August 28, 2007

It's all Greek in Nashville

If you’re looking for one more trip before summer is officially over, why not explore the architecture of ancient Greece? There's no need to travel half way around the world though. The Parthenon in Nashville is the world’s only full-scale reproduction of the Athenian original. Built in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, the replica is made of brick, stone, and concrete (instead of Greece’s marble). Restored from 1921-1931, the ground floor houses a small art gallery while the top floor is a recreation of the ancient Greek temple. The centerpiece of the Nashville site is the replica of the 42-foot gold statue of Athena that once stood in the Greek Parthenon but was subsequently lost around 400 AD. This is the only place in the world to see this pinnacle of classic architecture the way the ancient Greeks intended.

Admission:
Adults - $5
Children 4-17 - $2.50
Under 4 – Free

Hours:
9am - 4:30pm Tue – Sat
12:30pm - 4:30pm Sun
June, July and August

http://www.nashville.gov/parthenon/

August 07, 2007

Learning is child's play in Rochester

The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, NY has a very serious ambition: to facilitate learning and human development through play. Adults and kids alike love this newly expanded museum that’s so full of interactive activities, you could easily spend two days here. Pilot a helicopter, explore the set of Sesame Street, produce your own TV commercials and cooking shows, or ride a historic carousel. Experience life in the 19th century as you learn to pump water, churn butter, and scrub clothes on a washboard. There are also special summer parades, concerts, storytelling, and activities in the events calendar. Check out the 1000-gallon coral reef aquarium and the outdoor Discovery Garden where there are plenty of winding paths to explore. The popular Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden requires an extra admission fee and advanced tickets are recommended. No visit is complete without walking through the National Toy Hall of Fame that features dozens of America’s favorite toys from the past including that most versatile of playthings – the cardboard box.

Admission:
Adults - $9
Children (2-17) - $7
Children (under 2) – Free

Hours:
(through Labor Day)
10am-6pm Mon-Thur & Sat
10am-8pm Fri
Noon-6pm Sun

http://www.strongmuseum.org/index.html

July 22, 2007

Lights, Camera, Action! in the Big Apple

If you and your family love movies and you’ve always been curious about how they get from original idea to the big screen, stop by the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, NY. Focusing on how movies are made, marketed, and shown, this museum is filled with costumes, props, and technical gadgets. There are also interactive exhibits where you can try editing sound effects and create animated shorts. Included in the admission price are different film screenings every weekend as well as fascinating demos of film editing, sound editing, animation, and creating video games. On weekends at 2:30pm, the Motion Workshop allows your kids to make a Thaumatrope - a 19th century optical toy - and learn what makes moving images “move.”

Admission:
Adults - $10

Children (5-18) - $5
Children under 5 - Free
Free on Fridays after 4pm

Hours:
11am – 5pm Wed & Thurs

11am – 8pm Fri
11am – 6:30pm Sat & Sun

http://www.movingimage.us/site/site.php