🐆 Weekend Plan: Buttonwood Park Zoo

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A done-for-you day trip—no overthinking required.

📍 Quick Snapshot

Location: Buttonwood Park Zoo, 425 Hawthorn St, New Bedford, MA
Best for: toddlers/little kids
Drive time: 1 hour from Boston
Total Cost: $ (or free if you use a library pass!)
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Time needed: 1-2 hours
Best days to go: Sunday

🗺️ The Plan

🚨 Know Before You Go

If you’re a member of SAILS or Old Colony Library Networks, you can get a pass for free admission for up to four people. The pass can’t be used on Saturdays, Monday holidays, or school vacation weeks, so I suggest getting a pass for Sunday. Our whole family got in for free this way!

⏰ Morning (Start Time: 10 a.m.)

Parking: Free and plentiful right outside the zoo
Do this first: Get tickets for the Black Bear Express and/or the carousel, if you’re interested in either (each one is $3 per person)
Don’t miss: Hudson the baby lynx! He was born in May and is too cute. The indoor exhibits and the seals are also a lot of fun. Finally, kids will love the different play areas, including Charlie’s Nature Play space.

👉 Mom tip: They have a lot of different keeper chats throughout the day. Check out the sign right by the entrance to see what’s planned for the day you go.

🍴 Lunch Plan

Eat at: Bear’s Den Cafe—it’s right onsite so super convenient and very affordable.
What to order: Any kid would be happy with their menu, they have all the favorites like dino nuggets, pizza, cheeseburgers, and more!

🎯 Afternoon Activity

Head to: The playground at Buttonwood Park, right across the parking lot
What kids will love: Plenty of space to run around, and fun play structures
How long to stay: 20-30 mins

👜 What to Bring

Water bottles
Snacks
Sunscreen
Stroller / wagon

💡 Real Mom Notes

What surprised me: The variety of different animals, and how much there was to see in the indoor buildings
What I’d do differently: Go to a keeper chat early, by the time we made our way through we were too tired.
Who this is really best for: Families with kids who are excited by animals but are too small for a big zoo

🧩 Pair It With Another Stop

Nearby add-on: New Bedford Whaling Museum
Makes it a full day: 3D movie + time in the kid’s corner

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🦞 Weekend Plan: Southern Maine

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A done-for-you weekend trip—no overthinking required.

📍 Quick Snapshot

Location: Southern Maine
Best for: All ages
Drive time: 2.5 hours max from Boston
Time needed: Weekend
Best time to go: Summer or early fall

🛏️ Where to Stay

For summer camp vibes with great amenities for kids: Point Sebago Resort, Casco Maine
For more affordable camping or glamping: Naples KOA Holiday
For a reasonable downtown hotel: The Westin Portland Harborview

🗺️ The Plan

1️⃣ Stop 1: Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine | 250 Thompsons Point Road, Portland, Maine

Park here: 24/7 paid parking managed by Thompson’s Point, $2.50 an hour (plentiful and right outside of the museum)
Do this first: Start at the top floor and work your way down
Don’t miss: Maddy’s Theatre, the longest running children’s theatre in the nation

💡 Know Before You Go

Hours: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily (closed on Tuesdays)
Cost: Free under 1, $20 for kids and adults (Theatre admission is separate, free under 1 and $25 for kids and adults)

🍴 Lunch/Dinner Plan

Eat at: Bissel Brothers (right next door)
What to know: You can make a reservation for table service, but if you walk in and it’s busy you can seat yourself in the tables on the left and order food at the bar.

🍦 Optional Treat Stop

Head to: The Holy Donut in Downtown Portland
Worth it because: Potato donuts made from scratch, and gives you the opportunity to do some shopping before you head home.

📍Stop 2: Maine Wildlife Park | 56 Game Farm Rd., Gray, Maine

What kids will love: Seeing a wide variety of different animals up close and learning about them from the keeper talks
How long to stay: Two hours

💡 Know Before You Go

Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. April 15 - October 14, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. October 15 - November 11
Cost: $15 ages 11-64, $10 ages 2-10, kids under 2 free
Parking: Free onsite

🍴 Lunch/Dinner Plan

Head to: Brickard Hollow Brewing Company in New Gloucester (10 minutes away)
What to order: Crispy pork bowl and Trestle IPA (and mac and cheese for kids!)

🌧️ Rain / Bad Weather Backup

Swap this stop for: Mr. Drew Exotic Animal Education Center | 1395 Maine St, Poland, Maine
What kids will love: Feeding the tortoises and holding reptiles
How long to stay: One hour

📍Stop 3: Seashore Trolley Museum | 195 Log Cabin Rd, Kennebunkport, Maine

Do this first: Ride the vintage trolley one way
Don’t miss: The car barns and bus exhibit (keep an eye out for the ones you can climb inside!)

💡 Know Before You Go

Hours: Wed-Sun June 1 - Oct. 25 + first two weekends in December (rain or shine)
Cost: General admission is $15 adults, $7-13 kids, 2 and under FREE
Parking: Free onsite

👉 Mom tip: They hold fun events on several weekends throughout the year, including dino trolleys, Daniel Tiger themed days, and more. These require separate tickets and book up in advance. Check their event calendar for upcoming dates.

Lunch/Dinner Plan

Head to: Alisson’s Restaurant in Kennebunkport (7 minutes away)
What to order: Lobster roll flight

🍦 Optional Treat Stop

Head to: Rococo Ice Cream in Kennebunkport
Worth it because: Unique flavors like Goat Cheese & Blackberry Chambord Swirl, Maine Whoopie Pie, and Sweet Avocado Cayenne

📌 Save This Plan

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🔁 Want More Easy Plans?

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Zoo on Busy Boston Moms

🐆 Weekend Plan: Buttonwood Park Zoo

📍 Quick Snapshot

🗺️ The Plan

👜 What to Bring

💡 Real Mom Notes

🧩 Pair It With Another Stop

📌 Save This Plan

🔁 Want More Easy Plans?

🦞 Weekend Plan: Southern Maine

📍 Quick Snapshot

🛏️ Where to Stay

🗺️ The Plan

📌 Save This Plan

🔁 Want More Easy Plans?