OLD SAYBROOK, Conn. -  An hour from Worcester and Chicopee and two hours from Pittsfield is the Nature's Art Village in Oakdale, Connecticut.

The village hosts many family activities from playgrounds to splash pads as well as a very popular prehistoric exhibit.

"We're here today at the Dinosaur Place and we have 50 plus life size dinosaurs here and that's the main attraction," said marketing and graphic designer Dan Kornegay. "What kid doesn't like dinosaurs?"

The Dinosaur Place is a mile and a half of nature trails including a dinosaur maze and a volcano that erupts every hour.

On the other side of the village is the Discovery Depot exhibit where families can explore caves and find treasure.

"Thunder Creek and Jackpot Mine," said Kornegay. "One is gold panning for gold, the other is digging for gems at a cave and you go identify them afterwards."

The Genius Museum is another exhibit at Nature's Art Village where locals can see dozens of antiques from the nineteenth century. Village co-owner and founder Roger Phillips said he built the museum to highlight the work people did with gears, camshafts and fly wheels during that time period.

"Now we come over here," said Phillips. "1875 we have this incredible modern piece of equipment and what makes this so rad. This a printing press powered by a steam engine!"

Families looking for a bite to eat after a day at the village can stop by Pizza Works restaurant in Old Saybrook. It is a 25 minute drive from the village and right next to a train line.

"Our food is very classic, I'll say its a New Haven style pizza," said co-owner David Caslin. "We use very expensive ingredients so our customers aren't necessarily the ones who are going to dominoes or anything like that. Our pies are thin crust they're 12 inches round."

Pizza Works is in a building that was once a part of the nearby train station and has kept much of its history inside the restaurant. It is known for its elaborate train displays which are a hit with diners of all ages.

"Upstairs there are two large model train displays with running trains that go side to across the building," said Caslin. "There is also one downstairs as well."