February Public School Vacation 2023
Museums are a great option for indoor fun and education, especially during winter months. Here are some museums that are within an hour away by car from most spots in Franklin County and a little farther from the North Quabbin, with some accessible by FRTA. We left a few out to keep this list more user-friendly. If you have a favorite, you’d like to see on here, email Ilana “at” frcog.org.
Looking for free or reduced admission?
If you have SNAP/EBT: Many museums that charge admission honor the EBT Card to Culture Initiative https://www.mass.gov/ebt-card-to-culture, which reduces the admission for people who have EBT cards/SNAP benefits. Some museums offer free admission to EBT card holders. Call ahead to find out!
Museum passes from local libraries: Many public libraries offer museum passes for free or reduced admission to museums and other venues in the region year round. You don’t have to live in the town that the library is in – a library card for any library in the CWMARS system will work to reserve a museum pass. You can reserve passes through
Greenfield Public Library, Athol Public Library, Arms Library in Shelburne Falls, or call your local library to see if they have passes available.
Museums with Family-Friendly Exhibits
Discovery Center, Turners Falls
Cost: Free
Why families like it: This local center and museum is accessible by bus and has exhibits for people of all ages, including programs especially for children and youth. The Crossroads Exhibit is open through March 18.
Amherst College Museum of Natural History
Cost: Free, with free parking nearby on campus on the weekends. When school is in session, you can call the museum for parking tips or park in a public lot.
Why families like it: This museum has fossilized dinosaur and ancient animal skeletons, gems and minerals, dinosaur tracks, and more!
Brattleboro Museum and Art Center
Cost: Admission is on a “pay-as-you-wish” basis (so it is free if you wish!). If you are in a position to pay admission, we recommend $5-$10 per adult.
Why families like it: It’s a small museum, so kids don’t tend to get overwhelmed. The museum often has child-friendly exhibits, including an annual Lego creation contest, open to Massachusetts residents of all ages as well as Vermonters.
Clark Art Institute in Williamstown
Cost: Free through March 31, 2023! Always free for members, anyone age 21 and under, and students with a valid ID.
Why families like it: The Clark offers a variety of ways to involve children in the museum experience – check out their ideas here.
How far is it? This is the farthest option we included for most people in Franklin County and The North Quabbin – about an hour from Greenfield, over an hour and a half from Athol, and less than 45 minutes from Berkshire East in Charlemont.
Cost: $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, free for youth under 18 and k-12 teachers. Free on second Fridays.
Why families like it: The museum encourages families to bring children and has a page with guidelines and ideas. It is also next to the Smith College’s Plant House and Conservatory, a multi-room greenhouse which includes a tropical room and other warm spots to enjoy the feeling of a warmer time of year.
Cost: Children 17 and under are free but must be accompanied by an adult (admission is $7 for adults). They honor Card to Culture and have other free/reduced ticket options.
Why families like it: It’s in Franklin County and has extra programming during vacation week, open February 20-24 from 10am-3pm each day aimed at children and families.
Cost: Adults – $12. Children, youth, seniors, students, and teachers – $8. They honor the Card to Culture and other programs.
Why families like it: The museum focuses on picture book art and has a lot of programming aimed at children and families.
Cost: The museum has an EBT Card Holders Discount: $3.00 admission for up to four people. Find all discounts, general admission fees, and museum hours here.
Why families like it: It’s aimed at kids and has lots of interactive, fun activities.
Cost: Adults: $25, Seniors $16.50, Youth 3–17: $13 but they have reduced admission for EBT Card to Culture and have some other ways to get free or reduced tickets. There is one admission that allows entry to all five museums.
Why families like it: Whether your family is into art, history, science, or Dr. Seuss, there is probably something that will be of interest. They often have exhibits and interactive activities aimed at young people.