Pop Art and Huntopia: Back to the Taubman Museum of Art

We are proud members of the Taubman Museum of Art, a museum that always delights with unique and frequently-changing exhibits.  In the displays, there's something "modern," something "traditional," and something unexpected -- what a collection.  On a recent weekend, we stopped in to see the special exhibit Pop Power from Warhol to Koons.

I did need to give the kids a little context on the emergence of modern art, but even with a light treatment of the topic, they enjoyed the exhibit.  We found a sculpture that looked like it could have inspired Funko collectibles, a cool composite portrait of Seinfeld girlfriends, and collections of dots that made E ponder the definition of art.  G's favorites were Warhol images; E appreciated Gazing Ball (Koons).  There are selfie opportunities and cool events (sample here) associated with the works to explore, and the Leiber handbags currently on display are pop-art themed.  Speaking of photo ops, didn't E wear the perfect shirt?

We were also so very glad to stumble upon Huntopia, a world of color, delightfully replicating themes, and novel combinations.  As I put it, I wanted to live in the fanciful yet homelike exhibit which also features furniture and even has some elements on loan from Black Dog Salvage.  I just found this exhibit so delightful, and it ranks with Play, a previous special exhibit, and the amazing piece Corrugated Fountain among my favorite Taubman experiences.

In other exhibit news, both kids were pretty amazed at the works of Julie Speed, which are reminiscent of Hieronymus Bosch.  G was also quite immersed in the Giuseppina Giordiano: Please, Teach Me the Language of a Rose space.

Things to Know

• If you have kids with you, allow for playtime in Art Venture.  On our recent visit, 10-year-old E enjoyed the ample supply of Legos while G made new friends, putting on a play and painting leaf rubbings.  One of the great benefits of Art Venture is the amount of supplies and playthings available -- and the staff takes care to create enriching extension activities associated with the works on display.  

• General admission (exclusive of special exhibits and Art Venture) is free!
• It's worth your investment to become a member of the museum, even with the free admission to the main galleries, especially if you have kids or live close.  We maintain a family membership, catching renewals on sale through social media promotions.  This allows free access to Art Venture, special exhibits, and fun after-hours events for members only. Taubman members also enjoy reciprocity with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond.  They have a similar model for free general admission, but members get free parking and special exhibit entry as a perk.  
• The museum is close to several unique restaurants in the Roanoke Market area.  On our recent visit, we were very pleased to eat at Cedars where the kids tried Lebanese food.  Speaking of the market area, we can't wait to return and check out the Chimes public art installation this February.
• We usually park at the Tower Parking Garage (Roanoke City public parking) -- Coupon Kim gets excited free days on the weekends.  

Always at Play: Finding Joy Around Town

Someday, I hope our kids will feel the need to have fun with the kids in their lives, even close to home.  To that end, here's some treats in and around Daleville, Virginia, our current home ZIP code.  It's convenient to 1-81's Exit 150B, not to mention the fact that Route 220 runs through it and Route 460 is not far off, making it an easy stop.  To that end, here are three activities that specifically promise fun to share with you.

Not too long ago, the exercise studio FlyFit began giving us a novel way to burn calories.  They are home of bungee activities, Pilates, aerial yoga, and more.  Yes, I said bungee -- bungees hang from the ceiling and provide you both resistance and support while you workout.  There's even a kids' class that G adores.

Kim's recommendation?  Try bungee sculpt or aerial yoga.  In aerial yoga, you will use a suspended silk and finish class by making a cocoon in which you will rest.

For an activity that's a little more free form, there's the amazing Addy Grace All-Abilities Playground.

A local family spearheaded the campaign to built the park, the first of the type in the area.  It's great for kids of all ages and features zip lines, climbing equipment, and modern merry-go-rounds.  There's a safe play surface, benches, convenient parking, and a tall fence -- details caregivers really appreciate.  If you are travelling through, this is a fantastic place to let the kids stretch their legs and make fast friends as there are almost always several families busy playing.

And there's another one:  Enchanted Bliss, a lovely place for grown ups but also known for its kids' spa Enchanted Bliss Kids downstairs.  A generous friend of ours hosted a spa gathering and invited G.  We had a blast polishing nails, playing dress up, doing face masks, being pampered with a little up-do, and more.  It's certainly fun with friends and also offers "date nights" and similar events.

Things to Know

• Wear comfy clothes, and if doing FlyFit, know you can book your class through their Facebook page where they run frequent specials.  Any athletic clothes will serve you well in class.
• The Addy Grace Playground is FREE and open to all.  There are some erroneous reviews that state otherwise online -- they are incorrect.  Yes, it is very close to the YMCA, but YMCA membership is not required.
• Enchanted Bliss runs a fair number of Facebook specials as well.
• These places are assets, and they don't have many TripAdvisor reviews yet.  Give them some TripAdvisor love after your visits!
• It's easy to add on a meal at Tizzone or the more casual Town Center Tap House, both having fun promotions frequently as well.  Eat after FlyFit, not before.  Another place we can't wait to try?  Donnie D's Bagels and Deli.

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.