An amazing day trip with nature, art, outdoors, crafts, and more for all ages

Don't miss BIG BUGS at New England Wild Flower Society's Garden in the Woods on exhibit through October 31, 2008.  

It's open daily for bug-ventures and the BIG BUGS trail-13 giant bug sculptures by artist David Rogers set on 45 acres with thousands of native plants.Some are more than half a ton and up to 25 feet long. "See them the way they see us."  On weekends visit the "bugmobile" with crafts and live bug displays.  The trail takes about an hour and mid-way there is an interactive build-a-bug-park for kids where they can create their own sculpture displays.  After your visit submit family photos with insects and plants to bigbugsart@newenglandwild.org to put up at the community online gallery-Be an artist.  Each weekend is a different theme. 7/19 ladybug; 7/26 Dragonfly; Aug 2-3 Bee;Aug 9-10 ant weekend; Aug 16-17 Damselfly; Aug 23-24 Butterrfly fest; Sept 6-7 Praying mantis; Sept 13-14 daddy longlegs; Sept 20-21 monarch migration; Sept 27-28 grasshopper; Oct 4-5 Assassin bug; Oct 5 is the student art show (all kids can submit) and Oct 18-19 is a lo-key Halloween with Spider Weekend.  Oct 25-26 is the last weekend and you can vote for your favorite bug.

Bring bug spray if live bugs make your nervous and be sure to wear flat comfortable shoes.  Visit the website before your visit to get tips and lists of great places to eat and stay.  There are even special hotel room rates offered.  If you are a plant person a bug person or the parent of one, this exhibit rocks!

Aug 8 is live music with storyteller and folksinger Bill Staines at the woodland stage at the Garden-a perfect venue for family music.  There are changing areas in the bathrooms, a gift shop with snacks, books, toys, drinks, and gift item, and the largest native nursery in the east-perfect for picking out plants for the family wildlilfe garden.  Don't miss the live animal ambassadors shows on Juluy 21 and Aug 11 and afterwards tour the giant bugs-13 of them.  Kids can earn a "BUGOLOGIST" pin if the visit twice. All proceeds support plant conservation. New England Wild Flower Society, Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham, MA 508-8-77-7630.