It's all Greek in Nashville

If you’re looking for one more trip before summer is officially over, why not explore the architecture of ancient Greece? There's no need to travel half way around the world though. The Parthenon in Nashville is the world’s only full-scale reproduction of the Athenian original. Built in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, the replica is made of brick, stone, and concrete (instead of Greece’s marble). Restored from 1921-1931, the ground floor houses a small art gallery while the top floor is a recreation of the ancient Greek temple. The centerpiece of the Nashville site is the replica of the 42-foot gold statue of Athena that once stood in the Greek Parthenon but was subsequently lost around 400 AD. This is the only place in the world to see this pinnacle of classic architecture the way the ancient Greeks intended.

Admission:
Adults - $5
Children 4-17 - $2.50
Under 4 – Free

Hours:
9am - 4:30pm Tue – Sat
12:30pm - 4:30pm Sun
June, July and August

http://www.nashville.gov/parthenon/

Making art fun (and free!) for all in Baltimore

Think most art museums go right over the heads of your kids? The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore wants to change that by making art accessible to visitors of all ages. Not content with merely a program or two, this museum features more activities and resources than a lot of “children’s museums.” On selected Saturdays at 1pm, you can take a guided 45-minute Family Tour through the museum’s collection of world art from pre-dynastic Egypt to 20th century Europe. Drop-in art activities on Saturdays from 11am-3pm let your children create artful projects related to the current collections or special exhibits. On weekends there are free interactive gallery materials located throughout the museum. These Artcarts, Discovery quilts, and Art sacks are filled with activities related to different collections – Greek, Renaissance, 19th century, and Asian. In addition, there are also Family Guides and Wondrous Journeys Passports that lead your kids to different pieces of artwork with fun facts about each. Check out their website for information on their Family Festivals and Family Flicks as well as tips to make the most out of your family’s visit.

Admission:
Free!

Hours:
11am – 5pm Wed – Sun
11am – 8pm Fri
Closed Mondays & Tuesdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Day

http://www.thewalters.org/programs_art_museums/programs_family.aspx

Endless (free!) museum choices in DC

A trip to Washington DC wouldn’t be complete without visiting at least one of the many museums comprising the Smithsonian Institution. The largest museum complex in the world, the Smithsonian has 17 museums and a zoo - all free to the public. Some popular choices to visit with kids are the Museum of Natural History, the National Zoological Park, and the Air and Space Museum (a personal favorite of mine). Many of the museums are clustered around the National Mall – a one mile stretch of land that offers great views of the Capitol building at one end and the Washington Monument at the other. It’s also a great place to take a break from museum hopping and enjoy a game of Frisbee, grab a frozen treat from a vendor, or simply people watch.

Admission:
FREE!

Hours:
10am-5:30pm daily (except Dec 25)
check website for specific museums

http://www.si.edu/