The LEGO Americana Roadshow Review: Fun for All Ages

The LEGO Americana Roadshow is here! New Jersey is in for a treat because The LEGO Americana Roadshow debuts at Bridgewater Commons Mall in Bridgewater this week. What is The LEGO Americana Roadshow, you ask? Well, LEGO fans, rejoice! This is a show you won't want to miss. And guess what? It's free!

What is the LEGO Americana Roadshow?

The LEGO Americana Roadshow is a traveling exhibit of 'iconic buildings and architectural structures throughout the mall, made entirely of LEGO bricks.' You can view nine amazing LEGO creations, as well as 6 smaller 'Brickscapes' free of charge. Visitors can also experience a LEGO play area, LEGO building activities, and a LEGO scavenger hunt. There are contests and promotions running during the exhibit, so be sure to check the Bridgewater Commons website or Facebook page for more information.

Where and When is the LEGO Americana Roadshow?

The show runs Saturday, April 2nd through Sunday, April 17, 2016 at Bridgewater Commons Mall in Bridgewater, New Jersey (not from New Jersey? Be sure to check out the LEGO Americana Roadshow tour schedule to see if they'll be visiting your area!). Exhibition hours in Bridgewater are Monday- Saturday, 10am-9pm, and Sundays 11am-6pm.

What Will I See at The LEGO Americana Roadshow?

LEGO fans of all ages will truly appreciate this show. We were excited the moment we arrived at the mall and saw the giant tractor trailers hitched in the parking lot!

You can't miss the LEGO creations as soon as you enter the mall. There are nine large exhibits, with maps available at each location to help you navigate to every one.

This is a great educational experience for kids (adults, too!) because there is a quiz on the back of the map that asks specific questions about each exhibit. If you fill out the whole form and return it to the LEGO store, you'll get a free poster!

Each exhibit has a fact sheet next to it to tell you about the real American buildings as well as the LEGO versions!

Don't miss the Brickscapes, too, which contain dozens of funny and creative characters in incredible scenes. Look all over them! There are so many fun things hidden throughout each one.

After you visit all of the amazing buildings, you can stop by the LEGO play area to explore and build. Blocks and tables for all ages are available, as well as speed ramps to test out your mobile creations.

LEGO assistants can help young builders and display their creations in special cases with their names on them.

The Jersey Momma's Boy was so proud of his 'Black Rider!' So was I, actually. I'm always amazed at his creations and how much LEGO inspires his creativity.

Free LEGO Make and Take 

An exclusive Make and Take mini version of Independence Hall is available Saturday and Sunday, April 9th and 10th only, from 12pm-4pm.  This exclusive design is only available at Bridgewater Commons and open to ages 4 and up. No purchase necessary and is good while supplies last.

Guessing Contest

Also be sure to participate in their 'Guess the LEGO bricks' contest! How many LEGOS did it take to make the gigantic Capitol building? Take a guess and you could win a mall gift card or a LEGO store gift card! See the kiosk next to the Capitol building for more details.

LEGO Americana Roadshow Fun Facts

I was invited to view The LEGO Americana Roadshow before its debut, and we were given a tour by some of the wonderful people from LEGO. Andrew, our guide, showed us around and told us some cool facts about the buildings. Chris and Shelby accompanied him, and were great hosts to all of us. Here are some of the facts we learned:

• the structures are all safely glued together (or 'kragled' as I like to call it).
• the structures were transported by tractor trailer and wheeled into the mall one at a time. Some of the designs come in pieces, such as the giant Capitol building, which is five large pieces, and Lady Liberty, which is two pieces.
• the Capitol building took over 1700 hours to make!
• all buildings were created by LEGO Masterbuilders (can you imagine having that job??)
• the pieces are extremely heavy and need to be moved using large equipment
• the attractions were all set up in one night (they started setting up when the mall closed, and finished before it opened the next morning)
• the LEGO Liberty Bell is built to scale, and even features the exact lettering (in LEGO form) as the real Liberty Bell

You can find info about The LEGO Americana Roadshow on the LEGO website or find more information about this show at Bridgewater Commons Mall.  And be sure to stop by the LEGO Store in the mall. We love their Pick and Build wall!

Disclaimer: I received a tour and a free goodie bag of LEGO stuff (including the Make and Take) but was otherwise not compensated for this article and all opinions are my own! I am in no way affiliated with LEGO or the LEGO corporation, but I sure do love them a whole lot. 

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