North Pole at Seven Peaks. Provo, Utah.

Water parks aren't normally open for business in winter, but Seven Peaks transforms into the North Pole in December. It is free for all Pass of all Passes holders and it includes 3 rides down the giant slide, the carnival swing ride, and a visit with Santa. This Santa was obviously not the real Santa, as the kids pointed out, since he was so grumpy and didn't even have his beard on right.

The slide is tons of fun and we made sure to go as much as we could. You can purchase tickets that will get you more rides down the slide, but we opted to go around the lazy river in the bumper boats. We also took a train ride around the park and watched a movie that included free cookies.

Overall, it was a great time. Just make sure you check the forecast so you don't get rained on like we did.

Activity rating 0-10

Kid fun: 10
Difficulty: 0
Cost: $0 (with Pass of all Passes)

Pictures

 

Temple Square. Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Christmas lights at Temple Square is something that most people in Utah are familiar with, but we had yet to go as a family. It was very crowded and finding free parking was next to impossible. Everyone is in that area to see the lights, go to a Jazz game, and visit the City Creek Center.

Even with all of the traffic, it was worth it. The lights are breathtaking. The LDS church opens up the grounds for everyone to enjoy and puts on a nativity every 30 minutes. Make sure to go east of the Temple to get some of the best views and the prettiest lights. The best spots to pose for pictures are very crowded, so be patient if you want that perfect shot. The Conference Center is also decorated and looks amazing.

Activity rating 0-10

Kid fun: 8
Difficulty: 0
Cost: $0

Pictures

 

Bean Life Science Museum on the Brigham Young University Campus, Provo, Utah.

It has been years since we have visited the Bean Life Science Museum on the Brigham Young University Campus and a lot has changed. We went on the same day as a BYU Football game, so we had the place pretty much to ourselves.

There was free face painting and some games with the Conservation Kids. The museum also holds several interactive presentations every Saturday.

After visiting the museum, we took the kids on a tour of the school. The sheer size of the campus and the buildings, particularly the library. We got to try some of the treats we would get at the bookstore when we were students and purchased a couple souvenirs for the kids.

Activity rating 0-10

Kid fun: 8
Difficulty: 0
Cost: $0

Pictures

 

Lake Mary. Brighton, Salt Lake City, UT.

to the album: November 7th at Brighton, Salt Lake City, UT.

Published by Jed Terry · November 7, 2015 · 

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‪#‎terrysweekendadventures‬

The hike up to Lake Mary doesn't normally have snow this time of year, but we were so excited to get to play in it. There were already snowboarders who were hiking up to get their first rides of the year in. A couple of more weeks and it wouldn't have been possible to get all the way to the lake without snow shoes.

The trail is fairly short, only 2 miles out and back, and isn't that steep either. Most everyone would be able to make the hike. It is possible to hike over to the Albion Basin and few other lakes from this trail. Up at the top you can see nearly all of the Brighton Ski Resort. In spring and summer, the lake is full, but is drained in the winter.

This is definitely one of the hikes we will be repeating, but will make sure to do it in late spring or summer. If you decide to go, just remember that no dogs are allowed in Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon, even in a car.

Activity rating 0-10

Kid fun: 7
Difficulty: 4
Cost: $0

Pictures

Tracy Aviary. Salt Lake City, Utah.

Each Halloween, the Tracy Aviary holds the Halloween Hoot. The workers dress up in Halloween costumes and hold several events that only happen on October 31st. Admittance is 50% off if you are in costume. There is free face painting, a straw maze, and arts and crafts. Some of the birds are free to walk around the park. There are birds from all around the world and makes for a fun, educational experience.

Activity rating 0-10

Kid fun: 5
Difficulty: 0
Cost: $5/child, $8/adult

Pictures

Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead. Lehi, Utah.

Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, takes place every year from October 31st - November 2nd. Here in the United States, Halloween gets in the way, which is why Thanksgiving Point has the celebration a week early.

To the outsider, the Day of the Dead may seem rather morbid, but it is quite the opposite. Dia de Los Muertos is a celebration of one's ancestors. People will take baked goods, special items, bread of the dead, sugar skulls, marigolds, and photos to the graves of their ancestors.

The celebration at Thanksgiving Point includes alter displays, face painting, sugar skull decoration, mask making, traditional food, and demonstrations and dances on the main stage. It is a great educational experience and gives you a greater understanding and appreciation of the tradition.

Activity rating 0-10

Kid fun: 6
Difficulty: 0
Cost: $10 for 12 years and up

Pictures

Sundance, UT.

‪#‎terrysweekendadventures‬

Every fall, the Ray's Lift at the Sundance Resort is taken over by circus freaks and aliens to provide an entertaining lift ride up the mountain. At the base you will find an outdoor movie theater, paintball range, pumpkin bowling, face painting, and some bean bag games. The lift ride takes you up in near total darkness so you can see the entertainment below and the projected images all across the resort and on the mountains opposite the lift.

While it may be mild down in the valley, it gets very cold up in the mountain. Bring winter clothes and a blanket for the 45 minute ride. When you get back to the base, there are wood burning fire barrels to warm up at. There is also a restaurant and deli open late if you want to get something to eat and warm up inside.

For the more adventurous, there is a zipline that begins at the summit of Ray's Lift and crosses a total of 3,870 feet. You can hear it screaming down the mountain in the darkness from the lift.

Activity rating 0-10

Kid fun: 8
Difficulty: 0
Cost: $52 for a family 4 pack

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