Soldier Hollow, Midway, Utah.

There's tubing and then there's tubing. The former usually takes place on a hill in park near your house. The latter takes place on a monstrous groomed area on the side of a mountain.

Soldier Hollow is a recreationarea best known for golf during summer and cross country skiing during winter, but also offers the best tubing we have ever experienced. There is a rope tow that attaches to your tube to pull you up the hill so you don't have to wear yourself out. Once at the top, there is a small line, but it moves quickly. They created 4 1200 foot long groomed lanes with several large bumps along the way down. It's about a 45 second ride, so quite a bit longer than the neighborhood park.

Another benefit is you get up in the mountains and out of the inversion. The view is beautiful and makes us wish we lived up there. You have to purchase tickets and they only allow so may people at a time, so it's a good idea to buy them online well in advance.

Activity rating 0-10

Kid fun: 10
Difficulty: 2
Cost: $22/person 7 yrs+, $12/person 3-6 yrs

Please check their website for most updated info.

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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