Discover The DaVinci In You At The Discover DaVinci and Michelangelo: Side by Side Exhibition (Limited Time)

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SPECIAL OFFER August 1st and 2nd only. Show the ticket desk this blog post to receive $10.00 admission. 

The Discover DaVinci and Michelangelo: Side by Side Exhibition is a very special traveling exhibit from Florence Italy which has currently taken up temporary residence in Atlanta. The Exhibition will be on display through October (possibly longer).  The DaVinci  and Michelangelo exhibition takes visitors back in time to learn about the remarkable genius of two of the greatest Renaissance masterminds that ever lived. The exhibit has been on display at various locations across North American for the past 4 1/2 years and is made possible by Genius Productions a nonprofit company based in St. Louis.

“Not everybody realizes DaVinci and Michelangelo were alive during the same time but were also bitter rivals,” explained Rodgers, “When discussing the Italian Renaissance you can’t talk about one without the other.”

A moms review:
After you check out at the front desk (and hopefully meet curator Mark Rodgers) I recommend taking advantage of the fun Mona Lisa photo op. After you are done striking your best Mona Lisa pose get your FREE audio tour ready for a total immersion experience or sign up for a docent tour which is offered once a day Monday through Thursday and twice a day on Friday through Sunday. Hopefully you are lucky enough to get a tour from Mark Rodgers the curator. He is amazing and full of energy and knowledge. He is so knowledgeable one would think that he somehow traveled back in time to the Renaissance to interview these two amazing men.

The exhibition is broken into themed areas, 5 themes for each genius. These include Michelangelo's life story, sculptures, paintings, architecture, artists bottega. And DaVinci's military machines, flying machines, nautical & hydraulic machines, mechanics and masterpieces. The exhibition compares and contrasts DaVinci and Michelangelo’s masterpieces that defined their individual talents and beliefs.

Some of the highlights and comparisons in the exhibition include:

The Mona Lisa – The Pieta

The Vitruvian Man – The Statue of David

DaVinci’s Ideal City – Vatican City & St. Peter’s Dome

Last Supper – Sistine Chapel

Battle of Anghiari – Battle of Cascina

The first section of the exhibit showcases DaVinci's and Michelangelo's life and several of their most famous paintings, including the "Mona Lisa," "Last Supper" and a picture depicting Michelangelo's life with Lorenzo de' Medici. Next you will explore my favorite part of the exhibition which are the original cast sculptures of Michelangelo's most famous pieces. These cast sculptures were created directly from the Master's works by the National Academy of Cast Making in Florence. Since they are original cast sculptures they are actual size and include all the fine details like the chisel marks. I may never get to Italy to see the original David or Pieta so seeing an exact cast of these two amazing works of art was truly an amazing, once in a life time experience. Did you know that the The Gonfaloniere Soderini of Florence wanted Michelangelo to change the nose on David because it was too big? Well you can find out what he did during a visit to the exhibition. And did you know that the Pieta was the only piece that Michelangelo signed? Visit the exhibition to see his signature.

There are several more DaVinci and Michelangelo paintings throughout this section as well. Do you know what a fresco painting is? Well if you don't you can learn all about them in this section of the exhibit as you get an up close look at details of the "Battle of Anghiari" and famed Sistine Chapel frescos including the famous "The Creation of Adam".

Next you will hit the front corner of the exhibition where visitors get to immerse themselves into Michelangelo's Bottega. Learn about Michelangelo's art studio, his tools of the trade and some of the old secrets and deceptive techniques. Also in this section are several of DaVinci's inventions including the life preserver, scuba diver, glider and portable bridge. And your children won't want to miss the fantastic hands on area where they can build a bridge, color their own Mona Lisa masterpiece, make a paper helicopter and see what these masters saw when they looked through perspective frame.

As you proceed to the next section you will see many more of DaVinci's Masterpieces on display. Each one is a spectacular high quality licensed reproduction with the sort of detail known only to professional restorers. They are even framed to the exact size of the original artwork. Before you make your way into the hands on invention section be prepared to be amazed as you stand in front of DaVinci's water pipe organ.

Finally you will make your way to the DaVinci invention exhibition which contains over 60 hand-crafted inventions that were built from Leonardo's 500 year old designs as no originals exist today. These displays are the life work of three generations of Florentine artisans, who have meticulously brought to life the creations by the brilliant scientist, inventor and artist Leonardo DaVinci. This exhibition is grouped into the following themes: military machines, flying machines, nautical & hydraulic machines, and mechanics. Some of the inventions you will learn about include the "bicycle," "spring powered car," "hang glider," "robotic lion,"  and the "air screw."  Each display has a 3D model of DaVinci's invention along with explanatory notes and illustrative panels with DaVinci's drawings.

I can think of no better way to learn about this Renaissance master than through a hands on interactive exhibit. Yes children (and adults) can touch and try out many of the 60 machines on display. Give the first ball bearings a spin, try out a lever, find out how gears work and slam down a CAM hammer. And if you have any car enthusiasts this is an excellent way for them to learn how the cars we drive today were inspired by DaVinci's invention sketches. This interactive feature definitely makes this exhibit a very educational and memorable one.

After you work your way through the inventions, which might take awhile if you have children, you will learn about DaVinci's and Michelangelo's impact on architecture. Yes these masters were more than inventors and artists they were also architects. 

Throughout the exhibition there are several videos for visitors to enjoy including a video by Mark Rodgers. 

            

I really hope you can make it out to this exhibit before it leaves Atlanta. It is definitely a can't miss event!

Extra details:
-Teachers and homeschool educators can download a fantastic free teacher guide to expand on the exhibition.
-The exhibition will offer docent and self-guided tours.  Docent guided tours are pre-scheduled and visitors can check the website or call for daily times. Self-guided tours require a smart device with Internet capabilities.  Visitors who self guide should bring their own smart device and headphones. Docent and self-guided tours are included in the price of admission.
-Photography is allowed.
-No food or drink is allowed. 
-Pay close attention to the little red and green signs which alert you as to what you may and may not touch.
-Exhibit is stroller and wheelchair accessible.
-Be sure to check out the really awesome gift shop.

Where:
1155 Mount Vernon Hwy – Suite 150
Atlanta, GA. 30338

Phone: 470-395-4888
Email: info@discoverdavinci.com

When to visit:

Monday-Friday 10am to 5pm

Saturday 10am to 9pm

Sunday 12 noon to 5pm

Cost:

-Adults are $18.95

-Seniors (65+) and teachers (with school ID) are $16.95

-Children 4-12 years old are $14.95

-Children three and under are free with a paying adult

Parking is accessible at the public parking lot available at Perimeter Pointe. There is no charge for parking.

Links to follow:
-Website
-Facebook

*Prices indicated in post are subject to change.

SPECIAL SNEAK PEAK OFFER - DaVinci & Michelangelo Side by Side Exhibition - June 25-28th

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

I have some exciting news for my readers in the Southeast area. An amazing traveling exhibition has just arrived in Atlanta and will only be here for a short time. The “DaVinci & Michelangelo: Side by Side” traveling exhibition is on loan from the Museum of Leonardo DaVinci in Florence, Italy, and officially opens to the public on July 1st. However they were ahead of schedule on the set up and the exhibition is ready to go! So they have offered our readers a sneak peak this weekend June 25th - 28th. But that's NOT all they are also offering our readers a 2 for 1 admission SPECIAL. YUP that's right simply print out a copy of this blog post and receive 2 admissions for just $18.95 this week only before it is even open to the public (good for two adults or one adult and one child).

My kids are really excited to see this exhibit. One is a budding artist who really admires DaVinici and Michelangelo and the other loves to build, dismantle and solve problems much like the famous DaVinici. We will be there...will you?

The museum-quality exhibition will be on display at Perimeter Point, 1155 Mount Vernon Hwy – Suite 150, Atlanta, GA 30338 through October 21, 2015. 

More about the exhibit:
The exhibition compares and contrasts DaVinci and Michelangelo’s masterpieces that defined their individual talents and beliefs. The DaVinci machines are reproductions from his drawings, as no originals exist today. The statues from Michelangelo are first generation casts making every piece exact to the originals.

“Most people don’t get to see all, if any, of these masterpieces,” explained Mark Rodgers, North American Producer and Curator of the exhibition. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only see these masterpieces but to see them up close and at one location.”

Some of the highlights and comparisons in the exhibition include:

• Mona Lisa - Pieta
• Vitruvian Man – David
• Ideal City – Vatican City & St. Peter’s Dome
• Last Supper – Sistine Chapel
• Battle of Anghiari – Battle of Cascina

“Not everybody realizes DaVinci and Michelangelo were alive during the same time but were also bitter rivals,” explained Rodgers, “When discussing the Italian Renaissance you can’t talk about one without the other.”

The DaVinci Exhibition contains over 60 hand-crafted inventions built from Leonardo’s 500 year old designs and is the life work of three generations of Florentine artisans, who have painstakingly brought to life the creations by the brilliant scientist, inventor and artist Leonardo DaVinci.With over 60 machines on display, many of which are interactive, the collection features replicas of the major and most striking inventions of the original Renaissance Man. The main features on display include the “bicycle”, “spring powered car”, “hang glider” and the “air screw”, a precursor to the helicopter and for the first time ever, the secrets behind Leonardo’s legendary robotic lion.  This exhibition presents over 60 models grouped in themes: War machines, Flying machines, Nautical & Hydraulic machines, as well as devices illustrating the Principles of Mechanics. The interactive machines are a popular aspect of each exhibition as visitors can touch and handle these models to gain a first-hand appreciation of how they work. Explanatory notes and illustrative panels with Leonardo’s drawings accompany each model.

Side by Side are Michelangelo’s sculptures, paintings and architecture.  All of Michelangelo’s  sculptures are actual, full size casts from the National Academy of Cast Making in Florence, Italy,  Notable casts statues include the life size head of David, as well as the Pieta, whose depiction of Mary holding Jesus’ body grips the viewer with maternal grief. Elsewhere, visitors get up close to examine the details in his famed Sistine Chapel frescos. High-quality reproductions let guests gaze at The Creation of Adam in the sort of detail known only to professional restorers. DaVinci’s Masterpieces on display are his licensed reproductions masterpieces framed to the exact size of the original artwork.

Pricing and other information:
“DaVinci and Michelangelo: Side by Side” is a ticketed exhibition. Children three and under are free with a paying adult. Children 4-12 years old are $14.95. Seniors (65+) and teachers (with school ID) are $16.95. Adults are $18.95.

The exhibition offers docent and self-guided tours. Docent guided tours are pre-scheduled and visitors can check the website or call for daily times. Self-guided tours require a smart device with Internet capabilities. Visitors who self guide should bring both their own smart device and headphones. Docent and self-guided tours are included in price of admission.

The exhibition also offers group discount pricing. Student groups of 20 or more are $10 per person. Adult groups of 20 or more are $15 per person. All groups must be prearranged in order to receive the discount and receive a private docent-guided tour.

Admission hours for the exhibit are Monday – Friday: 10am – 5pm; Saturday: 10am – 9pm; Sunday: 12 noon – 5pm.

Parking is accessible at the public parking lot available at Perimeter Pointe. There is no charge for parking.  

For teachers and homeschoolers you must check out the awesome teachers guide.

For additional information about the “DaVinci & Michelangelo: Side by Side” exhibition visit www.DiscoverDaVinci.com or call 470-395-4888. Make sure you follow them on Facebook too.

We hope to see you there!

Fernbank Museum - The Power of Poison Exhibit Review

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Fernbank Museum of Natural History opened it's doors in 1992. Only at Fernbank Museum can you come face-to-face with the world's largest dinosaurs, explore the development of life on Earth through the landscapes of present-day Georgia, connect with cultures from around the globe, engage in a variety of hands-on exhibitions and more! Several times a year Fernbank also offers an amazing special exhibit. And you definitely won't want to miss the 5-story experience of an IMAX film.

A moms review:
We love science and Fernbank is one of our favorite science museums in Georgia. This amazing museum offers something for everyone. There are 3 levels each featuring amazing exhibits. There is also an fantastic interactive play area, IMAX theater, cafe and two gift shops.

Museum Information and Exhibits:
The permanent exhibits include World of Shells, A Walk Through Georgia, Sensing Nature, Reflections of Culture, Curator's Corner, Conveyed in Clay, The Star Gallery, Giants of the Mesozoic and the Dinosaur Plaza. Throughout the halls you will also find displays featuring native animals of Georgia and beautiful nature artwork and photography.

Special Exhibit:
About 3 times a year Fernbank features a special traveling exhibit in their 12,000 square foot exhibit area located on the lower level. Right now The Power of Poison is on display through May and is a MUST see. This new exhibit offers something for both young and old. Who knew poison could be so much fun and educational!

The exhibit is broken up into four sections: poison in nature, poison in literature, detecting poison and poison for good. The exhibit starts you out in the remote jungles of Columbia where you will travel through the Choco rain forest and learn about how the plants and animals there use poison for survival. There are golden poison frogs, deadly vines, giant ants, slithering snakes and more. Don't worry most of the items are models and not harmful. Throughout this section there are giant scale models giving you an up close look at the poisonous details and placards explaining scientific information, facts, and more.

Next up we stepped inside the pages of fairy tales and other literary works of art. This was the kids favorite part of the exhibit. This section stars well know characters like Snow White, Romeo & Juliet, Alice and Wonderland, Emperor Qin, Harry Potter a gathering of witches, Medusa and more. We spent the most time in this section paging through the interactive spell book. This book used amazing technology to make this enchanted spell book come to life. You can check out the book here.

Next up we learned all about how to detect poison. First we walked through a section on villains and victims where we learned about historical figures like Nero, Cleopatra, Lucrezia Borgia, Napoleon and Ponce de Leon. All of these famous people from history were either allegedly killed by poison or used poison to kill someone. After we learned some amazing history we sat down to help solve a poisoning case from history. We learned all about arsenic and how they used to and currently test for arsenic. After the show we headed over to the 3 interactive accidental poisoning investigation sections to become super solving sleuths. You can download the iPad app to solve the 3 cases here too.

The final section of the exhibit covers a more lighter topic which is how we use poison for good. It highlights the various toxins found in nature that save lives on a daily basis. You will discover how some poisons have become key players in the advancement of new medicinces, like foxglove and sweet wormwood.

There is one last little section where younger children (and even older children) can have fun playing with the puppet theater and reading some classic myths, fairy tales and legends. 

The exhibit creates and engaging and immersive environment that is interactive, educational, and fun. 

Homeschool parents and educators be sure to download the educator guide and resources before visiting.

Extra details:
-Be sure to download Fernbank App to your phone which will help you navigate the museum and exhibits.
-Photography is allowed in all exhibits..
-The museum is stroller friendly and handicap accessible.
-There is no food or drink is allowed in the museum exhibits
-There are two gift shops with really cool items. Watch your children there are breakables.
-Parking is free and there are two large lots.
-There is a cafe in the museum with a large cafeteria and patio area for eating. Children's meals are about $6.75. However Fernbank does allow packed lunches to be brought into the museum and eaten in the cafeteria or patio area.

SPECIALS:
-Military, Morgan Staneley and Seniors may be eligible for special offers.
-Group rates are available for birthday parties, school groups, etc.
-Homeschoolers are eligible to receive up to $50 off a Museum membership with an Educator Membership. Just show declaration of intent.

Where:
767 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
Phone: 404.929.6300

When to visit:
The museum and IMAX are open Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm; Saturday, 10am to 5pm and Sunday, noon to 5pm. The Museum is open 363 days a year, closing Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Cost:
Adults - $18.00
Seniors, students - $17.00
Child (3-12) - $16.00
Children 2 and under are free

*Homeschool day prices are $18 for adults and $7 for children. Homeschool days are offered 2 times a year.

Links to follow:
-Fernbank Website
-Fernbank Facebook
-Fernbank Twitter

*Prices indicated in post are subject to change.

Georgia Travel Log - December 2014 - Holiday Fun Edition

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

We have been super busy lately traveling around Georgia and experiencing some of the newest exhibits and attractions. Because there are so many wonderful things I need to update you on I came up with a brilliant idea (well I think it's brilliant). I am calling it the "Georgia Travel Log." Once or twice a month I will give you an update on several of the newest attractions, exhibits, etc. Most of them will be ones that we actually get to experience that way I can share our personal experiences and show you some personal photos too. I hope you enjoy this edition of the Georgia Travel Log. Please leave comments with information on any other new attractions or exhibits that you know of. Also remember to follow us on Instagram to keep up with our daily adventures!

If you are hosting an upcoming event or promoting a new exhibit or attraction please email me to discuss getting it covered in the next Georgia Travel Log edition.

I know I missed a few months and I am so very sorry...I won't even bother making excuses because there are just too many!

This edition is going to be filled with lots of holiday events. Check out what The Rock Ranch, Stone Mountain, Atlanta Speedway, Historic Westville and Fernbank have to offer your family this holiday season.

The Rock Ranch:
In October we visited the Rock Ranch for one of their Fall Family Fun Days. Sadly I wasn't able to get a post up up sooner about our experience so I am going to share some of that with you now so you can start planning for next year. Hopefully you saw our photos and shout outs on social media and were able to attend this year. What you may not know though is that The Rock Ranch also has Christmas events like breakfast or lunch with Santa, Santa's workshop and country Christmas in lights (FREE).

The Rock Ranch is a family friendly outdoor destination that offers family's seasonal fun. Though they offer events throughout the year their Fall Family Fun Days from September - November (Saturday only) always draw in the crowds. Each Saturday they have a different theme which adds even more fun on top of the main attractions.

We visited on lumberjack day and had an absolute blast. The weather was perfect and we spent an entire day soaking in all that The Rock Ranch has to offer. All of the attractions on site are included in the cost of admission with the exception of the rock wall, carousel and zipline which there is a nominal charge for. The adventure starts out with a hay ride from the parking lot to the attraction area. Inside the attraction area which is encircled by a train track you will find pony rides, slide hill, tiny town (my children's personal favorite), pedal carts, corn maze, cane pole fishing, corn cannon, toddler playground, cow train, rope maze, horse shoes, no left turn maze, wagon jolly jump, paddle boats, petting zoo, corn box and more! There are also several places to pick up some scrumptious food and 2 stores to pick up great gift items.

If you enjoy corn mazes you will love the one at The Rock Ranch. Each year the ranch chooses a special theme for their corn maze. This year's theme celebrated 75 Years of Wizard of Oz, the movie. Throughout the day Wizard of Oz characters were available for photo ops. Throughout the maze there were informational placards, movie quotes, displays and more. If you got lost the corn cops were on duty to give you hints. We were really proud of ourselves for navigating the maze without any assistance. It took us about 1/2 an hour.



More Details:
The Rock Ranch is a 1,500 acre cattle ranch located one hour from Atlanta that offers visitors an "agritourism" experience unlike any other. The Rock Ranch is owned by Chick-fil-A owner S. Truett Cathy and dedicated to "Growing Healthy Families." The Rock Ranch offers seasonal events, educational fieldtrips, unique camping experience, and meeting spaces for events.

Stone Mountain Christmas:
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go...and Stone Mountain is no exception. Stone Mountain has been decked out with more than 2 million beautiful LED lights. We got a sneak peek of the Stone Mountain Christmas festivities and it was pretty awesome. From now until January 4th families can enjoy a variety of holiday shows including Forever Christmas, Toyriffic, A Crossroads Christmas Carol, Holly Jolly Cabaret and The Gift (religious show). Our family was able to catch two of the shows and Toyriffic was the children's favorite of the two. But there's more...you will definitely want to catch the 4-D Ice Age A Mammoth Christmas film, get your photo taken with Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer and Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, and take a ride on the Sing-Along Christmas Train. If you stay through dusk you can also enjoy the high energy Christmas parade, meet with Santa and experience some holiday magic as the Snow Angel flies overhead creating a nightly snow and fireworks show. If you want to see everything including the night time parade and Snow Angel magic be sure to arrive early I would say no later than noon. Stone Mountain Christmas will definitely get you into the holiday spirit.

All of the above mentioned fun is included in a Stone Mountain Christmas Adventure Pass plus the Summit Skyride, Discovering Stone Mountain Museum and the Antebellum Plantation and Farmyard are also included in your pass. Stone Mountain Christmas Tickets are $24.95 for adults and $19.95 for children.

And don't forget about Snow Mountain which will offer visitors hours of fun in something we rarely get to see here in Georgia...SNOW. Tickets are $28 for Snow Mountain and there are combo deals available for both Snow Mountain and Stone Mountain Christmas. Snow Mountain operates through February 22, 2015.

More Details:
Stone Mountain Park is Georgia’s most popular attraction and features a wide variety of family activities. Located on 3,200 acres of natural beauty, adventure awaits as you discover interactive family friendly attractions and many natural and historical sights. Plus you won’t want to miss dozens of fun annual events such as Spring FUN Break, Summer at the Rock, Yellow Daisy Festival, Indian Festival and Pow-Wow, Stone Mountain Christmas and Snow Mountain. Stone Mountain activities are suitable for all ages.

Fernbank Goose Bumps Exhibit and Winter Wonderland:
This is another review I totally slacked on but thankfully special exhibits stick around for a little bit at Fernank. Goose Bumps the Science of Fear will be on display through January 4th.

This special exhibit was tons of fun for both children and adults. If you have ever been curious about coulrophobia, pyrophobia or aviophobia then you will definitely want to visit this exhibit before it's gone. You will learn about the physiological, neurological and sociological aspects of this often misunderstood emotion through immersive and engaging hand-on activities.

The first part of the exhibit contains a wall of display boards which highlights several phobias. After learning about phobias such as aviophobia, dentophobia and pyrophobia head over to the Fear Lab where you will meet "Mr. Goose Bump"s the exhibit host. Mr. Goose Bumps will demonstrate how the bran and body work together through hands-on activities, video and exhibit interactives. Right across from Mr. Goose Bumps you can get an up close look as some real brains. Learn all about the amygdala aka the threat center of the brain.

Other hand-on experiences in the first half of the exhibit include the "Trigger Fear" table, "Science in the Works" study, "What are the Odds" test and the children's favorite "Freeze Game" a game that demonstrates predator vs prey.

Next you will head into the "Challenge Course." Here you will face four common fears through immersive displays. The first challenge is the Fear of Animals. In this room you will reach into concealed terrariums that may just house a creepy-crawly creature. In the next room you will face the Fear of Electric Shock. If you are brave enough place your finger into the slot and prepare for a shock! The 3rd room is the Fear of Loud Noises challenge. This demonstrates how this instinctive fear can help keep us out of harm's way. And the final challenge is the Fear of Falling challenge. This one was one of my favorite's. In this challenge you are safely strapped to a table which then falls backward. Afterwards you can head around to the back of the exhibit to watch the recording of your fall and examine your fear face.

Other exhibits include discovering how fears, both real and perceived can be spread and the impact they have on society, how to cope with fear in extreme situations, how to identify facial expressions and more.

The exhibit is great for all ages and is not "scary" in the traditional sense. Visitors can easily bypass any experience they do not wish to participate in or have fun watching others.

Also be sure to read our review on the Winter Wonderland exhibit which will be on display until January 11th. Special events will be going on just about every weekend in December.

More Details:
Ferbank museum offers immersive, hands-on exhibitions that make science, culture and natural history come alive in a big way. From the largest dinosaurs ever discovered, to the biggest movie screen in Atlanta, Fernbank Museum offers world of adventure for all ages.

Atlanta Motor Speedway Gift of Lights:
If you are looking for an affordable light show near Atlanta then the Atlanta Motor Speedway Gift of Lights is it. The Lights will be on display through January 3rd and is bigger, better and brighter than ever. The light show is on the track field and is 1.5 miles with over one million lights. How cool will it be to tell your friends you drove on the famed Atlanta Motor Speedway oval? Proceeds from the show benefit the Speedway Children's Charity.

There are over one million LED lights and the light display is broken into themed segments. Themes include nativity, nursery rhyme, underwater, outer space, patriotic, race car and 12 Days of Christmas. Before you enter the light display through the blue light tunnel you will want to make sure your radio is tuned in to the correct station so you can experience some fun holiday music.

You may drive your own vehicle through the light display at your own pace...and you may only drive through once so take your time. So sit back relax and get into the holiday spirit as you drive on the Atlanta Motor Speedway infield, cross the checkered finish line and even go up on the banking between turns 3 and 4 (if you are brave enough).

We enjoyed the light show very much, however it is not one that I would recommend driving over an hour to visit. Even driving at slow speed we still made it through in less than 1/2 an hour and my children were not happy that we drove so far for something that was so short. If you live close to the speedway be sure to hit it up because it is a fun, affordable family outing during the holidays.

On the following weekends December 5th-7th, 12th-14th and 19th-21st you can even visit the Christmas Village near the Atlanta Motor Speedway Gift Shop which includes a decorated tree, a Santa with his sleigh (professional photos available for a fee), bonfire, and gift shop.

The light display is open 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays. Admission is $15 Monday-Thursday, $20 on Fridays-Sundays & holidays

However, my readers Save $2 to Gift of Lights.

Six Flags Holiday in the Park:
For the first time ever Six Flags Over Georgia is open during the holiday season. Our family got to attend a special preview night of Holiday in the Park and we definitely left filled with holiday cheer. The park has totally been transformed and is filled with millions of bright, LED lights. Only certain areas of the park and certain rides are open to visitors during this holiday event...but there is still plenty to see and do. Visitors of all ages can enjoy holiday shows, fun games, thrilling rides, sweet treats and even a ride to the North Pole to see Santa Claus.

From the moment you enter the park you will be blasted with holiday cheer and a winter wonderland experience as you admire the many lights hanging overhead, enjoy the falling snow and meet some very fun characters.

The park is broken into 10 sections A Main Street Christmas, Peppermint Plaza, Retro Christmas USA< Candlelight Carousel, Bugs Bunny World, A Georgia Christmas, North Pole, Rejoice!, North Pole Express and S'mores Village.

If you have little ones you will definitely want to go visit Santa. You can either walk through the park to the North Pole or board the North Pole Express. I personally recommend taking the train so you can enjoy the many beautiful lights. The Santa was amazing with the children and spent time getting their wishlist. The lights at the North Pole were white and blue which truly gave the impression of being in a winter wonderland.

Next we headed to the giant snow globe for a fun photo op. I made a recommendation that they put a fake snow blower in the globe to really enhance it...hopefully they will add one.  The children really wanted to rid the Candle Lite Carousel so we made our way over to the other side of the park. Along the way...which took a while thanks to a wrong turn we enjoyed the over one million lights and 400 trees. And the children insisted on stopping every few minutes for a photo op. One of my favorite things about Holiday in the Park was the various tributes to the brave men and women who serve our country. There were several patriotic light displays and patriotic photo ops throughout the park.

We only experienced two of the rides the Candle Lite Carousel and Rockin' Tug. And the Carousel was well worth our long walk. It was spectacular!!! There were beautiful lights adorning the carousel, candles dangling from above and up beat Christmas music. Other rides that are open during Holiday in the Park include Goliath, Dare Devil Dive, Georgia Cyclone, Up, Up and Away, Dahlonega Mine Train, Sky Buckets and most of Bugs Bunny World. 

It's been a pretty mild winter so far but if you are worried about cold night don't be. There are fire pits and propane heaters stationed throughout the park to warm you up. There is also hot cocoa and soup being served at the many cafes that are open. 

And in addition to all of the above there are also several fun shows going on in the park too like A Looney Tunes Christmas, Carols at the Carousel, Hometown Holidays and Because It's Christmas.

Holiday in the Park will be open until January 4^th (on selected dates). Times the park will be open are from  4-10 pm through Dec 23rd and 12-8pm through January 4th. I highly recommend arriving at opening so you have time to enjoy everything...during our visit we ran out of time. The cost for the event starts at $41.99.

I hope you enjoyed this edition stayed tuned for more Georgia Travel Log updates!

Happenings At The High - July 2014

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

Welcome to the July edition of Happening At The High! Have you seen the new Dream Cars exhibit yet? It is spectacular and perfect for children. You can read our thoughts here. Dream Cars will be on exhibit through September 7th.

Upcoming Exhibits:
Later this month we will be visiting the High to check out the newest exhibit called Mi Casa, Your Casa. This exhibit will be on display in the High's Sifly Piazza. The exhibit will feature more than 40 three-dimensional, open-framed houses that will allow visitors to interact, explore and engage. There will be swings, easels, bins of chalk, buckets of bubble water, etc to encourage visitors to enjoy and engage with the art pieces.

Image courtesy of HIGH.

Wynn Bullock: Revelations - on exhibit through January 2015.

Image courtesy of HIGH.

Top Drawer: Select Drawings from the High's Collection - on exhibit through January 2015.

Image courtesy of HIGH.

Upcoming July Events and Programs:
July 5th: Fulton FREE Saturday
July 13: Arts and Rec Family Day
July 18: Grand Opening Mi Casa, Your Casa exhibit and Friday Night Music Remix
July 20: Splendor: The Work of Jim Waters CLOSES
July 31: Reel Riot Film Festival

The Homeschool Day Kick Off has been moved to August 15th since the original date in July conflicted with the SE Homeschool Convention.

These events are offered throughout the month:
Daily Highlights Tours, Toddler Thursdays, Weekend Family Tours, Friday Docent Led Gallery Tours

Deals:
-$65 Membership Offer on Sweet Jack - Get a family or dual membership for only $65 ($95 value)
-Save $4 off admission on Saturday July 5th and Sunday July 6th.
-Fulton FREE Saturday - FREE admission for Fulton County residents
-Summer parking discount - $5 parking for members and $8 for non members on weekdays only from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 
-1/2 Price Friday Nights - Friday Night Lates - Half-Price after 4 p.m. New extended hours until 9 p.m. every Friday night! 
-Fast Track Lunch - admission + lunch for only $17

Image courtesy of HIGH.

Did you know?

Did you know that the High has a great children's gallery? It is called the Greene Family Learning Gallery. This fabulous gallery features 5 hands-on activity areas: Building Buildings, Transforming Treasure, Making a Mark, Sculpting Spaces and Telling Stories. These areas are inspired by some of the most popular objects in the Museum's collection. You can find the exhibit on the first floor of the Stent Family Wing. My children love the learning gallery and could literally spend hours learning, playing and exploring in it.

Free resources for children:

-Visit my notebooking/journal page for FREE printables to help you enhance your art museum trip like a museum journal page, artist journal page and more.

-Visit the Teachers Resources section on the High's website for tour resources, downloads, recommended books and more for both special and permanent exhibits.

For more information about upcoming events/programs and announcements visit the High Museum website.

As a High Ambassador I will try to provide you with an update at the beginning of each month about High museum events and announcements. Be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for even more updates including photos during our visits.

Georgia Travel Log - June 2014 Edition

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

We have been super busy lately traveling around Georgia and experiencing some of the newest exhibits and attractions. Because there are so many wonderful things I need to update you on I came up with a brilliant idea (well I think it's brilliant). I am calling it the "Georgia Travel Log." Once or twice a month I will give you an update on several of the newest attractions, exhibits etc. Most of them will be ones that we actually get to experience that way I can share our personal experiences and show you some personal photos too. I hope you enjoy this first edition of the Georgia Travel Log. Please leave comments with information on any other new attractions or exhibits that you know of. Also remember to follow us on Instagram to keep up with our daily adventures!

LEGOLAND Discovery Center - Limited time Ninjago Laser Maze:
Several weeks ago I posted about my son entering the LEGO Junior Builders Panel at the Atlanta LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Well thanks to all my awesome followers he won the competition and actually had the most votes. All of the children that won the competition (13 total) got to attend the grand opening of the newest LEGOLAND attraction, the Ninjago Laser Maze. Since Rowyn had the most votes they let him flip the on switch. He also made the news a few times here and here.

The Ninjago Training Camp attraction will only be around for about a year so make sure you visit soon. There are two fun ways to test your Ninja skills. First there is the laser maze. This is the first attraction of its kind in the USA. To test your skills you must first select your level: Rookie, Ninja, Warrior, Sensei. Then you step inside and hit the start button. There is smoke, awesome music and of course colored lasers everywhere. The goal is to get through the timed maze by "breaking" as few beams as possible. It is a test of speed, creativity and agility. After you complete the maze don't forget to hit the stop button. As you exit your score is displayed on a monitor. The kids love the maze and my son would stay there all day playing if I let him. Even I had fun going through the maze! Check out our YouTube video of the grand opening.

The second way to test your skills is on the the reactions game. You can choose 1 or 2 players for this game. I must admit I am quite addicted to it and am still trying to beat my personal best of 15,000 points. I totally would love to have one of these at home.

Because Rowyn won the competition he received a FREE 1 year membership so you will be hearing a lot about LEGOLAND Discovery Center over the next year!

Be sure to read our full review on LEGOLAND too.

HIGH Museum of Art - New exhibit Dream Cars on display through September 7th, 2014:
Did you know cars can be art too? We had a blast at the newest exhibit Dream Cars and actually went through it 2 times. This new exhibit will be on display through September. There are 17 concept cars from across Europe and the U.S on display. You will see cars from the early 1930's to the 21st century from Ferrari, Bugatti, General Motors and Porsche. These cars are some of the rarest and most imaginative designs you will ever see. They push the limits of imagination! There are also conceptual drawings, patents and scale models to demonstrate the stages of design process.

Highlights of Dream Cars include:

• Paul Arzens' L'Oeuf électrique (1942), an electric bubble car designed by Arzens for his personal use in Paris during the German occupation that has never before traveled to the U.S.
• William Stout's Scarab (1936), the genesis of the contemporary minivan.
• Marcello Gandini's Lancia (Bertone) Stratos HF Zero (1970), a wedge-shaped car that is only 33 inches tall.
• Christopher Bangle's BMW GINA Light Visionary Model (2001), featuring an exterior made of fabric.
• A full-scale (6 x 20 foot) rendering of a concept car by Carl Renner (1951).

My kids loved the exhibit and cannot wait to return. And I am still dreaming about the Spyder! I highly recommend downloading the Dream Cars App (Android and iPhone) or renting an audio guide. The audio guides at the HIGH are fabulous and really enhance the special exhibits. There is an adult guide and kids guide and for the Dream Cars exhibit there are also videos of the cars in action.

In the Dream Cars lounge area you can take a break to watch the videos on the audio guide or look at a book. We found a terrific kids book to read called, "If I Built A Car." The exhibit takes about an hour to get through so be sure to arrive early so you have plenty of time to tour the rest of this amazing museum. Check out Gwyns thoughts in this short YouTube video.

In addition to this awesome NEW exhibit the HIGH also has several special events and programs for the summer like Father's Day at the HIGH, Arts & Rec: Family Day, Teen Night, Conversation with Contemporary Artists: Syd Mead and more. Check the website for more details and to order tickets.

Despite what you may think the HIGH Museum of Art is very family friendly and highly encourages bringing the kids. Here are some of the family friend events: Toddle Thursdays, Father's Day at the HIGH, Arts & Rec Family Days, Discovery Backpacks, Greene Family Learning Center, Friday Night Lates, Highly Hands-On Blog and more.

World of Coca-Cola - New features Pop Culture Gallery, App and "Moments of Happiness" film:
The World of Coca-Cola is definitely a must see. It is not only fun but very educational too and they've added even more educational features like the new mobile app. Currently it is only available for iPhone, but hopefully Android is not far behind. I have an Android device so though I couldn't utilize the app I did get a peek how it works and it is really cool. With the new World of Coca-Cola Explorer mobile app, you will get to experience the attraction like never before. The app allows visitors to interact with the attraction to deepen their experience. It's like having your own personal tour guide! The app uses location-sensing technology which allows you to discover amazing facts about Coca-Cola, create custom photos with fun frames and effects, keep a journal of your favorite flavors from around the World in the Taste It room, instantly connect on Facebook, Instgram and Twitter, follow the World of Coca-Cola guide map and get general information about the attraction. The app is designed to be used at the World of Coca-Cola and will deliver engaging content as you travel throughout the attraction utilizing Bluetooth. After you unlock the app features you can continue to enjoy them long after your visit.

Moments of Happiness is the newest film at World of Coca-Cola. Warning don't wear mascara! The film reminds visitors that happiness is all around us and happens every day. It is a six minute film that celebrates some of life's most memorable moments from people of different ages and cultures around the world. Even my 8 year old was tearing up.

The newest special exhibit is the Pop Culture Gallery and features works of art from Howard Finster. Finster a Georgia native, was a self-taught artist and Baptist minister and is considered one of the most important folk artists of the 20th century. So why is his work on display at Coca-Cola? Because he loved Coca-Cola and used the iconic bottle shape in a lot of his artwork. Gwyn really enjoyed Finster's use of mixed media!

Howard Finster: Visions of Coca-Cola includes several pieces from The Thomas E. Scanlin Collection:

• A 13-foot-tall Coke bottle “big enough for man to stand in” that depicts historical figures in the artist’s unique style.
• The 8-foot-tall original folk art bottle, which Finster created for the 1996 Olympic Games and inspired a global art project.
• Tools from Finster’s studio that became works of art themselves.

World of Coca-Cola is a great place for public school and homeschool fieldtrips. They even have a FREE Teacher Toolkit to help you explore the many educational connections at the attraction.

Stone Mountain - Updated lasershow:
Did you know that the Stone Mountain Park lasershow is the longest running show in the world? It has been running for more than 30 years and attracts millions of visitors each year. This summer though the 45 minute digitally re-mastered Stone Mountain Lasershow Spectacular will feature more lights, lasers and music! This dazzling display of neon laser lights, fun characters, inspiring stories, historical graphics, spectacular fireworks and popular musical scores is a must see.

Show features include:

• Lighting at the base of the mountain which shine up like fingers of light showcasing the 825 foot mountainside.
• Overhead Laser Canopy that creates a ceiling of light over your head, immersing you into the show.
• Laser mirror bounce shots from all directions onto the law to create the effect of lasers jumping over your head.
• Updated play list featuring 10 new sons including "Let It Go" by Idina Menzel, "Home" by Phillip Phillips, "Cherry" by Pharrell Williams and more.
• Mountainvision technology, which adds 3-D effects without the need for 3-D glasses. It really does look like things are jumping out at you....it's pretty cool!

Our family got the VIB (Very Important Blogger) treatment on Friday night. We got a behind the scenes look at where the magic happens and got to speak with the technical experts. Then we enjoyed a very tasty dinner. Afterwards we headed down to our terrace level seats (Mississippi) for some snacks. Before the show the children had a blast playing on the lawn with the "Georgia Bubble Man" and their friends. Watching a lasershow on the world's largest outdoor screen is definitely a family memory must. My husband said the new show brought out his inner geek. My son loved the fireworks. And I got teary eyed during the patriotic grand finale! My daughter loved "Let It Go" and "Home."

The Lasershow Spectacular is FREE with the $10 parking fee. Or you can enjoy the show from the comfort of one of the terraces which showcase an outstanding view of the mountain, its famous carving and the world’s longest running Lasershow. The terrace seats will give you the best seat in the house, and you can enjoy the show with a snack or dinner package.

Note: If you decide to get terrace level seats try for one of the upper levels closer to Memorial Hall. While walking to the bathrooms up at the top it looked like the view was a little bit better at the top. 

Stop back in a few weeks for a comprehensive review about Stone Mountain Park.

Extreme Dinosaurs - Limited time attraction:
Ever wish you could travel back in time to the time of the dinosaurs? Well now you can for a limited time at the Extreme Dinosaurs exhibit at Atlanta Station. This is the first time this exhibit has been debuted in the USA. We had a blast a few months ago during our visit. As a matter of fact we had so much fun the kids went through twice. The exhibit gives visitors the opportunity to discover the roar and might of the Mesozoic Era. It is an educational and entertaining exhibit for the entire family. You will get an up-close, realistic look at some of the world's strangest dinosaurs from the "Golden Age." There are a total of 17 lifelike and life-size animatronic dinosaurs featured in naturalistic landscapes that roar, snarl, open their jaws, blink their eye, move their limbs and more. There are also full-scale skeletons, both real and replica fossils and several interactive activities including a children's dig site, Make Me Move console, touch panels, Dinosaur Detective quiz and more. Each dinosaur also has an informational placard with dinosaur names, pronunciations, facts and more. The self guided exhibit takes about an hour to get through. Throughout the exhibit there are staff members to answer any questions you may have.

Highlights of the exhibit:

• Animatronic Dinosaurs - View lifelike dinosaurs in their most realistic forms thanks to some of the best animation technology.
• Fossils - Explore dinosaurs through the eyes of a paleontologist with an intimate view our real fossils and fossil casts.
• Skeletons - View phenomenal skeletons like the 57 foot long Omeisaurus which will captivate you with its incredible size and extensive details.
• Feathered Dinosaurs - Did you know that in the last two decades feathered dinosaurs were discovered? See their bizarre features up close through five animatronic species.
• Interactives - Ever wonder what it might be like to control the movements of one of these large creatures? Now you can with our Make Me Move interactive. Kiosks, dig tables and more will give you a hands-on look at Extreme Dinosaurs.

The kids had so much fun and we all learned a great deal. As a homeschool mom I loved all of the hand on learning opportunities available for the kids. The staff was very friendly and answered any questions the kids had. We had been to a similar traveling exhibit a few years ago which doesn't even come close to the quality of the Extreme Dinosaurs exhibit. 

To enhance the experience even further parents and teachers can download a FREE education guide. This exhibit will only be around a limited time so be sure to add it to your Summer fun list.

Tiny Towne - New "edu-tainment" attraction:
Tiny Towne is not open to the public yet, but we had the opportunity to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony. The kids also got a test drive. Let me just say this place is going to be awesome when it is completed. Tiny Towne is an innovative concept and will be the first of its kind. The attraction will be a family-oriented, high-tech "edu-tainment" center with a vision of inspiring a generation of safer drivers. In addition to two different level driving tracks there is also an arcade room, party rooms, a restaurant, fieldtrip classroom, computer lab with touch screen computers and simulators, and plenty of waiting areas for parents. At Tiny Towne children ages 3-15 will be able to drive high tech mini cars on realistic streets where they will have to follow road signs and traffic signals, respect each other and respect police officers. Drivers must complete various educational activities such as quizzes and successful rounds in the simulators in order to advance to more fun and higher-level tracks. It is a place where fun and education come together to teach children an very important life skill...driving!



Follow Tiny Towne on Facebook to receive updates. The attraction will be open to the public later in June. Also visit their website to claim a $20 voucher.

I hope to bring you a full, detailed review early next month!

Six Flags Over Georgia - Hurricane Harbor:
Six Flags Over Georgia recently opened their new multi-million dollar water park Hurricane Harbor. The water park is located in the back of the park and is included FREE with your admission. There are 4 fun attractions in the water park: Paradise Island, Bonzai Pipelines, Calypso Bay Wave Pool and Tsunami Surge.

The kids and I had the privilege of attending the media day event. First we played in Calypso Bay the 38,000 square foot wave pool. There are two massive wave generators that create 4 foot waves in 8 different wave patterns. It is just like being at the ocean minus the sand and salt. The kids spent hours in the wave pool and I had to practically bribe them to get out. There are life vests and inner tubes available for visitor use.

Next we headed over to Paradise Island which is a giant children's water playground. It is about 1 acre and features 6 water slides, multiple water buckets that dump about 2,000 gallons of water every 5 minutes and hundreds of interactive water elements like water blasters, sprayers, fountains, pumps, etc. The kids had a blast and really enjoyed the slides in this area.

The other two attractions Bonzai Pipeline and Tsunami Surge we were unable to try out because we ran out of time, but we will definitely be hitting them up in a week when we go back. The Bonzai Pipeline has 3 unique water slides that sit atop a 41 foot tower. Visitors will barrel down through 180- and 360- degree curves. There are single and double tube options.

Tsunami Surge is the first hybrid zero-gravity slide and sends you down five stories into the splash pool below. You will drop through an enclosed tube and into a whirlpool bowl with 360 degree curves and then out into a massive wave wall and for a moment you will feel zero gravity, or weightlessness. Tubes are available for single, double, triple or quadruple riders.

Check out the kids thoughts in this YouTube video.

Inside Hurricane Harbor there are 11 relaxing cabanas with reserved seating and food service, a beach-themed restaurant with window service, several retail locations, bathhouses, locker rentals, tube rentals and lounging chairs to sit back and enjoy the summer sun. Six Flags over Georgia is now open daily through August 10.

Note: It has been 8 years since we last visited Six Flags Over Georgia. My husband and I did not have a very good experience there our first time. However I will say that this return trip impressed me. There was security throughout the park, the staff was very friendly and it was very clean. I definitely felt that the park stepped up their game over the last few years to provide a safe, family friendly  park. Be sure to arrive early because it will take you an entire day to see all that this massive park has to offer. 

I hope you enjoyed this edition stayed tuned for more Georgia Travel Log updates!