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Canada: Toronto, Ontario – Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto

The seat of government is also a fun place for tourists to hang out. Look for people inside the “O”. Look around the square for sculptures: Three-Way Piece No. 2 (The Archer) by Henry Moore, Oscar Nemon’s statue of Sir Winston Churchill and even a Roman column. If you’re looking to park your car, underneath is one of the world’s largest underground parking garages.

Canada: Toronto, Ontario – Woody Woodpeckers?

Fun side of Toronto finding this sculpture 2 woodpeckers pecking away in front of the Toronto Convention Center and near the Ripley’s Aquarium. 

Canada: Toronto, Ontario – Mural Near Dog Park

Fun Trompe d’oeil mural on wall near a dog park in downtown Toronto. So cool that a bride and groom are taking photos here. Maybe they have a doggie? Some of the windows are real. Can you tell which ones?

 

Canada: Toronto, Ontario – Dog Park

Notice the water streams of the fountain are projecting out of about a dozen dogs. Dog sculptures are in this cute park in downtown Toronto.

Italy, Venice: Gondola Parking

Never thought about where you park your gondola when you are off work. Notice the other boats tucked along the buildings. Front doors are often on the canals.

US: Providence, RI – Over 5,000 Intricately Carved Pumpkins and Spooky Nights at the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

A fall tradition at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, is the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, attracting more than 100,000 visitors for this truly “spectacular” event.

Don’t miss this year’s show that includes more than 5,000 intricately carved pumpkins featuring scenes of wizards, fairytales, and the luminaries of great myths and legends, alongside superheroes, and historical figures who changed the world. Revel in the sights and sounds of the season, and celebrate this otherworldly experience. This seasonal art show aims to delight and amaze the whole family, and not to scare anyone. – Tickets on-sale now

You can also experience the Soaring Eagle Zip Ride during the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. From 115 feet above riders enjoy an aerial view of the park and admire the plethora of jack-o-lanterns from above. Get an eagles-eye view over Providence and into Narragansett Bay in comfortable side-by-side seats.

There are also a number of Special Events taking place which are included in the price of admission (with the exception of Spooky Zoo and Boo at the Zoo Family Overnight). Kids and adults are encouraged to wear costumes; masks are not permitted for teens/adults over age 12.

Children’s Fairy Tale Nights – Wed and Thurs, Oct 10th & 11th @ 5:30pm-8pm: Meet beloved children’s fairy tale characters.  Take pictures with Peter Pan, Cinderella, Snow White, Robin Hood and favorite Dr. Seuss characters such as the Cat in the Hat and the Grinch.  As the sun sets, find your favorite fairy tales characters intricately carved on the pumpkins.

Wizarding Nights – Wed and Thurs, Oct 17th & 18th @6pm-8pm:
Wizards and witches get your wands, mount your brooms and fly on over to meet some of the characters from J.K. Rowling’s beloved series.  Before you embark on the pumpkin trail, try a butter beer or a chocolate frog.  Then travel the pumpkin trail, and identify characters and scenes from the wizarding world.

Super Hero Nights – Wed and Thurs, Oct 24th & 25th @6pm-8pm:
Comic book fans might meet Black Panther, Captain America, Iron Man, Spider Man, and the gang, take a photo, and find out how they all save the world.  As the heroes go back out to fight evil, find your hero’s pumpkin on the pumpkin trail.

Spooky Zoo – Sat and Sun, Oct 27th & 28th:
Spooky Zoo is back, offering daytime outdoor autumn activities for the whole family.  Come trick-or-treat (while supplies last)  beginning at 10:30 am on the Treat Trail by the red wolf exhibit. Kids and adults will enjoy a packed schedule of seasonal activities. Activities are free with Zoo admission and all children 12 and under dressed in costume get in for half price.

Boo at the Zoo Family Overnight – Sat, Oct 20th and Sat, Oct 27th, 2018:
Snooze at the Zoo for the wildest family overnight adventure in town. The night begins with pizza and ice cream before educators engage you and your children in an owl pellet dissection, program animal encounters, and give you VIP access to the world famous Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. Set up your sleeping bags in the Meller-Danforth Education Center with popcorn and a movie to snooze to. You’ll need your zzzzs before waking up with the animals. A light breakfast will be provided before a morning Zoo tour.

The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular takes place 7 days a week. Take advantage of Value Nights, Mon-Thurs, which will save you a bit of money and are usually less crowded.

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence, RI 02903
Dates: Oct 4 – Nov 4, 2018
Times: 6 – 11 p.m. (last admission at 10pm)
Tel: 401-785-3510
rwpzoo.org/plan-your-visit/events/jack-o-lantern-spectacular
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: goprovidence.com

US: Florence, SC – Darlington Car Hauler Parade & Festival Kicks off Race Week

Join the excitement of the 14th Annual Darlington Car Hauler Parade and Racefest featuring NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Teams transporters making their way through cheering fans from the Florence Civic Center to the Darlington Square and into the track that’s “Too Tough to Tame” – Darlington Raceway.

There is plenty of FUN for the whole family, beginning at the Florence Civic Center with entertainment and live music. Kids play all afternoon for FREE on the KidsZone inflatable ride and games. The Game Truck will bring a wide selection of games for Xbox360, Wii and PS3 and can accommodate up to 16 players at one time. There will be refreshments for purchase with the proceeds  supporting Camp Pee Dee Pride.

The main attraction continues to be the NASCAR transporters, which fans can take photos with with their favorite team’s hauler and driver before the haulers take off. This year famous former drivers are back such as Hut Stricklin, former champ of NASCAR’s Dash Series, and Donnie Allison, who won ten races in the Cup Series.

Fans will enjoy the exciting silent auction full of great NASCAR items and race memorabilia. Proceeds benefit local charities.

At 7 p.m. the parade of NASCAR haulers leave the Florence Civic Center and make the 12-mile trek to RaceFest on the Darlington Square, where there will be more entertainment, food, a car show and an incredible fireworks display. The transports will continue through Darlington until they reach the track Darlington Raceway where they can park, unload and begin preparation for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 race taking place on on September 2nd.

As if it could not get any better, admission to the Darlington Car Hauler Parade is FREE.

Location: Florence Center, 3300 W Radio Dr , Florence, SC 29501
Date: Thurs, Aug 30, 2018
Time: 4pm – 7pm
Tel: 800-325-9005
darlingtoncarhaulerparade.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitflo.com

US: Mystic, CT – Sharkfest Swim, Kayak and SUP Races Down the Mystic River

It’s the inaugural Mystic River Day, a day celebrating the Mystic River Community.

Festivities include: children’s activities and games on the Mystic River Park green, discover Mystic River history,  many local non-profits, animal encounters, meet the Mystic Mermaid in the park – photo op, Sharkfest Swim, Kayak and SUP races down the Mystic River.Mystic Day IMG_0252-2

Cheer on the Mystic Sharkfest Swimmers from  8:30 am – 11:30 am, on their 1500 meter swim from Middle Wharf at Mystic Seaport, down the Mystic River, under the famous Bascule drawbridge, finishing at Dock A at Seaport Marine.

This swim will give you the perfect excuse to visit a classic New England seaport on Long Island Sound. The swim course will take you past the fully restored whaling ship, Charles Morgan and around the Mystic Harbor lighthouse and down river through the picturesque village that is steeped in shipbuilding history.

Participating downtown shops, restaurants, and bars will offer specials, discounts and extended happy hours throughout the day.

Location:Mystic River Park, Cottrell Street, Mystic, 06355
Date: Sun, July 8, 2018
Time: 9am – 2:30pm
Tel: 860-572-9578
thisismystic.com/event/mystic-river-day
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: mysticchamber.org

US: Connecticut – June 21- Connecticut is Joining Make Music Day Around the World

The first annual Make Music Connecticut, a free, wild and wonderful mix of over 250 free outdoor musical events, will make its debut on Thursday, June 21.# Women - Ukulele 26201732312_bf1e5567e3_b

Modeled after a Parisian tradition (Fête de la Musique) that began in 1982 as a tribute to the Summer Solstice.  Each June 21st Paris is filled with musicians of all kinds performing on sidewalks, lawns, balconies, in parks, etc. for anyone to enjoy at no cost.

Drums 13914042290_1e8733da4a_bMake Music Connecticut is part of Make Music Day, a global music celebration that takes place on the summer solstice each year and brings people of all ages and skill levels together to make music. This year, more than 70 U.S. cities and the entire state of Connecticut will host thousands of Make Music performances across the country as part of the world’s largest annual music event.Guitars 14100592595_92d013c9e4_b

Featuring musicians of all abilities and music from any genre.  Sidewalks, parks, front porches, and public spaces throughout the region will become stages for local musicians to perform and for all to enjoy. Each region will have its own ambiance. This will be a day packed with more than 250 free musical events happening with concerts on streets, sidewalks, and parks around the state.

Keyboards 13914058319_70760e6e56_bCommunity Jam Sessions, Dueling Drums, Battle of the Bands are some of the featured events. For a full schedule of events: MakeMusicCT.org

Location: Numerous locations throughout Southeastern CT
Date: June 21, 2018
Time: Various – see schedule
Tel: 860-460-5236
makemusicday.org/southeasternct

US: St. Augustine, FL- Learn all About Dolphins on a Dolphin Paddle

Join Anastasia Watersports and Marineland Dolphin Adventure for a fun-filled interpretive Dolphin Paddle on Salt Run at Anastasia State Park.

Dolphin Paddle 2 D81_5143The park’s estuarine tidal marsh is teeming with plant and animal life . Learn about the biosphere and natural habitats, hop into a kayak, paddle onto Salt Run, and keep an eye for birds, turtles, manatees and especially dolphins.

Staff will provide illuminating details about the ecosystem and the myriad wildlife that inhabit it.  A dolphin expert from Marineland, will fill guests in on fascinating facts about the dolphins that are born, breed and thrive in this waterway.

The event will start with 30 minutes of classroom discussion followed by 90 minutes of paddling.  Come out and enjoy real, undiscovered Florida. Program fee: $40/person, includes boat rental. Park admission fees: ($8.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.  email, info@anastasiawatersports.com to make a reservation.dolphin-paddle-on-salt-run-3138-6078

This informative event is Family-Friendly.

Location: Anastasia State Park,  300 Anastasia Park Road, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Date: Sat, June 16, 2018
Time: 9am – 11am
Tel: 904-460-9111
floridastateparks.org/park-events/Anastasia
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: floridashistoriccoast.com