Blog Elements - Valley Family Fun

10 things to do this Spring in the Annapolis Valley and Beyond: Spring Bucket List

At the start of each season we make a list of all the things that we want to do. These can be anything and everything from a sleepover at Nana and Grandad’s, to eating out somewhere special, or a family outing. There is never any pressure to get everything completed, but it’s fun to check them off! Here is our list for this spring. I’ll report back what we get done!

10 things to do this Spring in the Valley and Beyond

1. Oaklawn Farm Zoo Although the opening was delayed because of the snow, it is now open! For some reason, we didn’t get there at all last year, so we are looking forward to seeing how much all the animals have changed! WE MADE IT! It was our first time going in 2 years, and it was so great to be there when the kids were older. We didn’t have to micro-manage them! In fact, Daniel and his friend went off on their own and met up with us later! The peacocks and white peafowls were in full show-off mode, too! Oaklawn is always worth a revist! See how the animals have been moved around, and who has had babies, and who has grown!

2. Hiking trails at Uniake Estate Museum Park We will be heading here with our NS Museum pass. Uniacke Estate Museum Park is part of what was the expansive country estate of Attorney-General Richard John Uniacke (1753-1830). Built between 1813 and 1815, the grand country house is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Canada. The estate offers visitors a vivid glimpse of life in the early 1800s among Nova Scotia’s gentry. There are a series of 8 incredible walking trails around the estate.

3. Waterslide at the Canada Games Centre OR Dartmouth Sportsplex Recently, we checked out the Spryfield Community Pool. Now we are hooked and want to try some of the other water parks in Halifax. We will head to either the Canada Games Centre where there are a couple of waterslides – including one that wraps around the building! OR The Dartmouth Sportsplex where they have Pirate’s Cove. This looks like the coolest waterslide ever!

4. Try hot sauce Every season we add a personal goal to the list. Mine is to be brave enough to try Rudi’s Hot Sauce. My kids are hooked, but I am a spice wimp. These sauces are available at EOS in Wolfville and Hennigars in Greenwich, and according to my family, are a MUST try! I am a spice wimp!! But, I did it! Here’s the proof! I tried all the hot sauces up to the 5 pepper Candy Reaper Burn… I lived to tell the tale!

5. Brunch at the Old Orchard Inn, Greenwich Last spring we had an etiquette meal with the kids, and brought in a professional to teach them all their best table manners. We have promised them ever since to take them somewhere nice so they can put all their manners to the test. We’ve decided on the Old Orchard Inn in Greenwich for their Sunday brunch. Wish us luck! This is the first thing we checked off our Spring Bucket List. We had a fantastic experience! The food was amazing and the kids LOVED IT! Read more!

6. Progressive Dinner or other fun multi-family event We have a group of families in the neighbourhood that we like to do things with. Now that the weather is nice, maybe we will plan another progressive dinner! Who knows what we will come up with! We didn’t end up having a progressive dinner with the neighbourhood, but we did have a fun night together learning about Japanese culture!

7. Monster Jam AWESOME! TOTALLY FUN! That’s what my boys said when asked about going to Monster Jam at the Scotia Speedway last year. It was a definite highlight of our spring! When we heard that Monster Jam was coming to Scotia Speedway (across from the Halifax airport) again this year, we couldn’t wait to go again! Another great year for Monster Jam! Can’t wait for next year!

8. Memory Lane Railway Museum, Middleton This is an extensive Dominion Atlantic Railway collection. The museum is open from May 1 until September 30 every year. Admission is free although donations are gratefully accepted. This museum has been on my list for awhile, and it will be great to check it out! We spent an hour’s visit at the museum! The kids loved the model train that zipped around the room! Read about our visit!

9. Port Williams Days Fireworks Being a native of Port Williams, we have to attend the annual Port Williams Days which include the village-wide yard sale (usually in the rain), community dinner, parade, and of course the fireworks on Friday night on the dykes. Port Wiliams Days are June 12-14, 2015 Always one of my favourite nights of the year! Great community spirit, and always a great display. Here is a video of this year’s fireworks taken by my neighbour!

10. Harmony Crystal Falls Hike This hike is located south of Kingston and Greenwood. I was here years ago, but never with the kids. It is a popular hiking and swimming spot. The hike itself should take between 45 minutes and an hour to complete. It is quite easy in nature with the vast majority of the hike taking place on what appears to be an old woods road. We did it! My favourite spring-time adventure thus far! Read how to get there yourself!