MONEY-SAVING MUSEUM TRAVEL TIP!

For those of you who like science or natural history museums, zoos, or other science-related venues (or who have family members that do), here is a money-saving tip for you.  NOTE: This tip works especially well for those who travel to various states and/or countries throughout the year.

Buy a membership to one of the museums in your state that participates in the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) and you can take advantage of their Travel Passport Program. There are over 300 museums and science centers who participate in this program; your membership will get you free admission, and/or discounts at gift shops, and/or other benefits at all of the other participating science centers!

For instance, if you have a membership at the Gateway to Science (in North Dakota), you can use your membership at any of the other participating locations.    We have a membership in one of our state's participating museums, and have used it to visit WONDERFUL museums in every other state we have visited, including the Virginia Living Museum, the Orlando Science Center (Florida), and the Arizona Science Center, to name just a few.  We received free admission for a family of 4, plus discounts at the gift shops, and sometimes even at food concessions.  Best of all--we discovered so many great science centers, which we probably would never have even visited but for the fact that they were ASTC members!

There are a few caveats:  

1. Each museum's discount is slightly different--for example some offer free admission for families of 4, some offer for additional family members, some offer discounts at gift stores etc.
2. The list of participating museums and centers changes every 6 months, so make sure to check it before you embark on your trip.

3. Science centers and museums that are located within 90 miles of each other are excluded from the program unless that exclusion is lifted by mutual agreement. ( 90 miles is measured "as the crow flies" and not by driving distance).

4. Finally, to receive Travel Passport Program benefits, you must live more than 90 miles away ("as the crow flies") from the center/museum you wish to visit.

For more information, visit the website http://www.astc.org/members/passlist_about.htm .  And go have fun learning about science!

Spring Break On Cape Cod, MA

Although most of NJ had Spring Break Week either this past week, or even the week before, most of Massachusetts has Spring Break starting tomorrow, April 16th, which is Patriot's Day. (In case you were wondering why your income taxes aren't due until Tuesday, April 17th, it's because of Patriot's Day).

So, while I am organizing all of the great information I collected about many great places to visit in Virginia, I thought I would mention a great place to visit with kids for Spring Break in Massachusetts--the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, in Brewster, Mass. This museum--which is also an aquarium--has activities all week long, including nature hikes, archaeological lectures and digs, interactions with aquarium animals, arts and crafts using recycled materials, interactive programs involving beehives, and much more!

So if you are in the Cape Cod area during Spring Break, make sure and visit this great museum.  You can read my article to learn more about the museum, at http://trifter.com/usa-canada/massachusetts/the-perfect-rainy-day-activity-for-your-cape-cod-ma-vacation/.

Enjoy the article, enjoy the museum, and enjoy your Spring Break!

Off to Williamsburg, VA!!

We are heading to Williamsburg for Spring Break!  We hope to visit Colonial Williamsburg, the two Jamestownes, (the real one and the fake one) the two Yorktowns, (the national park and the other one), Busch Gardens, Virginia Living Museum, and more.  So stay tuned for posts on these fun and historic Virginia attractions!  Happy holidays, everyone!

Hop on Down to Storybook Land for a Fun Easter Adventure!

The Easter Bunny is in town!  He will be visiting Storybook Land all 3 weekend days--April 6, 7, AND 8!  So if you're looking for something to do--or if the kids need even more candy--head on down to Storybook Land for a visit with EB and his Easter Egg hunt.  He will be there from 12:00-4:00 pm all three days.

And there's lots more to do at Storybook Land--rides, animatronic figures, snacks, animals--all which revolve around fairy tail themes.  Storybook Land is an old-fashioned theme park, great for young kids--or the young at heart. There are even a few rides which will appeal to older kids, like a (smaller) roller coaster and the park's newest ride, Tic Toc Clock Drop.

Storybook Land is located at 6415 Blackhorse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, NJ.  Admission is $22.95 per person (kids under 2 are free).  Hours are currently 11:00 am - 5:00 pm, Storybook Land is also open Monday, April 9th, but the Easter Bunny will be gone.

For more information, visit https://storybookland.com .