Vacay or Staycay? Five days of family fun in Hoover

BY MITZI EAKER

Spring Break 2023 is the perfect time to explore Hoover with family and friends. Whether you’re visiting from out of town or a local looking for an activity pack Staycation, Hoover is loaded with indoor and outdoor activities for families every week of the year. Here are five days of fun to keep the kids entertained and the parents happy Monday through Friday with one or more daily outdoor and indoor activity ideas.

On Monday, take the family to explore the boulder fields at Moss Rock Preserve. Make sure to refuel with lunch across the parking lot Moss Rock Tacos (one kid eats free with every $10 adult purchase on Mondays). Then head to The Hoover Met Complex for safe indoor climbing for all ages at The Hoover Heights Climbing Center located inside The Finley Center (https://hoovermetcomplex. com/finley-center/adventure/). End the day with dinner at one of the many International restaurants on Lorna Road in Hoover.

Tuesday, plan a full day of activities like a bike or hike at Hoover’s 73-acre mountain bike park Black Creek Mountain Bike Park (5571 Stadium Trace Parkway). Located along

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Stadium Trace Parkway across from the Lake Wilburn community, this park offers 5 miles of trails built into the natural terrain with trails for all-level bicycle riders.

Grab brunch or lunch from an eatery at Brock’s Gap Village and add a scoop of delicious ice cream from The Whole Scoop or a cupcake from CakeEffect. Spend a few hours of play at the Explore Playground and Splash Pad (Splash Pad reopens May 15) located at The Hoover Met Complex (behind the camping lot). The Explore Playground has been designed using the 7 principles of “Inclusive Design Play”. End the day with dinner at Big Whiskey at Stadium Trace Village, where kids eat free Tuesdays from 5-9 PM. If your family still has energy, take in a movie at AMC Patton Creek 15.

On Wednesday, experience Aldridge Gardens with a walk around the lake, enjoying the flowers and animals. Visit the art exhibit in the main house. Check to see what programs are scheduled for the Spring and Summer. Head over to the Galleria Food Court to grab lunch. Shop til you drop or spend a few hours playing Table Tennis and video games at BumperNets inside the Mall. Before you leave the mall, ride the Venetian carousel in the middle of the Food Court. End the day with a meal from one of the restaurants at Patton Creek or surrounding the Galleria.

On Thursday, head to the east side of Hoover to Inverness, where there is a hiking or biking trail and a frisbee golf course. Grab lunch at one of the restaurants at Inverness Corners, then spend the afternoon indoors at Dyfy trampoline park (6009 Tattersall Drive) for children and teens or Let’s Play (5025 Hwy 280 S.) for preschoolers and younger children. Stop by for dinner at Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe in The Villages at Lee Branch (611 Doug Baker Blvd) where kids eat free between 4-8 p.m. Complete the meal with dessert at Sweet Frog (yogurt) or Cinnaholic at Lee Branch. If the family still is up for more, see a movie at AMC Classic Lee Branch 15.

Friday, start the day at Veterans Park (4800 Valleydale Rd) with a hike on the running trail, free play with the kids on the playground, or a game of soccer in the open field. Circle back to the Heart of Hoover for lunch at East 59 Cafe inside the extraordinary Hoover Public Library (200 Municipal Dr). Programs on most Fridays include storytelling. On March 30th, activities include Draw the Story from 10:3011:30, and “Open Gaming” on Nintendo Switch from 3-4:30. There are also lots of book and board games for parents to explore with their children. End the night with dinner and interactive games at Dave and Busters (2700 Galleria Cir Ste 110) at the Riverchase Galleria (neighboring The Hyatt Regency and only has an outside entrance).

Spring Break 2023 will be a memorable experience for the whole family. So pack your day bags, grab your family and friends, and head to Hoover this Spring Break for a week of fun and adventure.