How To Spend A Day In Dahlonega Georgia

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

We love traveling and exploring our amazing home state of Georgia, but right now we are restricted to trips that are only about 2 hours from our home (which is just North of Atlanta). Last year I was trying to find us a new place to explore that was within our 2 hour drive limit and decided on Dahlonega.

Dahlonega is the site of the first major U.S. Gold Rush and the Heart of Georgia Wine Country. This amazing little mountain city offers something for everyone. Some of the things you can enjoy include outstanding arts and gold medal wineries, original architecture and gold history attractions, outdoor adventure and a Golden Bear signature golf course and the University of North Georgia with its signature gold steeple.

If you are looking to spend a day in Dahlonega and spend a very small amount of money I have the perfect itinerary for you!

1) Dahlonega Gold Museum - This museum takes about 1-1 1/2 hrs to get through. Admission is $7 for adults, $4.50 for children ages 6 and older and $2 for children 6 and under.

The museum is housed inside the 1836  Lumpkin County Courthouse, the oldest courthouse Georgia. So not only can you learn about the gold history of Dahlonega you can also explore the courthouse features like the beautiful wooden chapel seats from 1889 and the judge's chambers. You can even see the flecks of gold in the bricks! The museum is two stories and only the first floor is wheelchair accessible. One the first floor of the museum you will learn all about the gold rush, see a complete set of rare coins (safely secured inside a giant vault), a nugget weighing more than five ounces, a fantastic rock, gem and mineral collection and more. On the second floor there is a great 23 minute that film describes the mining techniques and lifestyles of the prospectors through interviews with members of long time mining families of the area. There is also a large hydraulic cannon and nozzle on display that was used to blast soil from mountainsides as well as numerous artifacts. On your way out be sure to visit the gift shop to take home some gold of your own! If you are a homeschool family or teacher be sure to download the Georgia historic sites tour curriculum.

2) Mount Hope Cemetery - This stop takes about 1 hr. Admission is FREE. Please be respectful of those resting here.

Our family loves cemeteries because they are very educational. Be sure to check out my Lessons From The Grave post which will explain more about why we visit cemeteries.

This cemetery is really special for several reasons. The first is that it is an old pre-Civil War cemetery. And the second is that it is one of the few cemeteries that still has several "Slot and Tab" grave markers which are found only in this part of the country. The cemetery has 1,000-2,000 grave sites and has an interesting mix of old and new grave markers. It is the resting place for Confederate officer William Pierce Price (State Legislator and US Congressman), member of the Philips Legion Infantry - Co E - The Blue Ridge Rifles Jesse Marion “J. M.” McDonald  and three Revolutionary War veterans.

3) University of North Georgia - You don't even have to get out of the car for this one. As you drive to the next stop make sure yo pass the University of North Georgia to check out the stunning gold steeple! Admission is FREE. You can also get a good view of the gold steeple from the cemetery.

4) Yahoola United Cherokee Museum and Cultural Education Center - This stop takes about 1 hr. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $2.50 for children ages 4 and older.

We really stumbled upon this museum by accident and I am so glad we did. My daughter is fascinated with the Native American culture so we are always looking for ways to learn more. This museum is a work in progress and not too big...but what they have on display and what they are trying to accomplish is amazing.

The Yahoola United Cherokee Museum and Cultural Education Center is a 501(c) (3) Non Profit Corporation. Their mission is to build a Museum and Education Center that will not only tell the Cherokee side of Dahlonega history and surrounding areas, but also take you on a journey back through time. Dahlonega was and is a central player in an often over looked and ignored side of Cherokee history....remember the trail of tears?  It was because of the gold discovery in the Taquohee district of the Cherokee Nation (several miles east of present day Dahlonega) that the Native Americans were driven from their homes. The temporary museum in downtown Dahlonega (phase 1) currently features interactive displays and living history displays. The fact that they were interactive and that children where encouraged to touch was a HUGE plus in our book. There were numerous artifacts and authentic reproductions of tools, weaponry and other articles. Even the gift shop was amazing and everything that is for sale is handmade by Native Americans around the USA.

The museum needs help though to expand and make their ultimate dream a reality...which is to build a museum on a 5 acre spot non Highway 115. The museum building with replicate the traditional seven-sided Cherokee Council House.  It will share Cherokee culture that is oriented toward children. Phase 2 has broken ground and a demonstration area has been built to show stomp ground, medicinal plants and trees and demonstrate weapons and hunting implements. 

5) Cane Creek Falls - This stop takes about 1 - 1/2 hours. Admission is FREE. This is private property and belongs to Glisson Camp and Retreat Center, however they do allow public visitors to view the falls (when no retreats are in session). Just park at the visitors center, check in, then take a nice stroll down to the falls (you can also drive down).

The falls are absolutely beautiful and there is a top of the falls viewing deck and a nice wooded path above and below the falls where you can enjoy nature. If you walk to the falls from the visitor center it is about 1 mile round trip. you can also opt to drive down to the base of the falls.

6) Trahlyta's Grave - This stop takes about 15 minutes. Admission is FREE. Use extreme caution when getting out of your car if you decide to visit the actual grave to place a stone...it is a very busy intersection. We parked on the shoulder of the road. 

Legend has it that this mysterious pile of stones marks the grave of a Cherokee princess, Trahlyta. According to the legend her tribe, living on Cedar Mountain north of the site, knew the secret of the magic springs of eternal youth from the Witch of Cedar Mountain. Trahlyta was kidnapped by a rejected suitor, Wahsega, and was taken far away and lost her beauty. As she was dying, Wahsega promised to bury her here near her home and the magic springs. Custom arose among the Indians and later the Whites to drop stones, one for each passerby, on her grave for good fortune. The magic springs, now known as Porter Springs, lie 1/4 mile northeast of the site.

As much as I love legends we were told by a couple Native Americans that the legend is false and that the pile of stones is just that a pile of stones. However we still dropped a couple stones on the site. For the address visit the Dahlonega website.

7) Babyland General Hospital (Cabbage Patch) - This stop takes about 1 - 1 1/2 hrs. Admission is FREE. This place is located in Cleveland, GA a neighboring city just 15 miles east of Dahlonega.

This fun little place is situated on 650 acres in the North Georgia Mountains. The Southern Style home is filled with thousands of Cabbage Patch Kids just waiting to be adopted. Mother Cabbage is always on display beneath the branches of the Magic Crystal Tree and the magical Cabbage Patch is tended by the Licensed Patch Doctors and Nurses. This is the only place in the world where you can witness the birth of hand-sculpted Cabbage Patch Kids. If you want you can even take the Oath of Adoption and take home your perfect  Cabbage Patch Kid match. 

In between all your stops be sure to grab a few geocaches too!

And there you have it, how to spend a day in Daholnega and experience history, culture, science and more without breaking the bank.  For a family of 4 this trip itinerary will cost just under $40 (not including gas or food).

For more staycation ideas check out the awesome blogs below:

A - D

Phoenix, Arizona -- Saving For Someday
Fresno, California -- Living A Frugal Life
Orange County, California -- More With Less Today
San Diego, California -- Southern Cali Saver
Denver, Colorado -- Bargain Blessings
Washington, District of Columbia -- Kidventurous

F - I

Disney World, Florida -- The Happy Housewife
Jacksonville, Florida -- Saving The Family Money
Orlando, Florida -- Coupon Mamacita
St Augustine, Florida -- Simply St. Augustine
Tallahasse, Florida -- SwagGrabber
Tampa Bay, Florida -- LaToyaEdwards.net
Atlanta, Georgia -- Pretty Frugal Diva
Dahlonega, Georgia -- Kathys Cluttered Mind
Savannah, Georgia -- This Mommy Saves Money
Aurora/Chicago, Illinois -- A Savings WOW!
Chicago, Illinois -- Entertaining Chicago
Indianapolis, Indiana -- Chaos Is Bliss

K - P

Lexington, Kentucky -- Homeschool Village
Louisville, Kentucky -- The Kennedy Adventures
Northern Kentucky, Kentucky -- Simply Sherryl
Carroll County, Maryland -- Looking at life CreativLEI
Boston, Massachusetts -- Maven of Savin
Battle Creek, Michigan -- Pichea Place
Grand Rapids, Michigan -- Give Me Neither
Metro Detroit, Michigan -- Saving Dollars and Sense
Kansas City Area, Missouri/Kansas -- Redefined Mom
Omaha, Nebraska -- Family Fun in Omaha
Central, New Jersey -- Our Good Life
Cincinnati, Ohio -- Adventure Mom
Cleveland, Ohio -- Kosher on a Budget
Columbus, Ohio -- Cleverly Simple
Dayton, Ohio -- Savings Lifestyle
Mansfield & Richland County, Ohio -- The Traveling Praters
Miami County, Ohio -- Something 2 Offer
Northeast, Ohio -- Sisters Shopping on a Shoestring
Portland, Oregon -- Frugal Living NW
Harrisburg/Central, PA -- Family Balance Sheet
Erie, Pennsylvania -- Growing Kids Ministry
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- Moms Need To Know
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- The Coupon High

R - W

Arlington, Texas -- Grocery Shop For FREE
Fort Worth, Texas -- Coupons and Freebies Mom
Houston, Texas -- Melissa's Bargains
Katy, Texas -- Moms Confession
San Antonio, Texas -- How to Homeschool My Child
Tyler, Texas -- iLoveMy5Kids
Charlottesville, Virgina -- How to Have it All
Norfolk, Virgina -- The Talking Suitcase
Richmond, Virgina -- Vacation Maybe
Seattle, Washington -- Thrifty NW Mom
Tacoma/South Puget Sound, Washington -- Queen Bee Coupons
Oshkosh, Wisconsin -- A Little Bit of This and That

Roswell Recycling Center Tour + FREE Educational Resources

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

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to visit a recycling center! A few days ago I took two small groups of homeschoolers to Roswell Recycling Center for a fieldtrip. We had the greatest time and learned a lot! We learned the importance of recycling, what materials are recyclable, got to watch the bailing machine crush cardboard and even got to recycle some products we brought from home. Trevor is the manager at this facility and did a great job explaining all the nitty, gritty details about recycling to the children (and parents) and she answered everyone's questions. Several of the parents (including myself) found out we were recycling some things we shouldn't be, like plastic bags and cardboard milk cartons. The tour was FREE and lasted about 45 minutes.

After the tour Trevor gave each child a penciled made with recycled newspaper and I handed out a planet protector activity book, trash and climate change activity book and calendar of activities.

Free resources:
You can order FREE materials on the US EPA website or download them here. Also visit the recycle webpage and resources webpage for students and educators...both provide great information, downloads and games.

This center offers recycling of plastic, paper, metal and glass. As well as old appliances, tires, batteries, cell phones, printer cartridges, electronics, televisions, motor oil and antifreeze. Best of all the are open 7 days a week and you don't have to be a Roswell resident to take recycled goods there (some exceptions apply). For more information about the Recycling Center, call 770-442-8822 or visit their website.  And for teens (over the age of 16 years old) and or parents the recycling center is always looking for volunteers. Just give them a a call to set up a day to volunteer and help out the community and the environment. 

Recommended reading:

• A Handbook for Kids - RECYCLE!
• In My Neighborhood Garbage Collectors
• Projects For A Healthy Planet
• Why Should I Recycle?
• Why Should I Bother About The Planet?

Have you ever toured a local recycling center? What did you learn?

Johns Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility Tour

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

A few weeks ago we took a fabulous fieldtrip to a wastewater treatment facility in Alpharetta Georgia. This state of the art facility which is called the Johns Creek Environmental Campus offers FREE educational fieldtrips to groups. The 5-acre, award winning facility is located on a 43-acres site off Holcomb Bridge Road in the City of Roswell adjacent to the Chattahoochee River.  The facility can treat up to 15 million gallons per day (MGD). The tour lasts about 2 hours and discusses water quality, water conservation and the water and wastewater treatment processes. The unique STEM opportunity connects nature and technology for elementary, middle and high school students.

For the first 15 minutes of the tour we sat in a classroom where they gave us an overview on the history of the plant, the Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) system, and the overall process of cleaning wastewater. We also got to watch a great power point presentation. 

Afterwards the group split into two smaller groups. One group went with a tour guide on a tour of the plant and the other group participated in a hands on lab activity with the other tour guide...then we swapped.

During the lab activity each child got to participate in a hands on activity to learn exactly how the wastewater is processed. We even got to see several actual water samples (one which included some micro-organisms).

After the lab activity we headed out the mini museum which included a functional model of the Membrane Bioreactor, informational fact boards and old water treatment machinery.

Next it was time for the final leg of our fieldtrip. We swapped with the other group and went on a tour of the actual plant!!! We got to walk through the water treatment process and got to see every pint the water was running through. My kids and I thought the biological process (where the bugs have a party) and ultraviolet disinfection process were the coolest parts. We even got to see where the state-of-the art membrane bioreactors are located, where the testing lab is and even got a sneak peak at the control room. JCEC was one of the first plants of its size to utilized the MBR technology in the United States. We also learned what the plant does to reduce noise and smell for their neighbors.

This educational, fun and FREE tour is perfect for helping children understand not only the "water cycle," but also the "water treatment cycle." 

Both of our tour guides Debra and Cheryl were fabulous. They were really patient and did a great job of keeping the children engaged and answering all of the children's questions. I highly recommend this tour for school groups, homeschool groups, scouts, etc. Tours are only available by appointment.

The JCEC event has downloadable pdfs of the entire water treatment process.

After the tour we headed out to explore the "backyard" of the plant. The landscape outback includes walking trails, fantastic views of the Chattahoochee, a playground, a pond and stream system complete with a covered bridge, over 1,000 trees and shrubs and specially designed stormwater bio retention facilities that help clean stormwater runoff. There are also great placards with lots of information about the land, flora, fauna and water treatment process. I have driven past this place several times and never knew it existed. It is a great spot for a picnic, birdwatching or a nice stroll. This area is open to the public year round. Oh and if you are a geocacher be sure to grab the 3 caches located there.

If you plan on doing a similar tour with a group I highly recommend ordering these FREE resources from the USDA to hand out to families before or after the tour.

Your Hometown Clean Water Tour activity booklet

Water Cycle 2 sided poster

There are also some great printables and information on the water cycle here. And a great printable activity booklet and video here. And lastly view some micro-organisms at work in this video.

Sweetwater Creek State Park - 2,549 Acres of Nature and History

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

A few weeks ago we visited Sweetwater Creek State Park located in Northwest Georgia. That now brings the total of GA State Parks we have visited to 15. I know we have many more to go considering there are 65 State Parks in Georgia. Gwyn and I visited this beautiful state park a couple months ago, but since we were attending the GO Day event we didn't have any spare time to check out all the beautiful trails and historical sites this 2,549 acre State Park offers.

Sweetwater Creek State Park is a beautiful oasis of wilderness only minutes from downtown Atlanta. There are numerous trails, but the most popular is the wooded trail (red) that follows the stream to the ruins of New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile ill that was burned during the Civil War. 

We spent the majority of our day exploring the interpretive visitor center and the red and white trails. We met a couple of friends around 10 am and explored the park until about 3:30.

Check out all of the fun things this amazing Georgia State Park offers nature lovers and history buffs. 

Activities:

• Hiking – 9 miles of trails, closed at dark 
• Lake and Creek Fishing
• Canoe and Kayak Rental (seasonal) 
• SUP (Stand Up Paddle) board rental (seasonal) 
• Fishing Boat Rental (seasonal) 
• Pedal Boat Rental (seasonal) 
• Picnicking 
• GeoCaching 
• Ranger Guided Interpretive Programs 
• Bird-watching
• Playgrounds Fun
• Jr. Ranger and 150th Civil War Program

Before you start your trek down the riparian forest, red trail make sure you pick up the informational flora/fauna brochure and historical fast fact sheet at the interpretive center. There are also many placards along the red trail to provide you with additional information. During our visit we splashed in the river, caught frogs and lizards, went geocaching, climbed rocks, smelled hickory and pine, discovered really awesome fungus, picked up litter and soaked in the beautiful history and views! 

**Note the ruins are fenced off to visitors, however you can arrange a Ranger led tour for a small fee. As you can see in the photos there are many spots that provide a terrific, unobstructed view of them.

The History:
In 1845 Colonial James Rogers and former Georgia Governor Charles MacDonald purchased land along Sweetwater Creek for a textile mill. In 1849 the Sweetwater Factory opened its doors for business. The factory which ran off the waters off Sweetwater Creek produced cotton yarns and cloth. In 1857 Sweetwater Manufacturing Company sold the property to New Manchester Manufacturing Company. The mill was 5 stories and large enough to support a town of 200 people with 60-70 employees working in the factory. In 1861 when the Civil War began the mill was contracted to provide cotton osnaburg and muslin cloth for the Confederate Army. During the war the factory was operated mostly by women. So to protect the goods from robbers a local militia called "Alexander's Company" was created. On July 2, 1864, Union Cavalry, the 1st and 11th Kentucky Cavalry, under the command of Lt. Col Silas Adams and the 14th Illinois Cavalry under Maj. Haviland Thompkins, arrived and occupied the town of Manchester. And sadly on July 9, 1864 the factory buildings and the company store were burned to the ground. Men, Women and Children were imprisoned for treason and transported out of Georgia. Years later some citizens returned to Georgia but since the mill was gone they had no work and did not resettle on Sweetwater Creek. 

What is your favorite State Park either in Georgia or your home state?

Atlanta LEGO KidsFest Review

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

LEGO® KidsFest has been touring the USA and Canada for several years bringing with them tons of LEGO fun for children and adults of all ages! This year there are 7 cities on their tour list. LEGO KidsFest is a three-day show filled with hands-on, interactive and educational activities for the entire family. You can get creative in the construction zones, meet LEGO Master Builders, help build Creation Nation, experience LEGO Games, and see dozens of life-sized models made entirely from LEGO bricks.

A moms review:
Last night we had the opportunity to attend the Atlanta LEGO KidsFest and had an absolute blast. LEGO KidsFest will be in Atlanta at the Cobb Galleria Centre until Sunday, June 29th. In order to keep crowds down to a minimum and make sure all children are able to have fun building and playing KidsFest breaks each convention up into 5 sessions. There is generally one session offered on Friday and two sessions on Saturday and Sunday. Each session offers the same activities so just pick the one that works best for your family's schedule. Their next stops for 2014 will be Texas, Virginia and Indiana.

Checking into LEGO KidsFest was super quick which was great because a certain little boy was REALLY excited. I mean, who wouldn't be excited about 3 acres of LEGO fun? When we walked into KidsFest the first thing the children saw was the Model Museum which contains life-sized LEGO models of several very well know characters including: The Incredible Hulk, Darth Maul, Lightning McQueen and more. These made a great photo op. It was at this point I realized I had a HUGE blogger fail moment...I forgot my camera battery! So sadly my picture quality is not super amazing!

After prying them away from the models we headed to the LEGO Super Hero booth where the children built their own super hero emblems using base plates and 1x1 bricks. Rowyn made an R, Gwyn made a cat and I made ATL with a peach!

While Rowyn was waiting on his perfectionist sister to finish her emblem he went over to the LEGO Technic booth where he got to race a TECHNIC 4x4 crawler. His reply after completing the race was, "mommy that was super awesome, I want one."

Next we headed the Mixels booth where the children got to create their very own Mixel creations. There were several bins filled with various Mixel parts. They could have spent hours creating little Mixel creatures but the next LEGO Challenge was about to start so we headed over there.

At the Challenge Zone we joined some friends to compete in a friendly competition against several other teams. The challenge announcer with the help of the teams came up with an object for the build challenge. The object chosen for our challenge was a goal post and all teams had 2 minutes to construct it. Using their best building skills, imaginations and of course team work the 5 children in our team came up with a pretty awesome design. The announcer/judge was so impressed by all of the teams designs he declared everyone was a winner and handed out a special LEGO surprise to all participants.

It was at this time we found out from our friends that there were lots of other LEGO goodies being handed out at the various booths so we decided to hit up those booths next. Our next stop was the LEGO Club booth where we handed in a LEGO Club mailer to get an exclusive Max Minifigure. We also completed a fun scavenger hunt for a special LEGO Club brick. We also picked up a LEGO Movie poster.

We then popped over to the LEGO Friends and LEGO Disney booths to grab a Disney Friends mini set and play for a little bit. Rowyn and his friend were not to thrilled with the girly stuff so they went to another booth while Gwyn played.

Afterwards we met the boys at the LEGO Hero Factory booth where they were having a blast building some really unique creations.

Oh I totally forgot to mention that after children create their masterpieces at the booths they can proudly display them for all to see! Each booth has display cases or dioramas where children can place their creations. It was so much fun to watch LEGO City, Makuhero City, Heartlake City and Disney Princess Universe come to life with all of the children's creations.

At the Hero Factory booth we met up with my LEGO KidsFest ticket giveaway winners. I was so glad we bumped into them. Seeing the joy on their faces made me remember why I love blogging so much! They informed us of a few more booths where we could get some more FREE mini sets.

So the next stop was Creation Nation. We have done this before at our local mall, but it was not nearly as big as the one at KidsFest. The goal of this booth is to build a LEGO nation!!! Each person builds a personal LEGO creation to add to the basketball-court sized map of the United States. Anything goes! After your creation is complete you give it to a staff member to place on the map in the state of your choice. Each person that participated got a special LEGO prize too!

Oops one more side note. The LEGO Master Builder Academy takes place as certain times during the session so be sure to stop by their booth when you arrive to grab your workshop ticket and raffle tickets to be entered to win an awesome LEGO set (you must be present to win). Workshops are limited to 130 kids per workshop.

While we waited for our LEGO Master Builder workshop to start we decided to do another fun challenge. This time the children completed in a Pizza Relay Race. The children had a blast filling their LEGO pizza with anchovies, mushrooms, pepperoni and more! All pizza makers received a special LEGO prize for participating.

We still had a little bit of time to kill so we headed over to see our friends at the LEGOLAND booth. There the children got to help build a LEGO City masterpiece, rock out on a LEGO guitar and grab some LEGOLAND coupons!

Finally it was time for the much anticipated raffle drawing and LEGO Master Builder workshop. Sadly we didn't win a LEGO set but a certain little boy did get some inspiration from the Master Builder who actually got to work on Bricksburg (from THE LEGO Movie). The workshop was about 35 minutes long. The Master Builder discussed with the children what it takes to be a Master Builder, how the life-sized models are created and more. He answered lots of questions from the children and most importantly inspired many little boys and girls who have dreams of becoming Master Builders when they grow up. Afterwards the children created spaceships.

Sadly the evening was coming to an end and we had about 1 hour to get to the rest of the booths. But first we buried Rowyn and made LEGO angels in the massive Big Brick Pile. Next we created ninjas and learned the art of Spinjitzu in the battle arenas. The children loved this booth so much! Next we got our family photo taken in the LEGO Friends Photo Booth. You even get a special keepsake to take home.

The night was just about over so we breezed through the rest of the booths on our way out. We still had tons of fun, but we didn't get to stay and play at them as long as we would have liked. The booths we hit up included Race Ramps, Monochromatic Build, Chima, The LEGO Movie, Star Wars, Mindstorms and Art Gallery. We were doing really well breezing through and playing quickly until we reached the Mindstorms booth. This booth sucked the children in and I thought for sure we would be spending the night at the Cobb Galleria. There were 6 LEGO Mindstorm EV3 robot creations that the children got to control and play with.

Other booths at LEGO KidsFest included Honest Tea, DK Reading Rest Stop, Connections Academy Construction Zone, Cartoon Network, DUPLO Build Area (children ages 1.5-5), Kids Fest Marketplace and LEGO retail store.

So doesn't that sound like a blast? The children could have played at KidsFest for 8 or more hours without ever getting bored. If you can make it to a KidsFest event near you I HIGHLY recommend doing so. It is totally worth every penny, especially if you have a LEGO addict like I do!

Please note: Activities may vary from city to city and all content is subject to change without notice.

Tips:
-Arrive a few minutes early so you can get in right at the beginning of your scheduled time...believe me you will need the entire 4 1/2 hours to see and do everything.
-Walk through the entire exhibit very quickly when you first arrive so your children can see all of the booths available. This will give them a chance to decide which booths are a MUST see (in case you do run out of time). Next hit up the booths with the FREE LEGO prizes. I was told (though I am not sure if it is accurate) that they sometimes run out of prizes.
-Make sure you stop by the Master Builders Academy when you arrive to get your workshop and raffle tickets.
-Don't forget your camera, memory card or battery!
-You can use your LEGO VIP points and reward dollars at the LEGO retail store.

Where and when to visit:
Cities and dates vary. Check the website for details.

Cost:
Children under 2 are FREE, Children (3-17) $20, Adults $22 and Seniors (65+) $20.

Links to follow:
-LEGO KidsFest Website
-LEGO KidsFest Facebook
-LEGO KidsFest Twitter

Now time for the giveaway: 
As a thank you for stopping by I decided it would be fun to offer a little giveaway with this review. I am offering two of the mini sets we received at LEGO KidsFest (Creator Cat set 30188 and Star Wars Headhunter set 30240) as well as 2 great coupons for LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta (Buy 1 adult ticket get 1 kid FREE exp 5/31/15).

Only the first entry is mandatory. Other entries are optional and give you extra chances. This giveaway is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. The winner will be posted on the blog and will be emailed. Winner must reply within 24 hrs with their contact information or another winner will be chosen. Prize will be mailed by me. 

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*Prices indicated in post are subject to change.

Spider Quest Review - The ONLY Net Course In The USA

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

Spider Quest is the newest obstacle course at Treetop Quest in Gwinnett, Georgia. About a 2 weeks ago we got to give this new, one of a kind course a try and boy did we have a blast. Be sure to also read our previous Treetop Quest review too.

A moms review:
Treetop Quest is located on the beautiful Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center campus and provides hours of fun for the entire family. Since 2011 Treetop Quest has been entertaining adventurers with their 6 treetop obstacle and zip-line courses and now they have a NEW course Spider Quest.

Spider Quest, is the FIRST ever of its kind in the USA. It is a harness-free treetop obstacle course above a giant safety net. It is a 1 hour activity with two obstacle course levels, 30 obstacle challenges, 2 tree-houses and a giant slide. The massive net covers 20,000 square feet. In order to participate in this obstacle course children must be able to reach 4'5" flat-footed with their hand.

To get to the net obstacle course you will first have to make your way through a couple of mid-air swinging bridges and net walkways. My daughter ran through them and my son needed a little coaxing. But we finally made it to the Spider Quest net obstacle course. We were accompanied by an amazing staff member who gave the children a brief run down of the rules (like no jumping or walking around the net) and informed us of how to navigate the two different levels (red and green).

As soon as our guide was done with his spiel my 8 year old adventure seeking daughter was off. I swear she was halfway through the course before my son and I even got started. She navigated each and every obstacle with confidence and precision. Even the most difficult obstacles were no match for her. During our visit she went through both levels several times. Some of her favorite obstacles were the cable-guided skateboard, giant slide, trapeze zip-line, teeter-totter bridge and rock wall.

My 7 year old son who is a little less adventurous was a apprehensive about the course. But thanks to our amazing guide my son found his courage and by the end of our visit he had done all but maybe 4 of the obstacle challenges. Our guide encouraged and assisted him every step of the way. If there was an obstacle that my son really didn't want to attempt our guide would help walk him on the net to the next one. Rowyn moved a little slower through the obstacles than Gwyn, but by the end of our visit he had gone through most of the obstacles about 2 times each. Some of his favorite obstacles were the cable-guided skateboard, swinging logs and rope bridge.

As for me, I had a blast too and got quite a workout. Seriously it's a lot harder than it looks! I went through each of the course levels once, the rest of the time I enjoyed watching, photographing, and encouraging the children. It was so much fun watching them use their bodies, imaginations and problem solving skills to accomplish the obstacles. And seeing my son become more confident with each and every step was really amazing too. My favorite obstacles were the giant slide, slack line and trapeze zip-line. If parents don't wish to participate they can observe from the canopy bridge or from the trails on the ground.

So what about the giant net? Well if you happen to fall into it you will feel weightless and like you are walking on the moon. It's really cool! Gwyn didn't fall into the net at all, Rowyn fell twice and I fell once just to see what it was like.

Extra details:
-Waivers must be signed before participating. To save time you can print and fill out in advance on their website (forms are on right sidebar).
-They do allow cellphones and cameras to be taken up into the obstacle course however remember that it is a giant net and if you drop something it will fall below into the woods.
-Spider Quest is a separate activity from the main treetop obstacles and zip lines. However, Spider Quest admission is discounted when purchased in addition to your Treetop Quest admission.
-You may want to bring along a pair of gloves if you have sensitive hands. Treetop Quest may also have extra pairs you can borrow.
-Large groups (schools, homeschools, companies, churches, sport organizations, etc) are welcome and discounts are available for groups. Birthday parties are also available.
-If you are a really daring adventurer check out the Night Climbs for groups. With only a headlamp to provide you light you will traverse through over 70 obstacles in the dark forest. 
-Porter potties are onsite at Treetop Quest or there are traditional restrooms inside the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center.
-Light snacks and beverages are available for purchase or you can pack your own and eat them inside the covered pavilion at Treetop Quest.
-If the park is not overly busy the staff may allow you more time on the courses. 
-Wear comfortable, lightweight, loose fitting clothing (loose fitting, comfortable) and appropriate closed toe footwear.
-Warning you will see spiders, ants and other creepy crawlies on the obstacle courses.
-Allow some time to walk the fabulous trails at Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center. There is a beautiful historical mill, geocaching and more!

SPECIALS:
Buy your tickets online this Summer and $ave! Through June 27th use code WEEK4JUNE to save 20% off. Visit www.treetopquest.com/book-online/individual. Select 1. Book Treetop Quest OR 3. Book Spider Quest then enter code during check out. MUST purchase tickets online at least 24 hrs before selected date to receive the discount!

Where:
2020 Clean Water Drive
Buford, GA, 30519
770.904.3547
Email

When to visit:
Mar: Weekends 12pm-6:30pm
Apr: Weekends & Spring Break 10am-6:30pm
May: Fri, weekends and holidays 10am-7:30pm
June & July: Daily 10am-7:30pm
August: Daily M-F 12-7:30pm; weekends 10am-7:30pm
Sept: Weekends and holidays 10am-7:30pm
Oct: Weekends and holidays 11am-6:30pm
Nov: Weekends and holidays 12pm-5:30pm
December - February: Group reservations only

Cost:
1 hr Spider Quest Course

$19 per person, OR $10 if purchased in addition to a Treetop Quest ticket

2.5 hr Treetop Course
Ages 4-6: $22
Ages 7-11: $32
Ages 12-17 & Students: $42
Adults (18 & above): $49
Night Climb: $59

Annual Membership available!

Links to follow:
-Treetop Quest Website
-Treetop Quest Facebook
-Treetop Quest Twitter

*Prices indicated in post are subject to change.

I Am A Zoo Atlanta Media Ambassador - Brew At the Zoo, June Events And More

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

I have some exciting news. I recently became a Zoo Atlanta Media Ambassador. So what does this mean for you? Well I will be able to give you the inside scoop on upcoming events, behind the scenes looks, details about special family programs and updates on the different animal conservation initiatives happening at the zoo. Zoo Atlanta's mission is to inspire all people to value the wildlife on Earth and help safeguard existing species through conservation.

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

Brew at the Zoo:
Last month I had the opportunity to attend the Brew at the Zoo event with my good friend Cassandra. It was the best mom's night out I've had in awhile. Brew at the Zoo is held once a year in May and is definitely a must attend event. The zoo closes early and opens it doors to the 21 and over crowd for a night of music, drinking, fun and of course animals! The event starts at 5:30 pm and ends at 9:30. All you can drink beer and wine are included with the admission prices (you even get a souvenir cup to take home). There were 13 types of wine and 69 types of beer to sample at various stations throughout the zoo. Last call is at 7:45 pm so be sure you get all your tastings done before then. For an additional fee you can even pick up dinner at several places throughout the zoo. The entertainment for the evening (besides the animals of course) was several local bands stationed throughout the zoo each providing some rockin' tunes. There were keepers and volunteers stationed around the zoo to answer questions and give you an up close look at some of the zoo animal ambassadors. We had the privileged of seeing 2 snakes, an alligator and a Tenrec up close (I'm talking only inches away). The animals were all very active, which was a nice treat. I'm guessing it probably was because it was evening time and the temperature was cooler.  The best part of the evening was definitely seeing the lion cubs frolic and play. If you haven't had too much to drink and can handle it you can ride the carousel and train for free too. Tickets to Brew at the Zoo are $35 for Zoo Atlanta members and $43 for non-members. VIP tickets, which include a Brew at the Zoo T-shirt, access to an air-conditioned lounge, exclusive tastings, private bathrooms and a special animal experience, are $85. If you decide to attend this event next year make sure you get your tickets in advance because this event does sell out!

Upcoming June Events and Programs:
This week visit the zoo for Art Gone Wild Paint Out Week. Guests get the opportunity to watch over 30 artists create art en plein air. During Paint Out Week, artists will be stationed throughout the Zoo, using the scenery as their muse to create canvas art. Art Gone Wild Paint Out Week starts Monday, June 2 and ends Friday, June 6. Paint Out Week is completely free for guests with the purchase of a general admission ticket to the Zoo. Click here for more information about Art Gone Wild Paint Out Week.

We are headed to the zoo tomorrow to check to check out the animals and artists, be sure to follow us on Instagram to see photos during our visit.

The finished art work will all be displayed Saturday, June 14 during the Art Gone Wild Art Show and Silent Auction. You can mix and mingle with the Art Gone Wild artists and bid on their zoo-inspired pieces. The art show and silent auction will be held in Conservation Action Resource Center (ARC) at Zoo Atlanta. Click here for more information about the art show and silent auction.

June 7: Cub Scout Workshop         
June 4 & 7: Adventure Cubs - Animal Dads
June 12: Wild on the Rocks- Feathers and Flights
June 14: Art Gone Wild - Art show
June 14: Family Night Crawler - Outstanding Oceans

June 15: Father's Day at the Zoo

June 21: Asian Heritage Day

Announcements:

Okra Mae the sloth is pregnant!

Shirley's warthogpiglets have names. Meet Lex and Eleanor.

Did you know Zoo Atlanta has an FREE app? Download here for iPhone.

For more information about upcoming events/programs and announcements visit the Zoo Atlanta website.

Over 50 Staycation and Vacation Ideas Around The USA

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

Did you see my post yesterday about 30+ Free and Frugal Things To Do In Beaufort SC? Well if you are looking for even more free and frugal staycation or vacation ideas be sure to check out all the great posts below. Also be sure to check out my post with over 200+ FREE Things Family Things To Do in Georgia from last month.

A - D

Phoenix-Metro, Arizona ~ Mom Endeavors
Scottsdale, Arizona ~ Saving For Someday
Tucson, Arizona ~ Desert Chica Ramblings
Bentonville, Arkansas ~ This Sweet Life
Fullerton, California ~ More with Less Today
San Diego, California ~ Southern Cali Saver.com
Denver, Colorado ~ Bargain Blessings
Washington, District of Columbia ~ Kidventurous

F - I


Jacksonville, Florida ~ Saving The Family Money
Orlando, Florida ~ The Educators' Spin On It
Tallahassee, Florida ~ SwagGrabber
Tampa, Florida ~ Not Consumed
Chicago (and suburbs), Illinois ~ A Savings WOW!
Chicago, Illinois ~ Entertaining Chicago
Fort Wayne, Indiana ~ Simplified Saving
Indianapolis, Indiana ~ Chaos Is Bliss
Des Moines, Iowa ~ Eat, Play, Love Des Moines

K - P

Northern Kentucky (Boone, Kenton, Campbell Co) ~ Simply Sherryl
Annapolis, Maryland ~ The Happy Housewife
Boston, Massachusetts ~ Maven of Savin
Grand Rapids, Michigan ~ Give Me Neither
Metro Detroit, Michigan ~ Saving Dollars and Sense
Oakland County, Michigan ~ Everyday Savvy
South Haven, Michigan ~ Bargain Briana
Twin Cities, Minnesota ~ Creative Couponing
Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas ~ Kosher on a Budget
Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas ~ Kansas City Mamas
Southern Missouri ~ Getting Freedom
Omaha, Nebraska ~ Family Fun in Omaha
Reno (& Northern), Nevada ~ Premeditated Leftovers
Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York ~ Anns' Entitled Life
Syracuse, New York ~ I am THAt Lady
Cincinnati, Ohio ~ Adventure mom
Columbus, Ohio ~ Cleverly Simple
Dayton, Ohio ~ Savings Lifestyle
Northeast Ohio ~ Raising Lifelong Learners
Northeast Ohio (Canton, Akron, Cleveland) ~ Sisters Shopping on a Shoestring
North Central Oklahoma ~ From this Kitchen Table
Portland, Oregon ~ Frugal Living NW
Erie, Pennsylvania ~ Growing Kids Ministry
Harrisburg/Central, Pennsylvania ~ Family Balance Sheet
Lancaster, Pennsylvania ~ Pandora's Deals
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ~ The Coupon High
Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) ~ Bucktown Bargains

R - W

Providence, Rhode Island ~ Everyday Family Living
Beaufort, South Carolina ~ Kathys Cluttered Mind
Chattanooga, Tennessee ~ Living Chic on the Cheap
Nashville, Tennessee ~ The Hands-On Homeschooler
Arlington, Texas ~ Baby Boomer Rants
Bryan/College Station, Texas ~ How to Homeschool My Child
Dallas, Texas ~ Surviving The Stores
Fort Worth, Texas ~ Coupons and Freebies Mom
Houston, Texas ~ Melissa's Bargains
Katy, Texas ~ Moms Confession
Rio Grande Valley (McAllen), Texas ~ iLoveMy5Kids
Salt Lake City, Utah ~ Teach Beside Me
Charlottesville, Virginia ~ How to Have it All
Richmond, Virginia ~ Vacation Maybe
Williamsburg, Virginia ~ The Talking Suitcase
Seattle, Washington ~ Thrifty NW Mom
Oshkosh, Wisconsin ~ A Little Bit of This and That

Disney On Ice - 100 Years of Magic Review

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

Last night we had the privileged of attending the opening night show of Disney on Ice 100 Years of Magic. The kids had heard the radio advertisements during the week and had mentioned how much they really wanted to see the show. Little did they know that we had media passes to last night's show. It wasn't until we sat down in our seats that they finally realized where we were at. It was a complete surprise and they were excited and very impatient for the show to start.

Disney on Ice will be at The Arena at Gwinnett Center from May 14th-18th. Parking is FREE at the Gwinnett Center and there is ample parking. Obtaining our tickets and locating our seats was super easy. All of the staff at Gwinnett center was very helpful and accommodating. We arrived at about 6:45 pm and were in our seats by 7:00 pm. There are several concession and gift shop stands set up throughout the halls and there are plenty of vendors inside the arena as well. We sat in Section 121 Row Z which is at the very top of the arena. I was very impressed with the seats, as was the rest of the family. We could clearly see everything that was going on and I was able to get some really great pictures too.

The show started promptly at 7:30 pm after the announcer gave everyone a 5 minute warning that show was about to start. He also alerted the audience that singing, dancing, video tapping and photography (which is totally awesome for those of us that like to preserve special memories) was permitted. The show is about 2 hours long with a 15 minute intermission.

The show kicks off with the original Disney gang: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and the hilarious Chip and Dale duo. After the gang discovers a magic lamp Aladdin and the Genie take over the ice. At one point there are about 20 Genie's dancing on the ice. Following Aladdin and his pals was Nemo and the gang. Even the sharks got in on the action. The shark costumes were way cool!

Next up was every little girls favorite part and the part where my son and husband zoned out a bit, the Disney Princesses. Gwyn was really excited and said this was her favorite part of the show...of course. You could literally hear every little girl in the audience oohing and ahing at this point in the show. With their eyes glued to the rink they watched Belle and the Beast Beast (who we got to see transform into a handsome prince right before our eyes), Cinderella and her Prince Charming, Ariel and Eric, Aladdin and Jasmine, Pocahontas and John Smith and Snow White and Prince Charming dance to their songs.

Following the lovely princesses Goofy meets a little green army man from Toy Story. But soon the entire ice rink is filled with marching green army men. This was my sons favorite part of the show. And I must admit it was one of my favorites too. The marching routine on ice was pretty spectacular!

After a 15 minute intermission the show started back up with original Disney Gang. Followed by the best, "It's a Small World" spectacle I have ever seen (much better than the ride). My children were a little confused though and kept asking which Disney movie the act was from (they have never been to Disney World). Afterwards the Disney Gang, a marching band and the troublesome Stitch get the audience up and out of their seats so they can dance and sing along with the characters! Following the marching band Jiminy Cricket, the Blue Fairy, Pinnochio and several other characters make their way onto the ice to sing, "I got no strings." And wait until you see the giant whale that swallows Pinnochio and Geppetto, it's awesome!!!!

I was getting a little antsy because my favorite Disney movie had not had its appearance yet, but that was all about to change. Mulan finally arrived!!! Yup this was totally my favorite part of the show. The battle scene and giant Chinese Dragon were really amazing.

The show was winding down and there were only two more acts left and these were the two that got the biggest screams from the audience. The beloved Incredible family made their way onto the ice like any superhero family would, in style. Each character's power was highlighted including invisibility and super stretching arms. Have you ever seen an invisible ice skater? It's really cool! After the Incredible's made the audience laugh hysterically things got a little mushy as Simba, Nala, Timon and Pumbaa skated to two well know Lion King classics.

And then it was time for the finale. All of the characters made their way onto the ice for one final number.

The show was filled with great special effects like snow, flashing lights, etc. The sound quality was sensational and there was a mix of classic, original Disney songs as well as new musical creations. The majority of the songs were condensed versions. Each costume was very accurate and detailed and I especially enjoyed the large costumes (sharks, whale, dragon). There are a total of 60 Disney characters from 18 stories in the Disney On Ice 100 Years of Magic show so there is definitely quite a bit going on. As a result younger children may have trouble keeping up with the quick story changes. Overall I thought the show was a fun, family outing. The only critique I had was regarding the ice skating routines. I personally felt that many of the ice skating routines lacked technical elements (jumps, spins, etc). The princess segment had the best technical elements in my opinion and the audience definitely concurred by their applauds.

Disney On Ice 100 Years of Magic will only be in town for a few more days so be sure to purchase your tickets now. Below is a coupon code!

Coupon Code: Save $5 Off!  To redeem, click here. Under Promotions & Special Offers click "Buy Offer" and enter code M100. Good for the following performances: Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 10:30am, Sunday at 5:00pm. Savings will apply to the $30 and $25 price levels. 
Check out how awesome the show is:


Let me know if you see the show and what your thoughts are in the comments below!