From whitewater rafting to caving: 5 adventures to have before the kids go back to school
It’s now or never. School’s starting soon, and you’ve been meaning to take the kids somewhere exciting, but it’s been just so darn hot this summer. Now's the time to cap off the season with a fun family adventure.
What to do? There are so many choices, but here's a short list of five places where you and the kids can find some excitement and cool off, too. The best of both worlds.
Climb into a shady tree canopy and fly like a bird across a zipline. Raft on the cool flow of a river in the Berkshires, or venture into the depths of the Earth where the air is many degrees colder. Ride the waves where there’s absolutely no chance of getting bitten by a shark and you won’t get sand in your suit, or jump into a simulated sky diving experience. Or take a swim with a mermaid along a lazy river. Whatever adventure you choose, be sure that you and the kids soak up the last of summer.
Climbing and ziplining in Berlin, Mass.
Boundless Adventures,154 River Road West, Berlin; 978-592-0017; https://boundlessadventures.net/ma-park/
High in the trees, not far from the Solomon Pond Mall at Boundless Adventures in Berlin, visitors can fly like the breeze on a zipline and climb on a high ropes course. With something for all skill levels, beginners can stay closer to the ground and the more advanced can climb high into the tree canopy. Swing, climb, balance and traverse the adventure park on its high ropes courses and zip lines. Have to work during the day? No problem. The park has two-hour “Glow in the Dark” climbs from 6-11 p.m. Tickets range from $47-$65, depending on when you visit and how long you want to climb.
Whitewater rafting on the Deerfield River
Crab Apple Whitewater Inc., 2056 Mohawk Trail, Charlemont; 1-800-553-7238; https://www.crabapplewhitewater.com/
The dog days of summer call for a cool raft or kayak trip down the Deerfield River in western Mass. with Crab Apple Whitewater, starting at its base in at Charlemont. The river’s flow is controlled by releases of water from hydroelectric dams, ensuring the flow; the schedule reflects when the water is released from behind the dams. Release days are scheduled for Thursday-Sunday in August. With three different segments of the Deerfield to paddle, there are trips with class 3-4 and class 2-3 (great for younger kids) rapids, or take an inflatable “funyak” on class 1-2 rapids in the lower section of the river. A van or bus will take you and your raft to the put-in spot. Overall, the company has more than 20 kinds of adventures you can take in Massachusetts and its other location in Maine. Rafting trips range from about $35 for youths to $105-$135 for adults; “funyak” trips are $60 per person.
Caving at Polar Caves in New Hampshire
Polar Caves, 705 Rumney Route 25, Rumney, New Hampshire; 603-536-1888; https://polarcaves.com/
Take a refreshingly cool walk down toward the center of the Earth at the Polar Caves in Rumney, New Hampshire, where you can “dive into the Earth and feel the chilly breath of the last Ice Age as you explore nine granite caves,” as it states on its website. Sounds like a great escape when it’s hot outside. There’s also an animal park that’s home to fallow deer and ducks you can feed. Visit the main lodge for T-shirts and souvenirs. Be sure to dress for the weather and wear closed-toed shoes; bring a jacket or sweater as it is cool in the caves no matter the weather outside. Picnicking is encouraged, so bring one along. Advance tickets are $24.50 adults; $15.50 for ages 4-11; $21.50 seniors 65+ and military/first responders with ID; and free for kids 3 and under. Tickets cost a couple of bucks more for walk-ins. On Aug. 20, the park celebrates 100 years with $13 admission.
Surfing and skydiving in Nashua, New Hampshire
Surf's Up and SkyVenture New Hampshire, 100 Adventure Way, Nashua, New Hampshire; 603-897-0002; https://skyventurenh.com/
It’s an endless summer at SkyVenture's Surf's Up New Hampshire, where you can ride the waves made by a 32-foot SurfStream, the world’s largest standing wave machine. It generates 10 different kinds of waves, so all skill levels ages 5 and older can ride on surfboards on an endless wave. From boogie board-sized to left and right barrel rolls, there’s a variety of water walls to learn and have fun. Forgot your suit? They sell or rent suits, towels and rash guards. You don’t even need your own surfboard — they provide boards and protective knee and elbow pads. It's indoors, but they offer a beach vibe with real palm trees, smoothies and fancy alcoholic and nonalcoholic umbrella drinks. Even if you don’t want to surf, you can just hang out and watch the action in the café where shirts and shoes aren’t required. Don’t want to get wet? Try indoor skydiving at SkyVenture New Hampshire, where you float above a trampoline floor on a wave of air. It costs $45 for 15 minutes on the SurfStream. It’s $55 for a 2-minute indoor skydiving flight. Combo packages are available for $90.
Swim with a mermaid at Canobie Lake, Salem, New Hampshire
Canobie Lake Park, 85 North Policy St., Salem, New Hampshire; 603-893-3506; https://www.canobie.com/
You’ll laugh — or maybe you’ll cry — you’ll get soaking wet, and then you’ll want to do it all again. The Boston Tea Party ride at Canobie Lake Park in Salem, New Hampshire, is worth waiting in line for. A 20-passenger boat travels uphill and then down through a trough that creates a wall of water that is just amazing to see. And it will cool you off and crack you up at the same time. I literally cannot stop laughing every time I go on it. Be sure to wear your suit as Canobie Lake has a whole Castaway Island water park with a tidal river and there’s an area for young kids, too. And on Fridays and Saturdays, a few tickets are available to swim with a live mermaid! And the rest of Canobie Lake Park is charming, with nostalgic rides for little kids, the Yankee Cannonball wooden roller-coaster and a carousel. It has thrill rides, too, like the “Untamed” coaster with loops and a 97-degree drop. Online tickets cost $32-$55 for under 60 and 48 inches or taller; $32-$35 for under 48 inches tall and seniors 60+; children 3 and under are admitted free. Check the website for prices for nights and special days.
Nancy Olesin is a Daily News staff writer and editor. Email nolesin@wickedlocal.com or follow her on Twitter @WickedLocalArts.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: 5 local summer activities: Ziplining, white water rafting, caving
