While celebrating my nephews birthday, I had a blast here!…read more It's really a good time for the entire family! I played as hard as the kids, honestly. The carousel was a fun experience to close our visit. My nephew also enjoyed the outdoor play areas. There were Christmas themed activities throughout the day, to include a Grinch Slime activity in the steam lab and crafting snow globes in the art studio. There's a game room with an air hockey table, basketball, as well as other games. It was a nice trip, I'm sure we will be back to enjoy more of what this location has to offer. I noticed they do have a cafe and seating area to dine, if you want to explore the menu while visiting. There is a private parking lot for this location.

Took our Grandaughter while visiting the area, and I was just amazed how great this place was for…read morekids of all ages (even old men kids)- LOL Easy parking, exciting build-up as you walk towards the building with dinosaurs on the right & green sculptures on the left. Friendly Staff as you enter a bright clean entrance, Adults $14 (seemed high) till we spent over the next four hours exploring all that it contained. Our Grandaughter was exhausted when we left, and still fighting to stay. I as a grown-up enjoyed seeing future opportunities to learn & have fun as she grows up. If we lived local, would definitely consider a membership. A strong Christian Theme throughout, but a diverse group of families were enjoying the Mars Landing to the Water Area which everyone in our group had a blast following plastic balls through the water spray. A great learning playground for kids of all ages to enjoy.

Such a fun place for kids, took our grandson and we loved the aquarium, the zoo, the dinosaurs. So…read moremuch more to see, we'll need another day to see the rest!

My husband and I took our grandson for spring break and honestly, we acted like big kids ourselves…read morethe whole time! From the moment we walked in, it was a wonderful experience overall. The highlight for all three of us was definitely the stingray touch tank, getting that close and actually petting them was so cool. And seeing the penguins up close? Absolutely amazing. There's just something special about watching a child experience these things for the first time. It took me right back to when I came as a kid, and getting to share that with my grandchild made it even more meaningful. The staff was consistently friendly and helpful, the temperature inside was comfortable, and the weather outside cooperated beautifully. We also appreciated how manageable the crowds were and parking was better than expected, we even snagged a front spot! The reason this is four stars instead of five comes down to timing and expectations. We visited during spring break, which is one of the busiest weeks of the year, and unfortunately several exhibits we were looking forward to, including the red panda, the tigers, and the meerkats, were not available. For a week when families, grandparents, and school groups are specifically planning around this visit, you would hope the full experience would be ready to go. It was a noticeable disappointment, especially for the little ones. That said, what was available was genuinely enjoyable and we will definitely be back, hopefully with the full lineup next time!

I made a return trip to the World's Largest Chest of Drawers in High Point, NC. It was getting some…read morework done during my stop, so it had a fence around it. The best place to park is likely at the lot across the street. The Chest of Drawers is on a one-way street, so you might need to plan which lane to get in if traffic is heavy. High Point is considered the "furniture capital of the world." So the 38 feet high road side attraction is fitting. The piece was originally built in 1926 to welcome people to the area and promote the furniture. The design was different, and the bureau was smaller and had a mirror. It was painted white with floral accents. It wasn't a functioning piece of furniture as the drawers didn't open. Then in 1996, Sid Lenger, a High Point craftsman and designer, transformed the piece. He wanted a proper chest of drawers, so he designed and built one with hefty brass handles. This version also doesn't open, but is meant to look like a more realistic piece of high-end furniture. He also added the two pairs of six-foot-tall socks to acknowledge the hosiery industry. I hope whatever work is being done to the chest of drawers preserves the cherry wood finish's color as intended.

Another review for my collection of "superlatives," this is the World's Largest Chest of Drawers…read more Of course, it belongs here in High Point as it is the capitol of furniture in the Untied States. Remodeled in 1996, this is the new structure. Steel framing and stucco, it stands 38 feet high with simulated brass handles. And it even includes two giant socks as a tribute to High Point's hosiery industry There is plenty of parking nearby and if you're shopping for furniture at one of these many nearby showrooms, check it out. [Review 336 of 2024 - 3590 in North Carolina - 21370 overall]

I met Mrs. Gray years ago through one of her sons. She was a real gem. I don't like the term…read more"character", but she was one of those things. And a good mother. I wish I had gotten to know her. Years ago, I went back to her shop. Mrs. Gray had died years before. Her shop was now a kind of exhibit place, and it was still filled with an incredible collection of "stuff" - toys, lunchboxes, wigs, figurines, buttons, everything you can think of - and lots of it in bins classified by color like a big bin of red toy cars. It was overwhelming and a lot of fun. I think the grand daughter or niece of Mrs. Gray was my friendly hostess in the store. I was allowed to roam the store freely - alone, stunned and amazed. They had named the place Elsewhere and there was some sort of organized group connected to the place. I got on their mailing list and sent them a contribution. Some years later, in 2014, I returned to my beloved hometown, Greensboro, for a visit. An old friend of mine and I walked the length of Elm Street, starting at the few blocks leading up to the Jefferson Standard Building - heading toward Lee Street. I relived many memories of my youth, my "hippie days" (circa 1967) and my working class hero days on that walk. We stopped in a lot of shops and the clerks and customers were friendly and seemed to like us. We supported those shops by making some purchases. It was quite a pleasant stroll. We reached Elsewhere. I hadn't been back there for decades. The people there were very full of themselves. They seemed suspicious of us, two traditional looking white old guys. I guess that was it. I've been around and I can recognize people who are too hip for their own good. They were entirely unwelcoming. I got the feeling that they wondered what we were doing there. They treated us like we were shoplifters or CIA. We wordlessly left the place. It was very disappointing to me. I did not send another donation.

Not a favorite of mine, but others may find it enjoyable. There are tons of toys and gadgets to see…read morethere. For me it was messy and overwhelming. I had to leave. But others may find it interesting. The place is unique in that it's organized but it's got so much stuff, it looks messy. Personally, I avoid the place. Others may find it a fun place to take a date.

This was my second time visiting a selfie museum. It was very different from my previous experience…read moreand I was a little skeptical, but I ended up enjoying it very much. I will say that next time I will take a ring light and tripod set up because it was very difficult to get some of the pictures that I wanted to get. It was nice to have someone leading us through the different spaces and giving a time limit because I found in my last selfie museum we ran out of time and didn't make it around. It was definitely a fun experience for my daughter and her friends! They have an ad on service where you can receive mini Polaroid pictures throughout the experience. This is a $20 add-on for 10 pictures. The pictures are not great quality but the kids loved them. It is a little pricey, so I suggest looking for coupons. I scored a black Friday deal and was able to book at half price, so I went ahead and booked at their other location as well! I am looking forward to my next visit but I will definitely be prepared with a ring light and tripod.

The lobby is super super cute. Very modern and chic. You buy your tickets online. You have to show…read moreyour digital ticket when you check in. There is a extra cool hidden passage that takes you to your first set of rooms. This place is strictly for taking selfies in each room, nothing else. There are about 9 rooms total not including the lobby. There is an attendant who follows you through the rooms and ensures you follow the rules, which is totally cool and also to keep track of your time in each room. The one thing that dropped my stars was the choice of music they had over the speakers. I was with a 12 yr old and every song was riddled with curse words. Now, I'm not a stick in the mud, but it was soooo uncomfortable walking through there with loud "fs" and "s" words being shouted over and over. I'm sure they could play those songs and have the clean version played or just select universal songs. It definitely limits the type of clientele. If I return, it will most likely be with adults only. Be wary taking small children there. I will say, every room was sooooo cute and creative. I was blown away by the detail. They practice social distancing. You may have to scoot past the next group when you exit, but it's no biggy.

This tour was insightful and emotional. It's a must visit if you're ever in Greensboro North…read moreCarolina.

The International Civil Rights Center & Museum is located in the heart of Downtown Greensboro. It…read moreopened in 2010. The museum offers guided, self-guided, and virtual tours if you can't make it to Greensboro. I've done the guided tours and the self-guided tours. With the guided tour, you are provided with background information as you go through, and directed to specific things in each gallery. With the self-guided tours, you start with a video overview of what you will see in each gallery, then you go through the museum at your own pace. One tour isn't better than the other; it just depends on what you prefer. This museum is special in that it is located inside the 1929 F.W. Woolworth building, where the 1960 sit-ins at the lunch counter began. The L-shape lunch counter and the 69 stools remain where they were in 1960. This is where you first enter the galleries. Standing in front of the lunch counter where history was changed is unforgettable. The late Phil Freelon and his firm, the Freelon Group, handled the historic renovation and turned the building into a museum. Eisterhold Associates designed the interactive exhibits. The renovation and preservation made sure that many of the 1929 features remained. From the terrazzo floors to the plaster coffered ceilings. to the lunch counter, to the original stools, to the art deco stairway, to the basement, to the exterior red and gold Woolworth sign. The original dorm furniture is located in the basement. It was the planning room for the NC A&T students. The Hall of Shame is also located in the basement. It is very graphic and difficult to view, but it is so important to see these images, as you will never forget them. Segregated Greensboro shows the segregated signs and vending machines, advertising and The Green Book. The churches played a vital role in the Civil Rights Movement, as this is where they planned. Freedom Songs helped build courage before protests. There are interactive exhibits, and you can try a literacy test to suppress voting. The museum shifts from the dark side to successes. You will see mugshots of 1,200 peaceful protestors. Most of these are from other protests after the sit-ins, paying tribute to those who fought for equality. You can read about the legal triumphs after the sit-ins. After reading about other protests in the country, make sure to read through some of the names on the Wall of Remembrance, especially those you haven't heard about before. The last gallery has many black-and-white, tile-sized photos that form a mosaic of President Obama. They represent the power of community. It is a reminder that everyday people can bring change. Photography is not allowed in the museum galleries because much of the content is copyrighted. I take a lot of photos, so this was initially a challenge. But after a while, I just got so immersed in the exhibits.

A Greensboro Classic, Fun for Kids and Adults Alike!…read more I've attended a few of the adult-only events (On-Tap, 90s Night) and a couple of standard visits to the Miriam P. Brenner Children's Museum, and they are always such a treat! It's so much fun to explore the exhibits without kids around and enjoy the playful, creative atmosphere. The museum was the first children's museum in the Triad and still features some of its original exhibits -- including the iconic big red chair, which is a total photo favorite! During regular hours, the museum is perfect for kids ages 0-12, with hands-on learning and interactive play spaces that spark curiosity and imagination. But my personal favorite -- the Neptune Climber XXL -- is definitely for all ages! It's an amazing structure that brings out everyone's inner child. I mean it is 2 stories high. The staff is friendly, the events are well-organized, and the museum continues to be a special part of Greensboro. Whether you're bringing little ones or attending an adult night, this place never fails to bring smiles and good memories.

Greensboro Children's museum is a neat experience considering it's quite different than the others…read morewe've visited in the triad. Inside you will find life size vehicles for children to explore such as a real fire truck, police car, big rig, race car and ambulance. They even have a section of an airplane for kids to sit inside. It's a great place for children to use their imagination and get up close to the cars and trucks they enjoy playing with at home. There is also a pretend grocery store, pizza parlor, play house, construction site and doctors office. The toddler area allows free play for littles and is enclosed. Another section of the museum also has a water station. Outside you'll find a garden with a mud kitchen, fruits and vegetables, as well as a chicken coop. The additional outdoor section is a massive climbing area with ropes for dayzzzz. The staff is so friendly and they just started implementing a frequent visitor pass. I believe after 5 visits you get free admission. You can get a punch card at the front desk. I thought that was neat, and also encourages families to visit again. It's the least stimulating museum we've visited and much more enjoyable than the Kaladieum in Winston salem which has TV's and screens everywhere. Though this museum is geared towards a younger crowd, it's nice that parents have a place to bring children that sparks imagination, creativity and can be a break from the constant exposure of electronics that younger kids are so often drawn towards.

We had the best day at the NC Transportation Museum!!! We took the Amtrak from Charlotte to visit…read morefor the day (only wish there was some kind of shuttle from the Salisbury train station since the Amtrak doesn't stop in Spencer, but it was an inexpensive Uber). We started our visit with the train ride experience -- it took us all through the Spencer Shops property and they were playing a history explainer of the speakers (was a bit hard to hear with people talking but still interesting). Our two favorite parts of the property were the Roundhouse, which is filled with all kinds of different trains and train-related exhibits (like a real switchboard and a U.S. Army Hospital Car) and the Back Shop (literally has just about every kind of mode of transit you can think of on display, from bicycles to dugout canoes to fire trucks to boats and so much more). All the staff we met were so friendly and welcoming, too -- we had the best day! This would be the perfect place to take kids who are old enough to enjoy museums (especially those who are into planes, trains and automobiles)!!!

The North Carolina Transportation Museum has been on my list to visit for a while now, and I…read morefinally made it to Spencer, NC, to check it out. I love museums and have been to a lot of them, and some are better than others. This one felt disjointed and not cohesive. It could be improved. Tickets are purchased near the building near the train tracks. You get a wristband and a map to go on your way. The museum is on 60 acres, so there is a lot of walking. The Southern Railway Spencer Shops were once located here. 3000 people worked at Spencer Shops to keep the steam engines working properly. Spencer was halfway between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, GA, and the steam engines needed to be serviced about every 150 miles. They could run for about two hours, but then needed an hour of service to keep everything operating properly. I started in the Back Shop (look for the BE CAREFUL sign), which was built in 1905 for steam locomotives that required more extensive maintenance. The building is the size of two football fields. The building now shows all forms of transportation, from bicycles to fire trucks to cars to airplanes to rail cars to boats and canoes. This was a large building, and it wasn't clear which path we were to walk through it, as there were two aisles with items on both sides, along with empty areas. Building F housed the Roundhouse, which was the best of the buildings. It is the largest remaining roundhouse in the country. This was like a garage with 37 stalls to repair the steam engines. Now, inside it, you will find steam and diesel locomotives, passenger cars, and a full-size replica of the Wright Flyer. There is an area where you can see people working on the cars, and at the end of the building, there are some train cars that you can enter. The exhibits in this building are well done, and you can read the storyboards about the exhibits. I started in the orientation room to watch the video about the site's history, but it wasn't available to me. I was just handed another map. I'm not sure if he didn't want to start it for just one person, but I would have liked to see it as it would have provided background on the complex. The staff member wasn't friendly and didn't seem like he wanted to answer questions. Building G was the wheel balancing exhibit in a shed. The scales made sure the weight was correct for being on the train tracks. Buildings C, D and E felt like a waste. C was decorated for the Easter events, so it didn't seem the building was being properly utilized. There were some dining car exhibits in there. Building D had a model train layout and is used for storage. Building E had more classic cars. More signage would help to get from the buildings, if they made a path to follow. I didn't see any signage for getting from building G to E, so I had to backtrack through buildings F and B to get there, as I wasn't sure where I was allowed to walk on the gravel and tracks. This is where a guide would have been helpful to direct guests. Then, the inside buildings could use better descriptions, like those used in building F. It would have been nice to have helpful, friendly guides to better understand the complex. The trains weren't running on the day of my visit, so that may have provided the background information that was lacking during my visit. I'd remove buildings D and E from the tour and relocate the exhibits to fit everything into two main buildings for better flow. If I returned, I would just focus on building F and spend my time in the building, better curated.

SECCA is an absolutely wonderful museum that's free (donations accepted) and open to the public…read more They showcase contemporary artists. You can also see the Hanes House, which once belonged to the Hanes family. This is a special place that Winston-Salem is fortunate to have!

I go to SECCA at least once a year whether I need to or not and am usually pleasantly surprised…read more If you like good Art you will like SECCA.