Kids Rock Music and Nature Festival and Giveaway!!

Edited: I must have been super tired last night and forgot to add that the date of the Kids Rock Music and Nature Festival is Sunday May 17th from 3pm to 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased by clicking on this link. Two winners will win a family four pack worth $50.00- enjoy and stay tuned because I will be giving away a ton of stuff for the next two weeks in honor of Mom's Day!!

I'm always up for great events and hosting a giveaway for this event makes it even sweeter. First let me tell you about this awesome event. The Kids Rock Music and Nature Festival is an outdoor family concert, picnic dinner, and Nature Fair, promising to be an early evening of great music, good food, and hands-on eco-activity at the historic Old Zoo picnic area at Griffith Park.

Featured artist is Tom Freund who will be performing kids music that the whole family will enjoy. Whether gathering seashells, walking the dog or hugging a tree, Freund urges kids to get outside and keep it moving.

The nature fair will feature activity and craft booths for kids of all ages. Kids will be able to dig for dino bones, make their own jewelry and even pet live animals! Bring the whole family to enjoy an early evening of music, nature, and fun in Los Angeles’ most famous park! BRING YOUR OWN PICNIC DINNER and enjoy a night that is sure to be filled with fun.

To purchase tickets for the event click here. Enter the code Daytrip for 20% off ticket purchases.Tickets benefit the Children's Nature Institute which provides free outdoor education to underprivileged children in Los Angeles.

Here is the supremely good part. I have two family packs to give away. All you have to do is leave a comment -any comment under this post- and you will be automatically entered to win. You have until Friday to enter and I will pick a winner using Random.org. Good luck!!

by the way for my previous Elmo winners- the dvd's will be sent out tomorrow- Just received them late on Friday.

Free Admision to the Autry National Center of the American West

I think by now you have all noticed that I absolutely love discovering beautiful Southern California on almost next to nothing. I love love free things!!! Last week I posted about my family's trip to The Autry National Center of the American West. We had such a great time. I hope you all can visit soon - because your family is going to love it!! I wanted to share with all of you that The Autry offers free admission the second Tuesday of every month!! I hope you can all take advantage and visit this amazing place. You are going to love it!! I promise!! For additional information click here.

Travel Town Museum Revisited

One of my favorite places to visit is Griffith Park. I love so many of it's attractions and it's natural beauty. I would have to say that many fun times were spent at the Travel Town Museum. If you love trains or your little ones love trains this is a must stop. It's an outdoor museum with many locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars and cabooses on display. There is a train ride that circles around the museum and is a must if you are going to visit. Train Rides are $2.50 for adults and children. There are also Public Play Days on the first Sunday of the month from 1 to 4pm where kids can play with the museum's 400 wooden piece Thomas set. There are also docent guided tours every 2nd and 3rd Saturday of the month. Tours start at 11am. Admission and parking is free!! I Travel Town Transportation Museum 5200 Zoo Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90027 Operations: (323) 662-5874

The Museum is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed Christmas Day.

Griffith Park Observatory

Today we had the chance to visit the newly revamped Griffith Park Observatory. I remember that I was a little sad when I heard that they were closing the observatory for renovations about 5 years ago and that a 5 year shutdown was a long time. Well it's been open now for about 6 months and to be honest those 5 years flew by. I've been wanting to go but was always finding an excuse to not go - well yesterday I decided that it was going to happen today and it did. Admission is free of charge. Okay here is the truth- This is not the best place for children under 8 . It's a fantastic place but it's best enjoyed by older children and adults. It's a bit of a pain to bring your stroller on the bus and the shuttle ride from the parking lot to the observatory takes about 30 minutes. The exhibits are not too child friendly and its just not really fun for them. I do however think it's a great place to visit as a couple. The observatory has some great new exhibits and a new theater. There is also a new wonderful cafe called The Cafe at the end of the Universe. The cafe is operated by Wolfgang Puck and the food is fantastic but the best part is the breathtaking views. You have an amazing view of the Hollywood Sign and of Los Angeles. If I could do the visit over - which I plan on redoing over the next couple of weeks I would try to pick one of the last shuttles on a Saturday night- which would be any of the shuttles between 6 and 7pm. I would go straight to the cafe since it closes early and have a nice romantic dinner with some amazing views. We watched a beautiful sunset over the Hollywood Sign. It would have been breathtaking if it wasn't so darn hazy. I hope next time I visit it won't be a smoggy. After dinner I would try to catch one of the last shows at the planetarium. I would then take my time strolling through the exhibits. After you finish touring the observatory the best thing to do is just enjoy the grounds and the view. You will not be disappointed. This place is definitely more of an Adult adventure and a must see. I enjoyed visiting today but learned that it's just not the place for my family. I will definitely be heading back but next time it will just be my husband and I. Griffith Observatory 2800 East Observatory Road Los Angeles, CA 90027 General Information Line: 213-473-0800 Griffith Observatory is open six days a week Weekdays (Tuesday-Friday) Open Noon - 10:00 p.m. Weekends (Saturday-Sunday) Open 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Mondays Closed The Observatory is open on most holidays, but closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.