A Trip to Springs Preserve {giveaway}

Our family moved to Las Vegas just over 3 years ago.  It was a pretty hard adjustment coming from the Midwest that we had fallen in love with (with all their rolling hills, green scenery, and family friendly cities!). It especially was hard moving out in June to 110 degree weather and the only place we found ourselves all summer was in our pool!  Since then, we have found a few things that have made us really happy about living in Las Vegas.  I can honestly say, I wish we would have gone to this place sooner..(it would definitely be at the top of the list):

Located three miles from the Las Vegas Strip, the Springs Preserve is a 180-acre national historic site featuring botanical gardens, trails, historical structures, restored wetlands, wildlife exhibits, a child’s play area and a 1,800-seat amphitheater. Indoor experiences include exhibition galleries dedicated to showcasing art and traveling exhibitions of local and national significance, on-site technologically advanced learning centers and interactive museum exhibits, and the Springs Cafe. The Springs Preserve also hosts seasonal special events including concerts, arts shows and holiday experiences.

Let me tell you about our little visit recently..and why I would recommend this activity to anyone who lives around Las Vegas, or looking for a family friendly activity while you are here for vacation.

My kids were immediately in heaven when we entered Springs Preserve..

Let's take a closer look at why:

1-REAL grass...need I say more? (True story, my kids came running to me one day in the house screaming about some discovery they had made in the backyard.."Mom..we are growing something strange..it's green and poking through the rocks"..Upon further inspection..we found it was grass.) Yep..not too much of it around here, so it was nice to see the landscaping lush in parts of the preserve.

2-Trees- we have a TON of palm trees here (since they grow well in the desert), but it was so nice to see all kinds of trees here!

3-WATER! Even though it was a mad made attraction..it was fun to feel like you were not in the middle of the desert as soon as you walked onto the property! (And one of my kids favorite attractions was their flash flood exhibit..amazing!)

They explored...

learned about how Las Vegas was formed..

dug for and explored fossils..

Looked at all kinds of live animals that are native here..and even played on a few of the non-real ones!

Each of my kids had such a great time..and to be honest, my husband and I did as well.  We loved that we had a fun, clean and educational activity to take our kids to and can't wait to come back. We only got to see a snippet of Springs Preserve this time, but you can bet we will be back for a lot more.

A few things we are looking forward to:

The Scoop on Poop exhibit, which is open now until January 8, 2012. Ummm..is there a better exhibit for kids or what?!

Wings over Springs- a live bird show they have going on each weekend and school holiday through February.

and:

which is their Halloween festival..with a haunted house, trick or treating, carnival games, etc.  My kids are really excited for this one!

Now enough of me talking!  Do you want to take your family to Springs Preserve for an entire year?!  That's right..the kind people at Springs Preserve are giving one family in the southern Nevada area a FAMILY PASS, good for one year, a $60 value.

And it couldn't be easier to win.

Simply leave a comment!

Good luck!

Winner will be announced in one week.