Cirque De Paris is back!

The circus is back Norfolk Premium Outlets for a limited time, and you don't want to miss out. When I told the boys that they were returning, their answer was that they absolutely wanted to go again. Back with an all new 90 minute show, Cirque De Paris has clowns that had my kids howling, acrobatics that had my husband shouting "No way!", and popcorn that had me drooling. (Seriously- who knew about French popcorn?!) 

Acts this year include bmx style bikes, a juggling troop, a laser show, duo straps, rola-bola, aerial, and of course, clowns. 

They will be in Hampton Roads until October 11th. Norfolk dates are until October 4th, then they move to Newport News to finish up the dates before moving on to Richmond and then Raleigh. Shows are Thursday through Sunday. You'll want to buy tickets online, if tonight's show wasn't sold out... it was close to it. Tickets range from $23-$65 a person and are cheaper online than in person. Children 3 and under are free. 

Mira's Acorn Run

Now open at Owl Creek Landing is Mira's Acorn Run, a nine hole wooden ball course where visitors can compete, sort of like putt putt. The game is modeled after the European game Kugelbahn and the course is made of a combination of natural and man-made materials that come together in an almost Rube Goldberg Machine. 

You can purchase the wooden balls for $5, and they are yours to keep to use on return visits. This is an add on to your Owl Creek Landing ticket where you'll get to ride on the longest steel slide in North America, play in the village, and see the forest from a different view in their tree walk. 

Pittsburgh Aviary

Pittsburgh is home to the National Aviary, where you'll see parrots, crows, penguins, buzzards, cock-of-the-rock, eagles, flamingos, and a whole lot more.  They have 500 birds across 150 species. They also have bats, a sloth, a skink, and a tortoise.  It's a smaller facility, with indoor and outdoor sections. There is lots of seating and a cafe inside. If you're visiting the Pittsburgh Children's Museum, this is just half a block away. Be sure to checkout the list of events so that you can plan your day. Included in admission are feedings and keepers talks. 

• Admission is $20.95 for adults and $17.95 for kids ages 2-12. If you have a Virginia Zoo membership, you can get in at 50% off with the reciprocity program. 
• Open daily 10-5 
• Parking is $7 per day if you can snag a spot in the lot 
• There are many animal encounters, which is an up charge, but they do include admission. 
• Falcon and Flighted Friend Encounter
• Flamingo Feeding Encounter
• Penguin Feeding Encounter
• Penguin Encounter 
• Sloth Encounter 
• Sloth Encounter and Painting 
• Owl Encounter 

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