So, we're really trying to do more "experiences" with the kids. The problem is, everything is too expensive to justify! I wanted to take the girls to the Fox for Annie in the spring, it would cost us $500 as a family. YIKES.
We have a zoo membership, and we've done the Fernbank membership, and next, we'll probably do the Botanical Gardens membership (the membership are so much more economical).
But, what kind of outings do you guys do that don't break the bank? We decided to buy tickets to our local Arts Council's show The Nutcracker instead of going to the Fox. It cost $70 for all 4 of us instead of $500, and it will be local.
I really want the kids to get some culture.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
Are there any interesting tourist things around? Sometimes being a tourist in your own area will take you to some of the coolest areas. Any great hikes with great views? Or with rewards at the end, like perfect swimming lakes?
Check local high schools and local colleges. High Schools put on plays and musicals. Local colleges have things going on.
But why do u have to spend money. Pack a lunch and go on a hike. Go play frisbee in the park. Etc
Check local high schools and local colleges. High Schools put on plays and musicals. Local colleges have things going on. But why do u have to spend money. Pack a lunch and go on a hike. Go play frisbee in the park. Etc
We already do those things. We want to expose the children to culture as well.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
We do local historical places tours and such. Everything does cost a lot but the local events and such are much more economical then going into Boston. I was lucky to grow up where the streets are that Dr Seuss wrote about and we get back there often.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
Check local high schools and local colleges. High Schools put on plays and musicals. Local colleges have things going on. But why do u have to spend money. Pack a lunch and go on a hike. Go play frisbee in the park. Etc
We already do those things. We want to expose the children to culture as well.
I think plays and musicals are culture. Check the local library for book clubs, chess clubs, etc.
-- Edited by Lady Gaga Snerd on Monday 14th of November 2016 07:05:45 AM
Check local high schools and local colleges. High Schools put on plays and musicals. Local colleges have things going on. But why do u have to spend money. Pack a lunch and go on a hike. Go play frisbee in the park. Etc
We already do those things. We want to expose the children to culture as well.
OK. You asked for experiences that are inexpensive as well.
There are sooo many places and things in Georgia to do.
When my kids were little, we would be "out of towners" for a day.
Go to a near by welcome center and pick up some brochures then plan the day around one.
Lots of times, museums will have a free day. The Hunter museum in Chattanooga is free to the public the first Saturday of each month.
In the warmer months, the Symphony will play free concerts in the park.
Can you still get the VIP city pass for multiple attractions in Atlanta?
Stone Mountain is always doing things. Well, not the mountain, itself. You know what I mean.
The Chamber of Commerce might be able to help.
And the colleges are always hosting events.
Get in touch with your local arts guild and your local playhouse. They sponsor plays, art exhibits, concerts.
-- Edited by lilyofcourse on Monday 14th of November 2016 07:14:12 AM
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
We are lucky, Smithsonians are free. But they aren't cheap. The Air & Space at Udvar Hazy charges $20 to park, however. And then there are the IMAX theaters inside which charge, too. And don't get me started on the cafeteria expenses. But there are a ton of things to do and see in our area. And it's easy to get around (and cheap) with the DC Circulator.
Outside of DC, we have taken them to farms. You can look at the U-pick websites to see what is seasonal and ready for pickin' in your area. We will either pack a lunch and find a park somewhere for a picnic, or stop for lunch somewhere. Road trips usually require a stop at a creamery on the way home for a scoop of ice cream. We usually try to find a different one each time and "compare". We have also taken them to historic areas. Old jails usually give fairly inexpensive tours. Presidential homes such as Mt. Vernon aren't cheap, but at least they are learning about our history.
Summer time there are inexpensive concerts at Wolf Trap. And area town centers have free concerts various nights of the week.
I will google "things to do near me" or something like that.
When we were stationed in Germany, we did weekend trips.
We would look at places to visit that were 2-4 hours away, get up REAL early in the morning and head out. We would get breakfast in the walkplatz and walk around the shops. Then we would check out the local sights/museums, go get lunch and check into our B&B/Hotel. After that, we would go back out and do the rest of the touristy things and visit the local Church/Monastary/Vineyard. Finally eat dinner, go to the hotel, go to sleep and then get up early and go home.
For the most part, we would be able to do the whole town in a day, but sometimes we would have to go back another time to see it all or for a special celebration.
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“One day, you will be old enough to start reading fairytales again.”
C.S.Lewis
Ahem...well, you COULD drive to Nashville for a weekend and visit all of the Civil War historical sites. Just sayin...
Ooooh, maybe spring break when the flowers are in bloom.
Totally!
Don't forget to visit Chickamauga battlefield and stay after dark.
That's when old Greeneyes rides across the field.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
From now until the 27th, the Nina and Pinta are docked in Chattanooga.
$8 per adult, and I think students are $6.
You get to go aboard, see how the pilgrims traveled to the new land.
While in Chattanooga, there is the children's discovery meseum, the aquarium and imax, Chattanooga zoo, and the Hunter.
All but the zoo is within a block of each other.
The zoo is a very short 5 minute drive.
Then there is Ruby Falls, Rock City (which will be doing their Christmas lights soon), the Incline, and the Railroad museum in which you can take a ride on the train.
All of those are relatively cheap.
Stay at the ChooChoo in a train car turned hotel room.
Lots of stuff to do.
And I think, check the dates to make sure, but the weekend of Thanksgiving is the lighted boat parade and Christmas on the river. They do a show with sing alongs, there is fireworks and they light up the Christmas lights in town.
There is an ice skating rink as well, I think it got moved though.
It'd be a bit of a drive, but if you're going to Nashville, you're going to drive right by it all.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I feel the same way LL. Our Civic Center does plays, concerts and other live shows, so we try to take the girls to those, unfortunately, it's very limited and I've heard that they did not schedule much this year. We have a local theater group that puts on shows as well, it's much cheaper too. Local museums- we don't have many, and they are small, but the upside is they are very affordable. In the summer we do 'tourist' things- Lots of animal parks around here that the kids enjoy.
ETA: There are lots of caves around here that I'd like to take the kids to, but need to wait until DD2 is a bit bigger.
-- Edited by NAOW on Monday 14th of November 2016 10:36:07 AM
From now until the 27th, the Nina and Pinta are docked in Chattanooga.
$8 per adult, and I think students are $6.
You get to go aboard, see how the pilgrims traveled to the new land.
While in Chattanooga, there is the children's discovery meseum, the aquarium and imax, Chattanooga zoo, and the Hunter.
All but the zoo is within a block of each other.
The zoo is a very short 5 minute drive.
Then there is Ruby Falls, Rock City (which will be doing their Christmas lights soon), the Incline, and the Railroad museum in which you can take a ride on the train.
All of those are relatively cheap.
Stay at the ChooChoo in a train car turned hotel room.
Lots of stuff to do.
And I think, check the dates to make sure, but the weekend of Thanksgiving is the lighted boat parade and Christmas on the river. They do a show with sing alongs, there is fireworks and they light up the Christmas lights in town.
There is an ice skating rink as well, I think it got moved though.
It'd be a bit of a drive, but if you're going to Nashville, you're going to drive right by it all.
That would be really cool. Unfortunately, the girls are going to Michigan and Chicago for 8 days, leaving Thursday, so we won't have time to make that.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Mom and dad took the kids way back when they were about your girls ages while I was working.
They didn't stop talking about it for months.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Stone Mountain is always doing things. Well, not the mountain, itself. You know what I mean.
-- Edited by lilyofcourse on Monday 14th of November 2016 07:14:12 AM
The mountain is doing something? Moving towards Mohammad, perhaps? (funny joke - not inappropriate slam.)
Ha ha ha!! Very funny!
But in a way, I guess it does.
During the fireworks and laser show, the laser will outline the carving on the side and they ride off.
It's totally cool.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
We go for drives around the mountains and look for interesting spots to spend the day, have a picknic, or shop. You could also try a google search of "top 10 places to visit in (city/town)" This was how I found out that there are actual "castles" here in Colorado.
Epcot has the other countries as exhibits and attractions!
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Do NOT even think about taking my Disney money, woman. I'm already in withdrawal since we haven't been in a couple of years b/c we just HAD TO buy a new house. DH's idea. And then, AS A SURPRISE, he goes and buys a golf cart.
I'm going to Disney next year.
And YOU, Miss IKWTDS, better start learning how to sing or act and put on a show for us!
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
Do NOT even think about taking my Disney money, woman. I'm already in withdrawal since we haven't been in a couple of years b/c we just HAD TO buy a new house. DH's idea. And then, AS A SURPRISE, he goes and buys a golf cart.
I'm going to Disney next year.
And YOU, Miss IKWTDS, better start learning how to sing or act and put on a show for us!
I did that already! Should I act out a troll movie wearing a Trump mask? Cause that would be funny.
Or I could do Grease!
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
Do NOT even think about taking my Disney money, woman. I'm already in withdrawal since we haven't been in a couple of years b/c we just HAD TO buy a new house. DH's idea. And then, AS A SURPRISE, he goes and buys a golf cart.
I'm going to Disney next year.
And YOU, Miss IKWTDS, better start learning how to sing or act and put on a show for us!
I did that already! Should I act out a troll movie wearing a Trump mask? Cause that would be funny.
Or I could do Grease!
Grease would be nice.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
Do NOT even think about taking my Disney money, woman. I'm already in withdrawal since we haven't been in a couple of years b/c we just HAD TO buy a new house. DH's idea. And then, AS A SURPRISE, he goes and buys a golf cart.
I'm going to Disney next year.
And YOU, Miss IKWTDS, better start learning how to sing or act and put on a show for us!
Do NOT encourage her....
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America guarantees equal opportunity, not equal outcome...
I havent been to disney once. perhaps it is because I have all boys in my house.
Ya'll should go! They're all older and your experience will be awesome!
I bet ya'll would love the water parks.
And there are some very romantic couples spa options at some of the resorts.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Most of the museums around here have free days or first Fridays events where admission is free. We take DS when it fits in with our schedule. The library offered a culture pass (free admission for 2) for the Phoenix Zoo for the longest time but stopped offering it awhile back. They have culture passes for other stuff though.
DS really enjoyed the AZ Museum of Natural History. We haven't taken him to the any of the zoos around here yet.
Glendale and Mesa both do free events for Christmas. The activities cost money, if you wish to partake, but parking and the event itself are free. Glendale Glitters has a lot of really cool light displays.
Next year or year after, we want to take him to the North Pole Experience near Flagstaff. We want him to be old enough to experience everything. I'm also itching to take him to Santa's Village in Big Bear, CA since it's reopening. The website it will be different but some things are the same. It closed down almost 20 years ago and was one of my favorite childhood haunts so I'm glad it's reopening.
One thing we might miss out on is going to the Flintstones Park. It's a Flintstones themed park near the Grand Canyon. Nominal admission - $5 per adult, not sure how much for kids. My parents and I would camp there when I was a kid.
The farms around here do Fall Festivals for Halloween. DS thoroughly enjoys those.
We used to go to Santa's Village back in the day, chef.
I scared DH with my whoop of excitement when I saw it was coming back then teared up reading the website. Pretty sure he got sick of hearing about Santa's Village that night.
I was sooooo young...I just remember a train, and walking around looking at all the pretty Christmas stuff and seeing Santa. It seems like it closed down when I was still a child. My grandparents had a cabin in Big Bear. I seemed to recall SV was closer to Arrowhead (my parents had a place there as well)? I would get very carsick in the backseat when we drove up to both places, so by the time we arrived I was ready to throw up, if I hadn't already done so on the drive up. But I did enjoy SV once my legs stopped shaking.
I was sooooo young...I just remember a train, and walking around looking at all the pretty Christmas stuff and seeing Santa. It seems like it closed down when I was still a child. My grandparents had a cabin in Big Bear. I seemed to recall SV was closer to Arrowhead (my parents had a place there as well)? I would get very carsick in the backseat when we drove up to both places, so by the time we arrived I was ready to throw up, if I hadn't already done so on the drive up. But I did enjoy SV once my legs stopped shaking.
IIRC, it closed in 1998. I think the actual name of the city is Sky Forest.
