Mass Audubon's Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary

Mass Audubon's Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center sits on 424 acres in the heart of Worcester, making it the largest urban wildlife sanctuary in New England. For families who want a genuine nature experience without a long drive, this is one of the best options within an hour of Boston.

The sanctuary encompasses meadow, wetland, forest, and the namesake brook — each habitat offering different wildlife encounters. Turtles are a perennial favorite with kids; on warm days you can spot painted turtles basking along the brook's edges in significant numbers. The wetland areas support frogs, herons, and dragonflies that captivate young naturalists.

The meadow fields are full of butterflies and insects in summer, and host raptors hunting in late fall.

The Conservation Center building is a useful anchor for families. It has live animal exhibits (snakes, turtles), educational displays, and restrooms — helpful when you have young children who need a break or a diaper change. The staff are knowledgeable and welcoming, and Mass Audubon regularly runs family programs here that range from guided bird walks to hands-on nature crafts.

For hiking, the accessible trail near the Conservation Center is flat and stroller-tolerant, though not ideal for standard strollers. The broader trail network requires walking shoes. The full sanctuary loop is around 3 miles — doable for school-age kids but too long for most toddlers.

Mass Audubon members get free access; non-member fees are modest. This sanctuary is closed on Mondays, so plan your visit accordingly.