The Hall at Patriot Place in Foxboro: 25 Fun Things to Do with Kids
I’m going to be completely honest with you: I'm not a football fan. In fact, I’ve never really been into any sport, unless you count gymnastics (and I know many people don’t). That said, I truly enjoyed my family's visit to The Hall at Patriot Place. Maybe it’s because I like museums, especially ones that are highly interactive. Or maybe it’s that the whole place is so visually stunning, the way they've struck just the right balance between being educational and entertaining, or because they found ways to celebrate women in some of their exhibits.
I’m guessing the biggest reason is this: It was really fun to watch my kids having a great time – blocking players, trying on helmets, and kicking field goals – and getting in on the action myself. Read on for 25 fun things to do with your kids in The Hall at Patriot Place. Then, after a couple of hours of celebrating all things New England football at The Hall, you could round out your day with a 5 Wits adventure.
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1. Get into a New England state of mind during the film Patriots Way, a 17-minute panoramic feature projected on to a 45-foot-wide screen. It’s a tearjerker. No kidding.
2. Test your math and science skills (3 levels available) in an interactive game show, In the Numbers. Correct answers will move your player 5 yards, 10 yards, or 15 yards depending on the difficulty of the question. The first contestant whose player reaches the end zone for a touchdown is declared the winner.
3. Walk in the shoe prints of football greats.
4. Sit in cushy leather clubhouse chairs and listen to never before told stories from past Patriots.
5. Look for the football shapes and Patriots logos on a souped-up, custom-made Super Bowl chopper that belonged to former Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri.
6. Pick up the phone and hear a coach communicate from the booth to the sideline.
7. Walk through football’s regional history and scan The Wall of Champions exhibit for your favorite winning local high school and Pop Warner football teams.
8. Relax in the Super Fan room with two Patriots recliners, Patriots decorations and a plasma television on the wall.
9. Try on pads, jerseys, and helmets in the replica locker room.
10. Select an actual play from the Patriots playbook and watch Coach Belichick break it down on the "Belistrator."
11. Compare your weight to Vince Wilfork’s.
12. Go under the hood and review plays like an actual NFL official
13. Chill in the geodesic dome that houses a Snow Bowl exhibit. Look up at the actual snowplow from the famous 1982 "Snow Plow Game" against Miami.
14. Go inside a huddle and listen to quarterback Tom Brady call plays.
15. See how high can you jump and compare yourself to Devin McCourty and everyone in your family, if you’re competitive that way (I was the highest jumper in my family – just sayin’).
16. Block Tedy Bruschi, and try not to get tripped up by the calls.
17. Climb the stairs of the duck boat used in the Super Bowl XXXVI parade.
18. Try your skill at kicking or converting a 23- or 45-yard field goal.
19. See the greatest Patriots of all time honored in The Hall of Fame.
20. Ham it up for the camera next to your good pal Richard Seymour (a cutout, of course), with your finger in a Super Bowl XXXIX championship ring.
21. Gaze out the windows for an incredible view of the impressive Gillette Stadium.
22. Explore touch screens that take you into the most memorable moments in Pats team history.
23. See the new exhibit, The Cover Boys – the Patriots on the cover of Sports Illustrated (opening July 19, 2013). Discover which Boston athletes have graced SI’s cover the most, and get a peek behind the scenes of a photo shoot.
24. Bring a birthday child, along with a few friends, as part of her birthday celebration. The kid being celebrated will get a goodie bag and a birthday certificate (call at least 5 days ahead).
25. Watch highlights of the team's three Super Bowl titles and get up close with the Patriots’ Vince Lombardi Super Bowl Trophies while confetti rains down.
Location: The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon, One Patriot Place, Foxborough, MA 02035. Click here for directions and parking info. Admission: Adults $10, Seniors/Active military $7, Children (5-12) $5, Children younger than 5 Free, AAA members receive 10 percent off adult admission for up to six in the party, discounted rates for groups of 15 or more. Summer hours: Monday - Friday 10am –7 pm, Saturday 10am – 9pm, Sunday 10am – 7pm. They sometimes close early for special events, call ahead to confirm hours. Contact: 508-698-4800.
Looking for more fun in Foxboro? Check out this list of 15 Things to Do With Kids in Foxboro This Summer.