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Statue of Liberty Tips – …

April 19, 2021 By Globetrotting Mommy

The Statue of Liberty is one of the world’s most popular monuments and a must for family visits to New York City. Read on for my Statue of Liberty tips including what you need to know before you go.

(Note: Due to Covid restrictions, the pedestal and crown are currently closed. Statue of Liberty Museum and theater are open with limited capacity. Ellis Island Museum is open, but theaters remain closed. All visitors must wear face coverings and keep socially distanced.)

Top 5, Tips, Statue of Liberty tips, Travel, New York City, Tourist Monuments — Statue of Liberty Tips – What to know before you go

Top 5 Statue of Liberty Tips

Everyone rushes to The Statue of Liberty in the summer but fall and spring are also ideal seasons to visit. Be sure to charge your cellphone and bring binoculars for kids.

Top 5 Tips for Visiting The Statue of Liberty. The ferry offers amazing views of The Statue of Liberty. — Statue of Liberty tips. The ferry offers amazing views of Manhattan too.

TICKETS AND PRICING

1- To avoid long lines, buy tickets in advance! Book tickets online at Statue City Cruises, the official operator of ferry service to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on behalf of the National Park Service. Prices for the ferry and museum/grounds are $12 for children 4-12, $23.50 for adults and $18 for seniors. Additional charges apply for crown and or pedestal access (NOTE: These options are currently closed due to Covid). Children under 4 are free and you will definitely want to bring a stroller.

Summer and fall are the busiest times to visit so reserve a week or two in advance for pedestal access and four-six months in advance for crown access. Print tickets at home and go straight to the Battery Park security line behind Clinton Castle. Weekdays draw fewer crowds and unless you visit in summer, be prepared for a breezy ferry ride.

WHERE TO GO? CROWN VERSES PEDESTAL AND GROUNDS

2 – Before you book tickets, assess your family’s stamina and patience levels and decide on your viewing plan. To visit the crown, kids need to be at least 48 inches tall and able to climb 377 steps. Keep in mind that the security and ferry lines can be fairly long and it might take an hour or so to arrive on Liberty Island. Be sure to board the ferry at least two hours before your ticket time.

On our first trip, we got pedestal tickets and the views were amazing (I did have to lift my daughter to see over the ledge). With these tickets, you can also walk around the entire star-shaped multi-level base which wasn’t crowded and offered plenty of room to run around and take in the amazing views.

Top 5 Tips for Visiting The Statue of Liberty. Pedestal tickets offer amazing NYC views. — Statue of Liberty tips. Pedestal tickets offer amazing NYC views.

On our second visit with friends, we went up to the crown.

STATUE OF LIBERTY TIPS – WHAT TO BRING

3 – This day trip will take at least a few hours so bring snacks and pack lunch if you’re planning an afternoon visit. Food and beverages are allowed on the ferry and on Liberty Island but you will need to store these items in a locker ($2 for two hours so bring dollar bills) if you go inside the statue. Cameras, phones and water bottles are permitted inside. Food and drinks are available for purchase on the ferry, Liberty Island and Ellis Island but choices are limited/fast food and pricy.

GRAB A FREE AUDIO TOUR

4 – When the ferry arrives on Liberty Island, go directly to the audio tour booth and pick up a free audio tour for everyone in your group. Tours are available in multiple languages and there is a children’s version narrated by a bird that even young children will enjoy. You can go at your own pace and still listen to the tours which is nice. This was my daughter’s first audio tour and I was amazed to see her pointing out the information she was hearing and talking about what the bird was telling her.

DON’T MISS THE MUSEUM AND JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM

5 – For families with kids of all ages, be sure to check out the new Statue of Liberty Museum which opened in 2019. The new space features sweeping views, a theater experience, the original torch, historical mementos and more. For kids ages 7-12, print out a Junior Ranger Activity Booklet. Return a completed copy to the Liberty Island information center to receive a Junior Ranger Badge.

If you still have energy, continue on to Ellis Island and explore the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Each return ferry stops here before heading back to Battery Park.

Have you visited The Statue of Liberty? What was your favorite memory?

Visit City Experiences for other world-class water and land-based experiences across the US including iconic NYC sightseeing cruises and attractions including the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, One World Observatory and more.

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10 Awesome Kids Books – …

March 12, 2021 By Globetrotting Mommy

New York City is one of the best places to explore with kids and reading is a great way to get kids excited about upcoming trips. If you’ve got NYC on your family travel bucket list, check out these 10 Awesome Kids Books – New York City.

10 Awesome Kids Books – New York City

1) 123 New York: A Cool Counting Book by Puck. Perfect for babies and toddlers, this little board book is a great introduction to NYC landmarks. The book is all numbers and pictures so it “reads” in any language you’d like. Uno Statue of Liberty… Dos baseballs…Tres Brooklyn Bridges…they’ll be counting up to ten in no time.

2) This is New York by Miroslav Sasek (ages three and up). I have loved this book for years. The classic storybook shows many details of city life with cartoon characters and colorful illustrations. It may seem a bit dated but it still captures the spirit of New York.

3) Larry Gets Lost in New York City (ages three – seven). Lovable puppy Larry is always getting lost. Follow Larry’s escapades around Manhattan while he visits the city’s many landmarks and attractions.

4) A Walk in New York by Salvatore Rubbino (ages four – eight). Another favorite, this gorgeous book features a father and son’s New York City explorations. Bits of trivia mix with the drawings so kids learn all sorts of interesting NYC facts like the names of the marble lions outside the New York Public Library…aka Patience and Fortitude.

5) Little Kid, Big City (ages five+). Written by a popular NYC blogger, this book is full of first-hand tips for visiting a slew of Big Apple sights and attractions. Kids “choose” their own adventure as they read by deciding “where to go” and flipping through the gorgeously illustrated pages. The fold-out map is super handy for little navigators.

6) My Subway Ride by Paul DuBois Jacobs (ages four – eight). This colorful book depicts the sounds and sights of the NYC subway system. Girls and boys will both enjoy this one.

7) Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet (ages five – ten). If your family loves New York City’s famed Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, this book is sure to become an immediate favorite. The story tells the true story of how the famous floats came to creation with gorgeous graphics and a bit of STEM education along the way.

8) You Can’t Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum by Jacqueline Press Weitzman (ages five-eight). This wordless picture book follows a yellow balloon as it floats all around Manhattan. Kids will recognize famous landmarks as well as paintings and sculptures as they use their imaginations to “read.”

9) Eloise: The Ultimate Edition by Kay Thompson (ages five-ten). For girls who love, love, love Eloise, this treasury will be a big hit. This is a great choice for young travelers since it features Eloise in Moscow and Eloise in Paris as well as Eloise at Christmastime and the original Eloise story and scrapbook.

10) The New York Times: 36 Hours USA & Canada by Barbara Ireland (Kids eight and up). Bigger kids can plan family adventures with this coffee table book filled with travel itineraries and suggestions for trips to New York City (and beyond).

Books make great birthday, baby shower and holiday gifts and these are all sure to please globetrotting kids and parents alike. Planning a New York-themed baby nursery? Just stock a bookshelf with these and you’re halfway there.

(Note: This post contains affiliate links)

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE – THE …

November 19, 2020 By admin

If you’ve got a tiny travel lover on your gift list, here are some of the best books for little travelers this holiday season. Books are always a great gift idea especially for kids who have a million toys…

Holiday Gift Guide – The Best Books for Little Travelers

The Travel Book: A journey through every country in the world – This kids version of Lonely Planet’s The Travel Book is filled with facts and quirky insights on more than 200 countries. Perfect for little explorers ages 8 and up.

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Travel: Everything you need to know about adventuring near and far – This is a great beginner’s guide to travel for elementary and middle school girls. Filled with fun quizzes, smart safety tips and cool trivia, this book will get girls ready for adventures near and far.

Passport To Your National Parks – America’s national parks are amazing spots for generations of families to visit and this passport has a page for each park to be stamped during a visit. For more details on famous parks, check out the beautifully illustrated National Parks of the USA.

The Penny Passport Souvenir Book – If your kids like collecting pressed pennies on their travels, this is a must-have. The sturdy book fits more than 36 elongated cents and eight pressed quarters or nickels.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Immigrant Women Who Changed the World – The latest edition of these gorgeous bedtime books features stories of Immigrant Women who have helped shape the world. A great gift to celebrate diversity and encourage all girls to reach for their dreams.

This is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from around the World – This is a great way to show elementary school kids what life looks like around the world. The book’s illustrations show seven kids from different countries going about their day including their meals, homes, outfits, etc.

New York: Panorama Pops – This small travel book features awesome illustrations of some of New York City’s most popular attractions. The city literally unfolds page after page. The series also includes Paris, Venice, Berlin, London, etc.

The Flag Book – In The Flag Book, Lonely Planet Kids introduces children to the flags of every country in the world, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. Such a fun way to learn what the design, colors, and images represent, as well as interesting facts about each nation.

The 50 States: Explore the U.S.A. with 50 fact-filled maps! This fun book highlights every state including their famous residents, cities, unique facts, historical moments and more.

You can shop this list on Amazon or support your local bookstores. Check out my favorite kid-friendly New York City books for more holiday gift ideas and my 2020 gift guide for tweens and teens.

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

Visiting the Empire State …

October 27, 2020 By admin

Today I’m sharing tips for visiting the Empire State Building during Covid. One of NYC’s classic attractions has reopened and if you’ve always wanted to avoid the crowds, now is a great time to visit. If you live nearby, come in for the day and check it out. If you’re not local, please check the New York State Covid 19 Travel Advisory before you plan any travel to NY.

Tips for Visiting the Empire State Building During Covid, New York City, Empire State Building, Covid, Coronavirus, Covid 19, — Tips for Visiting the Empire State Building During Covid

Tip 1 – BOOK TICKETS IN ADVANCE

Right now, admissions are by appointment only so purchase tickets online in advance of your trip. Try to plan your visit around opening hours if you can to avoid afternoon crowds. After you choose your ticket selection (most popular options are 86th Floor Observatory, 102nd and 86th Floor Observatories or Premium Experience Behind the Scenes Tour) you can select the date and time slot. Tickets are non-refundable so be sure to double-check the dates and times.

Tip 2 – DON’T FORGET MASKS

Masks are mandatory throughout the building and on the observation decks. You can take them off quickly for photos as long as you can follow social distancing guidelines.

Tip 3 – ARRIVE EARLY

Arrive 10 minutes before your reservation and be prepared to wait in line for temperature checks and security lines. Social distancing is made easy with signage and staff directing guests into the elevators one family at a time.

Tips for Visiting the Empire State Building During Covid

Tip 4 – TAKE TIME TO EXPLORE ON THE WAY UP

Don’t miss the exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors. You can take a self-guided audio tour (yes, guest Wi-Fi is free) or explore the photo-ops and historical exhibits throughout the building at your leisure. Don’t miss King Kong’s giant hands, the gigantic video montage and amazing elevator video.

Tip 5 – GET YOUR BEARINGS AND TAKE IN THE VIEWS

Before you head to the open-air observation deck, check out the maps and exhibits pointing out New York City’s iconic landmarks (Statue of Liberty, One World Trade, Central Park, etc.) in every direction. Once on the observation decks you will enjoy stunning 360-degree views of New York, Brooklyn, Queens and beyond. Make sure your camera battery is full or bring along a battery pack as you will want to take a lot of photos once you reach the top.

You haven’t seen New York until you have experienced this once-in-a-lifetime view. Have you ever visited the Empire State Building?

Great Gifts for Travelers

December 16, 2019 By admin

If you’re looking for gift ideas for the globetrotter in your life, you’ll love this post. My holiday gift guide is full of great gifts for travelers to enjoy at home and away…

TRAVEL MUST-HAVES:

Digital Luggage Scale – My number one travel accessory is this easy-to-use luggage scale. Stop guessing if your bag is under 50 pounds and say goodbye to extra baggage charges.

Packing Cubes – I am a huge fan of packing cubes, especially for families since each person can choose their color. Just group items or outfits in cubes and packing will be a breeze.

Hanging Toiletry Bag – I keep my toiletry bag packed so I can just grab and go. Zippered compartments are perfect for travel accessories and the hanging design keeps bathroom clutter to a minimum.

Travel Jewelry Organizer – Keep your jewels safe and never lose an earring again with these colorful jewelry boxes. The small size and compartments make this a great option for quick trips. And remember, never ever check your jewels in luggage!

Reusable Shopping Bags – These are so useful for shopping at home and away. They also double as road-trip snack bags, beach totes and laundry bags. Choose from solids, prints and metallic options – an easy gift for travelers.

Travel Adaptor – A must for every globetrotter. Keep your favorite electronics charged wherever you go. Pick a different color for everyone in your family.

Travel Sized Laundry Bag – For the traveler who has everything, this world map laundry bag is a fun gift. I love that it folds into a tiny travel pouch with a carabineer.

TRAVEL INSPIRED GIFTS FOR TRAVELERS:

Gifts for Travelers - Travel Inspired Gifts

Show Tickets and Personalized Shirt – For the Broadway fan on your list, a pair of tickets to an upcoming show and a personalized shirt to wear make a great gift. I used my Cricut Explore Air™ 2 machine to personalize a “So Fetch” shirt for a Mean Girls lover in sparkly pink.

Scratch Your Travels USA Map – Travelers will love highlighting their US adventures as they scratch off each state they visit. Add a frame and you’ve got a great family gift.

Travel Scarf – A travel scarf is always a good idea and this infinity version with a secret hidden zipper pocket is a great gift for travelers all ages. Choose from solids and patterns.

50 States, 5,000 Ideas – This comprehensive National Geographic book is full of sightseeing ideas in every state. A great gift option for families.

FOR TRAVEL LOVING FOODIES:

Bokksu – For the adventurous eater on your list, a Bokksu box filled with Japanese snacks and teas is sure to please. A great option for travel-loving families who like to try new foods. Choose from monthly subscriptions in two different sizes.

Custom Etched Map Glassware – For the coffee or hot cocoa drinker, wine aficionado and spirits lover on your list, I love Well Told Designs glassware etched with a favorite city, college town, airport, island, marathon route and more. Choose from pints, rocks, wine, mugs, mason jars, champagne flutes, etc. and you’ve got a great gift for everyone on your list.

Sitka Salmon Shares – For seafood lovers, gift a box of seasonal wild-caught seafood – straight from Southeast Alaska and the North Pacific! Sitka Salmon Shares, a community-supported fishery, supports sustainable fisheries and delivers the freshest catches from boat to doorstep. Use code SITKA25 to receive $25 off any 2020 Premium Sitka Seafood Share.

Trader Joe’s Chocolate Passport – Every holiday season Trader Joe’s brings out their cult favorites and their Chocolate Passport is a great option for every traveler on your list. Perfect for stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, etc.

BEST FAMILY ACTIVITIES FOR TRAVELING:

Tenzi – I’m a huge fan of easy-to-pack family games and Tenzi is one of my favorites. This multi-dice game is easy to learn and fast to play. There are several variations which help keep boredom at bay. Add in the 77 Ways to Play The Add-on Card Set and you’re guaranteed hours of good fun.

Playing Cards – An oldie but goodie, playing cards are easy to bring along on any trip making them great gifts for travelers. From Go Fish and War to Canasta and Rummy, everyone on the trip will find something to play. Other options include Solitare and building card houses.

Match-O-Rama – From the makers of Telestrations, Match-O-Rama is a great game choice for multi-generational family trips. The better you know the players, the easier you can predict how others will answer. Or maybe not? Easy to learn, fast to play and sure to keep the whole family entertained.

Kodak Premium Puzzles – Puzzles are a great activity to bring along on a vacation. Choose from easy to hard (depending on the ages and patience levels) and the whole family can enjoy. Kodak has a lot of travel-themed options (Boston, Italy, Greece, US National Parks and more) perfect for travel-loving families.

Need more gifts for travelers and everyone else on your list? Check out my 2020 Tween and Teen Gift Guide and Great Gifts for Teens and Tweens from 2019 .

I received some of these items for review purposes but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Top 10 New York City Holiday …

December 4, 2019 By admin

New York City is fun any time of year but a visit during the holiday season is something every family should experience. New York City holiday activities for families will surely wow visitors of all ages. From glittering holiday windows, iconic holiday shows and ice skaing galore, there is something for everyone. Pack your comfy shoes and come explore…

Top 10 New York City holiday activities for families

1. Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is one of New York City’s classic holiday scenes. Stop by for photos in front of the famed Christmas tree and take in the larger than life bronze Prometheus sculpture and hoards of ice skaters. If you want to see the city from above, Top of the Rock offers great views of the city’s skyline.

10 best New York City holiday activities for families

2. Department store holiday displays

Visiting department store holiday windows is a must for the holidays. My favorite store displays can be found at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, Barneys New York, Tiffany & Co., and Macy’s. The Saks evening light show is a must (every 30 minutes) and Frozen fans will especially love the 2019 Frozen themed windows. Macy’s Santaland boasts an elaborate indoor winter wonderland with Santa photo ops.

10 best New York City holiday activities for families

3. Ice skating in the city

One of the most iconic New York City holiday activities is ice skating. The most popular (and priciest) choice is The Rink at Rockefeller Center. Try to go off-peak to avoid the crowds. Trump Wollman Rink in Central Park offers stunning city views. The Bank of America Winter Village Bryant Park rink is free (just pay for skate rentals) and has awesome snack and shopping options.

4. Rockettes at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Don’t miss the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, The Rockettes Celebration. This annual stage show has been a holiday fixture since 1933 for good reason. The spectacular has kept up with the times and now features a 3-D portion, techno-tricks, amazing costumes and backdrops. The famed dancers, however, really steal the show.

5. Shop till you drop

Tourists strolling down New York City streets toting shopping bags can be seen on ever block during the holidays. If you’ve got a family of shoppers, you’ll want to get in on the fun. Kid favorites include the Lego Store, FAO Schwarz, Nintendo, CAMP, American Girl Place and Build-A-Bear. Parents will want to check out NYC’s famed department stores and jewelry boutiques. There are also several festive pop up holiday markets in Bryant Park, Union Square, Columbus Circle and Grand Central.

10 best New York City holiday activities for families

6. New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show

Head to Brooklyn for the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show, a one-of-a-kind experience where families can watch model trains zip past more than 150 miniature New York landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and Rockefeller Center. Make advance reservations for this hot holiday pick.

10 best New York City holiday activities for families

7. Special New York City Holiday Activities for Kids

December in New York City offers a wide range of special holiday events for kids. Choose from options like gingerbread house decorating at Eloise at The Plaza, GingerBread Lane at the New York Hall of Science, Nutcracker ballet performances and holiday puppet making at Central Park’s Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre following Yeti, Set, Snow.

8. Live Theater

Every trip to New York City should include attending a live performance. There are some really fun holiday shows this year including 42FT at The New Victory Theater (think circus and actobats) and The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays (six famed illusionists in one non-stop show) which will wow the whole family. Broadway favorites like Aladdin, Wicked and The Lion King or off-Broadway picks like the Gazillion Bubble Show are other good options.

9. Tea time

Take an afternoon break for tea or hot (or frozen) chocolate at one of the city’s famous sweet shops or a meal at iconic holiday restaurants. Some favorites include Alice’s Tea Cup, the Russian Tea Room, The Palm Court at The Plaza, Serendipity 3, Max Brenner, and Rolf’s German Restaurant.

10 best New York City holiday activities for families

10. A holiday ride

A fun family friendly (kids 6+) sightseeing option is The Ride which offers a comfortable tour of NYC hotspots with great views and interactive entertainment along the way (think part tour, part show, total entertainment). Look for discount codes on their website and book in advance as popular times will fill up.

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The Best New York City Books …

November 13, 2019 By admin

Reading is one of the best ways for kids to discover the world and learn about places near and far. Since New York City is on many bucket lists, I’m sharing New York City books for kids.

Here are my top picks for New York City books for kids of all ages.

1) 123 New York: A Cool Counting Book by Puck (ages baby – three). One of my daughter’s first possessions, this little board book is a great introduction to NYC landmarks. There are no words, just numbers and pictures so you can read it to your babes in any language you’d like. Uno Statue of Liberty… Dos baseballs…Tres Brooklyn Bridges…they’ll be counting to ten in no time.

2) This is New York by Miroslav Sasek (ages three and up). I had this on my bookshelf when I was a kid and its still one of my favorites today. This classic storybook shows many details of city life with cartoon characters and colorful illustrations. It might seem a little dated but I still think it captures the spirit of New York.

3) Larry Gets Lost in New York City by John Skewes (ages three – seven). That lovable Larry is always getting lost somewhere. Follow the puppy’s escapades around Manhattan while he visits the city’s many landmarks.

4) A Walk in New York by Salvatore Rubbino (ages four – eight). Another one of my favorites, this beautifully illustrated book shows a boy and his dad sightseeing around New York. There are bits of trivia mixed in with the drawings so kids can learn all sorts of interesting NYC facts like the names of the marble lions outside the New York Public Library…can you guess…Patience and Fortitude.

5) My Subway Ride by Paul DuBois Jacobs (ages four – eight). This colorful book depicts the sounds and sights of the NYC subway system. Girls and boys will be equally amused by this one.

6) Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet (ages five – ten). If your family loves watching New York City’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, this book will become an immediate favorite. The story tells the true story of how the famous floats came to creation with gorgeous graphics and a bit of STEM education along the way.

7) You Can’t Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum by Jacqueline Press Weitzman (ages five-eight). You either love or hate these wordless picture books. This one follows a yellow balloon as it floats all around Manhattan. Kids will recognize famous landmarks as well as paintings and sculptures as they use their imaginations to “read.”

8) Eloise: The Ultimate Edition by Kay Thompson (ages five-ten). For girls who love, love, love Eloise, this treasury is sure to please. This is a great choice for young travelers since it features Eloise in Moscow and Eloise in Paris as well as Eloise at Christmastime and the original Eloise story and scrapbook.

9) And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss (ages five – nine). You might not know but this is Dr. Seuss’ very first children’s books. Your imagination will run wild as you follow young Marco’s ever-changing story. Mulberry Street is located in NYC’s Little Italy neighborhood where you can find Italian pastries and pasta, pasta, pasta.

10) The New York Times: 36 Hours USA & Canada by Barbara Ireland (Kids eight and up). For kids who are old enough to plan family adventures, this coffee table book is filled with travel itineraries and suggestions for trips to New York City (and beyond).

Books make great birthday, baby shower and holiday gifts and these are all sure to please globetrotting kids and parents alike. And, if you’re planning a New York-themed baby nursery, just stock a bookshelf with these and you’re halfway there.

(Note: This post contains affiliate links)

Sailing Around NYC Aboard …

November 7, 2019 By admin

Since New York City is surrounded by water, one of my favorite family activities is sailing around NYC. We’ve cruised around Manhattan on everything from large Circle Line ships to an authentic 1930’s tugboat. For our most recent voyage, we climbed aboard a classic 1950’s yacht and enjoyed a scenic fall foliage cruise with Classic Harbor Line.

Sailing Around NYC Aboard Classic Harbor Line

We lucked out with a sunny fall day and fairly mild temps. I packed scarfs and hats, a picnic brunch and some Halloween treats to fight off any hangry or “I’m cold” moments.

Sailing Around NYC Aboard Classic Harbor Line

Tourists and locals alike will enjoy the Fall Foliage Cruise on Yacht Full Moon from Chelsea Piers. The 2.5 hour trip up the Hudson River is a great option for the whole family as the yacht offers comfortable indoor and outdoor seating, tables to share a picnic lunch, bathroom facilities and a very accommodating staff.

My daughter loved sitting on the upper deck bean bag chairs (yes, blankets are provided) where she could point out all the NYC buildings as we departed Chelsea Piers.

Aside from the colorful foliage, we loved spotting iconic landmarks such as the George Washington Bridge, the Cloisters, the Palisades, the Little Red Light House and the Tappan Zee Bridge.

Captain Pat narrated here and there sharing a bit of history as he pointed out the sights. He even offered to let my daughter try her hand at sailing.

Two friendly staffers were on board to deliver drinks (warm and cold) and blankets. I definitely recommend bringing a picnic and/or snacks if you’re bringing kids. The downstairs seating area is heated making it a great spot to eat.

There are plenty of photo-ops so be sure to bring a camera. With stunning views along the way, you’ll want to capture it all.

So gorgeous, right?

In addition to a variety of fall foliage cruises, Classic Harbor Line has several holiday cruises perfect for the whole family including the Cocoa and Carrols Holiday Cruise and a Holiday Jazz Cruise.

If you’re looking to escape the NYC holiday crowds, sailing around NYC aboard Classic Harbor Line’s holiday offerings would be a great idea.

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Mom’s Night Out with …

October 29, 2019 By admin

Back-to-school season means back to stressful, busy days and exhausted nights. Add in a dozen tours of NYC middle schools with my tween daughter and my head is ready to explode! Lucky for me, Momtrends came to my rescue with a much needed influencer event full of friends, fun and food.

The Momtrends annual Mom’s Night Out was hosted by Parents Magazine at their downtown office near Brookfield Place and One World Trade Center. There were four stations with interactive activities sponsored by Parents Magazine, Parents Latina, Clorox® and Baby Dove.

I started with the Clorox® DIY Snow Globe making station and it did not disappoint. How cute is my NYC themed Snow Globe?

Moms night out, mom, clorox — Making snow globes at Mom’s Night Out with Clorox.

There were plenty of Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes on hand to clean up the glue and snowy glitter that covered my hands. Whether I’m on the road or at home, there are so many times where a mess needs to be quickly cleaned up and I love the convenience of using Clorox ® Disinfecting Wipes. The fact that they kill 99% of germs is a big bonus for me since staying healthy is a big priority for busy moms. In addition to cleaning messes, the wipes are great for killing germs around my apartment, on airplanes and at hotels (doorknobs, handles, remote controls, yuck).

I spotted my blogger buddy Suburban Wife, City Life and we caught up (yay for no kids) while checking out the Parents Magazine and Parents Latina DIY Halloween stations.

Always a fun time with my blogger buddies.

These magazines are always filled with clever entertaining ideas, parenting tips, gift guides, recipes and more. The current issue has a lot of Halloween ideas and we got to make some cute and yummy treats like spider donuts and fruit kebabs (to offset all the candy!). Once we gobbled them up, we decorated our drinks with sprinkles and cute accessories. Voila!

Such simple ideas that really inspired us to make them at home.

Momtrends Mom's Night Out — Custom perfume bar was a big hit at Momtrends Mom’s Night Out

We moved on to the next Parents station – Alchemologie’s natural perfume bar. We sampled dozens of scents and learned about layering the fragrances to combine our custom perfumes. Such a fun treat.

Lastly, we hit the Baby Dove station where we decorated bath caddies and filled them with new mom essentials including Baby Dove’s Tip to Toe wash. Baby skin is so delicate yet they have a living protective layer of microflora, known as their microbiome. Baby Dove is uniquely made with prebiotic moisture and 100% skin-natural nutrients to gently nourish a baby’s microbiome making it a must-have for new moms.

It was a great night to connect with old friends and make some new ones. And a reminder of how important these nights our are to our well-being. I look forward to another one of these evenings soon.

Thanks again to Momtrends, Parents Magazine, Parents Latina, Clorox and Baby Dove for organizing a great Mom’s Night Out!

NOTE: This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own.

Five Cool Things to Check Out …

September 19, 2019 By admin

NYC’s new American Girl Place, one of our favorite New York City hotspots has a glitzy new home in Rockefeller Center. The 40,000-square-foot flagship store is stunning and the location is perfectly central for locals and tourists. If you’ve got an American Girl doll fan at home, read on to learn about Five Cool Things to Check Out at NYC’s new American Girl Place.

Five Cool Things to Check Out at NYC’s New American Girl Place

1) The American Girl Salon, Only At American Girl New York

One of the major enhancements at the new American Girl Place is the gorgeous American Girl Salon. Dolls have always been able to enjoy salon pampering but now girls can get in on the spa and salon action too. Girls can choose hairstyles to match their dolls (or not) and they can now enjoy mini mani’s and ear piercing alongside their dolls. And yes, the ear piercing is major news! Girl hairstyles start at $25 while doll styles begin at $10. It was so fun to watch my daughter and her doll Lea have their hair done in matching styles with coordinating ribbons. If you’re looking for a special girl’s day out treat, a stop here will definitely impress everyone. You’ll want to review the salon options and make reservations in advance, especially over holidays and weekends.

2) The New American Girl Cafe

Always a classic choice for a special dining treat, the new American Girl Cafe features modern decor, an updated a-la-carte menu and they have done away with the set seating times so you won’t find yourself waiting in a long line. You and your dolls can enjoy brunch, afternoon tea, lunch or dinner with old menu favorites (pink lemonade, pigs-in-blankets, cinnamon buns, chocolate mousse flowerpots) as well as new offerings. Dolls can enjoy meals (in their own seats – so bring them along or borrow one at check-in) and girls are given souvenir dining accessories to use and take home. We enjoyed our lunch and my daughter loved getting to share the experience all glammed up along with her doll. Yes, they have private rooms for birthday parties so keep that in mind when birthday season arrives.

3) Explore American Girl Books and Movies

The new American Girl store features a comfortable section where kids can watch the company’s award-winning movies and videos. There is also a cozy nook where kids can browse the brand’s hundreds of best-selling fiction and advice books. I love that these areas are for kids (and parents) to relax as shopping in NYC can be very hectic. My daughter is in third grade and the American Girl books have really been essential in teaching her how to navigate friendships and her growing body.

4) Create Your Own Design Studio

My favorite new addition is the Create Your Own Design Studio where girls can custom design their own doll via an online experience that takes personalization and customization to a whole new level. There are more than one million possible design combinations from hairstyles, eye colors, skin shades and accessories galore so girls can truly create the doll of their dreams. Girls can also design one-of-a-kind doll and girl-sized clothing at the design studio, which can be printed in-store. If your daughter likes to add her personal touches to everything, she will love these new options.

5) Check out the American Girl Doll of the Year!

We’re huge fans of these annual additions (like Gabriela, Grace and Lea) and I love that the 2018 American Girl Doll, Luciana Vega encourages girls to explore science as she aspires to explore Mars someday. The New York City store features a special section dedicated to the annual doll as well as specialty items (like cafe drinks and salon services) toys and clothes. Best of all, the BeForever characters and newer dolls are featured in special showcases where girls can get a glimpse into their worlds and play in interactive areas. Younger girls will especially love exploring the WellieWishers and Bitty Baby areas.

Ready to visit? Check out my Top Tips for Visiting American Girl Place in NYC and pin this for your next NYC trip.

Have you been to NYC’s new American Girl Place? Who is your favorite doll?

Thanks to American Girl for providing us pampering spa services and lunch. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

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<img decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-5437" src="https://www.globetrottingmommy.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_3658.jpeg" alt="10 best New York City holiday activities for families" width="1" height="1" />5. Shop till you drop

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Five Cool Things to Check Out at NYC’s New American Girl Place

1) The American Girl Salon, Only At American Girl New York

2) The New American Girl Cafe

3) Explore American Girl Books and Movies

4) Create Your Own Design Studio

5) Check out the American Girl Doll of the Year!

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5. Shop till you drop