Pittsburgh – Luv Saving Money

Harlem Globetrotters Are Back Save Up to 20% On Tickets With This Offer

SpreadGame is what the Globetrotters do best; it’s what they’ve done best for 95 years. Bringing light, laughter and love on the court that extends off the court in the smiles families bring home or the stories fans tell their friends.

SpreadGame is excellence shown through basketball wizardry night after night, and demonstrated through years of commitment to unsurpassed entertainment.

The Globetrotters SpreadGame through every slam dunk, killer pass and magic fadeaway; and through every smile for a child and every achievement within the communities they visit.

Light, laughter, love. Hope. SpreadGame. Don’t miss out – Save up to 20% with Promo Code: USFAM
https://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/world-tour/schedule

Bringing world-class basketball showmanship to arenas all over the U.S.

SpreadGame is excellence shown through basketball wizardry night after night, and demonstrated through years of commitment to unsurpassed entertainment.

The Globetrotters SpreadGame through every slam dunk, killer pass and magic fadeaway; and through every smile for a child and every achievement within the communities they visit.

Light, laughter, love. Hope. SpreadGame.
Coupon: https://www.usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?regionid=75&bid=13043&dealid=2964

I will be compensated with tickets for helping with promotion.

25% off Gen Admission at the National Aviary on September 25, 2019

This year we decided to get a National Aviary family membership since we didn’t go on vacation this year. I had been wanting to revisit the aviary for some time. My kids had never seen it. It’s such an immersive and unique experience. Check out our most recent National Aviary visit here to see what to expect and tips.

On Wednesday, September 25, 2019 all visitors will enjoy a 25% off discount on general admission rates. This is part of a year of monthly promotions to celebrate the Allegheny Regional Asset Districts (RAD) 25^th year and the significant support they, and the Pittsburgh community, have provided to the National Aviary. Visitors can expect something new on the 25th of each month this year.

Each month’s activity will be announced via the 25 RADical Years webpage on the National Aviary web site www.aviary.org, via social media using the hashtag #RAD25 and in the National Aviary’s Airmail e-newsletter. Announcements will be made on the 26^th day of each month for the following month’s activity.

Checkout my National Aviary visit post and visit aviary.org to plan your trip and learn more about the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, PA.

National Aviary in Pittsburgh: Summer Staycation Series in Western PA

This year, our family of 6 decided to do a “Summer Staycation”. We only go away for vacation every other year at this time. When we do our staycations we love discovering, or rediscovering things in western Pennsylvania. There is so much to do in western PA so narrowing it down can be hard. I realized we had never taken the kids to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh.

I remember going to the aviary on a field trip with the school when I was in elementary school. I remember enjoying my time there. It’s something different that you just can’t find everywhere.

For a family of 6 we actually found it was slightly cheaper just to go ahead and get a 1 year membership. When you get a membership you can visit as many times as you like, you get free parking, and a 10% discount in the gift shop.

Sea Eagles in the background (yes they’re real)

We went on a Tuesday. It wasn’t very crowded at all. We got there around 11 am and there was a surprising amount of parking available. There were different themed areas like the Grasslands, the Wetlands, Condor court and more. It was an immersive experience. Some birds could roam around freely in each room.

Birds would fly past you. There was lots of greenery. Very lush and natural looking open habitats.

The Wetlands with Cranes and Scarlett Ibis. There were also flamingos and many other birds.

There are lots of extra experiences you can do if you choose. One I highly recommend is the Lorikeet feeding. For only $3 a person you can get in line to feed the Lorikeet. You’re given a cup of nectar and allowed in the room to feed the Lorikeets. These birds will land right on you and drink from the cup. I had one climb up my arm onto my shoulder and then onto my head. But the birds are small and very gentle. My 6 year old was a little nervous at first but she loved it. She even asked if she could do it again.

Me feeding a Lorikeet and my son in the red shirt.

My 6 yr old participating in the Lorikeet feedings. She loved it.

Another affordable experience that ended up being my husband’s favorite was the SOAR! Birds of Prey presentation. For $5 per person you can go to the sky deck on top of the building. Trainers give a presentation on different birds of prey. Our presentation included a falcon, vultures, and black kites. The birds are well trained. They swoop in and catch treats, perch on the trainers arm, and more. You are not able to touch the birds but you get pretty close.

Vultures taking treats from the trainer.

If your budget’s a little bigger you can get in on experiences like the Sloth Experience, Armadillo experience, Penguin feedings, and more. There is also a theater on premises that shows different films and presentations.

There are two small gift shops and a food court available as well. If you’re not doing any of the added experiences you only need about 2 hours to see all the birds. If you are doing the experiences add at least 30 minutes for each experience. We got there around 11 am and left about 2:30.

If you want there is also the beautiful Allegheny Commons park surrounding the Aviary with a playground area, picnic tables, ponds with bridges, and lots of shady spots for a hot day. We let the kids stretch their legs at the playground and explored the park a little before heading out.

The National Aviary is located on the North Shore and is close to the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and not too far from the Carnegie Science Center, It’s also only a 15 minutes drive from Phipps Conservatory.

2019 Pittsburgh Children’s Film Festival Preview: Get Your Tickets Now

Discover the odd, colorful, and delightful world of children’s cinema this summer at the 2019 Pittsburgh Children’s International Film Festival. Join us July 26 – August 1 for week-long line up of children’s films that range from blockbuster hits to fun and quirky international flicks.

The festival will feature several Pittsburgh premiers, as well as the best short films from the 2019 New York International Children’s Film Festival. Complimentary special events, guest appearances, and hands-on activities are planned throughout the week.

The festival will be hosted at Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville, which will play movies at a lower volume to protect young ears and provide kid friendly snacks at select screenings. In the spirit of the festival, children are welcome to move around the theater, chat, and just be kids.

We had the opportunity to visit Rowhouse Cinemas in Lawrenceville to get a sneak peak of the 2019 Pittsburgh Children’s festival. This was our first time visiting Row House Cinemas.

Right in the middle of Lawrenceville sits this super cute single screen theater. As we walked in , framed movie posters are displayed on the wall. we were greeted by friendly staff. The familiar smell of popcorn in the air. A unique feature is the shop, Bierport, to your right where you can purchase craft sodas and beers that can be brought into the theater if you wish. The theater itself offers all natural popcorn with real butter. During the film festival kids’ snack packs will be available with popcorn and juice boxes.

We got to screen The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales a French/Belgian animated comedy. There were three short films included each one was cute and entertaining. The kids talked about which one was their favorite after. Definitely something different to see. You’ll be able to see this film and other during the Children’s Film Festival this summer!

SAVE THE DATE July 26-August 1 – International Children’s Festival – Save the Date!! Discover the odd, colorful, and delightful world of children’s cinema this summer at the 2019 Pittsburgh Children’s International Film Festival.
https://www.usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?regionid=75&bid=13899&dealid=3813

Come back to visit LuvSavingMoney.com as I update our “Summer Staycation” series in Pennsylvania

I received a free preview of the event as part of the US Family Guide. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Best and Worst Cities for Staycation

With summer arriving and 52% of Americans reporting having unused vacation days last year, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2019’s Best & Worst Cities for Staycations as well as accompanying videos.

To identify the best spots for staying local, WalletHub compared more than 180 cities across 43 key indicators of a fun-filled yet wallet-friendly staycation. The data ranges from movie and bowling costs to spas and wellness centers per capita to cost of house-cleaning services.

Best vs. Worst

Orlando, Florida, has the most zoos & aquariums (per square root of population), 0.0135, 45 times more than in New York, the city with the fewest at 0.0003.
Portland, Maine has the most parks (per square root of population), 1.2931, 21 times more than in Hialeah, Florida, the city with the fewest at 0.0616.
Honolulu has the most tennis courts (per square root of population), 0.3495, 24.1 times more than in Gilbert, Arizona, the city with the fewest at 0.0145.
North Las Vegas, Nevada, has the lowest cost of house-cleaning services, $73, 7.1 times less expensive than in St. Paul, Minnesota, the city with the highest at $518.

To view the full report and your city’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-cities-for-staycations/4341/

We’re actually doing a staycation this year. Pittsburgh actually has a lot to do. Being a smaller city I’m surprised it didn’t make the list with how many things there are to do. We’re planning on taking the kids to the National Aviary next week. We will be attending a preview event for the 2019 Pittsburgh Children’s film festival next week as well.

IF those things aren’t up your alley there’s also the Children’s Museum, PPG Zoo and aquarium, Carnegie Science Center, Gateway Clipper, Catching a Pirates, Penguins, or Steelers game, Riverhounds soccer games, several malls, Andy Warhol museum, Kennywood park, Sandcastle, Phipps Conservatory, Catch a show at the Benedum Center, shop at one of the best known outdoor markets at Market Square, Rivers Casino, …I really could keep going but that gives you an idea. Honestly I live fairly close to Pittsburgh and I still haven’t done everything there is to do.