Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. Experience in Las Vegas

Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.

Ever dreamed of becoming an agent who works with the greatest collection of superheroes this world has ever known? An agent who has access to a trove of classified information and who understands the truth of the events around the world? That dream can now be a reality at the TI in Las Vegas. The Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. is an interactive, fully immersive experience that will take you to the depths of Marvel's comic book creations as you gain access to classified information, intelligence files and hands-on interactive displays. 

For an additional $5 you can rent an iPod. Be sure to enter all the information requested to create an agent profile for yourself. This little iPod is very handy throughout the S.T.A.T.I.O.N. As you get to each display you can tap the icons on your device to get insider information and take quizzes that will help you earn your status as an agent. It's a bit difficult for younger kids to use (although my 7 year old loved taking pictures with it) but for older kids and adults it enhances the overall experience.

 

There are various room throughout the interactive museum with emphasis on Captain America, The Hulk, Thor and Iron man. As you walk through each room you learn about the origins of all the characters, get to see items unique to each personality (such as all of the prototypes of Iron man's suit, the table that was used to turn scrawny Steve Rogers into patriotic super soldier Captain America or Thor's Mjölnir - also known as Thor's hammer). It's easy to spend 20 minutes in every room due to the intense amount of reading and hands-on exhibits. The screens, displays and objects in each room are of the utmost quality. You almost forget it's not real. Something I loved about our experience was that the iPod was our guide. We could take our time, go back to another room or rush through an area (my 1 year old didn't particularly enjoy the Ant-man area) if we wanted to.  

At the end of the tour you walk into a room and stand at your assigned station. You take your virtual superhero tool and go toe-to-toe with the evil Ultron. Once you have completed your mission you are directed to an area where you will take your official Avengers picture (complete with prop) and receive your Agent I.D.

Although I do feel it is a bit overpriced, I have to give it a 9/10 recommendation. It is fun, engaging and makes for a great time for the entire family. I love that the S.T.A.T.I.O.N. is stroller friendly and self-guided. Seeing my kids have such a wonderful time and their favorite idols brought to life was an experience that we won't soon forget. 

25 FREE things to do in Salt Lake City, Utah

Free things to do in Salt Lake City

It's no secret, I love free things. When you're doing a budget vacation, especially with the entire family, free is definitely a good thing. While in Salt Lake City recently I found an abundance of no cost activities to do that I actually wanted to do! I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

Museums

Clark Planetarium - Located Downtown, the Clark Planetarium offers a 3 story adventure of hands on activities where you learn about the earth, the atmosphere and outer space. It will keep you busy for at least a couple of hours as you discover your weight on different planets, figure out just how a tornado works and drive a rover on the moon of Jupiter.

Utah State Capitol Building - The Capitol Building has been home to the state government since 1916 and is rich in history and art. The stunning interior of the building is filled with marble floors, elegant fixtures and historic displays. There are free tours Monday-Friday although the building is open to visitors 7 days a week. An unexpected bonus to visiting the Capitol building is that they give children a scavenger hunt sheet to keep them engaged throughout the tour.

Pioneer Memorial Museum ­- Housing the world's largest collection of artifacts on one subject, this museum has some of the oldest relics from the time of the very first Salt Lake settlers. It is located directly across the street from the Utah State Capitol Building.

Utah Museum of Contemporary Art ($5 donation suggested) - With ever changing exhibits this museum offers a modern take on art. Through the art displayed, the museum pursues the ideal that all viewpoints are represented through socially relevant exhibitions and educational programming. They even offer stroller tours (check the dates here UMOCA Stroller Tours) This is intended to create a pressure free experience for parents who may have talkative toddlers or young babies.

Old Council Hall - A historic building that once served as a government office now serves as the visitor information center. You can go here to get brochures, information on things in and around Salt Lake City and also experience the historic architecture of this 1866 building.

Governor's Mansion - The Utah Governor's Mansion is the official residence of the Governor of Utah and his family. Built in 1902 it initially served as the home of Senator Kearns until it was donated in 1937 when it was donated under the condition that it would be used as the Governor's official house. You can take a free tour of the mansion and experience the elegance and craftsmanship of this one of a kind home. 

Fort Douglas Military Museum - Fort Douglas Military Museum is registered by the Center for Military History as an official museum of the U.S. Army Museum System. You will learn about role of Utah's soldiers throughout U.S. history, see displays and artifacts and be able to explore an outdoor area of helicopters, tanks and more.

Parks & Gardens

Sugarhouse Park - With over 110 acres of green grass, lakes and playgrounds this park will keep you busy for hours to say the least. Sugarhouse offers baseball fields, basketball courts, running tracks and more. I love that it's located near downtown where you can go grab some lunch or ice cream after a morning of play.

International Peace Gardens - Lush gardens with beautiful flowers and various plant life are found at this 11 acre park. The International Peace Gardens was founded in 1947 to "Symbolize the true spirit of democracy and world peace, brotherly love, history, literature and cultural heritage of many lands.". You will find 28 different countries represented at the gardens. Each of the nationality groups was allotted a garden section which they designed, created and planted at their own expense. It's like a mini trip around the world where you can enjoy a taste of beauty from each nation.

Wheeler Farm - Wheeler Farm was my children's favorite place to visit in all of Salt Lake City. With acres and acres of fun and adventure this will keep you busy for a full day. You will find a playground, a creek to play in, tractors and farm animals galore. Wheeler Farm offers many fun and unique experiences as well such as wagon rides, cow milking experiences, farmhouse tours and more. Behind the farm area is over 40 acres of woods for you to walk around and enjoy.

Splash Pads - Splash pads seem to be a pretty big thing in Salt Lake. They have far more than we do here in Vegas. It's the perfect freebie for those hot summer days. I have found a website containing all the different locations and descriptions of splash pads located throughout the city here SLC Splash Pads.

Hiking Trails/Outdoor Recreation

The Great Salt Lake - The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the western hemisphere. You can drive there just to check out the amazing views at sunset time or fully enjoy the experiences it has to offer by going sailing, kayaking, fishing or swimming.

 

Salt Lake Overlook/Desolation Trail - Take the 4 mile Desolation trail to experience some of Utah's natural beauty. Once you reach the top you'll be able to stand on the overview and take in some breathtaking views of Salt Lake.

  

Big Cottonwood Canyon - Big Cottonwood Canyon is about a half hour outside of Salt Lake City. This 15 mile drive through the canyon will provide you with stunning scenery and access to excellent picnicking areas, hiking trails, rock climbing, fishing, and camping spots. There are also two ski resorts located at Big Cottonwood Canyon that provide trail maps, lodging and restaurants.

Temple Quarry Trail - This trail is perfect for families. It's a half mile long, paved loop trail that is stroller friendly. The rock located on the trail was originally quarried by Mormon Pioneers to be used in building the Salt Lake Temple. Keep an eye out for quarrying marks left on some of the rocks as you walk this trail. 

Salt Lake City Mormon Sites

Temple Square - 10 acres of history, gardens, restaurants and unmatchable architecture can be found at Temple Square. Built in 1847 Temple Square attracts more visitors per year than the Grand Canyon. You can experience the history of the church, visit the tabernacle, tour the historic home of Brigham Young (the Beehive house), dine, stroll through beautiful gardens and discover your ancestors at the FamilySearch Center.

Benson Grist Mill - Benson Grist Mill will take you back in time by 150 years. Originally built at the request of Brigham Young to support the pioneer settlements in the area it has been preserved so that you can explore times past and experience a blacksmith shop, an original pioneer cabin, barns, wagons and more!

Salt Lake Cemetery - Located behind the LDS hospital this cemetery is the final resting place to nine of the presidents of the Mormon Church. If you stop by the cemetery office you can pick up a "Trail of Prophets" map that will show you the location of their

gravesites.  

Mormon Battalion Monument - To honor the Mormon soldiers who were recruited and fought in the Mexican-American War this monument was built on the grounds of the Capitol Building.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir - Every Sunday morning the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir is broadcast live on radio and television. You can witness the performance live for free every Sunday at 9:30 am. Keep in mind that guests must be seated by 9:15 am.

Mormon Pioneer Memorial Monument - This monument is dedicated to the more than 6,000 pioneers who died making the journey to Utah between 1847-1869. It is also home to the gravesite of Brigham Young and other early Mormon leaders.

Miscellaneous

Diesel Sellerz - Check out some insanely cool monster vehicles at Diesel Sellerz. These guys create custom diesel vehicles beyond your wildest dreams. The vehicles are on display off the main road outside. You can go inside to check out some T-shirts, stickers and vehicle accessories. If you're lucky enough you can meet one of the guys from the Velocity television show Diesel Brothers.

Kindig It - Dave Kindig, owner of Kindig It, makes one of a kind rides for his customers. Also featured on Velocity's television show Bitchin' Rides, Dave renders, creates and restores various vehicles that will blow your mind. He's a very talented man with a very talented crew and with magic like that you can't help but create some of the most beautiful rides the world has ever seen. They have a showroom open daily for you to enjoy some of their masterpieces, purchase merchandise and even meet some of the crew if they're around.

Downtown Farmer's Market - Stroll through aisles of fresh produce while enjoying the eclectic atmosphere of the Farmer's Market. Hear live music on occasion, browse arts & craft stands, shop bakeries, meat stands and even grab some lunch from a food truck. Stock up on snacks for the hotel, pick up some trinkets as gifts for others or go to just eat and enjoy the atmosphere.

Sweet's Candy Factory Tour (by appointment only) - For almost 120 years this historic candy factory has been making treats and sweets for generations of customers. Browse the store, receive samples of candy, experience educational and interactive stations all while on tour with a personal tour guide.

Who says you can't have a free weekend in Salt Lake City? There are so many gems in the area to enjoy and to have one of a kind experiences. What have you done for free in Salt Lake?

Staybridge Suites - Salt Lake City, Utah Review

Staybridge Suites

Salt Lake City, Utah

Just when I thought Disney was the only master at providing a wonderful family vacation experience I found myself completely surprised with our time at the Staybridge Suites in West Valley, Utah. From the moment we walked in the staff was friendly, the entire hotel was clean and the longer we were there and I learned about all the amenities they had I was amazed. I'm a bit worried for our future travels as I'm not sure when I will find such a family friendly gem as this place is.

Lets talk location. From where the Staybridge is located it is pretty easy to get around anywhere in Salt Lake City thanks to major freeway entrances that are close by. Down the street in every direction you will find an array of restaurants and shopping areas. I've heard the West Valley area used to not be such a nice area but thanks to some intentional major improvements the area is cleaning up well.

In this review:

·       Hotel Features and Amenities

·       Evaluation of the Studio Room

·       Pros

·       Cons

·       My Verdict

Hotel Features and Amenities

·       Breakfast (and 3 days a week, dinner) are included in the price of the room

·       On nights with dinner served there is free wine and beer

·       There is a heated pool with a water slide and small water play area

·       Free WIFI

·       Basketball courts

·       Movie, book and board game rental area

·       Private movie cinema where you can book the theater and play a movie of your choice for your friends & family. Food and drinks are encouraged. This theater rental is free of charge.

·       The Pantry. A small area that provides sweet treats, food on the go and drinks. This is not a free service but a convenience for sure.

·       A 24 hour business center

·       Self-service laundry facilities that are, get this, FREE of charge. Yes, this was a new one for me and I like it.

·       A fitness center

·       A shuttle service that will take you anywhere within a 3 mile radius for free

·       Free parking

Studio Suite with 1 Queen and 1 Sofa Bed

I love the set up of these suites. It has set a new standard for me as far as family friendly hotels. The room was the perfect size for 2 adults and 2 children. It included a fully equipped kitchen (completely stocked with plates, flatware, glasses etc). There was a full sized refrigerator and stove top that were beyond helpful during our stay. A large desk so I could complete my work but also have room for the kids to color, store extra paperwork and all of my husband's items for his training. The sofa bed was pretty comfortable for being a sofa bed and was directly across from the Queen sized bed so we could comfortably watch TV together but when it was time for the kids to go to sleep we could just swivel the TV towards our bed so the children couldn't see it anymore. The Queen bed was one of the most comfortable mattresses I've ever slept on and the sheets were soft and cozy. For the first time ever, yes ever, I didn't miss my own bed at home. The vanity was separate from the toilet and shower area and provided plenty of room for all of our toiletries to stay on the counter top without having to pack and unpack things every morning. This hotel does a great job of thinking about the little things. When we walked in all of the towels from the kitchen to the bathroom were folded like swans. There was a small bottle of dish soap provided (I usually always have to pack my own). Plenty of stationary, a binder full of things to do and places to eat at in the area that was actually well put together and helpful, enough trash cans throughout the suite, fresh sheets for the sofa bed in the closet cleaned and bagged and I finally found a hotel that provides enough outlets for all of our devices. This suite truly felt like home away from home and the kids would agree. It's a comfortable and affordable place to relax, eat and work from that I think will be hard to beat. 

For images of room layouts click here: Staybridge Suites Layout

Pros

Friendly staff - The staff here is upbeat, happy and helpful. It didn't matter what I needed or when I needed it someone was there helping me with a smile. I never had to ask for anything twice and was even given a tour of the property by a staff member so I knew all the amenities available to me.

Level of child friendliness - We've never stayed at a hotel with basketball courts or a mini water park provided on property and these were great bonuses. I love the in-suite movie rental service and the option to book the movie theater on property privately for your family. Staybridge also provides board games and books to be checked out. There are parks, shopping centers and free splash pads within a reasonable driving distance.

Free self-service laundry facility - When traveling with kids you're bound to have to clean clothes at some point. We usually have to make sure we have plenty of quarters to wash whatever needs to be washed. I love that Staybridge does not charge for the use of their laundry facility.

Meals provided - The food was actually pretty good when we did eat at Staybridge. In the mornings we had an array of breakfast foods to choose from. Everything from cereal to fresh eggs. The dinner menu is found on the refrigerator in your room with a meal plan for that week. Every night a salad was provided with the main meal and free wine and beer is always a plus.

Fast WiFi - I never had to wait for anything to load for very long. The WiFi here is incredibly fast and reliable.

Cleanliness - Staybridge is clean everywhere you look. The grounds are well maintained outside, the lobby and food area are spotless. Our room was always cleaned properly and restocked with everything we needed without having to ask. I had an issue where our floors needed to be vacuumed after the kids had some crackers and staff was there within 5 minutes.

Cons

In-suite bathroom - The bathrooms are a bit small. I have a pretty small frame and barely had enough room to comfortably close the door.

Location - The hotel has a great location as far as how close it is to things of interest; however, it is located directly off a freeway so some rooms can be noisy. A 5 minute drive one way from the hotel seems to put you in a bit of a questionably safe area (although at the hotel itself we all felt very, very safe) but a 5 minute drive the other direction is a nice area.

My Verdict

¨Rooms: 10/10

¨Service: 10/10

¨Food: 9/10

¨Location: 8/10

¨Overall: 10/10