Review: Trains at North Park Center

This past weekend I made the trek over to Dallas to the North Park Center to check out their annual train exhibit. Although my husband and oldest daughter were hunting, I took my 20 month old and my mother (who loves trains).

What I liked: I think my favorite part of train exhibits isn't so much the trains as it is the little scenes set up around the trains. This exhibit had awesome scenes all throughout, including many with animated pieces that moved. It's fun to find little real life details like a tiny man changing a light bulb in front of a building.

For those unfamiliar with model trains, they come in several different sizes, and often an exhibit will feature only one. But this exhibit had virtually every size of train, and lots of 'em. They were whisking by right and left over tracks that went everywhere.

Also, since it was after Christmas, the crowd was smaller than I would guess it was during the Christmas season, so it was easier to maneuver through the exhibit with my 20 month old. She enjoyed looking at the trains, although I think her mamma and Nana enjoyed it just a little more!

What I didn't like: The exhibit itself was a little short, but if you know anything about trains, you know that the total cost of all the items in this exhibit combined must have cost a fortune. Given the amount of things they crammed into a small space, I can forgive them for it being a litle short.

Also, the drive was a little long, though not as bad as I thought it would be. Thank goodness for GPS, or I never would have driven over there. (What can I say... I hate to drive to Dallas.)

Overall, it was a great experience, and I'd recommend it as something for you to take your family to do next year, especially if you have anyone in the family who likes trains. I'd like to go back next year and take my older daughter to see it, and since my youngest is so small, it'll be all new to her next year, too!

Back in the Saddle

Given the new year, I thought I'd jump start this blog with a couple of changes. Instead of listing every single activity I can find for a weekend, which was way too time consuming, I think I'll highlight just a few activities that sound like something I'd really want to do with my family, even if we don't have time for it. (Please note that my family consists of two girls, ages 5 and 1.5, and we are expecting a baby this year in March, so the activities will likely be geared toward younger children.) Also, I might include a few things that I wouldn't do with the kids, but that would make a great (or at least interesting) date or girls' night out. OK, here we go.

THIS WEEKEND: Mostly Christmas leftovers

Trains at NorthPark: It's not too late to see this Christmastime exhibit of model trains. It's a long drive over there, but if you like trains, I hear it would be worth it. Plus, it goes to support the Ronald McDonald House charity, so you can feel extra good about the cost. Here's the info from their website:

Dates: Saturday, November 22, 2008 - Sunday, January 4, 2009
Hours of Operation: Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.Sunday: Noon - 6 p.m. (Early closings on days before holidays and on New Year's Day)
Location:In NorthPark Center near the Boedeker Street entrance between Neiman Marcus and Barney's New York, Level Two. Valet parking available off the Boedeker entrance on Level Two. North Central Expressway at Northwest Highway.
Cost at Exhibit: $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children & seniors (65 and older). Children under 2 are free.

Polar Express at the Omni: Tickets for THE POLAR EXPRESS are $9 for adults, $8 for children (3-12) and seniors (60+). Museum Members receive a $2 per ticket discount. The film will show daily through Jan. 4, 2009. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or by phone at 817-255-9540. Group rates available.

Pawnee Bill's Wild West Show: Saturday, January 3rd, showtimes at 2:30 and 4:30, ticket prices $12/adult, $8/kid. This show comes periodically to the Stockyards, and I've been wanting to take the kids to see it. We haven't made it yet, but maybe you will and you can tell me if it's worth it!


NEXT WEEKEND:

Log Cabin Village: January 10, 2009
Whatcha Got Cookin’? 1:00—4:00 p.m.

"Join us in welcoming the Prairie Dog Chapter of the Lone Star Dutch Oven Society to the Village as they show us how everything from soup to dessert can be prepared in a cast iron pot! Get your hands “dirty” as you discover frontier foodways for yourself. The weather may be cool, but things will be heating up around here!
No reservations required. Cost is regular Village admission plus a $2 fee to make your own “foodie” craft."

LATER IN THE MONTH:

Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Runs January 16-February 8. We'll be there on January 31st and we can't wait! Just hope the weather isn't too terribly cold for the kids. January 17 will be the annual Stock Show Parade, and I'll try to have more details about that in the coming days.