"Whichever direction you travel, you get an exquisite view of the Brooklyn Bridge, suspended between the water and the sky. And if you're on the B or Q train running from KeKalb Avenue into Manhattan, look out for the recent restored Masstransiscope, the beloved animated mural by Bill Brand that comes alive as the trains pass through the tunnel." The Best Things to Do in New York
Viewing entries tagged
spring
"Take a stroll here on a performance night. Show up in the early evening and from anywhere in the complex you'll be greeted with a vision of the city's classical music lovers bustling in to whichever ballet, opera, or orchestral performances are taking place that evening. The crowd is usually a mix of old and young, refined and eccentric, from tuxedoed couples drinking champagne on the balconies to bohemian-looking students smoking wistfully by the fountains. Take a drink from one of the Plaza's cafes up to the lawn on the roof of the extraordinary Hypar Pavilion --the beautiful experiment in innovative public space introduced to Lincoln Center by the architects Diller Scofidio & Renfro in 2010__and look out for the musicians themselves arriving below, making their way into the theaters with their instruments in tow.
Also, Midsummer Night Swing is a three-week-long outdoor dance party that takes place in July. There's a different band every night, Tuesday through Saturday. Following this is Lincoln Center Out of Doors, a series of free concerts and performances. Both are located at Lincoln Center Plaza For more information, call 212-875-5000 or visit www.lincolncenter.org" - The BestThings to Do in New York
Bayville, NY
Prices available on website
Optimum Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
I went here on a 70 degree and overcast day. So figure it's a bit chillier here because it's across the street from Stehli Beach. It also started drizzling an hour after we got here. The great things about this amusement park are that it's 1) very small and quaint; 2) very very charming; 3) different than other amusement parks; 4) across from the beach so on a hot summer day you can kill two birds with one stone; 5) you can pay per ride and per person so if you only want to go on the bumper boats, as we did, you don't have to pay a huge fee; and 5) has an adorable bumper boat ride (you can shoot water at each other). If you go after 3 you can do the beach and then go to the park at night if it is still open. But check to see what time it's open till. I'm sure the lights at night are extra cute. Make sure you do this on a hot summer day. It was not so bad going on a more mild day because the park was less crowded and we got to stay on the bumper cars as long as we wanted and got our money's worth.
I understand another great time to go here is starting September 22nd and ending October 31st when it turns into Bayville Scream Park. Check the website for more information on how many days the Haunted House (voted the scariest on Long Island) is open. This is a great place to go with older kids!
Always check www.groupon.com for deals before you go.
Kill a few birds with one stone: Visit Soundside Beach Club just a couple miles east on Bayville Avenue if you go in the summer. Stehli Beach across the street is not open to the public. See below for videos of our day here.
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This is the only time in my life I wished I was a billionaire. Talk about a house of your dreams! Enough said! Check the video below and stay tuned for the gallery! And follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see my next adventure!
Farmingdale, NY
prices available on website; half price for children with special needs and one parent; disability pass available at City Hall in the park
Optimum Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
The only thing bad about going here on a 65 degree day is that the three water rides won't be so tempting! Other than that, this is a great amusement park for preschool children and older kids alike! There are rides for all to enjoy and lines aren't too crazy. I lost my amusement-park-with-the-children-virginity to Disney World so this place was a breeze. Not too big, free parking, food, arcade, outdoor rides, roller coasters, water rides...you name it they have! I was here for six hours and could have gone the distance! I will definitely come here again! Perhaps in the afternoon on a hot summer day leading to sundown when the amusement park is all lit up and infinitely more charming! And always check www.groupon.com for deals before you go.
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Langhorne, PA
price varies for hotels; price for parking is $20; prices for park available on www.sesameplace.com
Hotels: Spring Hill Suites
Optimum Seasons: Summer
"Go before they grow" is the Sesame Place slogan! Here's a list of things to know before you go:
1) I'd say it's best to go here before your oldest kid is 7 years old. Or just take your younger kids!
2) This park is only 14 acres. To put things in perspective, I know a few people who own residential properties one third that size. This is NOT a big amusement park. Especially after losing my amusement park virginity to Disney World, this was very small in comparison. One day will get the job done here! One long day! But if your commute is long, staying overnight is a good idea. Anyway, your $50 per person ticket (offered on the Sesame Place website) can be used for two days any time of the year. May as well book a hotel close by, or as we did, across the street to avoid parking fees and for general convenience, just to go two days in a row. This way, you can perhaps go on day trips to either nearby Philadelphia, Adventure Aquarium, Crayola Museum, Please Touch Museum, Giggle Berry Fair, and more. Or, you can do water rides on one day and dry rides another. You will be less rushed this way!
3) This is neither an amazing water park (Splish Splash is better for older kids) nor an amazing amusement park (Adventure Land is better for young and old children alike). The big draw here is the character meets, the shows, and the parade (night time preferable as weather is cooler). Which make it all worth it in the end! And for me, the landscaping. Half the entry fee is probably spent on maintaining the beautiful grounds.
4) Go midweek. Never go on a weekend. And go when there is 20 percent chance of rain as we accidentally did. (If it rains for more than 2 hours, you literally get a rain check.) There are virtually no lines this way! Do not go the last two weeks of August as I have been told they are the busiest time of the year.
5) If you are a girl, be prepared to have chronic wedgies. Unless you avoid the water slides. And unless your butt is tiny. And G-d has been good to you. Then, you are safe.
6) I was a bit surprised by the general lack of enthusiasm by the staff. Maybe I'm just comparing this service to that of Disney World, where every employee is on Nice Steroids. But most of the people working here had braces and were going through puberty. Which means they'd rather be going to first base than telling children to stand behind the line during a Sesame Place parade. But they were all nice regardless!
7) The food kind of tastes like high-end airplane food. And there are no good restaurants or supermarkets within a half mile radius. Pack wisely for the day! This just in: a number have you have counter claimed that there actually is food around the area! But I was too blindsided by the Home Depot and BJ's to realize! Allegedly, there is a Red Robin, TGI Fridays, and Ground Round close by. And if you drive 10 minutes away, there are great restaurants that aren't chains. But I'm sticking to my word, there was basically NOTHING! I want food to go...and there was none of that anywhere close.
8) If you want a break from amusement parking, there are a few good strip centers around the area. Just shop at Nordstrom Rack and TJ Maxx while your husband slaves away with your children.
9) I stayed at the Spring Hill Suites across the street. This way, I avoided paying a parking fee. But it was way overpriced. Basically, I have stayed in boutique hotels as expensive as this. It is a nice, clean, renovated hotel. The continental breakfast is yucky. If you find a deal here, go for it. If not, stay elsewhere and just take a shuttle to the park! If you are flexible, try offering a price on priceline.com for the best rates on hotels nearby (but you won't get the hotel you want necessarily)
10) There are groupon deals in May and June (I totally missed that one!). Keep your eyes out on groupon. You may get lucky and find a good price! Also, if you book for a group of 15 plus, there is a special rate (contact Sesame Place directly about this?) But I didn't do enough research before purchasing so I'm really not certain about how to get the best price!
11) There are fireworks on 3rd and 4th of July! Can imagine this being magical!
12) Download the Sesame Place app before you go to familiarize yourself with the rides. And remember, the water rides are best for an 85 plus day when you dream of getting wet under a waterfall on the lazy river!
Tips: Bring bathing suits and towels! Always check www.groupon.com for deals before you go.
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Lancaster, PA
price varies for hotels; prices for park available on www.hersheypark.com
Hotels: Eden Resort and Suites
Optimum Seasons: Spring, Summer
Notes I've gathered from people:
-"complete waste of time"
-day or two is fine
-go to the zoo and chocolate world
-water park for all ages
-area for younger kids
-turkey hill and herrs nearby (don't know what this means...maybe their factory? google it)
Within an hour drive:
Lancaster, PA
price varies for hotels; prices for park available on www.dutchwonderland.com
Hotels: Eden Resort and Suites
Optimum Seasons: Spring, Summer
Notes I've gathered from people:
-doesn't get crowded like Sesame Place
-has water rides
-can get deals through Dunkin or AAA
-if you live in NYC or it's suburbs, Dutch Wonderland is a farther drive than Sesame Place
-one to two days is suffice. Most suggest two days.
-Peddler's Village is an attraction about 25 minutes from here (no idea what it is...google it)
-many farms and shops around the area
-you could do a second day at Hershey Park which is 20 minutes away. They sell combo tickets.
-if you buy your tickets later in the afternoon, you get to go to closing time and come back all of the next day
-good for younger kids
-"quaint and sweet and lots of fun"
-"old and tired"
Within an hour drive:
New York, NY
Optimum Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
What a very magical place! With both Stone Street and Fulton Street (pedestrian cobblestone streets) just a couple blocks away! The South Street Seaport mall is still vacant aside from a few restaurants. But what a beautiful renovation! Best to go here during sunset and into evening hours to catch the mall illuminated blue! Also, this is a great place to watch the 4th of July Macy’s fireworks! Beautiful views of South Street Seaport can be found from DUMBO right across the East River.
Boardwalk Towards Wall Street
Fulton Street
Fulton Street
Stone Street
New York, NY
Free
Optimum Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
I have lived in New York City (Queens and now Long Island) for 34 years. I've been to Manhattan over 500 times. I have walked passed the NY Public Library in Bryant Park at least that many times in my life. I have ice skated at Bryant Park. I have had lunch in Bryant Park. I've had dinner around Bryant Park. I have gone to sample sales near Bryant Park. I have taken pictures with my children outside the library. But I never ever thought to go inside! This is no admission people! It is one of the most beautiful buildings in the entire city! Don't go to read! Don't go to pick out a book! Go to sight see! I walked in from the 5th Avenue entrance, I'm sure there is an entrance from the 6th Avenue side as well. Every square inch from the outside and inside is breathtaking! If you are ever in Midtown Manhattan, as important as Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Fifth Avenue, Grand Central Station, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Flat Iron Building....is the NY Public Library! A must see for all residents and all tourists alike!
And Bryant Park...what can I say? It's true magic here during the winter. Days are short so you can catch it at night with the children. Definitely visit during winter wonderland and definitely experience ice skating here ($20 per skate rental but free admission. If you own your own, just walk in and ask them for a wrist band). The best time is during Christmas Season when the Hanukkah Tree is on display. I find this square block much more charming than Rockefeller Center. The building surrounding the park are a beautiful mix of old and new and the skyline is electric with views of the Empire State Building. Also, there are many vendors selling delicious food. And if you are with young children, you must pay the $3 per kid per ride on Le Carousel on the 40th Street side. Do this at night!
And there is no shortage of fun in Bryant Park in the summer. Look at their calendar for details of events!
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Nearby:
Department Stores
Sands Point, NY
Parking Lot Fee, Admission Fee for Inside Mansion (some libraries offer free passes)
Optimum Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
I have been here two times. And depending on the week and the weather, had two very different experiences. The first time, I wasn't entirely impressed by the grounds and garden (because it was a cloudy and chilly day in April and the rose garden had no blossoms). I went mid week with my friends and was unable to explore the insides of Castle Gould and Hempstead House. Castle Gould is like nothing I've ever seen (from the outside). It brings you back to medieval times! The second time I went was with my children and husband the first week of June and the garden was in full bloom and absolutely exquisite. It was also warm enough to walk down to the beach and enjoy the sand and water which is perfect on a hot day. I did not get to hike with my children but I did enjoy the one mile trail with my friends (there is so much to see here and I have only explored one half of the preserve).
For acquiring free passes, contact your local library. For Great Neck residents, click here www.greatnecklibrary.org.
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Long Island Sound Beach
Hiking Trail Pond
Rose Garden
Yonkers, NY
Admission Fee, free parking lot
Optimum Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
These gardens were once called "America's Most Spectacular Garden". Based on the Garden of Eden as described in the Book of Genesis, the Walled Garden is the finest Persian garden in the Western Hemisphere. To the west, a large Grecian temple stands atop a swiming pool and lower terrace. Mosaic work is showcased throughout the Walled Garden. Samuel Untermyer, a prominent Jew and Zionist, acquired the property in 1899 and sough to build "the finest garden in the world" on its steep slopes. It was his intention for the gardens to become a state park after his death, to be maintained and preserved for the enjoyment of the public. Unfortunately, the gardens were too expensive to maintain and only a portion was given to the City of Yonkers in 1946 as a city park.
The gardens today contain about 43 acres. I went here mid April during Spring Break with the children. But I highly recommend waiting it out until May and the Summer months when the magnificent flowers are on display in the Walled Gardens. Or the Fall during foliage for breathtaking views of the Palisades.
Kill two birds with one stone: Visit Wave Hill which is a twenty minute local drive from here
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Hello, World!
Flushing, NY
Admission Fee, $6 parking, parking on street
Optimum Seasons: Spring, Summer
Free from November through March on Tuesdays through Sundays
Free on Wednesdays from April through October from 3 to 6pm (double check before you go)
Free on Sundays from April through October from 4 to 6pm (double check before you go)
If you live close by and have never seen a tree before, yeah sure, this is a decent enough garden. But considering there are so many parks you can go to in New York for free that are ten times more beautiful, this is a complete waste of time. Maybe it had something to do with me visiting a little too early (mid April) when enough flowers and trees hadn't bloomed. Regardless of which, it took less than an hour to navigate the entire garden and the programs offered for children were basically arts and crafts projects you can do at home with your kids. If you are short on time and have to visit one botanical garden in all of New York, then Brooklyn Botanical Garden is the one worth your time and money! Skip this!
Kill a few birds with one stone: You can make a day trip with your kids during Spring break and take them to nearby Chuck E' Cheese right after. If you are kosher, you can grab lunch from any restaurant on Main Street (south of the LIE) and go to this garden for a picnic.
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San Juan, Puerto Rico
price varies
Optimum Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Me on my husband went here in the winter of 2009 on our mini-moon. This had a lot to do with me being too lazy to renew my passport and very little to do with my actual desire to go to Puerto Rico over the million other sexy places the Caribbean has to offer for people who just got married and have no children. If I were to do this all over again, I would have waited to have children and until they were teenagers before going to Puerto Rico.
We stayed in El San Juan hotel. This was a decent hotel literally 5 minute drive from the airport. It is right next to the Ritz Carlton which is a few notches above in class and probably price. I wasn't too impressed by the color of the ocean and nothing about the grounds or hotel was particularly so beautiful. They had a few great restaurants in the hotel lobby. They also had a taco bell and pizza hut located on the street right outside the hotel in case you're a fan of fast food! The big problem with this strip is that there isn't much else to do.
One night we decided to go to dinner in Old San Juan, a very charming and colonial port town located in San Juan. You are able to walk the cobblestone streets and see the whole town probably in short of two hours. This is definitely a must. It was a good 20 minute cab ride from our hotel, however the hotels closer to Old San Juan don't have sand beaches like those of ours so that is why we chose to stay at El San Juan hotel.
Also, Puerto Rico is all about nature and exploration. Me and my husband did our first and last hike up of our entire eight year marriage on this trip. We wanted to go see a waterfall in the mountain. This is probably as close to doing something exotic as I will ever get. But I'm sure this is much more beautiful in Hawaii or other places in the world. This was also a half hour cab ride from our hotel.
We also were convinced to go canoeing in a bioluminiscent bay (where you can see the animals in the water at night because of the reflection of the moon...which makes them appear to glow. Or at least I think that's the reason). This ended up being the worst money we ever spent in our lives. If your husband doesn't know his right from his left, and neither of you have ever canoed before, be prepared to have your canoe toed. Literally, a neighboring canoe had to throw a rope our way so they can get us back to shore.
Basically, the only thing I really adored about Puerto Rico was the proximity to New York and Old San Juan. No other Caribbean island has a town this historic and beautiful (maybe they do, but I haven't been to them yet).
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We went here in the summer of 2011. This was my first experience ever at an all inclusive hotel. Besides Jamaicans and the lazy river at this Iberostar hotel, there is not much else I can say about Montego Bay except for: skip it! The water (maybe it was just a bad season?) was dirtier than Jones Beach. The weather was rainy and dreary. The hotel was average. The food was average.
My biggest regret here is not visiting Negril, or staying in Negril! There is much more charm on this end of the island and much more exposure to Jamaican culture! Perhaps stay here on a honeymoon with no children!
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Orlando, FL
price varies
Optimum Seasons: Winter, Spring, Fall
For those who don't know me, it's important to know that I am a very cynical and impatient person! I am not into long lines. I am not into overproduction or rides or excessive spending. Going to big supermarkets or shopping malls overwhelm me! My husband is the complete opposite! Since the moment we had our first child, he's been nagging me about a Disney World trip! I've been dodging his requests for roughly seven years but finally caved after Zika took over the Caribbean Islands and Miami!
So what did I do to make this experience as painless as possible? Research! I posted a facebook status about whether this was a suicide mission with two young children, and the answers were split down the middle. For the first time in my life, I decided to listen to people who had a positive experience rather than a negative one! The feedback: download the "My Disney Experience" app; watch youtube videos of Disney rides with your children so they are mentally prepared and pumped up for the trip; sign up for three fast passes per park (which allows you to go on the line that moves faster....figure an average of 10 minutes instead of 60). After you have used all 3 fast passes that day, you are able to pick a fast pass for another ride. And after you have used the 4th, another one. And so on.
So basically, it is important to know what the three most popular rides are at each park. After I downloaded the Disney World App and registered, I was able to look at the Wait Times (there is a tab on the left) at each park (you are able to sort by park), and figured out which three to tackle first. This made the experience so much more pleasant and organized! Other than snapping at my husband several times for walking too slow, the week went by very smoothly and I couldn't have been more content with this amazing trip! To see the joy on my childrens' faces, to see the creativity and the detail that went into designing every ride, to marvel at the beautiful landscaping and the nightly fireworks, and to visit several countries in the span of two hours in Epcot....no experience is comparable!
As far as the hotel accommodations, we booked through CostcoTravel.com which always has the best deals! We stayed at the Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas which was an 150 acre property with 7 pools, one of which had a water slide. This is a time share and CostcoTravel warned us not to accept any person who was trying to sell them to us. What they didn't tell us was that for every time we wanted to leave the property, we'd have to take a shuttle to the hotel lobby and then we were able to call an uber to take us to the parks. Magic Kingdom and Epcot had a direct shuttle but Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios did not. So this made the travel experience undesirable. However, the hotel had a full kitchen and we got a one bedroom (upgraded to two bedroomsand two full bathrooms for free). Also, make sure you look at a map of the property when you are checking in and you request a room in an area you prefer. I was under the impression that there was one big pool with a water slide. Then I looked at the map and realized there was only one of seven pools with a water slide and that was a huge draw for me. But each area offers a perk of it's own! The arcade and restaurant were on the other side of the property that I was originally located in.
I spent a total of $350 a night including a five day hopper pass to four Disney parks...which is pretty insane! That means you can hop the parks (this is a gimmick, you will rarely go to two parks in one day because you can spend at least 6 hours at each) and have 5 days to go to any one you choose in any combination. I could have gone to Epcot 5 times, or 4 times and 1 time Magic Kingdom. I ended up doing Each park once, and Epcot (my favorite) twice!
Things to Know About Each Park (Comfort Is Key!!! Sneakers Only!!!!):
Magic Kingdom: This is the park to see if you have to choose one! The most rides are here! Cinderella's Castle is here! The parades are here! The most characters are here! This is iconic Disney! And if you are into airplane food, they have a Burger restaurant that sells prepackaged Glatt Kosher Hamburgers and Chicken Nuggets (I preferred eating air).
Epcot: If you want to travel the world but you find it too mentally demanding to go with the children, this is the place for you! Plus, this is a great way to expose your kids to science as the rides are very educational! By far my favorite park. Be prepared for a very long day, and best to visit this twice. The countries are worth seeing both day and night! And make sure you check the guide map they offer to see what countries have which characters, as the App doesn't specify.
Animal Kingdom: You can totally skip this park. It had two of the best rides in all of Disney (River Rapids and Safari), but all in all, it was pretty disgusting! I felt like I was in a third world country. The Bronx Zoo is much more scenic and you get to see all the same animals! And Great Adventure has a River Rapids ride. Totally scratch this off your list if you don't feel like wasting money! The best thing here was the Rainforest Cafe, which is actually located right outside the front entrance, so you don't have to pay for the park to experience this restaurant!
Hollywood Studios: This is the smallest of all the parks. If you are not into Star Wars, you don't really need to go. However, Beauty and Beast is a terrific half hour show with great music! You get to meet Buzz and Woody here! There are many opportunities to watch shows in 3D. The best thing about this park is that the fireworks start earlier (at 7:45), so young children can last! Unfortunately, there was torrential downpour by the end of our drizzly day and our Fantasmic! show was cancelled. We ended up watching the fireworks from a distance in our uber ride home!
Also, it's best that you ask a Disney employee to link your park card (pass) to the PhotoPass. This way, the photographers can scan your card and the pictures will appear (with a watermark) on your App. Make sure you take a lot of pictures so it's worth purchasing all of them for a whopping $169. Otherwise, you have to pay $14 per pic. You can "find photographers" on the app as well so you make this feature worthwhile! What's great about this is you can purchase afterwards if you like the pictures, and if you are too cheap, you can still screen grab with the watermarks to at least save the memory! I purchased mine cause there were more than 10 great pictures.
My children are 4 and 6 years old. I found this an ideal time to go to Disney. When they are tall enough to go on most rides, and they are young enough to still love me. I went when I was 12, and let me tell you, puberty does not mix well with Disney!
My Top Ten Rides:
1) Soarin' (Epcot)
2) Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
3) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom)
4) Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Magic Kingdom)
5) Kali River Rapids (Animal Kingdom)
6) Kilimanjaro Safaris (Animal Kingdom)
7) Test Track (Epcot)
8) Tomorrowland Speedway (Magic Kingdom)
9) Toy Story Mania! (Hollywood Studios)
10) Astro Orbiter (Magic Kingdom): go during sunset or in the evening.
Rides to Skip:
1) Haunted Mansion (Magic Kingdom): not that Haunted!
2) Journey Into Imagination With Figment (Epcot): complete waste of time!
3) Jungle Cruise (Magic Kingdom): the knock off and fake version of Safari in Animal Kingdom. Fake animals!
4) The Twighlight Zone Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios): this is great if you like throwing up in your mouth!
Biggest Regrets:
1) Mickey Fantasmic Show (Hollywood Studios): It was drizzling all day. This was supposed to be a 30 minute water illumination show with fireworks at the end (started at 7pm). Unfortunately, three minutes into the show it start pouring and they had to cancel. This was gonna be the highlight of our trip and our kids had enough energy to appreciate the fireworks! Besides the show, I believe there are other, grander fireworks that occur about 15 minutes after the show ends. We caught this from the parking lot!
2) Festival of The Lion King (Animal Kingdom): Probably my biggest regret was missing this show. It was our second day at Disney and I didn't think my children had the endurance to last. But by the third day and the Beauty and the Beast show at Hollywood Studios, I realized that my kids actually love shows! Big shame because this was one of the best ones in all four parks! And my son loves "The Lion King".
3) Rivers of Light (Animal Kingdom): This is a show that starts at night (but early evening, about a half hour after the sun goes down). Again, this was my second day at the park and I didn't realize my children had enough endurance to get through this show! Just wanted to go back to our hotel room!
4) Mount Everest (Animal Kingdom): Our six year old son (who is short for his age) was the right height (44 inches and taller) but too scared. So neither parent wanted to go on the ride alone. But this is probably one of the top three roller coasters in disney.
5) Aerosmith Rock N' Roller (Hollywood Studios): Neither child was allowed to go on this ride. Height requirement is 48 inches. And this is supposedly the best ride in all four parks. Big shame....until next time :)
Kill a few birds with one stone: Visit Disney Boardwalk which is as charming as Epcot but costs $0, unless you dine here. Also, if you have extra time on your hands, visit Orlando Premium Outlets on Vineland Avenue for high end designer shopping (even though I came home empty handed!)
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Parsippany, NJ
price varies
Optimum Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
This is a very charming hotel with a beautiful and spacious lobby, a wonderful breakfast bouffet room offered to those who have Starwood points, and breakfast to those who pay the extra price. Love the indoor pool and adjacent exercise room here too! Check their website for more images and pricing. I went here during a Thanksgiving long weekend and I loved the Christmas decorations. The rooms are very spacious and clean.
Kill a few birds with one stone: Try nearby Woodbury Commons for outlet shopping and great prices!
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Located in Westchester, this is a very charming hotel close to very charming neighborhoods. My favorite is its heated indoor/outdoor pool (in the summer, I understand it is all outdoor! There are lots of amenities offered for children and an excellent daily breakfast offered in their gorgeous dining hall with breathtaking views of the adjacent golf course! Call to get a group rate if going with friends, and remember to request a room closer to the lobby (lots of long hallways here!) with a golf course view if you are as particular as I am about hotel experiences!
Kill a few birds with one stone: Greenwich, CT is the must see neighboring town. Very affluent with beautiful homes. Google "nicest neighborhoods or streets of Greenwich and head there for some house site seeing! Greenwich Avenue is a half mile stretch of high end shops and boutiques. There weren't many restaurants open on New Year's day when we went, nor clothing stores, but we still enjoyed our experience. The Saks Fifth Avenue here pales in comparison to that in NYC. Drive around the neighborhood of Belle Haven (a lot of streets are private so you won't have access unless you have balls to drive through. But there are many streets along the Long Island Sound that are worth seeing) which is a peninsula surrounded by water at the very southern tip of Greenwich Avenue. If there is a neighborhood to see in Greenwich, this is it! Skip the others! The lot sizes are too big to even see the homes! Also, for a sand beach, visit Greenwich Point Park (in Old Greenwich). This may or may not be a private beach so you should give them a call before you go, but I just drove by in the winter and it was beautiful!
Also, for children, Legoland is very close by as is Rye Amusement Park (which is situated on the Long Island Sound...both are on my bucket list of things to do with my kids!) Google both these places for pictures, prices and more information. That's what I'd do before I'd go ; )
For shopping, head to The Galleria Mall at White Plains. Lots of high end department stores and good on a cold day to walk around indoors with children!
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Old Greenwich, CT
price varies
Optimum Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
I was drawn to this hotel through www.tripadvisor.com (will find you the website that offers the cheapest rate) because of it's affordable price, great indoor poor, ecosystem lobby, and excellent breakfast (included in the price)! As well as being in Old Greenwich, a beautiful neighborhood within an hour drive from my home.
Kill a few birds with one stone: Greenwich, CT is the must see neighboring town. Very affluent with beautiful homes. Google "nicest neighborhoods or streets of Greenwich and head there for some house site seeing! Greenwich Avenue is a half mile stretch of high end shops and boutiques. There weren't many restaurants open on New Year's day when we went, nor clothing stores, but we still enjoyed our experience. The Saks Fifth Avenue here pales in comparison to that in NYC. Drive around the neighborhood of Belle Haven (a lot of streets are private so you won't have access unless you have balls to drive through. But there are many streets along the Long Island Sound that are worth seeing) which is a peninsula surrounded by water at the very southern tip of Greenwich Avenue. If there is a neighborhood to see in Greenwich, this is it! Skip the others! The lot sizes are too big to even see the homes! Also, for a sand beach, visit Greenwich Point Park (in Old Greenwich). This may or may not be a private beach so you should give them a call before you go, but I just drove by in the winter and it was beautiful!
Click on the gallery above (best viewed on a desktop for captions), the videos below to get a better sense of the area, and add your feedback by clicking on the comments section below! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see my next adventure! And share with your friends if you appreciate this page!
I stumbled upon this hotel purely by accident. One of my friends yelped "kosher restaurants" near our hotel in Old Greenwich (the neighboring town) and we found a Kosher restaurant called "Soosh". We put it in our navigation and noticed that the restaurant was in this hotel. We didn't realize there were parking spots for the restaurant right in front and we accidentally parked in the hotel's lot in the back. We walked through the hotel lobby to find a Shabbaton occurring (during Hanukkah with thousands of lit menorahs...pretty surreal). Once we found our way to the restaurant, we asked the owner what the Shabbaton was all about, and he told us that this is a weekly occurrence. The hotel lobby was immaculate...as though I walked into a Miami Southbeach hotel! After I got home I went on the hotel's website to see if it's worth staying there, and I was shocked by how spacious and well decorated the rooms were. And some of the rooms have kitchens as well! (Just look at the website). And the price during winter break is very affordable! Tip: "Soosh" was the best Kosher sushi I ever had. They have a kid's menu as well and they hand out crayons and pages to color! Great service, great menu! All around amazing experience!
Kill a few birds with one stone: Greenwich, CT is the must see neighboring town. Very affluent with beautiful homes. Google "nicest neighborhoods or streets of Greenwich and head there for some house site seeing! Greenwich Avenue is a half mile stretch of high end shops and boutiques. There weren't many restaurants open on New Year's day when we went, nor clothing stores, but we still enjoyed our experience. The Saks Fifth Avenue here pales in comparison to that in NYC. Drive around the neighborhood of Belle Haven (a lot of streets are private so you won't have access unless you have balls to drive through. But there are many streets along the Long Island Sound that are worth seeing) which is a peninsula surrounded by water at the very southern tip of Greenwich Avenue. If there is a neighborhood to see in Greenwich, this is it! Skip the others! The lot sizes are too big to even see the homes! Also, for a sand beach, visit Greenwich Point Park (in Old Greenwich). This may or may not be a private beach so you should give them a call before you go, but I just drove by in the winter and it was beautiful!
Click on the gallery above (best viewed on a desktop for captions), the videos below to get a better sense of the area, and add your feedback by clicking on the comments section below! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see my next adventure! And share with your friends if you appreciate this page!