Submitted by AZBeer90 t3_yeb9yo in WorcesterMA
We have to be out of the house for 4-5 hours with our dogs and baby. Was thinking a nice trail walk and maybe lunch/picnic at a park? Trying to coordinate around babies sleep schedule and places that allow dogs is tuff.
Hudson rail trail, lunch and ice cream in town
Rail trail pizza is the spot for lunch
Just make sure to make a reservation. It gets mobbed on the weekends.
Edit:
Ah. I don't know that they allow dogs, so get take out and find a nice spot to have a picnic. There's great outdoor spots around them.
Rutland state park. Lots of long trails, picnic tables, dog friendly, really nice.
Gates Pond in Berlin is really pretty- right off 495. Close to a bunch of the orchards, too.
Purgatory Chasm is right down 146 in Sutton
Would second this and recommend purgatory! Not the greatest for a stroller as you need to step up/down large rocks, but really cool place and pet friendly
Cascades in Worcester?
Go walk the Acton arboretum then go for a bite at Rapscallions. They are very dog friendly!
Audobon trail on Massasoit st. Is a hidden gem
Cascades. Green Hill. Rutland. Moore.
Bring a picnic to Lilac Hedge Farm in Rutland.
I'm going to second the Hudson rec. The rail trail is a nice walk and suitable for a stroller. I think Medusa brewing still has their beer garden open (I would check before you depended on it) but they are welcoming to dogs and children, and they have food too. The main spot doesn't allow dogs inside so it would need to be a nice late morning early PM. Not sure what sleep schedule you are on. If it's something like ours (one nap 12ish-2/3) it will be difficult, but if you do a morning nap and an afternoon nap you should be fine.
Just a side note if you're looking for food for yourselves and child do not get the tacos for them, all of the varieties are too spicy for a child. I didn't think they were spicy at all, but my kid (just over a year) and wife thought otherwise. There was pain and lots of drooling, so I would probably order something from rail trail or TC landos and bring it in as they allow outside food (or did).
4-5 hrs is kind of a lot to manage with a kid and dog, I know the Shrewsbury and Northborough libraries are great to bring kids. Lots of stuff to play with along with other kids too!! But one parent would have to take the dog elsewhere while the other one stayed.
Elsworth park in Westborough is great as there is a small playground (more for toddlers-under 10 I would say) and there is a lot of open space for the pup, and a paved track good for strollers. There is also a nice playground in Northborough near the corner of 135 and 20. They have great stuff for lots of kids ages and trails nearby too for the pup.
Dean park in Shrewsbury is similar and a nice stroll too, and you could always order from Dean Park Pizza for a picnic if you wanted.
Unfortunately anything with a pup will need to be outside, which will definitely be challenging.
Those are the common things we do, as I live in Nborough have a small child and dog.
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I've heard rumors of apple picking this time of year...
Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_itxiczi wrote
Moore State Park in Paxton is pretty close by and has some nice easy hikes and spots for a picnic.
Great for dogs too. There haven't been too many people there when I've gone, so there is little dog on dog or dog on stranger interaction.