Built in 1929 by the Cheek family, who amassed their fortune through the Maxwell House Coffee business, Cheekwood is a 55-acre park that was opened as a public institution in 1960. Located on the National Register of Historic Places, Cheekwood comprises 12 distinct gardens, a woodland sculpture trail, naturally landscaped areas, and a Georgian mansion containing an 8,000-piece permanent art collection. The mansion houses collections of 19th- and 20th-century American art, Worcester porcelains, antique silver serving pieces, Asian snuff bottles, period furniture, and a lapis lazuli fireplace mantel. The grounds are designed for strolling, and include Japanese, herb, and perennial gardens, as well as greenhouses full of orchids. Kids will enjoy romping around the grassy meadows on the grounds, and the TRAINS! exhibit, which has an enchanted woodland theme, complete with fairies and waterfalls. Cheekwood offers fabulous education opportunities including workshops and lectures for kids and adults nearly every day. You’ll also find a gift shop and good restaurant that has a lovely ladies-who-lunch vibe (The Pineapple Room). Allow a couple of hours to tour the museum, or up to a full day if you plan to explore the grounds and garden. Note: Adult admission will run you $20 for garden access and $26 for the mansion , so plan to spend several hours there to get your money’s worth.