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Spotlight on Florida: Tips for …

January 14, 2020 By admin

Like soooo many New Yorkers, I spent a lot of winter vacations visiting my grandparents in Florida (Yes, I loved Disney). The sunshine state never got old for me and one of my all time favorite memories is visiting Lion Country Safari in West Palm Beach. When I visited with my daughter, (and my mom and great aunt) it was even more fun than I remembered. Read on for my tips for visiting Lion Country Safari.

PS, we visited on National Zebra Day so we dressed for the occasion.

Tips for Visiting Lion Country Safari

The drive-through safari comes first and its just like it sounds. In the comfort of your own vehicle, you simply roll up your windows, pop in the audio tour and drive. As you go through the four mile preserve, you’ll see free roaming animals up close and personal including Southern White Rhinos, Zebra, Giraffe, Lions, Llamas, Impala, Kudu, Ostrich, Gemsbok, Water Buffalo, Wildebeest and more.

There are seven sections representing different areas in South America, Africa, and Asia and you can go as fast or slow as you like. Yes, the animals stop right in front of your car just like I remembered and no the monkeys don’t climb on top of your car like they used to. If you don’t want to take your kids on that long flight to South Africa, this may be the next best thing.

Globetrotting Mommy - Spotlight on Florida at Lion Country Safari

Spotlight on Florida Tips for Visiting Lion Country Safari

The second section is the walk-through amusement park and its a nice manageable size with lots of benches, shaded areas, cooling stations, rides, attractions and animal encounters. My daughter loved the rides, best suited for younger kids, including the Ferris wheel, carousel, kiddie train and flying elephant. I loved the mini-golf, paddle boats, Safari Queen boat tour (perfect for all ages) and animal shows.

We took our time exploring, fed some of the animals, rode a camel, checked out some shows and had some ice cream. The Safari Splash water sprayground was closed the day we visited or we would have done that too.

If you’re looking for a low-key animal and attraction packed day that will keep your whole family entertained but won’t exhaust everyone, this is it.

If you go:

The park opens daily at 9:30 am 365 days a year. Admission is $39.95 for visitors 10-64, $35.00 for seniors and $30.00 for kids 3-9. Kids two and younger are free. Parking is $8 per vehicle.

Plan to spend about 4-6 hours visiting. Don’t forget your sunscreen and water park essentials but leave your pets and convertibles home.

Bon voyage!

Top 5 Family Friendly …

October 24, 2014 By admin

This is probably going to be one of the last nice weekends before the Polar Vortex strikes again so get your costumes ready and check out these family friendly Halloween activities.

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Top 5 Family Friendly Halloween Activities in NYC

1) Circle Line’s Halloween Ball Kids Costume Cruise

Want to combine a Halloween activity with a little sightseeing? You’ll love Circle Line’s special Halloween Ball – Kids Costume Cruise. I reviewed this family friendly cruise this summer and it was so much fun. Kids are in for a spooky fun time with a strolling magician and face painter and everyone will enjoy the amazing NYC views.

When and where: Saturday, October 25. Pier 83 (West 42nd St. and 12th Ave.) Boarding begins at 9:30 am and the cruise sails from 10 am – 11:15 am.

2) Baby Loves Disco’s Boo Baby Boo Halloween Spectacular

Does your baby love to boogie? Check out Baby Loves Disco’s Halloween themed dance party on Sunday. Come in costume and bring your dancing shoes! There will be kid-friendly activities like balloon sculpting, crafting, mini manis and a costume contest. I’ll be there with my daughter so come by and say hi! If you can’t make it, the next one is a Pajama Party on November 23 – just roll our of bed and come in your PJs! How fun.

When and Where: Sunday, October 26. Le Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker) from noon – 3

3) Haunted High Line

Check out the spooky transformation of the High Line at its 4th annual family Halloween celebration, the Haunted High Line. Kids can trick-or-treat with the Mad Cookie Man and the West Side Cowboy, create Halloween art, explore the haunted train tunnel created by students from the School of Visual Arts, and learn about the creation of the High Line and the spooky history of Manhattan’s West Side.

When and Where: Saturday, October 25. The High Line (14th to 17th Streets) from 11 am – 3 pm.

4) Boo at the Zoo

The Bronx Zoo is always a hit with kids of all ages and one of my favorite times to visit is for Boo at the Zoo. Come this weekend (and Columbus day or Halloween) and you’ll enjoy hay mazes, costume parades, musical performances, magic shows, a Dinosaur Safari and more. Bring your camera and don’t miss the Jack O’Lantern Illumination, a dark passageway filled with hundreds of intricately carved and illuminated pumpkins. Buy your tickets online and save $5 off each ticket.

When and Where: The Bronx Zoo. Weekends through November 2 from 10 am to 5:30 pm.

5) Halloween Kidz Karnival

Hudson River Park is transforming Tribeca’s Pier 26 into a wickedly wild Halloween Kidz Karnival. Dress in costume and enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, rides, snacks and more. Story Pirates will put on a Halloween-themed improv show that’s sure to thrill. This is a great not too scary option for young kids.

When and Where: October 26. Noon to 5 pm. Hudson River Park’s Pier 26

Happy almost Halloween. Are you still looking for costume ideas?

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Amusement Parks 101: Top 10 …

July 17, 2014 By admin

Summertime means visits to amusement parks and today I’m sharing my Top 10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, Pennsylvania from my recent road trip…

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Top 10 Tips for Visiting HersheyPark, Pennsylvania – Globetrotting Mommy

1) Start your day early! You’ll want to be in line when the gates open so you can enjoy the most popular rides before the crowds arrive. If you can get your kids past the first rides they see and head towards the back of the park first, that’s an even better plan. And if you really want to avoid the crowds, try to schedule your visit mid-week.

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Globetrotting Mommy Amusement Parks 101: Top 10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, Pennsylvania

2) Sneak a Peek! Guests who purchase a regular full-day admission ticket can enter the park for a sneak preview the night before (either 5:30 pm or 7:30 pm depending on closing times). This is a great time to tackle the more popular rides and make a game plan for the next day.

3) Download the Hersheypark app and you’ll be able to see ride wait times as well as find restaurants, shows, restrooms and more. Try not to leave it running all day or you might run your battery down.

Globetrotting Mommy Amusement Parks 101: Top 10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, Pennsylvania

4) Prepare to get wet. Bring your bathing suit, water shoes, and towel if you want to visit the Boardwalk water park area featuring 15 rides as well as wave pools and lazy river. Don’t forget swim diapers and puddle jumpers for the little ones.

5) Take the shuttle if you can. Most nearby hotels offer free shuttle service to and from Hersheypark and that is definitely the easiest way to go. The drivers will put your strollers in the luggage compartment so its really easy.

6) Speaking of strollers, take one if you’re bringing kids who are five or younger. Even if your kids don’t get tired, you’ll be happy to have a place to keep your bags and towels. If you’re bringing older kids, rent a locker or splurge for a cabana so you can have a home base for your stuff because wet towels are HEAVY.

7) Divide and conquer. If you’ve got a mixed age group, you’ll want to pick a meeting time and place so everyone can enjoy different rides. Hersheypark is unique because the kiddie and adult rides are mixed together in each area making it easy for families to do one area at a time which is nice. And if you and your partner want to ride an adult ride (imagine that!) or if a parent needs to ride with more than one child, Hersheypark has a “child swap” option where adults or kids can take turns riding.

Globetrotting Mommy Amusement Parks 101: Top 10 Tips for Visiting Hersheypark, Pennsylvania

8) Bring your camera! You’ll want to get some pictures of the Hershey characters so make sure to visit them throughout the park or book a Character Breakfast for a more personal encounter. If you’ve got a waterproof camera, bring that along too.

9) Make a detour to the Zoo America. Admission is included in your Hersheypark ticket so if you or your kids need a little down time (or a quiet place to nap), the zoo is a great retreat.

10) Test out some of the new for 2014 kid-friendly rides like Cocoa Cruiser (a kid-friendly roller coaster), Tea Cups (a classic spinning ride) and Sweet Swing (a gigantic swing that my daughter and I really loved).

Ready to plan your visit to Hershey, PA? Check out Spotlight on Hershey, Pennsylvania – The Sweetest Place on Earth – Part 1 and Top 10 Family Friendly Things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania – Spotlight on Hershey, Part 2 for more suggestions of things to do and see.

What are your favorite tips for visiting Hersheypark?

Thanks to Hersheypark for providing our tickets. All opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Top 10 Family Friendly Things …

May 28, 2014 By admin

Following up on the Spotlight on Hershey, Pennsylvania – The Sweetest Place on Earth post, here are Globetrotting Mommy’s Top 10 Family Friendly Things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

1) Visit Hersheypark. No visit to Hershey is complete without a trip to this famed amusement park. More than 65 kiddie rides, amazing roller coasters and water park attractions await visitors of all ages.

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania – Spotlight on Hershey, Part 2

2) Take a Hershey Trolly Works Tour – All aboard for a historic journey through the town built on chocolate. This 60-minute trolly tour is great for kids of all ages. You’ll visit Milton Hershey’s childhood home, the acclaimed Milton Hershey School, downtown Hershey and other sights while enjoying chocolate samples. This is a great end of day activity. Don’t forget to look for the Hershey Kiss shaped street lamps.

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania – Spotlight on Hershey, Part 2

3) Shop till you drop. Kids love to shop and boys and girls of all ages will find a wide array of gifts, stuffed characters, t-shirts and customized chocolate goodies. I found chocolates I never even knew existed at Chocolate World like Reese’s White Peanut Butter Cups for my white chocolate loving husband. And, how cute is Miss G’s little Hershey’s Kiss necklace?

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania – Spotlight on Hershey, Part 2

4) Hershey’s Great American Chocolate Tour Ride at Chocolate World – This free ride is a great introduction to chocolate making. Guests follow cocoa beans on a journey from the tropical rainforest to Hershey, Pennsylvania complete with singing cows, automated candy making machines and chocolate scents wafting through the air.

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania – Spotlight on Hershey, Part 2

5) Try the Children’s Scavenger Hunt at Hershey Gardens. Located at The Hershey Hotel, Hershey Gardens is a scenic respite featuring 23-acres of gardens (think roses, signature trees, butterflies and more). The hands-on Children’s Garden offers a Children’s Scavenger Hunt that will keep little ones busy and entertained.

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania – Spotlight on Hershey, Part 2

6) Hershey’s Create Your Own Candy Bar Attraction at Chocolate World – Gear up and get ready to custom design your own chocolate bar. Select a chocolate base, ingredients and toppings and watch as your customized bar travels down the conveyer belt. Once complete, you get to design your own graphics for the gift box. So. Much. Fun!

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania – Spotlight on Hershey, Part 2

7) Visit Zoo America – If you are visiting Hersheypark, your ticket includes free admission to Zoo America. The 11-acre walk-thru zoo is adjacent to Hersheypark and features more than 200 animals from five regions of North America.

8) Take photos with the giant Hershey candy characters. This is THE place to get adorable family photos with you and and a giant Hershey Bar, Reeses Peanut Butter Cup and Hershey Kiss so don’t forget your cameras. The characters can be found around Hersheypark (including a Character breakfast) and some hotels like The Hershey Hotel and Hershey Lodge schedule character appearances on site.

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania – Spotlight on Hershey, Part 2

9) Visit The Hershey Story’s Museum Experience – This museum has several interactive exhibits that explain how Milton Hershey built his famed empire. Along the way, guests can view antiques, vintage advertisements, testimonials and more. Kids will especially enjoy the chance to make their own personalized newspaper pages and create candy in the museum’s Chocolate Lab.

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Top 10 Family Friendly Things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania – Spotlight on Hershey, Part 2

10) Save room for dessert. Vacations are made for special treats and a trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania means lots of opportunities to indulge that sweet tooth. You and your kids will love trying specialty cookies and cupcakes available all over town, ice cream specialties, S’mores, chocolate infused meals, chocolate butter and of course chocolate martinis for the grown ups. Yum.

Top 10 Family Friendly Things to do in Hershey, Pennsylvania – Spotlight on Hershey, Part 2

Read on for one last post on family friendly tips for visiting Hersheypark.

Spotlight on Hershey, …

May 27, 2014 By admin

Love chocolate, amusement parks and historic towns? This post is for you. If you’re looking for a family friendly getaway with activities and amenities sure to please chocoholics and adventure seekers alike, you’ll love a summer getaway to Hershey, Pennsylvania, The Sweetest Place on Earth.

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Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on Hershey, Pennsylvania – The Sweetest Place on Earth – Part 1

I recently took a multi-generational road trip to Hershey with my 4-year old daughter, my mom and sister and it was a perfect spot for a girl’s getaway. I visited Hershey years ago (before marriage, before kid) and had the most relaxing, pampering stay at The Hotel Hershey where I enjoyed chocolate-themed spa treatments, gigantic chocolate covered strawberries, fancy dinners with late night chocolate martinis and a carefree day of roller-coaster rides at Hersheypark. Fast forward to 2014, add a kid into the mix and this trip was a little different.

Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on Hershey, Pennsylvania – The Sweetest Place on Earth – Part 1

We decided to stay at Hershey Lodge, The Hotel Hershey’s sister property, which offers all the Hershey Resorts VIP Perks at a more affordable price point. The staff was great and gave us a warm welcome complete with Hershey bars as our luggage was whisked up to our room in the Kisses Tower. Our room was spacious with two queen beds, ample closet space, a large bathroom with plenty of counter space and all the necessary in-room amenities (WiFi, refrigerator, coffee maker, safe, hair dryer, etc). Best of all, the beds were super comfortable, the towels were fluffy and everything was spotless. Oh and the bath lotions and potions were chocolate scented and turndown service included Hershey Kisses. Yum.

The Hershey Lodge really caters to families and my favorite kid perk was the “kids’ check-in” where kids signed in to register for their stay, entered guessing game contests to win prizes and left with a selection of kid-friendly goodies and of course chocolates. Check the schedule of events for complimentary activities like character greetings in the lobby (so much fun and no lines), family bingo, daily crafts, pool games and safari searches. Families can buy make-your-own S’mores kits at the Cocoa Beanery for a fun after-dinner activity.

Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on Hershey, Pennsylvania – The Sweetest Place on Earth – Part 1

Hershey Lodge amenities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, Fitness Center for guests 16 and up (my sister checked it out every morning), golfing at the Hershey Country Club and access to The Spa at The Hotel Hershey, just five minutes away. Complimentary shuttle service is available to nearby attractions so you really don’t need to drive anywhere but if you do, parking is easy and plentiful.

For dining, there are more than a dozen restaurants at Hershey Lodge, The Hotel Hershey and downtown Hershey. Most mornings we were eager to explore so we just grabbed a quick and simple breakfast at the Cocoa Beanery (think bagels, muffins, oatmeal, cereal, coffees, etc.) but more elaborate breakfast can be found (with or without chocolate chips) at Lebbie Lebkicher’s or Hershey Grill in the Hershey Lodge. My mom and daughter loved the Hershey Grill so much we ended up eating there every night which wouldn’t have been my choice but when you’re on a multi-generational trip, you’ve got to pick your battles. It was nice how the waitstaff recognized us visit after visit and went out of their way to meet our special requests (no pineapple in the fruit cup…vanilla ice cream, rainbow sprinkles, a cherry AND candle to celebrate the big 4.5…more coloring pages, please). The food was innovative and tasty (perhaps the best sweet potato fries I’ve ever had) plus every meal started with bread and chocolate butter, yes…chocolate butter. Mmmm.

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Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on Hershey, Pennsylvania – The Sweetest Place on Earth – Part 1

If you stay at the Hershey Lodge, be sure to visit The Hotel Hershey for a memorable meal (I recommend the Fish and Chips at Harvest), pampering spa treatment or walk around the grounds which feature some beautiful photo ops.

Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on Hershey, Pennsylvania – The Sweetest Place on Earth – Part 1

All Hershey Lodge and Hershey Hotel guests enjoy free admission to Hershey Gardens, a 23-acre garden featuring 11 distinct theme gardens as well as the Children’s Garden so be sure to stop by for a visit. For a $10 fee, kids can participate in a scavenger hunt around the Children’s Garden which is great for kids of all ages. This is a nice option for the end of a busy day since kids can run around the interactive exhibits and adults can sit back and relax.

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Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on Hershey, Pennsylvania – The Sweetest Place on Earth – Part 1

Summer is a perfect time to visit and now through July (blackout dates apply), Hershey Lodge and The Hotel Hershey have a Kids Stay, Play & Eat Free promotion that includes deluxe accommodations, admission to Hersheypark (one day) for the entire family, free breakfast for kids 17 and under, plus admission to Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story’s Museum Experience. This is a great deal considering these perks are worth approximately $350.

Later this week, I’ll write about family-friendly attractions in the Hershey, Pennsylvania area as well as family friendly tips for visiting Hersheypark.

Bon voyage…

Family Fun Magazine Announces …

April 7, 2014 By admin

Wondering where to plan that family vacation now that spring has finally sprung? FamilyFun magazine asked families to rank the best family travel destinations for their annual travel awards and the 60 winners have just been announced.

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Globetrotting Mommy: Family Fun Magazine Announces Travel Awards Winners

From Florida amusement parks, Midwest zoos and New York museums, family friendly locations across the country were selected as the top spots by region. The list of regional winners is below. I’ve been to all spots in the Northeast and some in every other region except the Midwest. Looks like I’ve got some exploring to do.

Globetrotting Mommy: Family Fun Magazine Announces Travel Awards Winners

Top Destinations by Region

Northeast

1. The Strong, NY

2. Hershey Park, PA

3. Bronx Zoo, NY

4. Acadia National Park, ME

5. New York, NY

West

1. Disneyland Park, CA

2. Disney California Adventure

3. Yellowstone National Park, WY, MT, & ID

4. Yosemite National Park, CA

5. Sea World, San Diego, CA

South

1. Magic Kingdom Park, FL

2. Universal’s Islands of Adventure, FL

3. Orlando, FL

4. Universal Studios Florida

5. Disney’s Animal Kingdom, FL

Midwest

1. Cedar Point Amusement Park, OH

2. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, SD

3. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, NE

4. Toledo Zoo, OH

5. Brookfield Zoo, IL

What area do you think is the “Most Fun Region” for family getaways? Visit facebook.com/FamilyFun to cast your vote.

Holiday Wish List: Great …

November 20, 2013 By admin

Time for tots on the holiday gift list today! Check out the latest round of great picks in my Globetrotter Wish List: Top 10 Holiday Gifts for Little Kids…

Globetrotting Mommy – Holiday gifts for little kids

Stay tuned for upcoming gift guides for big kids, moms, dads and more and if you missed my previous gift guide, check out the Globetrotter Wish List: Top 10 Holiday Gifts for Babies.

This wooden Airplanes Box Set from the MoMA Store reminds me of a toy I had years ago. I love how clean and modern this looks and that all the pieces store neatly in the airport box when playtime is over.

Globetrotting Mommy – Holiday gift ideas for little kids

Little ears will stay toasty warm in these cute faux fur earmuffs. Available in fun pinks, white and neutral tones, they are perfect for sleigh riding in Central Park or sightseeing in Kiev.