Thursday, August 19, 2010

Family Time: Last Minute Summer Trip - NASA, Galveston, Aquarium

So, it's hard to believe but Summer is quickly coming to a close. Sadly, although we do a Summer trip to the beach in Port Aransas every year, my daughter has gotten so accustomed to it, that I guess it's not 'special' anymore. So, several times over the summer months she mentioned that we needed to do more fun things.

Since we actually bought all of our school supplies last year before the school year ended (this is a GREAT feature that our school has that I would highly suggest for ANY parent to do if available -- schoolkidz) AND we managed to knock out clothes shopping two weeks ago, we decided we'd have one last 'hurrah' in 2010.

My husband and I took off Monday and Tuesday, left Austin on Sunday morning and arrived at our hotel ON Seawall Blvd. that afternoon. The main plan was to go check out the NASA Space Center. Both my husband and I have fond childhood memories of this particular attraction and we thought our kids were finally old enough to truly appreciate it. So, since the center was SOOOOO close to Galveston, we figured if we're paying the money for a hotel room anyway, why not have that hotel room on the beach? We got a great deal through Priceline.com.

So, we arrived on Sunday evening and played in the ocean all afternoon. Galveston is definitely a bit different than Port Aransas. First, there's the WALL of course. I also found the water to be a bit muddier looking and MUCH warmer. BUT, I suppose this could also be attributed to the fact that we were there later in the season? Not sure. Nonetheless, it was a beach, there was no oil, and we had FUN! We also enjoyed the fact that there was a little Mexican Food restaurant right next door, Tortuga.

The next morning, we got up and got our exercise on the beach (if you can call it that, as we stopped ever 2 seconds to gander at a potential seashell to grace our display at home). We also had continental breakfast (we stayed at Beachfront Inn I believe). Then, we headed out to NASA/Johnson Space Center. We were in no rush and had all day. We got there about 11 AM and were recommended to do the Tram first as it is Houston in the summer . .and it was going to be VERY hot later (and this was an outside tram ride). There was so much to do here, we literally were there almost all day and didn't even get around to everything. And, let me tell you, my kids could NOT STOP TALKING about that playscape. It was AMAZING. It was sooooo large, that we didn't even notice the elevator at the backside of it for at least half an hour.

If you go here, I would suggest considering packing a sack lunch (I think it's legal, but you may want to check their website just in case). We spent about $40 to feed us all. I saw a gentleman with two small ones whip out a lunchable each for his two and it all seemed OK. There were also picnic tables outside. Also, definitely buy online. I think you save about $5 a person.

That night we returned to our hotel and ventured out to a local Seafood joint. I really wanted to get that fried seafood island feel. I guess that's what I think about when I think of the beach. So, we found a little place called Shrimp N Stuff. I had the crab balls (which weren't on the menu anymore, but MAN were they tasty -- you can probably ask and they'll make 'em), my husband had the stuffed shrimp. My son begged to get the adult fried shrimp and my daughter had the kid's popcorn shrimp. I think we were all pleased with the outcome. The place had a nice local ambience and what appeared to be lots of locals too. We finished off the meal by trying their key lime pie which was to die for. I would definitely recommend giving it a try to anyone. It was sooooo good that I forgot to buy my son the Shrimp N Stuff t-shirt souvenir he had requested . .and so did HE!

Our last day was spent packing up and planning for our last adventure. We had looked into doing Moody Gardens but it seemed a bit pricy for our last minute adventure. So, I remembered an aquarium we had seen on the way in when we were driving thru the art/theatre district in Houston. It was called the Downtown Aquarium and is run by Landry's (the same place that also runs the RainForest Cafes). They had several Aquarium exhibits as well as some rides and games. Once I saw that they also had a Tuesday special in August, buy one get one free all adventure pass, we were on our way.

Unfortunately, when we got there, they said we couldn't get the deal unless we had the coupon printed out -- which I did NOT. Ugh! Soooooo frustrating. Sometimes I just need someone to include on that link something like, click here to print coupon as it soooooo did not say that. So, since we'd already paid for parking, we walked to the art district area in search of a place where we could locate a computer and printer and then we saw a sign for the LIBRARY . . . It was like LAAAAAAaaaaaaaaa. Unfortunately, we had to walk 5 blocks on asphalt in the middle of the day to find that library. Once we got there, there was an hour and a half wait to get a computer. Yes . . .I said and HOUR AND A HALF. I think the poor lady at the desk must have seen all of our sweaty faces just wilt . . . and then asked "So, what it is you guys need it for?" Can I say THANK GOODNESS FOR FRIENLY PEOPLE??? She totally felt for us, pulled up the site and printed the darn thing out! Whew!!!!

So, back to the aquarium we went. For $32 we got to see ALL kinds of fish and alligators and more. In fact, they even had a gorgeous white tiger that my kids couldn't stop talking about. They kept comparing him to our little 'tiger' Hank (who loves to hunt unsuspecting birds at the bottom of my bird feeder) and how much they were alike. It was really great. We ended our time there with the Shark Voyage (or something like that). Essentially, it's a little train that drives you thru the middle of a large tank loaded with lots of sharks. It was REALLY awesome.

So, that was it! And, the best thing was that when we got back, the kids couldn't tell Grandma for sure what was their favorite part. They just said "It was so much Fun!"

So, if your kids are driving you crazy, just take 'em out for something a little different and enjoy your time together!!!

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