Allison Tibaldi

Allison Tibaldi - Writer

Allison is a native New Yorker who's been lucky enough to have lived in Italy, Australia and Canada. She is fluent in Italian and Spanish, and
believes that language is a key to understanding other cultures. She frequently contributes travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they journey around the globe. She's also a senior writer at offManhattan.com, contributing car-free vacation ideas. Her background as an Early Childhood Educator gives her an added understanding of what it takes to travel with kids in tow, and she firmly believes that the most important part of education takes place outside of the classroom on the road. Her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine.

Latest posts by Allison Tibaldi

11 Inexpensive Winter Weekend Getaways Near NYC for Families

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Fri, 12/17/2021 - 5:31pm

The Emerson Resort and Spa is a picturesque home away from home nestled in the Catskills. Photo courtesy of the resort

Upcoming school vacations and long holiday weekends usually mean dreams of winter getaways fill our thoughts, but family travel in the time of COVID is complicated, to say the least. Whether your family is anxious for a change of scenery now or dealing with cabin fever by plotting a trip much further down the line, we've got some inspiration. All of these spots are easily driveable from the tristate area, making a quick weekend getaway easy and safer than traipsing through a crowded airport.

Whether you're craving winter sports or urban adventure, small-town charm, or big-city culture, we've got a winter weekend getaway destination for you.

30 Best Warm and Sunny Family Vacation Ideas

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Sat, 11/06/2021 - 1:45pm

The all-inclusive Beaches Turks and Caicos resort is a snorkeler's paradise.

Ready to ditch the winter blues for a family vacation somewhere warm and sunny?

From perpetually wet feet to relentlessly bundling (and unbundling) your kids with layer upon layer, the need to escape grows for many parents as the winter season drags on—and on. Even those families who don't live with the finicky four-season cycle might prefer their family vacation with a side of palm trees, rather than fur-trimmed snow boots. So whether you're seeking to escape the cold or just don't want to vacation in it, we've rounded up more than two dozen of the best family vacation spots where you can shed that parka and bask in the sun.

Read on to find great all-inclusive resorts, beaches, and charming cities teeming with culture that will give you a family vacation that’s sunny, not snowy! For more family vacation ideas, be sure to check out our Family Travel Guide.

55 Things To Do in Newport, RI with Kids

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Sat, 09/18/2021 - 2:54pm

Sailing is always on the agenda in Newport. Photo courtesy of Sail Newport

Newport, Rhode Island, has a reputation as a summer playground for the elite, but in truth, it makes for a great family vacation. Yes, you will see fabulous Gilded Age mansions on the cliffs and expensive sailing yachts in the harbor, but coastal Newport also has lots of budget-friendly family fun and even free things to do for kids of all ages.

See our Rhode Island Travel Guide for more local family activity ideas.

20+ Fall Weekend Family Getaways Near NYC

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Fri, 08/27/2021 - 3:51pm

Take in the splendor of the season with a fall getaway to Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz. Photo courtesy of the venue

Fall in the Northeast is a lovely time of year for a family getaway. The crisp air, fall colors, and outdoor activities are hard to resist for most kids (and grown-ups). While New Yorkers can experience some magic in our city's gorgeous parks, which can feel almost like a countryside retreat during a foliage walk, there's nothing like a weekend away to recharge fully. If you stayed close to home during the summer travel season, you're probably itching for a fall weekend getaway to immerse your family in seasonal fun.

We've rounded up more than 20 options, whether you're looking for a quick car-free getaway or you've got a long weekend and want to travel a bit further. Find more ideas for fall travel day trips and getaways in our Family Travel Guide.

Virginia Beach with Kids: 25+Things To Do on a Family Vacation

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Sat, 07/10/2021 - 1:34pm

Go fishing at the the Virginia Beach Pier.

Virginia Beach is a perennial favorite getaway for East Coast families and travelers, beloved for its sandy oceanfront and 3-mile-long boardwalk. The beach and Atlantic surf have kept kids entertained for ages.

The length of the beach translates into always being able to find a spot for your towel and beach umbrella, even at the height of summer, and the decidedly G-rated atmosphere in Virginia's largest city, including a ‘no cursing on the beach’ rule, means there's plenty of family-friendly activities and spirit. With hotels that accommodate a range of budgets, no-frills eateries, and free entertainment, Virginia Beach is a top pick for families craving a beach vacation. Colonial Williamsburg is nearby, or you can add on a visit to Washington, DC.

Here’s what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in Virginia Beach.

Sleep in a Lighthouse and More Hudson Valley Family Resorts and Hotels

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Fri, 07/02/2021 - 11:25am

The Saugerties Lighthouse is a stunning getaway no matter the season.

The Hudson Valley is an easy weekend getaway for those in the New York City vicinity, especially from Westchester—and it boasts a variety of unique, family-friendly resorts and hotels, from an all-inclusive dude ranch to a lighthouse and even a working farm.

We've rounded up 10 spots for a range of budgets in Hudson Valley towns that are filled with history, charm, and natural beauty, including Hyde Park, New Paltz, Hudson, and Rhinebeck.

20 Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City With Perks for Kids

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Sun, 04/11/2021 - 5:48pm

Kids will love the indoor faux camp out at The Peninsula.

As a born and bred New Yorker who is raising children here myself, my out-of-town friends always ask my advice when planning their NYC family vacation. They want to know everything: the best things to do, places to eat, museums to explore and, perhaps most importantly, where to stay.

New York City is, of course, loaded with hotels, many of which are kid-friendly. And while it's nice to have options, there are so many it can feel overwhelming. That's why we've compiled this list of 20 NYC hotels for families based on a combination of personal experience, trusted recommendations from friends, and great reputations. These hotels offer kid-friendly amenities such as pools, free strollers, and even bunk beds. A number of our choices are located right next to top kid attractions; some are more budget-friendly, and others a splurge.

Our picks aren't all in Midtown Manhattan. We included places to stay with kids in Lower Manhattan, the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and even hotels in Brooklyn.

Restaurants for After Your Natural History Museum Visit in NYC

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Wed, 11/06/2019 - 11:00am

You can't go wrong with a trip to Carmine's. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

Starved after your visit to one of the top kid destinations on the Upper West Side? Home to the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), the DiMenna Children's History Museum at the New-York Historical Society, and the Children's Museum of Manhattan (CMOM), few Manhattan neighborhoods scream kid-friendly quite like the UWS, and that means the area's restaurants are overwhelmingly welcoming to families.

So while you really can't go wrong, we've rounded up a dozen of the best spots where you can grab a quick bite or even sit down for a full meal. For more family-friendly eateries, check out our NYC Restaurant Guide.

Allison Tibaldi

Latest posts by Allison Tibaldi

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