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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Get Away to Neverland with Peter Pan 360

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There are certain movies and songs that make everyone feel like a kid again. And Peter Pan is one of those movies. The story of the little boy who never grew up comes to life in a dazzling adventure that the whole family will enjoy.

Peter Pan 360 is bringing the J.M. classic tale to fantastical life, and the show is making its North Texas debut in Downtown Dallas at the on November 11.


The production takes place in a one-of-a-kind Threesixty Theatre Tent, a state-of-the-art 100-foot climate-controlled tent that combines intimate theater experience with overheard surround CGI video projects and of course the talent actors flying right over your head. And with only 13 rows of seat, everyone gets the best seat in the house.

Threesixty Theatre - 2012

The entire theater is lit with more than 15,000 square feet of Hi Resolution production immersing the cast and the audience in the full Neverland experience. The popular Peter Pan song “You Can Fly” will take on a whole new meaning.

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There’s nothing better than the classics, except for maybe the classics redone!

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Threesixty Theatre Tent
2450 San Jacinto in Downtown Dallas Arts District
Dallas, Texas
VIsit PeterPan360.com. 
 

Bounce Better with Sports Bras from Title Nine

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One of my first blog posts was about my #mamachallenge to find the right way to “Tame the Ta-Tas.” 

Hitting the gym takes on a whole new meaning if you are a gal with some sizable girls (and I’m not talking about your children here!)

 

The lack of good sports bras is often the biggest deterrent to regular exercise. The average American woman wears a 36C bra, however the vast majority of sports bras are built for A and B-cup women. However, Title Nine claims to have a solution to our bra dilemma. They tested thousands of bras and found just the right ones to not only support out workouts and our curves, whether you’re a 32AA or 40EEE.  

In addition to the fear of being potentially judged for using bad form or potentially passing out during my workout, the concern that the girls are plopping around as I leap into a burpee or do a set of jumping jacks. But the Title Nine expert bra fit specialist, i.e. their bravangelists, will personally fit you to ensure that you leave with the right support.

Hallelujah for hooters! 

And this isn’t just a treat for me, anyone in North Texas can find the support you’ve been searching for at the Title Nine Dallas Fit Fest on Wednesday, October 7 and Thursday, October 8. They have a variety of styles, colors and sizes to meet every woman’s needs, even the nursing mom.

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To RSVP for the Title Nine Dallas Fit Fest,  7 and 8, click . 

And if you’re not in the Dallas area, no fret, you can get the royal treatment, too:

  • Visit your local store. Click to find a location near your home. 
  • Use the .
  • Chat with a bravangelist by phone at 800.342.4448.

I don’t know about you, but the idea of having full support while completing my workout brings a smile to my face.  And since everyone should feel a little bounce in their step and not in their boobs, I’m giving away one personalized fitting at your local Title Nine store AND for a bra of your choice.

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New Snap Kitchen in Flower Mound

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There’s a big reason I’m OBSESSED with Snap Kitchen. 

Actually there are several very tasty ones as I discussed on Dallas Food Nerd. But no longer do I have to make a trip to Dallas to get my healthy fix! Nope, Flower Mound, here we come! 

Snap Kitchen

Read why I am obsessed with Snap Kitchen in Dallas Food Nerd


The ever-growing Snap Kitchen is putting down more roots with a new location in Flower Mound. Health-conscious residents in this suburb can now find Snap Kitchen’s chef-driven and dietitian approved meals in their neck of the woods. Set to open on September 14th, Snap Kitchen’s newest location is at 3701 Justin Rd. and features grab-and-go prepared meals available for in-store or curbside pickup. Guests can find comfort in knowing they can pick up healthy, freshly made meals on the go, without compromising on taste or experiencing the post-meal guilt that often comes with dining out.

Snap Kitchen is dedicated to bringing customers flavorful, handcrafted food that supports a commitment to local, organic ingredients and healthy cooking. At Snap, guests can easily grab a healthy meal, snack or cold-pressed juice. The menu offers a selection of palate pleasing items made fresh daily, including Chicken & Green Chile “Enchiladas,” Grassfed Bison Quinoa “Hash,” or for breakfast, the Chicken Sausage Breakfast Tacos. Ninety-nine percent of the menu is gluten free, and there is a vast selection of vegetarian, vegan, paleo, dairy free, carb conscious and sodium conscious items.

Snap Kitchen

Breakfast done healthy and so good at Snap Kitchen!

The concept, which started in 2010, was recognized by Nation’s Restaurant News (February 2014) as one of the nation’s top “Breakout Brands” and selected as one of Nation’s Restaurant News 2014 Hot Concepts award recipients. Snap Kitchen now has 30 locations throughout Austin, Houston, Dallas and Chicago.

The Snap Kitchen Flower Mound store is located at 3701 Justin Rd., Flower Mound, TX 75028 and is open Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, please call 214.613.4484
or visit www.snapkitchen.com.

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Clean Your Skin and Your House with Tea Tree Oil

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I’m always looking for cost-effective ways to keep my family happy, healthy and in the most natural way possible.

But with so many warnings, disclaimers and recalls on medication today, I am leery of giving them anything that may have long-time side effects. Essential oils, like coconut oil, fish oil and tea tree oil, have swept the nation as an alternative to relieve body woes. But does they REALLY work?


CVS

We’ve already shared about the benefits of adding fish oil to your daily regimen, but this product in the CVS/pharmacy radiance PLATINUM line is a staple for under my sink, my medicine cabinet, and even my makeup bag.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil Plantation

Tea tree oil is an essential oil with a fresh scent and color that ranges from pale yellow to sometimes colorless and clear. This pleasant oil is an “Aussie,” taken from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree, which is native to Southeast Queensland and the Northeast coast of Australia. Tea tree oil has antibacterial properties is best known as a treatment for acne and other skin conditions such as impetigo, fungal infections and dandruff. It seeps into your pores to remove the blockage, disinfects the pores and dries out whiteheads and blackheads. A small drop of it mixed with jojoba oil, which is an oil very close in character to the sebum your body naturally makes, can be a great makeup remover.

“Hello clear skin!”

CVS

Have you ever shampooed your hair with product that had tea tree oil in it? It leaves a tingly sensation in your scalp which helps loosen dirt and build up, stimulates growth and honestly feels very relaxing. You can DIY your own tea tree shampoo by simply adding five drops of oil to every eight ounces of shampoo. WALAH – a spa-like experience right at home and it’s like aromatherapy, too!

Tea-Tree-Oil

Tea tree oil is also 100% preservative free, natural, vegetarian and vegan – and makes it great for other household uses like:

  • A multi-purpose cleaner – Add a teaspoon of oil to a gallon of water to get your windows, floors and kitchen surfaces squeaky clean.
  • Pest control – Say bye bye to those pesky ants and other creepy crawly things. Wipe your surfaces with an oil and water solution at various points of entry, and the bugs are less likely to slide through.
  • Mold & stain remover –Add two teaspoons of oil to two cups of water, spray on the mold or stain and wipe clean.
  • Laundry freshener – Give your laundry detergent a little help by adding two teaspoons of oil to your clothes during the wash cycle. It will keep your washing machine clean and free of build up as well which means it will operate more efficiently.
  • Diaper duty – Keep your diaper pail smelling fresh by spraying of solution tea tree oil right into the pail. It’s a natural way to keep your nursery odor free and your baby away from toxins.

The radiance PLATINUM tea tree oil comes in a 2 oz. bottle, but it’s highly encouraged to dilute the product with carrier oil to test sensitivity, so the bottle should last a while. Start with a 4:1 ration of carrier oil such as olive or almond to tea tree oil in the initial application to see if your skin and scalp can handle it.

Disclaimer

Under no circumstance should you ever swallow tea tree oil. The side effects include severe rashes, stomach ache, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, drowsiness and possible coma.  Unlike olive oil and coconut oil, keep it far away from your pantry where small children might possibly mistake it for an afternoon snack.

Like aloe vera, olive oil and avocado, tea tree oil occurs naturally and has several multi-use health benefits, so give this mate from “downunder” a try at your nearby CVS/pharmacy.  AND…an additional way to ensure you get the best price for you, download the free CVS/pharmacy app today. Save time by looking online and the weekly ad to find out what is on sale so you can save the most money.

CVS-Fish-Chocolate

Vitamin-E-CVS-MamaChallenge

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You Spin Me Round…at SPIN! Pizza

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Disclaimer

Pizza is a very personal preference especially for our family. While starting anything off with cheese and buttery crust can never be bad, for the kids, it’s the environment. For my husband, it’s whether they have gluten-free options other than a salad. For me, I want to feel like I just took a trip to the Italian countryside with innovative ingredients, good wine, and a big ‘ole gelato to finish it off (with or without kids at that.)

In DFW, there aren’t a lot of pizza places that can do all that, but SPIN! Pizza is spinning that around…(one of many puns that SPIN! makes in their name.)


Spin

Last month, on a trip to Southlake we began salivating once we checked out the menu before the doors opened to this eatery.

I don’t know if it’s the melting cheese, the fun round (sometimes square) shape or the ability to make it your own masterpiece through simple ingredients that makes it a staple for quick and easy meals. Only good things can happen around a piece of pie and a glass of wine, which is why SPIN! Neopolitan Pizza’s new Southlake location is the perfect spot for date night, family dinner, or girls’ afternoon/brunch!

Spin

And SPIN! is more than just pizza. It’s a culinary experience right in the heart of Southlake – passport not needed.

SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza pizza, salad, and wine (higher res)

Coming for happy hour, GNO or date night?  Take a trip to the SPIN! bin where you can choose your favorite wine, beer or Sangria to drink with your Italian feast. They rotate the wine by the glass daily and the sangria comes in three flavors – red, white or blood orange. No judgement here if you try all three – because I did and they were all legit (I kinda consider myself an expert on Sangria!) However, the blood orange is the one that will really make you want “just one more glass.”

SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza's Roasted Eggplant Parmigiana_2MB

Start your meal with a antipasta plate made with roasted eggplant, creamy cheeses or mondo meatballs. If flatbreads are your fave, they have several Italian-inspired options including a white bean hummus and roasted red pepper with goat cheese that go great with a glass of vino…or just go with the trio and you can get a little of all the goodness.


 SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza's Stuffed Mondo Pork Meatball_2 MB (1)

“Hand-shaved grana, homemade fig onion marmalade, freshly sliced prosciutto, roasted red pepper goat cheese, roasted mushrooms, garlic, eggplants & chicken (just to name a few), crispy, chewy crusts with brown bubbles, authentic Neapolitan salamis, peppers and cheeses, and totally hand-made flavor…” sounds awful, right? Yep, that’s just for starters. There are hundreds of combinations of ingredients you can choose from. For those individuals who have food allergies, you can sub the original crust for gluten-free crust for only $3 and you can add dairy-free Daiya cheese to your pie if you’re vegan or lactose intolerance. My belly is happy already.

SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza hand tossed pizza

But it’s not all about the pizza. There are soups, huge innovative salads and fresh-made sandwiches that can make your taste buds just as happy.

Whether you bring the kids or are you looking for your own sweet creamy treat – gelato, made with all-natural ingredients with fun flavors including peanut butter, caramel and your Italian staple stracciatella, might be a reason to come in all by itself.

Spin-Meatball

Of course, now that you’re mouth is watering, you definitely want to try your turn at SPIN! Enter to win a $100 gift card to SPIN! (with three locations in DFW and one more coming soon.)

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“You’re the Bomb” Thank You Gift {Free Printable}

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Sometimes you just need to say thank you.

Especially for those things you just come to expect from people like your drycleaners, neighborhood barista, and even your daycare. These people make your world go ’round and can save your booty every time when you’re rushed, need a favor, or even just a smile when your day is done…


Bomb Pop Makes You Smile

With temperatures skyrocketing and a last few weeks where I felt I had cashed in all my favors with everyone, it was time to put a little back in emotional currency…or much easier said, I needed to give back and just say thank you to a lot of people who had helped our family keep going!

A little recognition was in order – in a sweet way.

Bomp Pop

With a  quick run to Kroger for the Original Bomb Pop, a cold ice chest, and a little bit of ink from the printer, Project “You’re the Bomb” was underway! Using this cute free printable paired with the iconic rocket-shaped multi-flavor sweet treat, made for an easy giftable that was just as much fun to make and give as it was to get!

Bomb-Pop-Package

Printing on 5X7 print sheets, the card can be used for anyone you want to say thank you to!

mamabomb

Bob Pop Thank You

A few tips for the “You’re the Bomb” thank you gift, consider the following:

  1. Don’t try to do too many unless you have a super cooler to keep it cold for hours
  2. Think about the schedule the people on your list have. Don’t show up at their busy time or they might now be able to enjoy it
  3. Make sure to enter this giveaway to get your Bomb Pop Prize pack including $25 gift card to Kroger!

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Road Trip with QuikTrip

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Summers are synonymous with road trips.

Just take a look at your Facebook feed and you’ll see friends and family all packing up their minivans and SUVs to take off down the highway to visit loved ones, to find new adventures or sometimes just seeing where the road takes them. [Just check out our Road Trip Adventures.]

A big part of that road trip experience is where you stop along the way for the important things: you know, bathroom breaks and something to eat!


QT Kitchens Offerings

However, no longer does grabbing a soggy sandwich at the convenience store or bag a chips have to be your only option. Gas stations like Quik Trip have transformed to road destinations for everything you need including always-clean bathrooms, a variety of delicious hot coffees, fresh and hot entrees, and even that missing item you forgot to pack.

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QT_ChickenWrap

Now outfitted with a “hot kitchen,” most QT locations will cook up anything you request on their self-serve kiosks including healthy smoothies and milkshakes, thick crust pizzas and some pretty tasty kolaches. While the new offerings are on my hot list, my kids still love the hot dog rollers where they can make up their own dog paired with their 32 oz. of whatever concoctions they made at the drink station. But at the prices the

Kolache

And don’t pretend you haven’t been tempted by the specialty items they advertise outside when you’re pumping gas…we have all thought how good would those strawberry cheesecake donut holes would be or a nice cold milkshake?

QT Shake

But the sweetest thing I always love about Quik Trip is the service. No matter what time of day, morning, noon and way into the night, the place is clean, the team members are smiling, quick and helpful to get you on your trip…Guess that’s why they call it QuikTrip, huh?

QT Grilled Chicken

If you haven’t tried your nearest QuikTrip lately to try out their menu, I highly suggest it – even if you aren’t on a road trip. And if you’re planning a few days to be in the car, know that red QT will be there to take care of you along the way – anytime of the day. But the breakfast pizza alone is a reason to get in the car and go over there and get it right now.

QT Pizza

Don’t miss this freebie for buy one get one free frozen lemonade and make sure to enter for a $25 gift card to try QuikTrip for yourself!

Happy Road Trippin’! 

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Rainforest Adventure SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevine {Giveaway}

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Gators, Pirahnas, Snakes…oh my!

The SEALIFE Aquarium Grapevine Mills Texas takes at walk on the wild side with a few new “friends” we all love to hate.

The new 3,500-square-foot interactive exhibit takes you to the lush environment of the world’s rainforests to encounter caimans, piranha, pythons and more.. Unique features include a piranha walk-through tunnel, a domed pop-up window in the middle of the snake habitat, and newly renovated touch tanks with coldwater invertebrates.


Sealife-Aquarium

You begin their journey through the rainforest where rays of light shine through the mist and forest canopy. In the Amazonian rivers gallery, freshwater fish swim amongst twisted roots, tree stumps and lush planting. The caiman exhibit takes visitors to an abandoned ancient temple reclaimed by the forest and two Cuvier’s dwarf caimans.

Sealife-Aquarium

Then you can get an up-close view of red-bellied piranha as they swim overhead in the eight-foot long walk through tunnel. In the snake habitat is a domed pop-up window where kids can observe the intriguing lifestyle of the Burmese python, one of the largest snake species on earth. You’ll also discover the newly re-imagined rock pools where they can touch and learn about coldwater invertebrates native to the west coast.

Sealife-Aquarium

Engage one-on-one with education hosts during daily educational talks to learn more about a variety of exotic reptiles including the Argentine tegu, Australian blue-tongued skink, and Madagascar tomato frog.

Sealife-Aquarium

 

SEA LIFE Grapevine
3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine, Texas 76051
Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
$20 for adults, $16 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for kids 2
http://www.visitsealife.com/grapevine
817.819.7677

WIN 4 Tickets to SEALIFE Aquarium 

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Choose Your Favorite DFW Fourth of July Event {Giveaway}

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Depending on how you like to do Independence Day in DFW, you’ve got a lot of options! Whether you’re retro, rocker or just ready for fun, there’s the right place for you to salute the red, white and blue.

KaboomTown

To find the right Independence Party for you, you need to look past location and price and more at the experience. Kinda like choosing a church, you need to find just the right place for you to share your praise. So we’ve put together a list of great Independence events in Dallas, Fort Worth and the places in between based on your personality.


Ready to put a Feather in Your Hat? Then get ready to call it macaroni at Red, White and Boom in McKinney 
This is as Americana as it gets! Red, White and BOOM! kicks off Independence Day with a parade and classic car, truck and cycle show in Historic Downtown McKinney. Hollie Cavanagh, American Idol finalist and McKinney native, will also be on stage to provide live entertainment until Sounds of America, the fireworks show, takes over the airwaves and skyline.

Wanna be in the Limelight? Then be a star at Southlake’s Stars and Stripes
Hosted at Southlake’s Town Square, you can be a big dog in a big town with their special Star Experience. While the event is free, VIP allows you reserved seating, special parking, perfect viewing, table for four, preset appetizers and water for a cost. You’ll also be able to enjoy the rest of the activities you expect like bounce houses, face painting, music and a zipline? Not sure about where you’d put that except maybe to the always packed Apple store so you can get ahead of the line. 

Aren’t much for Red, White and Blue because black is more your color? Then Fat Daddy’s Star-Spangled Patio Party in Manfield is your TNT.
Shake it “All Night Long” at Fat Daddy’s Star-Spangled Patio Party. With a new extended patio, prepare for a fun night of rockin’ fun complete with AC/DC tribute band “Back to Black.”

Feeling Nostalgic for Fried Food and a Ferris Wheel? Fair Park Fourth in Dallas will be your favorite flavor! 
Held at Fair Park, you can spend the day reminiscing about all your State Fair memories while you walk around Fair Park. Enjoy live music from  Razzmajazz Dixieland Band and at 7 p.m. and The Beatles tribute band A Hard Night’s Day, water features and access to rides, games and concessions within the State Fair of Texas Midway, starting at noon on July fourth. near the fireworks viewing area on the Midway.

Does Fort Worth by Way of Water Whet Your Whistle? Then Fort Worth’s Fourth has a tube waiting for you!
Fort Worth has a little bit of everything from pony rides, bounce houses water sliding, mini golf, ziplines and tubing at Panther Island! The event is free, but you can upgrade to better seating and close bathrooms, which I consider always to be worth the cost. And of course, there’s a big fireworks show that can’t be beat (I saw it last year from Willie Nelson’s Picnic and it was amazing – but see that note below.)

For those of you that always spent Fourth of July with Willie, I’m sad to report he’s left the building…Well actually he’s returned his annual Fourth of July Picnic to Austin, so you’ll need to get southbound 35 for that Texas country renegade roundup.

Do You Want the Best Show in the U.S.? Then belly up with half a million of your new best friends at Addison Kaboom Town!
This little city may be home to less than 20,000 people, for 30 years this nationally acclaimed event has brought more than half  to this suburb known for its food and fun to Addison Circle Park for what is called one of the Best Fireworks Shows in the U.S. (and that’s bonafide). On July 3, warbirds take over the sky, military bands fill the park with music, and surrounding restaurants put on their own watch parties as everyone waits for the 30-second show that is also simulcasted on 100.3 Jack-FM.

Word from the Wise: From my own experience (this event is one I’m proud to promote professionally), the way to do this event is at one of the fun parties like Cantina Laredo with a steel drum band, The Quarter with karaoke, or TGI Friday’s with bands all day. But there’s a ton to choose from, so make sure to check the list and see if you need to make reservations so they have a spot for you!

And from the fine folks at Addison, we’ve got a $50 gift card for one lucky winner to TGI Friday’s to help you get festive as we count down to freedom! 

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Go Wild at Dallas Zoo Safari Nights {Giveaway}

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Every thought hangin’ out at the zoo would be great after dark?

Saturday evenings are rockin’ at the Dallas Zoo this summer with the Safari Nights concert series! Featuring live music from songwriters and tribute bands, Safari Nights extended hours give you a chance to hang out with some of the Zoo’s wildest stars now until Aug. 1.


The concerts, which start at 7 p.m., will bring music to Texas’ largest zoo until 9 p.m. Food will be available for purchase, along with soft drinks, cold craft beer and wine.

Lion Keeper Talk: 5 p.m.
Elephant Keeper Talk: 6:00 p.m.
DinoSOAR, presented by Kimberly Clark: 6 p.m.
Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo Keeper Encounters: 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Wild Encounters Stage animal presentations: Every half-hour until 6 p.m.
Animal Adventures: 6:30 p.m.
Concerts: 7 p.m.
Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo and Travis & Zach’s Birds Landing open until 7:30 p.m.
Giraffe Feeding, Koala Walkabout, and Lorikeet Landing open until 8 p.m.
Giants of the Jurassic exhibit and T-Rex Express mini train open until dark!

Dallas Zoo_MamaChallenge_400x400

The concert lineup, arranged through a partnership with The Kessler in Oak Cliff, includes:

June 20 – Trout Fishing in America (eclectic folk/rock): 102.9 NOW-FM Night
June 27 – The Killdares (Celtic rock)
July 4 – Live 80 (’80s tribute band): 730 KKDA-AM DKNet Radio Night
July 11 – A Hard Night’s Day (Beatles tribute band)
July 18 – Sara Hickman (Texas singer/songwriter): 102.9 NOW-FM Night
July 25 – FastLane (Eagles tribute band)
August 1 – The O’s (roots rock): 106.1 KISS-FM Night

Safari Nights is free with Zoo admission, which is $15 for ages 12-64; $12 for ages 3-11 and seniors; and free for children under 2 and members. Cabana rental packages are $175 for members, and $250 for non-members. Gates open on Saturdays at 9 a.m. and parking is $8 per vehicle (free for members).

Want to avoid traffic and not worry about driving? DART is the Zoo’s Official Transportation Provider; take the DART Red Line straight to our entrance for curbside service.

Make a day of it at the Dallas Zoo! Win four daily admission tickets to the Dallas Zoo from mamachallenge.com and pair them with your tickets to Safari Nights.

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