Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Maybe the best zoo we have ever been to, we absolutely loved our day at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. Home to more than 8,000 animals and 600 species. 

We arrived at 10:30 and left about 3:00. The kids could have stayed for about another 30 minutes in the play areas. The park opens at 9:30 and they stop letting people in at 4:30. The park closes at 5:30. Adult tickets are $36, children 2-13 are $31, and seniors are $34. Purchase online to save money. If you have a Virginia Zoo membership, you can use the reciprocity program to get 50% off your ticket. 

The zoo is located in Highland Park inside of the city. Parking is free. There is a mini train and a carousel that you can ride for $4 a person.   

Some animals that are there that we don't have in Hampton Roads at either the zoo, aquarium, or the Living Museum include crocodiles, elephants, flamingos, a hippo, penguins (three types!), a polar bear, sea lions, lynx, wallaby, alligators, anteater, and more. 

Pittsburgh Pirates

 One of the best stadiums we have been to for kids, the Pirates have several areas for kid to play inside the stadium, and on select Sundays they set up Kidsburgh on the bridge outside. 

On the right field concourse checkout the Lucky Climber pirate ship and the life sized bottle heads, and bouncy bridge with ropes to climb. There are several patios, picnic areas, and plaes to take a break all over the park. Also in right field is a playground called Kids Play Land with yard games and a mini batting cage. Kids an get a first game certificate or a Buccaneer Buddy Scavenger Hunt at Guest Relations. 

Checkout the history around the park including the retired numbers, the statues, and the banners of the World Series wins. I used to read the biography of Roberto Clemente every year in my classroom, so it was really cool to see so much history all over the park. 

Good to know: 

• You can bring in one sealed disposable water bottle per person. They must be smaller than 24 ounces. No refillable water bottles. 
• Bags cannot be larger than 16 by 16 by 8, but do not need to be clear.
• We parked right outside the stadium for only $20 but many people took the T or even boats.
• There is a sensory room in Suite 62 
• There are nursing pods around the stadium
• Gates open 1.5 hours before start time 

National Postal Museum

While driving up to Pittsburgh recently we stopped at the National Postal Museum in DC. The museum is part of the Smithsonian, so there is no dee to enter. There is paid parking in garages all around the museum and on the street. It's also right across the street from the Union Station metro stop. 

The museum details the history of the postal service, but goes into detail about duty that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service does does to help protect Americans against scams, theft, and fraud. It also lets kids see the process a letter takes, and the history of the vehicles that have been in service throughout history. Some favorites were us were learning about Owney the postal dog who traveled 140,000 miles with the Postal Service, and looking through all of the stamps throughout history. 

When you go, grab a scavenger hunt at the desk when you walk in. It helps keeps the kids engaged and encourages them to read the signs. 

Fun Fore All

On our Pittsburgh trip we were lucky enough to stop by Fun Fore All: Family Fun Park. They have just about everything there: an arcade with 70 games, 36 holes of mini golf, go karts, batting cages, duckpin bowling, bumper cars, and several kids' rides including a kiddie coaster, a swing, a balloon ride, crazy cars and a jeep ride. 

They have a full restaurant and they serve beer on the weekends. We ordered pizza, mozzarella sticks, pretzel bites, and ice cream and our whole party was impressed overall but particularly loved the crispiness of the mozzarella sticks. 

Good to know:

-Spend $100 and get $50 on the fun card 

-Time play passes will get you unlimited use of all attractions including video games (not ticket of prize games) They offer these in two, three, and four hour passes

-Duckpin bowling and the arcade are open year round while the outdoor attractions are open seasonally 

-Look online for their daily specials. Right now on Mondays some games are a nickel to play, Tuesdays are 50% off all ticket games, Wednesdays are half priced bowling, Thursdays are half priced appetizers, and Fridays are $10 off time play passes. 

Our entire family loved this place. Both boys and adults did putt putt; my youngest and cousin did some of the rides while my oldest and I did the batting cages. Everyone loved the arcade and inside area. My mom found a table and a nice chair outside under an umbrella and read. Score. We spent four hours here. 

Fun Slides: Pittsburgh, PA

Headed to or through the Pittsburgh area, and looking for something unlike anything we have here in Hampton Roads? Check out Fun Slides,  a carpet skate park with 35,000 square feet to play on. You'll wear closed toe shoes and get their "strap on skates" where you'll slide down ramps that vary in length and incline. Perfect for ages 4-13.  They offer a hockey rink, dodgeball court, bounce house (in socks), a Ninja Warrior course, and a Nerf arena. Good to note: there is a bounce house just for ages 6 and under. 

Good to know: 
-closed on Thursdays

-no reservation for public skate is needed

- it's a blacklight facility, so wearing coloring is fun 

-located in the Pines Plaza, you'll want to pull around to the back of the facility to enter 

-We spent about three hours, but we were on a time crunch and could have stayed longer 

-Open Monday-Wednesday from 10:00-8:00, Friday 10:00-8:30, Saturday and Sunday 11:00-8:30

Prices:

-All day admission open to close $24.50

-Two hour admission- $22.50 

-Butt Slide N' Bounce (ages 4 and under) $12.00 

-Parent admission $12.00 (to skate, to watch is free) 

-Monthly membership: $35/month 

Perfect if you're visiting Pittsburgh or driving through the area and need to get some energy out. I'll be sharing my full Pittsburgh itinerary this week, so check back!