In a few short weeks, the world will be watching as the best golfers descend on Augusta, Georgia for The Masters golf tournament. If you’ve never been, it’s an experience worth the trip, but tickets, even for the practice round days, are hard to come by. So, why not take in the many other attractions this Southern city has to offer. Here are five to get you started.
1. The Augusta Canal National Heritage Area – Built in 1845 to harness the power of the Savannah River, the canal has a historic past that comes to life in an award winning, hands-on, Interpretive Center. A section on child labor lets kids, and adults, test their skill at refilling spools on the manufacturing line. After the museum, take a ride down the canal in an electric powered Petersburg boat. Be nice to the driver, he normally has bread for youngsters to feed the many waterfowl along the route.
2. Morris Museum of Art – The museum is located along the Augusta Riverwalk, and is dedicated to the collection, exhibition, and interpretation of the art of the American South. Sundays are always free and feature Artregeous! a program specifically for kids. The event is different each week, but has featured art projects, musical performances, storytellers and more.
3. Fort Discovery – This science center is also located along the Augusta Riverwalk and a delightful walk from the Morris Museum of Art. The Center has 250 hands-on exhibits including: a human gyro that allows visitors to experience weighlessness; a 22 foot tall, spaced-themed playground; and a special area designed for those 7 years-old and younger. The museum offers half-priced admission after 3 pm and reciprocal membership with more than 250 science centers worldwide, including the new Tellus Museum in Cartersville, GA.
4. President Woodrow Wilson’s Boyhood Home – President Wilson was 4 years-old when he moved to Augusta. He left at the age of 14. During that time, he saw train loads of wounded Civil War soldiers arrive at the hospital less than 1/2 mile from his house. When the hospital overflowed, the wounded were taken to the church where “Tommy’s” father was a minister. When that space was full, the wounded overtook the Catholic Church on the other side of his boyhood home. I’m sure this experience had a profound impact on this future wartime president and creator of the League of Nations. A fun treasure hunt while you’re there: find the “Tom” etched in the window.
5. The Augusta Museum of History- Chronicling 12,000 years of history, this museum covers a lot of ground. There are hands-on exhibits (see if you can carry a Civil War backpack and gun) to full sized locomotives. A new James Brown exhibit lets visitors practice their dance moves with the Godfather of Soul. Of course no history of Augusta would be complete without golf and the newly opened Celebrating a Grand Tradition, The Sport of Golf gives a good history of the sport in the city.
Disclosure:Although the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau provided a complimentary room and admission to these attractions for the purpose of reviewing them (as is common in the travel industry), we only recommend places we would stay and products we would use.
St. Patrick’s Day is a BIG deal in my family. If you’re looking for a great way to celebrate, head to the Atlanta’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade this Saturday, March 13 beginning at 12 noon in Downtown Atlanta. The parade begins at Peachtree St. and Ralph McGill and goes past Woodruff Park to Underground Atlanta. Here’s a map of the parade route.
I LOVE a parade and this one is a wonderful family friendly event. Of course there are the requisite marching bands, clowns, schools of Irish dance with girls in those fabulous dresses and Catholic grade school floats. But this parade also has the 501st Stormtroopers from Star Wars, in kilts no less. Always a HUGE hit with my boys.
After the parade, head to Underground Atlanta for the St. Patrick’s Day party and celebration. It’s a family event with Irish dancers, singers and performers. While you’re there, have your head shaved for St. Baldrick’s.
What: Musical Group for Kids Laughing Pizza Where and When: Saturday, March 13, Towne Center Mall, Meet and Greet and Performance, 12 – 3 pm
Sunday, March 14, GPB TV, 3 pm Cost: The Towne Center program is FREE, Tickets to Sunday’s show are $10 for children and $15 for adults
Don’t be sad if you didn’t win. There are still several opportunities for you to meet and party with the Pizzas. On Saturday, Laughing Pizza (mom Lisa, Dad Billy and daughter Emily) will be shaking hands, kissing babies and signing autographs at Towne Center Mall from 12 – 3 pm. Rumor has it they will also perform. This is a FREE event and a great way to get pysched for Sunday.
On Sunday, March 12 at 3 pm, Laughing Pizza is playing a concert at GPB TV to launch their new CD “Let’s Go Play!” and the television premiere of the new “Let’s Go Play!” video. In addition to a great show, you’ll also have a chance to see the full video before it hits the airways. There are only about 100 tickets left to the show and they generally sell out, so make sure to order them today. I’ll be introducing the band, so please say “hello”.
After Sunday’s show, join us for our very own Pizza Party at Pizzeria Venti off Lenox Rd. Pizzeria Venti is offering a Laughing Pizza Special – $20 Family Dinner including full pan of pizza (cheese, pepperoni or sausage) + endless salad + 4 sodas. What a fabulous way to cap off a great weekend.
I know I said we’d announce the winner of the Spring Awakening tickets last Friday, but I was out of town and had some technology issues, so we’re announcing it today! Del Kittendorf, you are the winner of the Spring Awakening Tickets for Tuesday, March 9th at 8 pm at the Fox Theatre. Your tickets will be waiting at the media will call. This is not the regular will call, it’s just outside the theatre doors. Have fun and let us know what you thought.
There is still another day to register to win tickets to see Laughing Pizza on Sunday, March 14 at GPTV. Afterwards, we’re going to have our own Pizza Party at Pizzeria Venti, off Lenox Rd. So purchase your tickets today and plan to join us after the show for our own Pizza Party.
I always love to see who will be a guest on the days I do Better Mornings. Apparently I missed meeting one of the Harlem Globetrotters by one day. They’re scheduled to be on the show tomorrow. Darn! I love the Harlem Globetrotters. If I can swing it with everyone’s schedule, I’m getting tickets for the show on March 13th.
If you like to read about places before you go, check out the Scholastic Book Warehouse Sale. They have hundreds of books for $5 or less.
Technically the sale is for educators, librarians or book fair volunteers, but if you’ve got a child, chances are you’ve been a book fair volunteer. You must register for the sale, but once you do, you’ll receive an addition coupon for $10 off a purchase of $60 or more and $15 off a purchase of $100 or more.
Where: Philips Arena When: Sunday, March 7 and Sunday, March 14 @ 5 pm Cost: Kids Get a FREE Ticket with a Paying Adult
Who isn’t a hockey fan after watching the US Olympic team go into overtime against Canada. Not exactly the outcome we were looking for, but I’m sure it’s inspired more than a few kids to strap on skates, rollerblades, or just a pair of socks in the hallway.
If you’d like to see some real hockey action with the kids, your in luck. The Atlanta Thrashers have two more Kid’s Days this season (kids under 12 are free with a paying adult). One is on Sunday, March 7 and the other is March 14. The games are a kid friendly 5 pm.
If you’ve got a birthday coming up, you can get a free ticket to a game through the Thrasher’s Birthday Club. Check out the Atlanta Thrashers site for other discounts.
What:Spring Awakening Where:Fox Theatre When: Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 8 pm Cost: $25.25 – $56.85 (with Ticketmaster Fees) or win them here
I’m bummed I can’t go to this show, it looks great and has won eight Tony awards including Best Musical. It’s a coming of age story, written in the 1800’s but updated with rock music. This isn’t one you want to take the kids to though. It’s recommended for mature audiences due to “mature themes, sexual situations and strong language.” Kinda makes you want to see it even more huh.
If you’d like to win tickets to the show, just become a subscriber of Field Trips with Sue (if you aren’t already, click the Subscribe button on the top right of the blog. It’s free.) We’ll choose the winner of Friday.
Want an extra chance to win? Follow me @suerodman on twitter and tweet: I want to win tickets to Spring Awakening @thefoxtheatre from Field Trips with Sue #ftws.
What: Laughing Pizza in Concert Where: GPTV, 260 14th Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 When: Sun., March 14, doors open at 2 pm, concert at 3 pm Cost: $15 per adult, $10 per child (or win tickets here, see below for details)
Laughing Pizza, the musical group for kids that appears on PBS and the Disney Channel will be playing a hometown concert (they live in Atlanta) on Sunday, March 14 at the GPTV building on 14th St. in Midtown. The concert is the official kick-off for their new CD and video “Let’s Go Play.” They’ll also have a special meet and greet after the show. Yours truly will be introducing them and hanging out for the show.
I’d heard of Laughing Pizza before, but hadn’t really listened to any of the songs until Kim Elkins, an Associate Pizza, gave my youngest a box of CDs, videos and a t-shirt I can’t get off him. We’ve been jamming to the Pizza’s ever since.
If you can’t make it down to the performance at GPTV, the band has a “Meet & Greet” at Towne Center at Cobb on Sat. March 13 at 12 noon. Fans can have a CD or DVD signed, get a poster and a photo with TV’s family band. There will be free giveaways, stickers, bookmarks, and a chance to win tickets to the Laughing Pizza performance on Sunday at the GPB TV Studios!
How to Win Tickets and a Pizza Prize Pack: To win 2 tickets to the show, a CD and Laughing Pizza poster, become a subscriber of Field Trips with Sue (Click the Subscribe button on the top right of the blog) and leave a comment below. We’ll choose one winner on Monday. Want an extra chance to win? Follow @suerodman on twitter and tweet: I want to win tickets to the Laughing Pizza Show on Field Trips with Sue #FTWS.
What:Kids@Kollege When: March 13, 2010, 12 – 4 pm Where: Georgia Tech Campus – Outdoor fields at the Campus Recreation Center Cost: FREE, put pre-registration required. The first 350 kids to arrive get a free t-shirt.
This fun day at Georgia Tech will offer activities for kids elementary through high school age. Parents are welcome to stay with the children, or drop them off.
Roddy James, a starting A-Back for the Georgia Tech football team will kick off the event, followed by a student a capella group performance. Different departments will host science experiments, and student groups play sports and games with the kids. In addition, there will be two bounce houses and a giant slide. There’s even an appearance by the Ramblin’ Wreck and an opportunity to have your picture taken with the iconic car.
Nickelodeon Parents' Pick for Best Local Blog in Atlanta
1. The Augusta Canal National Heritage Area – Built in 1845 to harness the power of the Savannah River, the canal has a historic past that comes to life in an award winning, hands-on, Interpretive Center. A section on child labor lets kids, and adults, test their skill at refilling spools on the manufacturing line. After the museum, take a ride down the canal in an electric powered Petersburg boat. Be nice to the driver, he normally has bread for youngsters to feed the many waterfowl along the route.
4. President Woodrow Wilson’s Boyhood Home – President Wilson was 4 years-old when he moved to Augusta. He left at the age of 14. During that time, he saw train loads of wounded Civil War soldiers arrive at the hospital less than 1/2 mile from his house. When the hospital overflowed, the wounded were taken to the church where “Tommy’s” father was a minister. When that space was full, the wounded overtook the Catholic Church on the other side of his boyhood home. I’m sure this experience had a profound impact on this future wartime president and creator of the League of Nations. A fun treasure hunt while you’re there: find the “Tom” etched in the window.
5. The Augusta Museum of History - Chronicling 12,000 years of history, this museum covers a lot of ground. There are hands-on exhibits (see if you can carry a Civil War backpack and gun) to full sized locomotives. A new James Brown exhibit lets visitors practice their dance moves with the Godfather of Soul. Of course no history of Augusta would be complete without golf and the newly opened Celebrating a Grand Tradition, The Sport of Golf gives a good history of the sport in the city.
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