Staycation in Salt Lake City

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It is that time of year when all us northern Utah types jump ship and head for the promise of warmer weather south of I-70. For anyone brave enough to stick it out here at home, I want to help you to have a blast and create memories as equally brag worthy to tell when your friends get back all sun-burned and tired.

Salt Lake City (and the surrounding area) is home to some of the best family fun venues in the western United States. Important for me, too, is how many of them have an educational element to them. The kids don't know it or care, but Mom appreciates that even on a break from books and worksheets, they're are still immersed in learning. 

Ready to start planning your Salt Lake staycation or mini-vacation? Can I recommend looking at the Visit Salt Lake Connect Pass? I recently contacted them to ask about how it works. Along with some great information, they sent me 2 passes to try out and then pass what I've learned on to you. Here are the details:

• Available in 1-, 2-, or 3-day increments, as well as a 365-day locals pass. I calculated the price for just the 5 downtown area attractions and the pass price easily beat paying full admissions individually. 
• Includes discounts on admission and other perks at 13 Salt Lake & Utah County venues.
• Must buy a pass for each person you plan to have visit the attraction with you.
• Passes can be activated up to 90-days after purchase. Using your print-out or mobile confirmation, the pass activates at the first place you use it, at which point the purchased-time frame begins.

Take a moment now to check out the Visit Salt Lake website

 and compare prices for varying available time frames.

If you're staying in town, and looking for something to do, how fun would any one of these activities be?

Discovery Gateway

Salt Lake City's Children's Museum filled with 2 levels of imagination-centered exhibits. My favorite is the mid-century house and reading area. The kids love to play in the water. It impresses me that local businesses are prominently featured with Young Living in the farming and grocery area, and Intermountain Healthcare with their medical exhibit taking kids from a 911-dispatch call all the way through X-rays and operation. Read more about our visits to Discovery Gateway. Connect Pass admission included.

Clark Planetarium

The science and space exhibits at Clark Planetarium are free and a fun way to spend an afternoon. The gift shop is worthy of a visit all its own with cool toys I've watched adults fighting over. Both times we've been to the planetarium the boys have wanted to watch the original movie, "Perfect Little Planet" about a family of vacationing space inhabitants, but there are several other options available. The Connect Pass includes one movie in the Hansen Dome AND one documentary on the IMAX screen.

The Leonardo

This is the place to take your imaginative little ones. Our only visit there was for an educator's conference, so I honestly don't know all the exhibits the kids got to go around and see, but they are still talking about it almost one year later. Admission included with Connect Pass.

Natural History Museum of Utah

If your kids are interested in Utah history, or geology, or archaeology, this is the place to take them. It is also a great activity for your outdoor lovers on those days that are too hot, too cold, too rainy, or the like. Admission included with Connect Pass.

Red Butte Garden

Next door to the Natural History Museum, Red Butte is a great outdoor facility showcasing the best in gardening design. It is beautiful to walk around and the kids can get be outside using up all their energy. Admission included with Connect Pass.

Lion House Pantry

Families on staycation still need to eat, right? Make a meal special by sitting down to eat at the Lion House Pantry. The food is home cooked and baked daily-you can get your rolls straight from the source! One entree included with Connect Pass.

This Is the Place Heritage Park

It is no secret we LOVE this place! Pioneer building to walk through, volunteers in period clothing, baby animals in the barn, a candy counter, and hot sugary donuts ready to eat. Each admission includes 3 take-home crafts or activities. Admission included with Connect Pass.

Hogle Zoo

When I'm being totally honest, I have no problem admitting that zoos really really bore me. However, I have little boys who pretty much think the zoo is akin to heaven, so I go. Visiting in spring when it's warm enough for the animals to be outside, but not too hot for the kinds to whine it absolutely perfect. Admission included with Connect Pass.

Snowbird Resort

While spring break is still prime skiing in Utah's mountains, even the less downhill-prone can find a reason to head up to the resort and have a look around. Grab a bite to eat, try some snowshoeing, or just people watch from the lodge. Connect Pass includes 1 foot passenger ride on the tram.

Tracy Aviary

Technically also a zoo, but for birds, it might surprise you to know I enjoy walking around Tracy Aviary. Maybe because it is not as big as a regular zoo, but especially because watching birds can be really peaceful. Combine a visit here with time on the playground at Liberty Park and you've made a wonderful afternoon. Admission included with Connect Pass.

 Utah Museum of Fine Arts

This would be a nice addition to your outings, adding a cultural element to the playing. Admission included with Connect Pass.

Utah Olympic Park

We visited here once during an aerial ski jumping competition and my kids were hooked, convinced they would soon be flying through the air upside down on their skis. Your Connect Pass includes (1) Adventure Course or Guided Tour

Thanksgiving Point Museum of Ancient Life & Garden

It is sad to admit we have not been to Thanksgiving Point since moving back to Utah. We literally live 5 minutes away. Visiting there could be a staycation in itself with all the different venues. Admission to the two venues titled here are included with the Connect Pass.

So what do you think? Ready to plan your spring break at home? Or plan a vacation to Utah's capital city? Take another good look at the Visit Salt Lake website for details on the Connect Pass and to compare prices for different amount of days. And, please, let me know where you decide to go!

Want to save even more money on the Salt Lake Connect Pass?

Purchase this deal on Groupon while supplies last!

Want to make it real getaway?

Click here for rates on Salt Lake area hotels.

Spend the Day at Discovery Gateway

Sponsored post via US Family Guide.

I received product in exchange for my honest review.

I have a love/hate relationship with children's museums that stems mostly from me getting impatient when the kids are having so much fun and just want to stay all day.  Seems like a twisted thing to get annoyed with, doesn't it?  I pushed aside my selfishness and suffered through it last week so that my kids could play all they wanted to at Discovery Gateway in Salt Lake City.

My kids LOVED the Discovery Gateway!  I appreciate the focus on imagination and pretend play.  In each area there are costumes the kids can put on to really fit the part of the activity they are doing...

Construction vests for the builders, protective gear for the water engineers,
and a work shirt for the mechanics.

My favorite part was the house midcentury-era house complete with reading area and mouse house...

Getting upstairs to the second floor at Discovery Gateway brings me a little less finger-drumming.  The stations are much more science and education related, with lots of building blocks, an earthquake simulator, a pseudo news desk, and a really impressive exhibit that walks kids through the stages a child goes through at Primary Children's Hospital.  

In addition to the regular activities, Discovery Gateway regularly brings in special exhibits. There are also classes offered everyday included in the price of admission.

As far as children's museum experiences go, the day we spent at Discovery Gateway was pretty good. Some of the station accessories are showing some wear, but nothing that affected how well the kids could play.  We rode Frontrunner and Trax to get there easily and the kids thought that was just part of the fun.  We will go back later this summer and let them have fun playing and learning all over again.

Time Again For Candlelight Christmas

If you can remember back 12 months ago, it'll come to mind that Christmas celebrations were in full swing (I know, crazy, right?). You might then also remember that we made our first family visit to the This Is The Place Candlelight Christmas celebration and enjoyed stepping back not months or years, but a full century ago to holiday times that were festively simple. 

Read our 6 suggestions for making the most of Candlelight Christmas...

I wholeheartedly encourage you to bundle up your little ones and venture out for an evening of pioneer neighborhood strolling. You can look forward to:

~ Folks wandering from home to home caroling

~ Pioneer stories in cozy candlelit homes

~Visits with Father Christmas

~Christmas crafts and goodies

~Street corners warmed with fires for gathering

~Peace and wonder as you walk through the live nativity

~Goodies and more with stops at Brigham's Donuts and Huntsman Grill

Your family will want to make Candlelight Christmas an annual tradition. And the best news I can give you? This year's admission has been reduced to only $5.00/person, for everyone! That is an incredible discount off the normal $12.95/adult, for an experience that promises to be memorable.

December 9-23

(Monday-Saturday, evenings)

Christmas activities 6pm-9pm,

but come an hour early to ride the train and grab a bite at the Huntsman Grill

Want more information? Visit the This is the Place webpage.

Want a chance to win 6 tickets with donuts? 

Look for our giveaway post on Instagram for details!  

It's Time for Little Haunts at This Is the Place! (Discounts and Giveaways)

My boys have begun associating our visits to This Is the Place with their favorite holidays. Last year was our first time visiting at Halloween, and they are begging to get dressed up and go back for Little Haunts again this year. If we're going to be there, we'll definitely hope to run into a few of year there this year as well!

October 15, 2016

October 20-22, 2016

October 29, 2016

What can you expect at Little Haunts this year?

~Trick or Treating Throughout the Village

~Train and Pony Rides

~Gold Panning and Treasure Hunting

~Halloween Stories with the Story Witch

~Creature Encounters & Birds of Prey

~A Costume Parade & Candy Cannon

All of that (and everything else normally available at the park) included with the price of regular admission!

What's new at Little Haunts this year?

A family friendly costume contest with a BIG reward! While visiting the park, snap some photos of your costumed kids or family. Pick your favorites and share on social media, including the tag @thisistheplaceheritagepark & #thisistheplaceheritagepark. The winner will receive a 1-Year Membership to This Is the Place Heritage Park!!

Ready to hear what I can offer you? 

First, a discount code...

Save $2 off PER TICKET

by mentioning A Local Wander when purchasing your tickets.

(Reg. Park Price: $12.95/adult, $8.95/child)

Second, a giveaway...

5 Things To Do At The Leonardo

What do you know about the Leonardo Museum in Salt Lake City? I want you to know everything there is to know. It is such a great resource for homeschoolers, for families, for educated adults, for visitors. I've attended an educator workshop there in the past, but recently returned for a visit with my entire family. I thought I'd share some insight into how to easily spend a day there...

The Math Room

Truthfully, I got giddy walking into this exhibit. It is FUN and my kids had absolutely NO IDEA they were learning. They dropped marbles to measure the effects of impact and motion, followed a "yellow brick road" while creating a pattern, and got their groove on in an infinity mirror closet.

Exploring the Senses

Talk about turning your world upside down! The hands-on activities in this area can really get you thinking. Hearing backwards, optical illusions, and exploring dimension left some of us feeling woozy and others just really confused! 

Saturday Special Events

Every Saturday, the Leonardo hosts activities related to a specific STEM-related theme. Throughout the museum, special projects and displays focus on the days' idea. As an example, the day we attended was Adopt-A-Rock day. After choosing a rock, the boys cleaned and studied it. They weighed and measured their rocks and then a geologist each one to discover what kind of rock they had and how old it was. Ours ranged from young volcanic stone at only a few thousand years old to a beautiful piece of old marble at over 300,000 years old. 

The rock-themed activities continued throughout the day as they made a home to carry their new pet around in, raced them in cardboard cars, figured out how to balance them, and made their own shiny rocks in the members-only activity room. I loved how the theme carried throughout our visit and actually taught the boys something scientific and important. (Saturday Special Events are included with general admission. Members are able to do one extra activity that also includes a small snack).

FLIGHT
The Leonardo Museum's first original curated exhibit is a must-see! Make sure as you're going through that you keep looking up-the are planes stacked upon planes. My husband and I could have pulled up a chair and watched the entire film strip of the first moon landing, but the kids shot off like rockets to get a look inside of the authentic cargo plane.  My oldest was mesmerized by the hundreds of cockpit buttons and controls, and the youngers loved the slide coming out of the tail.

We didn't spend enough time in this exhibit. There is a lot of information to read and learn about. Videos and interviews to watch, and things to do. Which brings me to my next favorite part of the museum, the...

Hot Air Balloons
Okay, no, there is not a hot air balloon in the museum.  And, yes, this is part of the FLIGHT exhibit, but it is no secret that we are huge balooning fans, and so should be no surprise that the section on bouyant flight intrigued me. It actually was one area my kids never even made it to, so we are heading back up soon for a unit study. It will be perfect timing before our annual trip to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.

As I've begun sharing our experiences visiting The Leonardo, I'm beginning to find it is still a fairly undiscovered attraction in the Salt Lake Valley. Too many people know little to nothing about it. Take my word, it is a gem for families. It's not stuffy and hands-off, it's not amateurish and boring for the adults. It is engaging and I know your family will love it as much as ours.

Want to win tickets to the Leonardo?

Enter on our Facebook Page

Get free admission to the Leonardo with the Salt Lake Connect Pass.

Want to save even more money on admission?

Purchase your Connect Pass on Groupon while supplies last!

More Information

Daily Admission & Annual Pass Information

can be found here.

This is not a sponsored post, 

but I have received museum membership 

in exhange for writin gin the past. 

Some affiliate links included.

Date Night At A Haunted Village?

I've shared this week about how much I'm not a fan of Halloween and about how much my kids are (go figure, kids and Halloween).  We did have a really great time together as a family at the This Is The Place Little Haunts activities, and while we were there I became intrigued by the idea of visiting the park at night for their Haunted Village.

I haven't been there yet.  We drove up last weekend and arrived a few minutes after they'd decided to close the gates because of rain.  So, we're trying again this coming weekend.  Here are the reasons I think the Haunted Village will make a great night out with my husband...

~ There's a story.

Instead of a building full of every gory, scary imagination possible,

the Haunted Village journeys through haunted Utah lore of days past (or maybe not past?)

~It's not all inside.

Being trapped inside a traditional haunted house terrifies me.

While the spooky creatures may not go away in the out of doors,

being able to get fresh air between buildings seems very relieving.

-It isn't neon black lights.

I really don't like scary things and think Halloween has gone overboard.

I've tried to remind myself of that, but keep feeling myself drawn back in

by a grown-up night out with a mature, quality spooky offering.

Source: This Is The Place

Are you looking for a way to honor Halloween that doesn't involve pint-size trick-or-treaters and horrific garishness?  The Haunted Village at This Is The Place will be scary, real-life scary, and promises to be a great date night.  

This is a sponsored post.

Product was received in exchange for our honest review.

More Information

Haunted Village operates

Wed-Sat through October.

Tickets sold 6:30pm-10:00pm nightly.

Ages 12+

October At This Is The Place: Little Haunts For A Non-Spooky Halloween

This is a sponsored post.

We received a product in exchange for our honest review.

No matter how much I personally do not care for Halloween, I do have kids who would not take too kindly to Mom banishing the holiday all together.  Thankfully for all involved, we've discovered the Little Haunts festivities at This Is The Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City and a compromise that keeps everybody happy.

I wasn't sure what to expect on our way to Little Haunts for the first time.  Here in Utah children's activities have a tendency to be jam-packed with people and a little chaotic.  We arrived only a few minutes before 11:30 and walked smack-dab into the middle of the costume parade being led by a Story Witch and followed by adorable kids and parents making their way with her down Main Street. At the end of the parade a candy cannon shoots taffy out into the street for little ones to run and retrieve. The parade and candy canon happens twice on Little Haunts days.

The Little Haunts Candy Cannon packed with treats

After such an exciting introduction, the boys excitedly led us in and out of the buildings lining the This Is The Place Main Street.  The schoolhouse was adorable and we stopped to complete the assignment of drawing the American Flag.  I was grateful that at the schoolhouse the treat was a pencil, although the rest of the day we kept finding pencils littered on the ground which leads me to believe it wasn't the children's favorite treat.  

The rest of the day the offered treat was one piece of candy.  Since This Is The Place is so large and spreadout, we never felt crowded and never stood still in a line waiting to get a treat.  After reaching the top of the street, we wandered through other buildings that were decorated for Halloween but without treats and then on to the fun activities on the top of the hill which we'd not made it to on our visit earlier this year.

Inspecting the underground mine operation in the Treasure House

Panning for gold

The view from the Mini Train is breathtaking!

 At the end of our Little Haunts day everyone had had a good day.  The kids had a bag full of candy (but not too much candy, which made mom happy).

We'd spent time together as a family playing, entertained, and learning.  It was a perfect balance of Halloween celebrating without commercialism or sensationalism; more like a day of exploring with bonus spooks and treats thrown in.  I think it will make a great October tradition destination!

Want to take your little ones to Little Haunts?

Save $2 on admission by mentioning our blog

or use code "A Local Wander".

More Information

Costumes not required,

but aren't kids always looking for a reason to wear them?

After our 1st Little Haunts experience, I want to say 

the overall park experience wasn't quite the same 

as going on a non-event day.  

The pioneer employees were focused on giving out candy,

so had less time to share history in their buildings.

Also, a number of buildings were not open the day we visited

which I can assume was because they are set up for the

night time Haunted village activity.

There was still plenty to do while we were there,

but I felt it is worth noting the difference

from previous visits.

Looking for grown-up Halloween activities at This Is The Place?
Check out the Haunted Village!

2 Beautiful (Not LDS) Utah Churches

Have you ever walked quietly down a tree-lined street and paid close attention to small details?  At the end of my luncheon at the Governor's Mansion, I took the opportunity to do just that while strolling down South Temple on the way to meet up with my husband and kids.  I observed many things: the traffic, the hilled avenues, the homeless people.  But what struck my artistic sensibility that day were the churches.

Salt Lake Like the Pioneers Did It: This Is the Place Trail Rides

This is a sponsored post.

I received a product in exchange for an honest review.

Living in Utah, we talk a lot about the "pioneers."  It was their tenacity and faith that brought about the blooming of the Salt Lake & Utah Valleys.  During our recent visit to This Is the Place Heritage Park it was exciting to step back through time and see what the area would have been like when they were first here working and praying.  The park offers so many different hands-on activities that bring history to life and perhaps the most realistic of all is a trail ride in the park's outer hills.

Here is when I tell you that my niece, who came prepared for the day with pink cowboy hat, sparkly belt, and cowboy boots, decided at the last minute she did not want to go.  So, she and I had a nice time walking around Brigham's Forest Farmhouse while my husband and B went out on the trail. Since he went, and I didn't, I'm turning the reigns (Yep, terrible pun) over to him today as my first A Local Wander contributor...

The Joy of a Horse-riding Father

Growing up I had a horse. She was an ornery horse, spoiled, lazy, and slightly homicidal. She almost sent me to the spirit world seven different times and I'm sure she knew it.  We fought through a lot of stubbornness (on both our parts).  After breaking both our family saddles, she and I came to an agreement that I would ride bareback and she would accept me as her rider.

The horses at This is the Place Heritage Park are the exact opposite of my horse! It was refreshing to learn that horseback riding can be effortless and pleasant. The welcoming committee (a very friendly toddler) greeted us and welcomed us in to meet his Dad, the real McCoy of western cowboy fantasies. Our trail guide introduced 8-yr-old B to his horse and explained how to help her stop and go. Right from the start B was in charge of making sure Classy was walking and not always stopping to eat.

The ride wound through the park with incredible views of the Salt Lake valley and the historic pioneer buildings. It was amazing and rewarding to see my son commanding a beautiful horse and learning that even at the ripe age of 8 he was the one in control. We had a guide in front and a guide in back sharing information about the park and surrounding areas. The horses are so incredibly gentle and the guides are so confident in their abilities that any concerns I had of this ride being like those of my youth were quickly erased. I had expected them to take halter rope and lead him in a manner reflecting a circular pony ride, so when they gave him the reins and said, "Go," I was very impressed. It was a unique and relaxing way to spend some time with him..

I detest not being able to control my destiny, I like to drive my own ATV, I prefer to paddle my own boat, and I love to control my own horse.  I saw this in my son today. It was great to see the joy of accomplishment when we returned and he told his mom that he rode a horse!

The trail rides at This Is the Place Heritage Park are a great place for children and parents to take the ropes and experience the joy of riding a horse. It's a hands-on way for them to put themselves in the pioneer stories they've always been told.  This activity will enrich the great time families are already having at This is the Place Heritage Park.

Book your trail ride today at This is the Place Heritage Park!

Urban Adventure Quest-in YOUR City

This is a sponsored post via US Family Guide.

We will receive a product to review in exchange for our honest opinions. 

A few months ago my family signed up to take an Urban Adventure Quest in Salt Lake City and had a blast on a scavenger hunt that went from the Gateway Mall, up to the Capitol, and back down through Temple Square.  You can read more about our experience on my other blog, Freemples.  I'm so excited to have another opportunity to work with Urban Adventure Quest and want to introduce them to you here today!

So what is this scavenger hunt that I'm talking about?  Urban Adventure Quest has created an Amazing Race-style adventure in 35 locations across the United States.  Each adventure combines the thrill of searching for and finding clues with a not-so-boring city tour, and it's all on your own time, at your own speed.  

Some details:

The purchase price ($49/team) 2-5pp.  If you're on vacation and thinking of paying admission to anywhere for 5 people, $49 is really quite a bargain!  

Your Urban Adventure Quest is self-paced.  You'll receive your starting location via email and the game is played on your smartphone as you go.  You can race against the leaderboard, or make it a leisurely day of exploring.

You can make the experience whatever you want it to be.  In the Salt Lake Quest there are options to skip the Capitol portion, and move on to the next set of questions (which we did because our little ones weren't up to walking up the hill).  There are also instructions for taking public transportation, or skipping it and exploring on foot instead.  

Here is a video to give you a feel for your Urban Adventure Quest can be...

We LOVED our Urban Adventure Quest in Salt Lake City with our kids.  My husband and I are going down to Las Vegas to do our next one on our own in a few weeks.  We'll let you know how it goes, but you can find one in your city and try it out now!

Save 20%- Only $39.20 for a team of 2-5 people after Promotion Code: FGBLOG.

 Sign up online at www.UrbanAdventureQuest.com.

Summer Road Trip: Salt Lake City's Tracy Aviary

I am not a zoo person.  They're hot and smelly.  Too many times the animals are hiding lifeless in the shade or absent from the exhibit all together.  I just get really bored.  A "zoo" dedicated to only one type of creature wasn't that exciting to think about, but B & P both love birds and I knew it'd be a memorable way for them to start their summer vacation.

Once inside, all I can say is that this is not another boring zoo.  Each enclosure holds several different types of birds and it was engaging to search around for birds that were camouflaged or scavenging for food.  Since birds obviously live in trees, the entire aviary is cool and covered in shade.  Even in the heat of summer I think it would be a welcome respite from the sun.

Here are the birds we loved the most...

Pelicans

Red-Tailed Hawk

Bald Eagle

Scarlet Ibis

Trumpeter Swan

What type of bird would you want to see while you were there?

Useful Information:

Tracy Aviary is in the southwest corner of Liberty Park in Salt Lake City.  

The park is super easy to find, but the entrance is a little tricky.  

To avoid driving around the entire park twice like I did,

 you'll need to enter the park on  the north end of the park

 and follow the one-way road around to the right.

There are bird shows throughout the day,, 

but I was a little confused at how they are not announced 

and the times are not listed in the map/brochure. 

 Do a little research on their website before you go 

to ensure you don't  miss a thing.

Liberty Park is definitely worth extra time when you're done at the aviary.

The playground is designed for children of  "all abilities" with astroturf in some areas for wheelchair access and oversized swings for older children who may be interested in swinging.

Also check out the beautiful musical area with chimes and xylophones of all sizes.

Very cool place to play.