Spring Break 2007: Fort Worth, Texas, A Fun Spring Break Without Breaking the Bank

Have a week of fun this Spring Break in Fort Worth without breaking the bank

Before you begin your adventures purchase disposable cameras for everyone that will be attending your Spring Break adventures to take pictures along the way. Also pickup souvenirs during each adventure your do such as napkins, pamphlets, even a rock from the parking lot, anything that is free and can help you to remember your adventures.

Monday: Sleep in late, after all this is the first Monday since Winter Break you've been able to. In the evening head over to Cowtown Bowling (4333 River Oaks Blvd. Fort Worth, TX, 76114 817-624-2151) for $1 Monday. On Monday's from 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM it's $1 a game and $1 for shoe rental. They also have $.97 games on Sunday mornings if you'd prefer.
http://cowtownbowling.com/

Tuesday: Catch a show at the movie theater. Cinemark Movies 8 (7560 North East Loop 820 North Richland Hills, TX 76180 (817) 428-8058) offers $.50 movies on Tuesdays. They're older movies but if you're like me and haven't made it to the movies in a while there will still be some out there you haven't seen. If you're taking the kids they love watching the same movie over and over and going to the theater always makes it better. The food is a little pricey but if you have to have popcorn and a drink try out the kids pack.

http://dallas.citysearch.com/profile/11276747/north_richland_hills_tx/cinemark_movies_8.html

If you'd prefer a newer movie check out Star Common Village (3980 Boat Club Road- 820 & Jacksboro Highway, Lake Worth, TX 76180(817) 238-8300) for their $3 Tuesday's. Can't beat that. They also offer free refills if you purchase a large drink and popcorn (you can always share).

htttp://ae.dfw.com/entertainment/ui/dfw/theater.html?id=534

Wednesday: Half price day at the Fort Worth Zoo (1989 Colonial Parkway Fort Worth, TX 76110 Phone: 817-759-7555). It's still a little pricey if you're a large family but well worth it and could very easily be the most expensive thing you do this whole week. $5 for parking, $5.25 adults, $4 children 3-12, Free under 2 years of age.) Lots of fun walking around and enjoying the animals. Don't forget to stop by and feed the birds for $1. The kids LOVE doing this. Bring a picnic lunch (the food is rather pricey).

http://www.fortworthzoo.com/visit/visitor.html

Thursday: Take a tour today. Take one, or both, it's free so why not fill the day. Don't forget to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy if you are going to venture through more than one tour.

Love money? Why not see how it's made? Check out their website before going they have pretty strict security guidelines. All ages welcome (I called before we went) Bureau of Engraving and Printing Tour and Visitors Center (9000 Blue Mound Road, Fort Worth. 817/231-4000, 866/865-1194) tours held every half hour between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm www.moneyfactory.gov.

Ever wondered how bread was made? Take a free tour around Mrs. Bairds Bread Factory. (7301 South Freeway Fort Worth, TX 76134 817-615-3050) This one requires a little preparation because they require a reservation two weeks in advance but well worth it. http://www.mrsbairds.com/fun/visit.htmlFriday: Explore the universe today. Start off with something free. Check out a few books from the library to educate yourself and or your child on the planets a little. Then head off to the Meteorite Gallery where you can actually touch a piece of the universe. Oscar E. Monning Meteorite Gallery (2950 W. Bowie, Fort Worth, Texas 76109)

http://monnigmuseum.tcu.edu/visitors.htm

If that's not enough for the day head over to the Noble Planetarium (1501 Montgomery Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107 817-255-9300) $3.50 ages 3 and up free under check website for dates and showtimes.

http://www.fwmuseum.org/noble/index.html

Once you've returned home and it becomes dark out go take a look outside at the sky (if you have a telescope now is the time to bring it out). Enjoy the site a little more now that you're a little more knowledgeable about what you're looking at.

Saturday: Feed the wildlife. If the weather is nice out enjoy a day at one of the following parks and feed the ducks. City of Fort Worth does ask that you feed the wildlife birdseed and not leftover bread.

Trinity Park Duck Pond, 2401 University Drive

Foster Park, 4800 Trail Lake Drive

Candleridge Park, 4300 French Lake Drive

Oakland Lake, 1645 Lakeshore

Lake Como, 3401 Lake Como Drive

Marine Creek Linear Park, 3000 Angle Avenue

Greenbriar Park, 5200 Hemphill

Krauss Baker Park, 6151 Woodway DriveBring your blanket, picnic lunch, and sports equipment, and enjoy a nice day in the sun (don't forget the sunscreen)

At the end of the day take your camera(s) that you have brought with you on each adventure and have the film developed at a one hour photo.

Sunday: Pick up your film from the one-hour photo and sit down with the rest of the family members today and create either a few pages for your current scrapbook or a whole scrapbook dedicated solely to your Spring Break adventures. Don't forget to include the souvenirs you've picked up on the way. Next year take your scrapbook back out and enjoy the memories you have created. Stay home the rest of the day and enjoy your last day of the break. Have some friends over, watch a movie, enjoy a sport outdoors if the weather is nice. Relax today, after all school starts back tomorrow.

If you would like to substitute some of these ideas or if weather doesn't permit you to do them check out your local recreation centers and the YMCA for Spring Break classes or activities they may be hosting. Just remember having fun being entertained this Spring Break does not mean you have to leave the Spring Break broke.