familyfun

Spend the Day in @TheHeartofNC with these Fall/Winter Things To Do in #AsheboroNC #RandolphCounty ft. @NCZoo @SeagrovePotters @MillstoneCreek

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On November 19, 2022, I joined others on a Day Trip Media Tour to Asheboro/Randolph County which lies in The Heart of North Carolina. It was a pleasure to learn more as about the destination and to have the opportunity to share the experience with you!

Visit the Heart of North Carolina ❤️ and discover more to LOVE in NC

North Carolina Zoo Tour

The morning started with a guided, two-hour tour at the North Carolina Zoo, which is the world’s largest natural habitat zoo, devoted to saving species and assisting with global efforts. Debbie Foster Fuchs of the North Carolina Zoo PR team was our host/guide providing us with information about NC Zoo which included a behind-the-scenes look. It was great to see how the animals connect with nature and the many ways this zoo is devoted to animal conservation. No wonder the North Carolina Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. It truly is a unique family-friendly experience that we enjoy coming to. To learn more about the NC Zoo, check out my last blog post (here) about our family visit and plan your next adventure at NCZoo.org!

LUNCH-Downtown Asheboro

With Downtown Asheboro being just five minutes from the zoo, we headed there to check out their selections for lunch. Although there were many nice options all in close proximity, we chose Taco Loco (located at 138 Sunset Ave) because of the recommendation of it’s “fresh, lively interior with fresh-Mex favorites”. My family enjoyed the authentic cuisine and fast/friendly service of the restaurant as well as the charming atmosphere that Downtown Asheboro has to offer.

After lunch, it was time to head to the Handmade Pottery Capital of the USA aka Seagrove, NC. The 15th Annual Celebration of Seagrove Potters Fall Festival show was happening and we took advantage of the opportunity to meet potters, see live demos and do some shopping! The sales event took place at the Thompson Arts and Event Hall at Historic Luck’s Cannery located on NC Pottery Highway. If you would like to get some exclusively Seagrove made pottery, here is a ➡️ media guide link for exploring potter studios, annual events and to do tips for discovering Seagrove, America’s largest community of working potters, any time of the year!

Visit Seagrove NC

SobeSavvy Tip: Please note that almost every day can be a studio tour in Seagrove. You don’t have to wait for an event like the Celebration of Seagrove Potters to stop and visit potters in their working spaces. Some of the potters take January off, so that’s not the BEST time to come, but if you do come in January, the Visitor Center team can guide you to someone who is open….or you can call for appointments. Wed-Sat are the best “potter-hopping” days of the week. Visit DiscoverSeagrove.com for more info!

Millstone Creek Orchards

On the way home to Raleigh,NC from Seagrove, we made a stop along the way at Millstone Creek Orchards. Located in Ramseur, NC , this u-pick family farm offers many varieties of in season produce as well as delicious bakery/ Cannery items for purchase at the Apple Barn Country Store. I highly recommend going for the hot cider and the made fresh to order Apple Cider Donuts! It was the perfect sweet ending to our visit to The Heart of North Carolina.

SobeSavvy Tip: Millstone Orchards Creek has some upcoming holiday events and and activities that you don’t want to miss. Visit https://www.millstonecreekorchards.com/christmas-at-mco for details!

Make plans to visit The Orchard this Christmas!

Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, a foodie, enjoy pottery or just some good ole family fun, visiting the Heart of North Carolina has something for everyone! Check out their event calendar here: https://www.heartofnorthcarolina.com/calendar/

Thanks for having SobeSavvy.com Visit the Heart of North Carolina ❤️

Hey #Raleigh! Get a first look at a NEW #familyfun spot, Stars and Strikes @StarsnStrikesGA

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Hey Raleigh, there is a new entertainment venue in town I want to tell you about called Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Centers. This company hails from the metro Atlanta area and started as one location in 2005. This will be their 14th location and their first in the state of North Carolina. Although their Grand Opening Party is Saturday January 18, we went in on Friday for a preview. Under one roof you can find multiple high quality activities for adults and kids like bowling, arcade games, bumper cars, virtual reality games and they even have a 2 story laser tag arena!

FUN

So many options to choose from and so much fun. The bowling takes place in either the main area or the secluded VIP lanes where you will have a dedicated hostess taking care of your food and beverage requests. Food is not an afterthought here. Their introductory menu, which also includes a kids menu section, has some awesome choices to decide upon. We went with a sampler platter which comes in a neat fresh pretzel ribbon and kids cheese pizza and some wings. The wings are very good and you can choose a variety of flavors. Their chicken and waffles are delicious. Chicken has a crispy outside and steaming moist chicken inside. Paired with their maple syrup and airy waffles are a sure fire winner in my book. We had a couple of their speciality cocktails from their full service bar also. After enjoying our food and drink selections, we were fueled up after bowling to hit the arcade and Bumper cars.

FOOD

Their large number of brand new state of the art arcade machines meant there was always one available we were interested in. Whether playing a carnival water shooting game or an oversized Pac Man console game we were having a blast. Their reloadable cards also double as game winner ticket tally all in one. No more picking up paper tickets from all over the floor and sticking them in a machine to count. Just hand your one card over at their gift center and a rep will tell you the total and advise what gifts you can choose from.

WINNING

Last but not least, we rode the bumper cars and had such a blast! No old school overhead sparks flying, just smooth FAST spinning cars that handle like little sports cars! Pulsating music and friendly bumping friends really made this a thrill we will return to again and again. Stars and Strikes hits the right balance between adult fun {like the full service sports bar area} and kid fun. The staff could not have been nicer or more professional. Some of the management even joined in our bumper car experience and we all enjoyed being kids again!

RIDING

Such a class act and a welcome addition to the Triangle as a must do option for date night, family night or even corporate or church team building sessions. They specialize in all sorts of birthday packages so make sure you book yours as soon as possible!

SobeSavvy Tip: Go online and join their VIP club for their best deals, specials and promotions right in your inbox. They will even send you a special gift just for joining. For more info and to join the VIP Club/Birthday Club for FREE, click here: https://www.starsandstrikes.com/

Also follow on Facebook, Twitter @StarsnStrikesGA and IG @starsandstrikes

EVENTS

Me and my #HeighPartyof3 checked out Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Centers on a Friday night at 5pm and had a blast! Pics and videos may give you an idea but I really suggest seeing for yourself. There is definitely fun for everyone! And after 8pm, no kids are allowed, so adults can have their fun too. This place is like: sports bar meets Dave and Busters meets Kings Bowling meets Frankies.

CELEBRATE

Celebrate this 14th and newest location at the STARS AND STRIKES RALEIGH GRAND OPENING PARTY!

When: Saturday, January 18th from 10 am until 4 pm!

Where: 4020 Capital Blvd , Raleigh,NC

What:
•$2 Bowling
• Buy-One-Get-One Free Arcade Game Cards
• Buy-One-Get-One Free games of Laser Tag
• Buy-One-Get-One Free Sessions of Bumper Cars
• Prize Giveaways
• Much, much more!

PLUS, the first 50 guests in-line on Saturday, January 18th at 10 am will receive a pass for a FREE GAME OF LASER TAG or BUMPER CARS!

The party doesn’t stop at 4pm! Join us for a LIVE DJ PARTY beginning at 8pm!

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👀WATCH my YOUTUBE video for highlights from our visit!

HAVE YOU BEEN TO STARS AND STRIKES BEFORE? Let me know in the comments below and thanks for reading!

Special Thanks to Stars and Strikes for hosting SobeSavvy.com!


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Things to do in #Raleigh | Visit @OURBODYRaleigh @TriangleTown Now Through Thru March 2019

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I think we all at one time or another have wondered, ” How exactly does my body function?”  Well now you have to wonder no more. There is currently an exhibit at the Triangle Town Center here in Raleigh called “Our Body, The Universe Within” https://ourbodyraleigh.com/

Last here a decade ago, it has returned bigger and better than ever. This unique exhibit displays actual preserved human corpses and fetuses. They use a technique called “polymer impregnation” ,which in essence preserves the bodies and internal organs EXACTLY as they are. Muscles ,tendons and even arteries are there to amaze  all who visit.

The exhibit is broken down into the different parts of the human anatomy. Brains, hearts and lungs are some of the few things to behold. I don’t want to give away too much but to see the ENTIRE human body in it’s natural state is amazing.

I think the area displaying a smokers lungs and heart may have to most impact on alot of people. After seeing that I cannot imagine someone not try to give up smoking or more importantly emcourage young folks to never take up the habit. The entire experience was eye opening to say the least. Humans are truly a unique self sustaining species.

Come take a DEEP look and see how. Our Bodies is open currently selling tickets until the end of February 2019.

#FoodieFriday Spotlight on #CLTFood | Where to Eat & More #Charlotte #CLT #charlottesgotalot 

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Note: This post was sponsored in part by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. All opinions and photos are my own.

To celebrate the end of 2016, my family and I went on a road trip down to Charlotte, NC. Besides all the great cultural and sports attractions that North Carolina’s biggest city encompasses, I was there for a more basic reason: to eat !  Charlotte has quite the cuisine scene and this foodie was focused on eating like a Queen in the Queen City! 

American Girl Dining SouthPark Mall

First, I made plans to have lunch with my little princess and her favorite doll at the bistro inside the American Girl Store at SouthPark Mall. It was quite a unique experience, which you can read my full review here. Not only was it a fun time, but the kid friendly menu had tasty options for us adults too. A reservation is definitely necessary as this place is popular. Be sure to end your meal on a sweet note and order dessert. They’ll even bring a cupcake out for your child to decorate for their doll to enjoy!

Dinner at Sea Level NC  

Since it was NYE, an early dinner in Uptown was the perfect choice. I love fresh seafood and Sea Level NC delivered just that! Service was friendly and professional. Never underestimate how important southern hospitality is to a restaurant experience.Their decor is modern and understated stylish. Lots of exposed brick and wood. 

They have a incredible farm to fork raw oyster menu sourced from North Carolina and all over the country. It changes constantly depending on the season and what’s available. All fresh and delectable. 

Ooh baby I like it raw..in my ODB voice..lol, but if you dont’t and prefer something steamed, try the mussels. Plump and tasty. Mussel rule #108 don’t forget to use the bread for sopping up the mussel broth made with white wine and garlic butter !

Wash them down with a beer or glass of wine from their extensive drink menu or a  order craft cocktail called Melting NY Sour. It was what my husband called a “man’s drink”.

Their daily seafood catches and delicious dishes, like their classic Lobster roll make this restaurant a must try for visitors and locals. Huge hunks of lobster on greens and a remoulade sauce on a lightly toasted bread was fantastic. They let the lobster just be lobster. Why mess with perfection?!

Midwood Smokehouse Ballantyne

Midwood Smokehouse has quickly become a BBQ institution in Charlotte. We had the pleasure of dining at their Ballyntyne location in Charlotte on New Years Day for dinner. North Carolina and Charlotte in general have a lot of BBQ restauarants, but when restaurateur Frank Scibelli toured barbeque joints in Texas, he picked up invaluable tips.For starters, they burn hickory logs 24 hours a day to smoke their meats in a one of a kind ,old school manual commercial smoker. The general manager was kind enough to give me a tour of the kitchen where all the magic happens. Someone has to feed the smoker constantly to keep the fire going and maintain a even temperature in the smoker at all times. That takes a lot of work . More art than science and it shows in their food.We started with some smoked wings. Dry on the outside but moist and flavorful inside. 

I had a new years special that is not normally on their menu. Pork shoulder, collard greens, black eyed peas and jalapeno cornbread. This is traditional meal to be eaten for good luck to start 2017. They should start a tradition and keep this entree on the menu! It’s was that good.

One side dish you can always find on the menu is the mac and cheese. I do not know what cheeses were used but there was plenty of it throughout ! I have no doubt this was made with love.

Service was prompt, informative and friendly. The manager demanded we try some brisket before we departed , so we managed to try a few bites. WOW ! tender, tasty and perfect mix of lean and fat.Midwood is now our “GO TO ” spot when we are in Charlotte and craving REAL BBQ . Take it from their mascot, the Notorious P.I.G ..they smoke the good stuff!

After a great dinner, we headed back to our hotel at Homewood Suites by Hilton in Ballantyne. It is conveniently close (within walking distance) to the restaurant and a great choice of lodging when staying in Charlotte. Check out my video to see why : https://youtu.be/YqoCw2QHhuk

Holidays on Ice at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza

Although it rained most of our visit, on our last day, I got to work off some of that good eating by ice skating. Located outside the
Nascar Hall Of Fame, Charlotte’s outdoor ice rink is perfect for families, date nights or fun outings with friends. 

None of us had ever been ice skating before so this was an exciting family first! Skates on.Stand up. Let’s skate. If it was only that easy !! Luckily a few kind teenagers helped us onto the ice. We all held on to the bannister and laughed alot. Holiday on Ice is definitely a holiday tradition that both skaters and non-skaters can enjoy. Afterwards, we celebrated by having our picture taken with the giant polar bear and next to a NASCAR sign of course!

Thank you to our friends at Homewood Suites by Hilton Charlotte Ballantyne, American Girl brand and a very special thanks to the CRVA for the warm welcome to Charlotte! We made great memories, discovered amazing places to dine, learned that the Queen City is a haven for foodies and that Charlotte’s got a lot.

Learn,Play,Celebrate! @MarblesRaleigh @ImaxRaleigh #FamilyFun #outandaboutAva

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August is a busy month for us here at SobeSavvy.com –myself and my daughter fondly known as #outandaboutAva are celebrating birthdays ..And what better way to celebrate than with a day filled with learning while playing!  Marbles Kids Museum is a place to let your inner child run wild along with your little ones. That’s why I thought it would be a great idea to head to downtown Raleigh with my husband and our daughter for a family playdate!

But before we ventured into the children’s museum, we watched a 45 min documentary showing at Imax Raleigh called National Parks Adventure. It was in 3D and it gave us a visual tour of some of the most famous National Parks in the USA. We left the movie with more than a few places added to our bucket list to visit ! Savvy tip: Be sure to download Stealz app and get free popcorn to enjoy with your movie!

After the movies, we stopped for some fun in the sun outside in the courtyard between Imax and Marbles. Recess games and activities were set up for all to enjoy. In our gadget obsessed culture, it was refreshing to see that Marbles created a space for kids to get moving while enjoying fresh air !

I especially liked the different sized hula hoops, which meant I could join in on the fun and give my daughter a quick tutorial as seen here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BI-oUnGjk1B/

We headed inside for more fun and games. We discovered that Marbles had created a daily celebration of the 2016 Summer Olympics with Radical Recess: Olympic Edition. Lots of cool interactive activities to choose from !                  

Check out the schedule at Marbleskidsmuseum.org/calendar/   

This reading corner even had Olympic themed childrens’ books ! 

Speaking of reading, my child is an avid reader and loves to visit the reading nook in the garden. Be sure to go out to see the unique space ..and don’t worry about the bees, Marbles reminds us how important they are in helping gardens grow! 

This Saturday Aug 20, celebrate starting school at Marbles Kick-off to Kindergarten ! Practice a lunch line, get moving at recess, hop on a school bus and much more. Free for rising kindergarteners and their families. Presented by NC 529 Savings Plan See details here:  marbleskidsmuseum.org/kickofftokindergarten

Our now 5 yr old had a great time at Marbles Childrens Museum and Imax. Both places are suitable for families and a great choice when looking for something to do that is budget friendly. Marbles has been nominated for 2016 Best In The Triangle Awards in the following categories : “Best Museum and Best Place to Take Kids”.  Plan to go and have a truely fun day for all!

#TravelTuesday Tip: Visit #Atlanta #FamilyFun #Attractions & Save with @CityPass ! #CityPass

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If you are planning to travel to Atlanta and want to have an amazing experience at some of the best attractions at a huge savings, get a CityPASS. For more than 15 years, CityPASS has been the premier product for savvy travelers who want to visit a destination’s most popular sights while enjoying significant discounts. You can save 43% on 5 Admission tickets to all the iconic spots Atlanta has to offer. That is such a great deal that we here at SobeSavvy.com couldn’t wait to share with you how easy it was to use and how much fun we had using Atlanta CityPass for the following attractions: Fernbank Museum of Natural History-Here is where our journey with CityPass began.I simply showed an email voucher along with my ID and received the CityPASS booklet with tickets to attractions, insider tips and information as well as a map and coupons. We chose this attraction because I knew our almost 5 year old would enjoy the exhibits here that cover the world’s largest dinosaurs, nature, natural history and more! Our CityPass also included ticket to see an IMAX film (which is not included with a regular admission ticket). That was a pleasant surprise savings bonus! It’s located just minutes from Midtown and offers free parking. Be sure to check out FernbankMuseum.org/Summer to see what upcoming daily activities and Family Fun events they have for you and your family to enjoy! Here are some pictures from our fun-filled morning at the museum!Zoo Atlanta – We headed here in the afternoon for some family fun with the little one who enjoys learning about animals! There are over 1500 animals here but we could not wait to see Bamboo Besties Mei Lun & Mei Huan. Those two young giant pandas are so cute and playful.They are twin sisters and are the only twin pandas in the world! We checked out the petting zoo, the playground and thanks to CityPASS we did not have to pay extra for the train ride and carousel. A memorable moment was getting a chance to see the zookeeper feed the elephants and learning about their conservation. Enjoy these photos from our animal adventures at Zoo Atlanta!Georgia Aquarium – We got expedited entry thanks to CityPASS (Who doesn’t like feeling like VIP?! ) into one of Atlanta’s most famous attractions. This massive aquarium and its 6 unique galleries is a must-see for its spectacular aquatic sights from sea lions at Sun Trust Pier 225, giant whale sharks, manta rays,beluga whales and dolphins! https://www.instagram.com/p/BI0q3agDm-m/
Georgia Aquarium invites all to come and see more aquatic life than any aquarium in North America ! Take a look at a few pics from our “Funbelivable” experience:The CityPASS is valid for 9 days after first use but we were only in Atlanta for a brief 48 hours and only got to 3 out of 5 places on our to do list of attractions. Reduced admission is also available for World of Coca-Cola, Inside CNN Studio Tour, Center for Civil and Human Rights(instead of Zoo Atlanta) and College Football Hall of Fame (instead of Fernbank Museum). There is so much family fun to be had there, just let CityPASS be your guide!

#TravelTuesday ~See Why #CharlottesGotAlot of #FamilyFun #GoodFood in the #QueenCity @charlottgotalot

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I love to celebrate life, especially with my family. No holiday is too big or too small. So when it came time to celebrate Father’s Day, I thought why not treat Dad Like a King by traveling to the Queen City a.k.a Charlotte, NC !

Myself, my husband and our 4 year old daughter packed up our car for a road trip to Charlotte. I had 2 days of family fun planned for us. When researching for this trip, it became pretty clear that the Queen City has something for everyone!

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In case you are planning a trip with your little ones in tow, I can assure you that Charlotte is family friendly and an awesome place to make memories. Take a look at our family fun travel guide and a snapshot of our itinerary during this past Father’s Day weekend!

STAY 
Hyatt House Charlotte/City Center proved to be the perfect location for our stay as it was right in Uptown. It had everything required in a style forward setting. Full kitchens and comfy beds.Full breakfast in the lobby with  made to order omelettes included. Nice small pool and paraben free bath products sealed the deal. It’s location made walking to city center attractions a breeze.

*Day 1
Late Afternoon/Evening :After a day of traveling , it was nice to arrive to comfortable accomodations. The sun was shining so we headed to the hotel’s outdoor pool, which also had a lounge area. Dinner options are available at the hotel ‘s restaurant known as H BAR which is opened daily 5pm-10pm offering delicious bites from a “menu  of home-cooked comforts”. Needless to say, Day 1 was fun yet relaxing!

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PLAY
Discovery Place 
Trying to find a place that makes kids and adults equally happy is always a challenge when traveling. Lucky for us Discovery Place fits the bill. Calling this a childrens museum does not do it justice. It’s is all in one wonderland that is a delight for all! It has so many interactive and educational exhibits all under one roof. Science experiments in one room and an aquarium in the next. We learned about the power of air pressure and the wonders of the rain forest. My daughter loved the infrared machine outside that accurately measures your height by just standing underneath the beam ! It was just the perfect blend of all things amazing about our world. I highly recommend this for any family visits to Charlotte. It was filled with cool stuff to do and so much fun! No wonder it is one of Charlotte’s most visited attractions.

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BGzSnLEmhYc/

NASCAR Hall of Fame

“Start Your Engines”..Those are 3 of the most beloved words to racing fans. The Nascar Hall of Fame is a place to come and celebrate the history and heritage of the sport. Located in a beautiful building filled with memorabilia and exhibits, The Nascar Hall Of Fame did not dissapoint.  They have classic racing cars and the realistic racing simulators where at the end you get a personalized stat sheet of how you performed. You can practice fast changing a tire at the pit crew challenge and even the little ones can be part of the pit crew in the kids zone. The gift shop was amazing. You can buy everything from mini replica cars to all sorts of racing clothing and gear. Check out our visit to the Nascar Hall of Fame where we spent the afternoon walking among legends!

*Day 2
Morning: After a restful evening, we woke up ready to go sight seeing in the Queen City. The complimentary breakfast buffet at Hyatt House was enough to give us energy to walk to the nearby attractions. On the way to Discovery Place, we passed the Time Warner Cable Arena (which is next to hotel) where the Charlotte Hornets Play. While we opted to stroll ( Uptown is pedestrian friendly), we noticed other ways available to get around the Center City, like horse and carriage or bicycle.
Walking allowed us to see the beautiful skyline and amazing public art along the way, such as the four statues at Trade and Tryon streets.
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*Day 2 continued..
Afternoon: Every foodie must have lunch at 7th Street Public Market. ( I will share more in the EAT section below). The Nascar Hall of Fame does have a cafe inside if you choose to eat there. Believe me, you will need fuel as we found out this attraction is a place you could spend your entire afternoon!
Evening: For dining,nightlife,entertainment, EPICENTRE has it all in one place. Just a couple of blocks from the hotel made this a perfect place to catch and early dinner with our little one. We ended our evening by hopping on the CityLynx Gold Line, a streetcar system that connects neighborhoods through 6 stations all for free! The 1st and last stop conveniently was across from the Hyatt House.

EAT
7th Street Public Market is a foodie’s paradise! Variety is the spice of life and this place is so diverse in its dining options. For example: my daughter had pizza from Pure pizza, I wanted sushi,so Bonsai Fushion fit the bill and Local Loaf was my husband’s choice for a sandwich. The quality of the food and the variety of offerings can be enjoyed by all: families, locals, tourists, hipsters, just to name a few! The market also has retail shops great for picking up locally made items or imported goods. We ended our visit to the 7th Street Public Market on a sweet note by getting a cupcake for my cupcake and a very memorable creme brulee from Cloud 9 Confections!

Nan and Byron’s
It was a beautiful Sunday morning and we took a short drive to the South End neighborhood to have brunch at Nan And Byron’s restaurant. Their weekend brunch consists of an all you can eat buffet w/carving station, bloddy marys and mimosas. The buffet was attractively laid out in their bar area with various breakfast favorites and they even had a seafood raw bar of Snow Crab legs and oysters. The little one enjoyed the pancakes. We sat in the open dining room with huge windows that let in the beautiful natural light of the morning. Service was very good. If you ever on the South End or want a brunch with locals and not a huge amount of tourists, then this is your spot. Oh yea..their sweet rolls are decadently yummy !
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*Day 3
Morning We checked out with ease and headed over to Nan and Byron’s for their special Father’s Day Brunch. The restaurant opened in November 2013 and its name originated from Grant Wood’s well-known 1930 American-Gothic painting of a man and woman (Nan and Byron) holding a pitchfork in front of a farm. The restaurant, which focuses on new-American cuisine, is a short drive from Uptown but well worth the trip! We discovered alot about Charlotte and all of its regal offerings. We left with many fond memories of The Queen City and something to tell all our friends and family: “Charlotte’s Got A Lot” !
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#TravelTuesday Tips: #MyrtleBeach in May ~Where to Stay,Shop,Play @MyMyrtleBeach #FamilyVacation

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Myrtle Beach, SC. is well known as being Number One for Family Fun ! It is one of America’s favorite destinations to Stay, Shop and Play because of the variety of attractions all located in Myrtle Beach. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy and because of its popularity that is why the month of May seemed the ideal time to visit with my 4 yr old daughter and husband. TIP #1 : Go off season. Preferably in May. The weather is warm and it is prior to the very busy summer season.

STAY

We arrived on a Friday for a 2 night stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites Oceanfront Resort.
The hotel has two large towers with amenities befitting a resort. Full service spa. A pool complex with various indoor/outdoor pools and two mini lazy river rides. Their famous breakfast buffet is presented every morning in the expansive breakfast lounge area. We had a room with two double beds and an awesome view of the Atlantic Ocean. Hi speed Wi Fi was excellent as I had some work to do when we arrived on Friday. TIP #2: If you are traveling with kids choose this hotel, it’s a short drive to all the action on Ocean Boulevard and the boardwalk, yet quiet enough for a good night’s sleep. It was the perfect base camp for our visit.
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SHOP

You can shop til you drop in Myrtle Beach! There are outlets as well as many other shopping options. My favorite area is this urban shopping, dining, entertainment village known as The Market Common. Barnes and Noble , a favorite bookstore of ours , is there along with the movies and more than 30 of the nation’s most popular stores and restaurants. TIP #3: Wear your athletic shoes, pack a ball or frisbee and head to the Grand Park (across the bridge, connected to The Market Common) where there are open fields, swinging chairs to watch ducks/turtles, and playgrounds.
The Market Common ‘s motto is “Where Fashion Meets Fun” and I could not agree more!
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PLAY

The following are some of the activities, sports, entertainment and attractions we enjoyed during our stay.
BROADWAY AT THE BEACH is one of those one stop shop places that offers a wide range of activities. Here are a few we enjoyed while there:

*The Palace Theatre
 located at 1420 Celebrity Circle at Broadway at the Beach. We saw the thrilling “Cirque Extreme” show. Its a spectacle filled show that the whole family can enjoy!
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*RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM of Myrtle Beach located at Broadway at the Beach offers alot of interactive,hands on exhibits that my kid loved. We touched a real jellyfish in their newest expansion exhibit called Planet Jellies! There is also a cove where you can touch a stingray. Our favorite was the shark tunnel, where we could view big sharks, rays, sea turtles, fish and more in a reef all while riding a moving conveyor belt.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFZB_u0iXAC/
Ripley’s have several attractions thru out Myrtle Beach. We also checked out Ripley’s Moving Theater located on the boardwalk. This attraction was too intense for my 4 yr old but we could still enjoy the 5D inaging, surround sound and special effects from non-moving seats.

*Hollywood Wax Museum Entertainment Center gave us an opportunity to play dress-up with some of our favorite stars! They have props available to use and pose in the spotlight alongside your fave celeb. We had a ball here! TIP #4 : This attraction is open 365 days a year and closed at 10pm. We prefer to go late as it allowed us to get more camera time and gave the feeling of having our favorite star all to ourselves!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFexwknCXC9/

MINI-GOLF
If you like mini-golf, there are alot of options. We went to Captain Hook’s because my little one loves Tinkerbell. This golf course really stayed true to theme and even had facts along the course about Captain Hook, the Lost Boys and Tinkerbell. TIP #5 Grab a coupon book. They are almost everywhere..inside of hotels and restaurants. They are filled with discounts for attractions, especially mini golf!
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BAREFOOT LANDING is on the waterway offered two unique attractions in one!
*Alligator Adventure was voted the best outdoor adventure by The Travel Channel and I couldn’t agree more. Not only are there literally dozens and dozens of gators in various habitat settings, but one crocodile in particular stood out. His name is Utan. Born in Thailand in 1964, he weighs in at over 2000 LBS and over 18 feet long. He is the largest crocodile in the United States. We witnessed an afternoon feeding of the gators having their raw chicken lunch and we also enjoyed the Lemur house and snake wildlife show in the outdoor theatre. It has much more than just gators. My little one loved seeing the pink flamingos and various tropical birds and HUGE Euroasian Owls. Great place and a lot of fun!
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TIP #6 At the back of Alligator Adventure you will receive a bracelet for free wine tastings to the adjacent Duplin Winery complex.
*Duplin Winery is the world’s largest Muscadine winery. The main winery and vineyards are in Rose Hill, NC but the Myrtle Beach location also does some hand bottling. They produce over 4.6 million bottles of wine a year. We enjoyed a deluxe tasting of various popular and special reserve wines. Our bartender, Bruce was both affable and informative. He advised at this tasting we will learn the PDR wine tasting method~ Pour,Drink, Repeat! The building is bright and airy with a delightful outdoor patio which has live music throughout the summer. Duplin wines can be found locally stores in 13 states but some wines can only be purchased at the winery. Took home two bottles to enjoy later and reflect upon how special this place is.
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Medieval Times is the ultimate ‘knight’ time attraction because it includes dinner and a show or shall I say tournament! Once you walk thru the drawbridge into the castle, you are transported to a place and time where lords, ladies, princesses, kings come together to feast and enjoy the pageantry and thrills of an authentic medieval tournament!
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We ended our vacation at the 35th Annual World Famous Blue Crab Festival: A Little River, SC tradition featuring over 300 vendors, entertainment and a children’s area. Located just 20 miles north of Myrtle Beach, we thought it would be nice to stop thru on the way back home. Since children under 12 are free, I was able to giveaway a pair of tickets as a surprise to some festival goers. Here are some pictures from our “Sunday Funday” :
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I look forward to making future memories in Myrtle Beach! For current event info, dining, entertainment options, maps and more, go to visitmyrtlebeach.com and plan your family vacation TODAY!

@PeppaPigLive makes a Big Splash @DPAC #PeppaPig #peppapiglive #OnlyatDPAC

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New Live-Action Adventure ‘Peppa Pig’s Big Splash’ Brings Hit Nick Jr. TV Series to Life on Stage at DPAC on April 7, 2016. My daughter was so excited to see Peppa Pig’s first-ever U.S Live theatrical tour and could not wait to sport her ‘Peppa Pig’ tee to the show! She was ready to have more fun than a muddy puddle!
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This live action show features a mix of life-size puppets/costume characters and stars Peppa Pig, from the top-rated TV series, airing daily on Nick Jr. “Peppa Pig is an absolute superstar among the preschool set and their families all across America and she will be making her biggest splash yet with the upcoming tour, now set to visit 65 additional cities in 2016,” said Jonathan Shank, Red Light Management, a producer of Peppa Pig’s Big Splash. “With many of the initial shows already sold out and many more performances added to accommodate the strong demand for tickets, Peppa Pig’s theatrical tour is proving to be one hot ticket for families this fall!”
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In Peppa Pig’s Big Splash, the nursery roof is leaking and Peppa and her friends need to fix it quickly. They set up a fair to raise money so Mr. Bull can do the repairs. There’s plenty of fun to be had as Peppa, George, Mummy and Daddy Pig, along with Danny Dog, Pedro Pony and Suzy Sheep work together to organize an exciting day out complete with a Champion Puddle Jumping competition judged by Mr. Potato, where everyone gets wet! We found ourselves singing, dancing, laughing, and jumping in muddy puddles too- just like Peppa. We had a such a blast at Peppa Pig’s Big Splash!

Due to popular demand, “Peppa Pig’s Big Splash” has added 31 additional cities to its tour. That means the popular pig will be back at the Durham Performing Arts Center Sept. 27 at 6 p.m., extending the brand’s first-ever U.S. tour through fall 2016. 
For Tickets go to :
¡      Online at DPACnc.com

¡      DPAC Ticket Center: 919.680.2787, 123 Vivian Street, Durham, NC

¡      Ticketmaster.com / Ticketmaster Charge by phone at 800.745.3000

Fans can also purchase tickets and find more information at www.peppapiglive.com .
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DPAC’s “Peppa Pig Live!” show scheduled for April 7 sold out quickly so buy your tickets now for the Sept. 27 show as it is expected to sell out quickly too! Buy early for best seats here: bit.ly/PeppaPig_Sept27
This is definitely family fun event you do not want to miss.

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#FamilyFun with #OutandAboutAva at @UniverSoulCircus @WalnutCreekAmp #BestCircusEver #UniverSoulcircus in #Raleigh

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Looking for some family fun to have with your little ones?
Well, UniverSoul Circus aka “Best Circus Ever” is here in Raleigh until March 13th at the Walnut Creek Amphitheatre! Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.Com or 1-800-745-3000.

UniverSoul Circus has been ranked among Ticketmaster’s Top 25 Most Requested Family Events for its highly interactive combination of circus arts, acrobatic stunts, dance, and comedy set to popular music that spans genres. Fans of all ages are invited to go on an unforgettable journey of light, sound and soul. Get ready for electrifying, edge-of-your-seat performances, including extreme motorsports, back-flipping canines, backwards bicycles, disco-dancing pachyderms, free-flying aerial acts and much much more!

Rated as one of the top three circuses in America, UniverSoul Circus has globally sourced performers, whom hail from locales as diverse as Colombia, South Africa, Russia, and Trinidad and Tobago. This family fun event is truly bridging cultures from around the world –
1 Smile, 1 Thrill and 1 Song at a time!

Visit universoulcircus.com/raleigh for tickets and details and be sure to follow:
http://www.facebook.com/universoulcircus
http://www.instagram.com/universoulcircus
http://www.universoulcircus.com

Congratulations again to Paris W. , winner of the #SobeSavvyGiveaway for a family 4 pack of tickets. Thanks for sharing this picture of you and yours at Universal Circus!
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Although my daughter was not a big fan of the clowns, #OutandaboutAva enjoyed her first UniverSoul Circus!
The music, the magic, the memories made are just a few of the many reasons to go see the show under the Big Top next time they make a stop in a city near you!

Here are some fun pictures and video from last night’s show:
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