8/9/15: Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts Fun With Science in Harrisburg

We love Science!  My husband and I both went to Worcester Polytechnic Institute and love exploring science with the kids.  While we were in Harrisburg, PA we were lucky enough to visit the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts.  We visited the Harsco Science Center and I was really impressed with the amount of cool exhibits they had.

There are three floors of fun.  We started out on the top floor.

 There is a cool bubble exhibit.  Here you can see the bubble being blown out.

Evan playing with air.

There is also a KidsPlace on this level which is for kids children 5 and under.  It looked beautifully maintained and very clean.

Then we headed down a floor to the middle floor where the highlight was creating cars and racing them.

The kids creating their cars.  They needed to use trial and error to create a car that would function well on the ramp.

Lauren with her creation.

  There was also an area to create a paper airplane and see how far it would go.

The Carnival of Health was a clever way to teach kids about how to stay healthy.

Here the kids are trying out the All American Calorie Race.  This is a race to balance the intake of calories from foods with the calories burned during physical activity.

There is also the Conquerors of the Seven Summits with a 16-foot climbing wall.

Get healthy eating tips while you feed Gorgo a balanced diet of colored basketballs representing the food groups.

Then there is the Backstage Studio on the lower floor.  Kids can learn about the science behind movies and even record sound effects for a movie scene.

Here is Lauren recording sound effects for a lobster scene in a movie and then you can watch it back with your newly added sound effects.

There are also lots of weather exhibits.  Here there is a five-foot animated globe and you can select from programs to display on the globe.

Here are the kids experience hurricane force winds in the hurricane chamber.

The kids learning about physics.

A highlight of our visit was the temporary exhibit Animation Featuring Cartoon Network.

Here the kids are working with taking one picture per frame and then editing it together and watching the creation.

Lauren had fun creating an animation by placing square disks and taking a picture per frame, then playing back the animation.

 What a fine day for Science!

Here you can see what it looks like as you enter the building.  Walk up the stairs to get tickets for the Science Center.  Prices of tickets are $16 for adults and $12.50 for ages 3-17.

We loved the Science Center!  Both kids liked it just as much, if not more than the Boston Museum of Science!

Of course there are live shows and movies so check out their website for more information: http://www.whitakercenter.org/.

Check out the Harsco Science Center online:  http://www.whitakercenter.org/exhibits

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/WhitakerCenterHbg

Twitter:  @whitakercenter

Disclosure:  I was provided with a family four pack of tickets to go to the Whitaker Center for Science for promotional purposes.  No other compensation was received and as always all opinions are my own.

8/9/15: The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat - Harrisburg, PA

While in Pennsylvania we got to visit several Harrisburg, PA attractions.  A nice break from the fast pace of our vacation was to go on The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat.  This authentic stern-driven paddle wheel riverboat is a beautiful sight.

They run 45 minute tours several times a day.  I would suggest planning ahead and buying your tickets as the first time we tried was full when we walked up and had to return for a later time.  Here is the schedule and link to buy tickets.

While you are on the riverboat there are beautiful views all around.

 Since her construction and launch in 1988, the Pride has carried three-quarters of a million passengers. 

What I was most impressed with is that proceeds from all cruises go towards community service projects that benefit seniors, children, military veterans and more.  So, when you “Ride the Pride”, you are helping keep this wonderful historic landmark “afloat” and benefiting the community! 

 Absolutely gorgeous!

So beautiful! 

If you are really lucky you can steer the boat.  Just kidding, but the kids did enjoy steering this wheel in the front of the boat.

Lauren showing me how well she can do.

I can see Evan as a Riverboat Captain!

If you want to cool off there is an inside area with snacks, drinks and air conditioning.

Evan showing Lauren where we are going.

The amazing thing is that the Pride is one of only 7 remaining “authentic” paddle wheel riverboat in the United States. This means that the Pride ONLY uses the paddle wheels for both propulsion and steering.  There are no propellers, rudders or other forms of propulsion or steering.  Truly a gem in our modern world! 

All cruises depart from the City Island Docks, down from Metro Bank Park on the Susquehanna River facing the Harrisburg Skyline 

It is easy to get to by following the direction to get to City Island.  There is then a free parking lot that has a very short walk to the dock.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 3-12, and $8 for Seniors 59+.

Take the Pride, enjoy the sights, support Harrisburg and have fun!

Visit them online:  http://harrisburgriverboat.com/

www.facebook.com/HarrisburgRiverboat

@Pride_Riverboat

Disclosure:  I was provided a family four pack of tickets to The Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and as always all opinions are my own.