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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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Circle Line Debuts Bear …

September 12, 2014 By admin

Looking for a fun fall day trip from NYC that doesn’t involve driving, getting lost or keeping kids in a car seat for hours? Circle Line is kicking off their new Bear Mountain fall cruises this weekend and here are my top 10 reasons you should check it out…

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Circle Line Debuts Bear Mountain Fall Cruises

1) You won’t be driving! This is a big plus for NYC parents who dread thoughts of traffic, tunnels and are-we-there-yet tantrums.

2) You won’t have to ask for directions. The boat will drop you off at Bear Mountain and pick you back up in three hours.

3) You can relax during the trip instead of being stuck in a car or train. This is a biggie for parents with toddlers.

4) Bathrooms on board! No trying to time pee-pee breaks and no emergency pit-stops required. Win, win!

5) You can point out all the various bridges, changing leaves and sites along the way.

6) Plenty of photo ops and great viewing areas.

7) No food necessary, you can order a picnic lunch for the whole family (extra charge applies) or grab something at the concessions stand on board.

8) You’ll have three hours to experience Bear Mountain State Park’s 50 different hiking trails, nature walks and fall festivals like Oktoberfest. This is just enough time for a family picnic and nearby exploring.

9) The return home departs at 2:30 pm so afternoon nappers can sleep away in their strollers on the way back.

10) You’ll be home in NYC at 5:30 pm. No traffic guaranteed and everyone can relax on the way back and be home in time for bedtime.

HERE’S THE SCOOP: The full day trip departs at NYC’s Pier 83 at 9 am Saturdays and Sundays now through October (and Columbus day) and returns at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $60 for adults, $51 for seniors and $36 for children.

If a full-day is too big of a commitment, check out Circle Line’s iconic NYC cruises. See a full review of my Circle Line Kids Cruise here.

Bon voyage!

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Spotlight on NYC: Sail Away on …

June 25, 2014 By admin

Summer is here and there’s no better way to see New York City’s sights than by sea. Circle Line cruises have always been a favorite for tourists and locals alike but if you’ve got kids, you’ll want to check out Circle Line’s Kids Cruises.

I took my husband, my daughter and my broken foot on the Summer Sizzling Radio Disney Dance Party cruise last weekend and we had a fabulous time. These Circle Line Kids Cruises, available on select Saturday mornings now through October, offer a kid-friendly version of the classic sightseeing cruise with special guests and fun kids activities.

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Spotlight on NYC: Sail Away on Circle Line Kids Cruises

The 75-minute cruise departs from Circle Line’s Pier 83 at 42nd street. Depending on the cruise theme, there are entertainers on the main floor and activities like face painting, magic shows and balloon twisters upstairs. On our cruise, the Radio Disney team led dance contests (think freeze dance, etc.) and giveaways. You’ll want to be upstairs to get the best views but don’t rush to take photos of the Statue of Liberty when you first see her, you’ll get a better view with fewer crowds as the boat circles back around. You’re welcome.

Spotlight on NYC: Sail Away on Circle Line Kids Cruises

The weather was spectacular, the sights were gorgeous, the sky was blue and the Annie soundtrack was playing in the background. It was a classic NYC moment and it was great being able to share an experience from my childhood with my little daughter. Here’s what you missed:

Spotlight on NYC: Sail Away on Circle Line Kids Cruises

It was so much fun. Here are the themes and dates for upcoming Kid Cruises:

July 12 – Liberty Day with Maddie from the WNBA team New York & Baze and His Silly Friends

July 26 – Star Wars Rebels Party

August 9 – Pirate and Princess Party: The Power of Doing Good

August 23 – Baze and His Silly Friends & the Berenstain Bears

October 25 – Halloween Ball Kids Costume Cruise

Here’s what you need to know:

Tickets cost $29 for adults and $20 for kids ages 3-12.

Boarding starts at 9:15 am and the cruise departs at 10 am. Food and drinks are available for purchase and there is a dedicated stroller parking area. The main deck is completely handicapped accessible and the crew were helpful with boarding. If you’re wondering how I got upstairs, I hopped up and down on my good foot.

If you’re driving, there is a parking lot right at the terminal ($35 for the day) which is worth it if you’re going to explore the nearby kid-friendly attractions, parks and restaurants like the Intrepid Museum, North River Lobster Company, and Lucky Strike Bowling.

To see the entire schedule of Circle Line Cruises visit http://www.circleline42.com/.

We headed over to a nearby pier afterwards which had a cute interactive water playground, grassy spots and scenic views. I’m always amazed to discover these hidden spots.