Disclosure: Diary of a First Time Mom and Experience Columbus are partnering to promote an exciting Roar and Explore Adventure Giveaway. Although I am being compensated, all opinions remain my own.  

Last year, my family and I took a trip overseas to celebrate summer. This year, we’re planning an escape that’s a little closer to home. In a few weeks, we’ll pack up the SUV and drive to Columbus, Ohio to visit the nation’s number one science center and number one zoo. We’ll also make a splash at Zoombezi Bay, a 22.7 acre water park owned and operated by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Since we typically travel with extended family, we reserved rooms at Drury Inn and Suites.

From now until September 1, 2014, families can book the Roar and Explore Adventure Getaway, starting at $411 plus tax. The package is designed for four people, however additional guests may be added on. The cost is deeply discounted and additional deals are available here. The vacation package features the following:

Four tickets each to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The zoo recently unveiled its 143-acre Heart of Africa exhibit on May 22. Visitors can stand face-to-face with giraffes and feed them a snack; get up-close with lions as they board a grounded airplane; and take a camel ride in the Zoo’s newest and largest region. This stunning new exhibit is home to 150 animals and adds even more reason for travelers to visit the place famed zoo director Jungle Jack Hanna calls home. My daughter, who declared that she’s having her third birthday party at the zoo, is obsessed with animals. She asks me questions about what animals eat and mimics their calls of the wild. We even watch Jack Hanna on television and pretend we’re camping in the jungle.

Four tickets to Zoombezi Bay

The world’s only waterpark inside of a major zoo opened Baboon Lagoon this season. Ideal for younger kids, this active play land boasts eight water slides, fountains and a 1,000-gallon bucket dump. Beyond Baboon Lagoon, guests can splash and scream through 17 twisting waterslides, extreme raft rides, headfirst racers and the hair-raising 209-foot Cyclone, the world’s largest reducing-radius slide. Zoombezi also offers the more laid-back, adults-only Crocktail Creek, a lazy river where moms and dads can relax. I’m looking forward to wading in the Tiny Tides, an area just for my water baby. This 4,000 square foot water playground features 12 marine animal play structures and includes an 11,350 gallon pool that is 12-14 inches deep.

Four tickets to COSI Science Center

Currently, COSI is hosting The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes. Brand new this year and running only through September, guests get their own book full of clues and can join master detective Sherlock Holmes to participate in experiments and stay hot on a trail to crack a new mystery. In addition, COSI visitors can ride a high-wire unicycle, use sonar technology and get wild with loads of other hands-on activities that make science fun.

Two-night stay at Drury Inn and Suites

Drury Inn and Suites offers special amenities, including: free, hot breakfast and evening snacks, an indoor pool and complimentary wireless Internet. An indoor pool is your bad weather insurance!

I saved money on the trip, I bought matching mommy and me sundresses, a new bag to haul all of Caitlynn’s belongings and snacks for the drive. Columbus is only three hours from home, but a road trip without fruits snacks and goldfish wouldn’t be pleasant! Since I’m teaching my daughter that sharing is caring, I’m giving away one vacation package to a lucky reader. Make sure you entire the Roar & Explore Columbus, Ohio getaway giveaway before the deadline! If you can’t wait (like my aunt who called me tonight and said she wanted to purchase a package), you can book your trip here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway