Nice & Easy Walk
2024-11-22 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376, United States
Easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all. Enjoy natural and local history along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. The 11/29 Nice & Easy Walk coincides with our Go Green on Black Friday Walk, which ends at 2:30 p.m. Meet at the main entrance.

Make A Fairy House
2024-11-23 13:00 - 15:00
For ages 3-16, accompanied by an adult. Children and teens are invited to build a fairy house using natural and recycled materials. Sponsored by Montague Public Libraries. Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Thanks to the Animals
2024-11-29 10:30 - 11:30
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 welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.

Nice & Easy Walk (and Go Green on Black Friday Walk)
2024-11-29 13:00 - 14:30

Go Green on Black Friday Walk (and Nice & Easy Walk)
2024-11-29 13:00 - 14:30
Forget shopping—let’s connect with nature and local history! Join us for a leisurely walk along the Canalside Rail Trail. The walk is about 3 miles-long, on a level paved surface. Makes for an easy stroll for adults and children ages 8 and up. Be prepared for cold weather, dress in layers. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Walk begins at the front entrance to the Great Falls Discovery Center. Inclement weather or icy trail conditions cancels.

Ongoing - Great Hall Art Exhibit: Junior Duck Stamps
2024-12-06 - 2025-01-16
Sharing space with the First-Class Machine Shop exhibit in the Great Hall, see the top Massachusetts youth entries for the 2024 Junior Duck Stamp competition! This state-wide art contest by students grades K-12 heightens awareness of the importance of preserving wetland habitats and the delights of wildlife. While you’re here, make your own duck stamp!

Make Your Own Junior Duck Stamp!
2024-12-07 - 2024-12-08
In celebration of our Junior Duck Stamp exhibit in the Great Hall, have some hot chocolate And make your own Junior Duck stamp too! All ages. Meet in the Great Hall.

Nice & Easy Walk
2024-12-13 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-12-20 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-12-27 13:00 - 14:00
Easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all. Enjoy natural and local history along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet outside the main entrance.

It’s a Wonderful Night in Turners Falls … for the Birds!
2024-12-13 16:00 - 20:00
Craft bird feeders for our winter friends as part of It’s a Wonderful Night in Turners Falls —a town-wide RiverCulture event on December 13. Which birds show up at your feeder? What do they eat? Bird feeder making continues Saturday, Dec. 14, 10:00 a.m.—12:30 p.m. For all ages. Free! Meet in the Great Hall.

It’s a Wonderful Day in Turners Falls … for the Birds!
2024-12-14 10:00 - 12:30
Craft bird feeders for our winter friends as part of It’s a Wonderful Night in Turners Falls —a town-wide RiverCulture event. Which birds show up at your feeder? What do they eat? For all ages. Free! Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Deer
2024-12-20 10:30 - 11:30

Ongoing - School Vacation Week: Mammal Adaptation Investigation Station
2024-12-21 - 2025-01-01
Come learn about local mammals and their unique winter adaptations at the Welcome Desk. Every animal has special adaptations that enable them to survive in their winter habitats. Explore through touchable artifacts (pelts, replica skulls, and replica tracks), and habitat diorama scavenger hunts. For ages 4 and up.

Winter Solstice Walk
2024-12-21 15:00 - 16:30
Celebrate the change in season. Join us for an easy walk along the Canalside Rail Trail for 3 miles on a level paved surface. For adults and children ages 8 and up. Be prepared for cold weather, dress in layers. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Walk begins at the front entrance of the Discovery Center. Inclement weather or icy trail conditions cancels. Meet outside the main entrance. Hot chocolate after the walk in the Great Hall!

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Ducks
2024-12-27 10:30 - 11:30

First Day Hike
2025-01-01 13:00 - 15:00
Enjoy a leisurely three-mile stroll down the Canalside Rail Trail and get the New Year started off on a Great Falls note! This family-friendly hike follows a gentle route and provides an opportunity to discover the abundant natural, historical, and cultural features that make the Great Falls Discovery Center and Canalside Rail Trail such an amazing State Park! Be prepared for cold weather: dress in layers and wear winter boots. Dogs are welcome on-leash. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center. Meet in the Great Hall. Hike begins at 1:15 p.m.

Ongoing: Indoor StoryWalk® — Under the Snow
2025-01-03 - 2025-01-26
Explore the lives of active and resting winter wildlife, in the book, Under the Snow, by Melissa Stewart. For ages 3 and up, accompanied by an adult. Meet at the welcome desk. At the end of the StoryWalk® enjoy reading more books about snow and winter from our collection. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Story Walk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. This StoryWalk® is provided by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Interpretive Services.

Nice & Easy Walks
2025-01-03 13:00 - 14:00
Easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all. Enjoy 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.

Nice & Easy Walk
2025-01-10 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-01-17 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-01-24 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-01-31 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-02-07 13:00 - 14:00

Zine on the River
2025-01-12 14:00 - 16:00
Make a small booklet, a habitat zine, from a single piece of paper, then fill it with your nature observations for this drop-in program. Cut and draw in it to recreate your favorite river habitats. If you’d like to use paper you made on January 3, for First Friday’s Make Your Own Paper program, bring it! For all ages. Meet in the Great Hall.

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Rabbits
2025-01-17 10:30 - 11:30

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Winter Insects
2025-01-24 10:30 - 11:30

Kidleidoscope Story Hour - Groundhogs
2025-01-31 10:30 - 11:30

Ongoing - Indoor StoryWalks®- Tracks in the Snow
2025-02-01 - 2025-02-12
Explore the lives of active and resting winter wildlife through stories. For ages 3 and up, accompanied by an adult. Meet at the welcome desk. At the end of the StoryWalk® enjoy reading more books about snow and winter from our collection.
2/1—2/12: Tracks in the Snow, by Wong Herbert Yee
2/13—2/28: Rabbit’s Snow Dance by Joseph Bruchac.
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Story Walk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson. This StoryWalk® is provided by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Interpretive Services.

Where Are All the Animals Hiding?
2025-02-01 10:30 - 11:30
How do animals stay snug and warm for winter? Come investigate hidden winter animal homes through stories, crafts, and activities. For ages 3–6+ with a parent or guardian. Friends and siblings welcome! Meet in the Great Hall.
