Have Fun with Your Family
Treat the wife and kids to an outing they'll never forget: From old-school video games to star parties to amusement parks and more.
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LET THE NIGHT SKY AMAZE YOU AT A "STAR PARTY": Now through October, free star-gazing parties at Wagman Observatory are open to the public. You don’t need your own telescope to hang with the experts: AAAP members love answering questions from newbies and giving guided tours of the sky. Once your eyes fully adjust to the darkness, you’ll get a peek at the mind-blowing beauty of meteors, nebulae, star clusters and even far-off galaxies. Bring your own refreshments and a jacket for cool summer nights. And remember to turn off your headlights as soon as you arrive at the observatory so that you don’t illuminate the viewing area. Parties begin at dusk; donations welcome. P.O. Box 314, Glenshaw. Info: 724/224-2510, 3ap.org
... OR WISH UPON A STAR & MILLIONS MORE AT CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER: Don’t look around for the red carpet. Instead, if you really seek to be star-struck, cast your eyes upward to the black velvet of the night sky and ponder heavenly bodies in all their non-tabloid-hyped splendor. For just $1, you can get up close with not only with stars, but also with planets and nebulas via SkyWatch at Carnegie Science Center. One Allegheny Ave., North Shore. Info: 412/237-3327, carnegiesciencecenter.org
More Fun Things You Must Do:
>> Have Fun with Your Sweetheart
>> Have Fun by Yourself
>> Have Fun with Your Friends
BECOME A SUPER SLEUTH AT CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER'S "CSI"-THEME SLEEPOVERS: Mystery ... Crime-solving ... Omnimax movies and late-night snacks! The Carnegie Science Center offers overnight workshops on the finer points of sleuthing that teach science and skills through lots of fictional fun. For $35 per person, you can partake in an overnight adventure that’ll challenge your brain, while also having the option to explore the science center (and the USS Requin Submarine docked outside) free of charge the next day. Children do need a chaperone, but mom and dad won’t mind: This just might be the ultimate form of parent/child bonding. Did we mention the laser show? One Allegheny Ave., North Shore. Info: 412/237-1637, carnegiesciencecenter.org
OUTDOOR VOICES WELCOME AT JUMPIN' CASTLE'S INDOOR PLAYGROUND: There’s no need to hush at Jumpin’ Castle. Off-limits activities are readily encouraged, including throwing (in the basketball court), climbing (on the indoor rock wall) and jumping off the walls (in the bounce house). Staff looks on as little ones climb inside a floor-to-ceiling, castle-themed play structure with a suspension bridge, trolley glide and two slides. You know it’s fun when your tuckered-out tots throw a tantrum when it’s time to leave. But no worries—they’ll soon be snoozing in the car after all the excitement. 901 Warrendale Village Drive, Marshall Township. Info: 724/933-5272, jumpincastle.com
WATER SLIDE AU NATURAL AT OHIOPYLE STATE PARK: It took thousands of years for the stream to cut a channel in the sandstone bottom of Meadow Run. But the resulting 100-foot-long water slide is an incredibly fun miracle of nature. Slide down the twisty route, then plunge into the swimming hole at the bottom. This all-natural, cost-free attraction is accessible from the Meadow Run Trail hiking route in Ohiopyle State Park and was recently named one of the country’s top three water-slide hikes by Backpacker magazine. Pro tips: Wear jean shorts and shoes, and call ahead to check water levels in addition to safe sliding conditions. Park in lots off Route 381 or Dinnerbell Road. Info: 724/329-8591, dcnr.state.pa.us
TAKE THE MANSION TOUR AT HARTWOOD: When John and Mary Flinn Lawrence built their dreamy Tudor mansion in 1929, they probably didn’t expect that, one day, outsiders would have the chance to wander through their bedroom and peek in their closets. But we can, and you should. The house, preserved much as it was when the Lawrence family lived there, boasts stunning architecture and a formidable collection of English and American antiques. Immerse yourself in Pittsburgh’s past, but do make reservations first: The house is sometimes closed for private events and is currently doubling as the haunted mansion for the super-spooky Fox TV series “Locke & Key.” 200 Hartwood Acres, Hampton Township. Info: 412/767-9200, alleghenycounty.us/parks/hwfac.aspx
GET YOUR DOG TO FETCH A HOME RUN AT PNC PARK: This season, the Pittsburgh Pirates revive their Pup Night promotion, where you can bring your pooch to the game with you (provided your furry buddy is up-to-date on his shots and vaccinations). You’ll enjoy the game from the deck-seating section while Rover devours treat handouts and sniffs his peers. If you want your pet to make the “SportsCenter” top 10, keep an eye out for long homers; it’d take a whopper to make it to the deck, though. This year’s Pup Nights are on April 26, May 24, June 21, July 5, Aug. 16 and Sept. 13. 115 Federal St., North Shore. Info: 412/321-2827, pirates.com
This article appears in the April 2011 issue of Pittsburgh Magazine
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