Things to Do in Monroe

More than 90 nontoxic paint colors, 600 pottery pieces, and an unlimited amount of creativity—that’s what guests find at Splatters Pottery, Painting & More when creating their own masterpieces. During a painting session, guests take the first step by selecting a plate, mug, or other glass or mosaic piece, and then cover it in doodles or paint. Once guests are satisfied with their work, they hand it over for firing and return in a week to pick up the finished product. The kiln-fired pieces are also food safe and wash easily, making them extra efficient for eating soup in the bathtub. For avid artists, parties and camps let guests sculpt their own pottery from clay, make a mosaic, or drizzle colored sands together.

When you walk into Jeronimo! and see the massive, inflatable slides and bounce houses, you'll understand why the open area resounds with children's laughter and squeals of delight. Here, kids can jump, climb, and maneuver through the colorful structures to their hearts' content, the thought of town criers announcing bedtime far from their minds. For youngsters aged 2 and younger, there's a separate, soft play area with a smaller bounce castle. All inflatables and toys are cleaned daily to ensure kids' health and safety.

Parents can sip fresh coffee or tea while they surf the web on one of the facility's computers. When the jumping is done, kids and adults head next door to send golf balls around transportation-themed obstacles at the indoor Putt 'N Play course. The center also boasts a dance floor and rock-climbing wall that turn parties into adventures and rents out inflatable slides, castles, and water mazes to liven up at-home events.

From its roots as a Georgian stained-glass manufacturer in 1977, the now international Armstrong Glass Company has slowly added more and more design elements to its inventory—from textured to fused to cabinet to iridescent glass. Each of Armstrong's handcrafted products differs slightly in coloring as it takes shape. This lends individuality to every piece, even if they’re identically designed. The company tackles custom projects with ease, such as tabletops, glass sinks, room dividers, and houses for people who don’t throw stones.

A hayride rolls across 50 of Warbington Farms' 300-acres. Riders peer over the side as the tractor turns straight into a pasture where cattle graze and autograph cartons of milk. At the end of this agricultural journey, visitors can enjoy walks through the crisp autumn air, pet farm animals, and stock up on fresh eggs, jams, and ciders. Though a working farm behind the scenes, Warbington Farms prides itself most on creating these sorts of experiences for visitors. In Autumn, Pumpkin Palooza fills the grounds with live music and fall activities, including an inflatable slide and a sandbox filled with corn. Winter brings Christmas trees and visits from Santa, and the spring strawberry festival lets visitors pick their own morsels of fresh fruit.

At the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, Felicia Kornegay discovered deep catharsis and self-expression through the use of color and texture in her painting. For almost three decades, she has explored different mediums and honed her vision for her work, arriving at her current style that comes alive with softly blended, bright tones that remain unmuddied, since she doesn't use mud.

Now, Felicia welcomes strangers young and old to join her in her artistic quest during painting classes at Libra Creations. She encourages adults to bring an inspirational beverage to sip while exploring new techniques, and children can bring along an imaginary friend good at striking poses.