Family-friendly Archives - Globetrotting Mommy

Sailing Around NYC Aboard …

November 7, 2019 By admin

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

Sailing Around NYC Aboard Classic Harbor Line

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

Sailing Around NYC Aboard Classic Harbor Line

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

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

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

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

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

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

So gorgeous, right?

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

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

Pin this for later:

Top 10 Tips for Visiting …

June 5, 2019 By admin

Thrilling roller coasters, 1880’s themed crafts, shows and concerts, festivals, family-friendly activities galore and delicious meals and treats await travelers of all ages at Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson, Missouri.

I’ve been to a lot of theme parks but I was blown away by the wide range of activities and adventures offered up at this award-winning park. Read on to find my Top 10 Tips for Visiting Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri.

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Silver Dollar City

1. Download the Silver Dollar City App which has an interactive map, daily schedules, special event offerings, showtimes and wait times for the more popular rides. If you’re the plan ahead type, you can map out the things you want to do and personalize your schedule. First-time visitors can find specific recommendations in four categories (Families With Young Children, Ozarks History Buffs, Casual Explorers and Thrill-Seekers).

2. Arrive early to make the most of your day. Parking is FREE and there are shuttles to transport you and your family directly to the entrance. The turnstiles open an hour before park opening so guests can grab a quick breakfast treat at Eva & Delilah’s Bakery or dine at Molly’s Mill and enjoy the Main Street activities.

Read on to find my Top 10 Tips for visiting Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri.

3. Bring the whole family! Silver Dollar City makes a great option for a multi-generational family visit with a range of family-friendly shows, rides everyone in the family can enjoy, and a slew of attractions (petting zoos, cooking classes, cave tours and more) for visitors of all ages. Be sure to check the website as there are festivals and special events throughout the year.

Read on to find my Top 10 Tips for visiting Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. Read on to find my Top 10 Tips for visiting Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri.

4. Make a plan and divide and conquer. If you’ve got children with different ride or activity preferences, you might want to separate into groups for some of the day. There are more than 40 rides and attractions, as well as 40 shows a day so there is a LOT to enjoy. For younger kids, The Grand Exposition area is a must-visit. Thrill seekers will LOVE Time Traveler, Thunderation, and WildFire. Family favorites include the Frisco Silver Dollar Steam Train, McHaffie’s Homestead and Marvel Cave.

5. Explore the timeless appeal of crafts and a dedication to preserving 1880s Ozarks culture. There are 100 craftsmen on park demonstrating glass blowing, blacksmithing, pottery, candy making, candle making, and many other disciplines. The shops are beautiful with one-of-a-kind gifts and souvenirs so be sure to check them out. Visiting the artisans and watching them in action was one of my favorite things during my visit.

6. Get ready to chow down! You’ll find the typical theme park fare like ice cream, funnel cakes and burgers but what sets Silver Dollar City apart is the quality of their food offerings. From sit down dining to quick meals and snacks, the culinary options are made fresh with healthy options available. I especially loved the bakery items, skillet meals, and Festival of Wonder specialty items like Bang Bang Shrimp Loaded Waffle Cones. I was also impressed with their allergy free food offerings.

7. Take advantage of the affordable lockers. When your kids outgrow their strollers, you suddenly find yourselves carrying around a lot of stuff. Lighten your load and keep your extra items safely stored for just $5 a day. Best of all, you can move your items from lockers around the park at no extra charge.

8. Relax with a cooking class at Silver Dollar City’s Culinary & Craft School. No kitchen experience necessary for these fun and engaging lessons taught in a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen. Sit back and learn how to make a range of dishes and specialty menu items and then enjoy your goodies. This was such a nice way to spend an hour after running around on the rides and everything we made was delicious. Kids are welcome making this a great choice for grandparents, parents and children.

9. Visit Marvel Cave. Last but not least, my absolute favorite part of visiting Siver Dollar City was going down (and down…) on a tour of Marvel Cave with Ranger Bill. I’ve never done anything like this and it was so much fun for adults and kids alike. This famed wet limestone cave has formations that are still alive and growing. Kids are allowed but the hour tour is quite strenuous so I wouldn’t recommend it for kids under 5ish. Visitors climb down many stairs (some twisty and narrow) and passages to get 500 feet below the surface and then travel back up on a cable car. Along the way, the guide explains the cave’s history and answers questions. Tours are free and a 90-minute lantern tour is offered for $14. A don’t-miss experience!

10. My final tips for visiting Silver Dollar City…don’t forget to wear sunscreen and comfortable shoes and bring along phone chargers, sunglasses, hats and any other must-haves.

Want to learn more about Branson’s family-friendly attractions? Check out Family Fun Awaits in Branson, Missouri.

Pin this before you go…

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri

Thank you to Explore Branson for hosting my trip and providing a super fun day at Silver Dollar City. As always, all opinions are my own.

Road Trips With Kids – 6 …

November 18, 2016 By admin

‘Tis the season for holiday road trips so today I’m sharing some of my favorite must haves for road trips with kids.

Road Trips With Kids – 6 Must Haves

I’m hungry…

No matter how long or short the ride, you know kids will want a drink or snack within 30 minutes of leaving home. Be sure to pack everything in spill-proof containers like Drink in the Box and Snack in the Box or prepare to spend some time with your trusty dustbuster. For snacks, squeezy pouches and individually wrapped snack bars are great options along with fresh fruit and non-crumbly snacks like nuts and cheese sticks.

Road tripping with kids - be sure to bring entertainment for the whole gang. Family Travel. Globetrotting Mommy

Road trips with kids – be sure to bring entertainment for the whole gang.

I’m bored…

Do you hate hearing this as much as I do? Prepare for trips by bringing along age appropriate entertainment for kids (and grown ups too). For tiny tots, audible CDs like Curious George and soft toys are great. For small kids, hand held toys like this adorable Rubik’s Junior Bear are great options. For school age children, I recommend Mad Libs, Highlights Magazines or other activity books, large print books, tablets like the Amazon Fire Kids Edition Tablet which comes in its own kid-proof case and gaming devices like the Nintendo 3DS which will keep kids quietly entertained for hours! It is always fun to play family friendly games along the way so bring along some cards and travel friendly games to play in the back seat like Hangman and Twizmo! Words.

I made a mess…

Wipes and ziplocs are a parent’s best friends so bring lots and lots. Be sure to pack some extra outfits and if your kids get carsick, be sure they have a few bags or a sturdy container nearby.

Roadtripping with kids. The mifold Grab and Go will easily let you fit three kids along in the backseat.

Road trips with kids. The mifold Grab and Go will easily let you fit three kids along in the backseat.

I want my friends to come…

Road tripping with friends? I just tested out the new mifold Grab and Go Booster Seat and I was amazed how easy it was to use. Simply place it on the seat, adjust the sides according to the child’s size (age 4 to 12), slide the seatbelt strap thru the base and over the lap and secure the shoulder strap at the child’s shoulder. Sounds involved but it takes less than a minute. Best of all, it folds in half making it super easy to throw in a tote for taxi rides, carpools or traveling.

I have to go to the bathroom…

Even though my daughter has been potty trained for years, I still keep a 2-in-1 Potette Plus portable potty in my car (along with the insert bags and the aforementioned wipes). You never know how long it can be to the next rest stop so better safe than sorry.

Road trips with Kids – Be sure to bring along some favorite tunes.

I don’t like that song…

I’m not sure what’s more tolerable, listening to kids’ whining or kids’ music. I know my daughter is definitely happy when her favorite tunes are playing in the car so I highly recommend bringing along some kid-friendly music. For tots, this means Elmo (sorry!) and Laurie Berkner types. For older kids, you can’t go wrong with some Kidz Bop (33 albums can’t be wrong), Space Pop Girls or soundtracks to their favorite movies or shows.

I received some of these items for review purposes but all opinions are my own. This post contains some affiliate links. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

The Rockettes New York …

July 5, 2016 By admin

Seeing the Rockettes perform at Radio City Music Hall is one of my favorite New York City winter activities. Watching their synchronized dancing, fighting the Rock Center crowds and seeing the iconic Christmas tree just never gets old.

The Rockettes New York Spectacular – Awesome Summer Fun for Families

When my daughter saw a poster for The New York Spectacular, the Rockettes’ summer show, she immediately begged to go and I secretly cringed inside. My expectations were low but I figured it would be a fun outing to celebrate the end of the school year. I invited my mom to join us and planned a big NYC girl’s day to kick off summer.

The Rockettes New York Spectacular – Awesome Summer Fun for Families

It turns out, the New York Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes was indeed spectacular! In fact, all three of us thought it was better than the Christmas show. I was pleasantly surprised to see how family friendly the story line was but what was most impressive were the amazing sets, cool technology, fun music and the choreographed dance moves that really made New York City come alive on stage.

The show follows two kids who accidentally get lost from their parents. The kids make their way around the city’s popular sights and attractions until the family is finally reunited at the end. Its a great sightseeing tour of NYC, as they visit the Empire State Building, Wall Street, Central Park, Times Square, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fashion Avenue and other popular sights.

The Rockettes New York Spectacular - Awesome Summer Fun for Families

The Rockettes New York Spectacular – The Met comes alive on stage.

Along the way, famous statues and artwork come alive as the kids search for clues to find their parents.

The Rockettes New York Spectacular – Alice in Wonderland statue from Central Park.

The show opens with Taylor Swifts’s “Welcome to New York” and closes with Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.” In between, the acts feature a mix of classic show tunes and modern music as well as an interactive scene that gets everyone dancing in the aisles. Some of my favorite musical scenes were the Rockettes tap dancing to “Singing in the Rain, dancing to “Money, Money,” surrounded by giant dollar signs and projections of stock-market tickers” and prancing around in a stunning red, white and black fashion show set to Madonna’s “Vogue.”

The Rockettes New York Spectacular – Singing in the Rain.

The Rockettes New York Spectacular – Money, Money.

The Rockettes New York Spectacular – The Vogue fashion show was amazing.

Kids will have no trouble following along with the story line and they will especially love seeing Central Park’s Alice in Wonderland statue come alive and watching the famed New York Public Library lions Patience and Fortitude perform a rap number. Its a little hokey but it all works.

The Rockettes New York Spectacular – Outside the New York Public Library

And of course the grand finale stole the show…

If you want to escape the heat and see NYC from the comfort of Radio City Music Hall, head over to the New York Spectacular before it ends on August, 7, 2016. There is no intermission during the 90 minute show so plan snacks and bathroom breaks accordingly.

Have you seen a Rockettes show? Tell me below in the comments.

This post is not sponsored. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Museum Day Live! – …

September 10, 2015 By admin

Mark your calendars! This September 26, 2015, Smithsonian Magazine is offering free museum day visits to more than 1,500 museums across the country with Museum Day Live!

Museum Day Live! – Smithsonian Magazine Offers Free Museum Day Across the US

Families can check out hundreds of children’s museums, art institutes, science centers and other cultural institutions for free when they register for Museum Day Live! online. One ticket admits two guests so plan accordingly if you have a big family. Note, many museums admit young children for free.

Check out the list of the participating museums in your area. Here are a few of my favorite ideas for a family-friendly museum day across the country. Whether you’re planning a road trip or staycation that weekend, there are plenty of options.

Families can visit The Hershey Story Museum for free with Museum Day Live!

New York City, NY – The Skyscraper Museum

Macon, GA – Georgia Sports Hall of Fame

Springfield, MA – Springfield Museums (Four museums and the Dr. Seuss sculpture garden)

Boston, MA – Museum of Fine Arts

Hershey, PA – The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue

Portland, ME – Portland Museum of Art

Chicago, IL – Swedish American Museum

Miami, FL – Zoo Miami

Boca Raton, FL – Children’s Science Explorium at Sugar Sand Park

Charleston, SC – The South Carolina Historical Society

Baltimore, MD – The Baltimore Museum of Art

New Orleans, LA – Louisiana Children’s Museum

Where will you be that weekend and which museum would you like to visit?

If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Spotlight on Wyndham Vacation …

July 14, 2014 By admin

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Wyndham Vacation Rentals.

Did you know that July is National Vacation Rental Month? If you are a vacation rental virgin, read on for my top five reasons why Wyndham Vacation Rentals are a great choice for family getaways.

Globetrotting Mommy, Wyndham Vacation Rentals, July, National Vacation Rental Month

Globetrotting Mommy: Spotlight on Wyndham Vacation Rentals

1) Space, space, space. When families stay in typical hotel rooms, there is rarely extra room to spread out. When you book a vacation rental property, you’ll have room for the whole clan to relax without being on top of one another. This is especially important for multigenerational getaways.

2) All the amenities of home. Wyndham Vacation Rentals come with everything you need to make your vacation enjoyable including fully-equipped kitchens and in-unit washers and dryers so you and your family will feel right at home.

3) All the amenities of a hotel. When you stay in a Wyndham Vacation Rental you can also receive hotel-like amenities like a concierge, housekeepers and shuttle services at many of its properties. Win win!

4) Your vacation is protected by the Vacation Rental Bill of Rights, an industry-first service pledge that says your stay will be covered from start to finish! This guarantees things like no surprise cancellations, a freshly cleaned unit and online photos that accurately represent the property. If you’ve ever had a vacation disaster, you know what a big deal this is.

5) Big savings! Vacation rentals are a more affordable option compared to traditional hotel rooms and this summer you can save up to 35% off a Wyndham Vacation Rental when you book a stay now through July 31, 2014.

Are you ready to book your vacation getaway? Visit Wyndham Vacation Rentals special page for National Vacation Rental Month and start by selecting from more than 9,000 homes in the U.S. Villas, private homes and resort condos, oh my…I’m ready to go somewhere beachy, like Kiawah Island, South Carolina…

Globetrotting Mommy: Spotlight on Wyndham Vacation Rentals

What about you?

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Wyndham Vacation Rentals. 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.