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Cedar Point Halloweekends – Perfect For the Whole Family!

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cedar point halloweekends
If you’re a regular around here or on my Facebook page, you know that I’m a little obsessed in love with all things Cedar Point.  My family and I get season passes each year (read why I think Cedar Point Platinum passes are a great value) and practically spend 6 months a year out there.  From spring to fall, Cedar Point has so much to offer!

Along with the cooler temps, Halloweekends have arrived.  Halloweekends at Cedar Point has just the right mix of spooky thrills for those who dare and pint sized fun for the little ones.  Each weekend through October 27th you spend the whole day creating memories, in fact there is so much to see and do you may want to stay for the weekend.

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Yes, my littlest is sticking out his tongue…3 year olds!

Family Friendly Activities:

Howl-O-Palooza:

  • Magical House on Boo Hill – a fun house just for kids
  • Peanuts Halloween Show & Kids’ Costume Contest
       **Saturdays and Sundays: 2:00 (pre-schoolers), 2:45 (grade-schoolers)
  • Hay Bale Maze
  • Special appearances by the Peanuts pals in costume!
  • Cedar Point’s own Friendly Monsters will be on hand for photos and more

Trick or Treat with the Dinosaurs:

  • New this year, kids can trick-or-treat with the dinosaurs from Dinosaur in Dinosaurs Alive! on Adventure Island.
  • Candy stops, pumpkins, prizes and crafts along the path.
  • More than 50 life-sized, moving dinosaurs.
  • Open every Saturday and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
  • $5 ticket is required

Other Activites:

  • Monster Midway Invasion Celebration parade (4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays)
  • Live shows including, Charlie Brown’s Funtime Frolics and many more.


Last weekend we were able to visit Cedar Point three days in a row as I was there for a Blogging Conference.  It was so nice to spend the day or evening in the park without having to drive home.  It was my first stay at the Hotel Breakers and boy did I have a gorgeous view to wake up to each morning.  I love how the Hotel was decked out in Halloween decorations.  Cedar Point never holds back!

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PicMonkey Collage

If you are looking at extended your stay, I’d highly suggest one of the Cedar Point resorts.  If you stay at any of their properties you’ll get a few perks, including early entry into the park, discounted tickets, free parking, and courtesy shuttle service.  We loved the convenience of having two nearby entrances into the park as well as the option to be shuttled to the front of the park also.  Hotel Breakers is right in the middle of the park and close to everything.

Our little ones remember Cedar Point Halloweekends vividly from previous years and couldn’t wait to head over to the Howl-O-Palooza area on Friday night.  They couldn’t decide whether to go to the hay maze or Magical House on Boo Hill first – tough decision.  The Magical House on Boo Hill is a family friendly walk-though house with many decorations to see.  There are no worries of things jumping out at you and your kids being frightened, even my three year old loves it.  At the end of your walk the young children will receive a small bag of candy.  The hay maze looks slightly different this year but still tons of fun.  I seriously lost count how many times they went through.  I appreciate that this activity is something we can do with our boys or something they can do on their own while we sit down and chat.

cedar point halloweekends

While there, we were also able to check out the new area called Trick or Treat with the Dinosaurs.  For a small fee of $5 your children can see more than 50 life-sized dinosaurs, snag some candy or small toys, participate in crafts and more.  We really enjoyed this area and I loved that the kiddos were able to snag a couple non-candy treats also.  Checking out the dinosaur’s different Halloween outfits made us laugh and we all loved picking out our favorites.  Read more about our first trip to Dinosaurs Alive at Cedar Point.

On Sunday my in-laws were able to come up to the park.  Since this was their first visit in over 20 years there was a lot to see.  They were amazed by how much the park has changed over the years but were happy to still see their old favorites such as the Mine Ride, the train, and Cadillac Cars.  That’s one of the best things I love about Cedar Point. there is FUN for everyone of any age!

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cedar point

 

Looking for a scarier day out?  Cedar Point has you covered!  With a ton of haunted houses, scare zones and even shows you’ll have a screaming good time!

Buy HalloWeekends Cedar Point Tickets

Save money (up to $10!) when you buy Cedar Point HalloWeekends tickets online.

Adult Admission: $46.99 (online) $56.99 at gate
Junior Senior Admission: $29.99 (online)
Friday & Sunday Starlight: $37.99
Saturday Starlight: $44.99

 

Disclosure: This was not a paid post. My own opinions are my own. Thank you to Cedar Point who provided a wonderful Halloweekends kickoff party.  I have season passes and was not given passes for my review.




Maui Sands Resort (Sandusky, Ohio) Review and Overnight Stay Giveaway

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This giveaway is now closed.

A few weeks ago my family and I headed to Maui!  Maui Sands Resort and Indoor Waterpark that is.

Maui Sands Resort is located in Sandusky, Ohio and just recently opened their large indoor waterpark.  When we first arrived we walked into a warm and inviting lobby decked out in full Hawaiian décor.  We were even greeted with leis by a friendly staff member at the front desk.  I loved the floor to ceiling windows located at the end of the lobby that allowed you to look right into the waterpark.  Once my kids looked in they just couldn’t wait to get their suits on!

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We headed straight to our room to make a quick change…or at least I thought so.  When entering our room our boys were head over heels happy to find that they had their own area filled with two bunk beds and TV.  I must say that I too was excited that I wouldn’t have to watch cartoons that weekend as I found I had a separate TV.  Since the kids were so happy in their area we put off heading straight to the pool and my hubby and I were able to relax a little.  Sweet!

Our room was spacious and very clean.  I loved that the sink area was detached from the bathroom and provided ample counter space along with many outlets.  Since I had packed everything except shampoo and conditioner, I was delighted to see the toiletries were from Bath & Body Works.    I also loved that our adult room had a sliding door.  This made it feel like my hubby and I had our own room even with the kids right near by.   Our room also had a huge closet, mini fridge, coffee maker, and small desk.

One of my favorite features, hands down, was the keyless entry.  Every time we go to a hotel my husband and I have a conversation like this each time we leave the room.

“Do you have the room key?”
“I don’t, I thought you did”
Both of us search frantically for the keys.

At Maui Sands Resort and Indoor Waterpark you won’t have to spend time finding your keys because they are right there on your wrist.  See the picture in the bottom right corner?  Those are your keys.  Neat- O, huh?  To enter your room all you have to do is scan your bracelet.  I love this idea and wish more hotels offered this.

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After a little rest we headed down to the waterpark.  The first thing I noticed was how bright and beautifully decorated it was. It was also VERY clean!  We headed straight to the Kai River for a few turns on the “not-so-lazy” river.  We loved that while it was family friendly there were a couple rapids and moved us right along.  On the Kai River you can even choose from a single or double tube.

If you have little ones, they’ll really enjoy two areas created just for them; MakaMaka Treehouse and Pineapple Bay.  The three-level treehouse is filled with small dump buckets, water cannons, a climbing rope and 4 slides.  The kids loved that they had slides geated just for them.  You’ll also want to check out the Pineapple Bay area which is for the smallest guests (under 52″).  While a lifeguard is present, the water is shallow enough to keep everyone safe.  Even my oldest son, who is seven, enjoyed hanging out here with his brothers and water toys.

For you thrill seekers, Maui Sands Resort has 4 slides that are full of twists and turns: Maui Wowie Bowl Slide, Hammerhead Plunge, Kana Storm and Hana Half Pipe.  You can reach up to 40 MPH as you zoom down the tubes either by yourself or with a friend.  My hubby and I really enjoyed all of these and we were even able to coax my 5 year old son to go; of course once he went one time he no longer needed coaxing.

 

Looking for a little adventure?  Then challenge yourself on the Water Walk Crossing in the Coconut Cove!  This 12,000 sq ft. area of fun also houses water basketball hoops and the Vortex Pool.  The Vortex Pool is an actual whirlpool which will have you spinning in delight as it gently pushes you in around the perimeter.

Once you’re ready to relax you can head to one of two spas.  The Half Moon Lagoon is a huge  “all ages spa” where the whole family can enjoy a nice warm soak. My kids loved this area so much that it was one of the most requested attractions.  If you need a little time away then head to the second floor and relax in the adult only, rooftop Ka’anapali Spa.  While I loved my family-time at the waterpark I also enjoyed a little time away by myself.

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After all this playing you’re sure to build up an appetite. We sure did, so we checked out their indoor grill located just a few steps away.  I loved that we didn’t have to leave the park to grab some food!

We ordered a few different items and I was quite pleased with the prices which I thought were fair for a waterpark.  Our homemade pizza and chicken wrap sandwiches were yummy and filling and since we had a refrigerator in our room we even had a place for the leftovers.  If you’re in need of an adult beverage you can head over to the walk-up window of the Lava Lounge or take a seat at the bar.

Located right next to the Lava Lounge is the Black Sands restaurant which will be open soon with a full menu.  It has ample seating room and I’m sure will make a wonderful addition to Maui Sands.

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Before we turned in for the night, we checked out the FREE ice cream social they were having that evening in the lobby.  They should of called it an “Ice Cream Extravaganza” with all the toppings that were offered.  My kids were in heaven! I thought it was a perfect way to spend the end of our day.

The following morning we had a quick breakfast in our room before heading down for another fun day of swimming.  I heard later that there was a FREE breakfast but I wasn’t told this when checking in so you may want to ask when booking you room.

Once we were done swimming we were able to use the family changing area complete with a changing table, toilet, sink and shower.  It was spacious enough for our family of five and I loved that I were able to all stay together.

Before we left we popped into the arcade area complete with several games and a pool table.  While the games were too old our kids they didn’t seem to mind pretending to play.  If you have older kids this would be a nice place for them to check out.

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All in all, our stay at Maui Sands Resort and Indoor Waterpark was fabulous!  Yes, it’s a little smaller than one of the huge parks in our area, but that’s one of the BEST things I like about it!  With our boys still being at the age where I must keep a constant eye on them, Maui Sands offers enough attractions for an action-packed day but is still small enough that that I can keep my kids safe.

We also enjoyed that it wasn’t crowded and that we could all ride the slides with very minimal wait time.   I was also delighted to see all the life guards stationed throughout the park and actively engaged .

We will definitely be back!

Please note:  The waterparks new hours: Open Thursday, 4:00 pm through Monday, 1:00 pm, effective April 8th through May 23rd.

Giveaway!

And now to the giveaway!  Maui Sands Resort and Indoor Waterpark have graciously offered a FREE overnight stay for up to four guests in a two- queen bedroom.  This giveaway also includes waterpark passes.  You can enter once a day by leaving a comment and tweeting!

Enter below and good luck!

Entry-Form

Disclosure: This is not a paid review. All opinions are my own. I was offered an overnight stay in exchange for my honest review.  I will only accept opportunities that I feel best represent my blog and audience.




Splash Harbor Review ~ Bellville, Ohio

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Splash Harbor Review ~ Bellville, Ohio

Recently my family was able to stay overnight at Splash Harbor in Bellville, Ohio and boy did we have a blast!
This well maintained Comfort Inn has a super fun pool area that is filled with a large pool, dumping buckets, shooting geysers, water basketball hoops, a floating raft and kiddie pool area.  For those of you seeking a bit of a thrill you can also take a ride down their 49-foot looping water slide.  Don’t be shy, give it a try…it’s not just for kids!

If you’re looking for a bit of relaxation you’ll want to check out their HUGE hot tub.  It was quite warm and oh so inviting. While I find that many hotel hot tubs are barely warm, Splash Harbor’s adult hot tub is perfect temperature…HOT!  For those of you with little ones they have a second hot tub for families.  The water temperature in this smaller version is perfect for the little ones.

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Another area that we spent a lot of our time in was the kiddie pool.  This area is sloped just right for the littlest ones and the perfect depth.  I brought a few toys so my youngest happily played here while my older ones were able to enjoy the other areas.  At the end of this area there is a large staircase (see below) leading into the deeper water.  This made it a great spot for me to sit so I could keep my eyes (and hands, if necessary) on all three of my boys even though they were in two different parts of the pool.

Your kids will also have a ball in the splash pad area complete with dumping buckets and shooting geysers.  Since all of my boys are obsessed with pirates they got a kick out of the partial pirate ship that is located here.  It was nice to let the kids have a place to play when mama needed take a break.  Since there is no standing water here, I knew they were safe without me being right next to them.

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For those of you with older kids, they will definitely want to try their hand at water basketball.  This part of the pool was one of the busiest with everyone, young and old,  playing a little b-ball.  There were more than enough balls to go around though, so the boys and I were even able to shoot a few baskets.

Before we settled in for the night we headed over to the Der Dutchman for dinner.  This restaurant is located conveniently right next door to Splash Harbor so we were able to walk over, even on a cold night.    I loved that we didn’t have to get in our car.  If you want to stay in for dinner, Marco’s Pizza is nearby and they’ll deliver straight to your room.

Our room was a nice size with 2 queen sized beds, desk and large TV.  For those of you with larger families who will need two rooms, you may want to request on of their adjoining rooms.  This is the type we had and it gave us more than enough space.

The rooms were very clean and the beds extremely comfortable.  I loved that each bed had many pillows.  The pillows weren’t the usual motel pillows either, instead they were fluffy with just the right amount of support.

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The bathroom was stocked with complimentary toiletries such as shampoo, lotion, soap and makeup remover wipes.  Best of all, if you forget a standard item such a a toothbrush, no problem, they’ll give you one for FREE!

The next morning we were able to fill up with a FREE hot breakfast.  There were many choices including make-your-own waffles, cereal, sausage gravy, fresh fruit and much more.  They even had a nice sitting area with a TV that kept my boys entertained while we were eating.

After another day of swimming, I let the kids play a bit in game area.  They were happy to pick one game each and were ecstatic to each win a bouncy ball.  It’s the small things in life isn’t it?

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Looking for a fun getaway?  I’d highly recommend Splash Harbor in Bellville, Ohio!   Check out what more it has to offer:

    • Smoke free Hotel and Waterpark
    • Splash Harbor Indoor Waterpark with retractable roof
    • Video game room with pool table, air hockey and more
    • Free high-speed wireless and hard-wired internet access
    • Free putting green
    • Two Meeting and banquet rooms
    • Electronic security door locks
    • Interior hallways
    • Free HBO & full cable including Speed Channel
    • In-room coffee makers, hair dryer, iron and board
    • Volleyball, basketball, shuffleboard
    • Deer Ridge championship golf course – adjacent to hotel
    • 700 seat Amish restaurant and gift shop – adjacent to hotel
    • Miniature golf and ice cream store – adjacent to hotel
    • Three fast food and three sit down restaurants next to hotel

Looking for an little getaway?  Splash Harbor offers a “Family Fun Package”.  This package includes overnight lodging in a standard double queen, 1 large 2 item pizza, $10 in game money for game room, 1 dive-n-glide pool toy and complimentary breakfast. Prices can vary by date.

Be sure to stay up-to-date on any specials by following them on Facebook!

Disclaimer:  This is not a paid post.  My family was offered an overnight stay to help facilitate my review.  All opinions are my own. 




Our Trip to Canton, Ohio! A Fun Place For Families!

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GIVEAWAY is now over. 

If you’re from Ohio you probably remember the snow storm that we had last week.  You know the one where we were all told to stay off the roads?  Well, our family likes to live on the WILD side. Since we had already accepted an offer from Canton and Stark County Convention and Visitor’s Center to come spend two fun-filled days in Canton, Ohio, we decided to head on down; snow and all.

While our family loves to travel we are always looking for ways to save.  This is where short trips can be a huge money saver!  What’s great about Canton is that not only is there so much to do but it’s only a one tank trip from most cities in Ohio.  On our quick trip to the area we were able to visit a local eatery, stay in a beautiful hotel, and visit the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.


We stayed overnight at Hampton Inn & Suites and just loved it.  We felt pampered as soon as we walked in the door.  The little, FREE extras such as evening cookies, exercise room, a huge hot tub, cool pool, a full self serve breakfast and a 24-hour beverage center with tea, hot chocolate, and coffee, made us feel so special.  The whole hotel was spotless and very clean and I was impressed that they wash the duvet covers after every guest.  It was nice not to worry about the blankets


As with most kids, my children love to swim.  After a few hours at the pool we headed out to eat.  Thanks to all the suggestions left on my Facebook page with local restaurants, it was easy to find a place for dinner.  Papa Bear’s Italian Restaurant was not only well priced but also was one of the best dinner’s we’ve had in a long time.  The interior was quaint, the service superb, and the prices fit out budget.  My husband and I both remarked that we will definitely have to visit again next time we are in town.

McKinley Presidential Library & Museum.

The next morning after a full FREE breakfast in the hotel lobby and another quick swim, we headed out to visit two area museums.  First up was the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum.  While this museum honors the 25th president who built his early career in Canton, Ohio, it’s much more than just a presidential museum.  Inside you can find many different exhibits including, Discover World, the McKinley Gallery, the Street of Shops, the Keller Gallery, the Hoover-Price Planetarium, Ramsayer Research Library and The Stark County Story. The McKinley National Memorial, burial site of President William McKinley and his family, is also on the Museum grounds.

All of our kids LOVED the McKinley Museum!  While my husband and I were interested in all the the historical information, they were able to check out all the hands-on activities.  The Discover World area had life-sized dinosaurs, live animals, a crawl through cave and much more.  It was nice to see my little ones having fun while still learning.

Another favorite in the museum is the Street of Shops.  This area transports you back to an earlier time when life was simpler.  This life-size replica of a historic town, allows you to visit different stores, a fire station, a hotel and more. Kids can even slide down a real fire pole!  In this area they also have a model train layout that my littlest son didn’t want to leave.

Through February 18th, their Keller Gallery is offering the exhibit, Life in Miniature.  This dollhouse exhibit features all new dollhouses and miniatures on loan from miniature enthusiasts in their community. Highlights include a large Victorian dollhouse from the museum’s collection and a recently donated scale model of the Hoover homestead in North Canton.

Two must-not-miss activities for your little ones at the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum are the giant Timken bearing ride and the Hoover lift.  My kiddies had such fun spinning in the Timken ride and were amazed when they were lifted up into the air by the suction of a vacuum.

Be sure to check out the special activities planned for McKinley day on January 26th.  This fun filled day will have activities for the whole family and admission will only be $5!  Find out more details about this event or to plan your own family day out head over to their website.


Pro Football Hall of Fame

Next stop on our little trip was to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  While my youngest is a man of few words, one he does say is, “football”.  We can’t pass a field without him shouting out one of his favorite words.  While he was amazed my the number of footballs that were there, my husband and I truly enjoyed seeing all the memorabilia and even learning about the sport.

When we first entered we were greeted with very friendly and knowledgeable staff.  Our family picture was taken in front of a green screen which was later turned into some really fun pictures.  You can pick which photos you want and purchase them in the lower level of the building.

It was interesting to see the amount of memorabilia that has been collected and that was on display.  While I was most interested in the display on how the Hall of Fame came to Canton and the older items such as a football from the 1890’s and the uniforms from those early years my husband was excited to see EVERYTHING!  I think he read every plaque and checked out every interactive exhibit there was.  He was in heaven!

One of the coolest displays was the Hall of Fame Gallery.  This room holds the busts (those are the bronzed heads … see I learned something) of those inducted into the Hall of Fame.  This darkened room just gives off such an awe of greatness.  To look around and see all the talent from over the years was inspiring.  This room also has interactive touchscreens which will share information about each inductee.  My kiddos really enjoyed the 3D Superbowl ring in here too.  If was neat to see it from so many different angles.


After walking around a bit, it was nice to sit down in Pro Football Today Gallery and watch the bloomers film.  It was something the whole family enjoyed and the bleacher seating was a nice touch.

Inside the Super Bowl theater we watched a personal and action packed short film called The Road to the Superbowl.   This high energy film shared the two-time, heartbreaking Superbowl loss of the New England Patriots to the NY Giants.  My kids loved that the seats moved half way through and the giant screen really kept their attention.  Right after the movie you can see many of the rings won; the display is just beautiful.

Two more interactive exhibits are located in the lower section including a Madden game.  Be sure to check out your pictures that were taken at the beginning of the tour. and visit the gift shop.  Their large gift shop has a little something for everyone!

 

There is so much to do in Canton, Ohio so head over to Canton and Stark County Convention and Visitor’s Center to start planning your own one-tank trip!  Whether it’s a romantic weekend or short trip with the kids you’ll be sure to find plenty of activities or even just a wonderful place to relax.  You can even check out this page to find a bunch of FREE things to do in Stark County!

While in town, be sure to visit their visitor’s center which is located right around the corner from the Hall of Fame.  During your stop, you can get learn a lot about the area from a friendly employee as well as be able to pick up a whole slew of brochures about area lodging and activities.

Thanks to the Canton Visitor Center and The Pro Football Hall of Fame I was offered 4 tickets to give away!  To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter entry below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  This was not a paid review. In exchange for my review I was given free tickets to both museums and a free night stay at Hampton Inn and Suites.  I can assure you that I will always give you my honest opinion and only share about things that I feel my readers will enjoy.  All opinions are my own.




Fort Rapids Waterpark Columbus, Ohio ~ A Review!

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fort rapids waterpark columbus

Recently I was invited to visit Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark in Columbus, Ohio.  Man, did we have a blast!

When we walked into the building we were greeted with spacious lobby decorated in a western theme.  In fact, walking around was like taking a step back in the wild west (with flushable toilets, of course).  There was so much to see that my boys were jumping with excitement even before we got to our room!

We were able to stay in a Bryce Cannon Villa room and it was gorgeous.  This type of room has a loft and will accommodate eight with a king bed upstairs and two beds downstairs with a pull out couch.  This room even has three TVs, two bathrooms, a mini fridge, and a swimsuit dryer.  As with all rooms, waterpark passes are included.  This was the biggest room I’ve ever stayed in at any hotel and it was a perfect fit for my mom and I along with 4 kids.

fort rapids waterpark columbus

Update: This hotel is now closed.

After dropping off our bags, we headed to the waterpark.  The 60,000 square feet waterpark is the largest in central Ohio and is full of fun things to do.  Zoom down a water slide, float in the lazy river, play in the kiddie area, or shoot some hoops in the activity pool.  They even have a 1,000 gallon tipping bucket on top of a play area full of bridges, slides, shooting water guns and much more. Have kids in varying age groups?  There is more than enough to do for all ages!  They even have an adult only hot tub!
                                                                    

Fort Rapids offers overnight guests the ability to play inside the waterpark early in the day of check-in and throughout the day of check-out.  Their clean bathrooms make it easy for you to shower and change long after you’ve checked out of your room

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After a long day of swimming, I was happy that Fort Rapids offered more fun outside the park!  Located right outside the waterpark you’ll find a large arcade with tons of games to play.  Inside the arcade there is even a place to dress up for an old western picture (costs a fee).  Located right outside the arcade, there is a mining area where kids can search for “fossils”.  For $10 you can buy a bag of sand that the kids can shift through to find some treasures. My kiddies were so happy when they found gems and two shark teeth!

Before heading off to bed, we headed down to the lobby for storytime and FREE milk and cookies.  It was such a fun way to end our day.

For us in northern Ohio, Columbus is just a short drive.  Make a weekend trip of it and visit the zoo while your there too!  If you want to make a reservation be sure to head over here.  To keep up to date on specials an upcoming events be sure to like them on Facebook!


Note:  All opinions are mine.  While I was not compensated for my trip, I was offered a free nights stay in exchange for my review. 




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