Travel

Jurassic Quest at Coney Island Amusement Park

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August 17, 2020 By Jennifer Lambert 1 Comment

Our dinosaurs are ready and raring to return from extinction. After sold out weekends in San Antonio, Dallas, OKC, and Detroit, we will now be migrating to Cincinnati, OH, August 21 – August 30, with our FIRST EVER JURASSIC DRIVE-THRU!

The nation’s best touring dinosaur exhibit has been transformed into an interactive drive-thru experience, featuring over 70 moving and life-like dinosaurs, as well as our 50 foot-long Megalodon! The drive-thru experience has seen over 100,000 cars and 400,000 people in attendance since launching the national tour in mid-July. Although the drive-thru experience means guests will stay safe inside their vehicle, you’ll still need to watch out for the swinging tail of our 80 foot-long Spinosaurus!

The Jurassic Quest Drive Thru is the only place to encounter some of the largest dinosaurs to ever roam the earth, and some of the eeriest marine creatures to ever lurk the ocean’s depths, from the safety of your family vehicle. Cincinnati guests will be among the first in the nation to go on a quest with our online audio tour that will lead them throughout the thrilling dinosaur safari.

Currently touring as a Drive-Thru only. The largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibition in North America. Now with new animatronic water dwellers, Jurassic Quest is the only dinosaur event that has up to 100, true to life-sized dinosaur replicas from the very small, to the gigantic, to those found under the sea. Guests will witness their favorite dinosaurs move, roar and roam and have the chance to interact with baby dinosaurs and adolescent dinosaurs, including the T. Rex, Spinosaurus, Triceratops and many others. With the addition of Ancient Oceans, guests will also be able to “swim” with our 50 foot long, prehistoric Megalodon!

For $49 per vehicle (9 people or fewer), your dino crew can time-travel and enjoy about an hour-long ride back in time.

Happening at the spacious Coney Island Amusement Park, Jurassic Quest worked in collaboration with leading paleontologists to ensure each dinosaur was painstakingly replicated in every detail. Guests will have the chance to drive through realistic scenes, without leaving their own vehicles, depicting how we understand dinosaurs looked and moved!

In addition to the life-like dinosaur exhibits, there will be opportunities to visit with our one-of-a-kind baby dinosaurs and our team of dino trainers as well as the chance to capture the moment with a safari-style photo of your vehicle and family transported back in time via a Jurassic setting complete with a dinosaur backdrop.

All attendees will leave with the same bragging rights, “We Survived Jurassic Quest 2020!” One photo per family is FREE and included in ticket purchase.

We will continue to take extra precautionary measures to provide a clean and safe event. Guests are to remain in vehicles and to wear masks in the event they exit the vehicle in allowed areas, including complimentary restrooms and the Dino Store.

Social distancing rules will be requested of all guests and maintained by Jurassic Quest crew. We will be sanitizing equipment, dinosaurs, and workstations more frequently and thoroughly throughout the entirety of the event. Our employees will be applying hand sanitizer and washing their hands regularly throughout each day, in addition to wearing masks. Guest safety and enjoyment is our top priority.

Those willing to take the challenge and join our Cincinnati Drive Thru Quest will need to buy tickets in advance online at www.jurassicquest.com. Tickets are $49 per vehicle. Guests must travel through the drive-thru in the comfort of their own vehicle – no rentals or golf carts will be provided and walkers are not allowed. To ensure participant safety, all guests must ride inside their vehicles (yes, pets inside vehicles are allowed), no riders in truck beds, however. Trailers are also not allowed – we’re worried they might tempt the hungry dinos too much! Oversized vehicles and vehicles with more than 9 riders are allowed but will need to contact Customer Service, customerservice@jurassicquest.com, for pricing and scheduling. A full list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found online, https://www.jurassicquest.com/drive-thru-faqs. For more information and to buy tickets visit www.JurassicQuest.com. Whether they are big or small, young or old, guests of Jurassic Quest have a dino-mite time!

Event: Jurassic Quest

Place: Coney Island Amusement Park

Date: August 21 – August 30, 2020, Timeslots and hours will vary by day (Closed Monday & Tuesday, August 24 -25)

Hours: 11 am – 8 pm opening day, August 21; 9 am – 8 pm daily

Admission: Tickets available online: https://www.jurassicquest.com/events/drive-thru-cincinnati

Cost for entry: $49 per vehicle.

Our Review

We attended Jurassic Quest as a family on the morning of Friday, August 21, 2020.

I will say I was a little apprehensive going with my kids who are older – ages 10, 13, and 14. I was concerned they would be too old and find it silly, but I needn’t have worried! We all loved it!

We found the entrance easily with our GPS app.

We thought the audio tour was wonderful. Great information, storytelling, and fun asides about William Shakespeare and Pluto. We laughed so hard we almost had to rewind it.

I do recommend best viewing out the driver’s side but the path zig zags through so everyone gets a good look.

We were impressed with the animatronic dinosaurs in their displays. We drove through and never felt rushed. I don’t think there was anyone behind us at all.

There were sounds for many dinosaurs, even though we can only speculate what they could have sounded like based on current animals that may have similar features.

We loved seeing all the different dinosaurs sorted into their various geological periods.

There are carnivores and herbivores, feathered, furred, flying, and swimming dinosaurs.

We were thrilled to see a life-size megalodon.

Oh no! This T Rex got hungry for Triceratops!

Thankfully, the companion Triceratops is ready to defend!

Watch out for the runaway T Rex!

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Why Now Is a Great Time To Travel by RV

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June 30, 2020 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

Summer’s arrival rings in the travel season, but this year, things are a little different. The coronavirus pandemic has many rethinking their plans. Even as economies across the U.S. and around the world are beginning to open, for a lot of people, there is a great deal of uncertainty about how safe it is to take a vacation.

While airlines, trains and cruise lines are still in operation, most are functioning on drastically reduced schedules. Car travel is an option, but it does require frequent stops to use public facilities, potentially in virus hotspots. These modes of transportation might make the idea of a vacation a little less appealing. Never fear, there is another choice.

RV Travels

If you are still itching to get out of town, now is a great time to hit the road in an RV. Sales for recreational vehicles have skyrocketed during the pandemic, as many realize the benefits of owning one at a time when other options feel riskier. Before you buy, however, you might want to consult a financial planner, like Robert Ryerson, who can help you determine if the investment in an RV is right for you.

Safety First

When you travel in a motorhome or haul a trailer, you carry virtually everything you need with you, including the restroom, your food, and a place to lay your head at night. Traveling across the country in an RV reduces your risks of exposure during your journey. Between home and your destination, the only time you really need to get out is to fuel up.

Staying at a campground is safer than a hotel, especially when you are in a self-contained unit. Unless you opt for a camper van, popup or truck camper, chances are your RV will include a shower and toilet. This means that you and your family will not have to worry about accessing the facilities at the campground. As an added bonus, meeting new people is safer when you are outside and can easily stand six feet apart!

So Many Choices

During the first few months of the coronavirus pandemic, stay-at-home orders left many feeling confined and isolated. If you are ready to burst out of the four walls of your home, an RV offers freedom. While many states saw different levels of campground closures, most are now re-opening, though there still might be restrictions involved. For instance, you can expect pool closures in a majority of locations.

The type of trip you want will help you decide where to park your rig. Whether its the mountains, high plains, desert or coasts calling your name, an RV can take you there. From private resorts to State and National Parks, your options for places to stay are virtually endless. Just be sure to call ahead and reserve your spot, especially at the more popular locations.

The pandemic is changing the way many people live and travel. If you want a vacation but are hesitant to embark on a traditional car trip or cruise, and you are reluctant to fly, an RV is a great choice. For those who aren’t prepared to buy, renting is always an option. Beware, though, you might just get hooked on the freedom you experience when you travel in a house on wheels.

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SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park

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January 5, 2020 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

The Mission of SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park is to protect, preserve and research the cultural remains of the SunWatch National Historic Landmark archaeological site and to serve as a visitor and educational center for archaeology, Native American culture, and heritage stewardship as they relate to the site.

Our Boonshoft membership is reciprocal with Sunwatch and Fort Ancient.

SunWatch has an historical video about how the site was found and the work they’re doing here.

There’s a nice little museum and shop, and then, of course, the recreated village.

Village model:

There are artifacts, bones, and reenacted displays:

The village is still an archaeological site:

Visit SunWatch:

Adults $7.00
Seniors (60+) $6.00
Students (6-17) $6.00

April–November
Tuesday-Saturday
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sunday: noon-5:00 p.m.
Closed on Mondays

December–March
Closed except for special events or by appointment. Call 937.268.8199 to book your group visit or field trip!

Closed: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Easter

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Chicago with Kids

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October 14, 2019 By Jennifer Lambert 14 Comments

We spent a long weekend in Chicago last April.

The kids have never been to Chicago. Aaron grew up about an hour south of there and Liz and I have been twice with him.

We found an apartment (with a hot tub!) near Guaranteed Rate Field. We were close to the train station, just a few blocks of a walk. There was a huge Mariano’s store, a Kroger affiliate just down the street.

We ate breakfast, then set off to explore each day. We wound down in our hot tub each evening.

Day 1: Chinatown

We drove a couple train stations away to Chinatown and parked near the Nine Dragons Gate. We walked around and bought some tea and looked in windows.

We had the most amazing Mandarin Chinese food I’ve ever eaten at Potsticker House.

Day 2: Cubs Game

We took the train to Wrigley Field.

We got there early to get some cool Cubs gear.

The kids got certificates for their first Cubs game!

The kids watched the warm-up. It was nice in the sun.

It was free blanket day and I am sure glad because it was freezing!

CUBS WIN!

We ate local Chicago pizza for dinner near our apartment at Ricobene’s.

Day 3: Art Institute

We took the train downtown and viewed the street art down to the Art Institute.

I love, love, love the street art in Chicago.

This vermilion steel 50-ton, 53-feet tall flamingo by Alexander Calder:

The Four Seasons mosaic by Marc Chagall is 70 feet long, 14 feet high, 10 feet wide.

The Picasso is 50 feet tall and weighs 162 short tons.

We Will by Richard Hunt is a welded stainless steel sculpture – 35’H x 8’W x 8’D

Bronze Cow Statue – 57 inches high, 92 inches long.

Depicted as reflections in the eyes of the cow are two famous Chicago landmarks, the “Chicago Picasso” sculpture and the Historic Water Tower.

The plaque reads ….
In 1999 a herd of fiberglass cows united citizens, visitors, artists and businesses through a unique community-based public art event. This bronze cow is a gift to all Chicagoans in gratitude for the support of the cows and other art in public places.
A gift to the city of Chicago from the Hanig family and anonymous donors.
November 2001.
Bronze Cow cast at Wagner Foundry, Inc., Chicago, IL.

The Cloud Gate sculpture is nicknamed The Bean because of its shape. Made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together, its highly polished exterior has no visible seams. It measures 33 by 66 by 42 feet and weighs 110 short tons.

At the Art Institute, the North Lion is “On the Prowl” by Edward Kemeys. The South Lion is “stands in an attitude of defiance.”

We ate a lovely lunch at Terzo Piano.

The Art Institute is open daily 10:30–5:00 and Thursdays until 8:00. Adults $25. Illinois residents on Thursdays, military members, Chicago children under 18, all children under 13 are FREE.

We saw so many favorites we have studied!

Lucent is a shining 13-foot sculpture created by English artist Wolfgang Buttress, with the help of astrophysicist, Dr. Daniel Bayliss, made of 3,115 lights, the number of visible stars in the Northern Hemisphere. It is amplified even more against a mirrored ceiling above and a reflecting pool below. It hangs in the lobby of the John Hancock Building.

We walked down to the American Girl store at Water Tower Place.

We had dinner at Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch.

Day 4: Shedd Aquarium

We saw more lovely street art on the way to the Shedd Aquarium.

Reproduced from the original historic Metro entrances of Paris, designed by Hector Guimard:

Bird Boy Mural

Agora is designed by Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz, on the southwest side of Grant Park, and is made up of 106 9-foot headless and armless torsos fabricated from cast iron.

Shedd Aquarium was the first inland aquarium with permanent saltwater exhibits as well as freshwater habitats. It opened on May 30, 1930.

Regular hours
Weekdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Weekends: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Extended summer hours (June 15-Aug. 18, 2019)
All days: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the exception of July 27

General admission: Adult $39.95*, child (3-11) $29.95*
Chicago residents: Adult $19.95*, child (3-11) $14.95*

Active-duty U.S. military personnel receive FREE general admission with proper ID.

Blue Star Families Program
Memorial Day through Labor Day, active-duty U.S. military and up to five family members receive free general admission to Shedd. Proper ID is required.

We loved the Belugas, Aquatic Presentation, and all 8 around the world exhibits. We’re so pleased with how much conservation they support.

Shedd is a full day of fun!

We had dinner at Santorini.

We stopped by one last monument before heading home the next morning, the old stockyard gate:

There’s never enough time to see everything, but I think we used our time well and saw so much!

What’s your favorite thing in Chicago?

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Cincinnati Art Museum

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August 27, 2019 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

There’s a pretty good selection of various art from around the world and across the ages.

We like the Islamic Art wing.

We visited the Albrecht Dürer exhibit in February 2018.

Dürer made six prints of Jerome, one of the most popular saints of the German Renaissance.

We visited the Terracotta Warriors in August 2018.

I never really expected to view these and we jumped at the chance to go see them. It was almost at the last minute because this was a busy time for us. They only had 5 tickets left that day and we nabbed them!

Also, the Art of Robert McCloskey was another exhibit at this time. It was cute.

Visit Cincinnati Art Museum.

Special Exhibition Ticket Pricing

General public	Seniors
(ages 18 and up) $12	(ages 65+) $6
Children	Children 5
(ages 6-17) $6	and under FREE
College students	Thursday
(with valid ID) $6	5–8 p.m. FREE

General Admission is always FREE!

Parking is FREE in Museum lots.

Tuesday–Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Thursdays 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

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National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

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August 26, 2019 By Jennifer Lambert 1 Comment

This museum is too big to do all in one day!

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force galleries present military aviation history, boasting more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles on display in 12+ galleries.

We first went in September 2017.

We returned in August 2018 to see the Memphis Belle.

Tori did space camp this summer and there are lots of family events throughout the year.

For our first visit, we focused on WWI and WWII.

Eighty silver goblets commemorating each man who flew in the Doolittle Raid over Japan in April 1942.

In December 1946, Gen. James “Jimmy” Doolittle and his fellow Raiders gathered to celebrate his birthday, and that event turned into an annual reunion.

At every reunion, the surviving Raiders meet privately to conduct their solemn “Goblet Ceremony.” After toasting the Raiders who died since their last meeting, they turn the deceased men’s goblets upside down. Each goblet has the Raider’s name engraved twice — so that it can be read if the goblet is right side up or upside down. When there are only two Raiders left, these two men will drink one final toast to their departed comrades.

Retired Lt. Col. Richard “Dick” Cole, the last of the 80 Doolittle Tokyo Raiders, died on April 9, 2018. He was 103.

We viewed the Memphis Belle and everything else on our 2nd visit.

Visit National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Some museum exhibits have special hours.

Admission to the museum is FREE.

There is a charge for the Air Force Museum Theatre and flight simulators.

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National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

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August 19, 2019 By Jennifer Lambert 3 Comments

We had an incredible visit to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. I highly recommend it for all.

The 8,000-square-foot exhibit From Slavery to Freedom provides historical context about 300+ years of slavery from the Middle Passage up to the Civil War. Artifacts include the rope from which abolitionist John Brown was hanged to Frederick Douglass’ hat and trousers to first-edition copies of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Three pavilions celebrate courage, cooperation, and perseverance.

This humongous exhibit was very intense, full of lots of reading and historical artifacts.

It was so educational for me, who grew up in the South and had very skewed American history, even from Black teachers.

I love learning along with my children. This is very, very important history and I want the truth. Even if, especially if, it makes me uncomfortable.

In this age of information, there is no excuse to be ignorant.

We were literally exhausted and overwhelmed by the end of this exhibit. It was just so much to process. It was really hard.

Escape! Freedom Seekers and the Underground Railroad allows children and adults to play a game that gives them the perspective of a fugitive slave.

We’ve read lots of books about this, but seeing where escaped slaves could hide and how they traveled and were cared for was eye-opening.

It made us confront ourselves and the question of what would we have done?

Freedom’s flame continues to light the way, no matter the weather.

Muhammad Ali and first lady Laura Bush jointly lit the eternal flame of freedom when ground was broken for the center in 2002.

Poignant with a gorgeous view of Cincinnati and the Ohio River.

People knew once they crossed that river, they were mostly safe from slavery, but new laws kept cropping up that made it legal for them to be captured back into slavery.

The Hall of Everyday Heroes pays tribute to ordinary people who resist tyranny. Important history everywhere.

Again, what would we do?

What are we doing in the face of tyranny?

The Struggle Today examines the legacy of the Underground Railroad and contemporary freedom movements.

We actually did not do much more than peek inside this one. We were emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausted at this point. We will have to gear ourselves up to return.

There are often new exhibits and we could barely process it all.

“Journeys I and II” is an ongoing piece created by artist Aminah Brenda Lynn.

The Slave Pen, the principal artifact at the Freedom Center, is a 21 by 30-foot, two-story log slave pen built in 1830. Originally owned by Captain John Anderson, it is “the only known surviving rural slave jail,” previously used to house slaves prior to their being shipped to auction. The structure was moved from a farm in Mason County, Kentucky, where a tobacco barn had been built around it.

This was especially horrific, with manacles still inside. It smelled evil.

Upwards of 27 million people are currently enslaved around the world, more than at any other time in human history.

Americans still won’t admit what our history did and is doing to our citizens.

Visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

Tickets – Buy online.

Adults: $15
Seniors 60+: $13
Children ages 3-12: $10.50
Children under 3: FREE

Hours

Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday-Monday Noon to 5:00 p.m.
Tickets sold until 4:00 p.m.

Outside the museum, is a piece of the Berlin Wall.

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Ohio Caverns

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August 12, 2019 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

We visited Ohio Caverns in May 2019. We chose the Natural Wonder Tour.

I recommend wearing raincoats and boots. The guides do provide ponchos.

We loved the rock formations and colors from the minerals.

Lots of water down there. There were water lines from past floods.

Visit Ohio Caverns.

Natural Wonder Tour Info

Historic Tour Info

Ohio Caverns is Open All Year. We only close on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Hours

Summer Session (May 1 – September 30) : 9 am to 5 pm (Last tour starts at 5 pm)
Winter Session (January 1 – April 30; October 1 – December 31) : 10 am to 4 pm (Last tour starts at 4 pm)

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Golden Spike

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August 5, 2019 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

When we first arrived in Utah, we traveled to the Golden Spike national park for a re-enactment.

It was hot and dry and out in the middle of nowhere.

The kids were young, but we’ve shown them the pictures each history cycle since to refresh their memories as we learn about American history.

And then there’s an interesting story.

Golden Spike National Historic Site is open year round and receives nearly 60,000 visitors a year. Visitors come to explore the site and connect with one of the most transformational moments in our nation’s history. The most popular attractions include stepping out to the site where history was made, viewing the site’s replica steam locomotives, participating in historic re-enactments of the famous “Last Spike” ceremony and exploring the nearly 150 year-old railroad grade on the auto tours and hiking trail.

Learn more.

Hours and Re-enactments.

150th anniversary events on May 10, 2019.

The girls got their Junior Ranger badges. It’s a great way to get kids interested in history and learning.

We like hands-on history.

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Johnston Farm and Indian Agency

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July 30, 2019 By Jennifer Lambert Leave a Comment

One of our favorite field trips this year was Johnston Farm. We enjoyed the museum and canal boat ride.

Johnston Farm Museum

Exhibits trace the story of the Eastern Woodland Indians of Ohio and the Pickawillany village site.

We loved learning about the Native Americans of the area.

The exhibits were very respectful of and educational about how Europeans exploited the Natives.

There were several sections about Indian stereotypes throughout history and how we still exploit them today in sports and advertising. It’s so infuriating.

We learned all about Ohio canals. Then we got to ride in one!

General Harrison Canal Boat

A replica 70-foot-long canal boat used for transportation of passengers and cargo in the 19th century.

Adena Indian Mound and Earthwork

Other Sites

Farmhouse – 1815
Double Pen Barn – 1808
Springhouse – 1815
Cider House – 1828

Visit Johnston Farm and Indian Agency.

Hours of Operation

April, May and September, October: 9 AM to 2 PM — Monday – Friday
June, July, and August: 10 AM to 5 PM — Thursday and Friday
and Noon to 5 PM — Saturday and Sunday
Closed Holidays and November through March

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