Upcoming Summer Events

Every Monday night we get together as a family. It is a fun time filled with music, games, a short lesson and of course, food. With summer break quickly approaching, we used our Monday night meeting to plan out our summer activities. There are so many more activities and things to see than we have time for! Here is what made the list:

• Salato Wildlife Park


• Friday Night Flicks (of course!)


• Ride the Duck


• Elizabeth town and the Coca Cola Museum


• Kings Island


• Hiking at High Bridge


• Mammoth Cave


• Tour of Frankfort


• Land Between the Lakes and Natural Bridge


• Blueberry, Pancakes and Daylilies Jubilee in Paris


• McConnell Springs


• Hiking in the Daniel Boone National Forest


• Shop at the Longest Yard Sale (127sale.com)


• A trip to Washington D.C.- but that doesn't really count because it isn't in KY.

Of course, we will also have a large helping of trips to the local libraries and public pools. We also didn't pencil in any star gazing, firefly catching, fishing in our pond, lemonade stands, or fireworks on the 4th of July. I also promised my kids I would take them to the cemetary down the street so they could do some rubbings of the headstones that are too old to read. (Kind of creepy I know, but hey- what the heck?)

So there you go- our summer plans. What are yours? I can't wait to get started!

Newport Aquarium

Location: Newport, KY (on the KY/OH border)
Cost: Pricey!! $140 for my family of 8
Suitable Ages: All

Last weekend we went to Newport to visit the aquarium. I read online that it was a good aquarium but not worth the price and I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment. It was a fun day and I am glad we went- once.

First for the good points:

• The animals were all easy to see


• The sea turtle and sharks were awesome!


• The jellyfish display was fun and interactive


• You can pet sharks, rays and sea stars


• The shark tunnels were neat

Now for the list of downers:

• PRICE! PRICE! PRICE!!!! Did I mention it was expensive? Totally not worth the cost.


• CROWDED!!! There were times when we literally couldn't walk because of the mass of people. I got clausterphobic on a number of different occasions.


• The penguin show was a joke. They hyped it up to be an amazing show but in reality it was one middle aged woman dressed in a funny tuxedo costume talking to an animated penguin on a 48' screen television. Don't waste your time waiting for it.


• The staff was rude. We literally got yelled at by some 19 yr old kid for not reading a sign. Had there been less people, I might have been able to SEE the sign but some brilliant designer put the sign at knee level. So if you DO go, FYI- DON'T STAND ON THE LEDGE !!!

I would NOT recommend going to the aquarium. You won't be missing anything worthy of $25 admission, that's for sure! There are plenty of other aquariums more deserving of your money.