Educational Travel

Feb 17 2013

Maple Sugaring Weekend Day Trips Near New York City

Things to do with kids: Maple Sugaring Weekend Day Trips Near New York City

As much as we love NYC there are some things you just can’t do here. One those things is maple sugaring, the process of transforming sticky, tasteless tree sap into sweet syrup. Maple trees only grow in the Northeast region of North America, so it's the one place that produces real maple syrup.

Maple sugaring season starts the last weekend of February and runs through March, when climbing temperatures allow the sap to begin running in the trees or "sugar bushes" as they're sometimes called. Seeing how the sap is collected, cooked and stored (and tasting the yummy final product) is a great way for kids to learn about the farm-to-table movement that's spreading across American dining tables. New York City is close to many farms and nature centers where families can watch maple sugaring demos, indulge in pancake breakfasts, enjoy maple syrup festivals and other seasonal fun. So as winter winds down, enjoy one of these sweet maple sugaring season day trips.

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Aug 15 2011

Pennsylvania Dutch Country: 7 Fun Things to Do in Lancaster County with Kids

Pennsylvania Dutch Country: 7 Fun Things to Do in Lancaster County with Kids

Although Pennsylvania Dutch Country is only 150 miles from New York City, once you arrive you feel like you're worlds (and centuries) away. There are bucolic fields full of corn, alfalfa and tobacco, and Amish farmers on horse-drawn buggies sharing the streets with cars. The area's home to big tourist attractions such as Dutch Wonderland and the Strasburg Railroad, which is why we started visiting a few years ago when my son was in his train phase. But there are also less well-known yet equally cool places to visit, like the Choo Choo Barn, the National Toy Train Museum and the Amish Village. 

Pennsylvania Dutch Country is a wonderful summer getaway, and although the season is drawing to a close there's always Labor Day weekend. It's beautiful in fall, too: My family and I visited last year over Columbus Day break and plan on going again this year.

Since we go annually, I could have written a book about the place, but don't worry, I resisted the temptation. Instead, here are our favorite things to do in Pennsylvania Dutch Country as a family, along with suggestions about where to stay.

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May 17 2011

Philadelphia Day Trip: 13 Fun Things to Do With Kids

Things to do with kids: Philadelphia Day Trip: 13 Fun Things to Do With Kids

Just 100 miles from New York City, Philadelphia makes for an entertaining and educational day trip, especially with Memorial Day weekend and summer vacation coming up. The City of Brotherly Love has a spirit all its own and is loaded with history, and there are a variety of activities that will appeal to kids of all ages, from tots to teens.

You can drive to Philly in approximately two hours, or lighten your carbon footprint by taking the bargain-priced Megabus or BoltBus. Amtrak is a pricier option, but every child ages 2 to 15 accompanied by a full-paying adult snags half-price tickets, and babies under 2 ride for free.

If you decide to stay the night, my family has enjoyed the Hotel Palomar Philadelphia, which has an artsy vibe, and the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, with its small indoor pool.

Whether you visit for a day, a weekend or longer, here are 13 fun activities for your family.

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Sep 1 2010

Adventure Awaits at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey

Things to do with kids: Adventure Awaits at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey

All aquariums have tropical fish, penguins and some sort of seal or sea lion, but what they don’t have are the amazing touch tanks offered at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey.  Nearly every exhibit has a touchable component (think sharks and jellyfish) plus they have two hippos on exhibit!

Hopefully you read our post Six Thrill-Seeking Adventures for Kids in New Jersey, especially the part about swimming with the sharks at this very aquarium.  We checked out the whole aquarium (well, not the swimming with sharks bit) last month and are certainly glad we did – it is totally worth the trip. You can trust me I have been to every aquarium in the northeast with my 5 year old sea creature–obsessed son!

The Adventure Aquarium is a great day or weekend trip for us aquarium-challenged NYers and what is more – you can get there without a car.  

Looking for something to do this Labor Day weekend? Read on for more on this great destination, what else you can do nearby and how to get there.

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Aug 24 2010

Day Trip: Travel Back In Time at The Dinosaur Place in Oakdale Connecticut

Things to do with kids: Day Trip: Travel Back In Time at The Dinosaur Place in Oakdale Connecticut

Thanks to a reader tip, we recently left the city and traveled back in time to wilds of Eastern Connecticut to spend the day at The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art, where kids can explore a family friendly Jurassic Park style attraction.  Encounter thirty life-sized cretaceous creatures while trekking the wooded nature trails around Raptor Bay, a seven acre lake complete with its own erupting volcano.  A giant playground, an amazing maze, a super cool water play area along with exciting indoor activities (panning for gold and gem mining to name two) round out the offerings. Dinosaur Place is minutes away from Mystic, Connecticut and Rhode Island's beaches making for a perfect day trip destination or part of a weekend away.  Here’s the inside scoop on this fun prehistoric park, and tips to make the most of your time there.

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