Travel NC With Kids

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Free Movies in 2013 at City Park in Salisbury NC

Find the 2023 schedule of free movies in Salisbury by clicking here.

2013 Schedule of Free Movies at City Park in Salisbury NC

Looking for a fun family activity where you can enjoy the great outdoors? City Park, near Rowan Regional Medical Center at 316 Lake Drive in Salisbury, is hosting free movie nights on the lawn at Club Drive and Jackson Street on select Friday evenings.

The movies are scheduled to start at 8:45 p.m. with a pre-movie beginning at 8:00 p.m. Before catching the movie, families might want to take a stroll through the walking trails, browse the Patriots Flag Concourse and Memorial, or play in the recently updated playground. Hurley Park, across the street from the lake, offers some amazing photo opportunities along the walking trail with a nice variety of flowers and trees and two gazebos. My girls also love to check out the ducks and geese and look for the great blue heron that one can often see perched on the island in the middle of the lake.

Here are the dates and movies scheduled for 2013:

5/31	Brave
6/14	The Odd Life of Timothy Green
7/12	The Lorax
8/2	Madagascar 3

Find more information by calling 704-638-2110 or checking out the Salisbury Parks web page.

Find more fun family ideas at Katrena's blogs:

Saturday, March 30, 2013

2013 Dates for Mocksville Cruise In Car Show by Piedmont Classic C.A.R.S. Association

Mocksville Cruise In Car Show © Katrena

If you are looking for the 2014 Mocksville Cruise In dates, click here.

Those traveling through downtown Mocksville on April 1 will be in for a treat as that date marks the start of one of the best car shows in North Carolina. The 2013 Mocksville Cruise In will be held on the first and third Mondays from April through early October, weather permitting. That makes this year's scheduled dates:

April 1, 15
May 6, 20
June 3, 17
July 1, 15
August 5, 19
September 2, 16
October 7

Free Car Show in Mocksville North Carolina © Katrena

This free event is not hard to find. Simply drive down Main Street after about 5:30 p.m. on a scheduled date. You'll see an awesome array of classic, antique, restored, and special interest automobiles displayed by folks who simply love their vehicles. Some previous shows have hosted about 250 vehicles that fill Main Street and spill down the side streets as well.

Free Car Show by C.A.R.S. Association © Katrena

Take the time to walk around and you won't be disappointed. If you venture near the four oaks at the town square, you'll likely hear period music. A 50/50 raffle is offered, and some of the downtown shops and restaurants are open. Many of the car owners will share the history of their vehicles, and a few autos may be for sale.

Bidding Farewell to Katrena's Cavalier © Katrena

My girls are a bit relieved that I finally had to bid farewell to my beloved Cavalier. Over 300,000 miles finally wore out the engine, but it was fun to suggest popping the hood on my red ride at the Cruise In just to see the horrified looks on my daughters' faces!

Best Car Shows in NC © Katrena

Readers may also wish to read:

2013 Mocksville Cruise In Car Show Dates © Katrena

Find more of Katrena's articles on her Travel NC With Kids blog.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Carowinds 2013 Dates and What's New

Carowinds Intimidator Roller Coaster © Katrena

If you are looking for 2014 info, here's the article with the latest info:
Carowinds 2014 Opening Date and What's New

When is Carowinds open in 2013? Although the temperatures may seem a bit cool for the end of March, Carowinds is set to open on Friday, March 29, 2013 with an Easter Eggstravaganza on March 29, 30, and 31. Carowinds will offer a fireworks show at closing (10:00 p.m.) on Saturday, March 30, weather permitting. Carowinds will also unveil the Dinosaurs Alive! interactive educational exhibit near Planet Snoopy with the 2013 season. The cost is $5.00/person to see the dino exhibit each time you visit that area – the entrance is near the Nighthawk roller coaster. UPDATE: The Carowinds web site is now saying that 2013 Season Pass Holders can upgrade for unlimited admission to the dinosaur exhibit for $16.

Carowinds Woodstock Gliders in Planet Snoopy © Katrena

The theme park will also be open the rest of March and the entire first week of April. Families with kids out of school for Spring Break might want to check out some of the many rides, displays, and shows offered this year during that time. Several online special prices are available at this time, so if you don't already have tickets for Carowinds, it might be worth your while to look at those options before you head to the NC/SC border. If you plan to visit Carowinds several times in a year, a season pass may be the best buy. Parking is now $15/vehicle. Some season passes include free parking.

Meet and Greet Peanuts Characters at Carowinds © Katrena

After the first week of April, Carowinds will be open only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until May 27, when the amusement park will be open for guests every day of the week until August 18 during 2013. After that date, Carowinds is slated to be open on Saturdays and Sundays only through October 27. Carowinds will be open on Labor Day, September 2, 2013, as well.

Carowinds Boomerang Bay Water Park © Katrena

Boomerang Bay is scheduled to be open May 25 through August 18 and also on August 24, 25, 31, and September 1 and 2. The 2013 SCarowinds dates are September 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 and all Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in October.

Carowinds 2013 Season © Katrena

This is just an overview of dates for the 2013 Carowinds season. Readers who would like more details, including times that Carowinds is open each day will want to check the Carowinds official calendar. On rare occasions, Carowinds may close due to extreme weather conditions. Some rides may not be open on all dates that the park is open, so you might want to check before going to the park if you have a particular ride in mind for your planned visit.

Readers may also want to read Katrena's other Carowinds articles:

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Favorite Family Rides at Carowinds – Top 5 Picks

Carowinds offers a nice variety of rides for the whole family throughout the theme park on the North Carolina and South Carolina border. Finding rides for smaller kids scattered about the park is particularly nice if you have several kids of different heights who are excited about riding. These top five picks are in or near Planet Snoopy and well suited to most families with even the smallest of kids.

One tip that I would highly recommend if you are entering at the main gate is to have your child measured. They will be provided with a color-coded armband that will help you to keep track of which rides they can enjoy. The people who are running the rides can also measure height, but it would be a real drag to wait in a long line only to discover that your little one does not meet height regulations. It also takes more time for them to measure each child at each ride.

The following are some of our favorite rides at Carowinds that the whole family can enjoy riding together...

Carolina Skytower at Carowinds © Katrena

Carolina Skytower

The Carolina Skytower can be seen from I-77 as you approach the exit for Carowinds. This ride lifts folks 262 feet straight up as it rotates around a tower. Riders have an awesome view of the entire amusement park from this vantage point!

Those who are afraid of heights might be a bit nervous on this ride, but many people find this ride to be relaxing and interesting, especially if this is your first trip to Carowinds. This ride has some air flowing through it, but it is not air conditioned to a cool temperature. I would recommend riding the Skytower early on the visit as you pick areas of the park to visit.

Character Carousel at Carowinds © Katrena

Character Carousel

The Charater Carousel, built in 1923 has 68 horses and is the oldest ride in the amusement park. The lead horse has golden hoofs, but my girls tend to look for the ones with the prettiest colors. I'm impressed with the detailed painting on the horses.

This ride has a covered place to park strollers and has a shaded line area. If you have older kids who want to ride the Woodstock Express, this is a great place to meet because they are in sight of each other.

The horses on the inside do not go up and down, and a couple of benches are also available for those who want to opt for a more stationary ride on the carousel. The ride lasts for two minutes.

Flying Ace Balloon Race at Carowinds © Katrena

Flying Ace Balloon Race

I'll admit that the Flying Ace Balloon Race is my nemesis. I can handle almost any roller coaster around, but put me on a ride that goes around and around in circles, and I usually exit it a nice shade of green...but my kids LOVE this ride.

This is one of the few bigger rides that the whole family can ride together. It is especially fun at night when the lights are on. Pay careful attention to which direction the ride is going if you have a preference for flying facing front or back.

This ride lasts 2 and a half minutes. It may be a long two and a half minutes if you are turning green.

Learn more about this ride and how the balloons are decorated on my review.

Snoopy Train Ride at Carowinds © Katrena

Snoopy's Junction

Snoopy's Junction is a small 4-minute train ride that takes riders around a wooded area. It used to be the Dora Train a few years back. I remember riding this one years ago and seeing an albino squirrel while riding it!

This is a low stress ride without lots of surprises. The train is covered, which is nice during summer months. Those of us who have been around a while will recognize the song Linus and Lucy as you ride around the track. This is a nice one to ride if the kids need a little down time or are not ready for the faster or more thrilling rides.

Helicopter Ride at Carowinds © Katrena

Woodstock's Whirlybirds

Woodstock's Whirlybirds are the cool helicopters that ride a track above part of Planet Snoopy. This four-minute ride is one that part of the family can ride together. It also gives a nice aereal view of the pirate ships and the Intimidator in addition to few other rides in the area. I believe a parent and up to two children can ride this one, so if you have two parents and two kids, you'll have to split up.

The line can get pretty long on this one and the copters are not air conditioned, so I would recommend hitting this one early in the morning or in the evening. The ride has foot pedals, but they are just for looks. The pedals do not make the helicopters fly any faster, but if you have a child with lots of energy, this would be a good opportunity to burn up some of that extra energy.

Planet Snoopy and Children's Area at Carowinds © Katrena

Family Activities at Carowinds

Carowinds also offers a variety of shows that the family can enjoy together. All of these rides are found at Planet Snoopy except for the Skytower. Boomerang Bay also has wading pools and water activities for the entire family. Readers may wish to learn more about these rides, including height restrictions and a map of the theme park at the Carowinds web site.

Readers may also like to read more of Katrena's articles about Carowinds including:
Carowinds – Practical Tips for Enjoying NC/SC Amusement Park with the Kids
Favorite Moderate Thrill Roller Coasters and Rides at Carowinds
Roller Coasters for Kids at Planet Snoopy

We have had lots of fun at Carowinds with our family and hope you find my articles to be helpful! Visit Travel NC With Kids and Love 2 Travel With Kids for more ideas if you are traveling with children in the Southeast.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Clowning Around with JMan at Rowan Public Library

Circus Program at Rowan Public Library © Katrena

Rowan Public Library in North Carolina offered a program sure to entertain and captivate the kids. They teamed up with Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus to offer free circus tickets for children who read five books. My kids were all about that offer and read their books immediately!

Ringling Bros. Clown at Salisbury Library © Katrena

Kids who cannot read need not worry because the program also applies for having books read to them. For the price of one adult ticket, I also got three children's tickets to the Blue Tour Dragons show in Charlotte, NC. Not a bad deal!

JMan the Clown © Katrena

In addition to the free circus tickets, JMan the Clown came to entertain and teach the kids at the library one evening. JMan brought bunches of props, music, and, of course, lots of energy!

Kids Learn About Juggling and the Circus © Katrena

Hats off to JMan for putting an educational spin on the program! People were learning and having fun at the same time. As he played music before the program, he also taught us the name of the song and gave a little circus history.

Free Barnum and Bailey Circus Tickets for Reading Books © Katrena

We learned about how the circus travels and different types of juggling. JMan also encouraged audience participation as he had everyone to stand up and dance and picked children and even an adult to help him with some of his show.

Circus Clown Entertains Kids at the Library © Katrena

It was a packed house that night and a few kids started inching closer and closer...a little too close for someone who was trying to juggle bowling pins. No problem! JMan was ready with a funny directive for the kids while remembering to put safety first.

Learn About Circus and Have Fun Reading © Katrena

What is a library program without a spin on reading? An entire table full of circus books greeted the kids at the side, and JMan mentioned that he began to learning about juggling by reading a book. He also sat down and read a book about the circus. Of course, he read it in such a way that had everyone laughing and on the edge of their seats!

Interactive Ways to Teach Kids © Katrena

At the end of the program, kids received their very own clown nose. How cool! My kids are hoping to see JMan again when we head to Charlotte to see Time Warner Cable Arena transformed into the Big Top.

JMan the Clown Entertains Kids at Rowan Public Library in Salisbury © Katrena

Kudos to Rowan Public Library for seeking out original ways to encourage kids to read while bringing the fun and educational side of the circus to the library.

Laughing While Learning at Library Program © Katrena

Find other family-friendly articles by Katrena at Travel NC With Kids and Love 2 Travel With Kids.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Christmas Hayride Through Downtown Mocksville, NC Like Being in Norman Rockwell Picture

Mocksville, located in Davie County of North Carolina, hosts a beautiful array of Christmas lights downtown. The trees and areas businesses along Main Street are outlined with beautiful white lights. Yes, there are small trees along the street, but the most noticeable trees by far are the four oak trees in the center of town. The lights on these majestic trees can be seen from quite a distance.

Or even close-up on a hayride. In 2012, free hayrides were offered to folks to enjoy the quaint Southern town in the Piedmont decked out for Christmas. Folks could climb aboard the flatbed lined with haybales and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.

Santa and Mrs. Claus smiled and waved as guests rode by. I asked one of the little boys on the hayride if he was going to ask Santa for socks and underwear for Christmas. He emphatically informed me that those were not on his list and then told me about his hopes for this year. We also talked about how cool it can be to watch meteor showers.

As we traveled beneath the four oaks, I could not help but notice how pretty the courthouse looked as white lights illuminated the large clock on top. The hayride took us down Main Street, where not so long ago the first annual bed race was held and then up some side streets and back around again. Riders could enjoy seeing a beautiful nativity scene, wall mural, and perhaps even a few impromptu Christmas carols sung by the kids and adults together.

Of course, Main Street also hosts a variety of activities, from the summer car shows to the annual tractor parade. I asked the driver if he had driven his tractor in Mocksville's tractor parade this year. He said that his work schedule conflicted with this year's parade but that he hopes to ride next year, saying his father would have been proud of the recent restoration done on his tractor. I would have to agree.

For me, tonight was a night to spend time together with family, remembering that time and life is precious and not something to take for granted. Many in our nation will not have the opportunity to hug ones in their family or circle of friends tonight or this Christmas season, and my heartfelt condolences, prayers, and thoughts go out to them.

Readers can find more of Katrena's articles at Travel NC With Kids.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

The Cookie House in Hanes Mall at Winston-Salem

The Cookie House in Hanes Mall at Winston-Salem, North Carolina may be small, but it is now one of our favorite tantalizing stops. The aroma of baking cookies beckons folks to come in and enjoy the experience!

Right beside the entrance to The Cookie House, guests can see the home-made cookies baking in the oven. The various racks are constantly turning, similar to a Ferris wheel at a county fair. My kids could not wait to see their favorite cookies coming around and to see which ones would appear next.

When entering the store, people cannot help but notice the huge cookies mounted high on the wall. They display a fun array of different themes. My kids quickly began naming the various characters they recognized on these cookies that are about the size of pizza pans.

The display cases offer a fun variety of cookies, from simple and small to large and elaborate. The decorations on the cookies are colorful and vibrant. Many of the cookies are themed to reflect characters seen on television and may be quite whimsical. A few cookies are made on a stick, reminiscent of a Popsicle or lollipop. Some look like cookie sandwiches, while gingerbread cookies grin from behind the glass.

For me, the best part of visiting The Cookie House was having the opportunity to meet and see some of the cookie designers at work. April was decorating large batches of colorful cookies the day we visited, and she was very engaging and personable with the kids, mentioning that sometimes school groups will tour the cookie shop. April has been decorating cookies for years, and she made it look quite easy as she quickly designed fresh-baked cookies in front of our eyes and watering mouths!

My kids thoroughly enjoyed visiting The Cookie House. Although I have visited Hanes Mall many times, I had never actually gone into this store, but you can bet that I will put this one on my list of fun places to see on future visits. I especially like the friendliness of the staff and how they interact with the kids.

Readers may also wish to read our visit to Old Salem, including a visit to their bakery. Find more of Katrena's articles at Travel NC With Kids.