Great Falls Discovery Center, Massachusetts, United States
4.5 (37 reviews) Monday: Spent < 1 hour Ranking #1 in Turners Falls Speciality Museums • Historic Sites • Gardens
this is a New ENgland Jewel!
Housed within a complex of old paper mill buildings in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, the Great Falls Discovery Center's exhibits show the natural, cultural, and industrial history of the Connecticut River watershed. The Center's four acres of colorful gardens and open lawn nestle into a bend in the Connecticut River to provide a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere and the perfect place for fun and learning. Inside the main building, walk-through dioramas show the plants, animals, and landscapes of this 410-mile-long river from its source near the Canadian border, through forests and farms, past villages, towns, and cities, all the way down to Long Island Sound. A timeline indicates the impacts of human habitation on each environment over time and suggests safeguards to keep the watershed healthy and useful for all-people, plants, and animals-that live here together. The Center's charming Great Hall is a former machine shop, with a high ceiling, brick walls, and large windows. Free admission.
Address
2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376-1101
Mobile
Website
http://www.greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org
Working hours
Monday :
Tuesday : 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday : 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday : 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday : 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday : 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday : 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Current local date and time now
Monday, May 13, 2024, 22:01
User Ratings
4.5 based on (37 reviews)
Reviews
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5BoysMom3 5:00 PM Oct 14, 2018
Nicely done exhibits
I spent an hour here looking at the exhibits about the wildlife around the length of the CT River. The full size dioramas are well done. They often have talks and other special activities. It is right along the Canalside Bike Trail. You can see the CT River racing by.
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4Maurene_K 5:00 PM Jun 11, 2016
DIVERSE DISPLAYS ON CONSERVATION OF THE CONNECTICUT RIVER WATERSHED
The Great Falls Discovery Center was located in a restored mill building less than ½ mile off the Mohawk Trail in Turners Falls, a village in the Town of Montague. It is the main visitor center for the Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge which has parts in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Vermont. Its purpose is to conserve the Connecticut River watershed for fish and wildlife. For those with the Blue Goose Passport for the National Wildlife Refuge System, the passport cancellation stamp for the Massachusetts section is located at Great Falls Discovery Center. I was impressed with the display of the Connecticut River. I liked the dioramas showing the diversity of habitats, animals, and plants of the river. There were also some fossils. The displays also cover some industrial history. The staffer was very knowledgeable and friendly. There was a butterfly garden in the park; but, during my October visit, they had already migrated south. The visitor center also runs programs for school and other groups. I recommend this attraction for all ages. The youngsters will really love the displays. There are also activities for them. Afterward, I went across the street to a parking lot to access the 3¼ mile Canalside Trail Bike Path to walk for a bit. This runs beside the Connecticut River Canal. If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
