A few weeks back on Instagram I posted a photo of my kids at my favorite public art display in Summit and tons of people commented and sent me messages asking how to get to it and what else there is to do in the area. SO I decided to put together a little public art walk to do with kids in Summit! There are more public art displays in Summit than I have on this list but I wanted to make this pretty short and sweet and definitely geared toward kid favorites (which also happen to be my favorites). I'm also including a few options for fun kids' activities along the way, lunch spots, and special treats! I'm including a map below where I have all of these spots highlighted.
For a more comprehensive list of current and previous public art in Summit, check out the Summit Public Art website.
Parking
I recommend parking along Broad Street by the Mabie Memorial Playground. You can also park in the Springfield Ave parking garage (which is stop #5 on my list), in which case you'd just take the reverse path of the one I outline here!
Start at: Mabie Memorial Playground
Art Stop #1: Brickhead Love
My kids love to go up close and hear the ambient noise made by this stunning sculpture. It was wearing a mask for a portion of quarantine! Learn more about that HERE.
Art Stop #2: Love Long Last
Right by the train station, a male and female cardinal, two of my family's favorite birds!
Options for lunch and/or special treats
Brownie Points Bakery - delicious baked goods!
McCool's Ice Cream - ice cream!
Sweet Nothings - a classic candy store. Pro tip: put a quarter in the gumball machine in the back for a fun surprise!
Zappia's - our favorite downtown pizza place! Super kid-friendly.
Tito's Burritos - a quick walk around the corner! Very kid-friendly and there's a little pop-up terrace you can eat on in the summer!
Art Stop #3: The Watcher
Bring your treats from any of the above-mentioned places and enjoy them outdoors under this enormous mural of a Great Blue Heron. (Extension activity: head to Briant Park and try to spot a real Great Blue Heron or just learn about them HERE.)
Options for lunch and/or special treats
Gigi's Cupcakes (at the Wine List) - my boys love the cupcake pops and we always get a few to take home too.
Marigolds - hands down, my favorite lunch option in Summit. I LOVE the salads (and I don't even like salad), soups, sandwiches, and drinks. There's a beautiful outdoor terrance where you can eat and the kids love to sit by the huge fountain.
Color Me Mine - if it's open, have fun painting in the studio but if not, see if they're offering kits to take home!
Art Stop #4: Efflorescence
My very favorite stop on this list and just installed earlier in the month, this gorgeous installation is made with plastic bottles!
Art Stop #5: Walk The Streets
The Springfield Ave parking garage got a major facelift and IT. IS. STUNNING.
Here's the MAP I put together with all of these places highlighted! I didn't make a route because I thought you could go any way you wanted but if you open it on your phone you should just be able to select each location and get walking directions from wherever you start!
Are you planning on going on this Art Walk with your kids? If so, be sure to tag me in your photos on Instagram @mackidsummitsoma or email them to me at juliel@macaronikid.com so I can see! (I won't post them without your permission - I just want to see you guys out there!)
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