When you’re planning a vacation during Spring Break there are a lot of factors to consider. I’m going to ask some of the tough questions that you need to think about to help you make the most out of your adventures…. and your budget.
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family travel
Tips you need to know before attending a Horse Race at Keeneland
During our visit to Lexington, KY we took a Unique Horse Farm Tour with tour guide extraordinaire, Shaun Washington. He shared with us that we needed to come back to see a race at Keeneland. We didn’t know what to expect for our first race and I wanted to share useful tips before your visit.
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Vacation Dreaming at 2016 The Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show
Each January I look forward to the Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show. I get excited about warmer weather and learn about adventures and destinations to add to my list. So what can you expect this year’s show? …
Mega Quest- Fully Underground Ropes Challenge Course
A visit to Mega Cavern in Louisville, Kentucky was on my adventure list and I was SO EXCITED that we were able to cross off a visit during the final days in December.
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Hours of Fun at the World’s Largest Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis was on my list to take the boys to for a while. During a visit to Indianapolis, we worked a visit into our schedule.
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9 Things We Loved About The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Our family went to the Columbus Zoo for the first time this past fall. The zoo has been on my list for a while because it is known as one of the best in the country.
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Avant Garden Spring Show at the Krohn Conservatory
This winter weather has me really looking forward to spring. I picked a snowy day to daydream of warmer temps at the Krohn Avant Garden Spring Show.
Experience a fresh and creative spring landscape at Krohn Conservatory’s 2014 Spring Show, the ‘Avant-Garden.’ The show will highlight a unique variety of exotic spring bulbs, fragrant shrubs, and bright annuals that are not commonly used in the typical spring garden. Red crown imperials, twisted grasses, water hyacinths, brilliant blue delphiniums, and black tulips are just some of the plants to look for among the exciting palette of blossoming plants.
Recycled materials are used in an ‘avant-garde’ style to enhance the imaginative landscape. Basket frames and tomato cages are transformed into moss-covered chandeliers, striking flower sculptures are created from layered glassware, and paint cans are repurposed to even hang plants upside down. Enjoy an early spring at the Krohn Conservatory and be inspired by the ‘Avant-Garden!’
I absolutely loved the creative repurposing of plates and glasses!
This wine bottle display was also colorful and fun!
There are also bowls with flower vases that made creative mushrooms.
The Avant Garden Spring Show was a refreshing way to spend the afternoon and a great reminder that spring will be coming soon.
The Avant Garden Spring Show is from January 18 – March 30
Show Hours
Tuesday – Sunday 10am -5pm
(Closed Mondays)
Extended hours on Sunday, March 31
Admission
Adults $4
Youth (5-12) $2
Children under 4 FREE
There are also several special events coming up at the Krohn. Check the website for dates and times.
Disclosure: I was given complimentary admission for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
The Krohn Conservatory is located at 1501 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show {Giveaway}
Are you ready for a vacation? So am I!
This winter weather has me daydreaming about warmer adventures. I’m always looking for new places to explore and that’s why I loved attending the Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show last year. I found lots of vacation inspiration and ironically one of my favorite hot sauces at the show. There is a lot for everyone to see and do at this event.
There is also a great variety of outdoor recreation represented and lots of workshops for the whole family too.
(See the kid who looks like he is picking his nose? That’s my boy!)
You can read more about my review from last year here.
The 57thannual Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show®, January 17-19 and 22-26, 2014.
A Midwest tradition for outdoor enthusiasts, families and travelers, this year’s show will feature the best in outdoor recreation with more than 400 exhibitors representing boats, marine services, campers, travel trailers, travel destinations and more.
The Cincinnati Golf Show® (January 17-19)
and
Cincinnati Hunting & Fishing Show® (January 22-26)
are included with paid admission and will run in tandem with the Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show®.
Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show®
Whether you’re in the market for a new boat or interested in seeing the most up-to-date marine innovation and technology, the Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show® has what you’re looking for. The show will feature more than 90 boating and marine recreation brands represented by 25 dealers. Top-of-the-line recreational, wakeboard, fishing and pontoon boats will be on display along with traditional canoes and kayaks.
Campers, RVs and travel trailers will be on the exhibition floor for the third year in a row. Four dealers representing 28 brands will open their doors for walk-in tours and expert advice. In addition, eight motorcycle and ATV dealers will display 12 brand name vehicles.
“Our visitors continue to voice their desire for more boats, RVs, motorcycles and ATVs. We’re excited to present our largest selection yet,” said Chip Hart, CEO of Hart Productions, producer of the Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show®. “Boats and RVs will cover 25 percent more floor space at the convention center this year. This is where you want to be if you’re looking to find the latest in brand innovation and technology, and speak with the experts to help you with your selections.”
Do you have valuable antique hunting, fishing and sporting items? Outdoor Americana experts and industry veterans Bob Delfay, Steve Pennaz and Bill Miller will be onsite Friday and Saturday, January 24 and 25, filming their debut season ofTreasures and Traditions TV, part of The Discovery Network’s Destination America channel. The show wants to answer the age-old question, “What is it worth?”
“Without exaggeration, there are numerous decades-old antique sportsman items in the closets, attics and cellars of veteran fishermen and hunters that are worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars,” said Delfay, host of the Treasures and Traditions TV series. “And there are firearms, artwork and decoys gathering dust that are worth hundreds of thousands. We couldn’t be more excited to film one of our first stops for the new series in Cincinnati. We’re anxious to see what outdoor enthusiasts in the Midwest have to offer.”
Week of January 13:
- · Show move-in (Travel, Sports & Boat Show and Golf Show)
- · Show open: Friday, January 17
- · Southern Ohio PGA golf professionals – skills demonstrations: January 17-19
Week of January 20:
- · Show move-in (Hunting & Fishing Show)
- · Show re-open: Wednesday, January 22
- · Hunting Dog Seminars, Bird Down Retrievers: January 22-26
- · Antique Sporting Appraisals, Treasures and Traditions TV filming: Friday and Saturday, January 24 and 25
- · National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) River Valley Longbeards 8th Annual Turkey Calling Contest (2ndFloor): Saturday, January 25 at 1 p.m.
Also, some specific family-friendly activities that you may want to call out/the kids may enjoy:
- · SOPGA (Southern Ohio PGA) seminars (Jan. 17-19): kid friendly and informative for young athletes/golf enthusiasts
- · Tank seminars, fishing (Jan. 17-19 and 22-26): kid friendly and informative for young outdoors enthusiasts
o Dan Armitage, Kids Fishing Fun
o Stu Eversole, Fundamentals of Fishing
o Keith Johnson, Bass Fishing 101
- · Hunting Dog Seminars – Bird Down Retrievers (Jan. 22-26): kids have fun watching the dogs perform live
- · National Wild Turkey Foundation (NWTF) River Valley Longbeards 8th Annual Turkey Calling Contest (January 25 @ 1pm): Youth division (JAKES: 13-17 years old); kids can watch other kids perform in the contest
- · Hamilton County Parks will have a climbing wall on-site: kids can climb, let go of some energy and have fun
Cincinnati Golf Show®
Swing into the New Year! The Cincinnati Golf Show® is the place to find more than 20,000 square feet of golf merchandise, resort packages, travel destinations and more. Hone your game this winter by participating in swing evaluations and golf lessons led by area PGA golf professionals. The Southern Ohio PGA Teaching Pavilion will host a number of seminars where you can gain an education from our experts.
Cincinnati Hunting & Fishing Show®
Looking to scratch-off a few items from your hunting and fishing bucket list? Look no further than the Cincinnati Hunting & Fishing Show® where our experienced guides, captains and exhibitors are ready to help you plan and outfit your next excursion at camps, lodges, resorts, and hunting and fishing destinations across North America.
Hunting seminars will be featured on the Big Outdoors® Stage for enthusiasts looking to learn everything from how to stalk spring turkeys to fine-tuning your whitetail bow hunting skills. Hunting dog seminars with Bird Down Retrievers will also return this year. Gain insight and the tips you need from our local experts and their canine companions. Seminars will take place in the 5th Street lobby.
The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) River Valley Longbeards will host their 8th Annual Turkey Calling Contest onSaturday, January 25, at 1 p.m. on the second floor at Duke Energy Convention Center. The ‘best of the best’ Open division callers will start this year’s contest. Youth and adult participants will perform in a wide variety of competition including Open, Friction, Women’s and Amateur divisions and more. Winners of the Open and Friction divisions who are 21 years of age by February 13, 2015, will be eligible to compete in the 2015 NWTF Grand National Senior Division Preliminary Competition.
Master Event and Seminar Schedule
Friday, January 17
6 p.m. – SOPGA Teaching Pavilion: Keith Fisher, PGA, Adams Golf
Hybrids & Fairway Woods
7 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Keith Johnson, Bass Fishing 101
7 p.m. – SOPGA Teaching Pavilion: Tim Lambert, PGA, Shaker Run Golf Club
Winter Swing Development
8 p.m. – SOPGA Teaching Pavilion: Doug Spencer, Spencer Golf Academy
Teaching with TrackMan Technology
Saturday, January 18
Noon – Tank Seminar: Nick Leonard, Topwater Fishing
Noon – SOPGA Teaching Pavilion: Kirk Howard, PGA, GolfTEC
Misconceptions of the Golf Swing
1 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Dan Armitage, Kids Fishing Fun
1 p.m. – SOPGA Teaching Pavilion: Tim Lambert, PGA, Shaker Run Golf Club
Optimizing Swing Development with Equipment
2 p.m. – SOPGA Teaching Pavilion: Doug Spencer, PGA
Teaching with TrackMan Technology
2 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Joe Thomas, Swim Baits, The New Go-To Lure
3 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Nick Leonard, Topwater Fishing
3 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Dan Armitage, Kids Fishing Fun
3 p.m. – SOPGA Teaching Pavilion: Paul Rooney, PGA, Dick’s Sporting Goods
4 p.m. – SOPGA Teaching Pavilion: Bill Blackburn, PGA, Etter’s Custom Golf & Driving Range
The Secret to a Longer Drive
5 p.m. – SOPGA Teaching Pavillion: Tim Lambert, PGA, Shaker Run Golf Club
Live Evaluation
5 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Joe Thomas, Swim Baits, The New Go-To Lure
6 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Keith Johnson, Bass Fishing 101
7 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Dan Armitage, Kids Fishing Fun
8 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Joe Thomas, Swim Baits, The new Go-To Lure
Sunday, January 19
Noon – Tank Seminar: Dan Armitage, Kids Fishing Fun
Noon – SOPGA Teaching Pavilion: Kirk Howard, PGA, GolfTEC
Misconceptions of the Golf Swing
1 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Joe Thomas, Swim Baits, The New Go-To Lure
1 p.m. – SOPGA Teaching Pavilion: Doug Spencer, PGA, Spencer Golf Academy
Teaching with TrackMan Technology
2 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Dan Armitage, Kids Fishing Fun
2 p.m. – SOPGA Teaching Pavilion: Bill Blackburn, PGA, Etter’s Custom Golf & Driving Range
The Secret to a Longer Drive
3 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Joe Thomas, Swim Baits, The New Go-To Lure
3 p.m. – SOPGA Teaching Pavilion: Paul Rooney, PGA, Dick’s Sporting Goods
Monday, January 20
Closed
Tuesday, January 21
Closed
Wednesday, January 22
6 p.m. – P’s in a Pod, bluegrass music
(live performance at the tank seminar area)
6 p.m. – Big Outdoors Seminar Stage: Bill Epeards, Spring Turkey
7 p.m. – P’s in a Pod, bluegrass music
(live performance at the tank seminar area)
7 p.m. – Hunting Dog Seminars: Bird Down Retrievers
8 p.m. – Big Outdoors Seminar Stage: Bill Epeards, Spring Turkey
Thursday, January 23
6 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Nick Leonard, Topwater Fishing
7 p.m. – Hunting Dog Seminars: Bird Down Retrievers
7 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Keith Johnson, Bass Fishing 101
8 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Nick Leonard, Topwater Fishing
Friday, January 24
6 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Neil Ramsey, Spinning Rod Secrets for Trophy Bass
7 p.m. – Hunting Dog Seminars: Bird Down Retrievers
7 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Fred Lohman, Spooning for Walleye & Saugeye
8 p.m. – Big Outdoors Seminar Stage: Mushroom Gear
8 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Neil Ramsey, Spinning Rod Secrets for Trophy Bass
Saturday, January 25
Noon – Tank Seminar: Keith Johnson, Bass Fishing 101
Noon – Big Outdoors Seminar Stage: Mushroom Gear
1 p.m. – Hunting Dog Seminars: Bird Down Retrievers
1 p.m. – National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) River Valley Longbeards
8th Annual Turkey Calling Contest (2nd Floor)
1 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Todd Hollowell, What’s in Your Water? How to Catch More Bass by Identifying Their Forage
2 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Stu Eversole, Fundamentals of Fishing
2 p.m. – Big Outdoors Seminar Stage: Bill Epeards, Bow Hunting Whitetails
3 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Neil Ramsey, Spinning Rod Secrets for Trophy Bass
4 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Todd Hollowell, What’s in Your Water? How to Catch More Bass by Identifying Their Forage
4 p.m. – Hunting Dog Seminars: Bird Down Retrievers
5 p.m. – Big Outdoors Seminar Stage: Mushroom Gear
5 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Neil Ramsey, Spinning Rod Secrets for Trophy Bass
6 p.m. – Big Outdoors Seminar Stage: Bill Epeards, Bow Hunting Whitetails
6 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Stu Eversole, Fundamentals of Fishing
7 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Todd Hollowell, What’s in Your Water? How to Catch More Bass by Identifying Their Forage
7 p.m. – Hunting Dog Seminars: Bird Down Retrievers
8 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Fred Lohman, Spooning for Walleye & Saugeye
Sunday, January 26
Noon – Tank Seminar: Dan Armitage, Kids Fishing Fun
Noon – Tank Seminar: Keith Johnson, Bass Fishing 101
Noon – Big Outdoors Seminar Stage: Mushroom Gear
1 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Stu Eversole, Fundamentals of Fishing
1 p.m. – Hunting Dog Seminars: Bird Down Retrievers
2 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Dan Armitage, Kids Fishing Fun
2 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Todd Hollowell, What’s in Your Water? How to Catch More Bass by Identifying Their Forage
3 p.m. – Tank Seminar: Keith Johnson, Bass Fishing 101
3 p.m. – Hunting Dog Seminars: Bird Down Retrievers
Show dates and times are as follows:
- · Friday, January 17: 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- · Saturday, January 18: 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- · Sunday, January 19: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- · Wednesday, January 22: 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- · Thursday, January 23: 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- · Friday, January 24: 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- · Saturday, January 25: 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- · Sunday, January 26: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
**The Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show® is closed Monday and Tuesday, January 20 and 21.
Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show®, January 17-19 and 22-26, 2014.
Admission
Adults $12.
Adults can save $3 on admission by purchasing tickets at Cincinnati-area Kroger stores.
Children (ages 13 and under) are FREE when accompanied by a paying adult.
***Wednesday, January 22, is “Buck Night,” when admission (children and adults) is $1.
(Admission to the Travel, Sports & Boat Show® includes admission to the Cincinnati Golf Show® and Cincinnati Hunting & Fishing Show®.)
I’ve also been given (4) Four packs of Tickets to Giveaway!
For more information about the Cincinnati Travel, Sports & Boat Show®, Cincinnati Golf Show® and Cincinnati Hunting & Fishing Show®, visit www.hartproductions.com.
The shows are also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/
Follow the show on Twitter @CincyTSB and via the following hashtags: #CincyTSB, #CincyGolfShow and #CincyHuntFishShow.
The Cincinnati Travel, Sports, & Boat Show will be held at Duke Energy Center located 525 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
Disclosure: I was given tickets for review and giveaway purposes. All opinions are my own.
Free Fun at the Cleveland Museum of Art
I was so excited that the Cleveland locals voted for us to visit the Cleveland Museum of Art during my media trip with Positively Cleveland. I absolutely LOVE art! Cleveland locals voted for each attraction/ meal via facebook and twitter for the duration of our stay. I loved this concept because it felt like a spontaneous adventure with choices that reflected the local favorites by Cleveland residents.
The Cleveland Museum of Art is also a tourist attraction that is fun and FREE!!! That’s right. .. and not only is it FREE, it also is an incredible museum with a vast variety of art that spans time periods and cultures.
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Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
During our trip with Visit Pittsburgh, we visited the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is home to more than 400 species with thousands of animals.
The layout of the zoo reminded me of the Cincinnati Zoo in a lot of ways. You go up an escalator for both zoo entrances and you walk along paths that are along the hillsides.
The zoo has a great variety of animals that are in beautiful natural looking settings.
We even heard the lions roar during our visit.
The playground near the Kid’s Kingdom area was a section that my kids could have played at for hours but we had a limited time to visit that day and we were there to see animals.
The playground is really large and is a great way for kids to burn off some energy.
There are several exhibit s that give you the opportunity to take in another view of sea life.
It was really cool to get close enough to see the rows of teeth in this shark’s mouth.
The stingray area at The PPG Aquarium was one of my favorites. Visitors can touch the stingrays with this “hands on” exhibit tank.
There are tunnels that kids can climb into to get a closer look at the stingrays.
The leopard spotted print on the stingrays was so beautiful. I had never seen one like that before.
The PPG Aquarium also has a 2 story tank filled with lots of coral and sea life.
During our visit to the zoo, we also got a special “behind the scenes” opportunity to see the Bengal tigers who were resting before going back out to the exhibit.
We learned that Bengal tigers LOVE scents! The zookeeper sprayed Calvin Kline “Obsession” on the floor before we came back. This tiger wanted to rest a bit before going back out to the exhibit.
We really enjoyed our visit to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. There was so much to see and do there. Our visit was just for a few hours but you could easily explore there all day.
Current Zoo Admission Rates
Adults $14
Seniors (60+ years of age) $13
Children (ages 2-13) $12
Children under 24 months FREE
Parking FREE
Check out their website to plan your visit.
Disclosure: Visit Pittsburgh provided my accommodation, meals and admissions for my participation in their media trip. All opinions are my own.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is located at 7340 Butler St Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206.