Tag: Museums

There are SO many outside exhibits at the Museum of Aviation at Warner Robins Air Force Base, but we ran out of time to see them all! Here are a few fun shots of the aircraft in front of the museum! Make sure you allow enough time to check out everything in the back of the building, though! It’s a stunning collection of military planes and jets. If you find yourself in the Macon / Warner Robins area of South Central Georgia, the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia is FREE, and open to…

This beautiful exhibit showcases the collection of Military Medals that have been awarded to Members of the Air Force throughout the course of American History. Among the medals featured are the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star Medal, Air Force Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Prisoner of War Medal. To view all of our albums from the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia albums, CLICK HERE! If you find yourself…

Sometimes you just take pictures of stuff! And Knoxville does have some pretty cool stuff! Click on any photo to learn more about that business, or more about Knoxville in general! Click Here to See Hundreds of the Coolest Things to See, Do, Eat, and Drink in Knoxville, Tennessee! With or Without the Kids!

We were fortunate enough to see several Musk Ox in the wild, north of the Brooks Range, almost to Deadhorse, Alaska on Prudhoe Bay, while traversing up the Dalton Highway. However, if you want an up-close-and-personal experience where you can see, feel, and actually PET Musk Oxen, while learning about them in a safe, educational environment, you DEFINITELY want to check out the Musk Ox Farm & Museum in Palmer, Alaska just outside of Anchorage, Alaska! Musk Ox Farm & Museum www.muskoxfarm.org12850 E Archie Rd Palmer, AK 99645(907) 745-4151

As a self-proclaimed history buff, one of my absolute favorite activities is exploring a Living History Attraction. As a family, we always do our best to really get into the groove… Engaging with interpreters in period costume and dialect, studying the details of daily routines, admiring architectural nuances… We love perusing old tools, accessories, crafts, handiworks, and products, pretending they are our own, and imagining life as if we were truly present in another time and place! The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village in Alberta, about 45 minutes east of Edmonton, is a fabulous place to do all of that and…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Minnesota History Center – Saint Paul, Minnesota The Minnesota History Center, located in the Capital City of Saint Paul, Minnesota, offers exhibit after exhibit of hands on activities for kids to learn about the history, culture, weather, and people of this fabulous state! We’ve broken down our albums to focus on each exhibit! Click on any of the following links to explore our albums for each exhibit! Click on any other links you see to learn more about each item! Main Album Page: A SPGFAN Guide to Exhibits at the Minnesota History Center Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Weather Permitting Then Now…

Great River Road Visitor Center at Freedom Park – Prescott, Wisconsin Located at the confluence of the St. Croix River with the Mississippi River in Prescott, Wisconsin, this The Great River Road Visitor Center will tick, not one, but TWO National Parks off your list! Learn about the geography and human history of each river, as well as the wildlife that call this lush area home! Lots of Junior Ranger fun can be found here as well! Ask about (OR download via these handy links!) St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Junior Ranger ProgramLet’s Go Fishing! Junior Ranger Angler ProgramMississippi National…

Upper Landing Park – St. Paul, Minnesota If you are heading to the Science Museum of Minnesota, be sure to check out the sights and sounds of Downtown St. Paul and the Mississippi River! The shoreline of the Mississippi River through St. Paul is part of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park System. CLICK HERE for the Locations Our Family Visited Within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area! This NPS Site offers a list of ALL the Locations you can visit within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area! CLICK HERE for…

Mississippi River Visitor Center – Mississippi National River and Recreation Area – St. Paul, Minnesota The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is a unit of the National Park System that encompasses over 72 miles of the Mississippi River throughout the Twin Cities of Minnesota and surrounding areas. There are at least 60 different parks, museums, visitor centers, and other areas you can visit that are considered to be within the boundaries of this National Park! This particular location, the Mississippi River Visitor Center, is located with the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul. There are some great digital…

Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks at the Science Museum of Minnesota Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks at the Science Museum of Minnesota Towers of Tomorrow includes some of the most iconic architectural marvels from all over the world! From North America, you will find Toronto’s CN Tower; Philadelphia’s Comcast Technology Center; Los Angeles’ Wilshire Grand Center; Chicago’s Willis Tower; Atlanta’s Bank of America Plaza; New York City’s Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building; and more! Famous skylines across Asia and Australia come alive with LEGO creations of Taiwan’s Taipei 101; Kuala Lumpur’s twin Petronas Towers; Marina Bay Sands…

Science Museum of Minnesota – St. Paul, Minnesota Weighing the Evidence – A Special Exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota CLICK HERE to check out ALL of the exhibits we were able to enjoy on our visit! Check Out Our SPGFAN St. Paul, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Click HERE or on Any Photo Below to Learn More withThese Science and Medical History Books!

Science Museum of Minnesota – St. Paul, Minnesota Exploring some of the regular permanent exhibits in the Science Museum of Minnesota – St. Paul, Minnesota. Most of these photos are taken in the Mississippi River Gallery, Collectors’ Corner, and the Human Body Gallery. CLICK HERE to see ALL the exhibits currently available at the Science Museum of Minnesota!And CLICK HERE to see ALL of the exhibits we were able to enjoy on our visit! Check Out Our SPGFAN St. Paul, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota!…

Allen Ruppersberg: Intellectual Property 1968 – 2018A Special Exhibit at the Walker Art CenterMinneapolis, Minnesota From the late 1960’s onward, Conceptual Artist Allen Ruppersberg has truly changed the way we look at art. His earlier installations, such as Al’s Cafe and Al’s Grand Hotel, combine text and images to take the viewer on a participatory journey through his own personal narratives. Some of his later projects pull inspiration from a variety of media, such as commercial letterpress posters, ephemera, books, drawings, and films. His cynical views of mass media, as well as his often contemptuous self-portraiture, are likely to instigate thought-provoking introspection…

Jason MoranA Special Exhibit at the Walker Art CenterMinneapolis, Minnesota Jason Moran is an accomplished artist across many waves.  Musically, he is an American jazz pianist and composer. Visually, his theatrical installations and multimedia art encourage a journey of the senses, not just by hearing, but actually SEEING and feeling the music that surrounds you. To learn more about Jason Moran, check out his entire collection of music and art! Be sure to visit JasonMoran.com! Check Out Our SPGFAN Minneapolis, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Click HERE or on…

The Way Things GoA Special Exhibit at the Walker Art CenterMinneapolis, Minnesota Scavenged items, where the composition of every day life becomes art. Definitely a unique exhibit encouraging the viewer to find beauty in each moment, a sense of meaning in the mundane. Check Out Our SPGFAN Minneapolis, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Click HERE or on Any Photo Belowfor Ideas on Incorporating Art Museums Into YOUR Classroom Experience!

Walker Art Center – Minneapolis, Minnesota From the whimsical Sculpture Gardens stretching as far as the eye can see, to the remarkable architecture of the exterior, to the plethora of mind-expanding exhibits on the inside, the Walker Art Center is a place to behold! Come prepared! Leave enlightened! Check Out Our SPGFAN Minneapolis, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family Has Done in Minnesota! Click HERE or on Any Photo Belowfor Ideas on Incorporating Art Museums Into YOUR Classroom Experience!

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden | Walker Art Center From the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry, to more thought-provoking pieces such as Rapture by Kiki Smith, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden at Walker Art Center is a great place to spend an afternoon! Whether you are looking for all the super-hot instagram spots in Minneapolis, or perhaps you are hoping to engage ALL of your senses by enjoying everything the Walker Art Center has to offer, definitely check out our photo collection below! Check Out Our SPGFAN Minneapolis, Minnesota QUIKLIST! For ALL the Things to Do in Minnesota, CLICK HERE! See Everything Our Family…

A Taste of Scandinavia at FIKA Café Inside the American Swedish Institute. After your visit to the American Swedish Institute, be sure to stop by FIKA Café to indulge your senses in all things delicious! Thumbprint Cookies, Pepparkakor, Cardamom Buns, Kokostoppars, and MORE! See ALL Our Photos from the American Swedish Institute. CLICK HERE for more information about visiting the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Click on any photo below to learn more about Scandinavian Foods! CLICK HERE to Check Out the Amazing Scandinavian Art and Wares Available in the American Swedish Institute Gift Shop!

Visiting the American Swedish Institute is an absolute plethora of educational experiences for everyone in the family! From the opulence of the Turnblad Mansion, to the ever-changing selection of Special Exhibits… But, for the littlest members of your family, they can enjoy all kids of hands-on fun in the Family Playroom! Serve up yummy pretzels in Ulla’s Bageri, score some hockey goals, create artistic masterpieces, or carve to your heart’s content in the woodworker’s shop! Let your child’s creativity soar with these amazing themed activities, perfect for tiny hands and HUGE imaginations! Be sure to check out the Calendar of…

The Swedish Hospital School of Nursing Exhibit at the American Swedish Institute See ALL Our Photos from the American Swedish Institute. CLICK HERE for more information about visiting the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Click on any photo below to learn more about Swedish Culture!

Throughout the Turnblad Mansion at the American Swedish Institute, you will find several Special Exhibits that rotate throughout the year. One such curated display available on our visit was the Fabric of Life, which is a Special Collections Exhibit from the ASIMN Artifacts and Archives. From handmade laces, to loom-woven rugs, to natural dyes, to hairwork jewelry, the Scandinavian treasures featured are each a testament to a culture that can weave such intricate beauty, from even the most practical of materials. Click on any photo to learn more about the arts and culture of the Scandinavian people! CLICK HERE for…

The Turnblad Mansion, at the American Swedish Institute, is one of the few remaining early 20th century structures from Minneapolis’ Golden Mile. The Turnblad Family only resided here for a short while, but today, “The Castle” stands as a testament to the city’s Park Avenue opulence of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Incredible details of the master craftsmanship can be found both inside and out, with impeccable stonework, gorgeous woodwork, and stunning stained glass features. Each of the 33 rooms boast unique style and decor, from Gustavian to Moorish. The ceilings, trim, mantles, bannisters, staircases, lighting, and other intricate…

The exquisite details of Swedish craftsmanship inside the Turnblad Mansion take on an entirely new depth of meaning when the post-apocalyptic beings of Finnish Sculptor Kim Simonsson take up residence for this VERY special exhibit! See our post about the Moss People Exhibit at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Click on any image below to learn more about The Fantastical Worlds of Finnish Sculptor Kim Simonsson CLICK HERE for more information about visiting the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Explore the rest of the Turnblad Mansion with us in THIS POST. See ALL our photos from the…

Of all the art and sculpture exhibits with which we have engaged along our travels, this collection stands out the most. The day’s simple plan started out as just another trip to a museum. But, what actually transpired once we entered the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, was a fantastic journey into realms previously unimagined. It’s hard to describe the eerie sense of disquietude that washes over you while sharing space with The Moss People. Sculptures of young children, coated in green, earthen imperfection, existing amongst post-apocalyptic ruins, far beyond the depths of conventional dimensions. As you step slowly amongst…

After a day exploring the Minnesota State Capitol Building and Grounds, and the Cathedral of Saint Paul, we spent some time meandering through Downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota. Lots of unique architecture, historic and modern; fun street art pieces; monuments and memorials; and so much more… Saint Paul is a beautiful city, and Minnesota is a GREAT family-friendly destination to consider! Click on any photo for resources to plan YOUR family’s trip to Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota!

The most important thing to keep in mind when visiting The Field Museum in Chicago, is that it is a LOT bigger than it looks on the outside! If you really want to absorb the information provided in the exhibits, I would genuinely recommend narrowing your visit down to one or two exhibit halls, and pacing yourself accordingly. You can certainly walk through at a quicker pace and SEE it all in one day. But, over the years, we’ve found our groove with focusing on one section at a time, and allowing ourselves the unpressured time to read the signage;…

For more fascinating Great Lakes Maritime History, be sure to check out these two vessels docked in Manistee, Michigan. The S.S. City of Milwaukee, a former Great Lakes railroad car ferry, is now preserved as a National Historic Landmark, Museum, and a Boatel available for tours and reservations! The USCGC Acacia served many years on the Great Lakes, performing such duties as ice breaking, search and rescue, fire fighting, logistics, oil spill response, and many other tasks. It is also preserved as a museum and open to the public for tours!

If you’re ever in the Pensacola, Florida area, you’ll definitely want to check out the schedule for the Blue Angels. The U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron runs hour-long practices that are free and open to the public. After the demonstration, check out the National Naval Aviation Museum, with exhibits both outdoors and inside their beautiful, state-of-the-art facility. Loads of hands-on exhibits will walk you through various branches of the U.S. Military, as well as the Space Program.

I think we all know exactly where we were the moment we heard the news… September 11, 2001 There are no words I could put here to justifiably honor those we lost. I, myself, have a dear friend that was inside the Trade Center that very morning. Fortunately for him, and those that know and love him, he left shortly before the tragic events began to unfold. But, living with that has never been easy for him. I can’t even begin to fathom for one second what it must be like for those that don’t have the happy ending for…

The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park consists of several buildings in Atlanta, Georgia that interpret the deeply moving history of this pivotal Civil Rights leader. You will find Martin Luther King Jr.’s boyhood home; as well as the original Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King was baptized. He and his father, Martin Luther King Sr., both served as pastors at Ebenezer. Also in the 35 acre Sweet Auburn complex are: Fire Station No. 6 The National Park Visitor Center The Behold Monument The “I Have a Dream” International World Peace Rose Garden  The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change And a…

Most kids LOVE trains! Mine always have! The Historic Huntsville Depot has an extensive collection of both indoor and outdoor exhibits through all eras of railroad history in and around the Alabama region. The Huntsville Depot was a passenger station until the late 1960’s. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this preserved historic facility offers great fun for all ages. Even the youngest kids will enjoy playing in the Little Toots play area! Historic Huntsville Depot is a unit within the Early Works Family of Museums, which also includes Alabama Constitution Hall Park and Museum, and The…

Cave Tours are the big draw to Mammoth Cave National Park, in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. But, before or after you’ve done yours, make sure you spend some time relaxing, having fun, and letting the kids be kids! Working on a Junior Ranger Badge will have you exploring caves, trails, museum exhibits and the grounds… And in between making progress in their books, the kids were having a blast in the sunshine! These are the best moments in life. No rushing, no worries… Just the natural moments of joyful play, siblings loving one another, and LOADS of happy shenanigans! These ARE…

The Natural History Museum, situated in a gorgeous building on the campus of the University of Kansas in Lawrence, is an extremely well-done set of exhibits, encompassing many disciplines of science. From habitat dioramas, to microbiology, to halls of preserved animal specimens; and so much more! If your kids love science and natural history, this is a GREAT destination for your family! Spend an hour, or spend a day! There is something here for everyone! And, best of all, the UK Natural History Museum is on the ASTC Passport List offering FREE admission to ASTC Reciprocal Members! How cool is…

Such a great experience to watch real paleontologists working on dinosaur fossils and specimens at the UK Dino Lab inside Science City! Kids can see, first-hand, various stages of packing, preparation, research, and more! Lots of hands on activities throughout the lab area allow kids to touch, feel, and view a variety of fossils and molds!

From a giant FedEx airplane cockpit, to eating chocolate covered bugs with the Terminix crew, you’re bound to find lots of good times at the Children’s Museum of Memphis! Be sure to check out their current exhibits! They have so many great opportunities for creative play! You really can spend the entire day here and the kids WON’T get bored! This is a GREAT place for the kids, and we highly recommend it! Although, I don’t necessarily recommend chocolate covered bugs! Eeek! But, hey, you have to try edible insects at least once in your life, right?!

The Birthplace of Jell-O!The Jell-O Museum and Gallery in LeRoy, New York! As unassuming as it might sound, LeRoy New York is the Birthplace of Jell-O! If you have time to swing through this quaint area, you can visit the Historic LeRoy House, as well as the Jell-O Museum and Gallery! We actually had an incredible time here, and really enjoyed both places! The Historic LeRoy House offers an intimate exploration of historical artifacts from the time-period; with plenty of hands-on activities for kids in the basement. Relax and enjoy, while the kids dress up and cook, bake, and clean…

Historic LeRoy House in LeRoy, New York About an hour south of the Niagara Falls Region of New York, you’ll find the quaint little town of LeRoy, New York. As unassuming as it might sound, LeRoy is the home of Jell-O! If you have time to swing through, you can visit the Historic LeRoy House, as well as the Jell-O Museum and Gallery! We actually had a tremendous amount of fun exploring both places. The main levels of the home offer a glimpse into the cultural history of the time and area; and the basement beckons to the younger crowd…

Everyone knows that Reciprocal Memberships are awesome. You buy one membership from one museum location, and you get FREE or discounted museum admission to HUNDREDS of other participating locations! And that makes traveling to your destination more fun because you have so many things to do without breaking the bank! That’s what we call Maximizing YOUR Family’s Fun Efficiency! But another great perk of maintaining such memberships, is that it also gives you free or inexpensive places to stop along your route… It really breaks up a long drive to be able to spend a few hours in a kids’…

Another fabulous Children’s Museum for your consideration, is the Duke Energy Children’s Museum, one of several fascinating museum units located in the Cincinnati Museum Center. Go for a full day of fun, or stop by to let the kids engage in some open-ended play and creativity after spending the earlier portion of the day learning in the Museum of Natural History & Science or the Cincinnati History Museum. A fully stocked kitchen, grocery store, post office, and more. Ride-on toys, water-play, an art center, trains, dinosaurs, LEGO, and even a full-sized nature-themed indoor climbing structure! Keep the kids engaged in…

One of our all-time favorite museum experiences for kids, is hands-down, the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History & Science. This phenomenal collection of exhibits is just one of the museum units located within the Cincinnati Museum Center Complex at Historic Cincinnati Union Terminal in Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. The beautifully preserved old train station houses some of the most interactive environments we have yet to experience. Real live cave and glacier simulations for kids to climb through; amazing geological collections specific to the Southern Ohio area; and even loads of hands-on docent-led activities located all throughout the museum. We learned all…