The latest travel information plus insider event and sightseeing tips for New York City, Boston, Hawaii, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Bermuda.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Central Park Zoo
The Zoo in New York City's Central Park provides a wonderful diversion for an hour or two, even for adults who don't have kids in tow. We especially love watching the polar bears swim from the underwater viewing area (note how magnificent and HUGE their paws are!). We recommend that you time your visit so that you'll see the California sea lions chow down (at 11:30 am, 2 pm and 4 pm daily). It's even fun to watch as they anticipate feeding time -- growing ever more animated in their jumping and swimming as the crowds grow -- long before they see the keepers show up. You can also see the penguins dine at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm every day.
We also recommend a stop at the indoor tropical rain forest. While stepping inside this warm, lively paradise is most delightful when the weather outside is inclement, it is always fun to see the huge variety of plants and animals that inhabit this space. Don't forget to go upstairs so you can experience the rain forest at the canopy level.
Run by the Wildlife Conservation Society which also manages the Bronx Zoo, the Central Park Zoo is open every day of the year. Have young ones with you? Don't forget to save your ticket for entrance to the nearby Tisch Children's Zoo.
Enter the Central Park Zoo from 5th Avenue at 64th Street.
Let's face it, in most U.S. cities, cars rule. Oh sure, some metropolitan areas like to be known as places where people walk, but even in New York City, where a huge percentage of residents don't even own cars, valuable real estate is routinely given away in the form of free on-street parking and cars race through even sacred urban oases like Central Park (as we found, once again, on a stroll through the park last evening).
So it is re-assuring to know that someone is taking steps to stop this madness. On Friday, September 21st, Park(ing) Day 2007 will celebrate the opportunity for citizens in cities throughout the country to trade street space dedicated to the private car for vibrant, public gathering spots. San Francisco, where the group Rebar officially launched Park(ing) Day in 2005, hosted fifty parks in 2006. Want to get involved? Visit the Park(ing) Day organizing page.
Visiting Old Friends at the American Museum of Natural History
There are some museums we just never get tired of visiting. The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is one of these. One of the advantages of going to the same museum over and over again is that there is no pressure to hurry around to see everything. Instead, you can wander through at a leisurely pace, stopping only at your favorite exhibits.
On our most recent trip, we started off in the Hall of Asian Mammals which features the museum's historic dioramas. From there, we walked through the Hall of Asian Peoples and downstairs through the Hall of Human Origins (where we spotted a figure who looked remarkably like Geico's caveman) to the exhibits on meteorites, minerals and gems, where we admired the fabulous 563 carat sapphire known as the Star of India.
We retraced our steps a bit, then stopped for a moment to exclaim over the huge tree trunk in the New York State exhibition, before exploring the jungle in the center of the Hall of Biodiversity. We finished off our visit by spending some time with some of the world's largest creatures: the blue whale and the dinosaurs.
No museum visit is complete without checking out the gift shop. AMNA's is exceptionally lively and chock-full of interesting items.
What to do on a trip to New York City with a 'tween or younger teen whose tastes have evolved far beyond The Lion King and The Little Mermaid? Not to worry; Times Square still has plenty to offer kids who are too old for the Disney shows but still too young to appreciate Spring Awakening.
We recommend that you start at ESPN Zone (1472 Broadway at 42nd Street). The third floor arcade goes far beyond the usual air hockey games (although they have those, too) to include a chance to test your slap shot against a simulated NHL goalie, scoring three, two or one point depending on where you shoot from within the rink. All the other sports games have been kicked up a notch, too, so that shooting basketball hoops is like a regulation free throw, and your Formula One Race car reaches speeds of 200 mph. Through August 28th, ESPN Zone's Happy Hour means that games are 1/2 price Monday-Thursday from 4-7pm.
When you are done playing, walk through the neon jungle to Hershey's Times Square (48th and Broadway). Although the store is smaller than the jazzy facade suggests, everyone in your group is sure to find something sweet inside to enjoy. For a larger and more extravagant branding experience, head across the street to M&M World (1600 Broadway).
As you continue uptown, swing east a bit to Nintendo World (10 Rockefeller Center). Although there is not much on the store's shelves that you can't find at most big box stores, the opportunity to try out the various game consoles and the latest software is sure to be enticing.
Top off your trip with a visit to the Jekyll & Hyde Club (1409 Avenue of the Americas). We'll admit the food is a bit ordinary and the prices are a bit steep even for NYC (and what's with that additional charge for entertainment?), but we think you'll be amused by the cheesy attempts to scare you and the lengthy pseudo history on the menu and plaques!
We've known for years that the NY Jets do their preseason training at Long Island's Hofstra University. But until recently, we didn't know that the practice sessions were open to the public for free (there's even free parking!). Chances are you'll open your wallet at the Jets Shop Tent for t-shirts and other team merchandise or to buy snacks or drinks from on-site vendors (be prepared for long lines and high prices since bringing your own is prohibited). Everything else, though, costs you nothing: the opportunity to see and take photos of your favorite players in action; the chance to get autographs; and Generation Jets Fest -- an interactive theme park for kids, with skills challenges, like football throwing, obstacle courses, and races. Before you go, check out the schedule of events, which is posted weekly.
New York City's Upper East Side is easily one of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in town, with a plethora of good schools, restaurants that appeal to young tastes, and parks and playgrounds. It's hardly surprising, then, that an outpost of The Children's General Store (the original is housed in Grand Central Station) would find success here. Located on 91st Street near 3rd Avenue, the shop is chock-full of fun for children of all ages. There are plenty of soft stuffed animals for babies to cuddle, puzzles and manipulatives for toddlers, crafts for school-age kids, and practical jokes and pranks for the pre-teen set. Does your daughter like princess paraphernalia? They've got her covered with costumes and beautiful jewelry. Got a reader on your hands? The store has a wonderful selection of classic children's books. And almost everyone likes the enchanting Papo knight, pirate and animal figurines.
Inspired by the Five Boro Bike Tour in New York City, a group in Philadelphia has created a local version. Benefiting the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, the new Bike Philly will take place on Sunday, September 9. This family-friendly bike tour, celebrating the freedom of car-free Philadelphia streets, will ride through historic neighborhoods, take over the Ben Franklin Parkway, pass through Old City, and explore hidden corners of Fairmount Park. Distances of 10, 20, 35, and 50 miles provide plenty of options for riders. Discounted pre-registration is available through August 22.
On a nice summer evening there are few places in New York City more pleasant than the marina at the World Financial Center and Battery Park City. Take a stroll along the esplanade that hugs the Hudson River while gentle breezes whisper and the lights of the Statue of Liberty beckon in the distance. Once you've worked up an appetite, stop in at one of the many restaurants with outdoor cafes near the Winter Garden. We like P.J. Clarke's spot overlooking the elegant yachts at anchor. And if you have a light meal, like their cobb salad, you'll have plenty of room left for a gelato at Ciao Bella -- the end to a perfectly relaxing night!
Make the most out of the vacation days you have left this year to relax by the pool, get some sun on the beach, or enjoy a night on the town. Just book your trip, post your "out of office" message and get recharged. It's that easy!
The best part is that if book your trip on CheapTickets.com now, you'll save $50 instantly! Just book a 3+ night hotel or vacation package to select destinations by September 9th and use the promotion code CHEAPEAST. With great East Coast destinations like Boston, Virginia Beach, Savannah, Toronto, and Baltimore -- you're sure to find your perfect summer getaway!
But wait, there's more... all United flights are on SALE worldwide! A sample round-trip fare between San Francisco & Los Angeles is as low as $91! Book by August 20 and travel by December 13, 2007 to take advantage of these great offers on airfare.
Visiting the Cushing House Museum in Newburyport, MA
On a recent trip to the Boston area, we stopped in once more at the Cushing House Museum, which is owned and operated by the Historical Society of Old Newbury. While we've visited quite an assortment of house museums throughout the country (and beyond), the Cushing House will always remain one of our favorites. We like that visitors can actually walk through each room, unencumbered by velvet ropes or barricades, to get a close look at the objects on display. We like that the collection is rooted in the history of the Newburyport community, including items from notable locals like Caleb Cushing, Laura Coombs Hills, and John Marquand. We like the way the wide variety of items on display (everything from elegant furnishings to chamber pots; from baby clothes to muskets and powder horns) show what life was like in the Federalist era. But best of all, we like the personalized nature of the tours given by extremely knowledgeable volunteers.
New York City is full of great restaurants. Some are world reknown; others are known only to the locals who frequent the neighborhood. Hokkaido falls into the latter category. Housed in a former coffee bar on 2nd Avenue (currently overlooking the construction site for the new subway), Hokkaido serves up sushi and other Japanese dishes in an elegant yet unpretentious style. Their sushi deluxe is exactly what you would expect -- 9 pieces of various kinds of sushi plus one tuna roll; for novices they also offer "vegetable sushi" -- 7 different vegetables like micro carrots and avocado atop vinegared rice. They also offer a variety of teriyaki, tempura and noodle dishes, plus standard appetizers like steamed dumplings and Harumaki. All entrees come with soup or salad. So although it doesn't break new ground (unlike the subway outside its picture windows), Hokkaido is a good choice for a reliably tasty Japanese meal.
We've written about vacationing in the Pennsylvania mountains before. Just 2 hours from New York City and a bit more from Philadelphia, the area around Hawley and Lake Wallenpaupack is great when you need a break from your regular routine but want to keep travel time to a minimum.
While the area is beginning to trend upscale, there are still plenty of straight-forward, no-nonsense places that provide a nostalgic view of a simpler time and place. The Hawley Diner is one of them. Based on an old-time diner, the front features the original counter and booth configuration (although a recent renovation replaced the old vinyl seating). Like all diners we know, the Hawley Diner is best at breakfast. We recommend the French Toast, Belgium waffle and their "best" vegetable omelet, but everything we've tried is great, and they know how to keep the coffee coming.
Located just a few miles away from Hawley, Costa's Family Fun Park is loaded with traditional games. There is a miniature golf course, go karts, batting cages, a driving range, and an indoor arcade. Hot after your 18 holes of mini-golf? Cool off in the air-conditioned restaurant with a cold drink or an ice cream cone.
And speaking of golf, after your warm-up at Costa's, why not head out for a real round at the Cricket Hill Golf Club? The front 9 winds through rolling meadowlands; the back 9 leads through the woods. There's nothing fancy here, but the course is pleasant and pretty -- and after all, golf is supposed to be fun and relaxing!
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