Travel Archives - Page 11 of 21 - Globetrotting Mommy

Family Friendly Circus Fun: …

March 31, 2015 By admin

I love seeing shows that are fun for the whole family so when I heard that Flip FabriQue, a circus troupe from Quebec, was coming to NYC I knew we were in for a treat. We previewed their fun filled Catch Me! performance at the New Victory Theater this weekend and it was AMAZING!

Here are my top ten favorite things about seeing Catch Me! (Attrappe-moi) at the New Victory Theater…

1) Talented aerialists and acrobats. These six young performers do not rely on fancy costumes or technical wonders, the wow factors here are their amazingly strong bodies and choreographed moves. Trust me when I say you will be saying “Wow!” out loud.

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Family Friendly Circus Fun: Catch Me! at the New Victory Theater. Photo credit: Flip FabriQue.

2) Incredible juggling acts. I’ve never seen a kid who wasn’t amused by juggling and Catch Me!’s juggling acts had adults and kids giggling away.

3) Great music. From ballads and guitar playing to Copacabana and I Like to Move It, the music is just as entertaining as the performers!

Family Friendly Circus Fun: Catch Me! at the New Victory Theater

4) Awesome family friendly facilities. The New Victory Theater offers everything families need including stroller parking, free lockers, a gift shop and play area, concessions stand (with healthy snacks) and large padded booster seats that don’t slide off.

5) The tramp-o-wall act will blow you away. The performers look like Spiderman as they fly through the air, jump into windows and bounce up from the trampoline along the set’s wall and rooftop. Its amazing.

Family Friendly Circus Fun: Catch Me! at the New Victory Theater. Photo credit: Flip FabriQue.

6) Whether the performers are jumping into sleeping bags, bouncing on big yoga balls or racing to finish popsicles, humorous moments abound. The performers are friends in real life and you can feel their camaraderie on stage.

7) Full body hula hooping! The sole female performer stole the show with her amazing hula hoop act that used every limb of her body.

8) The theater is near Times Square but the 42nd street entrance means you can easily avoid the maddening crowds, naked and furry characters and touristy candy meccas if you want to.

9) Affordable family fun. With tickets starting at $10 for members (and $15 for non-members), CATCH ME! is a very affordable option compared to traditional and adult-oriented circus shows.

Family Friendly Circus Fun: Catch Me! at the New Victory Theater

10) Stay for the after party! The cast members signed programs after our performance and there was a separate room outfitted with hula hoops, juggling games and a large chalk board for kids to play.

Family Friendly Circus Fun: Catch Me! at the New Victory Theater

CATCH ME! (Attrape-moi) has a running time of 75 minutes with no intermission, and is recommended for everyone ages 5 and up. Catch them this spring (through April 19) before they head off to Europe and Australia. Visit the New Victory website for ticketing and other information.

I received complimentary tickets but all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Top Five Kid Friendly …

March 20, 2015 By admin

This seemed to be the longest winter EVER so I’m really excited that spring arrives today. If you’re looking for something different to celebrate the arrival of spring over the next few weeks, here are my top five kid friendly activities to celebrate spring…

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Top Five Kid Friendly Activities to Celebrate Spring

1) Spring means colorful flowers and kids of all ages will be amazed by the creations at the 2015 Macy’s flower show Art in Bloom opening this weekend (through April 4). If you’re in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Minneapolis, or San Francisco you’ll definitely want to check out this free show. Last year’s show was amazing so I can’t wait to see it this year.

2) Hersheypark is a great spot for family fun and their Springtime in The Park weekends are set for April 3-5 and 11-12. We took a road trip there last spring and its a great time to go without major crowds or heat waves. Check out my Hersheypark Review here.

3) For adventure seeking families in New York, Luna Park in Coney Island’s season opener is Sunday, March 29. Festivities begin at the famous 88-year-old coaster, the Cyclone with an egg-cream christening at 11:45 am. The first 100 guests ride free so be sure to arrive early.

4) New York’s 2015 International Children’s Film Festival wraps up this weekend so come check out a kid friendly flick or attend the family friendly closing night celebration.

5) If you follow me on social media, you know my daughter and I attended a preview of Cinderella last week with The Moms and we LOVED it. If you’re looking for a must-see spring movie that will charm girls of all ages, this version of Disney’s Cinderella does not disappoint. The costumes are amazing, the actors and actresses are perfectly cast and even though you know the story, this live action film keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. And, if you’ve got a Frozen fan, the Frozen Fever short beforehand is super cute.

What are your plans to celebrate the arrival of spring?

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Travel Inspired Decor for …

March 11, 2015 By admin

If you’re decorating a nursery or kids room this spring, here are five of my favorite travel inspired decor finds.

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How fun is this iron Pottery Barn Kids USA Shelf for a kids room or playroom?

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Decorating Finds for Travel Inspired Nurseries and Kids Rooms

I love seeing globes in kids rooms and this Land of Nod Chalk Around the World Globe (in gold, red or blue) is a great way for kids to draw continents or write to-do notes.

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Decorating Finds for Travel Inspired Nurseries and Kids Rooms

These airplane shaped Can’t Miss Wall Hooks are a fun way to help kids hang their coats and backpacks.

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Decorating Finds for Travel Inspired Nurseries and Kids Rooms

I just ordered this fun “Oh the places you’ll go!” print for my daughter’s room. I’m loving pink and gold for a girly girls room.

Decorating Finds for Travel Inspired Nurseries and Kids Rooms

These giant floor pillows from Etsy come in different sizes and configurations featuring spots all over the world. I think this North America bean bag pillow would be super fun in a playroom or nursery.

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For more inspiration, check out my Fun Nursery and Kids Room Ideas board on Pinterest.

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Traveling Toys: LeapPad3 …

March 3, 2015 By admin

We’re big LeapFrog fans so when we were asked to review the LeapPad3, I knew my daughter would be up for the challenge.

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Traveling Toys: LeapPad3 Review

I occasionally let her use electronic gadgets at home but when we travel I let her use them as much as she wants on the plane or in the car. We had a 6+ hour road trip planned so I charged it up and surprised her with it as soon as she uttered, “Are we there yet?”.

She was immediately drawn to its child friendly size and cuteness (pretty in pink) and loved the attached stylus (brilliant!). With very little prompting, she was figuring out the various games, apps, videos and camera while learning how to control the stylus and touchscreen. She happily followed each game’s voice instructions and I happily had some uninterrupted time! Win win.

Traveling Toys: LeapPad3 Review

As with other LeapFrog products, the games are fun AND educational. While she was playing she was also learning math, reading and other problem solving skills. My daughter is in Kindergarden and it seemed like she was able to play with every game at various levels. Best of all, the games automatically adjusted to her skill level so there was never any frustration. It comes with 10 preloaded apps and hundreds more are available to download from the LeapFrog library featuring characters from Disney, Nick. Jr., Sesame Street and more. FYI, the games and apps can add up but if you have other LeapPad products your purchases can be shared by up to three devices.

She especially liked a Barbie game where you matched rhyming words, a puzzle game that involved a bit of geometry, the camera app and seeing her favorite shows like Paw Patrol. There was plenty to do without using Wi-Fi but older kids might enjoy playing with their friends online and chatting with other kids who have LeapPads.

I was really impressed with the LeapPad3’s rechargeable battery life (don’t forget to pack the charger) and overall sturdiness. My daughter loved playing with it and I loved that I didn’t have to worry about her venturing off into YouTube videos or deleting my files. The recommended age is 3-9 but I think 4-6 year olds will enjoy it the most. If you’ve got a long trip with little kids coming up, the LeapPad3 makes a great travel companion.

Thanks to LeapFrog for providing us with the LeapPad3. As usual, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Great Gift Ideas for …

February 19, 2015 By admin

If you’re looking for a cute gift for a globetrotting friend, mom or jet set girl, check out this adorable Landmark Ring Dish from Anthropologie featuring a tiny Eiffel Tower.

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Great Gift Idea for Globetrotting Gals

Just stack your rings onto the Eiffel Tower while you do the dishes, change a diaper, or help with an art project and they will be safe and sound when you’re ready to put them back on. Oh la la, perfect!

If you’re shopping for someone dreaming of an African safari, this glitzy Giraffe Trinket Dish would be a big hit.

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Great Gift Ideas for Globetrotting Gals

Enjoy!

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Family Vacation Trends: …

February 10, 2015 By admin

If you (or your husband or kids) have a hard time relaxing sans electronics on vacation, the new Digital Detox program at Mexico’s Grand Velas Resorts is here to help.

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Family Vacation Trends: Mexico’s Grand Velas Resorts Introduce Digital Detox Program

To encourage families to power down this year and spend quality time together, Mexico’s Grand Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit boast a Detox Concierge who will “cleanse” all electronics from the guest suite and replace them with classic board games. They will also keep the family’s electronic gadgets (iPads, phones, laptops, etc.) locked away for safe keeping. In exchange for trading-in their electronics, guests receive a bracelet that guarantees them access to a choice of activities including: bike tour, ecological tour, snorkeling and facials and massages!

Bye, bye email, hello relaxation! Move over juicing…massages and facials sound like my kind of cleanse. If you’ve got a workaholic, Instagram addict or a texting-obsessed teen in your family, this would be a great option. And don’t worry, after earning four activities in four days, the detox is complete.

In addition to the detox activities, guests at both resorts can also enjoy complimentary activities like yoga, kayaking, beach picnics and campfire sessions. Both hotels feature luxury suite accommodations with all-inclusive meals, beverages and amenities making them a great option for a family getaway. Beautiful beaches await so visit Velas Resorts to power down reconnect on your next family getaway.

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Spotlight on NYC: Once Upon A …

February 4, 2015 By admin

Taking in the endless cultural opportunities in NYC with my daughter is one of our favorite things. Over the past few years, we’ve experienced a lot of the traditional winter holiday activities and this year I introduced my daughter to the New York Theatre Ballet’s Once Upon A Ballet series which kicked off with The Nutcracker.

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Spotlight on NYC: New York Theatre Ballet’s Once Upon a Ballet Series. Photo by Richard Termine

If you think your little ballerina is too young for the ballet, think again. The Once Upon A Ballet series is the perfect opportunity to introduce young children to classic ballet favorites in kid-friendly one-hour performances. This was just enough time for my five-year old to be mesmerized by the costumes and entertained by the dancing and not quite long enough to get hungry or bored. Win-win!

Upon entering Florence Gould Hall, kids are greeted by young dancers handing out programs, crayons and activity sheets. The venue is very comfortable and every seat is a good one even if there is a tall dad right in front of you! I was happy to see that I was surrounded by lots of parents with small children (no judgements here) and my daughter was equally excited to see all the little girls (and boys) dressed up in their holiday outfits.

When the first dancers came on stage, my daughter stared in awe. As the story progressed, she asked questions, commented on the costumes and delighted in the international parade of sweets. We especially enjoyed watching the super cute junior ballerinas.

This weekend kicks off the ballet’s second show, Cinderella (February 7-8). If you’ve got a princess lover, this one is sure to please. We’ll be at the Sunday morning show so come say “hi.”

Next up, GOOSE! (March 7-8) which showcases various Mother Goose characters and Carnival of the Animals (June 6-7) about a shaggy lion and other animals in a magical forest.

If you’ve got a tiny dancer, you’ll definitely want to check these performances out!

Showtimes are 11 am, 1 pm and 3:30 pm so you won’t have a problem working around nap times. Tickets are $40 for adults and $35 for children and are available online at www.nytb.org, via Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787, or in person at the Florence Gould Hall box office.

If you’re looking for kid-friendly stops before or after, the theater is walking distance from Serendipity 3, Dylan’s Candy Bar, FAO Schwartz, Eloise at the Plaza, Central Park Zoo and many other attractions.

Thanks to the New York Theatre Ballet for providing our tickets. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Girls Gone South Part 2: …

January 22, 2015 By admin

My mom, daughter and I visited Charleston for four days and we packed a lot into our multi-generational getaway. If you’re planning a trip to family friendly Charleston, read on to see my recommendations. As mentioned in Girls Gone South Part 1, we loved staying at the centrally located Embassy Suites Charleston hotel.

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Girls Gone South Part 2: Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina

Here is a recap from our trip and my family friendly recommendations:

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry

INDOOR FUN: The day we arrived was cold and rainy so our first stop was the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry which was a few blocks away from our hotel. Little kids really need some unscheduled time to run around on vacation and if you can’t be outdoors, a children’s museum is always a great option. The museum was large (yet uncrowded by New York standards for a rainy day) with several fun, interactive sections (a boat, a science area, a water area, an arts and crafts area, a castle, a mini-supermarket, etc.) to explore. If you ask my daughter, she will probably say this was her favorite part of our trip. Look for BOGO coupons in the visitor’s guide before you go.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Getting Around Town

GETTING AROUND: We stopped by the nearby Charleston Visitors Center to get some maps and finalize our plans and I found the staff very friendly and welcoming which was a nice change from our typical NYC days. Charleston boasts a free downtown trolley service called DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle) which has several routes connecting to most of Charleston’s attractions. This is a great resource for traveling families since adults don’t need to deal with directions or parking and kids will love riding the trolly. Once you get your bearings, it is very easy to navigate and I was so surprised by the nice, patient drivers. Another fun way to get around (especially at night) is by pedi-cab. Just have the restaurant call you one and within minutes, your chariot (and warm blanket) will whisk you right up to your hotel’s front door. Now that’s what I call Southern hospitality!

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: South Carolina Aquarium

AQUARIUM FUN: The next day was still cool so we headed to the South Carolina Aquarium. My daughter is obsessed with dolphins and sea creatures so this was a big hit. The exhibits were very well done and there were several interactive displays, touch tanks and play areas. The floor-to-ceiling fish tanks towered over my daughter who ran from window to window checking out the pretty fish, sharks, turtles and other animals. The Madagascar Journey area was especially fun as children got a passport to stamp as they explored the exhibit. The aquarium is relatively small and easy to navigate in an hour or two making it a great option for families with small kids. Be sure to check out the famed Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge views from the lookout decks.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Charleston Harbor Tours

EXPLORE BY SEA: From there, it was a quick walk over to Charleston Harbor Tours where we boarded the Carolina Belle for a 90-minute narrated harbor tour. We sat in the windowed downstairs area because of the cold weather and there was plenty of room for my daughter to roam around. This is a great way to get your bearings as you sail by Charleston and famed attractions like Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown and the stately waterfront homes on the Battery. The sights are stunning but my daughter’s favorite part were several dolphin sightings along the way.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Palmetto Carriage Works

EXPLORE BY LAND: The weather warmed up a bit the next day and we opted for a sightseeing tour with Palmetto Carriage Works. This horse and carriage tour kept us entertained as our driver pointed out historic sights and described the area’s different neighborhoods. We shared our carriage with another family and their young son and the one-hour tour was just long enough without boring the kids who especially enjoyed learning about the horses.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Explore by Foot

EXPLORE BY FOOT: Charleston is a very easy place to explore by foot with several distinctive areas. We especially enjoyed strolling along the King Street shops, exploring around the City Market area (great for souvenirs) and checking out the Rainbow Row neighborhood. For a small city, Charleston has some amazing shopping with everything from small mom and pop stores, family friendly clothing stores, local art shops, jewelry stores and fancy shmancy boutiques. Kids will especially enjoy the many candy, cupcake and ice cream shops. My favorite finds were some Bourbon and Bowties bracelets, made by proud Southern hands!

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Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Waterfront Park and Pineapple Fountain

CHECK OUR CHARLESTON’S FAMED PINEAPPLE FOUNTAIN: A trip to Charleston is not complete without a visit to the city’s famed Pineapple Fountain and I was so happy when the sunshine came out so we could make our way over to check it out. Waterfront Park features several large family sized swings, grassy areas, scenic lookout points, waterfront paths and the gigantic Pineapple Fountain where tourists (and locals) are invited to wade. My daughter jumped right in and had a ball dancing around. If you like to take pictures on vacation, this is an awesome backdrop.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon

TAKE IN SOME HISTORY: The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon is a family friendly spot that showcases various aspects of Charleston history during the Colonial and Revolutionary eras. Children and adults will enjoy the Provost Dungeon where docents lead you through its eerie confines with entertaining tales of pirates and patriots. My daughter was a little spooked by the dungeon so we spent most of our time upstairs “signing” the Declaration of Independence but older children will love it.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Culinary Tours of Charleston

SAMPLE A CULINARY TOUR: Since my mom is a big foodie, I booked us on a Culinary Tour of Charleston with Bulldog Tours. While this 2.5 hour tour is not recommended for children under 12, my 5-year old daughter has taken foodie tours in NYC so I figured she’d be ok (I also had crayons and a coloring book just in case). Our guide was super informative and the many shops and restaurants we stopped in were all very accommodating to our group. This was a great way to sample some of the area’s famous flavors including: stone ground grits, Charleston Benne Wafers, locally made chocolates, southern pralines, sweet tea, collard greens, Lowcountry barbeque, spices, teas and more. We all had a great time and I highly recommend this if you’re a foodie family.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Joseph Manigault House

GO BACK IN TIME: On our last day we visited the Joseph Manigault House. I never know how much history a five-year old can handle but I was impressed how my daughter listened carefully to the tour guide. It was fun to see her little brain churning as she saw the old fashioned toilets and children’s toys and she was genuinely interested in how families lived way back when. If our trip was longer, I would have added in a visit to one of the area’s famed Plantations.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Charleston Museum

VISIT AMERICA’S FIRST MUSEUM: Our last stop was the Charleston Museum conveniently located across the street from our hotel. The museum, founded in 1773, is relatively large with a very wide mix of historic artifacts (think Revolutionary and Civil War armory and uniforms, ancient Egypt, Rome and Greek art, dinosaur tracks, slavery badges and more), interactive exhibits, life sized animals and skeletons (and a gigantic whale bone frame) and an engaging kids section. My daughter insisted we all dress up in the hoop dresses and I loved watching her prance around like it was 1800-something. If you’ve got children in elementary or middle school, this is definitely a great spot to visit.

Family Friendly Charleston, South Carolina: Dining in Charleston

EAT, EAT, EAT: Charleston has a wide range of restaurants offering everything from Southern fare and Lowcountry barbecue to high-end dining and dive-diners. We sampled several family-friendly restaurants and I was impressed with their kids menus (featuring Hush Puppies and Charleston history word searches) and staff. Some of my favorites were Magnolias (Southern fare), Peninsula Grill (Fancy with must have Coconut Cake), Virginia’s on King (Southern comfort food), Fleet Landing (classic seafood favorites with a view), Fish (innovative, high end seafood) and Dixie Supply Bakery & Cafe (casual Southern fare for breakfast and lunch).

Want to see more? Check out this video:

NOTE: We visited in November. If you’re planning to visit during spring/summer be sure to check out the area’s family friendly beaches.

Bon voyage!

Special thanks to the Charleston Area CVB for providing us with a VIP Pass to explore Charleston. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Girls Gone South: Spotlight on …

January 20, 2015 By admin

My mom and I like to go on vacations together and lately my daughter has been coming along too. Typically, I do all the planning and they are very happy to come along for the ride. To celebrate my mom’s recent birthday, I decided to plan a family vacation in Charleston, South Carolina since I knew we would all love the area’s southern charm, warm hospitality, historic sights and great restaurants.