Zoos & Aquariums

120916 Newport Aquarium Shark Sign

Newport Aquarium Winter Family Day Tickets

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Absolutely, one of our families favorite aquariums that we have visited to date is the Newport Aquarium located along the Kentucky/Ohio border. The aquarium is very well themed, substantial in size to feel like your family gets their money worth, and our kids loved it!

120916 Newport Aquarium Panoramic

For families looking to experience the Newport Aquarium this winter, there is a limited time promotion going on from January 7 to March 1, 2015 that will make it worth while. For each paid adult (age 13+) ticket ($23 each), guests will now receive two (2) free child (ages 2-12) admissions ($15 each).

In addition, the Newport Aquarium will be open an hour earlier than normal, at 9:00 AM on Saturdays and holidays.

When visiting the Newport Aquarium, be sure to stop across the street at the Hofbräuhaus House Newport for an authentic German meal and experience.

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Source: Newport Aquarium Facebook

141220 Toledo Zoo Lights

Toledo Zoo Lights Revisited

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Back in November 2011, and before our family really learned about the benefits of traveling over Thanksgiving, we had a local staycation and headed out to Toledo to see the Zoo Lights and other area attractions. So we were due to make another trip out to Toledo and show the grandparents the great light displays.

For our visit in 2011, we were surprised on two fronts. First, the Toledo Zoo puts on a FANTASTIC Christmas lights display. This year they have over a million lights spread out across the park. This was the first park I ever saw the dripping lights, which now hang from our garage during the month of December. The other thing we were surprised to learn in 2011 was that our Cleveland Zoo membership, or any other zoo, did not offer reciprocal benefits during the holiday lights. This in turn was quite the sticker shock.

So during our visit this year, we knew ahead of time that there were no discounts available. Well turns out, as soon as we got there we learned that if we had arrived one hour earlier, before 3:00 PM, we could have used our reciprocal zoo membership discount.

Regardless of what it costs, the Toledo Zoo still puts on a great Christmas display. While the animals may be sparse during the cooler months, the lights and displays were more than present.

141220 Toledo Zoo Lights

141220 Toledo Zoo Lights

141220 Toledo Zoo Lights

141220 Toledo Zoo Lights

Tips:

– Dress for the weather and with good walking shoes.
– Try and arrive early and before the lights go on. This will ensure you get a good parking spot and see some of the animals in the daylight, before the crowds transcend onto the park.
– Visit on a weekday to avoid peak crowd times.
– While there is food available in the park, and stations selling popcorn and hot chocolate, the meal options are limited to your standard park food. You might want to consider eating prior or after to the event.

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Source: InACents

Save Half Off Norfolk Virginia Zoo Admission

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The Groupon link used in this post pay us a commission should you elect to make a purchase using them. You of course do not need to use our link, but we appreciate if you do.

When my wife and I had our first son, we of course had some initial trepidation of taking him out into the world, let alone traveling. However, due to a family wedding in the Outer Banks, only a couple of short months after his birth, we started a lifetime of travel adventure with our newborn.

A large staple of any of our travels often finds ourselves at local zoos. After all, our Cleveland Zoo membership, and many of those around the country, offer reciprocal admission to other facilities around the country. Therefore, to save some money, yet still fit in some activities on the trip, a visit to the Norfolk Virginia Zoo was the perfect opportunity to take our son.

090718 Norfolk Virginia Zoo

090718 Norfolk Virginia Zoo

090718 Norfolk Virginia Zoo

090718 Norfolk Virginia Zoo

So the Norfolk Virginia Zoo holds a special place to us as parents, being his first encounter with mother nature’s finest display of fauna and flora. Sure, he was only a couple months old, and surely would not even realize he was there, but our visit marked an important milestone for our family. Our trip to the zoo and this vacation in general symbolized we as parents had no need to worry about stepping outside the “protection” of our home.

090718 Norfolk Virginia Zoo

090718 Norfolk Virginia Zoo

090718 Norfolk Virginia Zoo

090718 Norfolk Virginia Zoo

Looking to save money for your family on admission to the Norfolk Virginia Zoo? Check this out.

Link: Zoo Visit for Two or Four to the Virginia Zoo (Up to 50% Off) (affiliate link)

Groupon is currently offering two and four person ticket packages to the Norfolk Virginia Zoo for half off.

Choose Between Two Options:

– $11 for a zoo visit for two (up to a $22 value)
– $22 for a zoo visit for four (up to a $44 value)

Tickets are valid through March 29, 2015, plus if you fail to use them, Groupon will automatically refund you the money.

Has a vacation ever held a special moment in your family’s timeline? Share with us below.

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Source: InACents