aquarium - Pitstops for Kids

Kansas City with kids: LEGOLAND Discovery Center and Sea Life

September 14, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Ready to explore Kansas City with kids? Kansas City, Missouri’s Crown Center is a year-round draw for families, in part because of two high-profile attractions: LEGOLAND and Sea Life.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center:

A visit to LEGOLAND Discovery Center-Kansas City begins with a short demonstration of how the iconic bricks are made. Afterward, guests can opt to ride the Kingdom Quest laser ride, an instant hit for the video gamers in your family. Caution: this is a now-or-never proposition. You won’t be able to come back to it later, which can be tough on kids who need time to warm up to a new environment.

The day of our visit, our Star Wars-loving crew was over the moon to find a room dedicated to Episode IV (A New Hope). The detail is everything you would expect of LEGO. On one side of the Death Star, kids can try their hand at blasting TIE fighters.

Next door, we lost the ten-year-old to a large Ewok Village construction set. He didn’t resurface until we pried him away for a 4D movie. In the meantime, the younger kids found the play place and Earthquake Tables, where we tried to build earthquake-proof structures out of LEGO. (Although any child will tell you it’s far more fun to try to make them fall down!)

Kids can also build and test race cars, and there’s an area devoted to LEGO Friends as well as Merlin’s Apprentice, a carnival-style ride. Height restrictions apply, but the employee running the ride was very accommodating to families with small children.

LEGOLAND is a high-stimulus attraction, and my three-year-old was a little overwhelmed. But he found his niche in a sandbox-style pit filled with Junior LEGO cars—one of several sprinkled through the facility for free play.

We arrived early on a school day; even so, the building reached critical mass well before noon. It can be chaotic, so it’s a good idea to have a low adult-child ratio in your party. Plan to spend a minimum of three hours. Outside food and drink are not allowed, and re-entry is not permitted; however, there is a cafe inside. Admission is limited and often sells out, so I recommend booking online ahead of time. Online tickets start at $15.30* for both adults and kids (2 and under are free).

Sea Life:

If you need a breather after the high-power intensity of LEGOLAND, Sea Life is just the ticket. From the moment the doors open, the low lighting and ethereal music transports visitors to another world.

The displays are beautifully designed and lit, and the aquarium is set up to guide the flow of traffic along a set pathway through the facility, which makes it easy to keep track of kids. Each child receives a passbook with activities and room for stamps to mark their progress through the aquarium.

Sea Life’s marquee attraction is the pair of walk-through tunnels in the shark and ray tank, but the kids will also love the “bubble” indentations in the center of several of the tanks., where they can get right in the middle of the marine action. A touch pool holds starfish and crabs, and a raised deck lets you look down on stingrays from above.

There are also several play areas; when we visited, one of them was devoted to the Octonauts. Our only problem in this area was that the competing video animatronics made it hard to hear the game instructions.

Admission:

Sea Life-Kansas City advance tickets start at $15 for adults and $11 for kids 3-12*. You can see the whole aquarium in around an hour and a half, but you won’t exhaust the possibilities for learning and enjoyment in that length of time. If you can, give yourself time to read the displays, which are on video monitors rather than static boards, and attend some of the educational talks that are spread throughout the day.

Better yet, take advantage of the combination tickets that offer admission to both Sea Life and LEGOLAND, which share a building, a ticket counter, and gift shop. Start your day by exploring the lower-stimulus Sea Life, then switch over to LEGOLAND and return to the aquarium if your pack has time and energy.

Hours:

Sea Life-Kansas City and LEGOLAND open daily* at 10 and close at 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursdayand 6p.m. Friday and Saturday. However, Sea Life remains open to guests already inside for two more hours.

*Note: Hours and ticket prices fluctuate by season and holiday, so check the website for the most up to date info.

Directions:

Crown Center is located in the heart of Kansas City at 2450 Grand Blvd. Full directions to Crown Center.

Our family visited Sea Life and LEGOLAND as guests of Visit KC in exchange for an honest review.

Sertoma Butterfly House and Purdy Marine Cove

November 1, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

If you’re visiting Sioux Falls, South Dakota for a few days, or just passing through on I-90, the Sertoma Butterfly House and Purty Marine Cove offer a high-quality and educational stop that won’t break the bank. One of many quality free or cheap attractions for families in Sioux Falls!

Housed on Sioux Falls innovative Outdoor Campus, where local families and visitors can stop in to take other outdoor recreation classes as well as explore the walking trails and playgrounds, the butterfly house take about an hour to explore, and includes an extensive collection of sea animals and corals in addition to butterflies.

Families can choose to start with either exhibit, and can easily split up as interests dictate; the space is small enough to be very family-friendly. In Purty Marine Cove, I expected the shark and sting ray touch tank to draw the biggest crowds, but while popular, it was Purty’s live coral that stole the show. As I told a traveling companion, until you see the ‘real’ thing, you don’t realize just how beautiful bright, live coral can be. The coral makes for a beautiful backdrop to the 2,500 gallon saltwater and freshwater aquariums.

In the butterfly house, visitors can view over 800 free-flying butterflies from around the world, including Central and South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Kids can watch them form their chrysalises from behind protective glass, and watch the mature butterflies eat at any of the many fruit stations. A nice perk for locals and all-season travelers: the butterfly house always remains at a tropical temperature, making it one of the best hideouts during a South Dakota winter.

Date last visted:

August 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Minutes from I-90.

Admission prices:

Child (3-4): $3.00, Youth (5-12): $5.50, Adult (13-59): $8.50

Hours of operation:

Mon-Sat from 10am to 6 pm, Sun from 1 pm to 5 pm in summer, Mon-Sat from 10 am to 4 pm and Sun from 1 pm to 4 pm in winter.

Food services:

None, though there is a gift shop with candy. The Outdoor Campus has many picnic areas…bring a lunch!

Directions:

The Outdoor Campus is located at 4500 S. Oxbow, with the butterfly house adjacent. Sertoma Butterfly Garden adjacent at 4320 S. Oxbow.

California Academy of Sciences

July 2, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

The California Academy of Sciences is by far one of the best things to do with kids in San Francisco. Ideal for school-aged kids but also entertaining for preschoolers and toddlers, the California Academy of Sciences is a trifecta of scientific fun, featuring a planetarium, aquarium, and life science museum all under one (living) roof, which is an exhibit of its own.

Families will want to devote at least a half-day at the academy: we stayed a full morning, and still never got to the planetarium (next visit!). Be sure to get a schedule of the day’s events when you enter. On the day of our visit, we were able to catch the African penguin feeding and the tropical fish feeding. Both activities included a talk from a marine biologist and lasted about 15 minutes. The docents at the door of the academy are very helpful in alerting families of the daily activities; we were glad to have them!

The academy is set up with two large domes (you’ll spot these from outside). One houses the planetarium, and the other houses the rain forest canopy, a tour along elevated walkways past plants, trees, and many animals (including lots of butterflies and birds). The rain forest canopy will end at the top, where guests can take an elevator down to the ground and basement floor aquarium. (I suppose you could do the various sections of the academy in any order you like, but it flows very well to see the rain forest followed by the aquarium, both in a logistical sense and an educational sense…the exhibits build upon one another.) I think the ‘flooded rain forest floor’ section of the aquarium was my seven-year-old’s favorite spot: he lingered at the rain forest snake section, where he could experience the (simulated) sensation of having his arm constricted by an anaconda.

Tip: it’s warm in the rain forest dome; you’ll want to shed sweaters or coats, so be sure to wear layers!

After experiencing the rain forest dome, we took the elevator to the top floor of the academy, which is actually the roof. We looked out over the ‘living roof’ exhibit, where acres of rooftop has been seeded and serves as an natural habitat to many animals and birds. It’s lovely on a nice day!

Date last visited:

May 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Located in Golden Gate Park, an easy drive past the bridge from Highway 101.

Admission prices:

General admission the the California Academy of Sciences is not cheap at $29.95 for adults, $24.95 for youth ages 12-17, and $19.95 for children 4-11. A much more economical option is to purchase your tickets through a San Francisco CityPASS or Go San Francisco Card.

Hours of operation:

Mon-Sat 9:30 am to 5 pm. Sunday 11 am to 5 pm

Dining options:

There is a cafe on-site, with both indoor and outdoor seating (with play areas in the outdoor space). Instead of trying either option, however, we had brought a picnic lunch, which we enjoyed in the Music Concourse directly outside (while listenening to a free middle school outdoor concert!). On warm-weather days, this is the way to go. (Food trucks also assemble between the Music Concourse and the nearby Japanese Tea Garden.)

Directions:

The academy is located at 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park. It’s easily accessible via MUNI bus lines. If you drive, street parking is available, or better yet, try the parking garage near the De Young museum.

Note: California Academy os Sciences has a Kidscore of 92. Learn more about Kidscore.

The New England Aquarium and Boston Children’s Museum

July 2, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Both The New England Aquarium and the Boston Children’s Museum are perfect half-day activities, especially if the day in question is as cold and rainy as ours was! We decided to spend one afternoon at each, and could have easily spent more time!

My nephew and niece joined us for our time in Boston, so we had kids aged 8 months to 12 years touring both attractions. We loved the aquarium because it was comprehensive without being overwhelmingly large; only a few signature exhibits dominated, allowing plenty of time to explore the additional dozens of smaller tanks and displays. The aquarium is famous for their penguin habitat, but the highlight for our family was the hands-on sting ray and shark petting tank. This feature gets crowded, but the staff does a good job of monitoring the number of visitors at any one time; all our kids got plenty of chances to touch the marine animals.

At the Boston Children’s Museum, kids enter to see a three-story rope and plank climbing structure twisting its way toward the ceiling, and from there, they hit the ground running. In addition to the New Balance Climb, our older kids spent the most time at the Kid Power exhibits (aimed at kids age 8-12) where they played games of dodgeball on a computer-powered light-up floor, lifted themselves upward by their own power on pulleys and levers, played basketball on funky courts, and challenged themselves on climbing walls.

The younger members of our group (8 months old, two years old, and five years old respectively) loved the Construction Zone with working mechanisms, building toys, and structural bridges, the community area complete with corner market and barber shop, and the infant play space.

Tip: If you have fair weather, you may want to pair the aquarium with a whale watch (which departs right from the entrance)!

Hours: The aquarium is open 9 am to 5 pm, and the museum is open 10 am to 5 pm, weekdays. On Friday evenings, the museum offers extended hours and discounted prices, and is only $1 from 6 pm to 9 pm!

Admission: Admission to the aquarium is $22 for adults and $15 for kids. The children’s museum is $12 per person (adults and children). If you hold a children’s museum membership card to any museum, be sure to present it! We were given free admission for two adults and two children thanks to our ScienceWorks card from Oregon. Both attractions are also available for discount through Smart Destinations’ using their Go Card USA: Discount Attraction Passes, or with CityPASS (see below for a deal).

Save up to 43% on Boston’s 5 best attractions with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Websites: www.neaq.com and www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org

Directions: The aquarium and children’s museum are located within blocks of one another, on opposite sides of the bay. The aquarium is located at 1 Central Wharf (there’s an easy T stop directly to its door), and the children’s museum is located at 308 Congress Street (right over the Congress Street or Seaport Blvd. bridges).

Mystic Aquarium

August 10, 2010 By Amy Hagstrom

Mystic Aquarium: Photo courtesy of Sea Research Foundation

This stop was submitted by Karin Burgess of Mystic Country. Thank you, Karin, for your support of Pit Stops for Kids!

If you find yourself in Mystic, Connecticut (perhaps to tour the Mystic Seaport), the Mystic Aquarium, located nearby, is a must-see attraction for families!

Within the aquarium, you’ll find a marine theater show, a 3-D theater, and extensive exhibits on everything from the ocean depths to the Titanic to specific species such as jellyfish, belugas, and sea lions. Be sure to check the daily program for feeding times and special programs offered!

Distance off the interstate: Right off Mystic exit 90 on I-95 north or south in Mystic, Connecticut

Admission:

Adult $28
Senior (age 60+) $25
Children (age 3 – 17) $20
Children (age 2 and under) Free!

Tip: For just one dollar more on your admission price (per person), the aquarium will add on lunch!

Hours: Generally, the hours are 9am-5pm, but they vary by season. Visit their info page for up-to-date hours.

Food Services: The Penguins Cafe is located within the aquarium. Otherwise, there’s plenty to choose from along the seaport from fine dining to a cafe with sandwiches and picnic fare. Check this page for a list of options.

Website: http://www.mysticaquarium.org

Directions: Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration is located in Mystic just off Exit 90 on Interstate 95, about 10 miles east of New London along Connecticut’s southeastern shore.

Things To Do
Mystic

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium

March 18, 2010 By Amy Hagstrom

Polar exhibit at Point Defiance

5400 N. Pearl St.
Tacoma, Washington

If you’re looking for a zoo that’s easy to access off the freeway but rivals the big names, stop at Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Exhibits and sections include an Asian forest, marine discovery center, aquarium, polar exhibit, and red wolf sanctuary.

The newly added Kid Zone is a great place to let kids run around and explore. From the official website: “The new Kids’ Zone is a bright, colorful environment designed for the way children learn: through touch, exploration and movement. Here, children can explore the Magical Movement area where they can climb and move in ways that mimic how animals move. The kids can then spy on live animals that move in very cool ways, such as wallabies, stingrays and millipedes.”

Recent reviewers at popular parent-travel site Trekaroo have been impressed by all Point Defiance has done to make this zoo on par with the best. Read Trekaroo reviews.

Date last visited: February 2010

Distance off the interstate: Just a few minutes off I-5.

Hours and Admission Prices: Opens at 9:30 am daily. Closing hours vary depending on the season.

Admission:
Adults (ages 13-64) $13.50
Seniors (ages 65 & older) $12.50
Youth (ages 5-12) $11.50
Tots (3 & 4) $7.50

You might consider a family annual pass if you think you might visit more than twice a year! (There is also a AAA discount available.)

Bathrooms: Several located within the zoo.

Food Services: There are three cafes located within the zoo (two only open seasonally). Try the Plaza Cafe for the greatest selection (open year round).

Website: http://www.pdza.org/

Directions: Take Exit 132 (Highway 16 West). Exit at 6th Avenue (exit #3) and turn left. Take the next right on to Pearl Street. Follow Pearl Street into Point Defiance Park. Directional signs will lead you to the Zoo parking lots. Parking is FREE!

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Crescent City, CA

October 22, 2009 By Amy Hagstrom

Hwy 101
Crescent City, CA

McCoy family beachcombing at Enderts on a foggy summer day.

The McCoy family beachcombs on a foggy summer day.

The entire beach town of Crescent City, CA makes for a breathtakingly beautiful pit stop any time of year! A great place to start is Enderts Beach in Redwoods National Park. Says reviewer Angie McCoy, “It’s a great flat beach with a picnic area, parking and bathrooms. You go just 2 miles south of Crescent City (Hwy 101) to Enderts Beach Road. Take this road for awhile and you’ll see signs to the beach/picnic area. There is also a trail/overlook on this road (a recommended hike).”

Next, head to Ocean World, a privately funded aquarium located just off Highway 101 by the Crescent City Harbor. Young kids will love the â€˜touch and feel’ tide pools and everyone will want to pet sharks and see a sea lion show.

Ocean World packs quite a bite!

Fifteen miles outside of Crescent City on Highway 101 is Trees of Mystery (15500 Highway 101 North), a groomed interpretive trail through the redwoods complete with a Sky Trail gondola, museum, and restaurant.

Bonus pit stop! The playground in Crescent City is great – it’s very similar to Bear Creek but much bigger. We had a lot of fun there – it’s on the waterfront at the south part of town near the lighthouse.â€

Date last visited: August 2009

Distance off the interstate: All along Hwy 101

Hours and Admission Prices: No fee for Enderts Beach. Admission to Ocean World is $9 for adults and $5.95 for kids (call 707-464-4900 for hours) and admission to Trees of Mystery is $14 for adults, $7 for kids (under age 3 is free). Call 1-800-638-3389 for current hours.

Food Services: Crescent City offers a few fast food chains as well as several local seafood spots.

The Cathedral at Trees of Mystery.

Website: Not the official site, but this blog gives a beautiful overview of Enderts Beach.

Trees of Mystery: http://www.treesofmystery.net/tofm.htm

Ocean World: http://www.oceanworldonline.com/new/

Directions: To Enderts Beach: from Crescent City, take Highway 101 south for 2-3 miles, then turn right onto Enderts Beach Road. Follow the road all the way to the end, where there’s a small parking lot. Note that you’ll pass the vista point just before the parking lot.

Oregon Coast Aquarium

June 27, 2009 By Amy Hagstrom

Abby McCoy gets an up-close view of sharks

2820 SE Ferry Slip Road
Newport, Oregon

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a local gem of northwestern Oregon. Due to it’s manageable size (you can get through it in 1-2 hours), it serves well as a pitstop along US Highway 101. Admission is a little steep at $14.95 per adult and $9.45 for kids 3-12, but the aquarium is on par with the best, despite its size. The aquarium houses six main exhibits, including a deep sea area, an otter habitat, sea bird aviary, and jellyfish room (my personal favorite!). Angie McCoy of Jacksonville, Oregon says of her 22-month-old daughter: Abby loved the ‘Open Ocean’ tunnel in the Deep Sea exhibit. She screamed at the sharks!

If you have extra time (and money), the aquarium’s private Animal Encounter tours have received positive reviews. Also check their website for special events, discount days for homeschoolers, and more.

Date last visited: June 2009

Distance off the interstate: Right off of 101 (Oregon Coast Highway).

Bathrooms: Yes.

Food Services: There’s both a cafe and a coffee stand with various drinks and muffins. A nice play area is located at the end of the outdoor walk.

Website: http://www.aquarium.org/

Directions: From 101: Follow 101 through Newport, across the Yaquina Bay Bridge. Turn left onto 32nd Street. At the T, turn left onto SE Ferry Slip Road. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is straight ahead on the right.

From I-5: At Corvallis, take Hwy 20 west to U.S. Hwy 101 and follow directions above.

Source: Angie McCoy
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