Things to Do in Leicester

At The Pottery Paintin' Place, ceramic renderings of Darth Vader and Princess Leia join mugs, plates, and piggy banks atop a series of shelves. Visiting artists pluck one of these achromatic items from its waiting place before coating it in a colorful design and handing it off to a staff member, who fires it in the on-site kiln. Each piece of art emerges from the kiln able to withstand ovens, dishwashers, microwaves, and most apocalypses.

The shop's master potter, Brian Murphy, further encourages artistic expression with pottery-throwing courses, during which participants design their own ceramic creations. The newly expanded party area holds up to 24 painters, who can partake in refreshments brought from home during one- to two-hour celebrations. On-site summer camps and after-school programs cater to the younger crowd with tie-dyeing, glass-fusing, beading, and homework-torching.

Making that first mark on a blank canvas can be intimidating, but the only way to create a masterpiece is to put paint on the canvas. To help the process, the professional artists behind Just Paint bolster creative intuitions with step-by-step instructions during each of their sessions. While teachers offer assistance, students of all skill levels sip on their favorite BYOBs as they slather canvases with vibrant hues and bold brush strokes. In addition to their usual sessions, Just Paint also hosts private parties for birthdays, weddings, and baby showers. They offer classes for kids, as well as three-day summer art camps featuring fun themes and projects, such as sports, fashion, and famous neck beards.

A relaxing day on the water shouldn’t be marred by the inconvenience of transporting bulky watercraft. Worcester Kayak Rentals maximizes customers’ leisure time by delivering its kayaks, standup paddleboards, and pedal boats to launch sites such as Webster Lake, Rutland State Park, and Douglas State Forest. Customers with a roof rack and proper tie downs can also pick up their rentals at the shop. The staffers pay close attention to customer safety, providing US Coast Guard–approved life vests with each rental and carefully inspecting each vessel for damage and stowaway mallards.

In Boylston, 132 acres rest untouched by modern society, where warm breezes send flower petals dancing and sidewalks give way to winding trails. Tower Hill Botanic Garden envelops visitors in fields of green grass, tall trees, and colorful flowers across both outdoor areas and indoor garden spaces. Staff members educate guests on the gardens’ various flora and fauna in classes and programs calibrated for students of every age. Special events, such as the African Violet Show, shine the spotlight on even more species of flowers, much like the wildflower-identification portion of standard driving tests.

A haven for exotic animals rescued from neglect or abandonment, Animal Adventures lets visitors interact with its furry and scaly refugees, teaching them firsthand to appreciate and respect the earth's diverse wildlife. Working with a rotating cast of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and marsupials, animal experts regale audiences with facts and the backstories of each animal, such as how they were rescued and which cartoon representative of their species best captures their regional accent. Though its denizens regularly find new homes, Animal Adventures's altruistic menagerie has included a massive alligator snapping turtle, a canadian lynx, and an asian water monitor. The sanctuary also offers day camps for youngsters looking to get closer with the animals, and an animal-adoption program for adults looking to support the cause by taking a critter home and putting it through college.

Still River Outfitters, Inc’s expert guides lead scenic tours through the Bay State's assortment of rivers and national parks. During kayak adventures, the guides shepherd crews along the Concord, Sudbury, Charles, and Assabet Rivers, pointing out blue-winged teal ducks in Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and feral battle reenactors grazing in Minute Man National Historic Park. On dry land, guides summon outdoor enthusiasts for hiking and snowshoeing adventures, teaching tour-goers how to navigate the land and properly use hiking equipment. Their trips usually include a snack to keep passengers fueled throughout the excursion or provide a handy toll for bridge trolls.