Heading to the Jacksonville Zoo or a nearby part of Florida during Spring Break 2011?

These Jacksonville family-friendly activities sound appealing:

Cosmic Concerts at the new planetarium at Jacksonville’s Museum of Science & History (MOSH)
April 1, 8, 15, 22
Experience total-sensory entertainment as laser lights, high-def images and digital sound collide to create a Cosmic Concert. Each concert costs $5 per person; $1 for laser glasses. Tickets are available online here or at the door.
April 1: Laseropolis at 5 p.m., The Beatles at 6 p.m., Laser Vinyl at 7 p.m., and Laser Retro at 8 p.m.
April 8: Laseropolis at 5 p.m., Led Zeppelin at 6 p.m., Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon at 7 p.m., and Pink Floyd: The Wall at 8 p.m.
April 15: Laseropolis at 5 p.m., Laser Retro at 6 p.m., Laser X at 7 p.m., and Metallica at 8 p.m.
April 22: Laseropolis at 5 p.m., Laser Vinyl at 6 p.m., Laser Retro at 7 p.m., and Metallica at 8 p.m.

The planetarium at Jacksonville’s Museum of Science & History (MOSH) also has these kid-friendly shows:
“Sesame Street’s One World, One Sky”
“The Little Star That Could”
“Earth, Moon & Sun”
All three shows run until May 7, 2011.
For more info as well as more planetarium shows, click here.

Free Movies in the Park at historic Treaty Oak Park on downtown Jacksonville’s Southbank .
Free four-week-long, outdoor movie series held every spring in Jacksonville .
Bring beach blankets, lawn chairs, picnic baskets. Vendors will also be available on-site.
Movies for 2011 include:
April 8 – Cars (rated G)
April 15 – The Neverending Story (rated PG)
April 29 – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (rated G)
May 6, 2011 – The Wizard of Oz (rated G)
PARKING
Free parking is available in the Suddath garage on Flagler Street across from the Hampton Inn. Garage gates stay open until 12 a.m

Would you like to take a vacation where your children can be taken care of while you lounge by the pool and sail the Caribbean?

Clue: It is NOT Disney

Call Edgewood Travel today to find out more!

Call 912-351-0570 or email admin@edgewoodtravel.com. Visit Edgewood Travel at 105 Wheeler Court or at www.edgewoodtravel.com. Edgewood Travel is a SouthernMamas sponsor.

Need a Mary Poppins to take over at a moment’s notice?

Check out Hilton Head Nannies, a leading nanny placement agency specializing in the recruitment and placement of highly-qualified nannies. Hilton Head Nannies serves Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Okatie, Beaufort, Palmetto Bluff, Fripp Island, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Tybee Island, and Wilmington Island areas of South Carolina and Georgia.

Hilton Head Nannies clientele includes local families, families from all around the world who come to the Lowcountry to vacation, sports professionals, media personalities, internationally known musicians, movie directors, actors/actresses. Hilton Head Nannies has been the official Nanny & Babysitting Service of The Heritage PGA Tournament since 2007.

Owner and operator Jennie Krogulski has parlayed her more than 20 years working in childcare – including working as a  nanny for children nationwide and on Hilton Head Is. – into finding the perfect caregiver for your family whether for babysitting, vacation nanny services or part-time or live-in nanny jobs. 

Vacation Nanny Services

The agency’s Vacation Nannies Hotel, Villa, & Rental Home Childcare Services – available 24-Hours a day, 7 days a week – is ideal for tourists visiting the Hilton Head Island area. The nannies will come directly to your home or vacation suite. You and your children will receive a special postcard from your vacation nanny so that you know a little about her prior to your arrival.

Babysitting for Hilton Head Island & Bluffton Residents

Now you can have your own Placement Coordinator & Nanny Concierge Service that you can call on when you need a babysitter. Hilton Head Nannies offers such a service for locals in the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton areas. Simply sign up for HHN’s Parent’s Time-Out babysitting program. After you pay a low annual membership, you can call Hilton Head Nannies with the date and time that you need a sitter and they’ll deliver a professional caregiver to your door.

Just like a real-life Mary Poppins, sans the flying umbrella and carpet bag, of course.

SouthernMamas.com discount: 10% off for all Southern Mamas readers on one service or 20% off annual membership fee. Mention you read about Hilton Head Nannies on SouthernMamas.com to receive your discount!

Hilton Head Nannies , Hilton Head Office: (843) 342-5673; Bluffton Office: (843) 815-1313; email children@hiltonheadnannies.com ; P.O. Box 2782, Bluffton, SC 29910, www.hiltonheadnannies.com  Hilton Head Nannies is a SouthernMamas advertiser.

Start planning your getaway now with these deals from  Edgewood Travel in Savannah, a SouthernMamas sponsor.

Costa Rica has been a hot destination these past couple weeks. Edgewood Travel has had a few clients recently return and a few more set to go out over the next couple weeks. All guests enjoyed the great weather, great restaurants, the adventures. Everyone’s favorite was zip lining! There is a new beautiful condo style property in Manual Antonio- Los Altos http://www.losaltosresort.com/ . The price is right and all rooms are at least 2300 sq. feet. Perfect for a family wanting extra space. They come fully furnished with modern kitchens and have a private beach, an infinity pool and are in close proximity to all major attractions. Call Edgewood Travel today to find out more.

Recommendations from an Edgewood Clients:

From Lillian and Todd Miller- recently returned from Spain and headed to Los Altos in Costa Rica

“I have worked with other agents and I have done it all myself, booth had positives and negatives, but for a big trip I figured I would use an agent, so I called Meredith. Now, I will only use her for any trip I plan on taking. She made sure we were in the best places that fit our taste exactly. As many websites have fake reviews submitted by people who own the establishments, it was comforting to know that when I spend my money I know exactly what I am getting. She provided us with local information such as restaurants and vendors that we can trust in each country we went to. She was available for any issues or questions that may come up during the trip. Their attention to detail and the fact that they ensure the trip is planned exactly for what you want, not what they think you will like. Every little nuance that I wouldn’t have even thought about was checked and reviewed and made perfect. Meredith in particular was the most knowledgeable, friendly and attentive agent I have ever worked with.”

From Jessica Schreier and a group of 4 -recently returned from Costa Rica

“Loved, Loved both places you had us stay in. You always come through for us in regards to hotels, sightseeing, restaurants, the works! There wasn’t one tour I would have skipped and the transfers were great. We had a perfect amount of time at each place and a perfect amount of time split between adventure and relaxation. I loved the second place- I want to go back just to stay at Los Altos again! I have never experience a stay like that-it was very over the top! We got out of our elevator which opened into our condo where we each had our own bedroom and it was top of the line! Thank you again!”

Ongoing Specials

Los Altos Manual Antonio- rates starting at $250 per night including continental breakfast http://www.losaltosresort.com/index.html

Dreams Huatulco- brand new all inclusive family resort-Land only for a family of four $1599! http://www.dreamsresorts.com/drehu/

Paradisus Punta Cana or Paradisus Palma Real – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic http://www.paradisuspuntacana.travel/
Golf enthusiasts can get two rounds of golf complimentary for a 5- or 6-night stay. Book seven or more nights and get four rounds of golf complimentary. Plus, receive a $100 spa credit. Offer ends March 15th.

The Westin Paris – Paris, France http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1729
Guaranteed upgrade to a Junior suite plus up to 30% in savings

Rocco Forte – Hotel Savoy – Florence, Italy http://www.hotelsavoy.it/
The “Unforgettable Family Affair” package is tailor made for the entire family. Children’s rooms are half off and are themed for their enjoyment. Children under three eat free and children four through 12 get a 50% discount. Package is available through December 22, 2011

Disney Cruise Line http://disneycruise.disney.go.com
Fares for the Sample the Best of Europe cruise starts at $139 per day. View itinerary>>
Disney Wonder guests can enhance their 7-night Alaskan cruise vacation with the “Best of Both Escape” pre-cruise package to Vancouver and Whistler on Rocky Mountaineer’s Whistler Sea to Sky Climb. Package includes a 2-night stay at a preferred Disney Fairmont Vancouver hotel and another 2-night stay at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

Princess Cruises http://disneycruise.disney.go.com /
The military personnel onboard credit program is available to active military personnel plus retired and disabled military veterans. Offers up to $250 onboard credits.
Save up to $600 per couple on select 2011 Alaska cruises and cruise tours. Offer ends February 28, 2011.
BALCONY BONANZA is back! The FREE balcony upgrade is available on select Europe cruises/cruise tours, Alaska cruises/cruise tours, Caribbean & Canada/New England sailings in 2011 when you book an ocean view stateroom.

To start planning your family trip, call 912-351-0570 or email admin@edgewoodtravel.com. Visit Edgewood Travel at 105 Wheeler Court or at www.edgewoodtravel.com. Edgewood Travel is a SouthernMamas sponsor.

Vacation time will be here before we know it.  Edgewood Travel in Savannah has some enticing family travel deals right now including:

Traveling with a Nanny or a Granny or just looking for a bit of breathing room on a family Getaway? Here are two hotels offering 2nd room ½ off!
Fairmont Pacific Rim – Vancouver, Canada
Families traveling together can get the second room for a 50% discount when booking the “Family Affair” package. Children under 18 stay free when sharing a room with an adult. Rates start at $249 CAD for first room or suite and $129 CAD for 2nd .

Rocco Forte – Hotel Savoy – Florence, Italy
The “Unforgettable Family Affair” package is tailor made for the entire family. Children’s rooms are half off and are themed for their enjoyment. Children under three eat free and children four through 12 get a 50% discount. Package is available through December 22, 2011.

Offer ends Mon. Feb. 28 for a great deal at the Atlantis!
The Cove Atlantis – Paradise Island, Bahamas
Book by February 28th and children stay and eat for free.
Book the “Taste of Atlantis” package and guests will enjoy several complimentary drinks and a sushi meal. Offer ends February 28th.

Offer Ends March 15th for a great deal to Dominican Republic!
Paradisus Punta Cana or Paradisus Palma Real
Golf enthusiasts can get two rounds of golf complimentary for a 5- or 6-night stay. Book seven or more nights and get four rounds of golf complimentary. Plus, receive a $100 spa credit. Offer ends March 15th.

Caught up in the Royal Excitement across the pond?
Avanti Destinations
Offering the “The British Royal Wedding Escape” package that includes 4-night stay at the 4-Star Deluxe Kensington by Doyle and a private walking tour of the Royal Wedding processional route. Travelers depart April 27, 2011

Or let Edgewood put together a tailor made package for you and your family to England this summer!

Also –check out the Edgewood Travel Website for more specials at www.edgewoodtravel.com. Edgewood has group space on a few cruises this summer including the Brand new Allure of the Seas. Like Edgewood on Facebook by clicking here to get daily updates. Edgewood looks forward to hearing from the SouthernMamas readers.

To start planning your family trip, call 912-351-0570 or email admin@edgewoodtravel.com. Visit Edgewood Travel at 105 Wheeler Court or at www.edgewoodtravel.com. Edgewood Travel is a SouthernMamas sponsor.

Edgewood Travel in Savannah has some tantalizing travel deals right now including:

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa – Koloa, Hawaii
Celebrating its 20th anniversary with a 2011 sale. Offering huge savings with the “20 Years of Sunshine on Sale” package. Guest staying five nights will enjoy the fifth night free, 20% off for spa treatments and for golfing, plus a $20 resort dining credit

Elbow Beach, Bermuda – Paget Parish, Bermuda
Get every third night free when booked by March 15th.
The “Spring into Wellness” spa package offers an 80-minute Thai massage, a one-hour personal training session, one-hour Indian Yoga session, and several other spa treatments. Book March 1-June 30, 2011.

Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun – Cancun, Mexico
Receive up to a $200 resort credit to be used toward food, spa treatments, or a room upgrade. Must book a minimum 4-night stay by April 30, 2011 to receive credits

The Westin Paris – Paris, France
Guaranteed upgrade to a junior suite plus up to 30% in savings

Orient Flexi-Pax Tours
Fun family 5- to 15-day tours to Israel, Peru, Egypt, Thailand, China, and Japan. Most tours include a guide and a private car.

Paul Gauguin Cruises
Get 50% off cruises to Bora Bora departing throughout 2011, plus free airfare from Los Angeles and third guest sails free.
The 14-night Best of French Polynesia cruise now 50% off. Cruise departs April 16, 2011. Receive up to $1,000 per couple Guest Privileges Credit when booked by February 19th.

Princess Cruises
BALCONY BONANZA is back! The FREE balcony upgrade is available on select Europe cruises/cruise tours, Alaska cruises/cruise tours, Caribbean & Canada/New England sailings in 2011 when you book an ocean view stateroom

Call today to learn more and to start planning your family trip! Call 912-351-0570 or email admin@edgewoodtravel.com. Visit Edgewood Travel at 105 Wheeler Court or at www.edgewoodtravel.com. Edgewood Travel is a SouthernMamas sponsor.

Edgewood Travel in Savannah has some fantastic travel deals right now including a “kids stay and play free” at Walt Disney World!

Kids stay and Play free at Disney
· Book: Jan. 3 – March 27, 2011
· Travel: For stays most nights April 28 – June 14, 2011 and Aug. 14 – Oct. 1, 2011

Other deals available through Edgewood Travel include:

Book select International Adventures by Disney vacation and receive a $500 Visa gift card

Globus Tours– Receive 10% off the land portion of a 2011 air-inclusive Europe vacation when paid in full by March 1, 2011

Hawaii – Get up to $900 off with the “Head over Heels for Hawaii” promotion. Book a 5-night stay and save up to $500 on airfare. Plus, enjoy $100 off car rentals. Promotion is combinable with other special offers. Book by February 28th

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess– The “Spring Training/Spring Break” package ends April 30, 2011. This package is ideal for baseball fans. Guests will be able to watch their favorite teams during spring training. Package includes a $100 daily food and beverage credit.

The Cove Atlantis – Paradise Island, Bahamas
Book by February 28th and children stay and eat for free.
Book the “Taste of Atlantis” package and guests will enjoy several complimentary drinks and a sushi meal. Offer ends February 28th.

Rocco Forte – Hotel Savoy – Florence, Italy
The “Unforgettable Family Affair” package is tailor made for the entire family. Children’s rooms are half off and are themed for their enjoyment. Children under three eat free and children four through 12 get a 50% discount. Package is available through December 22, 2011.

Call today to learn more and to start planning your family trip! Call 912-351-0570 or email admin@edgewoodtravel.com. Visit Edgewood Travel at 105 Wheeler Court or at www.edgewoodtravel.com. Edgewood Travel is a SouthernMamas sponsor.

Travel is definitely on our minds lately with spring break and summer on the horizon. Wouldn’t it be fabulous if every city you visited had a Web site like SouthernMamas listing kid-friendly resources and events?

We know one city that does: Charlotte, NC. Parents there are smitten with CharlotteSmartyPants.com. Be sure to visit CharlotteSmartyPants before visiting Charlotte, NC. with kids. And spread the word to any parents you know moving to that area. Because as SouthernMamas readers know so well, entertaining kids is so much easier when armed with a wealth of fantastic child-friendly places and activities.

Looking for a quick weekend or week long getaway? Take the family to the beach! Hilton Head Island is the perfect place to visit for a long weekend or for an entire week. There are tons of activities for children of all ages. From collecting shells on the beach, to biking along a nature trail or getting up close to the dolphins on a boat cruise—Hilton Head Island has it all!!!

Perhaps the best way for families to visit is by staying in a vacation rental. Staying in a vacation home, villa or condo provides families with all the comforts of home, while being close to the activities and events happening on Hilton Head. All properties come with fully equipped kitchens, washer & dryer, linens, cable television and best of all a short walk to the beach!! This is the best way to get the most “bang for your buck” while on vacation!!

Beach Properties of Hilton Head offers over 275 homes and villas on Hilton Head Island. Visit during this spring and you can stay for 3 nights and receive 1 additional night for FREE. Stay the whole week by paying for 4 nights and get 3 nights FREE! Be sure to call one of their Vacation Planner’s today to hear about any specials or hot deals. Mention SouthernMamas.com and you will receive a beach pail filled with discount coupons for Hilton Head area activities and restaurants when you arrive!!

Beach Properties of Hilton Head is a SouthernMamas advertiser.

Beach Properties of Hilton Head, e-mail: rentals@beach-property.com, call toll free 1-800-671-5155 (US & Canada) or 1-843-671-5155, www.beach-property.com

The kids are out of school and there’s finally time to explore.  Here are a few holiday happenings nearby.

1. Celebrate the holidays @ the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
$2 Day
On Mon. Dec. 20, 2010, guests can enjoy the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens for only $2.00 per person for general admission. Children two and under are free. The Zoo is open 9 AM-5 PM Tickets are sold until 4 PM. This is a great, budget-friendly opportunity for families during the holiday season.
Dec 26–30
Celebrate the last days of 2010 and countdown to the Noon Year’s Eve 2011 event! Children (ages 3-12) get 50% off regular child’s admission with a “Countdown to 2011” coupon from jacksonvillezoo.org. Coupon is good for one day only on December 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30, 2010. This discount cannot be combined with any other offer, including Zoo combination tickets, and can only be used once per coupon.
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is on Jacksonville’s north side at 370 Zoo Parkway, one-half mile east from I-95. For more info, click here.

2. The 21st annual Holiday Festival of Lights in Charleston SC
Through Jan. 2 @ James Island County Park. Includes a 3-mile drive through more than 2 million sparkling lights and hundreds of light displays. Then walk through Santa’s Village & Winter Wonderland

 3.  Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens in Columbia SC
6-9 PM through Jan. 2. Closed Dec. 24, 25 and 31
Nearly one million twinkling lights, animal images, music in motion lights, larger-thank-life holiday cards created by local students, nightly visits with Santa through Dec. 23.

Overpriced, cookie-cutter hotels aren’t your thing. Especially when traveling with the kids. Which is why you need to add the Pirate Haus Inn in St. Augustine to your list of affordable, family-friendly places to visit.

My family stayed in the quirky pirate-themed hostel with private rooms after the Yo Gabba Gabba concert in Jacksonville. Not only are the rooms cheap (and include an all-you-can-eat pirate pancake breakfast), but the place is centrally-located smack dab in the middle of St. Augustine’s Historic District.

Chances are the inn’s communal kitchen, transom windows and high-ceiling hallway will remind you of your college dorm or the youth hostels you stayed in while back-packing around Europe. In other words, this ain’t your posh Westin. But it is the type of place your kids will love.

Here are the Top 10 Reasons Why Your Kids Will Never Forget the Pirate Haus:

1. Owner is a charming character called Captain Conrad, who is known to periodically don pirate-costumes and engage kids in pirate talk and occasional pretend sword fights. 

2. At check-in, kids are given a stack of age-appropriate pirate bedtime stories to take to their bunk beds.

3. That’s right. We said bunk beds. Kids sleep in bunk beds. Get ready to hear “I call top bunk! the minute you open the room door.

4. Communal TV/computer room is teeming with pirate-themed toys for the tots.

5. Free, all-you-can pirate-themed pancakes for breakfast overlooking St. Augustine Historic district.

6.  Just a short stroll to Castillo de San Marcos National Monument (cannon firings), the Black Raven (an authentic pirate ship in St. Augustine) and Project SWING (a city park with a 23,000-square-foot wooden playground featuring a castle, pirate ship, lighthouse, space shuttle) as well as oodles of restaurants and other kid-friendly attractions.

7. Pirates bedeck everything in this place from the stairwell to the shower curtains. The walls are painted with sails, ships, crows nests and more.

8. It’s the perfect place to stay when in town to visit the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum, expected to open later this year, or during any of St. Augustine’s pirate-themed events including the upcoming St. Augustine Pirate Gathering (Nov. 12-14) which will feature blackpowder demos, historical re-enactments, a vendor marketplace and more.

9. Even Disney liked the Pirate Haus, as it was mentioned in Disney’s Family Fun Magazine.

10. While this may not matter to the kids,  rooms also come with free wi-fi and start at $50, which makes mom and dad very happy.

The Pirate Haus Inn, 32 Treasury Street, St. Augustine, FL, (904) 808-1999, www.piratehaus.com

Disclosure: We stayed at The Pirate Haus Inn at no cost for this review

UPDATE: Winner is Sarah Peay Baxter! Congratulations Sarah!

This week, SouthernMamas is giving away: one Friends of Georgia State Parks Annual Family Membership, which includes two annual park/historic site passes, two free rounds of golf OR two camping nights, and one adult/one child SAM shortline ticket and special park discounts.  Here’s how to win.

Fall is here – the perfect time to enjoy Georgia’s fall colors and get the family fit and moving. What could be better than hiking through freshly fallen leaves at our Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites? Share your favorite part of fall and the harvest season by posting a fall photo on the SouthernMamas Facebook fan page for a chance to win a Friends Of Georgia State Parks Annual Family Membership. Click here to go the SouthernMamas Facebook fan page.

This year Georgia State Parks is partnering with the Georgia Forestry Commission to provide weekly updates on the best places to see foliage this Fall, you can check it out at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/LeafWatch. Plan a fall foliage weekend with the family. Georgia State Parks & Lodges offer a variety of comfortable hotel-style lodge rooms at affordable prices. Or, simply head out for the day, park fees are just $5 per day and there are tons of recreational offerings for the entire family, from hiking and biking trails, to canoeing, kayaking and golf, there is an activity to fit every lifestyle. Best of all you can enjoy the tranquility of the great outdoors in style with a comfortable bed and hotel-style amenities.

About Leaf Watch
To help leaf peepers plan their fall escapes, Georgia’s State Parks have launched “Leaf Watch 2010” in partnership with Georgia Forestry Commission to track fall color as it moves across the Peach State and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Whether heading north for hiking and waterfalls or south for canoeing and camping, “Leaf Watch 2010” offers advice on where to find the best color at Georgia’s state parks. Found at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/LeafWatch throughout October and November, travelers can get updates on fall color, learn safe hiking tips, and make reservations for the many campsites, cottages and lodge rooms offered at Georgia’s state parks. New this year is a partnership with Georgia Forestry Commission and a webcam at Black Rock Mountain State Park near Clayton, Ga. Expert foresters will advise travelers about overall color, specific tree species and even the weather’s effect on leaf watching. The webcam will provide a glimpse of color progressing across the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Deadline to enter to win is Sun. Oct. 31. We’ll announce the winner here Sunday.

UPDATE: Winner is Sarah Peay Baxter!

Edgewood Travel in Savannah has two events coming up:

Globus and Avalon Waterways on Thurs. Oct. 28
Panel of past travelers who will share their personal travel experience. RSVP by Oct. 22

Tauck World Discovery on Mon. Nov. 8.
Presentation highlighting Tauck’s new adventures for 2011
RSVP by Tues. Nov. 2

These companies would be great for the multi generational tours! Grandparents and grandchildren. Both events will be held at Edgewood Travel, 105 Wheeler Court.  To find out more, call 912-351-0570 or email admin @edgewoodtravel.com

Call today to learn more and to start planning your family trip! visit Edgewood Travel at 105 Wheeler Court or at www.edgewoodtravel.com. Edgewood Travel is a SouthernMamas sponsor.

Making America’s Music: Rhythm, Roots and Rhyme
Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Opens Oct. 2, Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun.,
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Interactive musical instrument exhibit, including a traveling tour bus, drums and the chance to lead an orchestra as conductor. $12.50/person; under 2, free

Water: H20=LIFE
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Opens Oct. 2, Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m.
Walk through life-sized dioramas and follow the water cycle from air to land at this interactive exhibit. Adults, $15; children ages 3-12, $13; 2 and under, free

Scarecrows in the Garden
Atlanta Botanical Garden
Oct. 1-31, Tues.-Wed., Fri.-Sun., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thurs., 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
See wildly creative scarecrows built by local artists, organizations and businesses, on display throughout the garden this month. Adults, $15; children 3-17, $12; under 3, free.

Are your kids big fans of Thomas & Friends?

If so, then comment below this post or on the SouthernMamas Facebook fan page telling us why your family is Thomas’ biggest fan to enter to win one of two family 4-pack tickets to spend the Day Out With Thomas the Tank Engine on Sun. Oct. 24.

The 2010 Celebration includes a 25 minute ride with Thomas the Tank Engine at 10 AM Sun. Oct. 24; a chance to meet Sir Topham Hatt himself and take photos; storytelling; live music; build with Mega Bloks; crafts; food vendors and more.

This year its Thomas’ 65th Birthday, so come on board and celebrate. The Day Out with Thomas Celebration takes place at the SAM Shortline Excursion Train depot at Georgia Veterans State Park in Cordele, nine miles west of I-75 via Exit 101. Tour dates are October 23 & 24; 30 & 31, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM, rain or shine. The giveaway tickets are for Sun. Oct. 24.

For more information or to book tickets, visit www.samshortline.com or call (866) 468-7630.

Deadline to enter to win is Sun. Oct. 10. The first winner of this two week giveaway is Olevia Coleman! Congratulations Olevia! We’ll announce the second winner here next week. If you didn’t win last week’s family four pack of tickets, feel free to enter to next week’s contest.

The SECOND WINNER of this giveaway is Erica Pelkey! Congratulations! Thanks to everyone who entered to win!

Local residents can get a taste of life at sea when Edgewood Travel in Savannah hosts an event supporting World’s Largest Cruise Night 5-8 PM Wed. Oct. 13, 2010.

The evening of cruise festivities which helps mark National Cruise Vacation Month will be at Edgewood’s offices at 105 Wheeler Court.

Highlights of this year’s World’s Largest Cruise Night include: reduced deposits, door prizes, on board credits and special promotional rates. To help cruisers and potential cruisers get a real feel for the cruise industry and its offerings, trained travel professionals will be on hand to give unbiased expert advice and assist with cruise planning. RSVP to admin@edgewoodtravel.com if you would like to drop by during the World’s Largest Cruise Night.

For more information about cruise lines, ships, itineraries and worldwide cruise destinations, visit Edgewood Travel at 105 Wheeler Court or at www.edgewoodtravel.com. Or, call today at 912-351-0570 or 800-966-2779 to speak with any of our cruise vacation experts.

MOSH (Museum of Science and History) in Jacksonville opens a dinosaur exhibit Sat. Sept. 25.

Prehistoric Predators – Sept. 25-Jan. 9 – will feature life-sized animatronic dinosaur models sure to inspire visitors of all ages.

On Oct. 23, the museum’s new Bryan Gooding Planetarium opens.

The new Bryan Gooding Planetarium will offer visitors an experience like no other in our region. Come experience total-immersion entertainment in a 360-degree theater at super-resolution four times better than the best HDTV.

MOSH offers $5 admission every Friday, Saturday and Sunday now through Oct. 17 . Click here for more info.

The Museum Mile Weekend in Charleston looks interesting and includes The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry.

The 2nd Annual Museum Mile Weekend is Sept. 25-26, 2010. Here’s the deal: you buy a Museum Mile weekend pass ($20 for adults, $10 for kids 12 and under). Put on your walking shoes and hit the streets. Your pass allows you to visit 13 sites in the Meeting Street area in historic downtown Charleston during this special weekend.

The one-mile section of Meeting Street includes six museums, five historic houses, four scenic parks and a Revolutionary War powder magazine, as well as numerous historic houses of worship and public buildings including the Market and City Hall. For more information call 843-722-2996. Fore more info or to buy tickets, click here. Tickets also available at all Charleston Visitor Center locations including the downtown location at 375 Meeting St. Online purchasers will receive their passes in the mail.

Participating Sites include The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, located at 25 Ann St., which offers eight hands-on interactive learning environments for children 3 months to 10 years.

Other kid-friendly highlights of The Museum Mile weekend include:
Aiken-Rhett House – 48 Elizabeth St.
Built in 1820 and greatly expanded by Gov. and Mrs. William Aiken, Jr. in the 1830s, this house and its outbuildings have survived as a time capsule virtually unaltered since 1858. Children are invited to enjoy a scavenger hunt throughout the weekend as they explore the house, grounds and outbuildings and learn more about the people who lived and worked on the property.

The Charleston Museum – 360 Meeting S.
America’s first museum showcases the cultural and natural history of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. On Saturday, The Charleston Museum will feature children’s crafts from 10 AM-noon.

Powder Magazine – 79 Cumberland St.
South Carolina’s oldest public building, The Powder Magazine (circa 1713) served as an arsenal within the old walled city of Charleston. Living history programs will be offered all weekend. A special performance of the original production The Gentleman Pirate will be offered on Saturday at 3:30pm. Call ahead for ticket information (843-722-9350) or visit www.PowderMag.org

Now that we all have those school schedules, time to think about planning those upcoming school breaks!  Edgewood Travel in Savannah can help.

Lot of great travel deals out there:
All inclusive Sale including the Occidental and Now resorts where Kids stay free!
Cruises: Have you heard about Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas? Call Edgewood Travel to get rates on the Worlds Largest Cruise ship!
Europe: the exchange rate is great right now! How about a tour of London or Ireland? Great first Europe destination for families!

Edgewood Travel is here to assist you plan your perfect vacation!

Edgewood is open Monday through Friday 9 AM-5:30 PM. Visit is www.edgewoodtravel.com or call 912 -351-0570. Please take a look at Edgewood’s website and send an email or pick up the phone, they’d love to hear from you!

With all of you getting those school calendars right about now, time to start thinking about how  you want to spend those coveted school holidays! Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Break are right around the corner and now is the time to start visualizing your family vacation.

But planning a trip today can be confusing and time consuming. Edgewood Travel in Savannah not only arranges the various modes of transportation, but also may be able to save you money with early booking discounts, special fares, accommodations details and travel advisories.

Edgewood Travel – which has been in Savannah for over 15 years – has more than than eight agents that are skilled in a variety of destinations including but not limited to Cruising, Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Honeymoons and Family Vacations.

Edgewood would love to assist you in planning your dream vacation and has a wealth of experience to help you do so.

Edgewood is open Monday through Friday 9 AM-5:30 PM. Visit is www.edgewoodtravel.com or call 912 -351-0570. Please take a look at Edgewood’s website and send an email or pick up the phone, they’d love to hear from you!

We finally made it to The Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island this weekend, with the kids in tow, because we’ve heard such great reviews.

We have to say, Georgia’s first sea turtle rehab, research and education facility lives up to all the kudos. A 90-minute drive from Savannah, the center provides state-of-art emergency care to sick and injured sea turtles.

My 3-year-old’s favorite part was looking through the treatment room window and seeing staff do various procedures on the sick or injured turtles. The one-story center, open since June 2007, also has just enough interactive exhibits to hold a preschooler’s attention and teach. In the Rehab Pavilion, kids can see the patients and learn about the various reasons why the turtles are sick or hurt (Caution: Your turtle-safety savvy kids will never again let you use a plastic bag after your visit as turtles are known to mistake discarded plastic bags for jellyfish and eat them).

Certain times of the year, you can take part in guided turtle and nest walks on the beach. A guided behind-the-scences tour is also available for an extra fee (but call ahead if you are interested as the behind-the-scence tour was not available on the day of our visit). The center also hosts special events, birthday parties and holiday celebrations like Turtle-ween. Summer programs are available for children, educators and seniors. Learn more by clicking here.

The Sea Turtle Center is in Jekyll’s pristine Historic District, where you can treat the kids to an ice cream at the nearby Sweet Shoppe or have lunch outdoors at Rah Bar on the Jekyll Historic Wharf, all within walking distance of the Center. Consider timing your visit to coincide with the Jekyll Island Beach Music Festival and BBQ Bash Aug. 21 or the Shrimp & Grits: Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival on Sept. 17. For more info on those festivals, click here.

Georgia Sea Turtle Center, 214 Stable Rd, Jekyll Island. Cost: $6 for adults (13+ years); $5 for Seniors (65+ years); $4 for children (4-12 years); FREE for children 3 and under. $5 for Active Duty Military Personnel, Students and Teachers (ID required). For more info, call 912.635.4444 or click here.

 SouthernMamas reader Monica Patel emails that the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island is well worth the visit. The drive is about 1.5 hours.  Indoor exhibits are geared more towards young elementary-school-aged kids, but Monica’s 3.5 year-old loved the turtle rehabilitation area and turtle hospital, where he got to watch one of the turtles being given a multivitamin and another turtle get rubbed with ointment, to undo some of the damage caused by the recent cold weather.  She writes the staff there is very friendly and willing to answer questions.

Thanks for the recommendation, Monica!

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center  introduces you and your children to Georgia’s turtles with hands-on activities, games, crafts, and outdoor exploration.

Find out the various methods sea turtle biologists use to follow sea turtles as they migrate from the beach to the ocean. And how you too can follow sea turtles online.

Georgia Sea Turtle Center, 214 Stable Rd, Jekyll Island. Cost: $6 for adults (13+ years); $5 for Seniors (65+ years); $4 for children (4-12 years); FREE for children 3 and under. $5 for Active Duty Military Personnel, Students and Teachers (ID required). For more info, call 912.635.4444 or click here. Stay savvy with the happenings at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center via the center’s blog.

Heidi Kain is the second of two winners in this week’s SouthernMamas giveaway: a two-night stay at one of five Georgia State Parks Lodges.

Thanks to everyone who shared your photos of your family’s favorite outdoor spring activity on the SouthernMamas Facebook Fan Page .

Heidi wins a two-night stay at choice of five state park lodges including: Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, Dawsonville, Ga., Red Top Mountain State Park & Lodge in Cartersville, Ga., Unicoi State Park & Lodge in Helen, Ga., George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge in Fort Gaines, Ga. or Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge in McRae, Ga.

Georgia State Park Lodges

Welcome to week No. 2 of the great Spring Break Escape giveaway: two nights at one of five Georgia State Parks Lodges.

SouthernMamas reader Carla Reed won two nights at a lodge of her choice last week. This week could be your turn. Just share a photo of your family’s favorite outdoor spring activity on the SouthernMamas Facebook Fan Page and have a chance to win a two-night stay at choice of five state park lodges including: Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, Dawsonville, Ga., Red Top Mountain State Park & Lodge in Cartersville, Ga., Unicoi State Park & Lodge in Helen, Ga., George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge in Fort Gaines, Ga. or Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge in McRae, Ga.

One winner will be chosen at the end of this week (March 26). To win, just visit the SouthernMamas Facebook Fan page and post a photo of you, your kids or your family doing something fun outside. We’ll pick two winners and announce them here.

Spring Break is a great time for families to get outdoors as part of a healthy, active lifestyle. Georgia State Parks & Lodges offer a variety of comfortable hotel-style lodge rooms at affordable prices with their new “Spring Lodge-ical” rates starting at $69 per night. Or, simply head out for the day, parking fees are just $5 per day and there are tons of recreational offerings for the entire family, from hiking and biking trails, to canoeing, kayaking and golf, there is an activity to fit every lifestyle.

Best of all you can enjoy the tranquility of the great outdoors in style with a comfortable bed and hotel-style amenities. One winner will be chosen per week to win a two-night stay at choice of five state park lodges including: Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, Dawsonville, Ga., Red Top Mountain State Park & Lodge in Cartersville, Ga., Unicoi State Park & Lodge in Helen, Ga., George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge in Fort Gaines, Ga. And Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge in McRae, Ga. For Spring Break ideas that don’t break the bank, visit  www.galodges.com or www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.

Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge

Participating Georgia State Park Lodges include:

• Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, Dawsonville, Ga.: Only one and a half hours north of Atlanta, The Lodge at Amicalola Falls is a stunning 57-room hideaway, complete with a window-lined restaurant. Whether you want to visit the famous 729-foot cascading falls, go trout fishing or hike the park’s 12 miles of trails through towering forests, there is plenty to discover at Amicalola Falls. Amicalola Falls is one of Georgia’s most popular state parks. 
  

  Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge

•  Red Top Mountain State Park & Lodge in Cartersville, Ga.: Just north of Atlanta are the sandy beaches of Lake Allatoona and the pine-scented nature trails of Red Top Mountain. At the Lodge at Red Top Mountain, you can choose one of the campsites, a secluded cottage with lakeshore views or a peaceful lodge room. Guests can enjoy 12 miles of hiking trails and water sport galore on Lake Alatoona Including boating, fishing, skiing and swimming. There’s also a miniature golf course.

•  
  

  Unicoi State Park Lodge

  Unicoi State Park & Lodge in Helen, Ga.: In the midst of the Chattahoochee National Forest, located just two miles from the Alpine Village of Helen, the Lodge at Unicoi State Park is a beautiful setting for all of your family’s needs. Guests can enjoy the park’s 12 miles of nature and hiking trails, lake and trout stream fishing, four lighted tennis courts, softball and volleyball area, picnic facilities, world class mountain bike trail and year-round schedule of activities.

•  
• George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge, Fort Gaines, Ga.: Head to Southwest Georgia for the pristine forests, championship golf and scenic dining. The Lodge at George T. Bagby is the perfect retreat, whether you choose a room at the lodge or a cottage in the woods. Guests can enjoy plenty of activities on beautiful Lake Walter George, from boat rentals and full-service marina to swimming, fishing, beach volleyball and tennis.

.