ML Interest Tag: reef

9 Reasons This Caribbean Island Should Be on Your Travel List

by Amber Guetebier

With stunning turquoise waters and sugar-fine beaches, the Turks & Caicos might be some of the most underrated Caribbean islands for families. We recently visited Providenciales, or Provo as the locals call it, and are here to report that if you’re looking for a laid back family escape that is less about cruise ships and more about the life aquatic, you’ve found your next trip. Read on to find out why. 

1. The Water

Amber Guetebier

Always dreamed of those turquoise waters you’ve seen in postcards? Even on a cloudy day the water in the Turks and Caicos Islands is more brilliant than almost anywhere in the world. And with water temps ranging from 74-78 in the winter and 80-84 in the summer, the ocean is perfect for floating in all day long. All. Day. Long.

Families can opt to stay at Grace Bay Beach, one of the most beautiful around, with plenty of amenities to make your vacation as breezy as the tropics. But unlike other popular beaches, Grace Bay never feels overcrowded, which means you can have your own little piece of paradise while you're here. 

2. Stunning Coral Reefs

Amber Guetebier

When staying along Grace Bay Beach, snorkeling excursions can be easily arranged through your accommodations. We loved the in-depth knowledge our local operators at Island Vibes had of the ecology and history of the island. The boat pulls right up on the beach down from Ocean Club Resorts for boarding. (Seriously. Right onto the beach!). You don’t have to be an experienced snorkeler, life vests and instruction are provided. Most excursions also take you past the world's only conch farm and along over to Half Moon Bay where you'll meet the resident iguana population. Typically Bight Reef (also known as Coral Gardens) is the best for beginners. 

Ocean Club West

At the reef you'll find a bevy of Nemo-like colors and creatures, including brain coral, eagle rays, parrot fish and more. You can also be on the lookout for JoJo the dolphin. 

Good to know: Remember to use reef-safe sunscreen (and plenty of it). You will want it to be free of oxybenzone and octinoxate, both of which cause lasting and significant damage to corals and reefs. While the Turks & Caicos have not yet banned sunscreens that harm the coral reefs (like Hawaii has) locals are currently hard at work campaigning to ban it. 

Island Vibes also works with several charitable organizations, including a local reef fund, to encourage customers to give back. 

3. The Mangroves

Amber Guetebier

Book with WaterPlayTCI and your local guide will school you on the subtle beauty and stunning importance of the mangrove forests, while you glide quietly past baby sea turtles, baby lemon sharks, colorful fish, endless jellies and hidden conchs. You'll also find an array of bird species. Our excursion, which was bright and early on a calm day, required minimal skill and stamina, making it easily suitable for all ages. 

WaterPlayTCI is family-owned and operated by a mom and dad duo who have a young child themselves, so they know all about making kids comfortable with the water. If you want something a little more adrenaline-pumping you can also arrange kiteboarding and windsurfing lessons as well as catamaran rides and snorkeling excursions with them. 

4. Your Home Away from Home

Ocean Club Resorts

Grace Bay Beach and surrounding area is home to many hotel and resort options, which can actually feel daunting when booking your vaycay. We highly recommend Ocean Club Resorts, which includes two sister properties (Ocean Club East and Ocean Club West) about a mile apart from one another on Grace Bay Beach (there’s a shuttle service between the two). 

Ocean Club West

We love this resort because it a condominium resort: each suite is actually individually owned which means it's got way more flare than a cookie-cutter hotel room. Rooms feel more like apartments, with a variety of configurations to fit every family group’s needs. Sizes range from studio to 3-bedrooms, which makes it well suited to multi-generational travel as well. All rooms includes a full kitchen with all of the equipment you need (pots, pans, dishes, silverware) making it much easier for families with young kids to keep the right stuff on hand. Ocean Club West is located closer to shopping, including the nearby market, Graceway Gourmet, open 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. You'll find all the things you will need for your vacation, plus some sweet local products. You can borrow a folding shopping trolley from the front desk.  

Ocean Club West

You'll find lots of perks offered at both locations, and guests at either property can use amenities on site at the both. 

Guests at the resort will find plenty of places to lounge on the beach (you'll know the property by the pink umbrellas), gorgeous pools with a lazy river vibe, on-site dining options, spa services, free wi-fi, bicycles that can be signed out at the front desk, and tennis courts.

The resort also offer complimentary kayaks and stand-up paddleboards and kids can ask for a Seafari adventure packet upon check-in. If you are looking to explore other islands your concierge can help arrange an island hopping boat trip, too. 

Tip: If you are in Provo around the full moon, be sure to ask about going on a Glow Worm Tour, a phenomenon unique to the Turks & Caicos and shallow areas of the Western Atlantic. Odontosyllis enopla (Bermuda glow worms) glow green. You can kayak out to see them!

5. Giving Back

Amber Guetebier

Their amazing views and well-appointed rooms are not the only reason to stay at Ocean Club Resorts. The resort encourages every guest to Pack for Purpose. Essentially, you check out the list of needed school supplies for local kids and dedicated a portion of your luggage space to bring something they'll need. Leave it with the concierge at check in, and use that extra space for a memento or two from your travels. Win, win. 

6. Unique Culture

Amber Guetebier

Make sure your visit overlaps with the Thursday Fish Fry: a bustling outdoor gathering at the Bight (Children's) Park, where locals and tourists alike mingle to enjoy delicious food, music and artisan wares. Trust us, you and the kids will never forget this! Nearly everyone on the island comes to Fish Fry; it’s a place to connect, eat and be part of this unique island community. 

Amber Guetebier

Fuel up on a conch salad and some fried plantains from Froggies (there’s a reason there’s a line...it’s so worth the wait), grab a rum punch for mom and dad, and let the kids pick out a souvenir, all while listening to local music. There’s a stage and dance area, but the marketplace isn’t huge so you can enjoy the music throughout the market. Chat with the locals, let the kiddos dance the wiggles out,  meet other visitors and stay to the end: each night the Fish Fry ends in a Junkanoo—a traditional parade of costumed performers.

7. The Food

Amber Guetebier

If it's not Thursday evening and you're not at Fish Fry devouring a conch salad prepared by Froggie, you should not miss the cuisine right on site at Ocean Club West and Ocean Club East. Eat like a foodie at Ocean Club West's Asian-inspired Solana which has a super-fresh Sushi bar and serves until 10 p.m. They also have a poolside menu, so you can keep that lounge thing going all through lunch. Cabana Bar & Grill (at Ocean Club East) often features live music and is beachside. Also at Ocean Club East, put on your shoes and jacket and head to the Opus Wine-Bar-Grille for a more refined dining experience.  

8. It's Easy

Amber Guetebier

Traveling in the Turks & Caicos is a relatively care free adjustment for families; the islands are on Eastern Standard Time, the currency is the US Dollar and the outlets are standard 120v and don’t require an adapter. Cars do drive on the left here as in the UK, but you might find your rental car still has the driver’s seat on the left side as well (as in standard US cars). However, you can easily arrange a taxi from the airport and do all you want without a hired car, especially for your first trip. All visitors must hold a round trip ticket, and can stay for 90 days. You will need a passport. 

The Turks & Caicos is safe and offers a relaxed, family-friendly vibe. As a general rule of thumb: remember to pack more sunscreen (reef-safe!) then you think you'll need and fewer clothes. 

Good to know: Tropical storms can move in and out of the island quickly. Most resorts are closed Sep.-Oct. (hurricane season) to make any necessary repairs and allow their employees time off. 

9. The People

Ocean Club Resorts

While it may not be the closest island getaway, Providenciales and the Turks & Caicos islands have a uniqueness to them that makes them well worth the added cost and plane time. A trip here will expand your child's mind and heart: the people of the Turks & Caicos have a calm and gentle way that kids will instantly respond to. Across the island we found committed, big-hearted people working to make their home and their planet a better place. If you want a truly unique, incredibly warm vacation where you're allowed to be part of the secret, start booking your trip to Provo today. 

—Amber Guetebier

Red Tricycle is grateful to Ocean Club Resorts and Visit Turks & Caicos Tourism for assistance with this trip, and for the delightful company. All opinions here are the writer’s own. 

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Australia Is the Winter Vacation the Fam Won’t Soon Forget

By Zara Lewis

When the winter months finally arrive and the temperature drops lower than comfortable, Australia is the place you want to be. With winter raging on everywhere else, Australians are celebrating their New Year in their swimwear, on the beach, grilling some meat on the barbie in the process.

Aside from being the perfect place to enjoy the sunny weather and lounge on its expansive beaches, Australia is also the place where you can have wholesome family fun. Even though the continent is too rich and diverse to be experienced in a single trip, there are several destinations you simply can’t miss.

Tour Sydney on a ferry boat.

When you think of Australia, the iconic city of Sydney is most likely the first thing that comes to mind. And rightfully so, because this expansive urban gem is not only the country’s cultural hub, but also a true architectural wonderland. In order to experience Sydney from a different perspective, though, you should head over to the Sydney Harbour.

Running around the Harbour trying to keep your kids in line is fun on its own, but the most memorable experience comes in the form of a boat tour around the city. The ferry will take you through all the mesmerizing sights such as the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, all the way to Fort Denison and Cockatoo Island. This is the perfect place to disembark for a relaxing family picnic. If you’re up for an extended excursion, take the ferry to Darling Harbour where you can visit amazing kid-friendly places such as the Wild Life Sydney Zoo, the Darling Quarter Playground and the Sydney Sea Life Aquarium.

Drive across Tasmania.

Out of all the scenic drives and mesmerizing natural oases in Australia, the southern island of Tasmania might just be the most exciting road trip destination for a family. Even though it’s considered to be one of the smaller regions, you will still need a car in order to get around the island efficiently. Fortunately, Tasmania has reliable cheap car hire in almost every city so you should have no problem getting around.

And good thing too, because the packed itinerary will take you from Freycinet National Park to Coles Bay (and excellent place for kayaking), Tahune Forest where you will be scaling the treetops, and of course, Mt Wellington where you can enjoy panoramic views and even cycle down with the family. Tasmania is also famous for its ghost tours, so head over to Hobart, Launceston or Port Arthur with your kids after dark if a good spook is what they are craving.

Exploring the Top End

Over at the top end, numerous natural and urban attractions await, including the historic city of Darwin. Be wary though, Darwin and the region in general are extremely hot this time of year, so adequate sun protection and regular cool-offs are a must. The best thing to do is to go for a rejuvenating swim in the ocean throughout the day.

You can do this in the city at the Waterfront Precinct, or if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can drive over to Litchfield National Park where you can have fun with the family under the waterfalls. While you’re in the region, be sure to check out the indigenous rock art at Kakadu National Park and go for a kayaking tour in Nitmiluk National Park. Top it all off with a visit to the Crocosaurus Cove back in downtown Darwin.

Experience the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.

Travel east and you will end up in Queensland, the home of the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef. You will need to travel to the far north to experience this adventure, all the way up to Cairns or Port Douglas. From one of these ports, you can board a catamaran that will take you to one of the atolls in the inner reef, or you can embark on a whole-day trip to the outer regions.

This is the place where you want to let yourself go to the mesmerizing beauty of the colorful underwater wonderland, as you take a prolonged snorkeling tour around the reef and watch as the marine life swirls and dances around you. Truly an unforgettable experience.

Visit the theme parks in Gold Coast.

While you’re in the region (but definitely not close), you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit the country’s adventure central—the Gold Coast. The kids are going to love it here. On offer you have five grand theme parks, including Dreamworld, WhiteWater World, Sea World, Wet’n’Wild and Movie World.

It’s bound to be an exhaustive weekend for you, but at least the kids are going to have the time of their lives. Plus, it’s an excellent way to top off an amazing Australian adventure with your family. Don’t forget to explore the Gold Coast’s beach suburbs as well if you’re up for some whale-watching, sea-kayaking, surfing and even jet-skiing.

When the rest of the world is covered in snow, Australia becomes a safe haven for families yearning to feel a warming ray of sunshine on their skin. With these top destinations in your itinerary, you’re bound to have the time of your life this January under the glistening Aussie sun.

Zara is a regular contributor at The Wellness Insider, a traveler and a mother of two. Originally from Chicago, she found her place in the sun in Perth, Australia. She is passionate about spreading the word about fantastic places to visit and creating a better world for the generations to come.

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Summer New Must-Do: Visit the New York Aquarium

by Mimi O'Connor

Big things are happening over at the New York Aquarium. After more than a decade of planning and building (and a major setback in 2012 when the aquarium was devastated by Hurricane Sandy), the long-awaited Ocean Wonders: Sharks! is now open! The immersive and awe-inspiring exhibit brings visitors up close and personal (or “nose-to-nose”) with a stunning array of shark species, as well as scores of other underwater creatures. Plus, it’s got a major conservation message, too. We dropped by on opening day — here’s how to do the New York Aquarium with kids!

A view of Ocean Wonders: Sharks! building on the boardwalk side. photo: WCS

What’s New
The big news at the New York Aquarium is the incredible Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit. A three-story, 57,500-square-foot building featuring nine galleries, the exhibit underscores the importance of sharks to the health of the world’s oceans, and educates visitors about threats to sharks and other marine wildlife, while also offering ways in which humans can make choices to protect and preserve the environment.

Expect massive displays populated with diverse sea life, as well as well-executed video, interactive media and mechanicals that help visitors understand the role of sharks in the ecosystem, as well as how they breathe, reproduce, feed, move, and more.

The Coral Reef Tunnel, photo: WCS

Sharks, Rays, and Schools
Ocean Wonders: Sharks! provides lots of opportunities to check out sharks and other sea creatures up close. (The exhibit contains an estimated 115+ species, including 12 species of shark, and six species of skates and rays in 784,000 gallons of water.)

The entrance to the exhibit is a beautiful Coral Reef Tunnel, in which sharks and schooling fish swim all around and above visitors.

The Discover New York Waters section highlights the marine ecosystems found off the coast of New York, and features a 62,000-gallon showcase of several New York shark species and numerous rays (the later of which, with their graceful, flight-like movement, are the unsung stars of this exhibit). Visitors also learn about the NY Seascape initiative that focuses on shark conservation in New York waters.

Photo: Julie Larsen Maher/WCS

On the Edge
Canyon’s Edge is another “show-stopper”: a tank that simulates the edge of the Hudson Canyon, a marine canyon similar in size and depth to the Grand Canyon that begins at the mouth of the Hudson River. (Who knew?) Large sand tiger sharks emerge from the “limitless” depths, swim close to viewers, and then recede, while rays and fish swim by. It’s a large area with lots of seating to take the impressive sight in.

Other sections include New York Seascape, an area that shows how the Wildlife Conservation Society is using tagging and tracking to save sharks and Shipwreck!,  an immersive example of the more than 60 wrecks in New York Waters that serve as places where marine life cluster.

Conservation Choices
The New York Aquarium and the WCS are serious about conservation, and the theme is not an after-thought in this razzle dazzle exhibit. In addition to being woven into the overall messaging, Ocean Wonders: Sharks! concludes with an interactive gallery dedicated to mankind’s effect on the health of the ocean and its inhabitants, and how one can make choices to improve it. (Visitors enter the area under a net filled with discarded plastic, and the section on gyres, AKA, those masses of plastic swirling in the ocean, are enough to keep you from buying bottled water ever again.) There’s also a faux diner where you can saddle up, order, and learn if your seafood is sustainable or not. (We  were distressed to learn about our salmon purchases.)

Touch Pool
To get even closer to at least some kind of sharks, check out the Touch Pool, located on the rooftop level of the Ocean Wonders: Sharks! building. Here, kids can interface with bamboo and epaulette sharks and learn more about the sea creatures. Take note: the Touch Pool is open from 10:15 a.m. – 4 p.m. and closes in inclement weather.

Beyond the Sharks
Ocean Wonders: Sharks! is a special experience, but there are plenty of other reasons to visit the New York Aquarium. The “Sea Cliffs” area of the aquarium is a collection of outdoor, separate rocky, watery habitats where sea lions, penguins, otters, and pelicans reside. Visitors can view feedings at various times throughout the day, which are accompanied by interesting but not dry info about the animals and their habits, delivered by aquarium staff.

Don’t Miss the Show
Try to hit up the entertaining 15 to 20 minute show in the Aquatheater, which features resident sea lions performing with their trainers, as well as some information on the mammal’s habits and conservation. (While there are some orchestrated moments—see sea lion hug above—it’s short and sweet and doesn’t seem exploitive. Plus the animals get lots of treats.) Plus, it’s a chance to sit down and the are misting fans keeping crowds cool.

To Take it Up a Notch
If you’re looking for a more experiential way to interface with the sharks, check out the film at the 4-D theater, dedicated to the ocean predators. (It’s 4-D thanks to 3D glasses, moving seats, effect like wind, mist, and more.) Take note: the theater is located outside the aquarium; if you leave and want to come back in to the main aquarium, be sure to get your hand stamped for re-entry.

photo: Doris M. via yelp 

What to Eat
Of course, there are standard overpriced options of snacks, drinks, Dippin’ Dots, etc., available at both stands around the aquarium, and the on-site cafeteria.

But the savvy move is at the new Shark building, which not only has a casual rooftop cafe/bar with great ocean views (Oceanview Bites), but also a restaurant, the Oceanview Grill, accessed via the boardwalk, where sustainable seafood options like fish tacos and fish and chips are served. (The building is also a no single-use plastic zone, in keeping with the conservation mission of the aquarium.)

photo: Mimi O’Connor

 

Hot Tip: Buy your tickets ahead of time online to avoid potentially soul-crushing long lines. If you do, you will be able to skip the lines and walk right in.

The Basic Info

Tickets are $24.95/adults (ages 13 and up); $19.95/ages 3-12, and $21.95 for ages 65 and over. (Kids 2 and under are free.) Note: these are “Value Admission” tickets, which can be used on select days; “Any Day Admission” tickets are $5 more.
Hours: Mon. – Thurs., 10 a.m. – 6p.m.; Fri. – Sun., 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. (last entry 1 hour before closing) 718-265-3474
Surf Ave. & W. 8th St.
Coney Island
Online: nyaquarium.com

—Mimi O’Connor

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An Insider’s Guide to the California Academy of Sciences

by Kate Loweth

Did you know that San Francisco is home to an aquarium, planetarium and natural history museum, all under one “living” roof? Right in the heart of Golden Gate Park is the California Academy of Sciences and it is full of animals, art, science and more—all waiting for your visit. Peruse our guide to getting the most out of your Cal Academy visit and plan your day there ASAP!

Getting Started
You can literally spend the whole day exploring the Cal Academy so plan to get there early. There is a below-ground parking lot located on Fulton Street and 10th Avenue that is your best bet if you are arriving by car. It does fill up so an early arrival is better. If you arrive by public transportation, foot or bicycle, you’ll save $3 on the admission price. Check out all the info here on what buses and streetcars are the best way to arrive.

Weekends and school holidays are the busiest days at the Cal Academy. Weekdays are often full of school field trips but those usually wrap up by early afternoon. Save some time and buy your tickets in advance online and you’ll be able to skip the big line.

photo: California Academy of Sciences

Morrison Planetarium
When you arrive at the Cal Academy, make a beeline to the planetarium ticket desk (located next to the souvenir shop) and grab your tickets to the show you want to see. The current show, Expedition Reef, will take you on an undersea adventure to learn about the delicate coral reef ecosystem and what we need to do to keep these reefs alive. With over 25% of marine life on Earth supported by coral reefs, there is much to be done to combat the threats of global warming, over-fishing and habitat destruction. Ideal for ages seven and up, planetarium shows are included in your admission price.

Osher Rainforest
Right in the middle of all the Cal Academy action is the Osher Rainforest. You enter this four-story rainforest on the ground floor and follow your way up through the canopy as you view free-flying birds, giant butterflies and loads of tropical flora. Your only way to exit is at the top where you take an elevator down to the aquarium level and exit the exhibit.

It can get a bit hot inside the rainforest so plan to dress in layers. If you arrive early in the day, plan to get in line for the rainforest after you snag your planetarium tickets as the lines do get long throughout the day (as limited numbers of people are allowed in at one time).

Steinhart Aquarium
When you exit the rainforest exhibit you will find yourself in the middle of the Steinhart Aquarium. Here you can see over 400,000 animals that represent more than 900 different species. At 25-feet deep and holding 212,000 gallons of water, the Philippine Coral Reef tank is one of the deepest exhibits of live corals in the world, housing a broad range of marine life. Check the daily schedule to make your way to this tank for the daily coral reef dive where a diver with an underwater microphone answers all your reef-related questions.

Kids will love checking out the starfish and sea urchins in the Discovery Tidepool touch tank and also watching the sea dragons glide through the water. Before you exit the exhibit, make sure you spot Claude, the albino alligator, who lives among snapping turtles and koi fish in the Swamp.

Kimball Natural History Museum
From the moment you enter the doors and are greeted by the towering T. Rex skeleton, you are in a world of wonder at the Cal Academy. The Kimball Natural History Museum includes immersive exhibits where you can learn about animal diversity, Head to the Tusher African Hall to visit with the resident penguins (check the calendar to be front and center for daily penguin feedings) and see dioramas of African landscape.

You will be mesmerized when you stop at the Foucault Pendulum, a concrete example of the Earth’s rotation. The Color of Life exhibit is a fun place to learn about animal behavior (make sure to find the corner where you can join in the animal mating dance).

photo: California Academy of Sciences

The Details
The California Academy of Sciences host the family-favorite Penguins+Pajamas Sleepover throughout the year. Kids ages 5 and up plus their parents can roll out their sleeping bags in the aquarium or one of the other exhibits and spend the night at the Academy. You can also book a behind-the-scenes tour to get the inside scoop on the exhibits and also view off-exhibit areas like the animal food prep kitchen. Private animal-encounter tours are also available with various themes.

Looking for a spot to host your next birthday party? The Academy will plan a birthday bash for your little scientist and you don’t have to do any of the work.

The Academy Cafe offers lots of options for on-site dining. Or, you are welcome to bring your own food for dining in the outdoor areas or in the indoor piazza.

photo: Tim Williamson

Parents looking for a night out on the town sans kids will enjoy the Academy’s Thursday night NightLife events where you can enjoy music, cocktails and creatures with special programming each week.

California Academy of Sciences
Golden Gate Park
55 Music Concourse Dr.
San Francisco, CA

Admission: $35.95/adults, $25.95/kids 4-11, $30.95/youth 12-17, kids 3 and under are free
Family membership: $249/two adults and children/grandchildren
Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Opens an hour early for members
Online: calacademy.org

What’s your kid’s favorite area at the California Academy of Sciences? Share it below!

—Kate Loweth

Photos by the author except where noted. 

 

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The Best Waterparks in America

by Amber Guetebier

That kiddie pool in your backyard is nice for cooling your feet but this summer it’s time to up the water-play game, big time. The US has no shortage of amazing water parks—from just-opened volcano-themed to revamped old classics—but we’ve picked out favorites from among the many. Click through the slideshow to see our top 14 and find out if your best-loved made the list.

Morgans Wonderland Inspiration Island—San Antonio, Tx

The newest feature of Morgan’s Wonderland—an inclusive amusement park designed for kids of all ages, abilities and special needs—Inspiration Island splashes on the scene June 2017 (open now). Featuring five water play areas full of raintrees, pools, falls, geyers, jets, water cannons and tipping buckets! Every element is wheelchair-accessible, Rainbow Reef has warmer water for those sensitive to cold, and the waterproof wristbands have RFID technology so parents can go to a Location Station and find their family members. And, just like Morgan’s Wonderland, admission for all special needs guests is free.

Morgan’s Wonderland
5223 David Edwards Dr.
San Antonio, Tx 78233
210-495-5888
Online: morganswonderland.com/inspirationisland

 

photo courtesy Morgan's Wonderland 

What’s your favorite water park? Tell us why in a comment below.

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50 Kids Shows and Movies Now Available to Stream Offline on Netflix

by Red Tricycle

Photo: Disney Junior

Parents rejoice! Your family can finally watch Netflix offline. Whether you are are traveling or simply lost a Wi-Fi connection, you and the kiddos can still be entertained by Netflix’s streaming service. Here are some of the best kid TV shows and movies available for offline streaming.

TV Shows

  • All Hail King Julien
  • Bob the Builder
  • Bottersnikes and Gumbles
  • Care Bears: Welcome to Care-a-Lot
  • Clifford
  • Dinotrux
  • Dragon Tales
  • Gon
  • Goosebumps
  • Home: Adventures With Tip and Oh
  • Kate and Mim-Mim
  • Lego Friends
  • Lost and Found Music Studios
  • Masha and the Bear
  • Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
  • Octonauts
  • Pokémon XY
  • Project Mc2
  • Sid the Science Kid
  • Skylanders Academy
  • Super Why!
  • The Hive
  • The Magic School Bus
  • The Mr. Peabody and Sherman Show
  • Word Party
  • Yo-Kai Watch

Movies

  • Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure
  • Chicken Run
  • Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas
  • Daddy Day Care
  • Goosebumps
  • Home
  • Hoodwinked
  • Hotel Transylvania 2
  • Jetsons: The Movie
  • Kung Fu Panda 3
  • Minions
  • Monster High: 13 Wishes
  • Nanny McPhee
  • Paddington
  • Penguins of Madagascar: The Movie
  • Spy Kids
  • The Angry Birds Movie
  • The Little Engine That Could
  • The Little Rascals
  • The Nut Job
  • The Reef
  • The Road to El Dorado
  • Thomas and Friends: The Christmas Engines
  • We’re Back: A Dinosaur’s Story

Which one are your kids excited to watch? Let us know in the comments below!

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Meet Shedd Aquarium’s New Stingrays

by Matt Kirouac

If you’ve said it once, you’ve said it a thousand times: “Look, but don’t touch.” This summer, save the phrase for the china shop and cut loose at Shedd Aquarium. Its Stingray Touch exhibit, opening Friday, May 17, invites kids of all ages to reach out and caress what are thought to be some of nature’s dangerous creatures. Along with learning about different stingray species and their wild habitats, you’ll see just how docile and friendly these ocean swimmers can be.

All About the Rays
Stingrays are graceful, entrancing creatures — the ballerinas of the sea, you might say. Shedd captures their beauty and intrigue in a massive pool set in a tent along the Aquarium’s south terrace. Close to 40 cownose and yellow stingrays dart in the re-created ocean habitat. The cownose rays can reach up to three feet from wing tip to wing tip and are typically found throughout the western Atlantic and Carribean, although some of these resident rays were born onsite through Shedd’s breeding program. Yellow rays are a bottom-dwelling species that make their home in the tropical western Atlantic.

Despite their stereotype, stingrays are actually quite tame. In the wild, they use their stinging barbs as a defense mechanism, but without the threat of predators, they have no use for them. Shedd’s animal health team trims the barbs in a simple, painless manner similar to how we clip our fingernails. That makes them safe to touch.

A Peek at the Pool
Stingrays have mesmerized Shedd guests for years in various permanent exhibits. Freshwater rays can typically be found in Amazon Rising, while blue spotted rays, ribbontail rays and fiddler rays glide through Wild Reef. Southern rays, yellow rays and cownose rays have their own special home in Caribbean Reef. But never before has the public been given a chance to touch stingrays at the Shedd, which is why the new exhibit is so special.

Stingray Touch’s oblong 80-by-22-foot pool holds 18,000 gallons of water and a waterfall, making it the largest outdoor exhibit in Shedd history. The pool has varying depths, with yellow rays slinking along the bottom of the pool, and cownose rays gliding at the surface. Colorful stingray-like structures dangle from the ceiling of the exhibit, and soothing music sets the soundtrack.

As you enter the exhibit, Shedd staffers dish interesting facts about stingrays. (Did you know, for example, that a stingray’s mouth, nostrils and gill slits are on its underbelly?) Then you have the opportunity to reach into the pool as the cownose rays swim by. Go ahead — touch the soft skin on their “back.” And don’t forget to brag about the experience to grandma afterward.

The Fine Print
Stingray Touch is open from May 17 through the fall. Tickets are a $5 optional add-on ($3 for Shedd members) to the Shedd Pass ($28.95 per adult and $19.95 per child ages 3-11). Tickets are included in the Total Experience Pass ($37.95 per adult or $28.95 per child ages 3-11). Advance tickets are available now through Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. The aquarium is open 9:00 am- 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, and 9:00 am-6:00 pm on weekends and holidays. Since it is an outdoor exhibit, Stingray Touch may not be open in inclement weather and rays will be moved to an indoor 45,000-gallon habitat behind the scenes for their safety.

Shedd Aquarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Museum Campus
312-939-2438
Online: www.sheddaquarium.orgx

What is your favorite animal to check out at the Shedd Aquarium? Let us know in the Comments section below.

— Matt Kirouac

Photos: ©Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez

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