Community Theater - Great Way to Encourage the Kids to Appreciate the Arts

Live Theater - Great Family-Friendly Travel Idea

There is a lot of talk on the town about supporting local businesses, and travelers often look for Mom-n-Pop restaurants and perhaps small, family-owned merchants when shopping for various items on vacation. You might also consider watching a local community theatrical production.

Many towns have a local theater with family-friendly shows. Some towns offer performances throughout the year, so even if you are traveling during months in which many local attractions shut down for the season, you might find a great show on stage. Live theatrical productions can be a great way for children to get a glimpse of the arts. Actors oftentimes memorize many lines and stage cues while depending on others to handle lighting, sound, and stage props.

See Live Performances in Community Theaters

The playbill may include background information on the people involved in the production and perhaps a brief history of the production. You might encourage the kids to watch to see how the crew works together to change scenery and props. Some theaters may enable the audience to interact with the actors and crew members after the show.

Kids interested in computers and electronics might also be interested in watching live performances. The lighting, sound, and props involve spot-on timing and coordination between crew members. Some special effects are quite elaborate. Children who are interested in apparel and fabric design might be interested to see the costumes and how they may be modified to create visual illusions.

Some towns have children's theaters in which children and teens are on stage and participate in various other aspects of the production. In addition, some theaters may include both adult and child actors in productions. Children who are interested in acting or theatrical arts might be interested in watching these productions while vacationing with the family.

Encourage Kids to Learn About the Arts While on Vacation

One might think that local theater is about one step above a slide projector and a bed sheet. Actually, many local theaters offer excellent entertainment of top-notch quality. If you are planning a vacation, check with the local chamber of commerce to see where the nearest community theater is located. Some towns also offer outdoor dramas that run every year during warmer months.

It is wise to reserve seats in advance - you can often order tickets from the box office over the phone or online and either have tickets mailed to you or have tickets placed at the will call window when you arrive for the performance. Some theaters may have sell-out performances for almost every show. Be mindful of your children's preferences, attention span, and what types of shows might interest him or her.

Support Local Community Theaters

Have you ever visited a live theatrical production with your kids? Feel free to share your family's experience going to see a live performance in the comment section below.

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2015 National Gingerbread House Competition Dates in Asheville NC

2015 National Gingerbread Competition Dates and Times in Asheville NC

While some visit the mountains of North Carolina in autumn to enjoy the spectacular display of motley-colored leaves, visitors may find that all is not lost after the last leaf settles to the ground. The Omni Grove Park Inn is hosting its 23rd National Gingerbread House competition; visitors are invited to browse the entries November 18, 2015 through January 3, 2016 Sunday afternoons through Thursdays (9 a.m. through 9 p.m.), except holidays. 

Visitors do not have to purchase overnight accommodations; however, a $10 parking fee is charged for guests who come only to view the gingerbread pieces. Half of parking fee proceeds is donated to several local non-profit charities. Those traveling in vehicles that seat more than 15 passengers should call 1-800-438-0050, ext. 1281 to make special arrangements for parking.

The gingerbread creations are made of entirely edible materials with at least 75% of the entry being gingerbread. Judging is based on appearance, creativity, difficulty, precision, and consistency of theme with age groups including child, youth, teen, and adult. Maps are available at the lobby desk; most entries are located on the main floor. A few entries will be on display at the Grove Arcade, located in downtown Asheville. See some previous entries for the competition on this YouTube video.

Those in the area might also consider touring Biltmore Estate and the NC Arboretum Light Show.

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2015 Holiday Caravan Salisbury and Spencer Date and Time

Salisbury Spencer Holiday Caravan Christmas Parade 2015 Date and Time © Katrena

While many are making preparations for a big Thanksgiving dinner the day before the holiday, many folks in and around Rowan County, North Carolina are getting ready for and enjoying a parade. This parade is unique as the route travels down Spencer and then folks pack up and head to Salisbury to do it all again.

Christmas Parade in Spencer, NC © Katrena

The 56th annual Holiday Caravan will be Wednesday, November 25, 2015. It will begin in Spencer at 2:00 p.m. and in Salisbury at 3:00 p.m. The parade length for onlookers can vary greatly depending on the weather. I remember marching in nearly summer temperatures and also feeling like my fingers would freeze off back in my high school days at West Rowan. In my experience, the better the weather, the longer the parade.

Fun and Free Family Activities in Rowan County © Katrena

You can expect to see lots of school entries with marching bands, not only from Rowan County but some from other counties as well. A lot of dance schools will be stepping and tumbling too. Service vehicles, floats, churches, and beauty queens are sure to ride. We've seen clowns riding on unicycles and often a surprise or two. My family particularly likes to watch for the trolley, especially if Bryan is driving - he would have the "karaoke trolley" rides on Friday Nights Out some years. And of course, the go carts are always a big hit.

Free Fun Family Activities in November © Katrena

Those with entries in the parade may come by and hand out candy, so my kids always come prepared with bags. My kids tend to rate parades based on the loot collected. If the kids really want to rack up on the candy, I recommend the Cleveland Christmas parade. My kids say that one has the candy award hands down.

Christmas Parade in Salisbury, NC © Katrena

My family has always taken their chances at finding a place to enjoy and watch the parade; however, if you are interested in reserved seating, visit the Holiday Caravan page for more information.

When is the Holiday Caravan Christmas Parade © Katrena

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Start Time for Holiday Caravan Christmas Parade in Spencer and Salisbury NC © Katrena

Thanks so much for stopping by my Love 2 Travel with Kids blog - you might also want to visit my Travel NC With Kids blog if you are looking for fun things to do in North Carolina.

Christmas Parade in North Carolina Piedmont © Katrena

Carowinds 2015 November Calendar

Carowinds November 2015 Schedule © Katrena

Looking for one more day to enjoy Carowinds? You'll have to act fast because the amusement park on the North Carolina and South Carolina borders will only be open one date in November 2015. This calendar is short and perhaps bittersweet for those who wish to ride those coasters throughout the Fall season. If you missed the boat this year, you might consider season passes for next year - the lowest prices are usually offered after the end of one season and before the new year begins.

Here is the calendar for Carowinds for November 2015:

Carowinds Open @ 10 a.m.   Close @ 5:30 p.m.	Carowinds Closed
November 1	Carowinds closed all dates in November except November 1

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Information for this article was found on the Carowinds official web site and was correct on the date this article was published.

Carowinds 2015 October Calendar

Carowinds 2015 October Calendar © Katrena

Carowinds offers several daytime dates to enjoy the NC/SC amusement park before dark. They typically have some decorations up for SCarowinds, so you might want to steer clear of some areas if you have little ones who are easily frightened. However, the lines may be shorter as daylight hours become shorter and temperatures get cooler. Carowinds also offers some fun family-themed October activities at this time of year.

Here is the October 2015 daytime (not the nighttime SCarowinds) schedule for Carowinds:

Carowinds Open @ 10 a.m.   Close @ 5:30 p.m.	Carowinds Closed
October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31	October 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

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Thanks for reading my Love 2 Travel With Kids article - if you are looking for the schedule for the entire year, bring-a-friend dates, and other fun family activities, check out my site map.

Information for this article was obtained from the Carowinds official web site and was correct on the date it was published.

Carowinds 2015 September Calendar

Carowinds September 2015 Calendar © Katrena

As school starts back into full swing, Carowinds cuts back on their schedule of open days, but folks can still enjoy the amusement park with perhaps some cooler temperatures and shorter lines. The hot item for the 2015 season is the giga coaster dubbed Fury 325.

Here is the 2015 September schedule for Carowinds:

Carowinds Open @ 10 a.m. Close @ 8 p.m.	Carowinds Open @ 10 a.m. Close @ 10 p.m.	Carowinds Open @ 10 a.m. Close @ 5:30 p.m.	Carowinds Closed
September 7, 12, 13, 20, 27	September 5, 6	September 19, 26	September 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30

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Find the entire 2015 Carowinds schedule and lots more articles at my Love 2 Travel With Kids site map.

Carowinds 2015 August Calendar

Carowinds August 2015 Schedule - Planet Snoopy Ride © Katrena

The Carowinds August 2015 schedule includes lots of days packed with opportunities to enjoy coasters, water rides and water park, and some air conditioned indoor shows. The Fury 325, a much anticipated giga coaster, is sure to attract lots of guests in 2015. You might find shorter lines as folks prepare to start back to the school grind in the South.

Here is the Carowinds schedule for August 2015:

Carowinds Open @ 10 a.m. Close @ 8 p.m.	Carowinds Open @ 10 a.m. Close @ 10 p.m.	Carowinds Open @ 10 a.m. Close @ 6 p.m.	Carowinds Closed
August 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 23, 30	August 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 22, 29	August 17, 18, 19, 20, 21	August 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31

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Find the entire Carowinds 2015 schedule and many more articles at my Love 2 Travel With Kids site map.

The Carowinds schedule of dates and times was determined from the Carowinds official web site and was accurate at the time this article was published.

Carowinds 2015 July Calendar



Carowinds 2015 Calendar - Planet Snoopy Airplanes © Katrena

The July 2015 Carowinds calendar is about as simple as it gets. The hours are the same on all days except one date. Those who are looking for a fun summer family activity might enjoy this amusement park that straddles the border of North Carolina and South Carolina.

If you have kids who are different heights who would be interested in different rides, it greatly helps to have two adults so that you can split the group for at least part of the time. It also helps to arrive before they open, or you may save money on one-day tickets by purchasing online or choosing to arrive after 4:00 p.m.

Here is the Carowinds schedule of dates and times for July 2015:

Carowinds Open @ 10 a.m.  Close @ 10 p.m.	Carowinds Open @ 10 a.m.  Close @ 11 p.m.
All dates in July except July 4	July 4

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Thanks so much for reading my travel blog! Visit my Love 2 Travel With Kids site map to see the entire 2015 Carowinds operating season times and dates, bring-a-friend dates and prices, and more.

Carowinds Season Pass Bring-a-Friend 2015 Dates and Prices

Carowinds Bring a Friend Dates and Prices for 2015 - Windseeker Photo © Katrena

I'm guessing if you are looking at this article in 2016 that you would like to see the 2016 dates. Click here to go directly to my article with 2016 Carowinds Bring a Friend Dates and Rates.

Those who have Carowinds season passes (Silver, Gold, or Platinum) may bring up to six friends for a special discounted price on most dates during the 2015 season. The season pass holder must be present in order for the friends to enjoy the discount.

Regular price for an adult 1-day ticket at Carowinds is $59.99 – some discounts are available to those who purchase online tickets or for people who wish to visit the amusement park after 4 p.m. If you plan to visit Carowinds several times during a season, you might want to look at prices for season passes in order to get the most bang for your buck. The best season pass prices are usually available after one season has finished and several months before the next one starts.

Here are the 2015 Carowinds Season Pass Bring-a-Friend dates and prices – these prices do not include taxes and any applicable fees:

$19.99	$29.99	$34.99	$39.99
May 10 June 21	March 30, 31 April 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 June 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 August 17, 18, 19, 20, 21	September 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31	March 28, 29 April 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 May 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 June 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30 July - all dates in July August 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 September 5, 6, 7

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Thanks for checking out my Love 2 Travel with Kids blog! If you are looking for dates and times that Carowinds is open in 2015, check out my site map.

Carowinds 2015 June Calendar

Carowinds Calendar for June 2015 - Planet Snoopy Helicopter © Katrena

As area schools come to a close, Carowinds picks up steam to full throttle with their open dates. This amusement park on the NC/SC border offers a nice variety of roller coasters, including their 2015 addition of the Fury 325. If you aren't interested in hurdling down 325 feet at nearly 95 miles/hour, you might be able to see riders from the bridge.

Below are the dates and times for Carowinds in June 2015. Note that Carowinds is closed on June 28 for a special event.

Carowinds Open @ 10 a.m. Close @ 8 p.m.	Carowinds Open @ 10 a.m. Close @ 10 p.m.	Carowinds Closed for a Special Event
June 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14	June 5, 6, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30	June 28

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Thank you for visiting my travel blog! Find all dates and times for the Carowinds 2015 season at my Love to Travel with Kids site map.

Information for the article was obtained from the Carowinds official web site and was correct at the time this article was published.

Carowinds 2015 May Calendar

Carowinds May 2015 Schedule - View of Intimidator 1st Hill © Katrena

The Carowinds calendar for May, 2015 includes quite a variety of opening and closing times as daylight hours lengthen and the amusement park prepares for the big summer season. Temperatures in May are usually warmer but might not include the sweltering heat that folks in North Carolina and South Carolina often expect later in the year.

Here is the May 2015 Carowinds calendar:

Carowinds Open @ 10 a.m. Close @ 8 p.m.	Carowinds Open @ 10 a.m. Close @ 10 p.m.	Carowinds Open @ 9 a.m. Close @ 10 p.m.	Carowinds Open @ 10 a.m. Close @ 6 p.m.	Carowinds Open @ 9 a.m. Close @ 6 p.m.	Carowinds Closed
May 3, 10, 17, 25, 31	May 2, 9, 16, 23, 24, 29, 30	May 1, 8, 22	May 26, 27, 28	May 15	May 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21

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Thanks so much for visiting my blog! You can find all dates and times for the Carowinds 2015 season at my Love 2 Travel with Kids site map.

The above 2015 dates and times were obtained from the official Carowinds web site and to my knowledge were accurate on the date this article was published.

Carowinds 2015 April Calendar

Carowinds Dates and Times for April 2015 © Katrena

The April 2015 schedule for Carowinds includes several open dates on weekdays while the amusement park is open every weekend. A new giga coaster, Fury 325, was unveiled in 2015, and many people have anxiously anticipated this latest ride after several years without any added thrill rides.

Here are the April 2015 dates and times for Carowinds:

Carowinds Open @ 10 a.m. Close @ 8 p.m.	Carowinds Open @ 10 a.m. Close @ 10 p.m.	Carowinds Open @ 9 a.m. Close @ 10 p.m.	Carowinds Closed
April 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 19, 26	April 3, 4, 10, 11, 18, 25	April 17, 24	April 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30

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• Fury 325 – Carowinds Builds World's Tallest and Fastest Giga Coaster
• Carowinds Height Requirements
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You can find additional articles, including dates/times for each month in 2015 by visiting my Love 2 Travel with Kids site map.

These 2015 dates and times were correct per the Carowinds official web site on the date this article was published.

Carowinds 2015 March Calendar

Carowinds March 2015 Dates and Times © Katrena

For those who want to be some of the earliest ones to enjoy riding Fury 325, the giga coaster that was unveiled for 2015, March would be the time to visit Carowinds. Visitors who don't want to ride the mammoth coaster can still watch from the bridge or perhaps enjoy some shorter lines at some of the many other rides as the newest ride usually gets the most attention.

Here are the dates Carowinds is open in March 2015:

Carowinds Open 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.	Carowinds Closed
March 28, 29, 30, 31	Closed all other March dates.

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• Carowinds Fury 325 POV Video and First Ride Auction
• Carowinds Height Requirements
• Carowinds Aggressive Thrill Steel Coaster Reviews

Thanks so much for visiting my Love 2 Travel with Kids blog!

Note: Information from this article was obtained from the Carowinds official web site and was correct on the date the article was published.

Carowinds Releases Fury 325 First Test Run POV Video and 1st Ride Auction

Carowinds Fury 325 First Test Run POV Video on March 4, 2015

There's a bit of a buzz around town about the new gigacoaster Carowinds is rolling out for 2015. Perhaps people are excited to imagine riding up 325 feet (about 30 stories) for that first drop at 81 degrees. Maybe people are thrilled at the thought of riding a track on a ride lasting three minutes and 25 seconds at speeds reaching about 95 miles per hour. Or perhaps folks are excited at the thought of watching this brand new ride as it zooms under the bridge at the front entrance of the park.

If you are interested in being one of the first 96 riders on March 25, Carowinds is offering an auction with bids being accepted through March 15. Note that riders of Fury 325 must be at least 54 inches. It might help to have a strong and perhaps empty stomach. If you'd like a sneak peak at what it might feel like to ride Fury 325, here is the POV video of the first test run on March 4, 2015.

Additional articles:

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Greensboro Science Center – Aquarium, Museum, & Zoo All in One

Shark Tank at Greensboro Sciquarium

© Katrena

One of my good friends said I needed to take my family to the Greensboro Science Center. She knows I write a travel blog and am always looking for fun places to take the kids. I am particularly drawn to places with animals and those that seek to educate visitors about the various animals they have on display.

Otter Family at Greensboro Science Center

© Katrena

We visited the Greensboro Science Center on Valentine's Day 2015. That might not seem all that significant to most folks, but for one couple, it was a particularly memorable day because one young man proposed to his fiancé right in front of the shark tank...with a little help from the diver!

Learn About African Penguins at Greensboro Science Center

© Katrena

We began our tour inside and quickly found a room filled with beautiful animals. We enjoyed learning about the African penguins. I found it very interesting that these penguins normally live in a warm climate as I had always associated penguins with very cold environments. One penguin in particular was quite friendly and kept swimming near the front.

Touch Stingrays at Greensboro Aquarium

© Katrena

The kids had a chance to touch a stingray and enjoyed watching them swim around and around the touch tank. The otter habitat got very busy when the large family of otters was let out to explore. One of the neatest parts of this exhibit is a little tunnel on the side that allows people to go under the floor of the exhibit and stand under a "bubble" inside the area!

See Cockatoo and Other Animals at Zoo in Greensboro Science Center

© Katrena

The zoo area behind the building offers a nice variety of animals, from farm animals to tigers. As we were walking, it looked like a huge outdoor playground in the trees. Since it was pretty cold, some of the animals were not out, but a few did venture out as the temperature rose. We all thought the gibbons in particular were quite entertaining and cute. The scarlet macaw and cockatoo were particularly pretty – their bright feathers looked striking against the bright blue sky!

Foucault Pendulum at Greensboro Science Center

© Katrena

We also found quite a few educational areas inside with amphibians and a herpetology lab. They also have a Foucault Pendulum that visitors can see from above and at ground level. My daughter had visited the Greensboro Science Center with her class, and she particularly remembered the two-headed turtle.

Fun Interactive Ways to Learn about the Body

© Katrena

My kids weren't sure they even wanted to go into the room focused on learning about the body. They thought it would be boring. But they quickly got exciting because many of the exhibits were interactive and included a bit of humor to capture their attention.

See Precious Stones at Greensboro Science Center Museum

© Katrena

The kids also enjoyed checking out the various sizes of hailstones and seeing some record breaking weather patterns. Seeing such extreme changes in temperature in such a short time made North Carolina fluctuations seem rather bland! The museum also features quite a few dinosaurs and different types of stones and gems.

Tigers at Greensboro Science Center

© Katrena

The science center also offered some additional live shows included with admission and some 3D shows for an extra fee, but my kids were more interested in looking at the animals, so we just enjoyed the day doing what they wanted to do.

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