Ok, took a bit of a hiatus--had a few family and friend-related life events that took some time. But I am back, with a new design for July, and some fun things to write about!  How did you spend your Fourth of July?  We went to Baltimore for the week and it was AWESOME (although VERY hot).  When you are considering your travel plans for next summer, you might want to consider Baltimore.  Some highlights:

• There are two sets of fireworks over the Inner Harbor--one highlights the big, "bloom" sort of fireworks that explode high in the sky and change color or shape; the other features lower fireworks that shoot upwards like colorful sprays of water.  If you sit in the right spot, you can see them both at the same time.  We figured out that the best spot is most likely Federal Hill, which is across the Bay from the Inner Harbor.  If you want to stay on the Inner Harbor side, then the best spot is probably near the new Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum (open late on July 4th, btw). 

• For those who want a really great view, (and have cash to burn) several of the venues had special viewing options--several of the restaurants had reserved outdoor seating, the USS Constellation was hosting a fireworks party on deck, and even the electric boats vendor was offering his boats for fireworks viewing--for a mere $50!

• Lots of music leading up to the fireworks, all along the Inner Harbor-two of the best were at the Hard Rock Cafe, (classic rock) and the bandstand near the USS Constellation (dance music & hip-hop). But all along the walkway were smaller sometimes impromptu musicians playing every type of music--street music, rap, jazz--something for everyone!

• Ft. McHenry had family events all day--the only fee was the admission fee. There was flag hoisting (of the giant replica of the original Star Spangled Banner that flew there, fife and drum concerts, musket and cannon firing demonstrations, and the reading of the entire Declaration of Independence. Lots of fun, and informative, too!

• The National Aquarium, Maryland Science Museum, and Port Discovery Children's Museum all had special, kid-friendly hands-on events, and the Star Spangled Banner/Flag House had free admission and tours (Baltimore is in fact the birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner, created for the War of 1812).

This is just a sampling of all of the activities offered throughout Baltimore on July 4th.  Lots of fun, entertainment and history all rolled into one great day! 
 

Visit a Historic Landmark in Atlantic City and See The Light!

Visit a Historic Landmark in Atlantic City and See The Light!

Swashbuckling Fun This Sunday

Looking for something different this weekend? Need a break from all of the blooming green, pollen-laden plants?  Why not head down to the Jersey Shore and visit Absecon Lighthouse, on the corner of Pacific and Rhode Island Avenues in Atlantic City, NJ. It's the tallest lighthouse in NJ, and the 3rd tallest in the United States and is a pretty cool place to visit.

And if you visit this Sunday, May 20, 2012, you'll get to experience a real adventure--it's "Be  A Pirate Day!". From 11:00-3:00 pm, come on down and meet pirates, watch a pirate show, play pirate games, make pirate crafts, eat snacks, tour the grounds of the Lighthouse and even hike up the 228 steps to the top of the Lighthouse.  There's even a pirate cruise at 3:00 pm. Admission is $12 for kids, and $6 for adults, and all proceeds go towards the continuing restoration and maintenance of Absecon Lighthouse.

For more information, check out the official website: www.abseconlighthouse.org

Day Trip on The Banks of The Delaware River

Day Trip on The Banks of The Delaware River

Can You Eat This? Find Out at Washington Crossing

On Sunday, May 6, from 1:30-3:30 PM, the nature/interpretive center at Washington Crossing State Park will be hosting a program called "Wild Edible Plants".  This cool program is free, and open to anyone ages 3+.  Learn what wild plants are safe to eat--and why you should eat them! You can even bring plant clippers and garden trowels to dig up and bring home your own samples.

Advanced reservations are required, so visit http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/washcros.html or call (609) 737-0623 for more information or to register.

And if you are interested in more information about the nature center, check out my article about our visit there!

May's Color Change--For Mother's Day :-)

Not sure about this style--what do you think?

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!