MAMA

Art spaces, a library, a play space and animals in one building.

America's first storybook theme park, open since 1950, with talking Magic Key storybook boxes and the country's oldest continuously running puppet theater.

The country's oldest wildlife refuge, with a path all the way around, and Children's Fairyland and free gardens on its banks.

A fenced tot lot with a gate that latches for toddlers, and the bigger helix-shaped climbers just outside it for school-age kids.

A converted auto dealership turned sprawling open-air beer garden in Uptown: wood-fired pizza, communal tables, and plenty of space.

Movie theater with its own café, so kids can eat a real meal during the film, and couches to sprawl on.