Family Travel Archives - Page 6 of 7

Fall Fun: Pumpkin Picking on …

September 18, 2014 By admin

Back-to-school came and went and now its time for Halloween! Pumpkin picking on Long Island is one of my favorite fall activities but if you wait too long, the pumpkins are picked over and the crowds are crazy. So, pick a weekend (between September 20 and November 2) and head over to Fink’s Country Farm on Eastern Long Island. It’s not too far from the Riverhead outlets so if you’re feeling ambitious you might come home with pumpkins and a few new outfits!

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Pumpkin Picking at Fink’s Farm on Long Island

You’ll want to get there as early as you can (like 9 ish) to avoid crowds and get the best photo ops and pumpkins. The $13.25 admission price includes unlimited access to the Fall Festival weekend activities including Hay Rides, 7-Acre Corn Maze, Pig Races, Animal Farm, Barnyard Bouncer, Corn Crib, Live Music and more. Additional attractions are available for an extra charge including Pony Rides, Face Painting, Fall Photos, U-Pick Pumpkins on the vine, Kiddie Train, Corn Cannon and Pumpkin Slingshot. There are plenty of picnic tables and the food stand serves soups, sandwiches, hot dogs, roasted corn on the cob (delish!) and beverages (get the hot apple cider). The food line was really long the day we went so be prepared to wait or pack a picnic and snacks. Bathrooms are plentiful but they are port-a-potties (I know, I know) and there is an area for diaper changing.

If you’ve got older kids, you might want to bring a flashlight and check out the Spookie Flashlight Maze from 7:30 – 10 pm on October 25th. There is also a regular Flashlight Maze on October 18 from 7:30 – 10pm. And if you visit on Sunday, October 26th there will be trick-or-treating.

There was so much to do and see my daughter was running around checking everything out for hours. She’s a pro at pony rides by now and she enjoyed her first pig race and corn crib. The Animal Farm was pretty extensive and there were plenty of feeding and petting opportunities. The staff was friendly and I loved that it wasn’t as commercial or expensive as many other pumpkin patches on Long Island (you know who you are). We left with three big pumpkins and a bunch of gourds for $12 which I thought was a real bargain when you consider one pumpkin at the Union Square Farmer’s Market is $10+ dollars.

You can also buy Halloween decorations, plants, pies (freshly baked by Mrs. Fink), vegetables, cider and other fall favorites at the farm stand.

There were so many great spots for pictures so bring your camera. Here are some of my favorite photos from our visit…

Need more Halloween inspiration? Check out my post on Halloween costumes and Halloween gift 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: Victorian …

August 21, 2014 By admin

One of my favorite spots to disappear in the summer is Central Park. The big boulders, lakes and miles of grass quickly make me forget I’m dead smack in the middle of an urban jungle. After I became a mom, I quickly found out that Central Park is also home to Victorian Gardens, a mini-amusement park (with stellar views!) that is just perfect for the mini-set.

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Spotlight on NYC: Victorian Gardens Amusement Park in Central Park

Victorian Gardens is located at Wollman Rink which is an ice skating rink in the winter. Leave it to the Donald to turn any bit of real estate into a money making enterprise. There is a nice selection of children’s rides (bumper boats, swings, airplanes, roller coaster, train, etc.) and none are too scary so even the littlest kids will be entertained.

Spotlight on NYC: Victorian Gardens Amusement Park in Central Park

This was my daughter’s third summer visiting and she was especially excited to be tall enough (42 inches) for every single ride! The rides are just perfect for the 2-5 age range but younger kids will be fine riding with parents. Its a very manageable spot with little kids since the rides are all contained in a small area (think ice rink) and the lines are never too long. Pack a lunch and grab a picnic bench or buy food at the concessions stand when you get hungry.

Spotlight on NYC: Victorian Gardens Amusement Park in Central Park

It’s a little pricey for what it is (pay-as-you-go starting at $7 or unlimited wristband options starting at $21) but since you don’t have to drive hours to get there, I think its worth paying up. Kids under 36 inches are free so bring along the little siblings. After a couple of hours, you’ll be ready to go home but don’t say I didn’t warn you if your kids want to stay and climb the nearby boulders for another hour…

If you’ll be near Central Park, check it out before they close on September 7.

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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!

Globetrotting Kids: Artsy …

June 2, 2014 By admin

Travel postcards are a fun way to share your adventures near and far. If you’re looking for a great way to get your kids away from their iPads and engaged in their vacation surroundings, check out this Watercolor Postcards kit from a portable studio.

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Globetrotting Kids: Artsy Adventures in Postcards

The box set includes four tubes of watercolor paint, two brushes, a mixing tray, Strathmore postcards and an instruction booklet.

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Globetrotting Kids: Artsy Adventures in Postcards

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Globetrotting Kids: Artsy Adventures in Postcards

I think kids would love designing their own postcards to send to their friends and family back home. This would also be a fun activity to do on the plane ride home. I know a few adults who would love this too so I think it would make a great gift for anyone artsy.

If you’re feeling crafty, you could easily DIY your own travel postcard kit or get some extra postcards and the whole family can share one kit.

Talking Family Travel with …

May 15, 2014 By admin

When celebrity mom Brooke Burke-Charvet invited me to hear her favorite family travel tips, I said “Sure, I’ll be right over!” Ok so maybe it was Embassy Suites Hotels who invited me and maybe we met at Dylan’s Candy Bar and maybe there were some other writers there…but still…I got to hear Brooke’s best family travel tips and I’m going to share them with you lucky readers!

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Talking Family Travel with Brooke Burke-Charvet and Embassy Suites Hotels

The first time I stayed in a hotel with my daughter the staff set up a crib that looked like a death trap next to our bed and nobody got any sleep. It was pretty much an exhausting disaster that made me want to wait a long, long time to do it again. The second time we stayed in a hotel was a few months later for my college reunion and the group hotel block was at an Embassy Suites Hotel. I threw the pack and play in with the luggage and hoped for the best.

It was a completely different experience having a real bedroom so my daughter could go to bed early and a separate room for the grown ups to spread out. More space, more privacy, more sleep…a suite hotel is a win-win all around for families. Brooke moderated the Embassy Suites’ “Pretty Great Family Debate” event with her children and shared her favorite family travel tips below. I really love her idea to let each family member “own a day” of the trip. It sounds fun and means less planning for me so I’m definitely going to try that next time. Which is your favorite?

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Embassy Suites Hotels – Brooke Burke-Charvet’s Family Travel Tips

Want to try Embassy Suites’ pretty great family-friendly offerings for yourself? Just post a photo of you and your kids enjoying a vacation in the #PrettyGreat Photo Contest on Instagram now through June 26.

I was not compensated for this post but I did receive a gift bag and my daughter got to make some really fun treats. All opinions are my own.

Momtrends Trendy Travel Event …

May 9, 2014 By admin

Spring has sprung (finally!) and summer is around the corner. Before you plan that summer getaway, check out my report from the Momtrends Trendy Travel Event for the latest must haves in fashion, beauty, kids gear and more.

Moms are always in need of a little pampering so I was pretty excited that the event was held at Butterfly Studio Salon. My stylist Danielle gave me a very glam wavy summer beach style by twisting my hair around a curling iron in pieces rather than rolling sections. How cute do we look? Oh and thanks for being so petite Danielle, I even look like a tall super model next to you!

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Globetrotting Mommy Trendy Travel Momtrends Event

Once the mom bloggers were all dolled up, Butterfly Studio owner Kattia demonstrated some easy summer styles and shared a photo collage with some super chic ponytails. I’ve been trying these on my daughter all week and the upside-down pony has been the fave to date.

Next up was Luxury Travel Mom Kim-Marie Evans who shared travel trends and tips for memorable family vacations.

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Globetrotting Mommy Trendy Travel Momtrends Event

She recommended moms stop trying to plan every little detail and hand over the planning to travel agents and tour operators who can book special offerings and help with hard-to-plan trips. Traveling with a group is a great idea since you have other adults (and kids) to interact with and you can relax because someone else is handling the planning. She also suggested looking on VRBO for apartment rentals so you can experience your destination like a local. And if you really want to experience something different, she suggested trying out websites that connect you with locals offering up home cooked meals in their homes so travelers can enjoy an authentic travel experience.

Next we learned about the latest on-the-go gear with Britax. Whether you are traveling by car, air, train or foot, Britax has an array of gear and accessories to get you there safely and stylishly. If you’ve got little kids, the Britax Travel Cart puts a car seat on wheels and eliminates your need for a stroller in the airport. So smart! They also have an array of items to protect your car on those long car trips like Kick Mats and waterproof liners for carseats and strollers because accidents happen at home and away…

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Globetrotting Mommy Trendy Travel Momtrends Event

We got a sneak peek at the new BOB Revolution Pro jogging stroller which offers an adjustable handle and oversized wheels for rough terrain (think sand or snow). The 2-step fold and travel bag make it a great choice for moms who love to jog on vacation.

My daughter adores her pink Trunki suitcase, so I was excited to see Trunki’s new waterproof swim bags, PaddlePaks, designed to look like creatures from the sea.

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Globetrotting Mommy Trendy Travel Momtrends Event

The colorful backpacks (Pinch the Lobster, Inky the Octopus, Spike the Blow Fish, oh my) feature adjustable straps, a hook and a secret pocket on the tail fin. They are perfectly sized for little ones and my daughter has already packed hers with toys for the beach.

Speaking of the beach, Miraclesuit was next showing us their latest trends in swimwear and accessories (think sheer fabrics, rhinestones and fun prints).

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Globetrotting Mommy Trendy Travel Momtrends Event

Miraclesuit empowers women to feel good and look fabulous no matter your body type and we got to see a mini-fashion show with real moms who all looked amazing! I took home the stylish Net Work Jena suit, a chic off the shoulder suit with strategically placed mesh netting. Oh and yes, these suits make you look 10 pounds thinner without hitting the gym. Win, win!

Last but not least, summer calls for ice cream so Adirondack Creamery was on hand so we could sample their all natural, farm fresh flavors. Their ice cream is made with simple ingredients (no colors, additives, or preservatives) including hormone-free milk from the farms of the Hudson Valley. I especially loved the exotic Kulfi-Pistachio Cardamom and Caramel Apple. Lucky for me, I’ll be sampling some more flavors because I won the raffle prize for six pints! Be on the lookout for your ice cream tasting party invitation…

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Globetrotting Mommy Trendy Travel Momtrends Event

Thanks again to Momtrends for a fabulous night. Have a great weekend and Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms.

I was not compensated for this post but I did receive a gift bag. All opinions are my own.

Spotlight on Florida: A Day in …

April 30, 2014 By admin

Thanks to this winter’s Polar Vortex, I got an to enjoy an extended Florida getaway with my mom and daughter. After four (yes four!) flight cancellations, we decided to just stay put and went to spend some time with our cousins in Palm City.

We set out to explore one day and landed in the Treasure Coast town of Downtown Stuart which was so cute I wanted to share our adventures with you. Stuart is celebrating their Centennial this May with a week of Celebrate Stuart activities so if you’ll be nearby, check it out.