It’s finally summer time. Want to know how I know? While on vacation with my family last week, I had the first REALLY good sweet corn of the season. I love sweet corn, and this batch was divine. Now that summer is really here, I plan to get as much of that sweet stuff as possible, at home and at one or more of the fantastic New England restaurants that offer “dining in the rough.” Easier than a picnic – no planning, cooking, packing, or clean up required – dining in the rough is one of my favorite summer traditions, and a great escape from the kitchen. Whether it’s clams or lobster, sweet …

During a recent family trip to Lake Winnipesaukee, my boys discovered numerous attractions that they were desperate to try: go karts, bumper boats, rope courses, and zip lines, to name a few. But when my husband and I started adding up the cost of admission ($50 per person for just 2 hours on that rope course!), in an all-too-rare state of fiscal conservatism, we decided to get the heck out of Dodge and head for home a day early. That's when we remembered that we'd drive right past Canobie Lake Park on our way home - exit 2 off I-93 in NH. A quick look-up on the trusty iPhone revealed a world…

One weekend last summer, our neighbors introduced us to a new favorite family day trip: Salem Willows Park. Sure, Salem has a great history, and if you're into witches and wizardry, downtown Salem is packed with things to see and do. But Salem Willows has a completely different vibe. Salem Willows has been a public park since 1858. The beautifully wooded peninsula juts out into Salem Harbor, offering a stretch of rocky beach perfect for exploring. My boys love to collect rocks and look for snails. This year, we may even try fishing from the park's public pier. The multitude of 200-year old …

The countdown to summer vacation is already underway in my house. And my list of projects to complete before the kids are out of school is long. But I’m trying to break up that list with a few excursions just for me… trips that my kids wouldn’t necessarily appreciate, and that I will appreciate MUCH more without my two young boys in tow. One such “escape” I enjoy taking every year about this time is a day trip to Concord. It takes no time at all to get there, and I could spend hours and hours browsing the downtown shops. (I’ll admit it – I’m more interested in shopping than the rich history …

With the end of our VERY rainy month of May, the arrival of Memorial Day weekend, and the return of the warm sun to the sky, all my kids could talk about last week was going to the beach. So on a whim, last Saturday afternoon, I tossed bathing suits in their direction and some beach towels and sand pails in the car, and we set off on our first visit of the year to Revere Beach. I've lived here in Medford for nearly 13 years, and in the Boston area for nearly 17, and most of that time, my only beach excursions were on the south shore. (My in-laws are south shore people.) But in recent years, I…

While movie ticket prices have sky-rocketed, there are still deals to be had at some local theaters. In the past year, a growing number of specially equipped theaters have become the newest place to watch major entertainment events including live sporting events, musical theater, concerts, and more -- even a live broadcast of Garrison Keillor's stage and radio show, "A Prairie Home Companion." The company behind most of these theater presentations is Fathom. You've probably seen their ads if you've attended a movie at one of these area cinemas: Revere Showcase Cinemas Fenway 13 (Boston) AMC …

This spring, I’ve rediscovered my love of bike riding. It’s my new favorite thing to do with my kids. It’s replaced walking as my means of transportation to the post office. And my entire family is “gearing up” for a fundraising ride taking place next month. Despite our urban existence, I find there are plenty of places to get out on our bikes, enjoy nature, and ride safely. Learning to rideI think every kid in our neighborhood has learned to ride in beautiful (and nearby) Oak Grove Cemetery. It’s a great place to teach kids control of their bikes as well as proper riding etiquette, rules of …

After many much-too-busy weeks in the Hilliard household, my husband and I left our kids with their grandmother and escaped for a night to Providence, RI. A friend and colleague had given us two tickets to see Monty Python’s Spamalot at the Providence Performing Arts Center (thanks, Ami!), and while we could have made the trip down and back in one evening, we chose to make a full night of it. Here are some of our recommendations for fun in Providence: For theater and culture, check out the Providence Performing Arts Center. The Providence PAC features all types of performances. It boasts a …

Patriot’s Day is coming, and Paul Revere will soon ride through the streets of Medford once more, reminding me that we live in a community rich with history. Founded in 1630, Medford was established as a city in 1892 and is one of the oldest settlements in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and in the United States as a whole. Medford was once known around the world for its ship building industry, brick and tile manufacturing, “Medford Rum,” and more. Medford was also home to Revolutionary War patriot Sarah Bradlee Fulton, abolitionists Prince Hall and Lydia Maria Child, and cooking school …

My family made a great discovery this weekend… we found an activity that (1) all of us enjoyed, (2) is close to home, (3) we were able to do spur-of-the-moment, and (4) didn’t break the bank. Laser tag! If, a few months ago, you’d asked me what I thought of the game, I can tell you that it wouldn’t have been much. I assumed laser tag was the exclusive domain of teen and pre-teen boys, too scary for the younger set and not exactly family-friendly. Yes, the majority of the 35 competitors in our game this weekend were pre-teen boys. But a surprising number of them were competing alongside or – …

Before we had children (a period of time we affectionately refer to as B.C.), my husband and I really enjoyed traveling. Well, since our sons’ arrivals, most of our travel, has been put on indefinite hold. But we do try to get away now and then – sometimes with the kids, sometimes without – to relax, reconnect, and restore our sanity! And I think NOW is a great time to get away – winter sports are winding down and spring sports aren't yet in full gear. We don't have the budget or vacation time to go away for all of April vacation, so instead, we're planning a couple of weekend escapes. When …

Are your train lovers ready to graduate from Thomas the Tank Engine to something more? Check out one or more of these great family-friendly activities for train lovers of all ages. THIS WEEKEND: Greenberg's Train and Toy ShowWhere: Shriner’s Auditorium, 99 Fordham Road, Wilmington MAWhen: Saturday and Sunday, March 26-27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Admission: Adults $7 (good for both days), Kids under 12 are FREEOver 400 tables of trains for sale, 80+ exhibitors from across the country ANYTIME: Charles Ro Supply Company – America’s largest train storeWhere: 662 Cross Street, Malden MAWhen: Store …

When my husband and I first moved to Medford, it was for the urban conveniences more than anything else. It's close to work and accessible to everything, from public transportation to dining, entertainment and shopping in Boston and nearby communities. And before we had kids, if we wanted to enjoy the great outdoors, we did so on spur-of-the-moment weekend road trips to the Cape, to the north, or west to the Berkshires. There are so many beautiful outdoor spaces in New England. But today, our schedules are often packed seven days a week, our kids have turned out to be homebodies and gas …

This column is supposed to be about "escapes," but this week, I'm going to suggest that rather than escaping the cold and slowly melting snow, we embrace these last few weeks of New England winter by celebrating what is probably my kids' favorite regional product: maple syrup. When we visited my brother in Burlington, Vermont a couple of years ago, he introduced us to the maple syrup production process by taking us to a sugar-on-snow party at a Burlington-area sugarhouse. The proprietors drizzled hot maple syrup over fresh snow to create a delicious, sticky, candy-like treat that my kids now …

Welcome to the middle of February vacation. Going stir crazy yet? I know I went a little crazy yesterday… I sent my boys and our neighbors’ daughter into the basement, turned them loose with paints and brushes, and told them to find their inner artists. They seemed to have a good time, but assembling the supplies and cleaning up took me longer than they spent painting! So for our next artistic escape, I’m planning an outing to one of these fine establishments who have the prep and clean-up covered: Artbeat on Mass Ave in Arlington offers a great selection of art supplies as well as make-n-…

Right about now, we could all use a little assurance that spring is on its way, right? I’m not sure I know an easier (or cheaper) way to escape winter than to surround myself with the warm, lush color and promise of new growth found at one of our local year-round garden centers and farm stands. Grab one of your girlfriends and treat yourself to a tropical delight as you stroll among the amazing orchids at “Oh, Orchids!” – Mahoney’s First Annual Orchid and Houseplant Festival. Now thru February 27 at Mahoney’s Garden Center in Winchester. Treat the kids to a little animal adventure: check out…

Like “America,” a large number of Medford residents may “run on Dunkin’”, but Double D’s isn't my first choice for an escape. Oh, I’m a loyal customer of the drive-thru at their Commercial Street location, but I’m not sure I’ve ever gone inside. And I’m fairly certain I’ve never made Dunkin Donuts my destination when I was in search of a place to meet up with an old friend or grab a little “me time.” For that, I prefer smaller, independently owned & operated java joints such as:Magnificent Muffin & Bagel Shoppe, High Street, West MedfordThis place has LONG been a favorite of mine, in part due…

Does all this snow have you and your family suffering from cabin fever? Unfortunately, few of us can afford to pack up and head south in search of warmer weather. But head north and you just may find what you’re longing for.A growing number of my friends have become BIG fans of Coco Key Indoor Water Resort at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Danvers. Coco Key offers a tropical paradise featuring multiple indoor pools, water slides for all ages, and giant whirlpools to restore your shoveling muscles to their pre-January health & happiness.And in the month of February, Coco Key is running several …