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It’s Always Warm at Castaway Bay Indoor Waterpark Sandusky, Ohio + GIVEAWAY!

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Castaway Bay Resort review and giveaway

** Giveaway over.  Congrats to Lori Mahlich!

Are you completely done with winter, like I am?  The weather has not only been unrelentingly cold but the snow just keeps coming!  I can’t wait for warmer temperatures, sand between my toes and the sun upon my face but unfortunately we still have quite a few months to wait.  Thankfully, my family was invited to escape winter’s harshness and spend the weekend at Cedar Point’s Castaway Bay Indoor Waterpark!  Did you know it’s always a balmy 82° at Castaway Bay?

As soon as we walked through the doors my kiddos squealed with delight when they saw the large pirate ship located right inside the lobby.  The tropical decor really helped set the mood and we couldn’t wait to check into our room and change into our suits.  Our room had two comfy beds, and large bathroom, mini refrigerator, microwave and screened balcony (of course, it was a little too cold to enjoy that last amenity).

Castaway Bay Sandusky Ohio

As soon as possible we headed to the indoor waterpark.  I wasn’t sure who was more excited me or my boys.  Our first stop was the wave pool where we frolicked in the warm waters and jumped in the waves for quite a long time.  Another favorite was the indoor/outdoor hot tub that the whole family could enjoy.  It was so fun to enjoy a warm soak while there was snow on the ground around us.

Castaway Bay Sandusky review

Castaway Bay wave pool

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Toddler’s Tide Pool has three slides, spraying gadgets and more!

Since my two youngest boys (ages 3 and 6) were with me we wound up spending a lot of time in the Toddler’s Tidepool and the Lookout Lagoon Family Funhouse.  These areas are perfect for the “kid” in all of us.  There are smaller slides in the toddler area along with a zero entry pool.  I really liked that I could sit nearby while I watched my boys play.  If your child is looking for a bit more adventure, The Lookout Lagoon will be right up their alley.  This gigantic multi-story interactive play area has more than 100 different elements, including a 1,000-gallon tipping bucket and water slides.

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I was so happy to see my son Mason get adventurous and try out the Congo Crossing at Castaway Bay.  He’s never had quite the courage to do this in the past summer’s at Cedar Point’s Soak City so he was excited to make it across the first time.  I can’t imagine the strength that takes…and no I did NOT attempt this myself. 🙂

While at Castaway Bay Indoor Waterpark, don’t miss the three Tropical Tubes Slides and Creature Cove.  For those of you who dare you can also try out Rendezvous Run which is a 35-foot-high, 520-foot-long water roller coaster that propels riders uphill using water jets.  FUN!

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Even out of the water, Castaway Bay Resort has a ton of activities for you and your family!  Here are just a few:

  • 6,000-square-foot state-of-the-art arcade
  • Peanut characters meet and greet
  • A craft and child activity center
  • Face painting/baloons
  • Family movie and story time with Snoopy
  • Three restaurants
  • Retail shops

Castaway Birthday Club = FREE Day Pass!!

Did you know that your kids can get a FREE Castaway Bay day pass on their birthday?  Yep, just sign them up and they can choose either a complimentary Waterpark Day Pass or a Birthday Fun Pack (only available for our overnight guests). Also if you choose to host your child’s birthday at Castaway Bay, the birthday child is FREE when booking with 8 or more paid guests.  You’ll also be signed up for Castaway Bay coupons and special savings!  Who doesn’t like coupons, right?

Castaway Bay coupons

Do you want to get out of the cold and spend the day at Castaway Bay Indoor Waterpark?  One winner will be randomly chosen to win a 4 pack of day passes!  What a perfect day to spend with the family!  You can enter once a day…good luck!

Disclaimer:  This is not a paid post.  All opinions are my own.  Thanks to Castaway Bay for giving me tickets for review and giveaway. 





Ghostly Manor Thrill Center Is SUPER Fun For Kids – Sandusky Ohio

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ghostly manor review

While staying for the weekend at Sawmill Creek Resort, my family had the opportunity to check out Ghostly Manor Thrill Center in Sandusky, Ohio.  This gem is filled so many activities that my family was able to spend the whole afternoon and as we left my boys begged to come back!

Ghostly Manor Thrill Center has a full sized skating rink, 3-D mini golf, XD Theater, arcade games, year round haunted house, and bounce houses.  With so many activities all under one roof, it’s the place to be for families with a wide age group of kids.  Ghostly Manor allows you to pay individually for each activity or offers money saving package deals.

As soon as we walked in, the kids ran straight to the 4D XD Theater.  This ride allows you to pick from five action-packed movie experiences from an under the sea adventure to a trip down a snowy, pine-covered mountainside.  Before the movie starts you are given 3D glasses and are belted into an oversized seat but since this ride can get bumpy, children need to be over 40″ tall.

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We split up the group and choose two different movies to watch.  While the first group went in, we stayed right outside of the enclosed curtain and hear a lot of giggling and laughing.  In fact, my mom, who never rides roller coasters said their ride, Canyon Coaster, was downright thrilling.  This attraction is a must-see on your next trip to Ghostly Manor.

Next up we headed over to Wizard’s Journey which is a 3D blacklight mini-golf adventure.  It starts unlike most golf games as this one has a video at the beginning where you learn about your quest and are given 3D glasses to wear (some of the kids chose not to wear them but still had a blast).  I think the attention to detail in this attraction was simply amazing and the sound effects made it extra fun.

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Even with all the fun we had already had, we were just getting started!  Ghostly Manor just recently added a huge addition to their building and created a place where kids can jump, slide and bounce.   With five inflatables to choose from (some have height restrictions) kids can play the day away.  This area also boasts a HUGE 3 level play area with bridges, tunnels, and slides, oh my!  I’ve never seen such a structure before.

While supervision is required in this area I appreciated that there were staff members to help keep an eye on the kids also.  Staff members while young, seemed to really love their job and interacted very well with the kids. Later in the day, I was so happy to see them wiping down not only the play structure but also the bounce houses with a mild cleaning detergent.  When asked, they said that they did this each day.

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Are you ready for this?  Even after all of that, we still weren’t done at Ghostly Manor because we still had to check out their full sized skating rink!  What is absolutely unique here is that not only can you skate but you can also use 2 or 3 wheeled scooters which were perfect for my two youngest boys.  In fact, for a small fee, they even rent a roller bar which makes skating a breeze.

For those of you who dare, you may also want to check out their year round haunted house full of haunts and spooks.  In fact, this haunted house is one of the most highly rated ones in the United States and has been featured on several TV shows, including The Travel Channel.  Since we had five children under 8 with us we chose to save this attraction for a few years from now.

In the end I was blown away by the amount of activities that Ghostly Manor Thrill Center offered.  As a mom of three boys who like to venture out on their own, I really loved that we didn’t all have to be doing the same thing.  So will we be back? ABSOLUTELY!




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.




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