Arthur's World at Imaginon

Step into the interactive world of Arthur from May 18th - September 8th 2013 at Imaginon. The exhibit is free and allows kids ages 2-10 to play in Arthur's kitchen, sit in his class room, camp out overnight in his tent, co-star with him on TV and explore the streets of Elmwood city. This is a really cute exhibit and a great way to beat the heat or use as a rainy day activity.

The exhibit is NOT stroller friendly and they will make you leave your stroller at the entrance and little ones will have to be carried. Worried about parking uptown? Don't be - there is free parking under Imaginon for 1.5 hours when you have it validated at the front desk. It's important to note if you've never parked at Imaginon that the entrance for the underground parking garage is on 6th St., opposite the main Imaginon entrance. Not keen on driving in? The light rail drops you off right next to Imaginon.

While you're at Imaginon you can enjoy the Arthur's World exhibit and also check out some new reading material for the kids. Terriffic Tuesdays offers free shows for the kids every Tuesday through August 6th.

Read More

Terrific Tuesdays at Imaginon

If you're like me you appreciate free fun for the kids in a comfortable and air conditioned space. Enter Terrific Tuesdays at Imaginon where child-friendly acts show up to entertain the kiddos in Imaginon's theater. Terrific Tuesdays run every Tuesday until August 6th with shows at 11am and 1pm. The shows range from juggling, to balloon making, to soaring birds and more!

Tickets may reserved online two weeks before the show and up to 6 tickets may be reserved per person (even babies need a ticket). Check the website here to view the release dates for tickets and information about the remaining shows. Reserved tickets may be picked up at the will call window prior to the show.

Didn't get a chance to reserve tickets? Many people aren't able to make it to the shows and those reserved tickets will open back up for people waiting in the stand by line 10 minutes before the performance. The show lasts about an hour, strollers must be left outside the theater. There is free parking for 1.5 hours available in the parking garage below Imaginon, the entrance for the parking garage is off of 6th. Be sure to bring your parking ticket to the front desk to have it validated. The light rail also stops right next to Imaginon if driving in isn't your thing. When we visited the parking garage was full so we found street parking close by for $2 for 2 hours - just be sure to bring some quarters with you!

Read More

Top 5 Rainy Day Destinations in Charlotte, NC

Charlotte, NC is a gorgeous city with beautiful weather the majority of the year, but every once in a while we do get a drizzly day. We take this opportunity to visit one of our favorite top 5 places in Charlotte to check out on a rainy day.

1. Discovery Place Uptown

• Aquarium, water table, under 3 play area, animal encounters, science based experiences, building area, IMAX theater and  more!
• $12 Adults, $10 Kids 2-13, under 2 free
• IMAX additional cost

2. Discovery Place Kids - Huntersville

• Child sized city including veterinarian office, bank, grocery store, restaurant, rock wall, farm, fire station, underwater, craft area, jungle gym, under 3 play area, dress up, stage and puppet shows.
• Closed Mondays
• $8, under 1 free

3. Charlotte Nature Museum

• Animal encounters, butterfly pavilion, creature cavern, fort wild outdoor play area, our big back yard tunnels, insect alley, paw paw nature trail 
• $6 per person, under 2 free

4. Sea Life

• Thousands of sea creatures, touch pool, underwater tunnel
• Climbing gym 
• Lower ticket prices when you buy online. 

5. Imaginon

• Children's library, story time, kids theater and theater classes, indoor play
• Free entry for Imagnion, costs varies for theater productions, free parking under Imagnion for 1.5 hours - underground garage access from 6th street. See website for a map because it can be confusing the first time you visit.

Read More