Friends of The Great Falls Discovery Center
The Great Falls Discovery Center hosts community programs and events, rotating art exhibits in our Great Hall and a Coffee House hosted by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center.
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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Saturday
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Sunday
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2 events,
Enjoy a story, fresh air, and exercise! Join us on the Discovery Center’s grounds for a free self-guided Story Walk® featuring Honk! Honk! by Mick Manning. For ages 4–8 and everyone who wished they could fly! The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. […]
Free
Enjoy the story Summer Song by Kevin Henke, a vibrant ode to nature and summer activities. For ages 4 – 8 and everyone who loves summer and changing seasons. Chill Out Indoor StoryWalks® Come on inside and Chill Out with DCR! You can find “COOL” activities for kids and families inside, including indoor StoryWalk® all […]
Free
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2 events,
Enjoy our indoor StoryWalk, Change is in the Air by Rebecca Donnelly, about the hidden discoveries of Eunice Newton Foote, the first climate scientist. For ages 6 and up and everyone who loves science. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Story Walk® […] |
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3 events,
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Easy-paced, 1- to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for older adults, but open to all. Enjoy some natural and local history along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance.
Free
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3 events,
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Learn more about our wildlife neighbors in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, activities, and crafts. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Siblings and friends are welcome. Meet in the Great Hall. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. 9/11: Skunks 9/18: Snakes 9/25: River Otters
Free
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3 events,
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Join Chad Witko, ornithologist and founder of Birding University, for an engaging introduction to North America’s waterfowl. As fall migration reaches the Connecticut River Valley, discover how to identify ducks, geese, and swans, explore their remarkable migrations, and learn why the Connecticut River is such an important stopover and wintering habitat throughout their annual cycle. […]
Free
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3 events,
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Join Tumble Science Podcast for a live tour stop on NEPM's DinoMap! Meet a scientist for a Q&A, take a guided tour showing some of the amazing rocky outcrops around the Discovery Center, and get your passport book stamped along the way. Free fun for the whole family!
Free
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4 events,
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Easy-paced, 1- to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for older adults, but open to all. Enjoy some natural and local history along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance.
Free
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Come meet local author Brad Timm in a special nature education program just for kids! Built around Brad's children's nonfiction book America is Wild! we'll explore different activities that get us moving while learning all about animal behaviors, wildlife adaptions, predator/prey relationships, ecosystems, and much more! Registration is required. This program is ideal for 2nd-5th graders. About […]
Free
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3 events,
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Learn more about our wildlife neighbors in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, activities, and crafts. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Siblings and friends are welcome. Meet in the Great Hall. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. 9/18: Snakes 9/25: River Otters
Free
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4 events,
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Location: Herman Covey Wildlife Management Area, Belchertown. Saturday, September 19, 2026, 9:30 – 11 a.m. Join MassWildlife experts for a walk to explore the surprising world of invasive species. Learn how to identify the spotted lanternfly, tree of heaven, and other invasives while discovering the impacts they have on local ecosystems. Along the way, you'll […]
Free
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Hard work, real fun, true impact: the annual fall trash cleanup of the Connecticut River and its tributaries. Join DCR staff to clean up the Canalside Rail Trail. To register, visit sourcetoseacleanup.org/event/dcr-canalside-rail-trail-cleanup-group/, or contact DCR staff at (413) 863-3221 for more information. Meet at the main entrance. For ages 8 and up.
Free
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3 events,
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Discover nature through story, poetry and art in our series of free art programs. With instruction and technique, you create an art piece to take home inspired by autumn using paint, paper, gel and even leaves for adults, teens, and children ages 6 and up. Free. All art materials provided. Meet in the Great Hall […]
Free
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3 events,
-
Easy-paced, 1- to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for older adults, but open to all. Enjoy some natural and local history along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance. Note that there is no […]
Free
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3 events,
-
Learn more about our wildlife neighbors in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, activities, and crafts. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Siblings and friends are welcome. Meet in the Great Hall. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult.
Free
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4 events,
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Join DCR staff for family activities at the Great Falls Farmers Market, located between 6th and 7th streets along Avenue A at Peskeompskut Park. For all ages.
Free
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Discover us at Unity Park (at 56 First Street)! Celebrate “Good Neighbor Day” with an afternoon of free family activities and learn about local community organizations. Join DCR staff at the fair to learn all about our animal neighbors at our activity table with crafting. The fair has light refreshments, music, and fun activities for […]
Free
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1 event,
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Easy-paced, 1- to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for older adults, but open to all. Enjoy some natural and local history along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance. Note that there is no […]
Free
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1 event,
-
For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Learn more about our wildlife neighbors in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, activities, and crafts. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. Siblings and friends are welcome. Meet in the Great Hall. 10/2: Fox 10/9: Leaves 10/16: Squirrels 10/23: Night Animals 10/30: Bats
Free
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2 events,
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Get up close to the incredible world of caterpillars and visit the Caterpillar Lab’s drop-in live caterpillar exhibits in the Great Hall. Explore and view these amazing insects under a microscope, and learn what they eat, how they transform into butterflies and moths, and the fascinating ways they survive in the wild. You’ll even discover which […]
Free
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Join the Caterpillar Lab for a guided walk through downtown Turners Falls, and portions of the Canalside Rail Trail, in search of native caterpillars and the plants they depend on. Discover these remarkable insects in their natural habitat while learning about their life cycles, host plants, and the important role they play in healthy ecosystems. […]
Free
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1 event,
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Discover nature through story, poetry and art in our series of free art programs. With instruction and technique, you create an art piece to take home. Do you grow red cabbage? Are squirrels leaving acorn caps all over your yard? Do you like to cook with onions? You can make ink with these natural ingredients! […]
Free
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