Globetrotting Mommy

From Family Adventures to Girlfriend Getaways

Visiting Beaches Turks & …

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If you’re looking for a Caribbean getaway sure to please beach loving parents and Sesame Street® loving kids, Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa has the perfect answer. A visit to Beaches Turks & Caicos with kids offers parents the chance to relax while the kids are entertained all day (and night) long. I recently returned from this all-inclusive getaway and today I’m sharing my Top 10 Sesame Street® Experiences at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences.

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences.

1 – Sign up for Camp Sesame – If you’ve got a toddler, you’ll want to enroll them in Camp Sesame. Each day’s complimentary offerings include typical camp activities like sand castle building, playground time and swim games but the biggest draw are the Sesame Street® character lead events like dance parties with Zoe and story time with Elmo. Aside from a friendly staff, Camp Sesame features a fenced-in play area with a beachy sand section, a shallow pool with pool toys and mini-beach chairs.

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences. Enjoy a nightly Sesame Street character show at Beaches Turks & Caicos.

Enjoy a nightly Sesame Street character show at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.

2 – Check out the Stage Show – Every night, the Sesame Street® characters put on an interactive, family friendly outdoor stage show featuring kid-friendly dances and songs. Depending on your crew’s dining schedule, this makes a great before or after-dinner activity.

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences. The Sesame Street character breakfast is great fun for the whole family.

The Sesame Street character breakfast at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa is great fun for the whole family.

3 – Have Breakfast with the Sesame Street® Characters. This is an additional charge ($12 per adult and $16 per child) but I promise it will be one of the highlights of your vacation. Kids and adults will enjoy the funny interactions, hugs and kisses as every character comes by to say hello. If you’ve got young dancers, the conga line group finale will be a huge hit.

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences

Kids can learn to draw Sesame Street characters at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa’s interactive workshops.

4 – Sesame Street® Artist Workshops – Kids of all ages will want to check out these occasional workshops let by Sesame Street® artists, Louis Henry Mitchell and Barry Goldberg. Through drawing and sidewalk chalk sketches, this workshop introduces drawing fundamentals and techniques with fun, educational sessions.

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences. Kids can bake cookies with Cookie Monster at Beaches Turks & Caicos.

Kids can bake cookies with Cookie Monster at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.

5 – Bake Cookies with Cookie Monster – My daughter had so much fun rolling out cookies with Cookie Monster and laughing as he jiggled his big blue belly. This free activity is a must-do if you’ve got a little foodie.

6 – Arrange for a Sesame Street® Photo Shoot – If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind memento from your trip, an All-Access Photo Session offers a family friendly photo shoot with all your Sesame Street® friends. The 15-minute session costs $50 and includes one 8×10 photo.

7 – Get tucked into bed by your favorite character. The signature Night Night, Sleep Tight with Sesame Street® tuck-in program lets your child’s favorite character (and a staff member) visit your room to read a bedtime story and tuck your child into bed. Pricing starts at $85 for one child.

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences. You'll find the Sesame Street characters strolling around at Beaches Turks & Caicos.

You’ll find the Sesame Street characters strolling around at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.

8 – Catch the characters strolling around the resort. Be sure to check the daily schedule to see where and when the character walkabouts are taking place. In addition, we caught some of the characters heading to and from events and they were always happy to say hi and give my daughter a hug or high-five.

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences. Kids can celebrate Elmo's birthday at Beaches Turks & Caicos.

Kids can celebrate Elmo’s birthday at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.

9 – Attend Elmo’s Birthday Party! He might just be three-and-a-half years old but this furry red toddler celebrates weekly at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa. Grab your kids and come wish Elmo a happy birthday (party favors and cake included!).

Visiting Beaches Turks & Caicos with Kids: Top 10 Sesame Street Experiences. Don't miss the Sesame Street® Carnival Celebration Parade at Beaches Turks & Caicos.

Don’t miss the Sesame Street® Carnival Celebration Parade at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.

10 – Don’t miss the Sesame Street® Carnival Celebration Parade – This weekly parade features all of the Sesame Street® characters in carnival attire, Junkanoo dancers, festive music and more. Line up along the parade route or follow the dancers as they head to the Italian Village for the grand finale and dancing from the balcony.

Have you visited Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Village & Spa with young children? What was your favorite memory or what are you looking forward to most?

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Note:  I attended the Beaches Resorts Social Media on the Sand Conference and part of my stay at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa was subsidized. All the opinions, photos and experiences I’ve described are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

How to Save Money at Atlantis …

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Unless you live under a rock, you’ve heard how fabulous and fun Atlantis Paradise Island Resort is for family vacations. All that fun comes with hefty price tag but today I’m going to tell you how to save money at Atlantis.

How to Save Money at Atlantis Paradise Island Resort, Bahamas

How to Save Money at Atlantis Paradise Island Resort, Bahamas

Read on to find out some of my favorite money saving tips for visiting this kid-friendly Caribbean hot spot.

  • The best way to experience Atlantis Paradise Island Resort without breaking the bank is to stay at the nearby Comfort Suites Paradise Island hotel. Most travelers don’t know this but Comfort Suites Paradise Island hotel guests receive free access to Atlantis’ exclusive features (think water parks, pools and beach) and charging privileges in all restaurants and bars. The newly renovated property is within walking distance and rates include daily breakfast and free Wi-Fi. You’re welcome!
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Many rooms at Atlantis offer stocked kitchens so families can prepare meals.

  • I always bring emergency food and snacks with me but you’ll save a ton of money if you stock an extra suitcase with snacks and breakfast/lunch friendly food like peanut butter and jelly. When we stayed at The Reef, our only breakfast option was a super busy (and painfully slow) Starbucks and it was either wait for a $5 muffin or take a shuttle over to another area for breakfast each morning. If you don’t want to travel around the large property with hungry kids, bring food from home or stock up at the supermarket on your way to the resort. PS – Many guest rooms have family-friendly kitchenettes.
  • Atlantis is the opposite of all-inclusive and this means you will find yourself shelling out big bucks for extras or saying no to your kids all day. To avoid this, get some activities offered on property (like glitter tattoos) in advance and surprise your kids with them during the trip. When we visited over the summer, there was a decorate-your-own-cupcake activity that cost around $10 per cupcake so be sure to manage your kids’ expectations for extras and souvenirs before you go.
  • There is no shortage of great restaurants at Atlantis and many of the worlds best chefs have outposts here. One of the best budget friendly options is dining family style at Carmine’s where kids and adults can share Italian favorites and desserts without breaking the bank. If you’re traveling with young children, most restaurants offer affordable kid meals that can often be shared as well.
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Bring your own snorkel gear and beach toys.

  • Bring your own snorkels, water toys and other beach essentials. I know these can be bulky to travel with but you will save a lot of money not having to rent or buy them on property. The resort charges $12 an hour to rent a snorkel and fins so if you plan to snorkel, it pays to bring your own. If you travel a lot, stock up on beach toys at the end of summer when a big bag of sand toys is just $3 and you can leave them behind without feeling guilty.
  • Take advantage of complimentary activities at Atlantis Paradise Island Resort.  There are plenty of free activities for guests staying at Atlantis including movies, The Dig, character parades, casino lessons, gym access and more so be sure to work these into your schedules.

If you’re planning a trip to Atlantis, be sure to check out my latest TravelMamas.com posts:

Top 20 Things To Do at Atlantis Paradise Island Resort

5 Things to Do on Paradise Island with Kids in the Bahamas

What are your favorite money saving vacation tips?

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Southern Charm Aplenty in …

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One of my favorite family friendly vacation spots is Charleston, South Carolina where the weather is mild, the food is delicious, the shopping is abundant and the city’s charm is never ending.

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Southern Charm Aplenty in Charleston, South Carolina

I’m super excited to guest post over at The Chirping Moms where I share my Top 10 Family Friendly Things to Experience in Charleston, South Carolina. Be sure to follow Courtney and Julie’s family friendly adventures, crafty creations and great fashion picks as well as their Where to Wednesdays posts.

Have a great weekend!

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Top 10 Tips for Visiting …

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Summer is fiiiinnaaallly here and that means time for some fun in the sun!  Splish Splash water park, one of the best NYC area water parks, is celebrating 25 years of fun so we hit the road to check it out.  Here are my Top 10 Tips for Visiting Splish Splash, Long Island:

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Top 10 Tips for Visiting Splish Splash, Long Island

1) Lather on the sunscreen at home so you and your kids can jump right on to the rides and slides when you arrive. There are many shaded areas for sitting and strolling but most of the pools are slides are in the direct sun. Be sure to bring along sunscreen so you can reapply throughout the day.

2) Aim to arrive around opening time since you’ll get the best parking spots and the park will be empty. We got there around 10:20 am and found a great parking spot right near the entrance. We headed to the kiddie areas first and there were plenty of chairs and no lines. The parking lot area is huge so I’m guessing the crowds get much larger as the summer heats up.

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Top 10 Tips for Visiting Splish Splash, Long Island

3) Grab a map and make a plan. If you’re with older kids (48” and up), you’ll want to start with the more adventurous rides like Cliff Rider and Tunnel of Terror.  If you’re with toddlers, start at the Octopus Pool and slides. If you’re with young kids (under 48”), start with Pirate’s Cove and the kiddie slides. The water attractions are spread out over 90 acres but things are really much closer than they seem on the map. Once you get your bearings, there are plenty of large maps along the way so you won’t need to carry around a soggy map.

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Top 10 Tips for Visiting Splish Splash, Long Island

4) Grab a locker or have someone to help carry your camera, sunscreen and cover ups/towels while you are on the rides. There are plenty of lockers (starting at $14) and there are also a lot of free open cubbies where you can store your towels and shoes throughout the park.

5) Travel light but don’t forget family friendly summer essentials.  If you’re going on rides, you really just need a comfortable bathing suit or rash guard and a light cover-up or sarong. Water shoes (the stretchy tight types – not crocs or flip flops) and sun hats are a great idea for kids. Some kids prefer wearing goggles in the water so if its your child’s first water park visit, bring a pair along just in case. If you have a waterproof phone or camera, you might want to bring that along too. Skip the heavy towels and bring a lightweight quick dry beach towel.

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Top 10 Tips for Visiting Splish Splash, Long Island

6) If you’ll be splitting up kids and parents, plan to meet up for some family time. The wave pools, lazy river and Mammoth River raft ride are great for the whole family. If you’ve got teens, older family members or kids who nap, you may want to consider renting a cabana for the day so older kids can run around freely and check back throughout the day. If you’re with babies and toddlers, you’ll want to claim your seats or cabana around the Octopus pool (think water swings on tentacles!) and kiddie slides.

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Top 10 Tips for Visiting Splish Splash, Long Island

7) Plan to splurge on calories and sweet treats. I think most families who visit amusement parks are looking for some variation of chicken, hamburgers, fried treats and french fries at lunchtime and that is exactly what you’ll find here. Ice cream at a water park is a natural fit and you’ll find lots of sweet frosty options including Dole soft serve. If you’re hoping to eat healthy fare, you’ll want to store your lunch in a car cooler and get your hand stamped to re-enter the park.

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Top 10 Tips for Visiting Splish Splash, Long Island

8) Get wet!  One of my 5-year old daughter’s favorite spots was Monsoon Lagoon which featured water slides and climbing ropes.  It was a little hidden away so be sure to check it out. In addition to all the kid areas, the lazy river and wave pools were big hits. The open tunnel rides like Dinosaur Falls were also fun for us. There were plenty of attractions for her height and she also loved watching the ones she wasn’t tall enough to ride like Shotgun Falls.

9) Relax. All in all, it was a very fun filled and somewhat relaxing day. My daughter is a good swimmer and the kids water play and slide areas are surrounded by shallow water so I felt very safe letting her play while I watched from the sidelines. Each ride and pool area features multiple lifeguards who carry flotation devices (even in the kiddie pools). The lifeguards kept a close watch on all the kids as they went down the slides and exited the pool which was impressive. In addition, the grounds were very well kept and the staff members were quite friendly.

10) Tickets at the entrance gate cost $41.99 for general admission and $31.99 for kids (under 48″) and seniors. Save $7 on general admission and $4 on kids and seniors by using this Splish Splash coupon code.

Splish Splash is located in Calverton, Long Island about 90 minutes (without traffic) from NYC. If you’re heading to the Hamptons, this is a great pitstop along the way. If you want to make a weekend of it, there is plenty of family fun on Long Island’s East End.

What’s your favorite water park?

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Special thanks to Splish Splash for inviting us to visit.  As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Fancy Treats in NYC: Afternoon …

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Most little girls love to host tea parties so you can imagine my daughter’s excited face when I told her we would be celebrating her fifth birthday with afternoon tea at The Plaza Hotel. Most of her teatime knowledge comes from Fancy Nancy (Pinkies up!) which meant she immediately started planning her “fancy” tea party outfit.

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Fancy Treats in NYC: Afternoon Tea at The Plaza Hotel

I thought about bringing along one of my daughter’s friends but then decided on the safer and saner option of bringing along one of my friends! The three of us arrived at The Plaza Hotel and settled into our cozy table at The Palm Court restaurant. After a warm welcome and extended conversations about the newly spruced up space and gigantic palm trees, we peeked at the menus.

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Fancy Treats in NYC: Afternoon Tea at The Plaza Hotel

The Palm Court offers a choice of three afternoon tea selections: The New Yorker (featuring bagels & lox and New York Style Cheesecake), the Champagne Tea (hello lobster roll and bubbly) and the Eloise Tea (classic favorites and lots of pink, pink, pink). Naturally, we all decided on the Eloise Tea…

My daughter debated between the strawberry lemonade and vanilla iced tea for a moment and eventually settled on the tea which was poured over frozen tea cubes (super fancy, right?). The grown-ups ordered the Tropical Garden tea which went nicely with the palm trees.

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Fancy Treats in NYC: Afternoon Tea at The Plaza Hotel

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Fancy Treats in NYC: Afternoon Tea at The Plaza Hotel

Tea at the Plaza is as much a performance as it is a meal. The waitstaff team, always in sync, arrived with silver tiered trays filled with finger sandwiches and more. Our eyes widened… There were classics like egg salad on white bread and cucumber and cream cheese on rye, hearty turkey and Prosciutto options, and last but certainly not least, organic PB&J.

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Fancy Treats in NYC: Afternoon Tea at The Plaza Hotel

Miss G tried everything and it was clear that the PB&J was the winner. Luckily, the waiter noticed and brought her out some more which she immediately finished off…

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Fancy Treats in NYC: Afternoon Tea at The Plaza Hotel

Next, we moved on to the scones which were served with double Devonshire cream, lemon curd and preserves. These were a hit with everyone and went perfectly with the grown up tea. They were so good, I didn’t even manage to take a photo…

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Fancy Treats in NYC: Afternoon Tea at The Plaza Hotel

Just as our bellies were getting full, it was time for the grand finale – an impressive assortment of pastries, tarts, cupcakes and pink cotton candy served lollipop style on top of a pretzel rod. The cotton candy stole the show — so simple, yet so chic when delivered in silver cups. Everything was as delicious as it looked and we took what we couldn’t finish home for later.

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Fancy Treats in NYC: Afternoon Tea at The Plaza Hotel

This is definitely a once in while splurge that is perfect for a big birthday or celebration. Its also a fun treat for New Yorkers planning a staycation with or without kids. Don’t forget to visit the Eloise store downstairs afterwards…

Details: $55 per adult and $39 for kids under 12. ($60-$105 per person for the other teas)

What’s your favorite spot for afternoon tea?

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Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips …

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Its no secret that my daughter and I love a fun amusement park. With trips to Victorian Gardens, Adventureland, Hershey Park, and Sesame Place under her belt, I knew she would love a visit to nearby Coney Island. I had not been to the famed boardwalk town since pre-Hurricane Sandy so I was equally excited for our staycation day trip. Read on for my Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island.

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Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island

1 – Plan time for rides. I’m sure its no surprise that rides top my list of tips for visiting Coney Island. Kids of all ages will have hours of fun with a choice of several options including Luna Park, Deno’s WonderWheel Amusement Park, the B&B Carousell and the famed Cyclone. I found these smaller parks very managable, since the rides were very close together and it was pretty easy to navigate. If you want a ride that swings, speeds, bumps, spins upside down or just swivels, you’ll find it here. And, if you’re traveling with toddlers, there are quite a few slower kiddie rides. I love that you can purchase rides with several options ranging from a la carte to all-you-can-ride wristbands, and I also appreciate that non-riders can enter the amusement parks for free.

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Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island

2 – Save room for food. Coney Island is home to famed Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and they never disappoint. If you’re looking for something indoors, try Applebee’s or the new Wahlburgers (yes, Mark, Donnie, and Paul Wahlberg own this burger hotspot). There are plenty of boardwalk restaurants, bars and snack shops (think funnel cakes, ice cream and everything fried, oh my…) and specialty stores like Piece of Velvet (cupcakes and cakes) and IT’SUGAR (a candy lovers delight). And, Coney Smorgasburg launched last weekend…so there is no shortage of good eats.

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Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island

3 – Find the perfect activity for each kid. Coney Island really has something for everyone. If you’ve got baseball fans, check out a Brooklyn Cyclones game, some of which feature fireworks and character meetings. There are old school arcade games (yes, Zoltar!), amusement park games, circus shows and kids and adults will love a detour to the nearby New York Aquarium.

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Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island

4 – Pack your beach gear. Coney Island boasts nearly three miles of family friendly beach. Bring a cooler and chairs and stay for the day or just take a quick dip and get back on the rides.  With courts for beach volleyball, handball, and basketball as well as playgrounds, the beach and boardwalk offer up hours of entertainment for families. Don’t forget the sunscreen and other family friendly beach essentials.

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Summer Family Fun: Top 5 Tips for Visiting Coney Island

5 – Check out the special events schedule before you visit. From the famous Mermaid Parade and Luna Park’s SuperHero Day to circus performances, fireworks and karaoke, Coney Island’s summer schedule is packed with fun for the whole family.

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Special thanks to the Alliance for Coney Island for inviting us to participate in Coney Island Family Blogger Day.  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 …

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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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Family Vacation Trends: …

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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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Girls Gone South Part 2: …

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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:

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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 …

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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.

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Girls Gone South: Spotlight on Embassy Suites Charleston, South Carolina

I had heard so much about this region, and I was super excited to check it out. Since it would be too cold for the beach, I decided we would stay in Charleston’s Historic District so we could explore the area’s many attractions without needing a car. I’m a big fan of suite hotels for a number of reasons, the biggest being my five-year old daughter is typically in bed between 7-8 pm and having a separate bedroom means her sleep schedule can stay relatively early and I can have a few hours to myself. Win-win! And, if you’re wondering if she sleeps later when she goes to bed later, the answer is NO…

I booked the Embassy Suites Charleston, South Carolina in Historic Charleston, which is not only centrally located but also boasts a number of family friendly amenities like two-room suites (each with its own TV), complimentary made-to-order breakfast each morning, free WIFI (a must for me), evening receptions with snacks and drinks for everyone and an outdoor pool and patio area. The location was ideal as it was very close to the Charleston Visitor Center, several museums, a major trolley stop and King Street’s shops and restaurants.

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Girls Gone South: Spotlight on Embassy Suites Charleston, South Carolina

The staff could not have been more welcoming and I was happy that our room was ready since we arrived well before check-in time.  Our bedroom faced Marion Square (home to the weekly farmer’s market and annual events) and had basic furnishings including two double (very comfortable) beds, an armoire, TV, desk and chair. The living room had a sofa, arm chair, TV, small dining table and chairs and kitchen area with a sink and small fridge. The bathroom was spacious with Crabtree & Evelyn amenities,  fluffy towels, a large countertop and good lighting which is always nice.

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Girls Gone South: Spotlight on Embassy Suites Charleston, South Carolina

As we explored each day (more about that later), it was so nice to come home and have some room to spread out. My daughter loves to do arts and crafts so I brought along some projects and she really loved having her own desk area.  On afternoons when we came back early, we all enjoyed stopping in the lobby lounge for a snack and beverage at the evening reception.  I was glad to see veggies and dip along with some home made sweet potato chips (delish!) and my daughter loved getting to serve herself in the grown-up lounge area.

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Girls Gone South: Spotlight on Embassy Suites Charleston, South Carolina

Having complimentary breakfast included in a hotel stay is a huge bonus for me and anyone else with kids who wake up early. My daughter is usually up by 7 am at the latest so she especially enjoyed having breakfast nearby.  I don’t know about you but listening to “I’m hungry” for a one-minute elevator ride is about all I can handle.

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Girls Gone South: Spotlight on Embassy Suites Charleston, South Carolina

Most complimentary hotel breakfasts are basic buffets so I was really happy that our Embassy Suites’ breakfast options included all the usual foods (hot and cold cereals, yogurts, fruit, muffins and breads) along with hot foods like bacon, eggs, potatoes, pancakes and biscuits as well as an option to order something made-to-order. My mom and I were happy having someone make our eggs just like we wanted while my daughter was thrilled with the cereal options.  At home she eats healthy cereals but she has learned about Fruit Loops on vacation and seeing them at the cereal bar was one of her favorite parts of our hotel stay. “This hotel has the bestest cereals in the whole world,” according to my daughter.

Traveling with a kid can be tricky at breakfast buffets because by the time you carry all of their bowls and plates and drinks and silverware to the table, your meal is cold. Embassy Suites has the food spread around the dining room which meant I could set my daughter and her breakfast at the table and then get my meal without losing sight of her. I’m not sure if this was intentional or not but it was a nice plus.  The breakfast waitstaff (especially Kia and William) were so sweet and greeted my daughter by name each morning. Our waiter William promised to bring her candy on our last morning (we visited right after Halloween) and she was beyond thrilled when he remembered.

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Girls Gone South: Spotlight on Embassy Suites Charleston, South CarolinaTune in tomorrow to read

“I loved it being in the South” pretty much sums it up our trip. Stay tuned to read about the family friendly things we enjoyed in Charleston.

 

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Special thanks to Embassy Suites Charleston for hosting us and providing us with a gift card to explore Charleston. As always, all opinions are my own.

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