The Belkin Family Lookout Farm (lookoutfarm.com), located in South Natick, is one of the of the oldest working farms in the country. Founded in 1651, the 180-acre farm offers a wide variety of family activities that includes the U-Pick Adventure where visitors ride a train to the orchard where they can pick their own seasonal fruits that range from strawberries to 11 different types of apples. Other special attractions includes the burlap maze, the scenic caterpillar ride for children, a pyramid constructed out of 400 bales of hay, a petting zoo and pony rides. The farm is open on weekends beginning in May of each year.
The Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary (massaudubon.org), located in Natick, includes a nature center and nine miles of walking trails within its 626-acre property. The trails venture through a variety of landscapes that consist of open fields, thick forests and wetlands. The Indian Brook trail offers a 110-foot boardwalk that crosses a marsh and provides views of a variety of local wildlife that range from beavers and otters to regional birds. In addition, the Saltonstall Nature Center was converted from a horse barn built in 1911 into an award-winning structure that highlights the use of renewable resources, natural ventilation and solar heating, all built from environmentally-friendly materials. Visitors can take the tape-recorded tour of the facilities and learn about this type of "green" architecture. The center and trails are open seven days a week.
Jordan's Furniture (jordans.com), located in Natick, takes the concept of shopping for home furnishings to a whole new level. In addition to being a furniture showroom, this 110,000-square-foot facility includes a recreation of famous Bourbon Street in New Orleans with a Mardi Gras show complete with flashing lights, smoke, and animatronic robots that resemble performers such as Elvis, Diana Ross and the Village People. The property also offers a 3-D IMAX theater, a full-sized riverboat as well as an ice cream stand situated in a trolley car, which is affectionately called "Streetcar Named Dessert." The store is open seven days a week.
The Charles River Canoe & Kayak company (paddleboston.com) offers hourly and daily rentals of canoes and kayaks on Lake Cochituate in Natick. The lake consists of three main sections (North, Middle and South), and paddlers can explore the entire lake as well as the numerous bridges and tunnels that connect all three areas. The park also provides a beach for swimming with lifeguards, and a large picnic area with charcoal grills. Kayaks are available in four styles (single, double, quad, and kids), while the canoes can accommodate between two to five adults. For those who prefer a slower pace, they also offer paddleboats for up to four people. The lake is open seasonally for water activities beginning in May of each year.
