Exploration Works

Our last deal with our tour Train Ticket was a DISCOUNT at Exploration Works (http://www.explorationworks.org/).  ***An innovative, hands-on museum of science and culture, located in the new Great Northern Town Center development in downtown Helena, Montana, ExplorationWorks offers programs and exhibits that appeal to diverse audiences in an engaging discovery of the sciences, technology, social sciences, culture and everyday life.***
We had so much fun! They had lots of things to do. Here's some of the fun things we tried:

Our favorite part was the life-size Metal Pin Art.We laughed our heads off by our creations. We're so funny!!!!! Here's a few we did:

Latte's & Sundaes

Here we are at Latte's & Sundaes (http://www.lattesandsundaes.com/) for our FREE scoop of ice cream or a cookie! They had some interesting flavor choices. It was fun to try. We may have to come back and try out some of their lunch specials. 

The Painted Pot

At The Painted Pot (http://www.paintedpothelena.com/), the Train Tour ticket allows you to make and take (or at least come back in a week to get it) a FREE ceramic magnetic in the shape of Montana. As a family, we tried out our artistic skills today. There was a place like this in Fargo so it brought back good memories. Fun times!

Taco de Sol

Along the Walking Mall, we stopped by Taco de Sol (http://tacodelsol.com/) for lunch for our FREE fountain soda. We also all got some tacos. They were so good! We will definitely be going back sometime. Yum!

Birds & Beaseleys

Birds & Beasleys (http://www.birdsandbeasleys.com/) offers a FREE gift to Train Tour riders. You can choose from like 5 different gifts. Choices included caramel bars, a bag of huckleberry popcorn, a spinning top, a small frame of an artist painting of different birds or a coloring book. We all left way happy! This FREE gift alone makes up for your train ticket. Pretty awesome!

Great Northern Carousel & Out to Lunch

One of the FREE things on the back of our ticket was a ride on the Great Northern Carousel. (http://www.gncarousel.com/) I took the kids there today. It's a beautiful indoor carousel. They also have a fun little extra activity. While you are spinning in circles- you can grab these little plastic rings from this machine (see right bottom corner of collage). It's a little tricky but if you end up with the golden ring- you get a free ride! Also- if you get a different color ring- you can throw it at the hoops of the bear (pictured in the right top). It's kind of a fun way to keep your mind off of going around and around in circles. Anyone dizzy yet? LOL

Also- we choose today because Helena also does an Out to Lunch Activity all Summer on Thursdays. They have different bands come perform and offer food vendors outdoor of the Carousel. Two birds with one stone. I love it!!

Last Chance Tour Train

We heard that one of the best thing to do to start seeing Helena is to ride the Last Chance Tour Train. (http://lctours.com/) It's about an hour train ride all over downtown Helena. They take you through the old neighborhoods, past the Cathedral, by the Capital, through the walking mall, past the old Governor's Mansion, near our Church, past several Historical sites and you may even see the Wildlife roaming the streets. Way cool! We had a great time! I loved hearing the stories behind all the places.

It's not way cheap but on the back of the ticket- it has coupons/ free deals for several other things in town. Even if you do a couple of those things, you end up paying for your ticket. Awesome! And who doesn't like a train ride?? The day was beautiful. What a way to start off our Adventures in Helena!

Here's some of the sites: