Museum of Natural History

Upper West Side, NY

Admission Fee and street parking

Optimum Seasons:  Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

www.amnh.org

I have only been here once in my life.  As an elementary school girl.  And on a field trip.  I had a mustache and pimples and was bored to pieces.  It turned me off to the entire museum experience for life.   That's why you see I so seldom post about indoor museums. They just don't fascinate me in any way.  Even though this is one of the most magnificent in the world, I'd rather just walk by and marvel at the architecture from the outside.  And then, go to Central Park across the street and enjoy life.  

But my friend's snap one summer weekend had me intrigued.  She found a gourmet kosher pizza restaurant called Saba's Pizza on Amsterdam Avenue and 79th Street.  She alleges it was one of her best kosher pizza experiences. There are loads of other great kosher restaurants nearby for those who keep strict kashrut.  

Then they decided to go here, and visited the planetarium as well.  They visited the second floor which has a deck with tables and umbrellas and a whole section where you can tan.  They also have sprinklers for children here. And if that's not enough, just head over to Central Park with your children. There are amazing playgrounds all around and the Shakespeare Garden in close by.  

Also, if you live close, this is the place to be on Halloween day (followed by Upper West Side trick or treating!  Click the link for more info!

 

B, D, N, Q train over the Manhattan Bridge

"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

Metropolitan Opera House & Lincoln Center Plaza

"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

 

Hudson River Park Pier 25

Tribeca, NY

street parking and parking lots

Optimum Seasons:  Summer

www.hudsonriverpark.org

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Nothing is more charming than this place!  Located at Pier 25 on the West Side Highway, this park offers breathtaking views of downtown Manhattan and Jersey City across the Hudson.  For children, sprinklers, rock climbing, a playground, mini golf and sand boxes make it heaven on earth.  There is also beach volleyball, and a soccer field here (I don't know if any random person can use or you have to be a member).  They have concession stands as well. Try going later in the afternoon to catch the sunset (but then it might be too cold for sprinklers if you have young children!)

After you're done here, just walk the streets of downtown Manhattan.  There are some historic landmark buildings here adjacent to modern skyscrapers. Walk down Chambers street to the east side (remember, Manhattan is very narrow down here, it'll be a 20 minute walk) and you'll be by the entrance of the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian path and City Hall.  You'll pass Oculus on the way there too.  

Also, there are constant events at the different piers here.  I went when there was free painting for children.  Click on this link to see all the events lined up for the summer.  Free fishing is a must!  And so are Salsa Tuesdays on Pier 45. 

Nearby:

Battery Park

Staten Island Ferry

South Street Seaport

Oculus

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!

 

Sea Cliff Beach

Sea Cliff, NY

Admission $15 per adult $10 per child (or so the lady told me when I went here on the weekend....may be less on weekdays if you try)

Optimum Seasons:  Summer

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This is a charming beach located in a charming town on the North Shore of Long Island!  A hidden gem if you will that has a cost for non-residents.  It is only open on weekends until the beach officially open the last week of June. I'm not certain if there is a different rate on weekdays but I'm sure they'll be less strict then and might not even charge.  Or try to go on a weekday before it officially opens to the public and you'll get in free of charge as I did (but the concession stand won't be open on weekdays until then).   The beach is on the Long Island Sound and has more shells than you'd expect, so have a pair of sandals that are good for going in the water with!  Advisory: Call in advance as weather changes can cause potential pollution and rain can potentially cause an increase in bacteria.  The beach may be closed in this event. 

Kill a few birds with one stone:  This entire peninsula is filled with beautiful homes!  Sea Cliff itself has very old Victorian style homes while other towns such as Mill Neck, Oyster Bay, Centre Island, Brookville, Locust Valley and others offer more grand mansions with lots of land.  There is so much else to do around here such as other nearby beaches and an amusement park.  You can also visit Sea Cliff Avenue for cute shops just a couple blocks away from Sea Cliff Beach.  

For a list of other beaches, click here.

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!

 

Bayville Adventure Park

Bayville, NY

Prices available on website

www.bayvilleadventurepark.com

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

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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.  

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!

 

Toronto and Niagara Falls, Canada

Toronto, Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, Canada

price varies

Optimum Seasons:  Summer

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I went to Toronto for a week in the summer of 2015.  Last I was there was twenty years ago.  I decided to go back with my children and husband to kill a few birds with one stone:  1) visit my sister and her children and husband who live there; and 2) visit Niagara Falls over the 4th of July weekend.  Last time I went, I had a mustache, braces, a 24/7 doody bun, and a 5 person family crammed in a maroon Nissan Maxima with no cell phone, no ipad, and no cd player.  We drove from NYC to Niagara Falls for a couple days, and then to Toronto.  The drive was at least 8 hours and on the way we stopped at some waterfalls in upstate New York....all before google maps.  I can't imagine how much more charming this drive would be with an SUV and communication devices.  But I was so traumatized that I decided to take a flight to Toronto this time and drive to Niagara falls which is one and a half hours away.  The flight costs a lot of money for such a short distance because of international tax, so I highly recommend driving and googling about things to do on the drive to Toronto from NYC.  It would be a great experience with the children!

Anyway, we stayed at my sister's beautiful home for a week.  She was basically our Toronto tour guide.  She told us the musts: go to Ripley's Aquarium of Canada (in downtown Toronto), take a ferry from downtown to Centre Island (a magical island with beautiful views of the Toronto skyline, an amusement park, beautiful gardens, concession stands, and a beach), experience a Toronto Blue Jays game, take a drive through Toronto's affluent neighborhoods of Bridle Path and Forest Hills, and enjoy designer shopping on Bloor Street and Yorkville.   Toronto has come a long way in the 20 years since I've been there.  The skyline is ever evolving, and the city is so clean and beautiful.  And Canadians are all so nice!  I highly recommend this trip with the family.  Except mass transit in Toronto is horrific and you should get ready for massive traffic.  Best to get a hotel in downtown Toronto!

My second leg of the vacation was a weekend getaway to Niagara Falls which was only a one and a half hour drive from Toronto.  We stayed in the Hilton which was a couple of blocks from the Horseshoe Falls.  Make sure you request a falls view room on a higher floor. It gives you the most magnificent view of the two falls and the entire neighborhood.  And you get to watch the 4th of July fireworks on the American side while your children sleep soundly in bed. The Hilton has a great indoor pool as well.  The Niagara Falls neighborhood is very small and very easy to navigate.  Just get a map from the front desk of your hotel.  This trip is a rite of passage for all children who live in NYC! Definitely go once as a family!

On our drive back to my sister's home in Toronto, we stopped by Niagara on the Lake, which is Toronto's Hamptons!  It was such a beautiful and charming town with great places to dine outdoors.  Ask one of the locals which way to the lake and they'll point you in the right direction.  It's worth the three block walk!  You won't be disappointed!  There are also lots of wineries between Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake.  No shortage of things to do!  My pictures in the gallery cover it all!  

Check out the videos below of our view of the fireworks from the Hilton room in Niagara Falls.  And the Hilton penthouse restaurant (where we had our daily breakfast).  Also, you'll get an idea of how spectacular the Ripley's Aquarium is!

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!

Oheka Castle

Woodbury, NY

Mansion Tour Fee

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

www.oheka.com

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!

 

Adventureland

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

www.adventureland.us

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

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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.  

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!

 

Sesame Place Theme Park

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

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"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.  

Click on the gallery above (best viewed on a desktop for captions) 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!

 

Hershey Park

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:

Dutch Wonderland

 

Dutch Wonderland

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: 

Hershey Park

 

South Street Seaport (Pier 17) and The Circle Line

New York, NY

Optimum Seasons:  Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

www.circleline42.com

www.southstreetseaport.com
 

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.

Nearby:

East River Ferry

Oculus and Freedom Tower

Battery Park

Staten Island Ferry

Brooklyn Bridge

Boardwalk Towards Wall Street

Fulton Street

Fulton Street

Stone Street

 

Miami, FL

Miami, FL

price varies

Optimum Seasons:  Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

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Miami is home away from home for my family!  Kosher restaurants and supermarkets are abundant.  The city, like New York, has much culture and diversity, skyscrapers, beaches, amazing nightlife, top notch hotels, and great food.  Except Miami has year round perfect weather and water that is at times as beautiful as the Caribbean and always much nicer than the beaches in the Northeast of the country.  

There is so much to do in this city!  I have been well over ten times, as a single girl, as a married girl, as a mother, as a daughter, and a daughter-in-law. Every trip was as perfect as the last.  In the past, I have stayed at Lowes, Shore Club, Fountainbleau, Sea Coast Hotel, and the Catalina.  But there is no losing with any hotel the shore in Miami Beach.  Book your hotel through tripadvisor.com for the best deals.  Both the Fountainbleau and Sea Coast Hotel have apartment units as well with cleaning services.  So it feels like a hotel anyway!

Places you must visit when you are there:  Ocean Drive and Versace's mansion in South Beach, the neighborhood of Wynwood with its beautiful murals, and Lincoln Road which is a beautiful pedestrian street.  You should definitely hotel hop down the main strip.  Each lobby and pool is worth seeing. Especially the recently constructed Faena.  The lobby and courtyard is remarkable.  I am a big fan of the Edition as well.  Shore Club remains an old favorite...lots of nostalgia here.  But really, every hotel is remarkable!  and Fountainbleau and Lowes are perhaps the more kid friendly ones.  And Lowes has prime location!! 

The town of Coconut Grove is delicious in every way.  Go there one evening with the kids, but if you are single, you can skip this.  And before you dine there, go to Vizcaya mansion....truly one of the most remarkable pieces of architecture in the United States.  The gardens make you feel like you're on an Italian villa.

Drive down "millionaire row" and see all the beautiful houses on the bay.  You can take a cruise here too, but the landscaping in the front of the homes are as charming and driving is for free!  Take a day trip to Bal Harbour Mall for outdoor, high end shopping.  Dine in Aventura a town north of Miami.  Visit Key West or the Miami Seaquarium (which I regret never doing).  Or just have an Uber driver give you a tour of Miami (as we did).  There is no shortage of beauty at every corner of this vibrant city!  Definitely visit at least once in your life.  And stay at least 5 nights to make the most of your trip if you are going with children.  

I highly recommend getting a citi-bike for a couple of hours (find out where the closest one is to you), and bike riding down the boardwalk (which runs behind the hotel strip on the beach, and is a vision all of its own) and back up through the streets so you get the most intimate views of Miami.  And do it early in the day, and put on loads of sunblock!  

We also took a cruise from Downtown Miami which shows you all the backyards of celebrities homes on the water.  And offers spectacular views of Miami's downtown skyline.  

The sunsets in Miami are to die for.  Either you get a beach view room, or a bay view.  It is win win, because if you don't see the beach, you get the sunsets!  Unless you get a room with both...which is the best cast scenario.  

Uber in Miami is super cheap.  No need to rent a car here, even if you're staying a long time.  It'll just be a headache with parking!  

I have visited in the Spring, Summer and Fall.  Winter I understand is too cold here but a lot of celebrities flock here during Christmas so it might be a fun time to be here then.  The ocean and weather are perfect in the Spring and Summer, but 4th of July is a great time with the fireworks.  There is literally no losing in Miami!

Check the pictures in the gallery above (best viewed on a desktop for captions) and add your comments below.  Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see my next adventure!  And share with your friends if you appreciate this page!

New York Public Library and Bryant Park

New York, NY

Free

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

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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!

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!

Nearby:

City Rooftops

Christmas in NYC

Central Park

Central Park Zoo

F Train

Department Stores

Broadway Shows

 

Sands Point Preserve

Sands Point, NY

Parking Lot Fee, Admission Fee for Inside Mansion (some libraries offer free passes)

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

www.sandspointpreserveconservancy.org

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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.

Click on the gallery above to view pictures, the videos below to get a better sense of the area, and add your feedback by clicking on the comments section below!  And follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see my next adventure!

Long Island Sound Beach

Hiking Trail Pond

Rose Garden

 

Untermyer Park and Gardens

Yonkers, NY

Admission Fee, free parking lot

Optimum Seasons:  Spring, Summer, Fall

www.untermyergardens.com

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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

Click on the gallery above to view pictures, 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!

 

Hello, World!

Queens Botanical Garden

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)

www.queensbotanicalgarden.org

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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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El San Juan, San Juan Puerto Rico

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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London

London, UK

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How I wish I stayed here longer than 4 days!  I booked this trip alone, without my kids or my husband, for a wedding weekend.  I'm not gonna lie, I was rather disappointed that of all the European cities that are on my bucket list, I was going to visit this second!  My understanding was that London was always cloudy and rainy and that the people were dull.  I have no idea why I had this preconceived notion!  1)  There was not one minute of rain in the 4 days of June I was here.  On and off sun yes.  Mild temperatures yes.  Rain, not a drop!  2)  The first person I met was an employee in Gatwick airport (never fly to or from Gatwick if you are staying in Central London...Heathrow is the way to go...and they have a Chanel store where you get to buy for considerably cheaper than the states!).  He was every American late night comedian in one human being, but funnier!  Every British person I met after him had the same wit!  London is basically a city full of Ricky Gervaises at every corner!  Heaven on earth!  3)  London has the energy of New York, the architecture of grand European cities, and gardens and parks like no other! There are basically no garbage cans on the street nor are there vendors at every corner trying to sell you food.  The city is very clean!

I had to capitalize on my time here.  Basically, of the 4 days, 3 were just attending weekend events leading to the wedding.  I probably had 24 hours to navigate as much as London as I could!  What I recommend:  1)  Purchase a Bus Tour ticket from your hotel front desk.  There are certain passes that let you access all the lines (my regret is that I didn't know about this earlier, and just used this the last day I was there when I had to leave to the airport at 1pm).  I stayed at the Cumberland (modern hotel in a fantastic location and rather affordable) right next to Marble Arch and Hyde Park where there was a bus stop.  The Red Bus Tour takes you to all the big landmarks!  Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, London Eye, London Bridge, etc etc.  But there are other lines which will take you to Notting Hill and the other parts of Central London that are just as worthy of seeing (you don't even have to step off the bus.  Just sit on top floor and you'll get enough of an experience).

I walked the bulk of Hyde Park (much smaller than Central Park) in two hours at 6am in the morning.  This was the most peaceful and serene two hours of my life.  And on Sundays, they have the Serpentine race where local swimmers dive into the lake and swim laps.  It was extremely surreal watching people dive into the water with their speedos and swim caps at 7am in the morning. Definitely get a map of the park before you walk around so you don't miss the main points of interest.  Kensington Palace Garden and the Italian Gardens are a must!

Notting Hill is a very cute neighborhood!  There are rows of colorful homes, and Portobello Road is basically a charming flea market.  Totally skip if your short on time!  What you should definitely squeeze in if you love gardens (and London is all about its parks and gardens) is Regent Park.  Get a map and go to every corner.  I only had time for Queen Mary's Garden.  I didn't even know that they had a Zoo on the other side of the property.  And the first Zoo ever opened in the world!  If you are with children, I guess this is a place to consider!  If not, definitely skip!

For designer shopping, its' all about Old Bond Street.  And for us regular humans, Oxford gets the job done!  Or just walk the streets. Your jaw will drop at every corner from the architecture and the charm!  

My deepest regrets were not seeing more of London at night time, not experiencing fish and chips at a local pub and not going to Harrods department store!  

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