Category: United States

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park- 17,000 Years Worth of Remarkable History

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date January 8, 2022
3 Comments on Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park- 17,000 Years Worth of Remarkable History

The Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park are essentially a massive 2,000-acre time capsule that contains 17,000 years worth of human history. This park, which could potentially be America’s newest National Park, is located in the hills of Macon, Georgia.

Currently, this park is classified as a national historic park. The Ocmulgee Mounds are home to one of the National Park Service’s largest archaeological collections. The site includes thousands of ancient artifacts dating back to the last Ice Age.

The park is most-known for being the home to artificial mounds, constructed out of dirt and clay, between 900 and 1100. These mounds were part of Native American villages and once served as platforms for temples, homes, and public buildings. The grandest of these mounds is a 55-foot-tall Great Temple Mound. It is here that the natives could watch over their village to keep it safe from potential harm. There are steps leading to the top of the mound. You’ll definitely want to make the climb to the top for sweeping views of the park, the hillside, and the Macon skyline.

The Ocmulgee Mounds

This park may look like a series of naturally occurring rolling green hills, but in actuality these mounds stand as a testament to the hardworking Native Americans that once called this place their home. Many different Indigenous cultures have occupied this land for thousands of years. The first wave of people came here 17,000 years ago hunting Ice Age Animals. Around 900 CE, the Mississippians constructed mounds for their leaders.

Once of our favorite park experiences was exploring the Earth Lodge. The lodge is a reconstructed council chamber that would have been used by the Mississippian culture. The recreation contains the original clay floor that dates back to 1015.

The ancient complex contains seven different mounds of varying sizes. They include; Cornfield Mound, Southeast Mound, Mound X, McDougal Mound, Great Temple Mound Complex and the Funeral Mound.

Evidence of a five-sided structure known as the “Trading Post” was also discovered on the site in 1936. It was believed that this was built in the late 1690s and served as a trading location for the English and the Creek nation.

Unfortunately, portions of the mounds were destroyed when the railroad was put in. Much of the park remains unexcavated, it will be interesting to see what is uncovered in the future. For now, relics that have been uncovered on the site are available for viewing in the museum located in the Visitors Center.

National Historic Park vs National Park

National Historic Parks typically contain a site of historical significance and preserve areas with deep American history. National Parks are the crown-jewels of the National Park System. They are generally large, natural spaces that sometimes include historic assets.

Considering the park preserves 17,000 years of human history, the site definitely has deep roots in American history across 2,000 protected acres, the park could very well meet the qualifications for becoming a National Park. The park could potentially expand to protect 50,000+ acres of land.

The park could also provide river access. The Class I Ocmulgee River Water Trail spans 200 miles. This would be an excellent spot for paddling.

The twelve mile Ocmulgee Heritage Trail is already underway. The biking and hiking trail connects Macon’s historic attractions, including the mounds and the Otis Redding Bridge.

Visiting the Ocmulgee Mounds

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park grounds and walking trails are open from 8:00 to 5:00 pm daily.

The Visitor Center and Earth Lodge are open from 9:00 am-5:00 pm daily.

The park is located in Macon, Georgia.

What is there to do nearby?

Tubman Museum
Museum of Arts and Sciences
Ocmulgee Heritage Trail
The Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House
The Hay House
The Cannonball House

There is another set of mounds in Cartersville known as the Etowah Indian Mounds.

What Should I Take With Me?

When you’re hiking, please remember to leave no trace! This means to pack out everything that you pack in and if you see trash, pick it up.

Backpack– to store all of your belongings
Dry Bag– to keep your electronics and wallet safe, in case of rain (or kayaking)
Trail GPS– the Garmin Oregon handled GPS works offline. You can view maps, waypoints, tracks, and trails even if you don’t have a signal.
First-Aid Kit– this ultralight, watertight medical kit is a must if you’re hitting the trails!
Sunscreen- yes, you can get sunburned in the forest.
Insect Repellant
Water Bottle– Always pack more water than you think you’ll need!
Snacks

Hammock– I honestly pack a hammock on most hiking trips. Psh, I even bring them along with me when we go on cruises. There are plenty of spots in the forest to put up a hammock and chill out for a bit.

If you’re traveling with your pup, like we often do, be sure to bring along their leash, poop bags, a water dish (this one is collapsible), extra water, food, and snacks.

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Tags GEORGIA, NATIONAL PARK, UNITED STATES, USA

Georgia Lake Lanier United States

License to Chill at Snow Island-Margaritaville Lanier Island

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date January 2, 2022
2 Comments on License to Chill at Snow Island-Margaritaville Lanier Island

Transport yourself to a winter wonderland at Snow Island at the Lake Lanier Margaritaville! The crew at Margaritaville has transformed the lakefront paradise into a wintry carnival that is “snow fun” for all ages! Parrot Mountain is the the crown jewel of the park. It is an 8-story high, 575 long super steep snow mound that is perfect for snow tubing! The event is one of the premier winter events in all of Georgia.

Snow Island Features

Snow tubing down Parrot Mountain, a 8-story high, 575 long super steep snow mountain.
Ice skating under a covered canopy.
Snow pit for snowball fights and snow angels.
Carnival rides for visitors of all ages.
Fire pits for s’mores.
Massive light show walking-tour.
Bars and Restaurants.

What to Wear to Snow Island

One thing that was fairly obvious during our visit to Snow Island is that nobody quite knew how to dress for the day. There were people in full snow suits, hats, scarves, gloves and snow boots, and others were dressed in their everyday wear. I reached out to the Margaritaville staff prior to leaving to see what they suggested we wear. During our visit the outside temperatures were in the 70s, it seemed kind of ridiculous to me for us to be wearing snow gear with it being so warm out. The Margaritaville rep suggested we dress for the outside temperature and boy am I glad we did! We would have been way too hot if we were rocking our winter wardrobe. We wore pants and long sleeve shirts and we were perfectly fine- even on the snow.

Visiting Snow Island at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands

Physical Address:

Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy
Buford, Georgia 30518

The hours for Snow Island vary by day so be sure to check out the official calendar before planning your visit.

Snow Island Ticket Information

There are a few different ticket options ranging from purchasing individual tickets for the attractions to an all-access pass.

Activity & Ride Ticket Pricing

Snow Island Day Pass

Ticket Sheet (20 tickets) $44.99
Individual Ticket $2.50

Snow Island Individual Ticket Redemption:
Blizzard Mountain – 4 tickets
Frosty’s Ice Skating (includes skates) – 3 tickets
Snow Play Area – 2 tickets
Amusement Rides – 1 to 2 tickets per ride
Marshmallow Stick – 1 ticket
S’mores – 2 tickets
Hot Chocolate – 1 ticket
Coffee – 1 ticket

Unlimited Day Pass for Snow Tubing, Snow Play Area,
Ice Rink, Amusement Rides

Regular – $49.99
Child (Age 3-7) – $39.99
Age 2 & Younger – FREE
Military (Active & Retired) – $39.99
Senior (62 & older) – $39.99
Group (15+) – $39.99
Family 4-Pack – $159.99

All Access Day Pass

Margaritaville’s Lakeside Lights Spectacular

Unlimited Day Pass for Snow Tubing, Snow Play Area, Ice Rink,
Amusement Rides, and Margaritaville’s Lakeside Lights Spectacular

Regular – $54.99 online, $59.99 at the gate
Family 4-pack – $219.99

Access to walking light show attraction

Regular – $19.99
Child (Age 3-7) – $14.99
Child 2 & Younger – FREE
Military (Active & Retired) – $14.99
Senior (62 & older) – $14.99
Group (15+) – $14.99
Family 4-Pack – $59.99

Our Thoughts on Snow Island

We gave the event a 6 out of 10. Considering it was called Snow Island, we expected there to be more snow. Obviously, we understand that’s a little hard to achieve when it’s 70 degrees outside, but there were more carnival activities at Snow Island than there were winter activities. The winter options were limited to snow tubing, Snow Ball Alley, and ice skating.

The line for the Parrot Mountain Slide was about 45 minutes long all throughout the day. We suggest tackling this 8-story snow tubing hill as soon as you get to the park.

The kids loved the Snow Ball Alley section. They enjoyed playing in the snow and tossing snow balls at each other.

The three littles were also really looking forward to ice skating. The ice skating rink was held inside of a covered canopy and was rather small. I was disappointed that they didn’t have walkers for novice ice skaters to use until they got their bearings.

We visited Snow Island on a Tuesday and discovered that not all of the eateries were open. This caused the food lines to be long. They were also sold out of marshmallows for s’mores, which was a bummer.

For our kids, the highlight ended up being the carnival rides. We had the unlimited pass and they ended up riding most of the rides two or three times. It was great that they had rides for visitors of all ages. For instance, there were two different types of Carnival swings, a small one for toddlers and a larger one for older kids and grown ups. The same can be said for the Ferris wheel.

The lines weren’t bad at all, especially first thing in the morning.

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Tags GEORGIA, LAKE LANIER, UNITED STATES, USA

Georgia Georgia State Parks State Parks United States

The Impressive Etowah Indian Mounds- The Remains of an Ancient Civilization

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date December 25, 2021
No Comments on The Impressive Etowah Indian Mounds- The Remains of an Ancient Civilization

Did you know that the remains of an ancient settlement are hidden in the hills of rural Georgia? If you find yourself in the Atlanta area, we strongly suggest making the trip to the Etowah Indian Mounds. The Etowah Indian Mounds are an archaeological site located in Cartersville, Georgia. The mounds are what remains of the ancient civilization that once called this area “home”. Between 1000 AD and 1550 AD, thousands of indigenous people resided on this 54-acre site. The site features six earthen mounds, a plaza, a village site, borrow pits, and a moat.

The Etowah Indian Mounds are the most intact Mississippian Culture site in the Southeast. On site, there is a museum that showcases how the indigenous people once lived. Their shell beads, paint, ornate hairdos, and jewelry indicate that this was a well-to-do society.

Amazingly, less than 10% of the site has been excavated. It’ll be interesting to see what historians unearth about this sacred site in the future!

We really enjoyed exploring this park. Our favorite part was ascending the mounds! The views were absolutely breathtaking and reminded us of climbing the Maya ruins of Cahal Pech and Xunantunich in Belize. In fact, the mounds themselves are very similar to Maya pyramids.

So... what are these mounds all about?

The indigenous people of North America built mounds like these for over a thousand years. Archaeologists have uncovered mounds that date beach to the Archaic Period (8000-1000 BC).

The indigenous people would hold religious ceremonies on top of these four-sided mounds. The mounds also supported the tribal leaders homes, temples, and other residences. Mounds were also used to contain the remains of the dead.

The History of the Etowah Indian Mounds and the Mississippian People

For more than 800 years, the Mississippian culture dominated the southeastern and midwestern United States. The culture, which originated in the Mississippi River Valley, expanded from Texas, to Illinois, and to North Carolina. These early people built impressive earth mounds as a testimony of their power.

The Etowah Indian Mounds are the really impressive. There are three primary mounds and three secondary mounds. Mound A is the second largest mound in the United States! It is as tall as a 6-story building. Archaeologists believe that Mound A was where the chief lived, Mound B served as a spot for religious rituals, and Mound C was a burial site for the elite.

The largest mound is the Cahokia, located in Illinois. It’s remarkable to think that the Mississippian culture spanned the length of the United States! The Cahokia Mounds are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Mississippians were also known for their shell-tempered pottery and their widespread trade networks (that extended as far west as the Rocky Mountains).

Etowah Indian Mounds Visiting Information

Address

813 Indian Mounds Road SE
Cartersville, GA
30120

Historic Site Admission

Adults (18–61): $6.00
Seniors (62+): $5.00
Youth (6–17): $4.00
Youth Groups: $3.50
Children (under 6): $2.00

The site is open 7 days a week from 9-5. The mounds area closes at 4:30 PM. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.

The park offers a self-guided tour that begins in the Visitors Center. A short video details the history of the mounds. From here, visitors can explore the artifacts on display in the museum before heading out to the mounds.

The walk from the Visitor’s Center to the mounds is short and easy. On the way, you’ll pass borrow pits, a wattle and daub house, a dugout canoe, and the area that was believed to be the plaza.

If you’re able, you should most definitely hike the steps up to the top of Mound A for impressive views of the countryside (and the other mounds). It can be quite strenuous but, the hike up to the top is worth it, if you’re able.

After you visit the mounds, head towards the Etowah River. If you turn left and head alongside the river, you can see the remains of a fish dam trap. Here, rocks form a V shape at the center of the river. A trap would be placed at the tip of the V. Fish would get trapped in this space which allowed them to be easily caught.

Pro-Tip: There are benches on the riverbank overlooking the Etowah River. This is a great spot for a picnic!

In 1964, Etowah was named a National Historic Site and is a sacred place for the Cherokee and Creek- descendants of the original inhabitants.

What Should I Take With Me?

When you’re hiking, please remember to leave no trace! This means to pack out everything that you pack in and if you see trash, pick it up.

If you’re traveling with your pup, like we often do, be sure to bring along their leash, poop bags, a water dish (this one is collapsible), extra water, food, and snacks.

What is there to do Nearby?

Pettit Environment Preserve
Booth Western Art Museum
Allatoona Pass Battlefield
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

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Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!

**This post contains affiliate links. This means that I receive a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you**

Tags GEORGIA, GEORGIA STATE PARK, STATE PARK, USA

Florida Itineraries Jacksonville United States

The Ultimate 3 Day Jacksonville Itinerary

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date December 18, 2021
No Comments on The Ultimate 3 Day Jacksonville Itinerary

Are you looking for the perfect Jacksonville itinerary? As ambassadors for the city of Jacksonville, we know all of the best places to visit! Our Jacksonville itinerary is based off of all of the places we suggest to our friends and family when they come to visit.

Our hometown of Jacksonville is the largest city in the USA by landmass, so everything is pretty spread out. Most places are within a 20 to 30 minute drive of downtown or the beaches (including driving from downtown to the beach).

Jacksonville is a very diverse city. At the beaches you’ll find small shops, restaurants, and bars. The St. Johns Town Center is located at the center of the city. Here you’ll find a ton of shopping and restaurants. Downtown you’ll find our museums, upscale restaurants, and urban parks. The Northside is home to a lot of nature preserves, the zoo, beaches, and farmland with large neighborhoods dotting the landscape. The other areas are heavily residential.

How to Get to Jacksonville

If you’re flying in to down, chances are you’ll fly directly into Jacksonville International Airport. There are several cities that offer direct flights into JAX.

You’ll also want to pick up a rental car, if you’re arriving by plane. When you book your rental car, remember that you do not have to return the car to the same location you picked it up from- however, you’ll typically save money by returning it to the original location.

If you’re driving I-95 North cuts directly through downtown Jacksonville. I-10 also empties out into the Bold City.

How Much Time Should I Spend in Jacksonville?

Like with any vacation, you can spend as much time on your Jacksonville vacation as you would like. You could do this trip in as little as three days, or stretch it out for however long you would like. For this Jacksonville itinerary, we’ll focus spending 3 days, or a long weekend, on the First Coast.

Where Should I Stay for this Jacksonville Itinerary?

Our main beltway, I-295, is a loop that circles the city. This circular highway makes everywhere super easy to access meaning that you can literally stay anywhere in the city and be in a decent location.

For this particular Jacksonville itinerary, we suggest staying out at Jacksonville Beach. If you want something a little more centralized, you could stay at the St. Johns Town Center. If you plan on spending more time at the museums and the historic neighborhoods, you may want to consider downtown.

Our favorite hotel out at Jacksonville Beach is Casa Marina. It’s a classic, vintage, beachfront hotel. The hotel opened in 1925 and has hosted the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, the Rockefellers, Al Capone, Charlie Chapman and Presidents Truman and FDR.

If you want to go with a more resort-vibe look into Margaritaville at Jacksonville Beach. The Jacksonville Margaritaville opened in early 2021 making it almost brand-new. The rooms are gorgeous and the oceanviews are even better!

When is the Best Time to Visit Jacksonville?

The weather in Florida is pretty great year round.

In January and February, the temperatures can drop in the high-30s to 50s.
Spring is absolutely gorgeous with temperatures in the 70s and 80s.
During the summer months it gets H-O-T hot with the feel-like temperatures in the high 90s and low 100s. Due to high humidity, it also rains almost every afternoon. If you spend time at the beach or springs, and plan your day out right, the rain and heat shouldn’t be a huge factor.
September and October are still rather hot, but the temperatures are usually in the high 80s and low 90s.
November and December are pretty perfect, weatherwise.

There is a jet stream off of our coast that helps keep tropical storms and hurricanes at bay, however we are occasionally impacted by large storms.

During the month of November, there is a month long event known as “Kids Free November” where several of the most popular spots in town offer free admission to kids.

3 Day Jacksonville Itinerary

Day One

On day one of our Jacksonville itinerary, we’ll be hitting the great outdoors.

Jacksonville Beach has plenty of sand for your to throw down a towel and spend a day. There are tons of bars and restaurants in the area if you want to dedicate an entire day to a beach day.

Our favorite food options are: Dockside Seafood Restaurant, Jax Beach Brunch Haus, Salt Life Food Shack, TacoLu, and Eleven South.

If you want a more diverse beach, consider checking out Hanna Park, which is just north of Jacksonville Beach. Here you’ll find kayaking, fishing, bike trails, beach access, and even a splash pad. The cost to enter is $5 per vehicle.

Still even further north, you’ll find Huguenot Beach. Although you’ll pay $5 per vehicle to access this park, you’re able to drive on the sand which makes life a breeze when you’re traveling with kids. After spending some time at Huguenot, check out the historic Kingsley Plantation, the oldest remaining plantation home in the state of Florida. The main home, several slave quarters, and other out buildings still remain intact.

If you’re up for a little more beach action, we suggest spending some time at Blackrock Beach. To access the beach, you’ll have to do a short 1/2 mile hike through the woods however you’ll be awarded with an absolutely incredible view. You can also pair Blackrock Beach with Fernandina Beach or the Jacksonville Zoo. on day two or three.

Day Two

On day two of the Jacksonville itinerary, we suggest either visiting Fort Caroline National Memorial, taking a hike at either Spanish Pond or the nearby Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens. Fort Caroline is a replica of a fort that was established by the French Huguenots in the 1560s. From here, we recommend checking out Tree Hill Nature Center. They have well shaded trails, animal enclosures, and a nature center.

After spending time at Fort Caroline, which is part of the National Park system, you can head on over to explore the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. Be sure to pick up a pass to ride the train so you can save up some energy for Blackrock Beach if you didn’t make it there on day one. The Zoo has a splash pad that is perfect for cooling down on a hot day.

You might also want to book an eco tour with Kayak Amelia. They offer guided kayaking and paddleboarding tours or rentals. Enjoying Florida from the water is part of the true Florida experience!

While you’re in the area of the Zoo, Blackrock, and Kayak Amelia, stop in to Palms Fish Camp for some fresh local seafood.

Day Three

Of course, you can’t visit the city without spending time in the city!

We suggest spending some time strolling either the northbank or the southbank of the St. Johns River. Perhaps, you could even hop on the river taxi to take a short river cruise! Both of the river walks are paved, have street art, and offer impressive views of the city. If you walk the southbank, be sure to stop by MOSH– the Museum of Science and History.

For lunch, pop in to one of our favorite sandwich shops The Bread & Board or The Burrito Gallery.

When it heats up, spend some time downtown checking out the city’s museums. If you’re into traditional art check out the Cummer Art Gallery and Gardens. Contemporary art fans might prefer the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). MOCA is on the same square as Sweet Pete’s the largest candy store in the southeastern United States.

Downtown is home to several breweries. Our favorite (in this area) are Bold City Brewery, Tabula Rasa Brewing, Aardwolf, and Intuition Ale Works.

For dinner, we suggest River & Post (they have a rooftop bar if you want to just stop by for drinks), Hawkers Asian Street Food, Carmines Pizza House, Hoptinger Bier Garden & Sausage House, or The Garage.

Extending Your Jacksonville Itinerary

If you have extra days that you can add on to your Jacksonville itinerary, we suggest taking a day trip out of Jacksonville. There are several different options that we recommend for this- depending on how far you want to go. Our list of the Best Day Trips from Jax focuses on places that are within 100 miles of the Bold City. Within 100 miles you can visit Florida springs, Cumberland Island National Seashore, and even Daytona Beach or have appetizers and drinks on the rooftop at San Sebastian’s Winery in St. Augustine. Any of these would be great additions to your Jacksonville itinerary!

When we have visitors come in from out of town, we typically take them down to St. Augustine– the nation’s oldest city. We recommend visiting Castillo de San Marcos, the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum, and the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. We never tire of strolling down historic St. George Street. You can also never go wrong with the hop-on-hop-off-trolley tour.

Another option is heading north up to Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach. There are several cute shops in Fernandina Beach for you to scope out. You absolutely must check out Fort Clinch State Park if you’re in the area. Fort Clinch is an impressive Civil War era fort with a museum, re-enactments, and more. The park also has hiking trails, bike paths, kayak launches and an impressive beach. The beach is well known for shark tooth hunting.

If you’re traveling with kids be sure to spend sometime at the nearby Pirate Playground. The Amelia Island Lighthouse, Amelia Island State Park, Pippi Longstocking House, and the Egan’s Creek Greenway Trail are also nearby. The Greenway Trail is beautiful- be on the look out for snakes and gators. Across from the Pippi Longstocking House is directly across from the Fernandina Plaza Historic State Park- if you’re lucky you may be able to catch a reenactment!

We hope that these ideas help you jumpstart the planning of your Jacksonville itinerary! If you have any questions about the Bold City, feel free to reach out to us on our social media channels. As ambassadors for the city of Jacksonville, we’re super happy to help you plan your Jacksonville itinerary!

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Tags FLORIDA, ITINERARY, JACKSONVILLE, UNITED STATES, USA

Florida Jacksonville United States

Dazzling Nights at the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens- 2022

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date December 9, 2021
1 Comment on Dazzling Nights at the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens- 2022

Ring in the season with Jacksonville newest holiday attraction! Dazzling Nights at the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens is a family friendly experience that gives the guests an opportunity to explore one of the city’s top parks under twinkling lights. The park is transformed into a winter wonderland featuring a million “dazzling” lights, whimsical displays, decorative holiday sculptures and loads of Insta-worthy displays.

An evening at Dazzling Nights would be perfect for a family night or even a date night! It is an event for all ages!

The Arboretum typically closes at sundown, and was not designed to be visited at night. Therefore, some parts of the trail can be a little dark. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged so you can use the flashlight mode, or pack a flashlight. The only time we noticed it was dark was when we were in the laser light section of the forest.

Dazzling Nights Highlights

Giant, shimmery, twinkling Christmas Tree
Stunning Moroccan lantern canopy
Syncronized lights
Inflatable kids play area
8,000 square foot lighted maze
Giant tunnel of stars
Foggy laser forest
Snow!
Festive Music

Dazzling Nights Event Details

Dates: Dazzling Nights runs from now until Sunday January 1, 2023.

Times: First entry is at 5:30 PM and the last entry is at 9:00 PM. Closed Christmas Day.

Tickets: The cost is $25 per adult. Children’s tickets (ages 3-13) are $22. Children 2 and under are free. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Parking: On-site parking is available for a fee ($12). Spaces are limited and parking passes must be purchased in advance.

Off-site parking is available at the Southside Commons Shopping Mall. Parking is free and includes a complimentary shuttle. A map is available here.

Visiting the Jacksonville Arboretum

The arboretum is centrally located in the heart of Jacksonville, Florida wedged in between downtown and the beaches. It is easily accessible from the 295 beltway via the Monument Rd exit. The physical address is 1445 Millcoe Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32225.

Our Opinion- Updated After 2022 Visit

The Dazzling Nights display is back for the second year at the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens. Just as we suspected, the 2022 display is bigger and better than last year. In a word? It’s awesome! The production company has brought in an entirely different display that will absolutely wow you.

The Jacksonville Arboretum has paved the loop that surrounds the center pond making this year’s walk even easier for visitors. Our favorite part of this year’s show was the glowing Moroccan lanterns that dot the sky and form a stunning canopy. It’s a true show stopper (and it photographs well!).

After you pass through the Moroccan lanterns, you’ll find a tunnel of stars that is totally Instagram worthy!

Kids will marvel at the illuminated kinetic balls that are synchronized to holiday music. The light/music show is super impressive and was really well done! They’ll also enjoy playing on the inflatable slides featuring a giant Yeti!

Last year, there were people who felt the trails were too dark and hard to navigate. This year, they brought in lights to help illuminate the wooded areas even more. These lights kind of take away from the immediate area that surround it, but you may not even notice.

I’ve read lots of comments on Social Media in regards to the ticket price. Tickets are $22 for children (ages 3-13) and $25 per adult. Parking is also $12 if you park on-site (free if you use the shuttle). For our family of 5 it would cost $128 to enjoy the event (with on-site parking). Is that steep? Yes. The event is definitely costly to visit with as a family.

If you buy a single ticket, or even a pair of tickets, it’s definitely more affordable.

Is it worth it? I must say, this year’s display was better than last. I love watching the Dazzling Night event evolve and can’t wait to check it out next year! I think that when you think about the cost of the event, it’s important to note that Dazzling Nights serves as the main fundraiser for the Jacksonville Arboretum. As someone who frequents the Arboretum, it’s easy for me to see the improvements that have been made with money from last year’s event. I look forward to seeing how the Dazzling Nights event continues to grow, I have a feeling it’s going to be a staple here in Jax for many years to come.

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Updated 12/1/22 with new pricing, ticket information, dates and 2022 review.

Tags FLORIDA, JACKSONVILLE, UNITED STATES, USA

Florida Legoland Orlando United States Winter Haven

Everything is AWESOME at Legoland Florida

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date December 4, 2021
2 Comments on Everything is AWESOME at Legoland Florida

Legoland Florida is one of the newest theme parks to enter the Florida market. They just recently celebrated their 10th birthday! The theme park is located in Winter Haven, about 30 miles southwest of Orlando and 45 miles east of Tampa. The complex features the theme park itself, a waterpark, three on-site accommodations (Legoland Hotel, Pirate Island Hotel, and Beach Retreat), and a brand-spankin new park based on Peppa Pig.

The park was built on the former Cypress Gardens theme park. Legoland Florida has preserved the timeless botanical gardens and re-themed the water park and several attractions to go along with the Lego brick theme.

The park is most definitely geared towards kids, but you’ll want to pay close attention to the ride requirements before queuing up. We suggest measuring your kids ahead of time and researching which rides they can go on, or measure them at the entrance of the park and refer to the infographic (and map) to determine which rides they can enjoy.

Pro-Tip: Be sure you pack a pen or a marker in your bag so you can mark up your park map with rides your kids can go on.

Legoland Florida Rides

The Legoland Florida theme park has ten sections each with its own unique Lego theme. The sections are rather small, in comparison to Disney, but there is still plenty to do.

In this post, we’ll explore the various sections of the park and list out the rides and main attractions in each. We’ll further explore the rides and go into more detail about them in an upcoming post.

The Beginning

Naturally, the entrance to the park is known as The Beginning. This section does not have any attractions however, this is where you’ll find the primary gift shops, some restaurants, and administrative buildings such as guest services.

We suggest skipping this part of the park when you enter and hitting it on your way out so that you don’t have to tote your shopping bags around the park. Prepare to be amazed by The Big Shop!

Fun Town

Fun Town is where you’ll find the first attractions. A two-level carousel called Grand Carousel and the Wells Fargo Fun Town Theater which features 4D films.

Pro-Tip: Be sure to grab Legoland’s #1 snack while you’re here! Granny’s Apple Fries are legit!

Heartlake City

Heartlake City opened in 2015. It has 1 ride- Mia’s Riding Adventure, a theater, and a heart-shaped fountain with Lego brick instruments.

We opted to hit up Duplo Valley a second time and skipped this section entirely- with the exception of the kids posing with some of the Lego Friends character statues.

Miniland USA

This section just underwent an extensive remodel. Miniland USA features scaled models of Washington DC, New York City, Las Vegas, Florida, and more. It is extremely impressive!

It was cool to see what the Legomasters are capable of. There are lots of moving objects, and interactive elements mixed in as well. Throughout the displays, there are buttons that you can push to get parts of the exhibit to move. In the Florida section, you’ll even find a rocket launch at the replica of the Kennedy Space Center.

Being a huge American History nerd, I was drawn to the mini-version of DC’s National Mall.

Duplo Valley

This area was designed with toddlers in mind. It hosts two rides Duplo Train, and Duplo Tractor, an air-conditioned playground called Duplo Farm, an outdoor playground, and a toddler splash pad.

Our boys are obsessed with trains, tractors, construction trucks, rescue vehicles, etc so this section was perfect for them.We enjoyed this part of the park so much that this is where we started and ended our day. The lines are typically extremely short making it easy to ride these rides multiple times.

Lego Kingdoms

Journey back into medieval times at Lego Kingdoms. The Dragon is a remodeled roller coaster from the park’s Cypress Garden days. Here, you’ll also find a toddler friendly ride called The Royal Joust, a small circular rollercoaster called Merlin’s Challenge, and a playground known as The Forestmen’s Hideout.

The boys loved The Royal Joust but our daughter (almost 8) was rather bored with it. We all were huge fans of Merlin’s Challenge. We took advantage of the playground, as well. The kids really seemed to enjoy it.

Land of Adventure

You’ll find a treasure chest of fun in this Ancient Egyptian themed section. Don’t miss Beetle Bounce, Coastersaurus, Lost Kingdom Adventure, Safari Trek, and Pharaoh’s Revenge- a super fun playground.

The Lost Kingdom Adventure is an indoor ride that would be perfect to escape into in the event of rain or extreme heat. The ride is comes equipped with laser guns that you aim and shoot at targets to collect points. It’s a lot of fun.

The Lego Movie World

This section is centered around The Lego Movie. There are three main attractions here including Masters of Flight, a flying theater attraction, Unikitty’s Discodrop, and Battle of Bricksburg a super wet family-fun ride.

We skipped Battle of Bricksburg since it cooler out and we didn’t want to spend the day wet however, it looked like a ton of fun!

Lego City

Cruise into the heart of Lego City for trunk loads of fun! Kids can act like grown-ups and drive almost every vehicle imaginable! Here you’ll find Ford Driving School, Ford Jr. Driving School, Flying School, Boating School, and Rescue Academy.

Pro-Tip: The Rescue Academy attraction requires way more physicality than it looks! Guests have to pump a two-sided lever to get get their fire truck to race across the track to the “fire”. Then, run out, put out the fire, and maneuver the fire truck back to the finish line. It’s a work out.

Lego Technic

In this section you’ll find Technicycle, a pedal-powered spinning machine that propels you into the air, The Great Lego Race coaster, and AQUAZONE Wave Racers.

Imagination Zone

This zone features 2 spaces where kids can get creative! At Build & Test kids can build race cars and zip lines, and Lego Mindstorms is an exhibit where they can build robots. At WB Games Zone kids can play video games. There is one ride, Kid Power Towers, where guests hoist themselves to the top and free-fall to the bottom.

This is a great area to hang out in the event of rain or extreme heat!

Pro-Tip: Kid Power Tours requires you to use your muscles to hoist yourself up to the top of a tower. It requires quite a bit of effort.

Some of the attractions that were originally part of Cypress Gardens have been re-themed, renovated, and renamed. The wooden rollercoaster once called Triple Hurricane was renamed to Coastersaurus.T he Okeechobee Rampage coaster was renamed to The Dragon. An inverted coaster called Swamp Thing was renamed Flying School and

Brickbeard's Water Stunt Show

We cannot recommend this live-action water ski show more! The show is performed a couple of times a day on Lake Louise. The show stars Lego characters and a handful of water skiers and boaters. It is awesome! The show was humourous and full of a ton of action.

We were impressed by the athleticism and how closely the boats maneuvered towards one another at high speeds.

The show lasts about 30 minutes. It was a nice way to break up our day and rest our feet for a few.

Restaurants at Legoland Florida

There are a handful of restaurants scattered around the park. The serve up kid favorites such as cheeseburgers, pizza, tacos, sandwiches, fried chicken, popcorn, and ice cream.

We ate at Kick’n Chicken Co. and were not impressed. We ordered a family size bucket of the hand-breaded chicken tenders and some fries. The chicken was stringy and tough.

The park permits you to bring food items that do not require heating and drinks, as long as they are not in a glass container. We packed juices, sandwiches, and peanut butter crackers for snacks.

Pro-Tip: There is a Publix grocery store right across from the park. You can easily stop by there to grab some snacks to bring into the park before you begin your day. The store opens at 7 AM.

If you are unfamiliar with Publix, they are well-known for their sub sandwiches which we lovingly refer to as “Pub Subs”.

Legoland Florida Water Park

Believe it or not, the Legoland Water Park is open year round! USA Today named it one of the best waterparks in the USA. It includes a lazy river, 14 water slides, and play areas.

The Legoland Water Park was originally part of Cypress Gardens. The original park had five rides. When the waterpark was acquired by the Legoland corporation (Merlin Entertainments), they added a sixth attraction for toddlers called Duplo Splash Safari.

Admission to the water park requires the purchase of a ticket to the theme park in addition to a seperate ticket for the Water Park.

Pro-Tip: If you are visiting Legoland Florida during the shoulder season, and your ticket includes the Legoland Water Park add-on, consider grabbing lunch at the Water Park. You’ll find the lines are much shorter than in the main park.

The hours and days are seasonal, so be sure to refer to the official website for specific information.

Legoland Florida Tips for Packing

Packing for Legoland is similar to packing for any other family theme park. Our Legoland Florida tips include bringing along a backpack.

We also packed a pair of undies and shorts, just in case. We did notice the some of the bathrooms are spaced pretty far apart. Grab a park map or download the park’s app so you know where to find the bathrooms for potty breaks.

As always, you should make sure you’re wearing proper shoes when you’re at a theme park. Theme parks, in general, require a lot of walking and standing.

If you’re traveling with younger kids, you will probably want to have a stroller handy. Our boys rarely ever use a stroller anymore, but we always bring one with us to theme parks so they can hop in and hop out throughout the day. It was also handy for storing our bags.

Other Legoland Florida Tips for Packing:

Sunscreen: It’s Florida, lather up.
Cooling Aids: If you’re visiting during the hot months, consider packing a Cooling Towel or a fan
Umbrella: It rains almost every day during the summer. Pack an umbrella.
Portable Charger: Let’s face it, you’ll be taking a gazillion photos and probably checking the app often! Pack a portable charger, or you’ll regret it.

Visiting Legoland Florida

Many people think Legoland Florida is in Orlando however, it is actually in the town of Winter Haven just southwest of Orlando. It’s about 36 miles, or an hour away from Disney World.

Address: 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884

If you’re driving, Legoland Florida is easily accessible via I-4 (via Orlando or I-75 (via Tampa).

If you are flying, you can fly into either the Tampa International Airport or the Orlando International Airport. The Tampa airport is about 60 miles away and about an hour drive. Whereas the Orlando airport is about 52 miles away and will take you about an hour (depending on Orlando traffic). Either way, you’ll most likely want to pick up a rental car to make your way from the airport to the theme park.

The Legoland Hotel

About 130 kid-steps away from Legoland Florida, you’ll find the Legoland Hotel and the Pirate Hotel. Seriously, staying at the hotel totally makes the experience. It is a kids-dream come true!

While Pirate Hotel is centered around…well…pirates, the Legoland Hotel has several different thematic rooms. Each room comes with a seperate kids sleeping area with a bunk bed and a pull-out trundle. The grown up section has a cozy king-size bed.

The hotels are combined and share 3 restaurants, several play spaces, 2 pools, a miniature golf course, and more!

The other lodging option is the Legoland Beach Retreat. Lego brick inspired beach bungalows are grouped together. Each grouping shares and outdoor play area that is within view of the backyard patio so grown-ups can kick up their feet and relax while their kids play. There is also an awesome beach-themed resort-style pool.

All of the rooms have a separate kid’s sleeping area.

Legolands World-Wide

Legoland Florida is just one of many parks in the Legoland chain. There are eight other Legolands scattered across the globe. The other parks are located in: New York, California, Denmark, Germany, Italy, The UK, Malaysia, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates. Future parks are scheduled to open in Belgium, South Korea, and China.

Legoland Florida is the second largest Legoland park after Legoland Windsor. The park sits on 145 acres and features more than fifty rides, shows, attractions, shops, and restaurants.

Can I Combine Legoland with Another Theme Park?

Many visitors from out of state combine a trip to Legoland with a visit to another theme park. The Disney World complex, Universal Studios (along with Islands of Adventure), SeaWorld, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay are all about an hour away from Legoland. You could easily stay at the Legoland Hotel and visit one of these other parks.

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Updated 3/5/2024

Tags FLORIDA, LEGOLAND, THEME PARK, UNITED STATES, USA

Florida Hotel Review Legoland Orlando United States Winter Haven

The Super AWESOME Legoland Hotel Florida

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date November 27, 2021
3 Comments on The Super AWESOME Legoland Hotel Florida

Resort Style Pool Legoland Hotel Florida

This year we celebrated the boys 4th birthday with a trip to the Legoland Hotel. The kids were over the moon the entire weekend! Staying at the Legoland Hotel was icing on the (birthday) cake for our trip. It truly helped make the trip one that the kids will remember for years to come.

One of the biggest perks of staying at the hotel (aside from free parking) is how close it is to the Legoland Florida theme park. The hotel is 130 kid-steps away from the entrance! Another cool thing is the fact that every room comes with a seperate kid’s sleeping area. The kid’s sleeping area has a bunk bed, a pull-out trundle bed, a tv, and space for them to build sculptures with their Lego bricks

The hotel is literally a kids dream come true. The entire place is kid-friendly. There are play areas all throughout the hotel including a massive one between the BRICKS Restaurant and Skyline Lounge just off the main lobby. Even the restaurants are kid-friendly fun spaces.

The elevators are also super awesome! As they transport you to your floor, music plays, disco balls spin and strobe lights flash for an elevator dance party. We convinced the kids that they elevator would only move if they were dancing so every time we stepped into it, they danced their little hearts out. It was totally adorable!

Every single kid that we saw at the hotel wore a massive smile. They all seemed to be having the time of their lives. The play area was super lively. The main floor of the hotel has an open floor concept so the lobby, play area, Skyline Lounge, and BRICKS Restaurant are all connected. Because of this, the noise from the play area carries over to the restaurants and lobby making the entire first floor quite loud.

Types of Rooms

The Legoland Hotel features 152 rooms and suites, each extensively decorated with a Lego theme that your kids will love.

Kingdom

Grab your crown and royal scepter and back to medieval times with the Kingdom Rooms!

The Kingdom rooms sleep up to five. There is a seperate children’s sleeping area. The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

Adventure

Enter if you dare! These Ancient Egyptian themed rooms are decorated with thematic sarcophagus, hieroglyphics, and more! The Adventure Rooms sleep up to five. There is a seperate children’s sleeping area. The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

Pirate

Argh! Be it a sea adventure ye be craving? Grab yer shovel and follow the map to the hidden treasure! X marks the spot in the Pirate rooms.

The Pirate room sleep up to five. There is a seperate children’s sleeping area. The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

LEGO Friends

Grab your BFF, your favorite jammies and prepare for the ultimate slumber party (pillow fights optional!).

The LEGO Friends rooms sleep up to five. There is a seperate children’s sleeping area. The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

LEGO Movie

Everything is awesome in the LEGO Movie theme rooms!

The LEGO Movie rooms sleep up to five. There is a seperate children’s sleeping area. The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

Pirate Island Hotel

Ahoy Mateys! The newest addition to the Legoland Florida hotels is the Pirate Island Hotel. The rooms are decorated to the max!

The rooms sleep up to five. There is a seperate children’s sleeping area. The room includes Lego models, a treasure chest of Lego for your kids to enjoy, and an in-room-treasure hunt.

All Rooms Include:

King size bed in the adult sleeping area
Separate kids sleeping area with a bunk bed, pull out trundle bed and entertainment unit
Welcome Treasure Hunt with LEGO prize
LEGO bricks to build during your visit

2 TVs
Mini-Fridge
Keurig
Hairdryer
Safe
Toiletries

Pro-Tip: The hotel rooms do not have a clock. You will need to use your cell phone or a travel alarm clock to keep track of the time.

Legoland Hotel Restaurants

The hotel has three different restaurants; BRICKS Restaurant, Shipwreck Restaurant, and Skyline Lounge. Each eatery offers a unique family-friendly dining experience.

BRICKS Restaurant

Bricks Family Restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner.

For breakfast, the restaurant offers up an endless all-you-can-eat family-style breakfast. They serve hot traditional breakfast options, fresh fruit, cereal, etc. Breakfast is free for hotel guests.

From 5 to 8, the restaurant features an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring traditional American foods.

Shipwreck Restaurant

Shipwreck Restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner.

For breakfast, the restaurant offers up an endless all-you-can-eat family-style breakfast. They serve hot traditional breakfast options, fresh fruit, cereal, etc. Breakfast is free for hotel guests.

At dinner, the restaurant serves up a 3-course family style feast! The menu is all-you-can-eat meals such as the Pirate Platter (beef brisket, BBQ pork, spare ribs, rotisserie chicken, smoked sausage, and sides), Seadog Skillet (flank steak, pork tenderloin, blackened fish, rotisserie chicken, shrimp, and sides), or a plant based skillet.

Skyline Lounge

This super hip restaurant serves up traditional American food for lunch and dinner. They also have a full bar which serves up my favorite gin from the St. Augustine Distillery. We sat down to a delicious steak dinner with cocktails and mocktails on our first night at the hotel. It was a lovely way to kick off our birthday vacation.

Pro-Tip: There is a Publix grocery store across the street from Legoland Florida. You can load up on snacks to munch on in the room, poolside or by the park.

Legoland Hotel Amenities

The Legoland Hotel property rests on the banks of Lake Eloise. There is a beautiful boardwalk that offers stunning views of this picturesque lake.

The main attractions on the property are the heated resort-style pool and the waterslide. The maximum depth of the pool is 4 feet, although most of the pool is less than 3 feet. While we were there, there were 5 lifeguards on duty the whole time (2 at the water slides and 3 at the pool). The pool was filled with large LEGO bricks for the kids to play with in the water.

Our kids favorite things about the Legoland Hotel-

Scoop- “the pool”

Stinky- “the (water)slide and the pool”

Smiley- “the play area and the pool”

We couldn’t keep the kids out of the play areas! Their favorite was the large play area just off the main lobby and the pirate playroom in the Pirate Hotel.

Free breakfast
Heated resort-style pool
Waterslide
Miniature Golf Course
Firepit
Character Meet-and-Greets
In-Room Treasure Hunts
Elevator Dance Party
Play Spaces

Visiting the Legoland Hotel Florida

Many people think Legoland is in Orlando however, it is actually in the town of Winter Haven just southwest of Orlando. It’s about 36 miles, or an hour away from Disney World.

Address: 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884

Visiting Other Theme Parks from Legoland Hotel

You can easily visit the other Orlando theme parks while staying at the Legoland hotel. While we were staying at the hotel, we met several people who were splitting their time between Legoland and other parks. Disney World, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios are all about an hour away.

Our Thoughts on the Legoland Hotel

The Kids

The Grown-Ups

Our kids were obsessed with the Legoland Hotel. We barely spent any time in our room at all. We spent most of our time in the play areas, and took advantage of the heated pool. The water slide was fast and lots of fun!

When we weren’t playing with LEGO in the play areas, they were playing with them in the room.

The hotel could use a couple of more amenities for kids to do. Laser tag, for instance, would be a huge hit at the hotel. Maybe even a dancing room (to continue the party from the elevator).

They gave the hotel 2 big thumbs up (each!).

The hotel was pretty great. The rooms were a little tired and could use a little updating. The TV in the kid area of our room didn’t work. We reported it to maintenance and they were unable to fix it. They offered us a free s’more kit for the fire pit as compensation.

The lobby is attached to a small play area and a large play area that is nearly always busy…and loud. Get used to seeing kids running around everywhere as they shoot each other with LEGO guns. We found the pirate play area in the Pirate Hotel much quieter.

It would have been nice if the mini-golf was free for hotel guests.

Seeing the kids so happy made it 100% worthwhile. We looked at booking the hotel again the day after we got back from our trip!

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Tags FLORIDA, HOTEL REVIEW, LEGOLAND, THEME PARK, UNITED STATES, USA

National Parks, Monuments, and Seashores United States

The National Park’s Awesome Junior Ranger Program

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date November 20, 2021
No Comments on The National Park’s Awesome Junior Ranger Program

Have you heard about the Junior Ranger program? The U.S. National Parks love hosting young visitors. National Parks are a great place for your child to discover nature, learn about the environment, and test their physical limitations. The National Park Service’s Junior Ranger Program is a great opportunity for kids to have fun while enjoying the great outdoors.

Our kids absolutely love checking out local, state, and national parks. They are pros at exploring historic sites, hiking, and investigating nature. As they examine leaves, walk trails, climb rocks, skip stones, and learn about important events in history, they can earn badges.

As a teacher, I know that kids can learn just as much (if not more!) outside of the classroom as they can inside of one. We encourage our kids to get out and explore and learn what they are capable of. Exploring National Park’s is a great way to learn about US history, natural history, geography, biology, and more.

The Junior Ranger badge program gives the kids a sense of purpose while they’re at the park. While they are there, they have little tasks that they can complete to earn a badge. It helps them get to know the park a bit more intimately and see and experience things they may not have otherwise.

How do We Sign up for Junior Rangers?

Signing up to be a Junior Ranger couldn’t be any easier! Simply visit the information desk at any visitor center and the park ranger on duty will tell you all about this fun program! You’ll be given a free booklet that serves as a guide for your child to use as they make their way around the park.

The program is open to kids from ages 5 to 13.

Pro-Tip: While you’re meeting with the ranger, ask them to mark the family-friendly hiking trails on your map.

How to Earn a Junior Ranger Badge

Your first stop to a National Park should always be to the visitor center. This is where you’ll pick up a booklet that gives information about the park. Each park has different requirements for earning a Junior Ranger badge. These might range from completing a short hike, picking up trash, watching a short informational film, or in most cases, attending an educational program.

Children can use their booklet to learn about unique features of the park and to review the list of activities they can complete to receive a badge.

Once they’ve completed the required activities, turn the booklet back into the park ranger at the visitor center. Most rangers do a great job reviewing what the kids learned during the day.

Lastly, the kids raise their hands and recite the Junior Ranger Pledge:

As a Junior Ranger, I promise to teach others about what I learned today, explore other parks and historic sites, and help preserve and protect these places so future generations can enjoy them.

After stating the pledge, each kid gets a collective badge (or patch) and a certificate.

Earning National Park Junior Ranger Badges Online

Did you know there’s an online version of the National Park Junior Ranger program? You can download and print digital booklets that you can complete at home. This is totally free! Some of the booklets can even be sent in to the park to get a badge- however, you’ll sometimes just get an online “badge”.

Learn more at https://www.nps.gov/kids/junior-rangers.htm

How to Visit National Parks for Free

Although some National Park sites are free, some of them require a fee to enter. This fee ranges from $5 per vehicle to $35 per vehicle whereas some charge up to $20 a person.

The National Parks offer Free National Park Days where you can access the park for free! Learn more about these days.

If you have a fourth-grader, you can get an annual pass that grants you access to all of the parks for free! Every year, starting on September 1st, all fourth-grade students are eligible for an Every Kid Outdoors Pass. The pass grants free access to the entire family! Fill out the form at www.everykidoutdoors.gov

What Should I Take With Me?

When you’re hiking, please remember to leave no trace! This means to pack out everything that you pack in and if you see trash, pick it up.

If you’re traveling with your pup, like we often do, be sure to bring along their leash, poop bags, a water dish (this one is collapsible), extra water, food, and snacks.

I can’t wait to get out there and explore more National Parks with our littles. It’ll be so much fun to watch the collect Junior Ranger badges from all of the parks we visit from sea to shining sea! There are so many places that I cannot wait to explore with them. It makes me anxious to start planning road trips right this very minute!

Do you have a favorite National Park? I’d love to hear about it! Drop your favorite park in the comments below and tell us why you love it so much!

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Tags NATIONAL PARK, USA

Florida Jacksonville United States

MOSH- The Fascinating Museum of Science & History

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date November 13, 2021
No Comments on MOSH- The Fascinating Museum of Science & History

MOSH, also known as the Museum of Science & History, is located in downtown Jacksonville, Florida and is the city’s most visited museum. The museum’s primary focus is science and local history. The museum is also known for hosting a new traveling exhibit every quarter which means it’s exhibits are constantly changing. We’ve experienced several of the traveling exhibits and they are awesome but the museum’s normal collection is pretty stellar too.

The Exhibits of MOSH

The Natural Science Collection

Want to check out a dinosaur skeleton? Or learn about the migration of North Atlantic Right Whale? Are you curious about the body parts of a blue whale?

The science portion of the museum focuses mostly on animals found in northeast Florida.

The “Atlantic Tails” exhibit is the first stop on your tour of the museum. There is a life-size blue whale on display. As you push buttons, the animals organs light up and there is a narration that tells you about them. There is also a simulator that simulates dolphins echolocation.

The Florida Naturalist Center contains live animals such as owls, turtles, tortoises, snakes, lizards, fish, and even an armadillo.

The JEA Powerplay area which teaches young visitors about energy. The area is extremely interactive and a huge hit with young visitors.

One of the main attractions is the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium. More than 60,000 people see the planetarium show each year! The planetarium has education programs and monthly Cosmic Concerts. The Cosmic Concerts, combine music with a multi-colored laser show and video production

Another fun, interactive area features the human body. Visitors can learn all about the skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, and other systems of the body. Yes…it sounds boring, but it is AWESOME! The kids favorite part is a screen that you can dance in front of and it show you what the skeletal system looks like as you groove.

The History Collection

Of course, it wouldn’t be MOSH- the Museum of Science and History without a little….well, history! The History Collection teach visitors about the history of northeast Florida dating from pre-history to the present. This collection includes about 25,000 objects that tell the story of the people, culture, and important events in our region. Highlights include artifacts from Native Americans, early settlers, the Civil War,the Spanish-American War, the Great Fire of 1901, the 1950s, and more.

You could easily spend quite a bit of time in this “Currents of Time” exhibit since there are so many artifacts and placards. We’ve used this space to have conversations about our nation’s dark past. The kids were able to see artifacts that went along with our lessons about slavery, segregation, and colonization.

Visiting MOSH

Address:

1025 Museum Circle
Jacksonville, FL 32207

Museum Hours

Mondays 10 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Tuesdays — Wednesdays Closed
Thursday — Friday 10 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. — 6 p.m.
Sunday 12 — 5 p.m.

Tickets

ADULTS
$15.95

STUDENTS, SENIORS (55+) & MILITARY
$12.95

CHILDREN (3-12 YRS)
$12.95

MEMBERS and CHILDREN UNDER 2
FREE

Daily programs such as the Extreme Science! shows, Florida Naturalist’s Center shows, and the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium shows are also available for purchase.

What is there to do nearby?

There is plenty to do near MOSH. MOSH is located on the Southbank of the St. Johns River. Right behind the museum is Friendship Park, which has a super photogenic fountain that is a Jacksonville landmark. There is a paved walkway along the Southbank that offers outdoor art and stunning river views.

Treaty Oak Park- a green space with a 200+-year-old tree
Landon Park- a super fun modern playground with a butterfly garden
Cummer Art Gallery & Gardens
MOCA- Museum of Contemporary Art
Jacksonville Library- Main Branch
Sweet Pete’s Candy

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Tags FLORIDA, JACKSONVILLE, USA

Florida Jacksonville United States

Sweet Pete’s: The Largest Candy Shop in the Southeastern US

Post author By Elle MacRae
Post date November 6, 2021
1 Comment on Sweet Pete’s: The Largest Candy Shop in the Southeastern US

Sweet Pete’s is a kid (and grown-ups!) dream come true! It is the largest candy store in the southeastern United States. Sweet Pete’s is located in the center of historic downtown Jacksonville in a 22,000 foot historic mansion.

The candy shop features 3 whimsical levels of sweet treats. The shop has an endless variety of candies ranging from sea salt caramels, toffee, lollipops, decadent chocolates and lots of classic candies.

On the first floor you’ll find the chocolates and a restaurant with a bar.

The second floor is home to classic candies and an observation area where you can watch the candymakers work their magic. There’s also a remarkable ice cream shop.

The third floor typically is used to host birthday parties but may also be used for classes.

Each day, Sweet Pete’s offers candy classes and is available for field trips or parties. Each of these offers kids an opportunity to learn how to make candy.

We’ve taken several classes at Sweet Pete’s and have loved every one. Booking a class is a great way to enhance your visit. We taken classes on how to make lollipops, chocolate bars, and gummies. Smiley went on a field trip to Sweet Pete’s and made an amazingly delicious chocolate and caramel covered apple.

One of the coolest things about this massive candy shop is the decor. Each holiday the shop knocks it out of the park with their bright, colorful, and whimsical decor. There is something to see in every square inch of the building!

There are several different ways to purchase candy at Sweet Pete’s. The first floor has individually packaged chocolates and sweet treats. There is also a display where you can select goodies for them to box up for you.

On the upper floor(s), you’ll find small containers that you can scoop a mixture of different candies into. The price is per container- so you can fill it as full as possible.

Pro-Tip: After we fill our containers with our favorite candies, we top it off with something small (like rock candy or chocolate pebbles). Then, we give the container a little shake and the smaller candies fill in the void.

Our kids love the second floor because they can fill their boxes with all kinds of different candies. There are (what seems like) 50,000 different shapes of gummies (mermaids, unicorns, dinosaurs, trucks, animals, you name it!), taffies, and all kinds of other candies.

My favorite goodies, however, are found on the first floor.

Our Sweet Pete's Treat Recommendations

Sea Salt Caramels
Chocolate Covered Oreos
Chocolate Covered Popcorn
Chocolate Bar Your Way
Caramel Chocolate Apples
Caramel Pecan Clusters
Ice Cream

Fizzies & Fare

Fizzies and Fare is the restaurant located on the first floor of Sweet Pete’s. The restaurant offers “light bites” such as burgers, sandwiches, chicken tenders, and salads.

The restaurant is most known for their outrageous milkshakes and whimsical cocktails. They offer sever beer and wine.

We suggest grabbing a drink (whether it’s a milkshake or a cocktail), and enjoying it out on the luxurious porch.

The Ice Cream Shop

On the second floor, there is a charming little ice cream shop. The ice cream is killer and the shop offers all kinds of kid-friendly flavors. Although it may not be as over-the-top as the milkshakes downstairs, the ice cream definitely hits the spot.

Visiting Sweet Pete's

Address:

400 N. Hogan Street
Jacksonville, FL 32202

Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10-6
Wednesday: 10-6
Thursday: 10-6
Friday: 10-7:30
Saturday: 10- 7:30
Sunday– 10-6

Sweet Pete’s is closed Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

What is There to do Nearby?

James Weldon Johnson Park
The Main Library
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
Chamberlin’s Uptown (bookstore)
Northbank Riverwalk
Springfield Park

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Tags FLORIDA, JACKSONVILLE, UNITED STATES