Lehigh Valley InSite

Dinosaurs Alive

Last week, a few of us from Discover Lehigh Valley got a chance to tour the newest exhibit at Dorney Park: Dinosaurs Alive! I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect, but no matter how ready I was, I still think it would have totally blown my mind when I saw these dinosaurs up close.

The entrance reminded me of a scene from Jurassic Park, with the entrance gated off right next to their iconic roller coaster, Steel Force. Dinosaurs Alive! consists of 30 life-size dinosaurs, each of which has information listed detailing where they came from and fun facts about their diet and habitat. Some of the stations even had interactive outlines of the dinosaur complete with buttons that would move the corresponding body part, depending on what you pushed.

Caliburrito

Having finished Thomas Pynchon’s psychedelic novel Inherent Vice a few weeks ago, I was about ready for my next brief sojourn into 60′s California surf culture. Plus, I was hungry. Naturally, I choose the Lehigh Valley’s own Cali Burrito in Allentown on Hamilton Boulevard. If you’re craving a terrific taco, burrito, or quesadilla and/or a west coast beach atmosphere, look no further — this is nirvana.

The food is obviously the main draw. My personal favorite dish is The Santa Barbara, though my mom swears by The San Diego (fish tacos). Plus, each order is complemented by their seasoned chips and freshly made salsa. In addition to the standard mild (for weaklings like myself) and spicy varieties, each week they rotate in a cool new flavor, so you’ll need to check back in on a regular basis. For example, this week’s is “Peppery Fiesta.”

Snoopy

Do you remember when you were a little kid and you used to drive your parents crazy to drop a quarter in a slot so you could ride those “electric machines,” that either went around in a three foot circle or back and forth at a turtle’s pace and lasted all of one minute? It made you so happy when that coin finally dropped. Well you can magnify that experience for your child 100-fold when you take your kids to the all-new Planet Snoopy at Dorney Park in Lehigh Valley. I would almost guarantee it!

Last week I was able to attend an event at the Park that had me wishing I was a kid again. Planet Snoopy is cooler than cool with 16 rides and a fun, themed gift shop and snack bar for the whole family to enjoy.

Penguins

Growing up with a Mother who was an art teacher and being happily married for 11 years to my wife who has an art degree, you would think I would have a better understanding or at least a greater appreciation for the arts.

Last week I had the newfound pleasure of attending the 23rd Annual Allentown Arts Commission Arts Ovation Awards held at the Holiday Inn Allentown Center City. From the opening performance of “Hair” presented by Dieruff High School to Allentown Central Catholic’s performance of Beauty and the Beast and Allen High School’s Canaan Days, I was truly impressed with the time and effort these students put into their craft.

Halloween Haunt

Last Friday Michael and I attended the faux, spirited nuptials of Elemina Faust and Soloman Dorney. The wedding and reception were held at the Mansion House Hotel at Dorney Park in Lehigh Valley. The event served as the kick-off to Dorney Park’s 2010 Halloween Haunt.

The ceremony was officiated by Rev. Cliff Herring and it wasn’t long before the bride and groom were wisked away to spend their night at the Mansion House Hotel. Meanwhile, the guests were treated to a fabulous menu at the reception. My favorites were the shrimp cocktail served in a coffin made out of ice, the duck breast, the petite lamb chops and the assorted desserts.

Demon Drop

Over the years, particularly during my childhood, I spent a lot of time at Dorney Park, which kicks off its 126th season tomorrow. My aunt and uncle used to live in what's now the park's employee parking lot. But that's not the only thing that's changed …

First, there was no Wildwater Kingdom back in those days. Also, you used to need tickets to get on the rides. My aunt was best buddies with the park staff, so she always had baskets full of tickets for us to use. Today, you buy one pass to get into both parks and ride all the rides you want.

LVCVB_LOGO

Last night the Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau celebrated 25 years in the tourism business, so I thought I would do a little compare and contrast of tourism events and attractions.

Here’s Lehigh Valley 1984 vs. Lehigh Valley 2009.