Jennings Park Demo Garden

Jennings Park in Marysville has a beautiful little garden tucked behind the playground and the big red barn. They offer field trips, demonstrations, and a gardening hotline (425-357-6010). We love wandering around the garden. There's a cute little picnic table right in the middle of the garden, a great place for a scenic lunch or to take some photos. I've never planned a field trip here, but it seems like a great idea, so I'm passing the information on to you! Here is exactly what their website says, cut and pasted:

WSU Master Gardeners maintain an extensive Demonstration garden in Marysville. The garden features both permanent and annual garden beds which showcase a wide variety of ornamentals, flowers, vegetables, herbs, and fruits. Permanent garden areas encompass many theme gardens including a mature English Cottage Garden, a Lime and Burgundy Garden , a hop scotch garden and "Thyme Out" chairs, a dwarf conifer garden, a cutting garden, kitchen garden, all American selections, vertical growing techniques, stacked vegetable gardening, meditation garden, hebe garden, ferns, heuchera and hostas, succulents and sedums herb garden and a new perennial beds.

Hours: Volunteers are available to answer questions, explain techniques, and help solve home garden problems each week on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday (May through September , except holidays) from 9-1.

Location: Jennings Park at 6915 Armar Road in Marysville.

Directions: Take exit 199 from I-5; drive east 3/4 of a mile on 4th Street; turn left on 47th. Continue 1/2 mile, bearing right at the Y; the park is on the right.
Map to Jennings Park

Tours: : The Demonstration Garden is open year-round for self-guided tours.
To arrange special tours during the summer months for schools or other groups call the WSU Extension Office, (425) 338-2400.

(Photo credits: http://snohomish.wsu.edu/mg/garden/index.html)

Tot Spot Cafe

We attended a birthday party today at the Tot Spot Cafe in Woodinville. What a great little place. They have a big central play area for the kids, surrounded by tables for parents to sit and chat. The coffee was fantastic, and they also serve food and snacks. Usually it costs $6/hour for the kids to play ($10/ two kids), but because it was a party all the kids had free play. They had a small bouncy house set up and plenty of toys. Check the website for current details, but it seems that it's $275 for two hours, including food for the kids. Totspotcafe.com

Monroe Reptile Zoo

The Monroe Reptile Zoo is an odd little place that will thrill kids of all ages. There is lots to be seen, including snakes, lizards, giant tortoises, baby alligators, an albino alligator, and a two headed turtle. There are 10 snakes that can be held, and for $5 you can have your photo taken with the snakes or a baby alligator. Divided into two rooms, it's a pretty easy place to keep track of kids (say, on a playdate or field trip). Note, the temperature is tropical in there, wear light clothing and leave your jacket in the car! They also offer field trips, presentations, birthday parties, and traveling party entertainment.

Located in Monroe on Hwy 2, very easy to find.
Open 365 days a year, 10am-6pm
$6/ adults, $5/ child 3+ (the North Puget Sound Entertainment Book has a buy one get one free coupon)

For more info call 360-805-5300 or visit http://www.reptileman.com/home.html

Snoqualmie Falls Train

The Snoqualmie Falls Train is a great little excursion, especially for train fanatics. On a normal operating day it's a 75 minute ride in a historic train with beautiful views of the Snoqualmie Falls and wooded areas. $12 for adults, $8 for kids 2-12, 10% discount with 10 or more, 20% discount with 20 or more, and there are many special events with discounts or extra thrills. For example, Thomas the Train is in town every July, Santa Trains (these sell out quickly!), fathers are free on Father's Day, mothers are free on Mother's Day, grandparents are free on Grandparent's Day... They also do birthday parties April through August! http://www.trainmuseum.org/birthdayparty.asp

Special Events: http://www.trainmuseum.org/trains.asp#Special%20Events//

As with any excursion, consider membership if you have a large family or plan to go more than once a year. Sometimes this can save a ton of money!

On "School Train Days" in mid April- early May they have special educational events, including a train ride, a talk, and activities for only $6. Their 12:30 session is geared toward homeschoolers. Check the website for details and to reserve your tickets. I'll repost when the 2012 dates are listed, my understanding is that these fill up quickly.

They also offer weekday presentations without the train ride with reservations, or they can also bring a presentation to you for only $45, for more details contact Jessie Cunningham, Educator, Northwest Railway Museum: 425)888-3030 x 204 or jessie@trainmuseum.org.

Guided Tours at Sarvey Wildlife Center

Sarvey Wildlife Center in Arlington offers guided tours and presentations of their wildlife rehabilitation center, which would be a fantastic field trip for homeschoolers or play groups. For $50 they'll tailor the tour to your group of up to 15 people, typically on a Tuesday during daylight. A presentation at your facility is $300. For more information check out: http://www.sarveywildlife.org/Content.aspx?id=196

or email kestrel@sarveywildlife.org

Free Play at Molbaks

Molbaks presents an annual free children's play every October. This year the play is "Rapunzel", perfect for the kids who can't get enough of "Tangled"! The play is professionally produced and is 45 minutes long.


http://www.molbaks.com/rapunzel.html