A Little Adventure, Close By: SeaQuest Lynchburg

There's a new attraction at Lynchburg's River Ridge Mall in Virginia, a shopping destination many locals will once remember through images like these (follow link to Live Malls blog).  In an effort to attract new crowds, the mall's latest tenant is the edutainment venue SeaQuest. SeaQuest is part petting zoo, part aquarium -- and definite attraction.  On the day of our weekend visit, we experienced crowds in the SeaQuest space itself and a bustling mall corridor in the area near SeaQuest, if not foot traffic in nearby stores we quickly visited.  The SeaQuest site itself looks smaller than expected from the exterior of the mall but larger than expected once inside.

SeaQuest features a variety of animals, mainly small amphibians, reptiles, and marine life.  Yes, the animals below are wallabies -- there are some exceptions to my list of animal types.  Visitors progress through themed areas that give a sense of ecological diversity in a constructed environment.

G, age 6, was proud that she touched a silky chicken, and the stingray touch tank, including a "crawl in" space, was a clear favorite.  Popular exhibits with guests at large include sloths and tropical birds.

In short, the kids enjoyed the surprise mom date at SeaQuest and did not seem rattled by the crowds -- but did want to go rather than swing back through with tokens for food and add-on experiences.  They do want to return -- and E wants to snorkel with the stingrays for his birthday this year if we can swing it.

Things to Know

• Tokens are available for purchase that can be spent on food for animals and/or added experiences.  Not completely knowing how the system worked, I decided to take the kids through, scope out what we wanted to do with tokens, and then return to buy the desired amount.  We had fun petting many animals without need for tokens.  The kids found dropped food on exhibits (there was actually a lot) for the animals and were delighted to put their hands in touch tanks even without food.
• Are you a teacher in Virginia?  If you take teacher ID (must say teacher) to this location or are listed in the Virginia Department of Education license query as holding a teaching license, you and your family enter for free!  Foster families have a similar deal.
• There are some concerns reported online about SeaQuest's treatment of animals from various sources.  I reviewed a smattering of this information and still decided to make a visit, wanting to become more knowledgeable about the attraction.  The apparent physical crowding and constant stimulation of some animals gave me some pause, but I also noted that the attendants seemed to genuinely enjoy their work and show concern for the animals.  I am hopeful this location will avoid some of the possible challenges of others in the chain.  The public also needs to be engaged in showing appropriate care; an overheard employee story, for example, revealed that a guest had tried to add found amphibians from the community to one of the tanks.
• Try to plan your visit for a weekday to skip the crowds.
• There is a gift shop with themed merchandise -- but we did not find logo items.
• Planning a birthday party?  They do have a party space -- but you could also add a SeaQuest visit on to a visit to a nearby fast food restaurant meal or candy store shopping experience.
• This is not really a zoo.  It is an animal attraction, and the animals will be close to you.  If you are interested in a zoo, we definitely recommend the North Carolina Zoo.  This site is also not your traditional aquarium.  If you'd like a kid-friendly zoo/aquarium experience, try Greensboro Science Center.  The Clearwater Aquarium is also a great, father afield experience.  Want to find out if your kids like touch tanks in an environment that also provides other experiences?  The Science Museum of Western Virginia may scratch that itch.

For Further Exploration

• If you are out and about in Lynchburg with kids, you also want to know about the children's museum Amazement Square -- an excellent option for your visit.  If you visit like the Haltermans, it would be hard to do both Amazement Square and SeaQuest in one day.

Clearwater Treats: Aquarium, Sunsets, Beach

So, Kim looked at those Legoland passes from last year and decided to make another trip before they expired.  Elijah and Kim were pleased to fly in to St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE) on another successful Allegiant flight.  We learned we prefer flying in to PIE to other area airports--beautiful landing!

Friends in the area suggested we use the time after our flight to explore the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a very interesting marine rescue and rehabilitation facility where you can, as the website name suggests, see Winter of Dolphin Tale fame.  We've been to several aquariums, and we're quick to tell you we are big fans of the Tennessee Aquarium in particular.  This aquarium, however, also stands out, but does so very differently--it is truly a medical facility for rescued sea life with a relatively small floorplan.  Winter's story is the most fascinating.  If you don't know, Winter lost her tail, and in the process, a prosthetic tale used for physical therapy was developed so that she could swim--and keep swimming!  The material that allows Winter to use the prosthetic tail, known as WintersGel, is now used to help humans more comfortably use prostheses.

The aquarium is currently under some renovations, but you can still access most exhibits--and even see marine hospital care, up to and including surgery, through viewing windows.  Rescued animals include sea turtles, sharks, otters, and dolphins.  There's a touch tank for sting rays, too, and a special exhibit about the filming of the Dolphin Tale movies at a nearby site.  This aquarium is a great size for small kids, kids who can really get excited about developing some simple "expertise" on a specific animal or situation (like E!), and/or for group trips with kids.

We then met our friends at the nearby beachfront restaurant Palm Pavilion for dinner--what a fabulous suggestion!  Celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, this restaurant offers a legendary welcoming atmosphere and even more legendary views of sunsets on Clearwater Beach.  Our server was genuinely friendly and accommodating--and the salsas and mango slushies were truly awesome. Our kids then played in the surf, which was a delight to watch, of course.  And yes, there is nothing like a Florida sunset.

When returning to the area, we'll want to remember Dinosaur World is nearby.  We like Dinosaur Land, so I bet we'd like Dinosaur World!  We also heard we need to visit Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa--especially in the Christmas season when light shows are apparently involved.  While driving to Legoland afterwards, I also spotted a Hard Rock casino and signs for the famous Tarpon Springs.

If you go, know there are tons of Allegiant flights that go in and out of PIE.  We could have departed from several airports in the region but chose the convenience of our neighbor ROA.  The landing really is attractive, so look out the window.  This time, we found a better deal on a rental car at Hotwire, so check around.  You could also fly in to this airport and easily reach the Orlando area. Educators, bring your ID--you get in free at the aquarium.

Chattanooga with the Family: Tennessee Aquarium and Area

About 10 years ago, Kim made a trip to Chattanooga, TN, for a professional conference.  She immediately recognized the city as particularly family trip friendly destination, and we resolved to bring the then-hypothetical children back, probably at about age 2-3, to begin enjoying it--see the story of our first trip with E here and here (Lookout Mountain).  Now, we’ve made our second family trip to Chattanooga with both E and G, and we have been delighted each time.

The Tennessee Aquarium is a must-see for visitors of any age and just about any interest.  Divided into two buildings, one focused on saltwater and one focused on freshwater, the aquarium is thoughtfully designed and includes clearly more than “just fish.”  A butterfly garden is among the treats, as are several touch tanks and a spectacular gallery of jellyfish, colorfully illuminated, alongside aquatic-inspired art.  Several areas showcase full habitats you can experience, including a bayou with alligators.  And did we tell you there are penguins?!?!

In terms of tourist comforts, the aquarium is beautifully clean, and there are two well-stocked, reasonably-priced gift shops.  In seasonable weather, there are areas for shallow water play in simulated rivers outside the aquarium complex—dress the kiddos appropriately.  There is a nearby IMAX theater, and you can purchase combination aquarium visit, IMAX film tickets.  Check online for relevant gift shop coupons, but discount admissions are hard to find.  We recommend investing and making a day of it.  If you are staying downtown, you can certainly walk in decent weather—or you can take the electric shuttle.  We’ve now had two solid stays at the Read House Hotel, and its prices are often lower than closer hotels for just a bit more walking. There are several nearby family-friendly “fun vacation” restaurants (Mellow Mushroom and Sticky Fingers, for example) and ice cream places, and there’s a nearby Coolidge Park across the Walnut Street Bridge.  The park has a seasonal “splash pad” and lovingly-restored carousel (ride for a nominal $1 cost).

Speaking of that park and bridge, the Walnut Street Bridge, one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the United States, crosses the Tennessee River and makes for a delightful walk or bike ride.  If you are fascinated by the river, you can explore it aboard Chattanooga Ducks and aboard the aquarium’s own boat rides.  Even if you are just out for a walk, crossing the bridge is a delightful way to see the city…and on the other side of the river at what is known as the North Shore, you’ll find a few intriguing shops in easy walking distance.  Near the river itself, there are walking paths, and we’d recommend you check out the outdoor sculptures at the Hunter Museum of American Art also nearby—just cross the glass (yes, glass) bridge to the site.  Roanokers, you’ll recognize the architecture—it was designed by the same architecture firm as the Taubman.

Other attractions in this area include the children's museum called the Creative Discovery Museum, and we Haltermans wouldn't leave without visiting two interesting bookstores, AllBooks and Winder Binder Gallery and Bookstore, and grabbing a snack at the area's Moonpie General Store.

Part Zoo, Part Nature Walk, Part Museum: Virginia Living Museum, Newport News, VA

Virginia Living Museum is a little gem of a day trip, especially for kids with any interest in animals or nature.  Easy to find from the interstate system (but not in sight from there), the museum includes live animals in spaces inside and outside along a pleasant boardwalk.  Lots of rescued animals native to Virginia can be seen along the walk, and we found the docents knowledgeable of the animals and their habits.  Stop and ask them to explain the behavior of the animals--they'll tell you interesting stories that often include stories of the rescue of the animals, injured, from the wild.  Also outside are a small play area perfect for preschool and young elementary kids. For us, visiting on a quick stop, the boardwalk on a pleasant day was the highlight of the trip.

Inside, you'll find regionally-based exhibits about Virginia wildlife--a dream for teachers of Virginia Studies and science!  There's a taste of aquarium-style exhibits as well as smaller enclosures with smaller animals.  The facility is well-maintained and has a spacious travelling exhibit space--recently, it was featuring large robotic models of bugs.  Check the website for updates--a temporary dinosaur exhibit opens in May 2016.  Attention shoppers: There's also a reasonably-priced gift shop.

If visiting with kids say, 10ish and younger, we recommend considering going on a clearly "good weather" day, dressing for inside and outside temps, and packing a picnic or bringing carryout--you can eat right outside the museum.  ASTC Passport science museum members, this is a participating site!  It's also Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited, so check any related memberships you have for possible reciprocity. The museum is a very easy drive from Williamsburg and a reasonably easy one from Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Right now, it would be fun to combine with a stop at Lantern Asia.  We made a quick trip of about 45-60 minutes, but we'd actually recommend 2-3 hours or more.

Greensboro Science Center: Good Deal, Day of Fun

K, E, G, and family friend A took off for the Greensboro Science Center in Greensboro, NC, a perfect distance from Roanoke for a day trip.  Recently renovated, the center includes a zoo, an aquarium, and a science museum with play area.  It's all very attractively presented, and on the weekends, we found lots of competent teen volunteers able to provide some interpretation.

For the zoo,  think "bigger than Mill Mountain but smaller than Asheboro; for the aquarium, bigger than aquatics in  Roanoke but smaller than Chattanooga; for the museum itself, around the size of the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville.  This all combines to make a very manageable day for young kids.  We adored the pneumatic tubes in the play area, the tigers in the zoo, and the expansive sting ray touch tank. Taking bigger kids?  Consider the Skywild aerial ropes course add on (must be at least 10 and 70 pounds).  E and A enjoyed an add-on dome theater show about stars.

If you go, know you can pack a picnic--there are tables in the zoo and at Greensboro's Country Park (it literally backs into the property).  There's a fountain you can play in and animals to pet at the zoo, too.  The public park also has playgrounds and paddleboats.  Educators, take your ID--basic admission to the center is free.  ASTC Passport holders are also free, or if based regionally, discounted.   We were able to combine both programs for a great deal.  You may come and go, using your receipt for re-entry.