Thank you to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for hosting my family’s visit. All opinions are my own.
Guest Author: Our kid blogger, Messi Jr. is an eleven year old sixth grader who loves travel, soccer and basketball.
My family and I recently took a fun and exciting road trip from Cleveland, Ohio to Amherst, Massachusetts. Although the focus of the trip was to see our uncle and aunt, we went to many cool places and learned many amazing things as well. My favorite attraction was the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. I faithfully watched the Cavs during their four post-season national championships and played basketball in my church league for at least five years and was ecstatic when my mom told me she would take us to the Hoop Hall. At the Basketball Hall of Fame, we learned about the greatest basketball players and the history of the game and got to shoot around on Center Court trying out old and new hoops. We also competed in a free throw contest.
First, when we entered the Basketball Hall of Fame building, we saw exhibits for 15 of the all-time best basketball players in glass cases. Inside each case, there was the player’s jersey, shoes and a little screen detailing some of their personal highlights and achievements. We also got to compare our shoe sizes to the pros. Shaquille O’Neal wore a size 22!
My sister’s shoe compared to Shaquille O’Neal’s
Once we were done checking in, we watched a 12 minute video about the evolution of basketball and learned that basketball was invented by James Naismith in Springfield in 1891. The video was the perfect introduction to the Basketball Hall of Fame.
With some background knowledge, we headed to the third floor Honors Ring. As we circled around level three, we read a paragraph about each Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.
We next went down to the Players’ Gallery on the second floor where we looked at lockers filled with players’ memorabilia and played some interactive games that compared us to average NBA basketball players. The interactive exhibits measured how high we could jump to catch a rebound or dunk and also included a virtual reality basketball game and pop-a-shot.
After the Player’s Gallery, we went down to Center Court on the first floor where there was a regulation basketball court with two pro-sized hoops and also different hoops lining the walls from a peach barrel to the newest hoop. There was also a dunk zone where almost everyone can find the perfect sized hoop to dunk on.
Finding the perfect hoop to practice my dunks
In the Basketball Hall of Fame complex, there are several restaurants. We had lunch at Max’s Tavern where I ate a huge burger. After we were done, we raced back to Center Court for the free throw competition. All the participants lined up and took a regulation free throw. Those who made the shot stayed on the court while those who missed watched from the sidelines. The sudden death rounds continue until there are two finalists. In the final round, the two finalists then take three free throws each, and the whoever makes more becomes the winner. Out of about 40 participants of all ages, I won! My mom thinks I was lucky, but really, it came down to pure skill. This video shows my winning shot at the Basketball Hall of Fame Free Throw competition.
For winning the Free Throw competition, I received the competition ball, a drawstring backpack, a Basketball Hall of Fame hat and t-shirt, basketball cards, a miniature basketball and a net.
The Basketball Hall of Fame was a very fun place to visit, and I learned about basketball history and have a new appreciation for the sport. I recommend the Basketball Hall of Fame to anyone visiting Springfield, Massachusetts, especially basketball fans.
Thank you to Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, COSI, the Franklin Park Conservatory, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Zoombezi Bay for hosting our family’s visits. All opinions are my own.
Columbus, Ohio is near and dear to my heart because I lived there for three years as a law student at the Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law. Nancy and I both studied at Moritz and lived in the same apartment complex five years apart. While traveling and blogging may be two of my favorite pastimes, I’m a public finance attorney in the Cleveland office of Bricker & Eckler by day. Because Columbus is the state capital of Ohio and Bricker’s headquarters, I make the journey from our house in the Cleveland suburbs down I-71 to Columbus every few weeks on business. Columbus has grown exponentially since my college and law school years (now the 14th largest city in the U.S.) and is a great family destination. It has been several years since we visited as a family, so I took advantage of an unusually quiet summer weekend while my husband was attending a family wedding in Australia to take the kids (and my daughter’s stuffed monkey, Coconut) on a weekend getaway. Columbus is a city that offers more than meets the eye, and we made sure to pack many of the highlights into our weekend trip.
Where to Stay in Columbus, Ohio
A Review of Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection
We spent two nights at the Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection, which is ideally located at the corner of Broad and Front, just one block from the Capitol Square. We did not need our car between check-in on Friday night and check out on Sunday morning because everything on our itinerary was within walking distance of the Hotel LeVeque. We walked to the Ohio Statehouse, the Bricker & Eckler building, Columbus Commons, COSI, Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral and dinner at Condado. We parked in the adjacent garage and were wowed by the elegant marquee at the entryway before proceeding to the lobby. We immediately noticed the Hotel’s astronomical theme and starry decor. My husband does not yet know that I spent a lot of time coveting the lobby chandelier and wondering if we could find something like it for our front hallway.
Check-in was a breeze with absolutely no wait. Throughout our stay, the entire staff was extremely helpful and attentive, especially to the kids. After we collected our room keys, we headed to our classic double queen room on the eighth floor.
The room was decorated in gray tones. The entryway had laminate wood flooring that was perfect for kicking off our shoes. The closet included the usual hanging space, safe and ironing board and also a large golf umbrella and a coffee maker. The queen beds were dreamily comfortable with plenty of pillows. Gold framed mirrors were a beautiful touch. The kids were ecstatic to find a welcome gift on the desk and immediately set to work with their coloring books.
The luxurious bathroom included a humongous, subway-tiled shower with a rainfall nozzle and separate handheld shower head. I loved the sleek white on white decor and took some notes for my dream bathroom makeover. There was also a separate room for the toilet, which worked great for our family.
The window wells were the perfect vantage point for watching the street below, and the biggest excitement was when the boys spotted a Lamborghini and Ferrari on Broad Street.
The starry decor extends to the guest rooms. The most unique feature was the star projector, which we used both nights so that we felt like we were sleeping under the stars with this view. My son wants a similar projector for his room.
After unpacking and settling into our room, the kids were ready to go explore the hotel. We set off to the Fitness Center on the sixth floor. The Center was equipped with high-end machines and weights and provided earplugs, granola bars and water. The Fitness Center was not designed for kids’ use, but these two jumped on the treadmills for a few seconds before we headed to the lobby to continue our exploring.
There are so many beautiful artworks in the Hotel’s common areas that we felt as if we were in an art gallery.
There is a Starbucks located right outside the lobby lounge and so many comfortable spots to relax with a morning coffee.
Because I travel to Columbus regularly, I’ve stayed in at least a dozen other Columbus-area hotels, including about six other downtown hotels. Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection is easily my new favorite because of its location and amenities.
Best Things to Do in Columbus, Ohio
We could easily spend a week exploring museums and parks in Columbus, but we packed the sights that most appealed to us into our weekend. Here’s our overview of the best things to do in Columbus, Ohio in the order we visited and also a few that are on our family’s list for next time.
Our Weekend in Columbus
#1: LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus
Easton’s LEGOLAND is a Discovery Centers that serves as a miniature amusement park. This 36,000 square foot entertainment center opened in September 2018. At LEGOLAND, there are LEGO-themed rides, opportunities to build with LEGO, LEGO-themed play areas and a 4D movie theater. My kids love LEGO and were especially excited that my friend and her 10-year-old daughter were able to join us. We planned to arrive in Columbus in the late afternoon when most of the museums are closing and were pleased to find that LEGOLAND Discovery Center stays open until 7:00 p.m. We arrived at about 4:30 p.m. and explored this amazing indoor amusement park until closing time.
The kids were excited to ride the Kingdom Quest laser ride located immediately inside the entrance. Each rider has their own laser to zap beastly trolls and sneaky skeletons while collecting points and saving a princess. This ride reminded me of the Toy Story ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – just without the long line. The kids rode on Kingdom Quest several times with absolutely no wait.
Because our kids love to build with LEGO, they were excited about the police car building project in the Creative Workshop. Workshops are held throughout the day, and visitors get the chance to create different models using LEGO kits. The leader provided step by step directions projected onto a big screen. My four year old and I worked together, but she handled the lion’s share of construction.
It was so much fun watching a pile of LEGO bricks take shape into the police car. After playing with our cars for a few minutes, we disassembled our creations and put them back in the kits for the next visitors.
My four-year-old daughter declared the LEGO pool to be her favorite part of the Discovery Center. This tear-dropped shaped “pool” is filled with thousands of LEGO bricks. And, yes, she did dive into the middle.
Miniland was also a big hit. We’ve seen many LEGO exhibits, including Nathan Sawaya’s The Art of the Brick at the Carnegie Science Center last summer. The scale of Miniland’s recreations of Ohio landmarks, including the Ohio Stadium was beyond impressive. And, this room made my heart swell with O-H-I-O pride.
After playing in the LEGO City Play Area and the DUPLO Farm and riding the Merlin’s Apprentice Ride, we finished our visit to LEGOLAND in the 4D movie theater. The kids laughed nonstop throughout the short film, and they thought the 4D special effects were cool (especially the flying hot dog), even if we did get a bit wet. The LEGOLAND Discovery Center is the “ultimate indoor LEGO Playground.”
LEGOLAND Discovery CenterHours: The LEGOLAND Discovery Center is open every day, and hours vary by day of the week and season. The last entry is two hours before closing.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Admission: Walk up general admission to the LEGOLAND Discovery Center varies by date but generally costs between $24 and $34. Savings are available for visitors who book online in advance.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Parking: The West Parking Garage at Easton is adjacent to LEGOLAND Discovery Center. I parked in a surface lot with a three-hour limit and had to move my car before dinner.
Time Spent at LEGOLAND DiscoveryCenter: We spent about two and a half hours at LEGOLAND Discovery Center.
#2: Easton Town Center
Easton Town Center is an indoor and outdoor shopping complex that opened in the summer of 1999, right before I moved to Columbus to start law school. Easton started as a development by Les Wexner, the owner of Limited Brands, and has had multiple expansions and renovation projects since its opening.
Easton Station includes The Rooms at Easton, presented by COSI. These are themed rooms where visitors can explore science concepts. Our favorite was Community Creations, a room inspired by Yayoi Kusama’s The obliteration room, which we saw in Cleveland last year. We each added a strip of stickers.
Easton is a wonderful family destination, particularly in the summer when it hosts numerous events like the Easton Art Affair, a fine art craft show that was going on during our visit. It reminded me of New Orleans‘ Jackson Park with so many amazing artists exhibiting their pieces. There is also a fountain for kids under eight to splash around in. It was a bit chilly, and our youngest did not have her bathing suit, but she asked many times if she could try out the fountain.
Easton Towne Center Hours: Most retailers are open Monday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m.
Easton Towne Center Parking: Parking garages at Easton are free, surface lots provide free parking for up to three hours, and metered parking is available throughout the Center.
Time Spent at Easton TowneCenter: After finishing at LEGOLAND, we spent about two hours eating dinner and checking out the Easton Art Affair.
#3: Ohio Statehouse
The Ohio Statehouse is located in the center of downtown Columbus at Capitol Square. Unlike many state capitols inspired by the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., the Ohio Statehouse’s Greek revival architecture was influenced by the Parthenon and completed before the Capitol. I am fortunate to attend an annual event inside the Ohio Statehouse, but, unfortunately, we did not have time for a guided tour on this particular visit.
The William McKinley Monument honors the Ohio native who served as the Ohio Governor and 25th President of the United States. The monument was completed in 1906, five years after McKinley’s assassination.
Ohio Statehouse Hours: The Ohio Statehouse is open to the public on Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Ohio Statehouse is closed on public holidays.
Ohio Statehouse Parking: Underground parking is available 24 hours a day.
Time Spent at the Statehouse: We passed by the Ohio Statehouse several times during our weekend and spent about 30 minutes total. The guided tour is definitely on our list for our next visit.
#4: Bricker & Eckler Building
The law firm of Bricker & Eckler purchased the old, old post office in 1984 and restored and renovated the building to use as its headquarters. This is one of the few downtown buildings dating from the 19th century and is located across from Capitol Square at the intersection of South Third and State Street. It was my favorite building in downtown Columbus long before I became an employee. While the Bricker & Eckler building is not open to the public, we were fortunate to be able to stop in and take a break to relax in the lobby before continuing our Saturday morning walking tour.
Bricker & Eckler Building
#5: The John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons
The John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons is a six-acre park in the middle of downtown Columbus that opened in 2011 on the site of the former Columbus City Center mall. I remember when City Center opened as a premier shopping destination and witnessed its decline over my college and law school years as competing malls opened in the suburbs of Columbus. The Columbus Commons utilized the extensive underground parking constructed for City Center and features green space, Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion, a carousel, 12 gardens and open play. The Commons hosts over 200 events each year, and many of the events are free to the public.
Columbus Commons Hours: The Columbus Commons is generally open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily.
Columbus Commons Parking: The Main Garage is located at 55 East Rich Street, and the Underground Garage is located at 191 South Third Street.
Time Spent at Columbus Commons: We spent only a few minutes in the Commons due to our packed schedule and ticketed events occurring both nights.
#6: COSI Columbus
The Center of Science and Industry or COSI, as it is commonly known, is a science museum and research center. COSI opened in its current space in November 1999, just a few months after I started law school. My first visit was five years ago in 2014 when I was eight months pregnant with my daughter. Our family loves science museums, so we were ecstatic to go back to COSI. Just like our first visit (which I coincidentally discovered occurred exactly five years before this visit when I looked at the previous pictures), our visit coincided with the Science of Big Machines event in front of COSI. This is an epic touch a truck opportunity that gives kids the chance to try out operating stationary construction vehicles. This hands-on learning opportunity was a huge hit five years ago when my boys were four and six. This year, my four and nine year olds each tried out a truck before heading back across the bridge to our hotel.
In the entryway, we were greeted by an enormous Foucault pendulum that demonstrates that the Earth is spinning. This may be the largest and most beautiful Foucault pendulum we’ve ever seen.
COSI is much more than a typical science museum. Of course, it has live shows, hands-on science experiments, a planetarium, and permanent and special exhibits. But, it also includes the American Museum of Natural History Dinosaur Gallery, which is larger than dinosaur exhibits at many natural history museums. The full cast of a T-Rex is certainly the highlight here. There is also an outdoor park that is open to the public. In 2017, COSI completed the construction of an underground parking garage to replace its surface lot. Moving parking underground opened up eight acres that are now used as a park, complete with a playground and fountains. This park space is heavily used by families, especially on beautiful summer days.
The exhibit that I was most excited about was The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited, which explored Henson’s groundbreaking work and more than 20 historic puppets. Henson died almost 30 years ago at age 53, but his impact on puppetry was unparalleled. It was a thrill to see some of my childhood “friends” up close and personal.
We also explored the Mythic Creatures special exhibit. Unicorns seem to be as popular as princesses these days, and my daughter especially enjoyed this exhibit, but the boys preferred the rat basketball live show. Our visit to COSI was cut short because my oldest wasn’t feeling well, but my friend offered to watch my younger two kids while I took my oldest to the hotel. They made flubber, explored the Ocean exhibit and watched the high-wire unicycle.
Families can easily spend an entire day at COSI exploring the exhibits. Luckily, the Atomic Cafe provides a wide variety of kids’ meals and some healthy options for when kids need refueling. Our kids are already talking about the next trip and plan to prioritize the Planetarium and Giant Screen Theater.
COSI Hours: COSI is generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily and 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the last Friday of each month.
COSI Admission: COSI general admission costs $25 for everyone 13 and over and $20 for kids 2-12. Add on experiences such as the Planetarium, National Geographic Giant Screen Theater films, Motion Simulator rides and some special exhibits are available for additional fees.
COSI Parking: The closest parking is available at the Scioto Peninsula Underground Garage. Visitor parking costs $6 with the discount stamp available at the COSI Box Office.
Time Spent at COSI: My oldest and I spent about two hours at COSI, and my younger two children stayed on with my friend and spent four hours exploring.
#7: Franklin Park Conservatory
Franklin Park Conservatory is a botanical garden located on Broad Street a few miles from Capitol Square. We always enjoy conservatories, but the big draw for us was its signature collection of Dale Chihuly artworks. We have a fondness for Chihuly and have seen his works at the lobby of the Bellagio in Las Vegas, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh and even MudBugs Cajun Kitchen in Sanibel. None of those exhibits comes close to Franklin Park Conservatory’s Chihuly: Celebrating Nature, the largest Chihuly collection in a botanical garden. This current exhibit, which is on display through March 29, 2020, includes 13 Chihuly works that are part of the Conservatory’s permanent collection, four pieces of the Conservatory’s collection that have been reconfigured and five pieces on loan from Chihuly.
Dale Chihuly is an American glass sculptor who uses vibrant colors in his sculptures that often resemble flowers. The exhibit guide gets high marks for including art label descriptions for each piece and using color-coding to indicate which pieces are from the permanent collection, reconfigured or on loan. After being wowed by Chihuly’s Persian Window, we passed under the Persian Ceiling with layered glass forms.
My oldest son has color vision deficiency and only sees a fraction of the colors that the rest of the family can see. To him, many of Chihuly’s selections do not seem bold or vivid, but he likes the forms. However, this Garden Fiori, on loan for this exhibit, was an exception and looked brilliant to him and easily became his favorite of the exhibition.
The Lime Green Icicle Tower, also on loan, was the focal point of the Sculpture Garden. It reminded me of the taller and skinnier version exhibited in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
There is something magical about butterflies, and it is always exciting to see one up close. The Conservatory’s Blooms & Butterflies exhibit is located in the Pacific Island Water Garden.
The Kids Can Design Glass Art Studio gives kids the chance to make their own Chihuly-inspired creations.
Scott’s Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden offers active experiences in nature for children. My daughter splashed in the Headwaters and Sandstone Creek, which were inspired by the nearby Hocking Hills before all three kids headed to the Canopy Walk and Nature Play Zone.
It’s no surprise that the Franklin Park Conservatory was recently named by USA Today as #5 on the 10 most beautiful places list. The combination of Chihuly sculptures and nature exhibited here is nothing short of breathtaking.
Franklin Park Conservatory Hours: The Franklin Park Conservatory is generally open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Franklin Park Conservatory Admission: Franklin Park Conservatory general admission costs $19 for visitors age 13-59, $16 for visitors over age 59 and $12 for children age 3-12.
Franklin Park Conservatory Parking: A free adjacent parking lot is available for visitors.
Time Spent at Franklin Park Conservatory: We spent only about an hour and a half at the Franklin Park Conservatory because our visit was postponed due to my son’s illness. However, we could have easily spent two to three hours exploring the Conservatory and playing in the Children’s Garden.
#8: The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has been nationally recognized among the best zoos in the U.S. and was recently named as the country’s #5 zoo by USA Today. The enormous Zoo is organized by regions. As soon as we entered, we hopped on the shuttle to the Heart of Africa exhibit and then weaved our way back to the entrance, saving us a lot of steps. My four year old rarely uses a stroller, but after a few hours in the Franklin Park Conservatory, I was glad that we brought the stroller and comfortable walking shoes. We saw so many animals up close, but those little legs would have struggled with the long walk on a hot day.
The large enclosure housing at least a dozen giraffe and also zebras in the Heart of Africa was so realistic that we felt as if we were on safari in Africa.
As a special treat, our kids took turns feeding a giraffe. They liked getting up close and personal with the giraffe.
The Polar Frontier exhibit features polar bears. My nine-year-old son recently completed a research project on polar bears, and we learned that they can close their ears underwater and many other fascinating facts. The enclosure features a large, chilled pool, and we were excited to see one close up.
The Shores & Aquarium, which featured manatees, sea turtles, stingrays and many other aquatic creatures, was my 11-year-old son’s favorite part of the Zoo.
Elephants are another family favorite. We noticed that the Asian elephants at the Columbus Zoo have much smaller ears than the African elephants at the Cleveland Zoo.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is one of the largest zoos in the United States and offers many shaded areas perfect for viewing animals on sunny days. My daughter liked the dozens of animal sculptures around the zoo for photo opportunities, and we had to take pictures at almost everyone. There is so much to see and do that it’s possible to spend an entire day exploring all the regions and combine a visit to the Zoombezi Bay water park or Jungle Jack’s Landing amusement area.
Columbus ZooHours: The hours of the Columbus Zoo vary by day of the week and season but are typically 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the summer months.
Columbus Zoo Admission: Admission to the Columbus Zoo costs $21.99 for visitors ages 10-59 and $16.99 for visitors ages three to nine and over 59. The Columbus Zoo-It-All experience includes Zoo admission as well as Jungle Jack’s Landing, Dinosaur Landing, the 4D theater, carousel and pony rides cost $36.99 for visitors ages 10-59 and $31.99 for visitors ages three to nine and over 59. All pricing is based on 2019 admission rates.
Columbus Zoo Parking: Parking is available in an adjacent surface lot for $10 per car.
Time Spent at the Columbus Zoo: We spent about two and a half hours at the Columbus Zoo.
#9: Zoombezi Bay
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium owns the adjacent water park, which is one of the most popular water parks in the Midwest. The kids were desperate to dip their toes into the fountains at Easton, COSI and the Franklin Park Conservatory and had been waiting for Zoombezi Bay all weekend. They thoroughly enjoyed their time at the Zoo, but after about two and a half hours were ready to cool off in Zoombezi Bay. We were glad that we brought our pool bag with us to the Zoo and exited directly to Zoombezi Bay without first stopping at our car. The first stop inside the entrance was the bathhouse and then the lockers. The $10 small lockers were sold out for the day, so we rented a medium locker to store our clothes and valuables while we swam. We selected our code and were able to open our locker as many times as we needed during our visit.
We headed to Baboon Lagoon, a multi-level play structure for water exploration. The water sprays and 1,000 gallon bucket that tipped every few minutes was a bit overwhelming for my four year old daughter but perfect for my sons. The kids also liked the Otter Banks play area.
The whole family enjoyed the Roaring Rapids Action River, a lazy river with inner tubes, waterfalls and wave generators that weaves throughout the entire water park.
We also enjoyed the Wild Tides Wave Pool (pictured here below closing for the day). My boys headed straight for the deeper part of the pool while my daughter waded in the pool’s zero-entry edge and jumped over the breaking waves.
The lines for the large slides were quite long, but the boys did wait for Big Boa Falls for the gravity-defying experience of the uphill water slide.
The Tiny Tides area was designed for the youngest visitors. The slides were much smaller, and there was plenty of space to splash around in the wading pool.
The kids’ only other water park experiences have been at Kalahari. Many of the attractions at Zoombezi Bay were similar but on a much larger scale. And, we enjoyed taking advantage of the park on this beautiful summer day. We unexpectedly stayed until closing at 8:00 p.m., and all three kids fell asleep in the car on the way home.
Zoombezi Bay Hours: Zoombezi Bay is open from mid-May to Labor Day. Hours vary throughout the summer.
Zoombezi Bay Admission: Admission to Zoombezi Bay costs $29.99 for visitors ages 10-59 and $23.99 for visitors ages three to nine and over 59 and includes admission to the Columbus Zoo on the same day. Add-on experiences to Jungle Jack’s Landing, Dinosaur Landing, the 4D theater, carousel and pony rides can be purchased for additional fees. All pricing is based on 2019 admission rates.
Zoombezi Bay Parking: Parking is available in an adjacent surface lot for $10 per car.
Time Spent at the Zoombezi Bay: We spent about three and a half hours at the Zoombezi Bay. It took us about 30 minutes to walk from the Columbus Zoo, enter Zoombezi Bay and get changed into our swimming attire.
Other Great Columbus Family Activities
There are so many more great family-friendly activities in Columbus. While we couldn’t fit them all in during our visit, I’ve had the chance to more fully explore during the three years I lived here and during my frequent visits back. These are still on our list for next time.
#10: Columbus Museum of Art
Columbus Museum of Art features American and European modern and contemporary art along with folk art, glass art, and photography. The Columbus Museum of Art is located downtown, and I’ve been fortunate to visit several times. My favorite artwork is the Chihuly sculpture in the Museum’s Derby Court. We couldn’t fit a trip to the Columbus Museum of Art into our weekend itinerary, but the Museum offers free admission every Sunday.
#11: National Veterans Memorial and Museum
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum opened along the Scioto River in October 2018 on the site of the former Ohio Veterans Memorial, which most attorneys in Ohio remember as the convention center where they sat for three days at folding tables to take the bar exam. The National Veterans Museum is dedicated to the experiences of veterans by incorporating personal stories. Veterans receive free admission and parking.
#12: Grange Insurance Audobon Center
The Grange Insurance Audobon Center is a nature center within the 120-acre Scioto Audubon Metro Park. The Center is a great place for a nature hike, a spectacular view of downtown Columbus, bird watching and rock climbing. I attended a series of meetings in the Center earlier this year and loved watching the seasons change from the wall of windows in the conference room.
#13: Ohio Theatre
The Ohio Theatre in Columbus is located on State Street across from Capitol Square. As a law student, I saw Beauty and the Beast at the Ohio Theatre, and I’ll always remember the Ohio Theatre as the venue for my law school hooding and my swearing-in ceremony. The Ohio Theatre hosts Broadway shows, concerts, live events and movies. Its CAPA Summer Movie Series is the longest-running classic film series in America and currently celebrating its 50th year. Tickets cost only $5 each, and strips of 10 can be purchased for $30.
#14: Palace Theatre
The Palace Theatre in Columbus is a performing arts venue located at the base of the LeVeque Tower next to Hotel LeVeque. Its design was influenced by the Palace of Versailles. As a law student, I saw my all-time favorite Broadway show, Rent, for the first time from the front row of the Palace Theatre. The Palace Theatre hosts many family-friendly events, including Peppa Pig Live andWild Kratts Live 2.0.
Where to Eat in Columbus, Ohio
Cameron Mitchell restaurants were taking off in Columbus when I was in law school, and the brand continues as a dominant force in the local food scene, and there are now restaurants all over the United States. There are so many more restaurant options than there were during my student days, and we chose our dining options based on location and cuisine. We were certainly not disappointed.
Northstar Cafe at Easton Towne Center
Northstar has five Columbus locations that each serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Diners order their food from the counter, pay and then find a seat in the restaurant. I chose the Pad Thai during our meal at the Northstar Cafe at Easton Towne Center and was not disappointed.
Condado
Condado features a build-your-own-taco concept, and we visited its original restaurant for dinner on North High Street. The kids loved all the options to create one-of-a-kind tacos while I chose from the taco suggestions menu. Condado was decorated with Day of the Dead decor and served a tasty margarita.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s was founded in Columbus in 1969 by Dave Thomas and is a Columbus institution. It’s considered the world’s third-largest hamburger chain after McDonald’s and Burger King. We grabbed a tasty but quick lunch between our visits to the Franklin Park Conservatory and Columbus Zoo. The kids even talked me into ordering Frosty’s that they could split.
Our Family’s Columbus Weekend
We had a memorable family weekend in Columbus and didn’t have to pack our passports or book plane tickets. The museums and parks in Columbus make it an ideal family vacation destination for those living in the Midwest and beyond. My kids would certainly go back in a heartbeat and hope that spending a weekend in Columbus becomes an annual tradition. Planning a trip to the Midwest? Check out our series of posts on Ohio.
Thanks to everyone who participated! The giveaway has ended and Joanne is our winner. We will reach out shortly with instructions for receiving your item.
We Go With Kids is thrilled to announce a new giveaway!
As busy parents, getting our kids to and from locations safely is high on our list of priorities, particularly when traveling. Today, we are thrilled to announce that in partnership with WhizRider, we are giving away one WhizRider Child Car Seat! The WhizRider Car Seat:
exceeds all U.S. federal safety standards, so parents don’t have to choose between convenience and safety.
is an approved car seat option in all 50 states
weighs less than a pound and folds up to be smaller than a medium coffee!
is ideal for Uber trips and spontaneous car rides, which is exactly why WhizRider founders, Andy and Dani, invented it.
To enter:
(1) Join our list of email subscribers to receive updates on new posts and WGWK happenings, including exciting giveaways such as these; and
(2) Leave a comment below before noon EST on Monday, June 17 with your summer travel plans!
Winner will be chosen at random and will be able to select color (pink/blue) and size (small/large). Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Thank you to Ask Arthur for providing a complimentary tour. All opinions are my own.
Review of the Ask Arthur Walking Tour in New Orleans
While my husband and I have visited New Orleans several times, we had never fit a walking tour into our itinerary. We were recently in town for the first weekend of Jazz Fest and decided to take a cemetery tour on our only free afternoon in the city. We believe that a walking tour is the perfect way to gain insight into a historical sight. Our private Ask Arthur tour of St. Louis Cemetery #1 with Arthur Smith helped us understand New Orleans cemeteries generally and also appreciate the details of St. Louis Cemetery #1. I never knew how interesting a cemetery could be and definitely recommend Ask Arthur’s walking tours to any families visiting New Orleans.
About Arthur
Arthur is an amateur historian who retired a few years ago from a publishing and marketing career and most recently served as the communications director for the Louisiana State Museum. Arthur met us at Backaway Coffee, which is right next to the St. Louis Cemetery #1 and came prepared with an umbrella. This may have at first seemed a bit odd considering the sky was a brilliant blue with fluffy white clouds, but the Louisiana sun can be pretty unbearable. We were certainly glad that he was prepared and shared his shade with us during the tour.
Ask Arthur on Tour – Photo caption: Ask Arthur
Ask Arthur’s Personalized Walking Tours
There are many walking tour options in New Orleans, but Ask Arthur is one of the few companies that focuses on personalized tours. Arthur features customizable tours for families as well as corporate groups, and all tours must be booked in advance. He can design the length and content of a tour to meet the needs of each group. As Arthur began our tour, he asked us about our background and customized his comments to our interests. Because it was a private tour, it seemed more like an engaging conversation with an expert than the typical lecture format of many tours.
Visiting St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is a Roman Catholic Cemetery located on Rampart Street adjacent to Louis Armstrong Park. It dates back to 1788 and as the oldest cemetery in continual use in New Orleans, it is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is approximately one square city block and holds the remains of about 110,000 to 120,000 people, including several historic individuals and families. With rows of above-ground tombs, it’s easy to see why cemeteries in New Orleans have been called “Cities of the Dead.”
Crowded rows of tombs within the St. Louis No. 1 Cemetery
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is not just a historic sight but also an active cemetery with an average of one or two entombments each month. Since 2015, all visitors must either have relatives buried within the Cemetery or be accompanied by a guide due to concerns about vandalism. Tombs have been painted, broken into and damaged, and Arthur told us that property within the cemetery, including iron crosses, have been stolen.
Because solo tourists are no longer allowed into St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, visitors who arrive without a tour guide need to pay $20 for a 45-minute guided tour. We ran into a few large tour groups during our visit, and we were glad that we were part of a private group.
Famous People Buried in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
The first name I recognized in St. Louis Cemetery was Homer Plessy, the plaintiff in the 1896 Supreme Court case, Plessy v. Ferguson, which is best known for its “separate but equal” doctrine that was in effect until the Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. Arthur paused to talk about Plessy more than usual because of my legal background.
The most famous “resident” of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is Marie Laveau, a free woman of Native American, African and French descent who lived in New Orleans from 1801 to 1888. Laveau was known as a Voodoo queen, and her tomb was once the second most visited grave in the United States, behind Elvis Presley. Tourists draw Xs on her tomb as part of a wish-granting legend. Arthur told us that Marie also became famous because of her charity work. Because she survived yellow fever, Marie enjoyed lifetime immunity and was sought after to nurse people afflicted with what was thought to be a highly contagious disease. There are 88 people interred in her family’s tomb, and only 26 are blood relatives. The remaining occupants were impoverished friends and neighbors who probably would have gone to paupers’ graves if not for Laveau’s charity. They include babies, mothers who died during childbirth, household slaves and people who died from infectious disease or violence crimes. Her tomb was regularly vandalized by followers and was even painted pink before the Cemetery was closed to public access in 2015. My husband and I were fascinated by Laveau’s life story and legacy, and I did some more reading about her after the tour.
In 2010, Nicholas Cage purchased two remaining plots at St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and erected a nine-foot pyramid with the inscription, “Omnia Ab Uno,” which means “Everything from One.” Even though Cage has faced foreclosure on several properties and paid $6.3 million for back taxes in 2012, the government did not confiscate his plot. Aspiring actresses often kiss his tomb for good luck.
Nicholas Cage’s tomb
New Orleans Cemeteries
Cemeteries in New Orleans are unique because the dead are buried above ground. This is necessary because the water table rises so close to ground level. Above-ground burial in group tombs is also a space saving technique because the tombs can be reused. One large tomb holds over 1,600 bodies.
The largest tomb at St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
Arthur shared the somewhat gory details of how burials occur in the above ground tombs. The interiors of these tombs are much like wall ovens and maintain consistently high temperatures, which speeds up decomposition. It still surprised me how quickly decomposition occurs within the crypts. There was nothing in Arthur’s tour that would be inappropriate for children, and he mentioned that most kids particularly enjoy the grisly parts of the burial description.
The design of many tombs was truly exquisite, and upkeep is clearly a significant undertaking.
We loved the details of many of the tombs.
Ask Arthur Walking Tour Summary
Our Ask Arthur tour was engaging from start to finish. Arthur kept checking in with us to make sure he wasn’t going “too far into the weeds”. He wove in references to Cleveland whenever he could and focused on legal aspects of the cemetery after learning that I was a lawyer. We really felt like we had a master class on New Orleans’ cemeteries and gained a deeper understanding of the Crescent City’s history. Planning a trip to New Orleans? Make sure to check out all our posts on New Orleans with kids.
Thank you to the Sanibel Island Beach Resort for providing a media rate for our stay. All opinions are my own.
We recently spent a lovely family weekend at the Sanibel Island Beach Resort. When selecting a hotel in Sanibel for our family of five, our main criteria was that we wanted to stay at a beach-front property with an updated pool area. Sanibel Island Beach Resort definitely ticked those boxes. We arrived on Friday afternoon and checked out Sunday morning. We wished our weekend was longer (or didn’t include the Spring Forward time change that made us miss an hour of precious beach time) and would definitely return to the Sanibel Island Beach Resort.
Review of Sanibel Island Beach Resort Rooms
Our room was large and comfortable with old world Florida charm and a beachy-feel. It included two queen-sized beds, a small table and chairs, a big flat-screen television, dual sinks, a mini refrigerator, a microwave and plenty of options to hang wet clothes.
We loved that our room was beach-front and overlooked the pool area. Our proximity to the beach and pool was ideal. Our goal was to spend as much time outdoors as possible during our weekend, and we really didn’t spend much time in the room itself other than showering and sleeping.
The toiletries were Tommy Bahama brand, and the shower had wonderful pressure and unlimited hot water.
Sanibel Island Beach Resort also featured a sink for guests to use specifically to wash shells, a business center and the Sandollar Kitchen & Bar.
Review of Sanibel Island Beach Resort Pool
Our family really enjoyed Sanibel Island Beach Resort’s pool area. There were many inflatable rafts and rings, boogie boards and noodles for guests to enjoy. The pool was large enough to accommodate at least 10-12 swimmers at one time comfortably. The pool deck was updated with several different seating areas. Even though the Resort was fully booked, we never had difficulty finding chairs. The Tiki Bar was particularly popular with the Resort’s guests, and I enjoyed a Happy Hour rum runner while sitting on the edge of the pool. Although we visited during Spring break time, the pool area was very relaxed and family-friendly with no college revelers.
Our daughter was really hoping to make a friend on our trip, and she hit the jackpot on Saturday morning when she met another 4.5 year old girl with long brown hair who just happened to have the same first name. Our daughter has never met another little girl who shares her name, so this discovery was very exciting. This little girl also happened to be super sweet and asked her dad to take her to the beach to find a shell for my daughter. The two girls became fast friends.
Review of Sanibel Island Beach Resort Beach
The beach at the Sanibel Island Beach Resort was unquestionably the highlight of the property. Our room had a beach view, and we reached the sand by taking a short walk down a path past the pool. After we dropped off our bags in our room and changed into beach attire, we grabbed towels from the pool and headed straight to the beach. The Resort provided comfortable lounge chairs for its guests, and even at full capacity, we never had an issue finding chairs for our family. There were no umbrellas, but we were able to purchase one from the Resort’s gift shop for $19.99. Considering we had to rent chairs and an umbrella for about that amount each day at the beaches in Clearwater and Treasure Island last year, we thought the cost was extremely reasonable. As an added bonus, the umbrella folded down and fit in our car seat bag, so we were able to bring it home with us. Our summer beach trips to Lake Erie are going to be so much more comfortable….
My shaded view of Sanibel Beach
Our kids really enjoy playing in the sand on the beach. They put the two buckets and a shovel that we brought with us to heavy use, often working in the shade of our umbrella. They built a sand castle that survived overnight.
The water temperature of the Gulf of Mexico was still pretty chilly in early March, but my husband and sons ventured into the water on Saturday morning in search of unique shells. As part of the resort fee, the Sanibel Island Beach Resort provides guests with their own mesh shell bag upon check in. This came in handy – at least until the weight of the shells made a hole. My daughter and I preferred to relax in the shade, search for shells in the sand and just dip our toes into the water to fill our buckets.
We woke up early both Saturday and Sunday mornings to watch the sunrise over the Gulf. Even my first view of the ocean definitely made the early morning wake up worthwhile.
The beach was quiet as the sun rose, but there were a few other shellers and walkers on the beach. Sunrise over the Gulf was particularly stunning as the sky turned beautiful shades of orange and red.
No one asked to go back to bed as the sun rose into the sky. We brought out granola bars, squeezable yogurt pouches and water bottles to eat breakfast on the beach. It was the perfect place to sip my morning coffee.
My daughter met her new friend on the beach on Sunday morning, and the two girls discovered they also each had blue buckets and yellow shovels. What else could possibly cement a new friendship between two girls who seemed destined to meet? The two girls excitedly played in the sand together and decided to be pen pals before we each set off in separate directions for the day. They have already sent each other some of the cutest notes through the mail. I have to admit that it’s fun to use stamps for something other than Christmas cards and love that my daughter has a new understanding of how the mail works.
While Sanibel Island Beach Resort’s beach is a wonderful sunrise location, it isn’t ideal for viewing sunset. The sky may turn brilliant shades at dusk, but the sunset itself is out of view from the south end of Sanibel Island. On Saturday night, we headed to Blind Pass Beach, which is on the western end of Sanibel Island right next to the short bridge to Captiva Island. Sunset at Blind Pass Beach was breathtakingly beautiful.
Sunset at Blind Pass Beach
Restaurants Near Sanibel Island Beach Resort
We did not eat at the Resort’s on site restaurants, Sandollar Kitchen & Bar or Tiki Bar, but we did have a number of great meals nearby. Periwinkle Way is the main street through Sanibel and where all of the restaurants we dined at are located. The fact that all the restaurants we chose had animal-themed names was completely coincidental. Here are our Sanibel dining recommendations:
#1: The Island Cow
We had dinner at the Island Cow on Friday night. We heard this cute diner regularly seats 1,000 customers per day, and we believe it. I think there is almost always a line for tables, and the Island Cow offers Adirondack chairs, corn hole and even a random skeleton to help pass the inevitable wait comfortably. The hostess also handed us the extensive menu (including kids’ meals) upon our arrival so that we could make our selections before we were seated and expedite the service.
My husband and I ordered drinks from the bar while we were waiting to be seated. The drinks were unfortunately not so great. My strawberry daiquiri was not well mixed, and I wasn’t sure if there was actually any alcohol in it. My husband’s drink was also sub par and almost offensively strong. The festive atmosphere made up for the unappealing drinks, and we were seated much faster than we expected.
The interior décor at the Island Cow is a bright eclectic kitsch. While knickknacks can be overwhelming, this collection was carefully curated, and we enjoyed looking at all the pictures and the cows on the walls and shelves throughout the restaurant.
Fish is a specialty at the Island Cow, and we all enjoyed our meals. We ordered the alligator appetizer, which was breaded like chicken fingers and tasty. Our oldest is always adventurous when it comes to trying local specialties and thought it tasted very similar to chicken. Our youngest spent the rest of the weekend slightly worried that the alligators might somehow know that we ate one of their friends.
A live karaoke singer accompanied our dinner, and there seemed to be one birthday celebration after another in which the whole restaurant sang the birthday song to the special guest. Over the course of these celebrations, my boys kept reminding us that the trip fell right between our sons’ birthdays and tried to claim birthday priority, mostly because of the large sundae that accompanied each celebration. When our server came with our check, she overheard the conversation and brought out a sundae for the kids to share (no singing).
We heard great things about the Island Cow’s breakfast service and decided to come back on Sunday morning for a hearty brunch. The mimosas on the menu were tempting, but after our experience with the drinks on Friday night, I stuck with coffee. The Island Cow’s brunch definitely lived up to our expectations and was a favorite for all.
My breakfast burrito
#2: The Blue Giraffe
On Saturday, we wanted a quick and tasty sit-down lunch. We called ahead to the Blue Giraffe in Periwinkle Place Shopping Center to make sure that they could accommodate our family with no wait for a late lunch and were thrilled to walk right in and sit down at our table.
Blue Giraffe prominently features giraffe décor, but not all of the giraffes are blue!
Blue Giraffe features typical American fare and kids’ menus, and we all enjoyed our sandwiches and hot dogs. My kids actually chose fruit over French fries as well.
Hot dog kids’ meal at the Blue Giraffe
#3: MudBugs Cajun Kitchen
We had dinner on Saturday night at MudBugs Cajun Kitchen. MudBugs just opened its Sanibel location in December 2018, and the airy, two-story building is exquisite with exposed bricks, outdoor patios and classic New Orleans architecture. I noticed the Chihuly-style blown glass chandelier as soon as we walked in. Later, my sons asked if it was a Chihuly, and knowing how expensive an original Chihuly might be suggested that it likely a “knockoff.” Later, our server confirmed that the chandelier was an original Chihuly! I wonder if the renovated building or the chandelier has a higher value.
MudBugs offers kids’ meals, but our three kids split an adult-sized jambalaya and gumbo. My husband and I each enjoyed a superb cocktail. We all loved our meals, and now I can’t wait for our next trip to New Orleans for more crawfish etoufee and hurricanes.
#4: Pinocchio’s
As our last stop in Sanibel before heading to the airport, we enjoyed Pinocchio’s original Italian ice cream. Pinocchio’s has been a Sanibel staple since 1980 and features bright green walls and endless options of ice cream and gelato. My daughter remembered Pinocchio from our trip to Italy and greeted the large namesake as an old friend. We enjoyed our sweet treat on the store’s large front patio before bidding farewell to our island weekend.
Planning a family trip to Florida? Be sure to check out our entire category of blog posts on things to do and places to visit in Florida, including Sanibel.
Thank you to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum for providing complimentary tickets for my family. All opinions are my own.
Our visit to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel Island was the perfect end to our family’s long weekend in Florida. Sanibel Island is regularly designated as the best shelling beach in the world, and honestly, shelling was a main draw for us when deciding where to spend the weekend on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Hunting for shells on the beach in Treasure Island and Clearwater was a highlight of our trip last winter. At the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum in Sanibel, we learned about different species of mollusks and the wide variety of shells that they make. This educational opportunity provided the context we needed to better understand the shells we found in Sanibel.
Sanibel Shelling
We woke up at sunrise on both of our mornings in Sanibel and headed straight to the beach. This gave us the chance to watch the sunrise over the ocean during prime shelling time as the beach was covered with shells that had washed up into the sand overnight. My husband found more unusual shells a few feet into the water. Serious shellers had nets, but because we weren’t that savvy, he used his hands and found some very interesting shells.
Our visit to Sanibel Island coincided with the Annual Shell Festival. Our family visited the Festival and scoped out all the shell varieties that were available for sale along with shell art. We also had a preview of the National Shell Museum by visiting their mobile tank unit, which was staffed by middle school experts practicing their presentation skills.
History of the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
The National Shell Museum was incorporated in 1986 and was originally housed in a shack. Early supporters and donors included Raymond Burr of Perry Mason fame. Burr helped with the Museum’s first capital campaign and donated his collection of cowries from Fiji to the National Shell Museum. Burr died before the Museum’s current building opened in 1995 on land donated by the Bailey and Matthews families, and the circular garden in front of the Museum was dedicated in his honor.
Raymond Burr’s collection of Fijian cowries
The “National” designation was added to the Museum’s title in 2014 because it is the only professional museum in the U.S. devoted to shells. The Museum began a $6 million renovation project in January 2019. The project includes a new aquarium that is expected to open in 2020.
Visiting the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel Island is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The National Shell Museum’s operations are fully funded by admissions fees and charitable contributions. Admission costs $15 for adults, $9 for children ages 5-13 and seniors. There is no admissions fee for children under 5.
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum – Scavenger Hunt
We visited the National Shell Museum on our last afternoon in Sanibel. Our kids each received a scavenger hunt when we arrived, and we started our tour in the main exhibition space. The kids found many of the shells featured on the scavenger hunt in the Children’s Learning Lab. Our eight and eleven year old sons completed the hunt independently. Our four year old needed some assistance but quickly matched the shell pictures on the scavenger hunt to those in the display cases. The Museum brilliantly utilized tear strips on the scavenger hunt worksheets so kids didn’t need to carry around writing instruments. It was a great activity to help kids investigate the main exhibition space, and they received a shell and a wrist band or coloring book when they turned in their completed worksheet at the main desk.
Completing the National Shell Museum’s scavenger hunt
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum – Record Breaking Sized Shells
The exhibit of world-record shells was another hit. My kids are fascinated with world records. Each year, we purchase the updated copy of Guinness Book of World Records, and my boys spend hours reading the pages. My boys checked out the entries on mollusks in the recent editions but did not find any of the Museum’s shells featured. The Museum’s world record shells include the goliath conch, the lightning whelk, the Atlantic trumpet triton, and the horse conch. The horse conch is two feet long!
The world’s largest horse conch
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum – Mollusks in Action
The Museum rotates two, 30-minute educational films on shells every half hour. We watched Mollusks in Action, which was filmed locally. Our four year old was so exhausted from her morning at the beach and pool and found the dark room to be a perfect place to nap, and so my husband stayed with her for the second presentation while I headed to the art room with two enthusiastic boys ready to create some shell animal art.
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum – Shell Animal Art
Shell animals were available for purchase at the Shell Festival, but the kids were itching to make their own. The National Shell Museum made an otherwise messy and complicated art project super fun and easy, so I was all for it. The art room includes thousands of shells separated by type into clear plastic bins, hot glue guns, covered tables and a wrapping station. Each guest is permitted to make one animal with 12 or fewer shells. There are a number of examples to copy, but my eight year old chose to create a dolphin on his own and then became super creative and placed the dolphin on top of a decorative shell “stand.” My eleven year old made a starfish and then placed it inside a large shell. They each asked for my advice in their shell selection but were able to work the hot glue guns and create their animals with minimal assistance.
At the end of our visit, our well rested daughter woke up and wanted her turn to make shell art. She chose to make a butterfly. I had to take the lead on most of the gluing, but she selected and placed the shells. After each creation was complete, we wrapped them in newspaper and carried them home in small brown paper bags.
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum – Tank Talk
The Tank Talk is definitely not to be missed during any visit to the National Shell Museum. Tank Talks are offered four times each day at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The standing room only crowd for the 2:30 p.m. presentation listened intently to Bubby, a Florida master naturalist and general shell expert. Bubby was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic and held the attention of the whole audience for the duration of her 30-minute presentation. The Museum reports that 90% of the visitors to the National Shell Museum are not aware that shells come from living animals, but no one can leave Bubby’s presentation without a clear understanding that shells are the exoskeletons of mollusks such as snails, clams, oysters and many others.
The presentation included some scientific shelling terms, but Bubby defined each in kid-friendly jargon. We learned that gastropod means “stomach foot” because these mollusks with whirl around shells use what looks like a stomach to move. The horse conch, which is the Florida state shell, is the largest gastropod in the Atlantic Ocean and therefore the top mollusk predator. We also learned that most mollusks use calcium and carbon from the ocean to form calcium carbonate shells.
I particularly enjoyed Bubby’s discussion of lightning whelks. Female lightening whelks are larger than the males because they hold the eggs. Each of their egg castings hold 300-1,000 eggs. We got to see tiny eggs under a magnifying glass. The eggs were tiny versions of the full-sized shells.
Lightning whelk eggs under a magnifying glass
We also learned that the most coveted shell in Sanibel is the junonia. Junonia shells are so rare because junonia live in the Western Atlantic at depths of 100 feet to 400 feet. Because of the junonia’s deep water habitat, few shells wash up on Sanibel’s shores, and shellers who find a junonia shell are often featured in the local paper. The shells have spots that remind me of a giraffe, and I thought the shell was particularly beautiful before I knew it was so rare. In over 40 years of shelling, Bubby has never found one on her own, but a casual sheller next to her on the beach picked up two a few years ago. Before leaving the Museum, we checked out the junonia exhibit in the main exhibition space with a new understanding of the precious shell.
Bubby told us that different winds, tides and currents effect what shells come up on the beach on any given day. The best shelling is often right after a big storm. We also learned that the collection of live shells is strictly prohibited in Sanibel, and any living shells found marooned on the beach should be carefully placed into the Ocean. Too often, tourists find a living mollusk and throw it back into the Atlantic, which could seriously injure the animal.
Our Review of the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
We spent about 2.5 hours at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. Our kids were engaged throughout the visit and gained a deeper understanding of shells. We definitely recommend a trip to the National Shell Museum to any family visiting Sanibel Island. This unique educational opportunity truly deepened our knowledge of mollusks, and we will never look at a beach the same. We only wish we went to the Museum at the beginning of our time in Sanibel.
Thank you to the Palace of Versailles for providing complimentary tickets for my family. As always, all opinions are my own.
The Palace of Versailles definitely earns its title as the world’s most spectacular palace. Versailles was France’s royal palace from the late seventeenth century until the French Revolution and is certainly the most opulent building I’ve ever toured and the clearest symbol of royal excess. A visit to the Versailles Palace was high on the to do list during our visit to Paris with our three kids, ages 3, 8 and 10. Although it did require a trip out of the city center, we really enjoyed visiting the Palace of Versailles with kids.
A Tour of Versailles With Kids
The Palace of Versailles and its Louises
The Chateau de Versailles was completed in 1682 during the reign of Louis XIV. The Sun King’s reign began when he was only four years old and lasted 72 years, making him the longest recorded monarch in Europe. Louis XIV enjoyed Versailles as a primary residence for over 30 years until his death in 1715. Because Louis XIV’s eldest son and eldest grandson, each also named Louis, both predeceased him, the Sun King’s five year old great-grandson, Louis XV succeeded him. The reign of Louis XV lasted 59 years. Louis XV’s eldest son (yup, another Louis) predeceased him , and so Louis XV was succeeded by his grandson, Louis XVI. These combined six Louises each married a woman named Marie or Maria, except the Louis XV’s son, who married one of each. The seventeenth and eighteenth century members of the French royal family were clearly imaginative when it came to names….
Bernini’s Bust of Louis XIV in the Salon of Diana
The Palace of Versailles remained the principal residence of France’s royal family until the royal family was evicted by royal protesters at the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789. A few months later, Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette were famously beheaded in the Place de la Concorde. Versailles was opened as a museum in 1837. In addition to its stunning Baroque architecture, Versailles includes 700 rooms, 5,000 pieces of antique furniture and 6,000 notable paintings. Its estimated value is over $50 billion.
Getting to the Palace of Versailles With Kids
Versailles is about a 35-45 minute train ride outside of Paris on the RER train, which is somewhat more complicated to navigate than the Metro. We found this guide very helpful for step by step directions. We purchased round trip tickets for two adults (€7.10 each) and two children (€3.55 each) to Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche at the Chatelet les Halles Metro station. Our three year old daughter did not require a ticket. The four of us each received two tickets (one for our journey there and one for our return) and were careful to keep the two sets separate before we began our journey. We traveled by Metro one stop on the B5 Metro to St. Michel – Notre Dame where we transferred to the RER-C. The screens on the platform clearly identified the upcoming train schedule, and we waited for a train indicating a stop at Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche, Versailles Chat or Versailles RG (not Versailles-Chantier or Versailles-Rive Droit). By the time the train to Versailles arrived at the platform, there was definitely a crowd of waiting tourists.
Once we arrived at the Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche station, we crossed the street at the pedestrian cross walk and turned right onto the pedestrian pathway leading to the Palace.
Pedestrian walkway to the Palace of Versailles
A Family Visit to the Palace of Versailles
Although Sunday is typically the most crowded day at Versailles, it was the only day that worked on our Paris itinerary for us to visit. Our day at Versailles also happened to be the hottest day during our time in Paris. We arrived at about 10 am and were amazed at the length of the line to purchase tickets and also the security line, which was about two hours long and without shade. Although the Royal Gate, which is decorated with 100,000 gold leaves with the Palace behind, is a breathtaking sight, we were very grateful to have expedited entry on this hot morning.
The Royal Gate
Strollers are not permitted in the Palace, so we checked our daughter’s stroller at the free left luggage facility and then proceeded into the Palace where we picked up free audioguides (available for guests ages eight and over only) on the way into the Palace where we immediately ran into a costumed Louis XIV and his entourage. The Palace was extremely packed. Although not quite the shoulder to shoulder crowd that we found in the Vatican Museums, it was challenging at times for the five of us to stay together and to focus on the informative audioguide while absorbing these incredible rooms. My three year old daughter asked to be carried at times, but the knowledge that princesses had lived in the Palace held her interest, and she enjoyed wandering from room to room.
Statue of Louis XIV in the Salon of Venus and the Versailles crowds
My favorite room in the Palace was the Hall of Mirrors, which is 236 feet long with 17 arched windows and 17 beveled mirrors. I imagined Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette’s basking in the glory of this room during their wedding reception as I walked through the Hall where the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919.
Hall of Mirrors
Pro-tips: Book a guided Palace of Versailles tour to skip the security line. Free Wifi is available in the courtyard and in the entrance to the Gardens but is spotty.
The Gardens of the Palace of Versailles With Kids
It’s no surprise that Louis XIV considered the Gardens as important as the Palace. The Gardens of Versailles are the finest French formal gardens. We enjoyed sneak peek views of the lavish gardens from the Palace windows.
A room with a view
The gardens near the Palace are a brilliant combination of color and carefully pruned trees and shrubs. It would be a wonderful place to sit in the shade if benches and shade were more plentiful. We enjoyed a nice stroll instead….
Taking time to smell the flowers
From the Palace, the Royal Drive stretches to the Grand Canal far into the horizon. Groves expand out from either side of the Royal Drive in an elaborate grid. Our boys decided to race each other down the Royal Drive to stretch their legs and returned desperate for water, so we headed to a snack area for drinks and ice cream. In the meantime, my daughter stumbled on the gravel path and skinned her knee, and I discovered that I did not have any band-aids with me. While she was reiterating that she needed a band-aid, a woman standing in front of us in the bathroom line reached into her handbag and offered her two. Note to self: make sure to carry a stash of band aids in every handbag so that I can pay this kindness forward.
Latona Fountain, Royal Drive and Grand Canal
After picking up ice cream for everyone, we headed down a passage in search of a bench in the shade and were delighted to find just what we were looking for as the afternoon water display began. The water display was part of the Garden’s Musical Fountain Shows, which feature over 50 water fountains accompanied by classical music.
Exploring the Garden pathways
The Fountain show was a spectacular combination of art, music, botany and architecture.
Fountain show
The Trianon Palaces and Domaine de Marie-Antoinette are at the far end of the Gardens, but we were too exhausted to make the hike. So, we saved those for next time….
Pro-tips for the Palace of Versailles: The Gardens are massive, and the pathways are made of small stones. Sandals are doable, but with the dust, I would have preferred sneakers. Entry to the Gardens is free except when the Musical Fountain Shows or the Musical Gardens occur.
We definitely recommend a tour of the Palace of Versailles for kids. Visiting Versailles and its unparalleled Palace and Gardens was a truly enchanting, bucket-list adventure. It may have been a particularly tiring day, but one we will never forget.
Every so often, we encounter a place that is so fabulous for those traveling with kids that it is worthy of being featured on its own. For more fabulous locations, please check out our other Spotlight features! Also, be sure to check out all our category of posts on Paris with kids.
Thank you to Play: CLE for providing complimentary tickets for my family. As always, all opinions are my own.
Play: CLE, the largest indoor adventure park in the U.S., was the perfect location for a few hours of fun and fitness. I visited with Play: CLE, which is located in Avon on Cleveland’s West side, with my three kids, ages four, eight and ten, the week before the new school year began. We had never been to an indoor adventure park and were not exactly sure what to expect but found plenty of opportunities for running, jumping and climbing. Even I stretched my comfort zone by trying the ropes course and zip line. Play: CLE was kid-friendly and truly enjoyable for the whole family.
Visiting Play: CLE With Kids
After reading that Play: CLE was not geared for children under age seven, I was not sure if there would be enough attractions suitable for my four year old to keep her occupied for three hours and considered leaving her with my parents. But, my daughter is pretty easy-going and does not like to be left out of any adventure. So, I packed a backpack with some books and games in case she got bored (spoiler: she didn’t) and was thrilled that my father-in-law and sister-in-law decided to join us. They enjoy watching the kids have any kind of adventure and were helpful extra hands at Play: CLE as they were able to watch the kids while I attempted the ropes course and zip line. Because they wanted to spectate rather than participate, they did not need to pay admission.
We arrived as soon as Play: CLE opened and were among the first guests. I completed the waiver forms (which I would have done online in advance of our arrival if I was more organized), and each of the kids were measured and weighed and given color coded wristbands to indicate which activities they could do. Guests need to be able to reach to 5 feet, 6 inches to use the ropes course, weigh 60-275 pounds to use the zip line and weigh 50-275 pounds to use the climbing walls. My ten year old and his friend were able to use all of the equipment, my eight year old was limited to the attractions at ground level (e.g. everything but the ropes course and zip line), and my daughter could do anything on the ground level that did not require a harness.
I stored my handbag and my daughter’s backpack in the see through lockers that operated like a hotel safe. Our things were safely stored but also easy to access at any time. Next time, I’ll bring water bottles for everyone.
Easy to use lockers
Prior to our visit, we read that the ropes course tends to have the longest line, so, the ten year olds headed there first. The ropes courses were their favorite attraction, and they did both courses before zip lining down to the lower level. The zip line travels up to 35 miles per hour from one end of the park to the other.
Ropes course
Activities at Play: CLE With Kids
I decided to get my bearings before attempting the ropes course myself and regretted it when I had to wait about 20 minutes after I finally mustered the courage to attempt the ropes course. While I don’t have a fear of heights, this kind of challenge is definitely outside of my usual comfort zone. After I was fitted with a harness, I received a short lesson on how to use the claws to safely maneuver around the course. It was not always easy to connect the claws to the cables, but I liked that it was impossible to disconnect both claws from the cable. I felt more comfortable with the harness and the claws after a few obstacles and did find my rhythm. In the end, I was glad to be on solid ground and proud of myself for trying something new. I also took a ride the zip line to the opposite end of the park and then headed down to the ground level.
My daughter loved the little kid parkour area and was so pleased to figure out a few tricks to help her get from one obstacle to the next without touching the floor. She also had a blast going through the ninja warrior course even although she was too small to reach many of the challenge elements and thought the goal was to climb over low obstacles. The boys also found that they were not big enough to complete all of the challenges in their intended manner, and they focused on other activities at Play: CLE.
Ninja warrior course
Play: CLE had several climbing activities. The boys preferred the massive bouldering wall, which had a large air bag at the bottom for safety. They tried several different paths rated easy to hard.
Bouldering
There are also eight different climbing walls that guests climb with the aid of harnesses. My eight year old’s favorite involved climbing a series of pillars and then repelling back down to the ground.
After a few hours, the kids needed a break for lunch, and we ordered lunch from Play: CLE’s onsite restaurant, the Biner (shorthand for caribiner). Our party thoroughly enjoyed delicious burgers, hot dogs, quesadillas and chicken. There is also a full bar, including craft beers, wines and specialty drinks.
Why We Loved Play: CLE With Kids
When it was time to leave, my daughter took off running toward the equipment as I pulled her untouched backpack out of the locker. Extra toys and books were definitely superfluous. I should have guessed that they wouldn’t be necessary – she handled lengthy tours of the Vatican and Louvre a few weeks earlier without toys, books or snacks. Play: CLE in Avon is great for kids who love to climb in CLE. My kids would love to return to Play: CLE, and it will be an especially fun excursion at some point during Cleveland’s long winter….
Play: CLE hours: Play: CLE’s hours vary by season. Check the website before planning a visit.
Play: CLE tickets: Passes for two, three and four hours are available and range from $20 to $45. Children under six are free with a paying adult.
Play: CLE parking: Free parking is available in an adjacent lot.
Play: CLEwaiver: All visitors need to complete a waiver before entering.
Every so often, we encounter a place that is so fabulous for those traveling with kids that it is worthy of being featured on its own. For more fabulous locations, please check out our other Spotlight features! Also, be sure to check out all our category of posts on Cleveland with kids.
Thank you to Hale Farm and Village for providing complimentary tickets for my family. As always, all opinions are my own.
Hale Farm and Village is a historic property that features preserved buildings and craft and trade demonstrations. The costumed docents and artisans are each brilliant story tellers and really brought mid-nineteenth century Ohio history to life. Hale Farm is located in Bath, Ohio near Akron and about 30 minutes southeast of Cleveland on the original homestead of Jonathan Hale. Because Ohio history is near and dear to my parents, who are each Ohio natives who both majored in history, Hale Farm was a perfect place to spend their 50th wedding anniversary. We all thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this open-air museum of the Western Reserve Historical Society and recommend Hale Farm and Village as a fun and educational destination for a day out with kids.
The golden anniversary couple
Visiting Hale Farm With Kids
Our first stop was at the Hale Sheep Barn where one of the artisans was demonstrating broom making. The brooms are made of broomcorn, which is grown on site. Broomcorn is actually not corn at all but a sorghum. Brooms are not only used for floors but also for barn ceilings to remove potential fire hazards like cobwebs.
We then visited the blacksmith shop where the blacksmith was making a decorative leaf. We got to see him heat and shape the leaf, which is sold as a necklace pendant in the gift shop.
Glassworks was my favorite craft demonstration. We watched the glassmith expertly shape the glass to make a Christmas ornament. She then placed it in a furnace so that it would cool slowly enough and not crack or shatter. The final products were also available for sale at the gift shop in the Visitor’s Center.
Pottery was my eight year old son’s favorite craft demonstration. The potter explained the techniques he used to shape the clay into a mug on the wheel. Once shaped, the clay needs to dry overnight to leather hard. At this point, the potter can smooth the bottom surface and then waits until the piece is bone dry before firing it using a kiln. Salt is used in the kiln to glaze each piece, and the final product is dishwasher and microwave safe. This presentation convinced my son that he would really like to try his hands on a pottery wheel and make a bowl.
A number of historic homes have been moved from around northeast Ohio and reconstructed on Hale Farm’s property across Oak Hill Road from the Visitor’s Center. The relocated homes include the Jonathan E. Herrick House, the Jonathan Goldsmith House, the Stow House, the Jagger House and the Saltbox Home and feature period-appropriate furnishings and decorations. My four year old noticed on her own that the homes did not have bathrooms, and a docent gave her a brief lesson on outhouses. The kids now have a new appreciation for indoor plumbing. We also noticed the stark differences between the highly decorated rooms used to entertain guests with the stark private quarters used only for the family.
The parlor of the Jonathan Goldsmith House
Another building relocated to Hale Farm include the law office of Benjamin Franklin Wade. Wade was particularly notable as president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate in 1868 when President Andrew Johnson was impeached. He would have become Acting President if Johnson was convicted. There is also a church and a log schoolhouse, where we participated in a mock classroom and learned about common discipline techniques used in 1858. My kids are glad that school facilities have improved considerably since the mid-1800s when school fees were about $2 per student per year.
Every summer, Hale Farm hosts the largest Civil War reenactment in Ohio. We got a preview during our visit, which was the day before the weekend event began. We met many reenactors on site to prepare and a few horses, too.
The 2018 event on August 11-12 features a reenactment of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Field commanders have a basic script, but reenactors simply follow the orders they receive from their commanders. They find it more fun to improvise rather than memorize a script. The reenactors travel from all over Ohio and even as far as Tennessee to participate in the event. Throughout the weekend, they each stay in historic period tents that they set up on site. These canvas tents do not use modern conveniences like nylon, zippers or mesh windows. Nonetheless, we learned if these tents are set up properly, they rarely become waterlogged.
Tent village set up by reenactors
Why We Loved Hale Farm With Kids
Our family had the perfect day for a visit to Hale Farm and Village. The grounds were not overly crowded, likely due to threatened rain that held off until we were headed back to our car. Our family was able to personally interact with all of the artisans and docents and asked many questions at this living history museum to gain a better understanding of pioneer life. We also really enjoyed our preview of the Civil War Reenactment without the hundreds of visitors expected for the weekend event. Hale Farm is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2018, and many events are scheduled to celebrate this milestone. We definitely recommend visiting Hale Farm with kids. It’s one of the best living history museums in Ohio.
Pro-tips:
Hale Farm Tickets: Hale Farm admission costs $10 for adults age 13 and older and $5 for youth age 3 to 12. Visitors age 2 and under and active military are free.
Hale Farm Hours: Hale Farm is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sundays in June, July and August and on Saturdays and Sundays in September and October.
Hale Farm Parking: A large parking lot is available next to the Visitor’s Center.
Hale Farm Map: The Village layout is generally self-explanatory, but it’s helpful to pick up a map when purchasing tickets and inquire about which sites are open.
Hale FarmCaution: The Village spans both sides of Oak Hill Road, so use caution when crossing the street with small children.
Eating Near HaleFarm: The Winking Lizard in Peninsula is a great, family-friendly option for lunch after visiting Hale Farm. If there is a wait for a table, the kids can check out the lizard and the endless free popcorn.
Every so often, we encounter a place that is so fabulous for those traveling with kids that it is worthy of being featured on its own. For more fabulous locations, please check out our other Spotlight features! Also, be sure to check out all our category of posts on Cleveland with kids.
Thank you to the Lamborghini Museum and the Ferrari Museum for hosting our family’s visits. As always, all opinions are my own.
My eight and ten year old boys are sports car enthusiasts, and Lamborghinis and Ferraris are particular favorites. When we planned to spend time in Venice and Florence on our summer vacation, my husband decided that visiting the Lamborghini Museum and the Ferrari Museum would be a dream come true. Since we were planning to visit plenty of art museums, churches and historical sites during our trip to Italy and Paris, it only seemed fair to add these car museums to our itinerary for our young car aficionados.
Lamborghini and Ferrari Tours in Italy
Travel to Modena, Italy
Unlike all the other attractions on our itinerary, the Lamborghini Museum and Ferrari Museum are not in the middle of a major metropolitan area or easily reachable by train. Because rental cars are not available from the pedestrian only city-center of Venice, we chose to take a train from Venice to Bologna and pick up a rental car near the Bologna train station. We hoped to have some time to explore Bologna, but getting to the rental agency and picking up our rental car took longer than we anticipated, so we immediately headed toward Modena, which is known as the “Land of Motors”, as soon as we got into our car.
Visiting the Lamborghini Museum in Italy
After an absolutely lovely three course, fixed price lunch at Glamour Caffe e Cucina, our boys spotted a white Lamborghini behind us, and the anticipation jumped up a few notches. A few minutes later, we reached the Lamborghini Museum in Sant’Agata Bolognese. Ferruccio Lamborghini founded Automobili Lamborghini in Sant’Agata Bolognese in 1963. The Museum has two floors with about 25 exhibited cars. Its collection includes both current and vintage cars, and its current temporary exhibit, Film Emotions, features cars appearing in Hollywood films. My favorite was Christian Bale’s Aventador LP 700-4 from Batman The Dark Knight Rises.
The exhibit included its own version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a number of other famous Lamborghinis, including a classic matte black Jalpa from Rocky IV, a Countach from The Cannonball Run, the Huracán Coupé from the 2016 Marvel movie Doctor Strange and an orange Miura P400 from The Italian Job.
We all oohed and aahed over the cars displayed in the Museum while my husband and sons waited for their Factory Line Tour to begin. Only two Veneno prototypes, three Veneno coupes and nine Veneno Roadsters were ever manufactured, including this one, which is my 10 year old son’s favorite car. One of the five Veneno coupes was listed for $9.4 million last year.
2014 Veneno Coupe
My eight year old son’s favorite Lamborghini was the 2015 Huracán GT3, which was Lamborghini’s first race car developed at Sant’Agata Bolognese.
Because we are in the market for a new SUV, the boys were trying to get my husband and I to consider the Urus, the world’s first super sport utility vehicle. This 4/5 passenger beauty is the fastest SUV in the world with a top speed of 190 miles per hour. Unfortunately, we did not place an order during our visit….
Lamborghini Urus SUV
The Lamborghini Factory Line Tour was the absolute highlight of our visit, but no photography was permitted. Guests store their camera equipment, phones and wallets in lockers before heading to the factory floor, which employs about 200 workers. My husband and sons learned that assembly of the Huracán includes 23 stations, and only 13 Huracáns are completed each day. They were absolutely thrilled to watch the assembly of the V12 Aventador, which includes 12 stations. About 5.5 V12 Aventadors are completed each day, and everything can be customized. A Lamborghini is typically delivered to a first-time customer approximately one year after the order is placed, but repeat customers can get subsequent cars faster. One owner has more than 90 Lamborghinis! More Lamborghinis are sold in the US than anywhere else in the world.
The boys were especially impressed to see how every part of each Lamborghini’s interior is wrapped in perfect leather. Lamborghini factory workers examine leather and identify any imperfections. Then, a computer program determines patterns to utilize as much of the perfect leather as possible, discarding any portion with even the tiniest imperfection. At the end of the tour, the boys each received a leather sample with an embossed Lamborghini bull.
Admission to the Lamborghini Museum costs €15 for adults, €5 for kids aged 6-14 and is free for kids aged 0-5. A combination ticket to the Museum with a factory tour costs €75 for adults and €50 for kids aged 6-14. Children aged 0-5 are not permitted on the factory tour, so my daughter and I continued to explore the Museum while my husband and boys went on the tour. I have to admit that I imagined myself in the driver seat of quite a few of those Lamborghinis. We not only enjoyed checking out the cars but also loved the Museum’s vending machine, which was full of inexpensive treats and bottled water for €.32, which was the cheapest price we found anywhere on our trip. There is something available for purchase at the Lamborghini Museum that won’t require a second mortgage : ). The Lamborghini Factory tour was an absolute trip highlight for our kids.
Lamborghini Aventador
Visiting the Ferrari Museum in Italy
We next headed to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, about a 45 minute drive. This classic car museum in Ferrari’s headquarters explores the history of the Ferrari cars and, of course, the Prancing Horse.
The Museum’s exhibits featured the life of Enzo Ferrari, who was born in 1898 in Modena, and the development of Ferraris. The walls of the Museum are covered with history, photographs and exhibits. Ferrari made his first car in 1929 and said, “If I were to say that when I started out I imagined making more than just one car, I’d be lying.” Obviously, the world is glad that Ferrari accomplished more than he intended. The Ferrari Museum also included a number of vintage cars, including the 290 MM, my older son’s favorite vintage model.
My favorite was the 250 GT Berlinetta. Even though the model shown was not the classic Italian red, I loved the creative paint job with the heart on the hood.
Another exhibit showed cars driven by Enzo Ferrari, who clearly had no shortage of amazing cars at his disposal.
My sons’ favorite Ferraris were the 488 Pista and F12 TDF. The 488 Pista featured uniquely shaped lights and a super-sporty paint job. TDF, which is short for Tour de France, offers track level performance on the road. It can reach 62 miles per hour in 2.9 seconds.
Ferrari 488 PistaFerrari F12 TDF
We also enjoyed the beautiful classic red Ferrari 812 Superfast, which debuted in 2017 and has a top speed of 211 miles per hour.
A big highlight of the Ferrari Museum was the Formula 1 cars. Of Ferrari’s 1,600 employees, about 450 work on Formula 1 cars. Ferrari has been producing Formula 1 cars since 1950, and Ferraris have won 31 world championships. My eight year old was excited to see the Ferrari Formula 1 race cars and the Wall of Fame with each racer’s helmet.
Ferrari Formula 1 Race Cars
Admission to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello costs €16 for adults and €6 for children 0-18 who are accompanied by family members. A combined ticket for the Modena and Maranello Museums costs €26 for adults and €10 for children 0-18 who are accompanied by family members. Production line factory tours are not available to the public, but there is a bus tour that departs at 12:30 and 1:30 each day.
Why We Loved the Lamborghini Museum and Ferrari Museum For Kids
Our visits to the Lamborghini Museum and Ferrari Museum were the perfect trip off Northern Italy’s beaten path and a nice compliment to the art, architecture and history that we focused on during our time in Italy. Even though I am admittedly not a supercar enthusiast, I thoroughly enjoyed checking out all the cars, which were each works of art in their own right. It was an amazing experience, even though we didn’t have the chance to test drive any of the supercars. We’ll absolutely arrange that on our next trip : ).
Trying to decide between the Ferrari or Lamborghini Museum? There’s no bad choice. Planning a family trip to Italy, check out our other blog posts about Rome, Florence and Venice and our listing of all destinations in Italy.
We also enjoyed the 
Fish is a specialty at the Island Cow, and we all enjoyed our meals. We ordered the alligator appetizer, which was breaded like chicken fingers and tasty. Our oldest is always adventurous when it comes to trying local specialties and thought it tasted very similar to chicken. Our youngest spent the rest of the weekend slightly worried that the alligators might somehow know that we ate one of their friends.
A live karaoke singer accompanied our dinner, and there seemed to be one birthday celebration after another in which the whole restaurant sang the birthday song to the special guest. Over the course of these celebrations, my boys kept reminding us that the trip fell right between our sons’ birthdays and tried to claim birthday priority, mostly because of the large sundae that accompanied each celebration. When our server came with our check, she overheard the conversation and brought out a sundae for the kids to share (no singing).
We had dinner on Saturday night at MudBugs Cajun Kitchen. MudBugs just opened its Sanibel location in December 2018, and the airy, two-story building is exquisite with exposed bricks, outdoor patios and classic New Orleans architecture. I noticed the Chihuly-style blown glass chandelier as soon as we walked in. Later, my sons asked if it was a Chihuly, and knowing how expensive an original Chihuly might be suggested that it likely a “knockoff.” Later, our server confirmed that the chandelier was an original Chihuly! I wonder if the renovated building or the chandelier has a higher value.
MudBugs offers kids’ meals, but our three kids split an adult-sized jambalaya and gumbo. My husband and I each enjoyed a superb cocktail. We all loved our meals, and now I can’t wait for our next trip to New Orleans for more crawfish etoufee and hurricanes.
We then visited the blacksmith shop where the blacksmith was making a decorative leaf. We got to see him heat and shape the leaf, which is sold as a necklace pendant in the gift shop.
