Attending a live theater show can be a delightful experience. But even the most attentive kids start squirming in their seats after the first act. The Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater is the perfect experience for first-time theater goers. Short shows, colorful characters and plenty of audience interaction will have your little one completely captivated. Read on to learn about San Diego’s very own puppet theater.
About the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater
The Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater is a Balboa Park staple. Its rich history dates back to 1947 when the theater held its first public performance, with Marie Hitchcock and her sister as the puppeteers. Marie delighted so many kids for decades with her puppet shows that the theater was eventually named after her.
The theater itself has a classic, endearing elegance. It’s also air conditioned, which is a huge bonus – especially in the summer months! It offers cozy seating for more than 200 people. Parking is a breeze so take your time and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the park before you go in. No food is allowed inside the theater; so if you know your kiddos get hungry, pack a lunch or a snack and enjoy it on the grassy area out front prior to the show. Tickets are available for purchase at the box office, at the front of the theater.
What You’ll See at the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater
Expect to see familiar fairy tales such as Rumpelstiltskin, Rapunzel and The Little Mermaid. Original short story productions are also performed for variety. Depending on what show you decide to see, it may be a good idea to familiarize your kids with the story beforehand. Check the performance schedule to see which shows are geared towards preschool-aged theater-goers. You can also find out what kinds of puppets are featured in the show. For example, younger kids may be better off seeing a smaller show with hand puppets versus a large scale production show with life-sized puppets.
The puppet theater puts on a new show practically every week, so kids always have something new to see. The shows are performed by their own in-house puppeteers, both professional and amateur. Many of the stories are interactive and encourage audience participation. It’s not unusual in these shows to hear kids making animal noises or stomping their feet! These puppeteers possess incredible skill through voicing the puppets, coordinating them and entertaining the audience. Much of the background scenery is created by the puppeteers themselves; even some of the puppets are handmade.
Puppet Show Perks at Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater
After the puppet show, many of the puppeteers will do a meet-and-greet with the kiddos. This is the perfect opportunity for little ones to see not only the puppet stars, but also the faces behind the “magic” and to learn more about what it takes to be a puppeteer. The theater also houses a small gift shop, filled with puppet treasures and everything kids need to create their own shows.
Make sure to sign up for Tico’s Puppet Club. For a small fee, members receive two free visits and other perks, such as a finger puppet, birthday card, backstage tour, and more. Kids can also have their birthday party at the theater. Theater staff will provide a super fun puppet making workshop, and food can be delivered to the party area. The birthday guest of honor receives a crown and will be called up to the front of the theater for a special prize.
Need to Know about Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater
Puppet shows are 30-45 minutes long, and are performed Wed. through Sun. for the cool price of $5. Kids age two and under are free. Try to sit in the first two rows for the best view! Booster seats can be found at the back of the theater for the little ones. Shows range from full stage marionette productions complete with music, lighting and scenery, to simple one man puppeteer shows.
Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater
2130 Pan American Rd. (Balboa Park)
San Diego Online:balboaparkpuppets.com
One of the best ways to break up the long months of wintertime is to take the kids on vacation. Whether you prefer skiing and snowshoeing trips to embrace the snow or you want to bury your toes in the heated sand on a beach, we’ve got you covered. Here are some family-friendly travel suggestions that are ideal for securing quality time with your favorite people over winter break.
Play: National Parks are definitely America’s best idea and exploring the great outdoors is such a healthy and fun activity for families. Utah’s first and most popular national park, Zion National Park, is a great destination for the winter months. Seeing the multi-hued sandstone cliffs, slot canyons and wildlife (bighorn sheep, mule deer, bats and a mammal called the petite kangaroo rat) are what draw visitors to this park all year long. Due to relatively mild seasonal weather, travelers can go on super scenic drives, hiking and cross country skiing. Take the kids on a ranger-led winter hike or participate in the Junior Ranger program to earn a badge. The best part: the crowds have thinned out, and you’ll feel like you have the park all to yourselves like nature intended.
Other activities nearby, outside of the park, include St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site, Washington City Aquatic Center, and ghost towns in Grafton, Silver Reef, and Old Irontown.
See Why Kids Love Aruba
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Play:Aruba, known as One Happy Island, is the ideal warm-weather destination for families in the southern Caribbean Sea. Not only are there excellent beaches, like Palm Beach and Baby Beach, but also the island is chock-full of kid-friendly adventures worth exploring. For animal lovers, visit the island’s Ostrich Farm, Butterfly Farm, Donkey Sanctuary, and Philips Animal Garden. For adventure seekers, take an off-road safari or UTV tour with De Palm Tours and see the California Lighthouse and Arikok National Park. Snorkel cruises are another way to get on the water and enjoy the super-charged sunshine that the island offers.
Stay: To make planningeasier, stay at the all-inclusive Barceló Aruba and spring for the Royal Level, which includes perks like personalized check-in, exclusive dining, complimentary Wi-Fi, accommodations on higher-level floors and room service.
All-Inclusive Ski Vacation in Quebec
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Play & Stay: If a ski vacation is on your must-do list, you'll want to check out this brand-new Club Med resort that will make schlepping all that ski gear that much easier. A vacation at Club Med Québec provides guests with all the luxuries of an all-inclusive vacation while also allowing travelers the opportunity to immerse themselves in Canadian culture. Guests can enjoy activities like ice skating, dog sledding, and sugar shack visits.
The spacious accommodations echo the character of the region with the colors of Québec (winter white, twilight blue, and yellow sun) emulated through decor and other rooms feature elements like blond wooden floors and lofty ceilings akin to the warmth of the region’s ancestral homes. The resort also features three on-site restaurants that serve locally inspired cuisine like fondue and raclette, local Québec cheeses and charcuteries, freshly baked cookies, and Québec’s famous maple taffy and are decorated to celebrate different gastronomical elements tied to Québec: hunting, fishing, agriculture, foraging, and livestock farming.
Play & Stay: Leave your passport at home and fly to the Hawaiian Islands. The islands ofLanai and Maui are full of adventures that are perfect for families. The Four Seasons Resort Lanai can arrange cultural experiences for families like hula dance lessons, ukulele instruction, floral leis making, and even an oral history lesson given by Lanai’s elders. Take a guided island tour in a UTV, go sailing on a catamaran, stroll through the botanic gardens, and lounge by the lagoon-style swimming pool at the resort. Enjoy a sunrise hike to Puu Pehe, or Sweetheart Rock, go horseback riding, or snorkel in the warm water—the options are endless.
In Maui, the Valley Isle, try your hand at outrigger canoeing, visit the Ali’i Kula Lavender Garden, see sharks at the Maui Ocean Center, and go snorkeling to see a wide variety of colorful sea wildlife. Older kids, ages 12 and older, might like to try tandem paragliding withProflyght. During the winter months, you can see migrating humpback whales and nothing beats seeing the sunrise at Haleakala National Park, where you can see a massive volcano.
Winter in New York City
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Play: Visiting New York City in the winter is an enchanting experience for families—the city is still alive and electric in the chillier months. Create enduring memories for your family by ice skating at Rockefeller Center and seeing the larger-than-life Christmas tree, watch the ball drop in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, or visit one of the many incredible museums—Museum of Modern Art, American Museum of Natural History, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Complex, Guggenheim Museum, and of course, the Statue of Liberty. For something really special, take a behind-the-scenes tour of Yankee Stadium, visit the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (you can also do a backstage tour of the music hall) or see The Nutcracker at The New York City Ballet.
Stay: The city is full of great overnight possibilities. The Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel has a fantastic midtown location, a fitness center, a complimentary crib if needed and extra space in their Parlor Room with a built-in Murphy Bed, plus kids 12 & under eat free. Other family-friendly hotels include Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel, which is pet friendly and has a cool Terrace Suite with panoramic views of the city and New York Marriott Marquis, with family connecting suites, restaurant options and concierge services.
Play: Finally, something for the older kids in your family—backpacking and day hiking in some of the most beautiful parts of America’s southwest. Imagine how proud your tween will feel when she hikes for multiple miles, from beginning to end, and learns about geology along the way. If you don’t want to worry about how to get from point A to point B, and you don’t want to pack gear or figure out food options, check out Four Season Guides—they lead groups and private hiking trips through Havasu Falls, Yosemite, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
See Grand Canyon National Park like you’ve never seen it before—dip below the rim and hike past layers and layers of various geological history to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and stay at the famous Phantom Ranch before heading back out of the canyon on the beautiful Bright Angel Trail. Everyone will love the physical challenge and remember the adventure for years to come.
Pro Tip: Invest in a good pair of hiking boots—Vasque has quality trail footwear for kids—and break them in before your trip to prevent sore feet or blisters.
Play: If you ask any Chicagoan what they love the most about their city, they’ll likely say they love the culture—museums, theater, restaurants—sports, lakefront and neighborhoods (Chicago has more than 100 neighborhoods). Take the kids ice skating at Maggie Daley Park’s ribbon. Visit the Art Institute of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum (you’ll love the new Maximo Titanosaur), and the Museum of Science and Industry—all of the museums have a free or discounted admission day and nearly all have sleep-at-the-museum overnight opportunities. Travel 1,000 feet above the Magnificent Mile and check out 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, home of the sky-high moving platform TILT, that gives you a kaleidoscopic view, high above the city. Take your family to a fun-for-winter show via Broadway in Chicago, Drury Lane, First Folio, Marriott Children’s Theatre, or The Chicago Theatre—check the websites to see what productions are running.
Stay: Hotel EMC2 is a modern hotel with robots that deliver anything you’ve forgotten or need. Another cool option is the Intercontinental Chicago where you’ll find a stunning pool, Michael Jordan’s Steak House, and an onion dome that was meant (but not used) to dock blimps before the Hindenburg disaster.
Play: Toronto is a diverse and bustling metropolis that offers a plethora of indoor and outdoor adventures for culture seekers. It’s easy to see why this Canadian city is rising to the top of the list for best places to visit for multi-generational families. Explore gems like the Art Gallery of Ontario, Royal Ontario Museum, Hockey Hall of Fame and Toronto Botanical Garden. Thrill seekers will be challenged walking around the top of CN Tower—on the outside—116 stories high. And, of course, with a lot of immigrants—half of the population was born outside of Canada—you’ll have plenty of dining options to choose from (not everything is covered in bacon and maple syrup either).
Stay: Is there anything better than a hotel with an indoor water slide? We don't think so. The Chelsea Hotel is the perfect spot for families visiting Toronto and their four-story water slide is just one of the reasons that you'll love it there. The hotel has two-bedroom suites that are perfect for visiting families, as they come with a full kitchen. In addition to the corkscrew water slide, the hotel has a kids club where you can drop off your little ones for some play time with the resident bunnies while you enjoy a meal out.
Play: Do you want to feel like you are in a different country, exposing your kids to a rich culture, without ever leaving the states? Check out Tarpon Springs, Florida, a small town with the highest population of Greek-Americans of any city in the U.S. Families will love seeing the sponge fisherman working on the Sponge Docks on Dodecanese Boulevard. You can even take a cruise and watch a sponge diver, wearing a vintage suit, dive down and pull out a fresh gooey sponge. Enjoy the sweet sunshine and walk along the street full of shops, restaurants and museums full of Greek heritage. Opa!
Stay: Say goodnight on 900 wooded acres at Innisbrook, A Salamander Golf & Spa Resort. You’ll be minutes from the beaches on the Gulf of Mexico and a stone’s throw from Tampa International Airport. The resort has a relaxing atmosphere, with a spa, multiple restaurant options, and a large Loch Ness Monster Pool with slides. Kids can take golf or tennis lessons, go fishing, have fun in the kid’s club, and rent bikes to explore the area.
Wisconsin Wonderland
Wendy Altschuler
Play: From snowmobiling to cross-country skiing to sledding to snowshoeing to dog sledding to ice fishing to fat bike winter riding—you won’t run out of outdoor things to do in Wisconsin during the winter months. Beginners will love learning how to downhill ski at Granite Peak, Christmas Mountain, Alpine Valley, Devil’s Head Resort, Cascade Mountain and Mt. Crosse, among other places. Visit the Wisconsin Dells, the waterpark capital of the world, for indoor slide and amusement park fun. For something truly special though, visit Door County in the winter months, when it’s quiet, peaceful and not flooded with tourists. Take a horse-drawn carriage, go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, and check out one of the many events happening throughout the 75-mile-long stretch between Green Bay and Lake Michigan.
Stay: Book a cozy stay, in the middle of the forest, at Sunrise Shores Log Cabin in Sturgeon Bay, Door County. The cozy cabin, with a large front porch and side-screened porch, is within walking distance to a public beach, dogs are welcome, and your entire family will love the warm stone fireplace.
Explore Art in Houston
courtesy visit Houston.com
Play: Of course, the fourth largest city in America will be ripe with fantastic museums, dining and shopping, and Space Center Houston is an obvious standout, but there’s something else that Houston offers young visitors: art. Toward the end of November, families can go to Hue: Houston Urban Experience Mural Festival, part of Houston Art Week, to see artists from around the world use a variety of techniques and color to brighten up urban landscapes. Mural tours will be available during the event as well as throughout December. After seeing the street art, bring your family to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston where kids can take part in weekly family programming including Creation Station, Family Tours and Story Time.
Pro Tip: The Houston CityPASS allows families to visit several museums and attractions throughout the city, like the Houston Zoo, Children’s Museum, and Downtown Aquarium for a discounted rate. If you click on VisitHouston.com, you can also print off coupons for discounts at hotels, restaurants, transportation and more, all over the city. Also, on the website is a link for Houston for Free, which lists free family-friendly activities.
Play: Wyoming is a huge state full of fun cowboy culture and mountain adventures. On one end, you have Cheyenne, Wyoming, the nation’s rodeo and railroad capital. Don your SmartWool sweaters and thick socks and visit Terry Bison Ranch to see over 2,000 bison grazing on 30,000 acres of rolling hills. Take the family on a downtown walking tour or hop on the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley (Christmas Lights tours are available in December). Pop in the Cheyenne Depot and Depot Museum, and let the kids burn off energy in The Paul Smith Children’s Village (in the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens), which is home to Engine 1242, the oldest train engine in Wyoming. Admittance to the gardens is free and open year-round.
On the other end of the state, sits one of the most beautiful and evergreen cities in our country: Jackson Hole. This western town is near Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, which opens up a world of adventure for families. Outside of the park, families can have many fun experiences such as winter fat biking, hot air ballooning, horseback riding, snowshoeing and, of course, skiing.
Stay: Rest your head in Jackson Hole at Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa, located next to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, where your family can go skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, tubing or riding on a horse-pulled sleigh. The resort has great deals, like the National Parks Explorer package.
Get Your Play On with Nickelodeon in the Riveria Maya
Gabby Cullen
Imagine hanging with Dora, the Mutant Turtles and Sparkle and Shine, all while exploring a six-acre waterpark in the Riviera Maya!
Play: The waterpark has 21 slides, the entertainment in the Snick Lounge includes magic shows, glow parties, live music and more. Don't miss the daily 1:30 pm sliming at the water park, and be ready for amazing food, whether you dine with Raf, Mikey, Donny and Leo at Piazza Tavola or enjoy ocean views at the Bikini Bottom or the Yacht Club.
Stay: The Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya has six different restaurants and every hotel room boasts its own private pool. It's a short shuttle ride from the seaside hotel to the main lobby and waterpark, which is where you'll be able to enjoy Aqua Nick and the main entertainment.
Country music is the major draw for visitors heading to Nashville, Tennessee but there’s loads more that will keep both kids and parents busy on a vacation to Music City. Zip across a massive zip line, treat your taste buds to out-of-this-world paletas and BBQ and visit the Parthenon (or at least a very realistic replica of the Athens version). We’ve planned your next Nashville vacation below with the best things to see, eat and do while in town.
The best part? We even found the best hotels in the area that offer experiences for every type of traveler. Marriott Bonvoy™ Members enjoy enjoy exclusive savings and benefits when you book direct. What are you waiting for? Read on for the scoop!
Get Your Fill of Country Music History
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a must-visit for any family heading to Nashville. Whether you get tickets for a show or take a backstage tour, you'll get to learn the history of Music City and the history of performers who have taken the stage there from Minnie Pearl to Carrie Underwood.
Nashville Shores is where it's at for families heading to this part of the country. Boasting 385 acres, this first-class water park is more than just a water park. You'll also find aerial ropes and zip line courses, festival areas, group event sites, pontoon boat rentals and more. Kids will love spending the day in the giant wave pool or the lazy river, playing in the huge water treehouse and careening down multiple water slides.
SpringHill Suites Nashville Vanderbilt/West End knows what it's like to travel with kids. Their suites have room for the whole crew to spread out, free breakfast and a shuttle that will get you to all the area attractions with ease. Plan to spend some time splashing in the indoor pool at the end of your day. Insider tip: Save yourself some time and book directly through the hotel's website; you won't find a better deal out there, guaranteed!
You may think you've traveled to a slightly greener version of Athens when you visit Nashville's Centennial Park. In addition to being one of Nashville's best outdoor spaces, you'll find the full-scale replica of the Greek Parthenon, perfect for an impromptu history lesson. In the park's 132 acres you'll also find hiking trails, a band shell with seasonal live music and the Centennial Sportsplex.
Don't let the line around the corner deter you from spending some time at the Pancake Pantry. It's worth it—we promise! From standard buttermilk to more unique options like sweet potato and Sante Fe cornmeal, Pancake Pantry has 23 pancake options to choose from. They've been serving up these circular treats since 1961 and their game is strong. They offer waffles, omelets and non-breakfast options, too.
With its prime location, Residence Inn Nashville Vanderbilt/West End is a no brainer for families heading to Nashville. In addition to complimentary breakfast offered daily, you can save some major dough and limit your eating out by cooking in your in-room kitchenette (they even offer a grocery delivery service!). Want to save on your room rate as well? Head to the hotel's website to book direct and you'll be guaranteed the best rate out there.
There's so much to do at the Adventure Science Center that you'll be able to fill a whole day (or more!). Packed to the gills with hands-on, interactive science exhibits, this destination is best for school-age kids though little ones will have a blast building with giant blocks in the Imagination Playground. Learn about the inner workings of the human body in the BodyQuest exhibit and then head over to the Innovation Incubator to see what's new in this high-tech maker space.
The Nashville Zoo is full of unique experiences that make it a must-visit for families. There are exhibits inside a couple of the restrooms (the first men's restroom has a python exhibit and the women's restroom by the bear exhibit has monkeys) and you can pet a kangaroo if one approaches you. The veterinary center allows visitors to see animal care firsthand through the glass, which will surely inspire future zoologists. Don't leave without taking a ride on the Wilderness Express Train and Wild Animal Carousel.
For a view of the city and walking distance to fun spots like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Johnny Cash Museum, choose the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Its upscale design and modern features will make you feel like you are really on vacation. The indoor pool will be a kid fave and the massive rooms a parent fave. Book a Club Level room for additional perks like breakfast and access to the Club Lounge (and it's snacks!).
Known collectively as the "Warner Parks," Edwin and Percy Warner Parks are a favorite with locals. If you're looking to get some fresh air and experience nature, this is a great, woodsy place to take a hike. And if your kids aren't into hiking, never fear—there are trails specifically for kids. Stop by the Nature Center for a guide and you'll be on your way. There's also a "Nature Play" area with a small little wooden house and some hills, a rope climbing structure and some rocks for the kids to play on.
Sisters Norma and Irma Paz brought their Mexican paletas or ice pops to Nashville in 2001 and it was love at first bite. Made in their store’s kitchen, Las Paletas offers cream paletas that have the texture of an ice cream bar and fruit paletas that have the texture of a traditional ice pop. Using fresh, ripe fruit, vegetables and other ingredients including grains, nuts, flowers and herbs from community gardens, they offer 20 or more flavors each day. Choose a full-size or the mini "chiquita" size that's perfect for little hands.
Music City's first luxury hotel is one that families will be talking about for years to come. The 33-story, elliptical-shaped JW Marriott Nashville offers floor-to-ceiling windows in every room so you can see always see the action. With a pool for the kids and full-service spa for the adults, everyone will leave relaxed and refreshed (which is sometimes hard to come by on family vacations!). Make sure you nab the best deal on your hotel stay by booking on the Marriott website.
After listening to endless country music and purchasing your own blinged-out cowboy hats (of course), Juro Stables is the perfect family adventure for your Nashville visit. Group rides through the woods are offered daily and kids as young as one can participate (ages 1-4 ride double with a parent). Relax as these majestic beasts guide your way.
It's not a Nashville vacation until you feast on true Tennessean BBQ at Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint. You can experience whole-hog barbecue where a fresh hog goes on the pit at the end of each day to cook low and slow to be ready for customers the next day. Choose from ribs, chicken, pulled pork and more but don't forget to save room for dessert with southern classics such as coconut cake, pecan pie and fudge pie on the menu.
With Marriott Bonvoy, members can enjoy special rates, free in-room Wifi, mobile check-in and the ability to earn and redeem points at Marriott’s thousands of hotels. Not a Marriott Bonvoy member? Join for free when you book! Save on your trip to Nashville here!
The tween years can be difficult for a number of reasons. You’re in between life stages, not quite a child but not yet a teenager. And planning a birthday party can be, well, interesting! You’ve outgrown the bouncy house phase but you’re not quite at the pizza and a movie alone phase. Not to worry! The DMV is filled with entertaining and exciting options for that in between party point!
Photo: Escape Room Live
Escape Room Live The “Escape” experiences are all the rage worldwide and the DMV is definitely not being left behind! Escape Room Live has three DMV locations (Georgetown, Glover Park and Alexandria) and they are all the rage. Players work in teams to solve puzzles and brainteasers in order to “escape” the room in which they’re trapped — before time runs out. Room themes include favorites like “Titanic,” “Ghostbusters,” and “Sherlock Holmes.” They offer a variety of party packages and it’s a great team-building activity which is key in the tween years!
Ultrazone LaserTag Who doesn’t love laser tag?! At Ultrazone, your tween can step into a high-techlaser tag venture where individuality is limited only by their imagination! Their goal will be to avoid lasers, and strategize with friends as theyvie for high scores and stardom! Ultrazone offers state of the art laser tag games, arcade games and birthday parties that are out of this world! Party packages include party room, host, pizza, soft drinks, arcade tokens and goodie bags. So, strap on a vest and step into the labyrinth where you will become completely immersed in another world!
Terrapin Adventures Terrapin Adventures is all about building relationships through fun! They’re thang is aerial adventures with only wood, rope, and cable. Yep, just wood, rope and cable! They combine team building and thrills within the context of caring for and understanding our environment. Tweens can explore, learn about, and enjoy nature as it was meant to be. They have specialty trained Aerial Adventure Guides/Facilitators that provide your party with a safe, thrilling, and memorable experience. Different party theme/adventures are available and you can choose from Easy, Thrilling and Challenging difficulty levels.
Buzz Bakery in Ballston/Arlington Buzz will be all the buzz with tweens who love to decorate cupcakes…and eat them! The lovely, welcoming bakery near Ballston Mall offers Birthday Party packages. You can host a very small party in the back of the bakery or a bigger oneon their outside patio. Buzz offers cute cupcake and cookie decorating kits perfect if you want to go somewhere other than your house to decorate some sweets. You can even order savory snacks to nibble on.
Zazzy Peacock Studios Meet Jill Newman and you’ll understand why she chose the name Zazzy Peacock for her new studio located in the Artists & Makers 2 space in Rockville. She’s a colorful, creative soul who is full of energy and loves working with equally minded youngsters. You must be eight and up to host a party at ZPS and Jill will work with you on the materials you’d like to work with as well as what you’ll be creating. Tweens are encouraged to create a custom project! You bring food and cake but can leave decorations behind as Jill has zazzed ZPS in such fun, bright colors, you won’t need to lift a finger. She even handmade a festive birthday banner!
Encore Stage& Studio Is your tween a drama queen?! A birthday party at Encore Stage & Studio is spot-on for your actor or theatre buff. Their birthday package includes a party room rental before the theatre performance, and an exclusive backstage tour. Plus, your tweens birthday will be announced to the entire audience before the start of the show! The party room is available 90 minutes before show-time and you’re responsible for providing food and decorations. Party package cost is only $75 plus $8/seat for the show. Now, that’s a bargain! f
The Nutcracker is a seasonal spectacular not to be missed. But which show to see? Read on for seven different twists on this traditional tale sure to fill your wee one with sugarplum visions and create a lasting holiday memory.
Fox Theatre Best for: Families looking for a classic retelling What’s the scoop: The Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker at the fabulous Fox Theatre is a holiday staple. This beautiful classic will transport your little ones into a delightful holiday world. If you are looking to make a lasting memory with your family, don’t look further than this classic production. See it: Ticket prices range from $15-89. Performances are held December 11-28 at the Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta 30308. Buy tickets here.
Gwinnett Theatre Best for: Traditionalists What’s the scoop: The Gwinnett Ballet Theatre is celebrating its 33rd performance of the Nutcracker in Atlanta. This company focuses on the traditional retelling of this classic story. Half of the performances will be set to recorded music, and the other half will be performed with a live orchestra. See it: Tickets range from $18-26. Performances are held December 5-21 at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth 30096. Reserve your tickets here.
Cobb Civic Center Best for: Ballet Purists What’s the scoop: The Georgia Ballet Company brings their lavish and classical presentation of the Nutcracker back to Atlanta with help from some superstar friends. Joining this exquisite production are Sarah Lane and Luis Ribagorda from the movie, Black Swan, as well as from the American Ballet Theatre in New York. See it: Tickets range from $15-100. Event performances are held December 5-7 at the Cobb Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Pkwy SE, Marietta, 30060. Reserve your tickets here.
The Urban Nutcracker Best for: Families looking for a cultural spin What’s the scoop: The Urban Nutcracker kicks off the first Nutcracker performance of the holiday season. Be transformed to Atlanta’s own Sweet Auburn Avenue and experience a different spin on the Nutcracker classic in the form of reggae ragdolls, sultry Arabian dancers, bubbly Coca Cola Pas de Six, Mother Spice and her tumbling spice drops and more. See it: Ticket prices range from $39 to $52. Performances are held November 20-23 at Georgia Tech’s Ferst Center for the Arts, 349 Ferst Dr, Atlanta, GA 30332. Order tickets here or call 404-894-9601.
Kids in Step at the Fox Theatre Best for: The younger set in big groups from school. What’s the scoop: Through the Atlanta Ballet Kids In Step program, younger ones can enjoy the magic of the Nutcracker in a shortened version. After experiencing an abbreviated performance, they are treated to a special behind-the-scenes look at the magic of backstage. Teachers will also receive educational materials prior to the performance. See it: Tickets are $10. Performances are held December 11 & 17 at 11 am at the Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, 30308. Reserve your tickets here.
The Nutcracker Tea Best for: Families who want an up close experience. What’s the scoop: The Nutcracker dances to life in the way of a tea party for young ones. The Atlanta Ballet dancers perform and tell a story, as little ones will sip on traditional teas and cocoa and munch on finger sandwiches, scones and bite-size desserts. Cameras are permitted to capture the excitement of the dancing sugar plum fairies. For an even sweeter ending, little ones will decorate holiday cookies. See it: Tickets are $60 for adults, $50 for children ages 3-12, and complimentary for children under 3. Performances are held December 7, 14, & 21, 2:30 to 5 pm at the Four Seasons Park 75 Restaurant. Call (404) 253-3840 for reservations.
The Nutcracker at the American Girl Best for: Younger girls, ages eight and up What’s the scoop: American Girl of the year, Isabelle, is an aspiring ballet dancer. Your own little aspiring ballerinas will start the day with brunch and Isabelle-themed crafts at the American Girl store. After, the ballerinas will board a bus for the Fox Theatre for a backstage tour, cookies and milk, and a performance of Clara and the Nutcracker. Your ticket includes round-trip bus transportation and an Isabelle poster. See it: Tickets are $85. Event and performance are held on December 14 at 9:30 am at the North Point Mall American Girl Store, 1202 North Point Circle, Alpharetta 30022. Reservations are required. Call 1-877-247-5223.
Will you be seeing the Nutcracker this year? How will you share this classic with your little ones? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
A visit to the historic El Capitan Theatre means you’re not merely going to the movies, you’re taking a magical trip back in time to Tinseltown’s golden age. Starting this fall, families are invited to take an exclusive look behind the curtain of one of the most breathtaking film venues in the world with Disney’s Movie Palace and Backstage Tour. Perfect for visiting relatives and movie loving tots, this tour arrives just in time for the holidays.
Film buffs of all ages will find the 30-minute guided tour of the El Capitan fascinating as they get a rare all-access pass to the innerworkings of this legendary landmark. Learn the secrets of the theatre’s glamourous history since making its Hollywood debut in 1926, including its transition from a playhouse to movie theatre. You also get to visit the Wall of Fame, which documents countless movie premieres over the years, Walk of Fame ceremonies, and the theatre’s meticulous restorations under various ownerships. Kiddos will especially love hearing that almost every Disney film world premiere has been held at the El Capitan since reopening under Walt Disney Ownership in 1991, starting with The Rocketeer.
photo credit: Jennifer O’Brien
Lovingly restored to its original grandeur, the 1,000 seat theatre’s ornate architecture is truly a feast for the eyes. On the tour, you are welcome to shoot as many photos as you like throughout the entire tour and believe us, once you’re inside the actual theatre, you’ll be snap, snap, snapping away. They’ll even dim the lights and treat you to a full viewing of the dazzling curtain show that’s performed before every movie.
photo credit: Disney’s El Capitan Theatre
After the curtain show, kids and parents can hop on stage and take a picture with the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ that has helped make this theatre extremely special over the years. With four keyboards and 37 ranks of pipes, the organ is unparalleled when it comes to playing live music for movie palaces. On the weekends, an organist rises up (as if by magic) from under the stage and performs right before the movie, so there’s no better time to bring your little ones.
photo credit: Jennifer O’Brien
Other tour highlights include an in-depth look backstage, including the “Mickey Lift” glass elevator which secretly transports cast members to the stage for the movie pre-show; the downstairs dressing rooms and green room; a visit to the Sherman Brothers Star Dressing Room – named for the composers of “It’s a Small World” and “A Spoonful of Sugar;” and the lower lounge area where premiere after parties are usually held. Kids feel the full VIP treatment! At the tour’s conclusion, every guest is treated to a box of freshly popped popcorn. Yes, it’s a good as it smells. And if you need a sweet treat to balance out the salty, exit through the adjacent Ghiradelli Soda Fountain (still Disney themed, as it was when it was the Disney Soda Fountain), where everyone who enters gets a sample square of tasty chocolate.
For families who might be short on time (or attention spans), Express Tours are also available throughout the day which include the history of the theatre, a visit to the Wall of Fame and tour of the lobby area.
Hours: Full tours are given daily at 8:30 a.m. Express Tours are given throughout the day.
Cost: Tickets are available on a walk-up basis through the El Capitan box office and cost $15 per person (including kiddos) for the full tour. Express tours run $5 per person. No advanced reservations are needed.
Parking: Parking is available across the street at the Hollywood & Highland Center parking garage for $2 for up to four hours. Please remember to bring your parking ticket with you to the El Capitan for validation.
