akeisel's Passport
 

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Member since:
10 January 2011

Icon_superoo_orangeSuperoo '11, '12

Icon_pictureBeen to 167 Attractions
Icon_star162 Reviews
Icon_star1106 First to Review
Icon_camera2852 Photos
Icon_thumbsup105 Helpful Votes
Compliments
About Me & My Family

My family and I love road trips. In fact, our annual road trip miles amount to at least 10,000 per year! We love National Parks and any place that is off the beaten path.
Our Family's Travel Personality
adventurous, curious, simple, independent, energetic, spontaneous
We Just Got Back From
The road (wherever it takes us), of course!
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
National Parks
A Place We'd Love To Visit
Alaska
Favorite Vacation Memory
There are so many to name. We love Alta Ranch Montana. We have so many fun memories of just staying at the ranch. We never left the place and we were never bored!
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
My daughter got car sick on the way to New Mexico. She puked in every state on the way. I sat in the back and caught the puke in a Ziploc bag for about 8 hours. Once we got to our destination, she was just fine and happy to be there.
Websites I Like:
Trekaroo!

Fun Holiday Events in and around Salt Lake City

Holidays are a time for family tradition; whether exposing your kiddos to the arts, charity events, admiring light displays, or eating breakfast with Santa.  This is a list of fun holiday events in and around Salt Lake City sure to help families discover a new holiday tradition

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50 W North Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah

Comment:
It's just not the lights which are absolutely amazing; a beautiful nativity and Free Christmas Concerts see http://lds.org/church/events/temple-square-plans-events-for-holiday-season?lang=eng



9575 S State Street
South Town Expo Center Sandy, Utah

Comment:
Holidays are the perfect time to teach kids the importance of charity. The Festival of the Trees is a traditional holiday even where every penny raised helps children at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City. Be sure to bring plenty of tissues as you walk through the trees reading about each of the heart-warming stories displayed. Wednesday, November 30 is Family Day at the Festival of Trees. A family ticket may be purchased at the Festival for $15.00. Novemeber 30- December 3; 10am-10pm Daily


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225 West 400 North
Orem, Utah

Comment:
Classic story, great venue, wonderful actors - expose kiddos 5 and older to this classic story. Performance date and times: December 8-22, 2012 Monday – Saturday evenings at 8:00pm Saturday Matinees at 11:00am, 2:00pm and 5:00pm Weekday Matinees at 5:00pm beginning December 10th Prices: Adults $28 or $30 Children $19 or $21

reviewed on: January 11 2011

"Always an enjoyable time"
My kids and I have attended several performance at the Hale Center Theater in West Valley - none at their Orem location.  The venue is amazing as you get the opportunity to sit around the round theater.  The performers have always performed well - very talented.  My kids (age 6 and 10) love going to the play and beg to see the next play offered.  I love exposing them to all the talent that Hale Center offers.


50 West 200 South
Salt Lake City, Utah

Comment:
Ballet West's annual performance of the Nutcracker runs December 2-31st at 7:00 p.m. for evening performances and 2:00 p.m. for matinees (Christmas Eve performance starts at noon). Suggested ages to the performance is 8 years old and up.


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450 South 600 West
Heber City, Utah

Comment:
Ride the "North Pole Express" on the Heber Valley Railroad train. Event includes entertainment, visit from Santa and hot cocoa and cookies. Departure dates and prices vary from November 18 through December 30. Prices run from $18 - $47 depending on date and ticket type.

reviewed on: January 10 2011

"Great for your little engineer"
The Heber Valley Railroad (aka Heber Creeper) is a great activity if you have a future train engineer in your family!  We booked a trip on the Heber Creeper after my young son started showing an interest in trains.   We really enjoyed the ride which travels through some beautiful mountain scenery.  The ride can be a bit expensive for large families and can get a little long if you do the round trip.  That is why I marked it down 1-star.  But the ride does give you some good family memories and great pictures.  Our family enjoyed the ride!

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3003 Thanksgiving Way
Lehi, Utah

Comment:
There are plenty of holiday events happening at Thanksgiving Point. -Holiday light display: 11/25-12/31 each evening; closed on Sundays; Prices are $8/car or $3/person -Breakfast with Santa: Dec 3, 10, or 17 (9-11am); $15 child/$20 adult purchased in advance -Utah Symphony performs 12/5 at 7pm; $15 advance ticket; children 3 and younger are free -Pictures with Santa: Dec 6, 13 or 20 from 6-8pm; $5 photos


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700 East 1300 South
Salt Lake City, Utah

Comment:
Experience a live nativity and original music at Liberty Park's "Echoes of Christmas" includes six live Nativity scenes replete with singing actors who depict Mary, Joseph, shepherds, wise men and other staples of the Christmas story. Live animals include sheep, a camel, goats and a donkey. Event runs December 15 – 17 & 19 - 21, 2011 each evening 7:00 and 9:00 PM (Weather Permitting) Admission is free and donations are accepted.

reviewed on: July 23 2011

"Fun in the Shade at Liberty Park"
You know a park is good when it’s time to go home and all 3 kids are sulking.  I took my kids, age 10, 7, and 2 to Liberty Park, Utah’s oldest and largest park in Salt Lake City, and all three gave this park a big thumbs up.  We tend to avoid many parks in the middle of the day in summer as there never seems to be enough shade to keep the playground equipment cool.  We discovered that the old large trees in Liberty Park provide such wonderful shade, all of the equipment stayed nice and cool.  Likewise, since Utah’s heat is dry heat, you can run around and play in the shade without getting too overheated.

There were two areas of the park that my kids liked the best.  The first of these is the playground located on the park’s west side, complete with spraying water features and swings.  This playground is definitely the most popular playground and is a bit crowded.  The second place in the park that my kids couldn’t get enough of, was the seven canyons fountain area.  This water feature is actually a replica of the Salt Lake Valley’s river drainage system.  I tried to point this out to my kids, giving them a little geology lesson, but who wants learn when there is water to wade in. Again, there were plenty of crowds to combat at this play area as well.  

There is plenty to keep you busy for an entire day at Liberty Park.  There is a paved path around, good for a walk with a stroller, tennis courts, which do lack shade, a Ferris wheel, carousel, and a small swimming pool.  If you have time, I would also recommend visiting the Tracy Aviary located at the southwest corner of the park. Parking is fairly easy to find either along the one way road that circles the park or in one of the lots near the tennis courts and aviary.  Be sure to either enter the park's one way road at 1100 south or 1300 south.  There is no access from 700 East or 600 East.  

In all, Liberty Park is worth a visit if your kiddos need a place to run around in the shade.  Just be prepared for the crowds on a hot summer day, and bring a towel and change of clothes as there are just too many tempting places to cool off.

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2600 East Sunnyside Ave
Salt Lake City, Utah

Comment:
Visit the zoo and enjoy Zoo Lights where wildlife meet wild lights. Sunday - Wednesday 5:30 to 8 pm; Thursday - Saturday 5:30 to 9 pm; Christmas Eve 5:30 to 8 pm; Closed Christmas Day Adults $6/Children $4 (age 2 and under are free)

reviewed on: January 11 2011

"Small zoo for a capital city"
Hogle zoo is a very small zoo for a capital city.  However, our family goes to zoo a few times a year and we enjoy a half a day walking around looking at the animals.  Since it is small, a few hours is all you need.  Bring in a picnic and enjoy the setting.  FYI - food is available for purchase but a bit expensive with few healthy options.  However, the zoo allows you to bring coolers and food inside, so bringing your own picnic is a great idea.  There are several nice shady picnic eating spots throughout the zoo.

The zoo has made some good improvements recently - especially the upgrade to the big cats.  In 2011 the zoo has added some fun robotic dinosaurs.  These dinos scared my 2 year old, but the older kids really liked them.  I'm not sure if these dinos are a permanent exhibit.  Hogle Zoo is also adding a new area for polar bears, penguins and seals but these displays won't be open until the summer of 2012.

In the summer be sure to attend the bird show.  This show is my kid's favorite part of the zoo.  Kid's will also enjoy seeing the elephants as they often have a baby elephant and there is a huge viewing area.

In summary, if you have a few hours, go and enjoy but don't expect too much.


123 West South Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah

Comment:
Join Utah's 3000 voice choir made up of the Utah Symphony Chorus and audience members at the annual Messiah Sing-In November 26-27 at 7pm. Ticket prices range from $15 to $32


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2601 E. Sunnyside Ave
Salt Lake City, Utah

Comment:
Experience an old-fashion Christmas at the Candlelight Christmas Event which runs November 25-26 and December 2, 3, 8-27; excluding Sundays 6 pm - 9 pm (Mon-Thur) 6 pm - 10 pm (Fri-Sat) $5/Adults; $3/Children (2 and under are free).


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301 West South Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah

Comment:
Test your vocal skills at the annual Christmas Carol Sing-a-Long on Monday, December 19th; 7:00 pm; Doors open at 5:30 pm. Admission is FREE for Everyone. "Music will be provided live by Generations of Sound, a full 30-piece orchestra, conducted by Robert C. Bowden; with performances throughout the evening by singer/actor, Alex Boyé."