The Inside of Fort Pulaski National Monument

What: Free Entrance Days
Where: 100 Select US National Parks
When:
August 14 – 15, 2010
September 25, 2010 (Public Lands Day)
November 11, 2010 (Veterans Day)
Cost: Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservations, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

This weekend is the second Free Entrance Day of the summer at 100 select US National Parks and several within Georgia including Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and the Chickamauga and Chattahoochee National Military Park. If you’re headed south, you can also visit Cumberland Island National Seashore, Fort Frederica National Monument or Fort Pulaski National Monument as part of the fee free weekend.

Looking for ways to engage your children in nature? Check out REI’s Passport to Adventure or the Georgia State Park’s Junior Ranger Program.

What: Westville, an 1850’s living history museum
Where: Lumpkin, Ga.
When: Thurs. – Sat. 10 – 5 pm and Sun. 1- 5 pm
Cost: Adults $10, Seniors, College Students and Military $8, Students K-12 $5
Click here for a $1 off admission coupon

Westville is a working 1850’s town located in Lumpkin, Ga., not far from Providence Canyon . The museum is a collection of 30 historic buildings assembled from across the state, and arranged as a typical 1850’s town layout with commerce buildings in the center and residences on the outskirts. Buildings include various trades, a school, courthouse, church, store, carriage house, gardens, slave quarters, upscale residences and a farm.

We visited on a random rainy Thursday. Two costumed interpreters lead three different tours explaining various aspects of 19th century life. I found the cotton gin and press to be most interesting. Our guide demonstrated a hand crank cotton gin and showed us a more advanced model that spit the cotton out into a barn. The massive cotton press was quite impressive. Mules were used to turn a huge pole that “pressed” the cotton into 500 lb. bales which were then tied by hand.

Westville alone was interesting, but unless you plan to go more than once, I would recommend timing your trip around the various special weekends on the Westville event calendar. During special events, there are more costumed interpreters and activities making it a more enriching experience. For example, staffers told us during the Civil War Days program in October, there is a soldier encampment in addition to numerous demonstrations of life in 1850. Interpreters spend the weekend at Westville and remain “in character” from Friday evening through Sunday night.

What: Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club
Where: Innisbrook, Fla. (near Tampa)
Cost: Special $695 for a week in a 1-bedroom suite, $995 for a 2-bedroom suite
Photos: For photos of the resort, go to photo album on Field Trips with Sue’s Facebook page.

We spent Memorial Day weekend enjoying the Florida sunshine at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club near Tampa, Fla. Innisbrook is best known as a golf resort, hosting the Transitions Championship, part of the FEDEX Cup, on the Copperhead course. There are three other courses on property with the most scenic being the Island Course. Golf is still a big draw, but for families there are lots of wonderful activities in addition to hitting the links. For Summer 2010, Innisbrook is offering a great deal, $695 for a week in a one-bedroom suite or $995 for a two-bedroom suite. All suites offer full-sized kitchens, a real plus when traveling with kids.

The resort encompasses 900 acres, has four golf courses, six pools, a playground, mini-golf course, shuffleboard, nature walk and four restaurants. There are lots of activities for families including complimentary junior golf and tennis lessons on specific days. Daily from 4 – 7 pm, families can golf together at the 9 hole, par 3 Fox Squirrel course for free.  The Loch Ness Pool is the center for family fun and has two water slides, zero entry with sandy beach and fountains, good for little ones and crawlers, and beach and water volleyball for older kid fun. There are also poolside crafts for an extra charge. During our visit, family programming included a dive-in movie and family whiffleball tournament.

If the kids like to fish, poles and gear are available from the tennis center. While you fish, look for several of the native Florida birds that live on property. Pick up picture cards at the Loch Ness Pool and head out on an early morning bike ride for the best viewing and bring some bread to feed the turtles along the Nature Walk. In the evenings, the golf courses are open as walking trails. The Island Course is the most scenic of the four.

If you want more excitement, Innisbrook is near Busch Gardens Tampa or take in a Ray’s baseball game at Tropicana Field. Although the resort is not along the ocean, they offer shuttle service to nearby Honeymoon Island. Guests can then take a ferry to Caladesi Island, recently voted as a “best beach.”

On your way home, have a Greek lunch at the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs.

Although we were provided a complimentary room for the purpose of reviewing it (as is common in the travel industry), we only recommend places we would stay and products we would use.

What: A list of Summertime Activities
Where: Atlanta Area
When: Summer 2010
Cost: Free and Cheap

Last week Field Trips with Sue posted Cheap things to do in Forsyth County, Ga. and a list of Summer 2010 activities. Here’s another list of cheap and inexpensive things to do with kids for the Summer of 2010.

Thanks to Donna Blanton, the resident storyteller at 45 South Café in historic Norcross, for sharing this wonderful list. And thanks Heneghan’s Dunwoody Blog author John Heneghan, for sending me the list.

I’m especially excited about the Sunflower Farm where you can pick your own bouquet for $5. Sunflowers are my favorite. You can’t help but smile when you see a bouquet of sunflowers. I can hear my boys groaning already about the pictures I’m going to take in that field.

What: Mr. Greggy’s Silly Circus Show and a Movie
Where: Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce De Leon Ave, Atlanta, GA 30306 * 404-873-1939
When: 2nd Saturday of every month, 2:30 pm
Cost: $7 for all ages, which includes the live comedy show, the movie and balloons

The Plaza Theatre on Ponce de Leon is really offering some fun and unique entertainment. In addition to the Silver Scream Spookshow on the last Saturday of every month, they’ve added Mr. Greggy’s Silly Circus Show and Movie on the second Saturday of every month.

The afternoon begins with Mr. Greggy’s Silly Circus Show. The show is filled with magic, clowning, puppetry and some “serious fun.” Children from the audience are asked to help with the mayhem and the audience is invited to stick around afterwards and learn how to make balloon animals, perform a magic trick, or even how to juggle.

Following the Silly Circus Show is a family friendly film. On June 12, 2010 they’re showing “Hey There It’s Yogi Bear”, a G-rated 1964 Hanna/Barbera animated musical film. Starring the voices of Mel Blanc, Daws Butler and singer James Darren, this was Yogi Bear’s first theatrical feature film. All that’s old is new again. There is a new Yogi Bear live action/animated/3D movie is slated for release in December of 2010, starring the voices of Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake.

What: Providence Canyon
Where: Lumpkin, Ga.
When: Open Daily
Cost: $5 parking fee

Providence Canyon was the impetus for our recent spring break trek across west Georgia. Years ago I had cut out an article in Southern Living on “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon” but life and then children got in the way of a trip. So when I found myself with an uninterrupted week to explore, I decided to build a vacation around a visit.

Providence Canyon, also known as “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon” is a group of massive gullies, as deep as 150 feet that were caused by poor farming practices in the 1800s. There are 16 different canyons, exposing 43 different shades of soil ranging from light orange, salmon, red and scarlet to white, purple and pink. If you only have time to hike a few, canyons 4 and 5 are the most spectacular. Be sure to wear old shoes too. The canyon floor is below sea level and you’ll be walking through streams running through nice red Georgia clay.

Make sure to get a map at the top of the trail to navigate your way and leave time to hike the outer rim of the canyon for a bird’s eye view. Along the rim’s path, you’ll encounter old cars that once belonged to owners of a homestead that is now park land. Removing the deteriorating vehicles would have caused too much damage to the environment and animals that made homes within the junk, so park officials have left them for posterity, kinda adding an interesting twist to the wooded paths.

The park has several picnic areas, including covered tables and a playground. Make sure you bring whatever you want to eat, there isn’t any place remotely close to pick up food. If you plan to visit Providence Canyon, make time to visit Westville, (LINK TO WESTVILLE POST) an 1850’s living history museum too.

Be Aware: The Canyon’s visitor’s center is closed due to budget cuts and although there are special ranger-led programs from time-to-time, there are no park rangers on duty consistently at this park, so make sure someone else knows you are going and will expect you back.

What: Nickelodeon’s Storytime Live! Stage Show
Where: Fabulous Fox Theatre
When: June 11 – 13, 2010
Cost: Prices start at $12, Win tickets here!

Last fall we went to the Nickelodeon Hotel in Orlando. The boys loved meeting Dora, The Wonder Pets and their friends at the character breakfast. Now you can see Dora and her friends at the Storytime Live! stage show at the Fox Theatre. Order your tickets through ticketmaster today!

Want to win tickets? Leave a comment below with your full name. We’ll pick one winner of a family four pack on Wed. evening – so check back.

Want an extra chance to win? “Like” Field Trips with Sue on Facebook and leave a comment on this entry.

Want a third chance? Follow @suerodman and tweet “@suerodman, I want to see Storybook Live! @foxtheatre”

What: Kids Love I-75 Travel Book
Where: From Michigan to Florida
Cost: $16.95

As we get into summer travel season, you may want to check out my twitter friend, Michelle Zavatsky’s new book “Kids Love I-75.” It’s a great guide for families traveling along I-75, which runs from Michigan to Florida and through Georgia and Atlanta. Michelle, her husband and two children have logged more than 30,000 miles along the route and stopped at most of the locations mentioned in the book, an impressive feat.

The book is well organized by state and offers maps of the route. There is also a list of what is available by exit. Attractions are all within 10 miles of I-75. Although some lodging is mentioned, most of the entries are attractions. I’ve visited several of the places on the Georgia list and based on my knowledge of those, Michelle and her family do a great job of letting you know what to expect, in terms of hours and prices, as well as what families will be most interested in seeing. There are even fun facts about many places. New this year is an online companion guide to keep travelers updated on the latest.

If you are planning a trip to Florida, a trip up North or just a day visit along I-75, this is a great travel companion.

First, the winners of our Center for Puppetry Arts tickets are Jennifer H and Natalie. Congratulations! Send me your full name and address and we’ll have the tickets mailed to you.

This morning I spent some time with Jeff Quattrocchi , aka The SwampMaster on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. Jeff has risen to fame because of a YouTube video of an alligator eating his arm. I knew Jeff way back when (about two years ago) when he did an alligator show at the Illinois State Fair in DuQuion. Ok, so I didn’t know him, but I saw his show. How weird to meet him now. He was a very nice, normal, (well except for the wrestling alligator part) guy. His show was quite good too, so if you get a chance to see it, by all means, do.

So here is what we discussed this morning on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. As always, you can view the Field Trips with Sue segment on CBS’ website.

FREE Outdoor Movies
Flips & Flapjacks
Mr. Greggy’s Silly Circus and Family Movie at the Plaza Theatre (look for this post next week)

All-Comers Track Meet
Center for Puppetry Arts Passport to Summer Kick-Off (we’re giving away tickets next week too!)
Storytime Live! at the Fox Theatre (look for a ticket giveaway in the next week)
Summer Activity List (This is a link to one list. Next week we’ll have another)

Field Trips with Sue is excited to introduce you to another great family blog and local blogger. Jenni Hilton is the author of Forsyth County, GA for Families, a blog about things to do with kids in the northern Atlanta suburb of Forsyth County. The following is an excerpt from a recent post. Thanks Jenni for sharing.

By Jenni Hilton, Forsyth County, GA for Families
I was a working mom until about a week ago and now am transitioning to a stay at home mom. It is an odd but exciting feeling to be able to stay home with my daughters for the summer. So now I am planning on things to do that are low or no-cost in North Atlanta.

I will share the places I find and hope it helps you add to your summer adventures. I live in Forsyth County, GA so this will focus on this area for the most part. I will also update this as I go. Happy trails!

Forsyth County Parks – we are fortunate to have a wealth of parks available for our leisure. Here is a list with plenty of resources. Central Park is a favorite hangout.Poole’s Mill has a wonderful creek and shady playground.

Movies 400 – free summer movies on Tuesday and Thursdays at 10:00 am. The concession stand offers a special size $1.00 Popcorn and $1.00 Soda for these showings only. Join us this summer for free movies. Bring a can of food to support our can food drive and receive a free popcorn! (Free Family Film Festival Size only, Limit One Per Customer)

Forsyth County Public Library – activities, puppet shows and a calendar for story time keep the library a fresh fun place to go. Plus checking out books keeps our reading library replenished at no cost!

Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center- Autrey Mill, located in Alpharetta, has miles of walking trails, a Heritage Village with original buildings and artifacts from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s, animal exhibits and replicas of Native American dwellings. All activities on the grounds are free.
9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek, GA 30022.

Chattahoochee Nature Center – walking trails and educational sessions with a low cost admission is fun for the whole family.

Wills Park Wacky World and Disc Golf is a 110-acre park featuring baseball fields, a disc golf course, lighted tennis courts, picnic pavilions, walking trails and two large playgrounds, including “Wacky World,” a unique kingdom that kids rave about. Situated at the edge of the park is the Alpharetta city pool, which has a diving well with three boards, a shaded kiddie, shaded and open deck areas and a concession stand.

Suwanee Town Center Park and Playtown Suwanee – a little bit further away but adventure awaits with an interactive fountain, lots of greenspace and a great playground.

For more great ideas for families in Forsyth County, go to Jenni’s post on Free and Cheap things to do in Forsyth, Ga.