, and a hockey team, the Worcester Sharks. Kids can take in a game, depending on the season. The baseball season runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The ball team runs promotions for children during the summer, with giveaways and fireworks. The Worcester Sharks' season runs October through April. The team offers games with concession promotions, giveaways and special exhibits on the ice.
