For anyone spending time in the Boston area, one of the more relaxing places to visit is approximately ten miles southwest of downtown; the Blue Hills Reservation. This 7000 acre state park touches parts of Milton, Quincy, Braintree, Canton, Randolph, and Dedham. Early explorers sailing along the Massachusetts coastline noted the bluish hue of the hills, caused by a mineral within the granite, giving the hills its name. The highest point (at 635 feet) is the Great Blue Hill in Milton. Situated on top of Great Blue is the historic Blue Hills Meteological Observatory (built in 1885), the oldest continuous weather recording station in the United States. At the bottom of this hill is the Massachusetts Audobon Society's "Trailside Museum," dedicated to the natural history and outdoor wildlife of the surrounding reservation. In between, are numerous hiking trails. During the winter months, an eight-trail ski area (with a 309 foot vertical drop) operates on the western face of Great Blue. Over the years, our family has made numerous trips (in both summer and winter) to this reservation and have always enjoyed ourselves tremendously. This is a great side trip for families with children.
Just a short distance from the bottom of the ski area (actually sharing the same parking lot) is the Massachusetts Audobon Society's Trailside Museum...
...with many natural history exhibits...
... and a gift shop.
Whooo knew?