Doppler Dale’s Valley Destinations

Where can you go to BEAT the HEAT with kids in the Tennessee Valley?
By Dale Bader

While being a stay at home dad during the week, I try to find new and exciting adventures for Addelynn and Alexander, our 19-month old twins. Have you been stuck indoors all summer and unsure of what to do with your kids? Here are a few ideas to get out of the house and enjoy time with your family, while beating the heat!

1. Barnes and Noble Children’s Story Hour: Bridge Street Town Centre
   • When: weekly on Wednesday at 10am
   • Educational, Fun Experience
   • FREE
   • Stories, Crafts, Social Interaction with other children
   • New and creative ideas every week
   • As story hour is a common Barnes and Noble event, be sure to check with your local store.
2. Harmony Park Safari: Huntsville, Alabama
   Looking for a trip for which you never have to leave the car? Pack up the kids and a picnic lunch and head to the only DRIVE THRU petting zoo in Huntsville.
   • Open to the public from March-November
   • $6 admission per person, 2 years and older
   • Feed the animals right from your car
   • Animals include: zebras, buffalo, alligators, deer, ostrich and more
   • Picnic area for picnic dining
   • Directions: Go south on Hwy 231, then turn east onto Hobbs Island Road. After 9 miles, turn right onto Clouds Cove Road. The park is one mile on the left. Call 1-877-726-4625 for more details.
3. Tennessee Aquarium: Chattanooga, Tennessee
   • • 3D IMAX Theatre
     • River Gorge Explorer: boat experience on the Tennessee River
     • Hands-on exhibits
     • For more information: http://www.tnaqua.org

   Approximately 95 miles from Huntsville, lies a STAR attraction for the southeastern United States. The Tennessee Aquarium’s River Journey and Ocean Journey buildings are home to a richly diverse collection of animals including sharks, seahorses, free-flying songbirds, cold-climate penguins, river otters, alligators, turtles, snakes, frogs and a host of amazing invertebrates.

For those of you that travel the Valley everyday looking for places to take your children, here are a few other suggestions: Bridge Street Town Centre Splash Pad, Pointe Mallard Water Park, Lake Guntersville State Park Beach, Kids Space Park and Early Works Children’s Museum. Be sure and check back in future issues for more Doppler Dale’s Valley Destinations!

Dale Bader is a Storm Force 31 Meteorologist with WAAY-TV. You can catch him every weekend on WAAY 31 Weekend News. To learn more about Doppler Dale, visit his website and also check out the weather blog.