family fun NATURALISTS CABINET at the Wild Center. — PHOTO BY PAUL BUCKOWSKI/TIMES UNION ARCHIVES
If you’re not up for a long drive, CMOST is right here in the Capital Region. It’s part of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. The idea is to inspire children to love science and technology through hands-on exhibits and a planetarium. Parents and children can work together on an “explorer box,” which contains different science experiments. Other exhibits explain the care of wild animals and how weather develops. We suggest a visit to CMOST in the early afternoon, followed by homemade ice cream at the Snowman at 531 Fifth Ave., and then a walk through Oakwood Cemetery at 50 101st St., Troy. It is a lovely spot overlooking the Hudson River and the final resting place of nine Civil War generals and Trojans Emma Willard and Sam Wilson (“Uncle Sam”). It’s a good opportunity to talk about Troy’s history and how people lived in the mid-19th century, when the cemetery was opened. ADIRONDACK EXTREME ADVENTURE
THE WILD CENTER
45 Museum Dr., Tupper Lake Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Memorial Day–Labor Day. Adults (15-64): $17; young’ns: (4-14): $10; seniors (65+) $15; under 3: free wildcenter.org; (518) 359-7800 Originally called the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks, the Wild Center is as impressive as the network of museums run by Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. The Adirondack Park is the country’s biggest and most unique park because it is a blend of public and private land. The Wild Center seeks to tell that story. Exhibits include wild animals, including river otters, and there are outdoor trails to enjoy as well. The museum is a beautiful space on 31 acres in Tupper Lake, near the center of the Adirondack Park, about 185 miles northwest of Albany.
35 Westwood Forest Lane, Bolton Landing Open seven days at 8:30 a.m. but reservations are required. Prices range from $50 per person for the adult extreme course to $25 for the Little Adventurers course designed for kids 7 and older. adirondackextreme.com; 494-7200
— PHOTO BY JOHN CARL D’ANNIBALE/TIMES UNION ARCHIVES
Skip passive entertainment at the amusement park down the road and try this ropes course in the treetops. It is a series of zip lines, suspended bridges, Tarzan swings and more, all suspended 10 to 60 feet off the ground. Adirondack Extreme has adult courses and courses for juniors and children, as well as a fancy playground for little kids. It is 65 miles from Albany, off Exit 24 of the Northway. While you’re there: After the excitement of dangling over the forest, wind down with a stroll through Lake George village for some people-watching. The Lake George Steamboat Company offers
— PHOTO BY BUSINESS WIRE
OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, Mass. Adults, $24; seniors, 55 and older, $22; children (3-17), $8. Children 2 and younger: free. Open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 31 osv.org; (800) SEE-1830
THE CNSE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
250 Jordan Road, (Rensselaer Technology Park), Troy Open 1-5 p.m. Wednesdays for Toddler Explore and More Time; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Adults and children 2 and older: $5. Shows in the planetarium: $1 per show. cmost.org, (518) 235-2120
dinner cruises. Adults, $46; children, 3-11, $17. It’s a 2-hour, 15-minute cruise. Boarding on Beach Road starts at 5:30 p.m. daily.lakegeorgesteamboat.com; 668-5777
A MUSEUM EDUCATOR shows attendees a European Legless Lizard. — PHOTO BY SKIP DICKINSON/TIMES UNION ARCHIVES
The best part about Sturbridge is the costumed reeanctors, but there’s so much to see. Sturbridge is a recreated 1830s New England village. It includes more than 40 buildings on 200 acres — homes, meetinghouses, a district school, country store, bank, working farm, three water-powered mills, and trade shops. In addition to the costumed staff, there are heritage breed farm animals, too. The museum is 114 miles away, about two hours from Albany on the Thruway. E
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