Summer kicked off yesterday with Memorial Day picnics, parties and parades. It’s time to get out the grill, cool off in the pool or take a few days off to rest, relax and have a great time with family and friends. If you’re looking for a way to get away this summer, MageeNews.com has some suggestions for you. Today, June 1, we’re kicking off our “Summer Fun in the Deep South” series, highlighting regional attractions that are family-friendly and tons of fun.
First up, the Gulf Coast Exploreum in Mobile, Alabama. Turns out there’s more to see in Mobile than the battleship! If you’re like me, you’ve always thought Mobile’s just a place you pass through on the way to Florida, but this museum is worth a stop on the way. Here are a few reasons why:
First, the Exploreum is great for all ages. The Wharf of Wonder is designed for preschoolers and features “objects that foster dramatic play, promote tactile exploration, stimulate sensorimotor learning and encourage peer interaction.” In other words, it’s a great place for small children to PLAY! Whether they are steering the S.S.Crighton or fishing for sea creatures in the ball “ocean,” small children will have a blast in an area designed just for them.
Don’t think that means older children won’t have something to do, though. Hands on Hall offers more than 50 interactive exhibits aimed at helping kids understand the “basics of electricity, simple mechanics, magnetism and much more.” While here, kids can play a laser harp, produce their very own news segments, and launch tennis balls with air pressure they create. Not to mention, the exhibits that teach them about optical illusions, electromagnetics and more. Another great aspect of this exhibit is the fact that smaller children can still take part with the help of adults. Our 4-year-old loved it and said her favorite things to do in the whole museum were playing the harp and tug of war in the Hands on Hall, but believe me, she enjoyed the rest as well.
After learning about the world around them, kids get the chance to learn about themselves in the My Body Works exhibit, which features a 12-foot-tall beating heart. In the Virtual Surgery Center, kids become the surgeons, testing (and enhancing!) their hand-eye coordination as they perform virtual heart bypass or knee replacement surgery. From there, they can visit the BioLab, where they become real scientists, taking part in real experiments.
Finally, kids can enter the world of virtual reality as they experience the exhibits of Minds on Hall. Here, they can ride a virtual roller coaster or challenge a computer to a virtual game.
From preschoolers to teens to the adults who accompnay them, kids of all ages will enjoy the unique learning experience the Exploreum offers. And the best part? It’s only a day trip away. Go for the day or spend the weekend in Mobile. Either way, you’ll be glad you did. Just be sure to allot several hours for your visit…you won’t want to miss anything!
The Exploreum is located at 65 Government Street in Downtown Mobile.
Hours of operation are:
Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday Noon – 5:00 pm
The Wharf is closed the 2nd Monday of each month from 1-5pm for maintenance.
Ticket prices are as follows:
Individual Admission Exhibits Only IMAX COMBO – Best Value!
Adult (19-59) $11.00 $8.00 $15.00
Youth (13-18) &
Seniors (60+) $9.50 $6.75 $14.00
Child (2-12) $9.00 $6.00 $12.50
To learn more, visit www.exploreum.com!