Exploring

Last week we headed back into Pittsburgh for one last summer outing with friends!

This time we went to the Carnegie Science Center.

Hometown pride is strong here.  In case you forget...

 

Our first stop was at the Sports Works exhibit, just outside the science center.  I have never been in there before, so it was fun to visit!  My friend's daughter, Audrey, convinced me to ride the roller coaster simulator with her, so while we waited in line, Amber watched the rest of the kids and took pictures.  That was a difficult task, considering Lily fell asleep on her shoulder!

They went rock climbing, rode through the human body, raced on a track, became a human yo-yo, played giant operation and other games...all while we waited!

 



Finally, we reached the front of the line.  They locked us in this coffin-like box (not cool!), and off we went.  Let me just say, my stomach dropped immediately.  We were often completely upside down, and Audrey kept eating my hair!  It definitely came close to riding an actual roller coaster!



After all that excitement, we moved on to the main building. 




We didn't get a chance to go on the submarine, but the kids checked it out from afar.



They also watched the incline coming down Mount Washington.  For those of you unfamiliar with Pittsburgh, the incline is a type of public transportation.  A little cable car takes people up the "mountain"...and back down...all day long.

 

Our first stop was the guitar exhibit.



Then we moved on up a level to the robot and train exhibit.  One "robot" surprised Amber and I by actually being a real person!!!


 



The kids loved checking out the view of Pittsburgh!



Lily, however, was a bit overwhelmed by all the robots and all the people!




The next level is an aquarium level.  They had fun exploring!





The top level is just for kids!  It's the most fun level for them.  There is a huge playground, ball zone, water play area, and many things to climb on, touch, build, and explore. 




Why, yes, that is a ball in Lily's mouth...





Audrey had fun rolling Lily along on the conveyor belt!




The big kids loved this floor the most!



My favorite exhibit when I was a child was the Earthquake Cafe, which is an earthquake simulator.  They still have it!




It was a great, memorable trip to the science center with our wonderful friends!  The kids had a great time. It was the perfect outing for our last week of summer vacation!