When we moved to Minnesota I didn’t understand why people would go “up north” for vacation. Wouldn’t they want to go SOUTH and find sunshine and warm weather. Well, when I finally went “up north,” it all made sense. It’s magnificent.
As fall break approached, we thought about indulging in more of that ‘up north’ beauty. But instead, we decided to stay home, check out some local spots, and take a breather before sports and the holiday busy-ness have us running.
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Here are some highlights:
Clark and Paul found recipes on TikTok. While I was working at the Artisan Home tour, they road their bikes to Aldi, bought groceries with their own money, and cooked chicken and pasta for the family! I could not have been more proud.
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I took my first painting class and I loved it! I got to learn new techniques and meet some wonderful people
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We made a trip to the Mall of America, where we explored the new Museum of Illusions—such a fun and mind-bending experience.
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First college visit for George! We got a tour of the University of Minnesota. What a BEAUTIFUL campus.
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The U of M has one of the largest campus bookstores in the county.
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Beautiful historic buildings on the U of M campus!
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We went to a Minnesota Timberwolves preseason game against the Denver Nuggets. Unfortunately, AntMan was not playing, but it was still a fun game to watch.
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Our first “family” basketball game.The 2 legends behind Luke were in attendance, but not playing.
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Clark was back on the court. He is playing on a ‘pre-seaon’ team before his first ‘high school’ try out. Here’s a quick video highlight:
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Luke had one additional day off so we spent the day together playing pickle ball and going to The Wild Robot. It was a cute movie, but we like the book better.
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We are loving this unusually warm fall in Minnesota. The tree outside my house is bringing me absolute delight!
While most families flock to Florida or Mexico for a warm beach escape during spring break, our family of six heads north. With four boys who don’t need a break from the cold and love to ski, we find it both fun and budget-friendly to pack up our gear and head to Minnesota’s beautiful North Shore.
We packed out car to the brim with six pairs of skis, ski boots, snow boots, helmets, gloves, winter clothes, and enough food to feed an army. Our first stop was in Two Harbors for a delicious lunch and some coastal exploration. The boys enjoyed exploring, despite the chilly winds whipping off Lake Superior.
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Though we didn’t make time for it on this trip, I highly recommend exploring Gooseberry Falls state park while in (or passing through) Two Harbors, MN!
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Next up, we visited the iconic Split Rock Lighthouse and State Park. Last year, the boys spent over an hour just skipping rocks, but this year, the wind and waves kept us from spending much time there, so we made our way to our cozy cabin in the Lutsen woods. It’s not fancy, but the boys love the ski-in/ski-out setup, and I appreciate the full kitchen and two bathrooms.
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Once settled in, we took a winter walk though the woods, played some silly snowball games, and capped off the night watching basketball.
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The next morning, we were up early and off to Lutsen Ski Hill. The slopes were quiet due to a mild winter in Minnesota. The boys sped down every run – from green to black, leaving me to navigate the icy slopes with all the muscle power I could muster. My youngest, Luke, already skis better than me at age nine.
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We gathered for lunch in the lodge, then I decided to stay there and enjoy the stunning view of Lake Superior, while the boys and Ted continued skiing.
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After a fun-filled day of skiing, the boys skied their way to the cabin. I love that they can navigate this by themselves. Ted and I drive ourselves and our gear back to the cabin. We ordered pizza for the boys, who were, believe it or not, worn out and ready to relax in the condo. Ted and I snuck away to enjoy live music at a local winery.
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We also made a memorable visit to Grand Marais, taking a trek to the lighthouse. Though the famous donut shop was closed, it just gives us another reason to return and explore this charming town further at another time.
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On our way home we stopped in Duluth. This is a great place eat, explore, and watch the ships come in an out of the harbor. (For a full Duluth itinerary, click here)
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In just three days, we packed in a lot of fun and relaxation. Our North Shore ski trips are always filled with adventure, laughter, and cherished memories. Until next time, keep exploring!
Are you in Minnesota and looking for something fun to do with your family? Do you have guests coming to town and want to try something new and unique? Well, I’ve got you!
Here are 24 family-friendly places for fun around Twin Cities:
This museum in downtown St. Paul features hands-on exhibits, an Omnitheater, and interactive activities that are both educational and entertaining for kids. My boys and I LOVED it!
Inside the Mall of America in Bloomington, Nickelodeon Universe is the largest indoor theme park in the United States, offering rides for all ages. I love that you can PAY PER RIDE – or get an all-day pass.
This is a GIANT store in Jordan, MN that not only sells every kind of candy you can imagine, but popcorn, pie, soda, meat and cheese! There is so much to see inside this store, your family will love it. Come for the candy store, or make it a day of adventure.
The Remains of the inside of the General Mills Factory
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Learn about the history of Minneapolis and its flour milling industry at the Mill City Museum, which offers interactive exhibits and a chance to explore the ruins of a historic flour mill.
Located in downtown St. Paul, the Minnesota Children’s Museum offers a variety of interactive exhibits and activities designed to engage children’s curiosity and creativity. All four of my kids enjoyed visiting this museum and want to go back.
Enjoy the outdoors by visiting Minnehaha Falls – you’ll find a scenic waterfall, a hiking trail, swimming spots, and lots of space for exploring. Bring extra clothes or wear some that can get wet or muddy.
This museum in Minneapolis focuses on electricity and magnetism, offering hands-on exhibits and demonstrations that are both fun and educational for kids.
Explore nature and history at Fort Snelling State Park, where you can hike, bike, picnic, and learn about the military history of the area. Here’s a peek into our visit to the Fort.
This museum, located in St. Paul, explores the history and culture of Minnesota through exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays. It’s a great place to learn about our state’s past. My kids and I loved our time in this museum and leaned so much in the ‘hands on’ exhibits!
Founded in 1907, the Wildflower Garden is the oldest public native plant garden in the United States. This area has a beautiful walking path through the grounds.
Bursting with more than 20 hands-on activities, this one-of-a-kind family attraction is where color, chemistry and technology combine to create a colorful adventure for a child’s imagination. Name and wrap your own crayon, create a coloring page with YOU in it, bring your art to life in 4-D and so much more! Perfect for a day of family fun.
Located in St. Paul, Bell Museum is a place kids can explore science, nature and history. You will find a geology exploration area, solar station, and an area with snakeskins, animal pelts, and bones, rocks and fossils. They have a planetarium and really cool life-size dioramas.
. The Museum of Illusions, located just below the food court in the Mall of America, is a must-visit! My kids and I were captivated by the hands-on, mind-bending exhibits—perfect for amazing photos and endless laughs. It’s a fun, educational experience for all ages. Even the gift shop is stocked with interactive toys and reasonably priced products.
The magnificent fireplace inside the entrance to the home. Anyone else have a foyer fireplace like this one?
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This museum celebrates Swedish-American culture through art, exhibits, and programming. It’s housed in a stunning, historic mansion and includes a cafe serving Nordic cuisine. Click here to read about my visit.
In St. Paul, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is free to enter and features a zoo with animals from around the world, as well as a conservatory with beautiful gardens.
This place is just across the Wisconsin border, but deserves to be on the list! It’s an amazing park where deer and other animals roam free for you to pet and feed. Make a day of it and stop by the Franconia Sculpture Garden and Taylor Falls.
My kids weren’t super excited about a visit to the Arboretum, but I wanted to go, so I created a challenge for them. “Whoever can capture the BEST picture will win $1.” My boys are always up for a contest and it PAID OFF (no pun intended). They enjoyed trying to capture the BEST picture and I enjoyed the BEAUTY all around.
New this year: educational and fun Discovery Booths, featuring a different theme each month. Drop in between 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, May 2 through Oct. 27, for a variety of hands-on activities.
When a neighbor mentioned that he needed some help with a Parade of Home’s Artisan Home Tour, I thought, “Why not? It’s a chance to see some stunning houses and meet new people in the process!”
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You can see these dreamy homes (and 18 others!) today through Sunday. Visit one house for $5 or all of them for $25 (with promo code HOLIDAY). All the details are just a click away, so check out more info by tapping right here.
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Here’s the scoop on two fabulous homes I played host to over on the west side of Minneapolis.
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Which one of these jaw-dropping homes could you see yourself living in?
A 3400-square-foot modern masterpiece out in Medina, MN. It sits on 7 forested acres (yet is still close to restaurants and shopping).
Or, maybe you’re more into the 6700-square-foot, 3 story beauty (with an elevator) on Lake Minnetonka.
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House #1 in Medina, MN built by City Homes
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I was crazy about this blue porcelain shower.
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Here’s an inside tour:
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House #2 in Orono, MN on Lake Minnetonka built by Lecy Brothers
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This property has been in the family for over half a century, but the house itself is brand new. The top level is an ’apartment’ for the grandparents who bought this property in the 60s. The elevator takes them to every level where the next two generations live.
Gorgeous kitchen with a maple island
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The main living area with an art TV and lake view
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Which is your favorite? Drop your thoughts in the comment section by giving that little box next to the post title a gentle click.
And if you’re on the hunt for more design inspiration, follow my sister at Krista Lynn Designs. She’s an interior designer with phenomenal taste! .
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I’m not usually a mall fan. I’m one of those rare females that doesn’t love to shop. However, I do enjoy going to the Mall of America. Mostly because there is so much more than shopping. You never know what you will see or experience when you visit MOA.
Donuts, cookies, chicken, mexican food, cream puffs, ice cream, sushi, steak, burritos, cupcakes, burgers and SO much more. If there’s a food you are craving, MOA will have it!
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5. Have a min-bending experience at Museum of Illusions
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6. People watch
Sit and enjoy watching all the people who visit.
Did you know more people visit Mall of America than Disney World?
Photographs of Fair on 4 in Bloomington, MN. All images by The Restaurant Project Copyright 2022
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9. Have a problem-solving adventure in an Escape room
Mall of America has the BEST Escape rooms around! My 15-year-old tried one for his birthday and absolutely LOVED IT! He did the Gold Rush but can’t wait to go back for the Prison Escape or another challenge.
Join their free rewards program and you will have access to:
Treat Yourself Tuesday ($5.00 Tickets) and FREE small box of popcorn with the purchase of a movie ticket with the opportunity to upgrade to larger sizes for a discounted fee! Subject to any applicable premium upcharges and tax. Blackout dates apply
FREE same day refills on large popcorns and sodas
FREE #1 combo coupon on your birthday and more!
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12. Attend one of the 400 free events every year
Celebrity meet-and-greet, fashion shows, and concerts around the mall.
This is one of our FAVORITE experiences at the mall – whether you are 6 or 60 – you will have so much fun ‘flying over’ the US and experiencing it in an entirely new way! Click here to read our story!
Our family had the sweetest day in Red Wing, Minnesota and I wanted to share it with you in hopes that you would add this adorable town to your Bucket List.
Driving into Red Wing, we felt like we were back in Colorado. This historic town has a large bluff in the background, making it look and feel like a quaint mountain town.
Here are our top 5 favorite parts of the day:
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1. Hanisch Bakery
First, start your day by fueling up at Hanisch Bakery. Hanisch has been voted the best bakery in Minnesota. Their food and pastries are made from scratch and absolutely divine. We purchased a loaf of cinnamon bread for $4 and my boys LOVED it! I was so happy with their coffee selection. They had about 10 to choose from – including my favorite flavor of all time – Highlander Grog!
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2. Hike Barn Bluff
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After fueling up, we hiked Barn Bluff. There are different trails with varying difficulty. We took the moderate path and it was just the right amount of exercise for four boys and their mom and dad.
It was a beautiful hike and you are rewarded with a beautiful view of the Mississippi River when you reach the top.
Fast fact: Poet and writer Henry David Thoreau hiked this bluff on his travels through Minnesota.
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3. Downtown Shopping: Red Wing Shoes
World’s Largest BootMuseum inside Red Wing Shoes
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After hiking, we explored a few shops in downtown Red Wing.
First the Duluth Trading company, then Red Wing Shoes.
A stop at Red Wing Shoes is a MUST when you first visit Red Wing. The store is half museum, half shoe store.
Fun Fact: There are painted boots around town. Make spotting boots a part of your adventure!
The Saint James Hotel is a great spot to explore, stay the night, and/or eat. We walked around to see the historic artifacts and visit the Ski Jump Museum.
Fun Fact: Red Wing was the Ski Jump Capital of the US
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5. Eat good food!
Bayside Great burgers
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We tried to eat at The Staghead – it had good ratings and was walking distance from the shops were were exploring, but they were understaffed and canceled our reservation. We jumped in the car and drove a mile down the road to Bayside Grill. My boys LOVED IT and said they served some of the best burgers they’d ever had!
My son Clark LOVES Scavenger hunts. But let’s be honest…who DOESN’T enjoy a fun hunt?
One year, my husband buried a treasure box in a forest, then created a treasure map for the boys to follow, find and DIG UP! (Best day ever! Best DAD ever!)
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Another year, just as George was learning to spell, he created a scavenger hunt for his brother. He left kind and encouraging words for him to find around the house. (Best brother ever!)
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For Clark’s 13th birthday, we gave him two hunts. One indoors (by himself) to find his birthday present, and one OUTSIDE with his friends. Both were a HIT so I wanted to share this idea with you!
Scavenger hunts work not only for a birthday, but also for Christmas, for a family night, or on any day you’re looking for something fun to do with your family. You could even have your kids create scavenger hunts for each other.
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Here was Clark’s INDOOR birthday hunt:
(Thank you Pinterest and Google for helping me with these riddles)
Here is our OUTDOOR Hunt:
(Feel free to copy and paste to a word document, or print this and play!)
Good for kids 12 and up. Make sure each team has a phone/camera.
Scavenger hunt
Take a selfie of your entire team on the play set.
Take a picture of two people swinging.
Find the sidewalk chalk. Write an encouraging message on the sidewalk. (Ideas: You Matter. -or- You Got this! -or- Choose Joy) You will find the sidewalk chalk:
Find the secret message and write down what you see. Secret message is found:
Take a selfie with a dog or person out for a walk.
Trade a penny for something more valuable.
What is the mystery word written on our neighbor’s front door?
Find the little library and write down the name of one book.
Take a picture next to a fire hydrant.
Find leaves from 3 different trees and bring them back.
Take a picture of something red.
Take a photo of two of your team mates jumping in the air at the same time.
Take a picture of someone sitting on the park bench.
Take a picture of a house or mailbox with the number 2 on it.
Return home
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The boys loved the scavenger hunts and said they wished they were LONGER. This list only took them about 30 minutes! They ran SO hard!
Fort Snelling is a fun and education field trip for your family in St. Paul, Minnesota. You will learn about army life, see live demonstrations, learn how they cared for the sick, explore the beautiful home of the commander, taste what they ate, watch how they made their tools, and more!
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First of all, the Minnesota Historical society annual family pass is less than $100, and grants your family (plus two guests) access into amazing spots all over Minnesota, including: the Mill City Museum, the State Capitol, the Minnesota History Center, and today’s focus: Fort Snelling!
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Upon arrival, we pulled into the gated parking lot for Fort Snelling. The parking fee is $4 for members, $6 for non-members. There’s a beautiful walking path along the Minnesota River up to the entrance of the visitor center. This area was recently remodeled. It has a small museum inside, as well as a gift shop and clean bathrooms.
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Fort Snelling Visitor Center
From there, we enjoyed a golf cart ride to the entrance of the Fort.
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The Fort is phenomenal. It was constructed 200 years ago and used until the end of WW2. It’s been restored to show visitors what life was like as a soldier living in this fort. There are characters dressed and ready to teach everyone about anything from laundry, to slavery, to fur trading, to black smithing! (Is that a word?) You can watch guns and canons being shot too, and food being made.
Some things to discover and explore:
The school house
The hospital/medical exhibit
The armory/weapons storage
Jail
Blacksmith shop
Dred Scott’s living quarters and how his time living on the base enable him to fight for his freedom from slavery.
Commander’s home
Kitchen
Archeology exhibit
Soldier’s quarters
Married quarters
Trails to the river
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Weapons demonstration Learning about the fur tradeMaking food
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My kids and I absolutely LOVED it. We learned a lot about the history of Minnesota and military life, and enjoyed the beautiful grounds. There was even a baseball game happening as we left. We hope to be a part of that during our next visit.
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Army BarracksDred Scott lived here
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Fort Snelling is very close to the Minneapolis airport, so if you have a layover – it would be worth checking out!
Locations, Hours, and Admission:
Historic Fort Snelling is open Wednesdays through Sundays from May 31 to September 4, 2022. Opening hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
Address: 200 Tower Avenue St. Paul, MN 55111
Admission is $12 for adults, or $10 for seniors and college students with ID. Children aged 5-17 are $8.
Admission is free for Minnesota Historical Society members, military veterans and family, native Americans and families, and active military and families (walk up only.) Tickets may be purchased in advance online, through the box office at 651-259-3015, or at the visitor center.
When my son heard there was a place near the Twin Cities where you could interact with wildlife, he nagged me until we made it happen – and I’m SO glad we made it happen.
Fawn Doe Rosa is a one-of-a-kind experience. Stepping onto the grounds feels like stepping into the Garden of Eden. There are big trees, a peaceful pond, lovely bridge, rolling hills….and beautiful animals that graze among all the guests!
We loved it. Even my TEENAGER was fascinated by this experience (and not much fascinates him right now).
Fawn Doe Rosa opened in 1963 and was originally called “Bambi-land.” The staff focuses on care, conservation and rehabilitation of the animals in the park.
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We went on a Saturday, and though there were lots of other people, the grounds were spacious enough that it didn’t feel crowded.
We brought our lunch and ate at the picnic area outside, because they ask that you don’t bring any food inside. There is a playground next to the picnic area.
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We enjoyed chasing chickens, adoring the baby fawns, feeding the goats and llamas, but the highlights for us were:
1 – Cuddling with the large buck:
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2 – Feeding the animals:
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It’s not free (in fact, it’s not cheap), but it’s a bucket-list spot. Adult admission currently costs $10.25/person and kids (ages 2-12) cost $9.25/person. Children under 2 are free. At the admission counter, you can pay for animal feed or pony rides. They offer coupons on their site for the animal feed.
The boys and I took advantage of a day off in winter to explore SEA LIFE at the Mall of America.
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They’d be asking to go to this aquarium since our first visit to the Mall of America in 2018, and we were excited to finally get inside and explore.
Sea Life is well organized with a “trail” that leads you through the entire aquarium.
I was surprised by how many different ‘creatures’ lived at Sea Life. I mean, it’s inside a mall, how big can this place be? Well, apparently VERY BIG! There are literally THOUSANDS of creatures. Two that I enjoyed seeing were the BLUE dart frogs and the alligators.
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They also have the only sawfish in Minnesota. Those fish are COOL! (Duke and Duchess are their names)
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Sea Life also has the only glass tunnel in Minnesota – and it was incredible. There were different types of fish, turtles and sharks swimming over and around you. We’d never experienced walking through a tunnel like that, and we all enjoyed it.
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Upon exiting the tunnel, there was a tank of starfish and sea anemones that we were allowed to touch. They were beautiful and felt so soft.
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There were also sting rays to observe and feed.
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Next we entered a room of tall tanks filled with jelly fish. They were mesmerizing. I could have watched them for hours – but I was pulled away by my boys who wanted to keep moving.
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The boys liked the exhibit with a surf board that had been bitten by a shark.
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Did you know that sharks think surfers are seals or sea turtles and that’s why they bite?
For lego lovers – there is a lego play area.
My boys said their favorite part of the day was the “Scavenger Hunt.” Upon arrival, there are books available with things you need to find throughout Sea Life. When you find them, you look for the stamper nearby and “punch” your card. When your card is full, you show it to a staff member in the gift shop to receive a sticker and a medal.
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Scavenger Hunt Guide
What kid doesn’t want a medal? They all wore theirs proudly.
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There were several shows, talks, and exhibits throughout the day.
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An interactive movie
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There are also fun ‘fin’ facts throughout the aquarium, as well as games to play.
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If you are in a hurry, you can go through the entire thing in 30 minutes. If you take your time, you can wander and spend about 90 minutes.
Sea Life is a place I’d recommend checking out. Writing this post makes me want to go back. I need to spend more time with those jelly fish. If you are local, you may want to get a season pass so that you can enjoy Sea Life throughout the year.
Thank you to Sea Life for the fun experience! They gave our family free tickets in exchange for this post. Being a blogger has benefits. 🙂
