With baby #2 on the way, my wife Kristie and I wanted to do something special with Miles while we're still a family of three. Preschool was closed recently for a professional development day, so she and I both took the day off and got three day passes for the Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg, MA!
Like a lot of people I think, it feels like we really have not done much traveling over the past two years, aside from a day trip to Boston and a few visits to see family, so this felt extra special and indulgent. Especially the latter – visiting Great Wolf Lodge even just for the day was NOT cheap. We'd saved up a little bit, and our three tickets cost around $280 for a Friday during a week that I think was spring break for a lot of schools. (I think if we'd spent something like just $30 more, we could've booked an overnight stay in the hotel too – something we'll definitely look into next time!)
This place basically feels like a casino for kids. There's just so much to do and explore even besides the water parks (six restaurants, a Build-A-Bear, an arcade, a bowling alley), and special events happening all the time, especially for families who stay overnight. We decided to do just a day trip for now to see if we liked it, and maybe go back later in the summer for an overnight with just Miles!
We got there in the morning and spent the vast majority of our time splashing around in the two indoor water parks. They're amazing and so much fun! Miles had such a blast (and we did too, honestly).
While Miles and Kristie did the lazy river a couple of times (above!) I waited in a long line at Buckets Incredible Craveables to grab some basic lunch (pizza slices, fruit, and burgers), which we ate at our deck chairs in the water park area. Miles had a mini meltdown around then too (asking to go home, saying he was tired) and we listened and decided to leave after lunch. We let him watch an episode of something on his tablet with his headphones on while we ate, and afterwards he was feeling a lot better and ready to play some more. It was so understandable that he needed a little sensory break – it is an overwhelming place. I'm so glad we made it a couple hours longer!
We also spent a little time in the arcade, and Miles proudly created his first Build-A-Bear before leaving.
A note about Covid safety: There's no vaccine requirement for visitors at the resort, and we were literally the only people I saw choosing to wear masks when not in the water (including most of the staff). I'm not going to lie – it didn't feel great. But we did our best to maintain our distance from others, and to wear our masks most of the rest of the time.
This was a fun day trip, and I'm excited to maybe go back again in a few months for an overnight stay (while the new baby gets to have a sleepover with the grandparents!) – we just have to start saving now, ha! (I have heard that it's a good idea to look out for the Groupon, though.)
This trip was not sponsored by Great Wolf Lodge in any way.
PS – My swimsuit is from Target; I found it on the sale rack of the maternity section and can't find it online, but this one is similar – and maybe even cuter! [affiliate link]