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Today's guest blogger is AJ Wolfe from the unofficial Disney food review site The Disney Food Blog. Today she shares her favorite Disney World experiences that are possible without purchasing theme park tickets.
Enjoy a Campfire with Chip 'n' Dale: This rollicking outdoor event is the perfect place to unwind. Located at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, the evening includes a sing-a-long around the campfire (marshmallow roasting kits are available for a fee), followed by an under-the-stars screening of a kid-friendly Disney film. The campfire usually begins around 7:30pm, when Chip 'n' Dale stop by. This is one of the only places in Disney World to hang out with characters for free.
Catch a Fireworks Show: Seeing the Magic Kingdom's fireworks display is a rite of passage for Disney World guests, but you don't need to fight the crowds to catch a great view. Bring a picnic to the beach at Disney's Polynesian Resort, relax in a hammock, and catch the brilliant fireworks show from across the lake. You'll have a full, clear view of the entire show unfolding over Cinderella Castle. Parking at Disney's Polynesian Resort is free if you let the attendant know you'd like to explore the hotel.
Hunt for Hidden Mickeys: Disney's Imagineers have a fun tradition of incorporating "hidden" Mickey Mouse head silhouettes into their designs and construction, and it's a great game to hunt for them. Disney's Wilderness Lodge has a special self-guided Hidden Mickey hunt available to everyone. Just stop at the front desk and ask for the paper describing the clues for the hunt, then spend an afternoon exploring the hotel and searching for the famous mouse. While you're there, be sure to stop by Fire Rock Geyser down by Bay Lake to see it erupt on the hour. Again, parking is free at the resort.
Go on Safari: Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is not only a beautiful hotel, it's also a haven for African savanna animals. Head straight through the hotel lobby outside to the Arusha savanna, where cultural guides will answer all of your questions about the giraffe, zebra, ankole cattle, kudu, and other incredible animals you'll see. Animal Kingdom Lodge also has seated and covered viewing areas throughout the hotel. Bring binoculars if you have them. Tip: Visit early morning or at dusk, when the animals are most active.
Sample Some New Tastes: Also at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, the three restaurants—Jiko, Boma, and Sanaa—offer an array of fascinating African and Indian dishes. To help folks feel comfortable with trying new tastes and flavors, the restaurants offer pre-dinner tasting tours featuring samples of their dishes. To tour Boma and Jiko, meet at the Jiko podium at 4pm; to tour Sanaa, meet at the Sanaa podium at 4pm. This might be a great way to help your picky eater open up to new possibilities.
Note: If you're entering through the Magic Kingdom Entry Booth in order to get to Magic Kingdom resorts, join the line on the right and let the attendants know that you're visiting the resorts, not the theme parks. You will not have to pay a parking fee.
More Disney World with Kids:
Land of the Free: 5 fab freebies at Disney World
Disney World on the Cheap
Disney Day Planner
Jessica Shyba is a wife and mom of two young children who recently moved to Manhattan from the Bay Area of California. She writes about her family's acclimation to life in the Big Apple in her blog, Momma's Gone City. In today's guest post, she shares five free things to do with kids in New York City.
Enid A. Haupt Glass Garden: Originally created as a soothing retreat for patients at NYU's Rusk Institute, the
Enid A. Haupt Glass Garden is also open to the public 365 days a year and is a fantastic place for visitors to enjoy as well. For us, the garden offers a reprieve from the streets and business of the
city. My kids love the calm, quiet
environment and looking at the beautiful plants, most of all in the winter when it is too
cold to enjoy the outdoors. When the weather is warmer, we often prefer to spend time in the 5,500-square-foot children’s PlayGarden, which is full of
trees and shrubs and offers kids many ways to learn about horticulture.
Scholastic Store: We especially like to visit this amazing SoHo bookstore on rainy days because it's a big, bright
and colorful place to be, and the books are always wonderful. Many areas of the store are geared for
toddlers and preschoolers, including Clifford’s Dog House and the Creative
Corner and Klutz Activity Center. Every Saturday afternoon, the store hosts a completely free and fabulous event that is different every week, from book readings to character visits to pirate ship adventures. There’s always something happening to
pique a child's interest.
Children's Museum of Manhattan: On the first Friday of every month, admission is free from
5pm to 8pm. Still, with four stories, each geared to a
different age level, this museum offers an
adventure that could last all day long if you want it. We will typically spend an
hour on the fourth floor, which is for babies and toddlers, and another hour on
the Dora the Explorer floor that is targeted to 2 to 4 year olds. There are arts and
crafts, puzzles, games and all sorts of activities that keep the kids happy and
interested for long periods of time. For my kids, the highlight is "driving"
the bus and fire truck. We see a lot of those since moving to NYC, so it is a
big treat for them.
Chelsea Market: Everyone in my family loves to explore this market (75 9th Avenue, between 15th and 16th Sts). Posman Books is a fabulous book store with an
adorable kid's section. There is a little
table where children can read and color, and all of the shelves are low enough for
the little ones to find their favorite books. We just love visiting all of the different bakeries (Eleni’s and Fat
Witch Bakery) and food markets. There’s
a beautiful little water fountain in the middle of the market that my kids find
fascinating, and I love the cobblestone walkway and old feel of the building. Oh, and Fat Witch Bakery will even give out free
brownie samples!
Union Square Greenmarket and Playground:
One of my all-time favorite things to do is go to farmer’s
markets. The Union Square Greenmarket is
the best I have ever seen, with so many local farmers offering up a
variety of wonderful foods. The
Greenmarket is open year-round, every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The kids love the apple samples and picking
out flowers for the dinner table. After
we explore the food stalls, we like to visit the brand new playground. It is beautiful and modern
looking, and has separate sections for different ages of kids. We stick to the toddler area, which has nice
mats and a water-and-sand area (better in the summer), and a nice-sized
climbing area for little ones. Even in
the winter, it’s nice to get outside and play a little!
More New York City with Kids:
Land of the Free: 5 fab freebies in New York City
Land of the Free: 5 more fab freebies in New York City
Insider Guide to New York City
Today's guest is Dana Freeman, editorial director of Find & Go Seek, an insider's guide to kid-friendly fun in the Champlain Valley of Vermont. Here she shares five fabulous free things to do with kids in and around Burlington, Vermont.
Maple Open House at Shelburne Farms: Shelburne Farms
is a dairy farm and nonprofit education center
on the shores of Lake Champlain in nearby Shelburne, Vermont. Throughout the year, the farm hosts many free and nearly-free family activities and events. One of the best takes place at the end of every March, when Shelburne Farms hosts a
Sugar-on-Snow event that is free and open to the public. Park your car at
the barn and hike up the hill behind it. There, set back in
the woods, you'll find a steaming sugar house. Inside you'll learn how the sap turns into syrup.
Outside you can sample sugar-on-snow
—hot maple syrup drizzled on snow and served with the traditional side of pickles! Then
continue on a scavenger hunt along the wooded trails to find "tree
cookies" which kids can collect and trade in at the barn for maple candies.
Should you get cold while you are hunting, there is an outdoor campfire to warm up your hands. This is a great way to spend the morning sampling
Vermont's tasty treats and getting a little exercise too. (Maple Open House dates: 9:30am-2pm, March 27-28, 2010)
Island Line Trail: This spectacular 12-mile walking-and-biking path is absolutely the best in all of Northern Vermont. It is so unique, beginning with a paved section that skirts Burlington's waterfront and ending with a packed gravel stretch that juts out on the Colchester Causeway three miles into the middle of the lake. You actually get the feeling that you are walking on water. Along the way there are public beaches and scenic views that take in all of the natural beauty of Vermont, with the lake and mountains surrounding you. Because the trail is so flat, kids of all ages can bike or walk
it with ease and small ones can be pushed in a jogging stroller. There is not much shade, if any at all, so remember
your sunscreen, as well as snacks and water. (In downtown Burlington, take Main Street west toward the waterfront. Follow the road past
Battery Street as it curves to the right, then
turn left on College Street. To go straight to the Colchester Causeway, take Route 127 north and turn left onto Porter's Point Road. Turn left
onto Colchester Point Road. Airport Park will be on the right, with
parking and trail access.)
Bristol Falls Swimming Hole: In the summer, there is nothing better than a Vermont swimming hole. Located
alongside Lincoln Road with convenient parking, Bristol Falls is one of the prettiest. It starts with a waterfall that leads into a small canyon of slow moving water. Though the
rocks can be slippery (water shoes are a great idea), you can swim to the far
side and walk along the rock edge and actually stand right underneath the waterfall. A couple of hundred feet out, the water level is really shallow and is ideal for younger kids. There are places along the shore for picnicking and relaxing.
Stoweflake Hot Air Balloon Festival: It's no wonder the Vermont Chamber of Commerce picks this
as a top 10 summer event. Although the festival charges admission for the evening
launches, the morning launches are all free. To see the balloons being
blown up on the fields is truly a colorful feast for the eyes. Some of the
balloonists will even let the kids go inside the balloons for a close-up
look. When all the balloons finally launch, it is a magical moment for young
and old alike. (Stoweflake Hot Air Balloon Festival dates: July 9-11, 2010)
Thursdays at the Intervale: While there are many great
places to hike in Vermont, the Intervale is just superb. This
family-friendly trail can be enjoyed all year round for hiking, biking and
cross-country skiing, and it is very close to downtown Burlington. In the summertime, there is a
great free program called Thursdays at the Intervale. Families gather at the
Community Barn for food, live music, kids' activities, and educational programs. You can bring your own picnic dinner or buy slices of pizza from one of Vermont's favorites, American Flatbread.
Today's guest is Jennifer Close, a dual blogger who writes about her family's travels in Two Kids and a Map and the fun they have right in their own backyard in Pensacola with Kids. Here, she shares five of her favorite free things to do with kids in her hometown.
Blue Angels Practice Sessions: Pensacola is home to the famous Blue Angels. During show season, which runs from March through early November, the flying squadron practices over the Naval Aviation Museum every Tuesday and Wednesday at 8:30am. You can watch these practice
sessions from the viewing area behind the museum. After the Wednesday sessions, you can meet the pilots and get an autograph. Admission to the museum and many of its exhibits is free. Your little ones can play on
the kiddie flight deck, an indoor play area, and everyone in the family can sit
in the cockpits of the airplanes and helicopters. There is, however, a fee to watch an IMAX movie or ride the flight
simulator.
Plaza de Luna at Palafox Pier: This lovely, two-acre park is right on the waterfront. It features a splash pad where kids can cool off on a hot day and a large, grassy area for playing. Plaza de Luna affords a beautiful view of the water, and there are always lots of birds and fishermen to watch. During the summertime, you can catch live music at the Sunsets at
the Plaza series or catch an outdoor movie at Friday
Family Flicks.
Edward Ball Nature Trail: While there are nature trails all over Pensacola, this trail on the gorgeous campus of the University of West Florida is a stand-out for kids. For convenient access to the trail, park in Lot G. As you stroll along the boardwalk,
your children will love keeping an eye out for turtles, birds, butterflies, rabbits, snakes, and
even alligators—but don’t worry, we haven’t seen one yet!
Bands on the Beach: You can't say you've visited Pensacola if you don't spend some quality time on the
sandy, white beaches of the Gulf Coast. From early May through late September, this free outdoor concert series offers a different musical guest every Tuesday evening from 7pm-9pm. Head to the Gulfside Pavilion with a blanket or beach chairs and enjoy the atmosphere and the sunset.
T.T. Wentworth Museum: This excellent free museum is dedicated to West
Florida’s heritage, but young children will likely find the main exhibits a bit dry. No worries. Take them straight to the
third-floor Discovery Gallery, an interactive exhibit that teaches kids ages 4 to 8 about
Pensacola’s history through hands-on, imaginary play. Kids can explore and pretend in a ship, grocery store, Indian village, trading post, and fort. The Discovery Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 3:30pm.
Our guest blogger today is Jody Halsted, a mom who shares family travel tips and destinations in her blog, Family
Rambling. Her home base in Iowa makes it easy to explore many destinations in the Midwest. Here are five fabulous and free things to do in Kansas
City, a city she visits with her family at least
six times a year.
Union Station: This
early 20th-century train
station is incredible. Kids love checking out the model trains in the
large display outside the post office in the west wing. Next, wander
into the cavernous North Waiting
Room, where the Kansas City Lionel Club’s model train
display is tucked off to the side. If minature trains aren’t enough
fun, follow the signs to the Freight
House Bridge
to view real trains outside. At the bottom of the escalator is the
Irish Heritage
Museum. Stop in; sometimes you'll find storytellers or live music.
Fountains at Crown Center: Located in downtown Kansas City, Crown Center
is much more than your average mall; it's a great family destination year round. Along with kid-centric stops such as Kaleidoscope and the Hallmark Visitors Center, this giant mall is home to the city's largest
fountain, whose 97 water jets and shooters make for splashy fun all summer long. Try to catch one of the free dancing water shows, in which the fountain is synchronized to music played by members of the Kansas City Symphony. Also in summer, “Free
Friday Night Flicks” is a series of family-friendly movies shown on an immense screen
outdoors throughout July and August. Bring your own chairs.
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: This museum's 22-acre outdoor sculpture park is an easy, fun
way to expose young children to art. Huge shuttlecocks—better known as “birdies” in badminton—are scattered around the
grounds as if playful giants couldn’t be bothered to pick them
up. You can go inside the museum for free, too. Exhibits include Egyptian, Roman, and American Indian art, and even a Chinese Temple.
Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead: Over the river and just across the state line in Overland, Kansas, this living history museum and 12-acre working farm is all about hands-on fun for kids. Kids can bottle-feed goats, milk a cow, go on a horse-drawn wagon ride, visit
an Indian house, and see what learning was like in a one-room schoolhouse a century ago. For little ones, there are three play areas and pedal
tractors to ride. (Open April-October. Admission is free Monday-Thursday and $2/person on weekends.)
Fountains at Country Club Plaza: Kansas City is has
more fountains than any city in the United States, and the most incredible is the JC Nichols Memorial Fountain, which adorns a park that's just perfect for a picnic or game of Frisbee. Wandering through Country Club Plaza, your kids can spy many magical beings in
the fountains, including mermaids, Neptune, and cherubs. Our family favorite is the Boy and Frog fountain.
As part of our continuing "Land of the Free" series of guest posts, we're happy to welcome Sarah V., a mom and military wife who blogs about her family's adventures in Wandering Off. Here she shares five free things to do with kids in her hometown of San Antonio, adding, "We love this city, and these spots are both free and fun!"
Japanese Tea Garden at Brackenridge Park: This a pleasant surprise for those who expect this part of
Texas to look dry and desert-like. Instead, what you find is lush and peaceful. The lily pond,
which is filled with colorful fish, is entertaining for kids of all ages. Little ones will also enjoy walking over the
stone bridges and climbing the stairs to the pavilion area, which overlooks the
garden. After exploring the garden,
check out the rest of Brackenridge Park.
You’ll find tall shade trees, old stone bridges, and lots of friendly
ducks and geese hanging out in the San Antonio River.
San Antonio River Walk: Located below street level, the winding walkways
hug the river, making it a peaceful place even when crowded. This is a great place for
peoplewatching, plus there are lots of kid-friendly restaurants with outdoor
seating. One piece of advice for those
travelling with small children: consider using a stroller. Many areas of the river walk don’t have a
guardrail, and it would be very easy for a distracted little one to fall into
the river.
The Alamo: No visit to San Antonio is complete without a
visit to the Alamo, the old Spanish mission where the Battle of the Alamo was fought. Although lines can
be long during the summer, the pedestrianized road in front of the building offers plenty of open space for children to play while you wait. Also, there’s an ice cream shop right across
the street. Enjoy a nice evening out
with the kids: eat your ice cream in front of the Alamo and see what the
building looks like when it’s all lit up. (The
Alamo is closed at night, so this is a great option if you’ve already spent time inside or want to skip the long lines and simply
enjoy the building’s exterior.)
Orsinger County Park: This park has it all: swings, climbing
structures with bridges and slides, a large sandbox—and one other important
factor, especially if you’re visiting San Antonio in
summer—lots of shade! You’ll also find picnic
tables, restroom facilities, and a walking trail.
Cibolo Nature Center: Plan a daytrip to nearby Boerne, located in the scenic Texas Hill Country, 30 miles
northwest of San Antonio. After the big city
excitement of San Antonio, this is a great place to explore the Texas
wilderness. The nature center includes a
variety of landscapes from forested land to prairies to marshes. This is a great learning experience for older
children, and younger kids will love all of the open space in which to roam.
Our guest today is Amy Q, a working mom of two active kids who
love to travel. She shares her family's wanderings on The Q Family
Adventures Travel Blog and her hometown discoveries on Atlanta With Kid. Here are five of her favorite free things to do with kids in the Big Peach.
Centennial Olympic Park: This
is one of our favorite spots in downtown Atlanta. It’s has a great playground for kids big and small, and several pavilions for family picnics or parties. The
main feature is the Fountain of Rings. Bring your kids' swimsuits and let them run wild. Also don’t forget
to check out the
calendar for fun events through out the year.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site: A
visit here is a great way to learn about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. You can take a tour of
the birth home of Dr. King with a park ranger guide, tour the Freedom Hall
complex, and check out the visitor center to learn more about his story and
accomplishments. The Peace Plaza is a beautiful place to take a break. Kids 9 to 12 who complete a set of activities and agree to
live by Dr. King's Six Principles of
Nonviolence can earn a Junior Ranger patch.
Children's Soft Play Area, North Point Mall: When the weather is bad, bring little kids (under 42 inches tall) for a break in an indoor soft play area at one of the shopping malls around town. One of my favorites is the soft play area in
North Point Mall, which is also home to an American Girl Store. Park near Dillard's; the play area is nearby in the West Court.
Greenway Trails: Atlanta has an extensive greenway trail system that offers plenty of choices for a family outing. A
greenway trail is for non-motorized walkers, joggers, and
bicyclists. A few notable options include the Silver
Comet Trail in Cobb county, Alpharetta Big Creek
Greenway in North Fulton county, and the new Forsyth
County Big Creek Greenway. Bring your stroller, wear your walking shoes, and enjoy a
beautiful day at these nature trails.
Piedmont Park: This
family favorite in-town park offers activities for the whole family, from bike trails to playgrounds to a dog park for four-legged family members. There are also events
scheduled throughout the year, including a fun farmer's market, seasonal events like pumpkin decorating, and a free historic park
tour. On a hot summer day, bring your swimsuits and for a small fee you can cool off in the public swimming pool (open 11am-7pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day).
More Atlanta with Kids
Land of the Free: 5 fab freebies in Atlanta
Suzannah DiMarzio is a Disney-obsessed mom of three who writes frequently about pixie dust in her blog, ZannaLand. Here are five of her favorite free things to do with kids in her hometown of Tampa:
Manatee Viewing Center: I was so excited to discover this gem, located at Tampa Electric's Big Bend Power Station. It's no longer necessary to trek to Sea World or Epcot to view Florida's majestic mascots-of-the-sea. Manatees only appear when water temperatures drop below 68º, so the viewing center is open from November 1 to April 15, 10am to 5pm (closed some holidays). The site also features a tidal walkway where you can view native Floridan birds and plants, butterfly gardens, and more.
The Art Spot: This free drop-in art program for children takes place at the Tampa Museum of Art every Saturday from 10am until 2pm. No registration is required. Children tour the galleries before taking part in a different self-guided activity each week in the museum's classroom.
Sunbird Seabird Sanctuary: At any
given time, guests can see more than 600 wild birds in the sanctuary,
which operates as the largest non-profit wild bird hospital center in
the state. Located directly on Gulf Beach in nearby Indian Shores, it is open 365 days a year
from 9am until sunset and is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. Free guided tours are offered
Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2pm.
Creative Arts Theatre: The city's resident professional children's theater company performs at local libraries and recreational sites throughout Tampa, giving engaging puppet shows that are usually based on classic children's literature. The performers range from hand-puppets to 9-foot body puppets and live actors, with original music and dance and a repertoire of over 125 different stories. More than one million children and their families have enjoyed seeing the ensemble bring stories to life.
Sunsets at Pier 60: Florida is known for its beautiful beaches, and Tampa Bay has more than its fair share. For my family, Clearwater Beach is a standout for its kid-friendly atmosphere. Along its three miles
of white sand, families will find plentiful amenities, such as
beach showers, restrooms, concessions, cabanas, umbrella rentals, metered parking, and a low-cost trolley that shuttles visitors to the
Clearwater Marine Aquarium and other stops. Come in the evening for Sunsets at Pier 60, a free nightly family event which features free live
entertainment, street performers, and artisans.
Our guest blogger is Amy Mascott, a mom of three with a passion for literacy and education. Her blog, Teach Mama, explains how Amy weaves learning into each day with her kids. Here are five of her favorite free things to do with kids in Washington DC:
National Zoo: This zoo seriously
rocks. From the barnyard friends in
the Kids’ Farm to the exotic snakes and birds of the Amazon in the Bird
House, the National Zoo is tops for us. We
usually pack a lunch and make a day of it. Even if it’s warm, there
are more than enough spots to cool off and recharge. The silly prairie dogs, Giant
Pandas, and Great Apes and Cats are on our must-see list.
National Museum of Natural History: We love this museum
because it not only holds a gazillion awesome exhibits (think huge whale,
dinosaur bones, Dorothy’s ruby red slippers, and the Hope Diamond), but the
Discovery Room for children is incredible. There, children of all ages can
examine objects under microscopes and open dozens of drawers at their own eye-level that hold tons of cool artifacts. Kids can also pick up different shells and compare textures, and
they can try on costumes from around the world.
Politics & Prose
Bookstore and Coffeehouse:
One of the District’s most beloved and popular
bookstores, Politics & Prose hosts tons of free events each month. We’ve met some of our favorite authors
here, and we often check the site’s calendar to see who will be stopping
by next. P & P also hosts one
of our favorite story times; every Monday at 10:30am, a group of
locals gather to listen to an enthusiastic reading of a favorite children’s book. We
learn songs and meet new friends, and I get to enjoy a good cup of java while
someone else reads to my kids.
The Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage:
Every day at 6pm, the Kennedy Center
hosts a free performance on one of the Millennium Stages. No tickets are required, but spots are
available on a first-come, first-served basis. From the Kennedy Center
Orchestra or the wonderful Imagination Stage performing
a play or musical to funky bands or a solo artist, you name it, it’s a possibility
on the Millennium Stage. For us,
it’s a treat to catch a show here, and who can beat the price?
United States Botanic Garden:
We'ved loved each and every trip we’ve taken to the
Botanic Gardens, and especially look forward to the holiday train exhibit. This awesome
conservatory is entirely free and has rotating shows, festivals, and lectures. Every time we go, we leave
feeling totally refreshed. There is
plenty of room for little feet (and strollers) to move, and we always learn
something new. There are even free programs for
preschoolers each season; little ones can learn about a specific plant and
listen to a story, do an activity, or take a walk through the
gardens.
More Washington DC with kids:
Insider Guide: Washington DC with Kids
Due to popular demand, we're relaunching our "Land of the Free" series of fun, fantastic, and free activities to do with kids around the US and Canada. Today our guest blogger is Candice Broom, a mom of two young boys who writes about her peripatetic globe-trotting in the Mom Most Traveled
blog. Here are five of Candice's favorite things to do with her kids in
her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. None of them come with a pricetag:
Birmingham Botanical Gardens:
Birmingham’s largest living museum contains over 10,000 living plants
and some fun outdoor sculptures to explore. Of the more than two dozen
unique gardens, my personal favorite is the
Japanese Gardens, which bring an authentic taste of the Far East with a
traditionally crafted tea house.
Public Libraries: Many of the Birmingham area's libraries have fantastic children's areas. Our favorites are in the Vestavia Hills Public Library and the Homewood Public Library. Both
have lots of children’s events throughout the week. Vestavia
has a great collection of puppets and wooden toys for children to enjoy
in the library. Homewood has kid-friendly computers and a small menagerie of animals to watch.
Ruffner Mountain Nature Center: Located just minutes from downtown Birmingham, this unique 1,000-acre park is designated to give city kids the opportunity to get hands-on experience tending to native plants and wildlife. There are
plentiful hiking trails for kids to work up a sweat while developing an
appreciation for the natural world. Children can view animals in their native wetlands and woodlands habitats, while a bird-viewing
nook provides a living classroom for visitors. I
went on a school field trip to Ruffner Mountain when I was a child, and
I still remember hiking the trails and learning about rehabilitating
injured birds.
Birmingham Museum of Art: General admission is free for this museum that houses over 24,000 works of art highlighting
different cultures, including Native American, folk art, and one of the
largest collections of Asian art in the Southeast.
Gardendale Splash Pad:
There are lots of great playgrounds in Birmingham, but the newest and
most exciting is this free cooling-off zone at Celebration Park in
nearby Gardendale. All summer long, kids of all ages can beat the heat
in their swimmies, thanks to a colorful array of water guns, fountains,
sprinklers, and tipping buckets. Parents can stay dry or join in the
fun
as well. (Open Tuesday-Sun, May 1 - Oct 15)
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