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

Starter Sleepaway Camps: Short Summer Sessions for Younger Kids

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Tue, 01/10/2017 - 10:00am

Going to sleepaway camp is a rite of passage for many New York City kids. Young city slickers pack their trunks and spend four- to eight-weeks in the great outdoors, communing with nature, and experiencing life without mom and dad.

If you've got an elementary schooler who's interested in trying sleepaway camp but is anxious about going away for a month (or more likely you're the one freaking out), you don't have to make such a big time commitment. These days, many sleepaway camps in the Northeast offer starter camps, one or two-week sessions specifically designed for first-timers. These mini-camps are a great way for families to test the waters to make sure you and your kid are ready to spend the summer apart. We've found a dozen diverse camps that offer these kinds of junior sleepaway programs.

Family Travel Deals for Labor Day and Early Fall Getaways

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Sat, 08/20/2016 - 12:30pm

Summer may be coming to an end, but that needn’t put a damper on your vacation plans. We have Labor Day weekend still to go, and don't forget that many public schools will be closed for the Jewish holidays and Columbus Day in October, perfect timing for a quick fall getaway.

There are deals for travel to Orlando, Connecticut, Maine, Washington, D.C. and other family-friendly destinations. The Caribbean is a great value in the fall and nonstop flights have your toes in the sand fast. Why, there’s a luxury hotel deal in London that may lure you to journey across the pond. Read on for fall 2016 travel deals, and don't forget to check out our family travel section for more getaway ideas.

The Roosevelt Ride: Day Trip Celebrates FDR in Hudson Valley

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Thu, 08/04/2016 - 4:10pm

FDR looms large in many Americans' minds as the man who led the country through the Great Depression and the only president to serve three terms. For New Yorkers, the legacy of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the nation's 32nd president, is perhaps even more pervasive.

He was born in Dutchess County's Hyde Park and his family was deeply connected to the Hudson Valley. He served in the New York State Senate and later as the governor of the state before ascending to the White House. Today, the area boasts several historic Roosevelt sites that help introduce visitors to our longest-serving president and First Lady Eleanor, including the FDR Presidential Library and Museum and the Franklin Roosevelt Park. Even a number of NYC sites carry his name. Time for a visit to Roosevelt Island?

A visit to Hyde Park, though, is a unique educational opportunity for children and parents—and don't count out a visit with young children. The shady grounds of the various Roosevelt sites offer plenty of room to romp in the fresh air. How to see it all, you ask? On the Roosevelt Ride, of course! This efficient shuttle takes visitors on a tour of the most important historic Roosevelt sites in and around Hyde Park—for FREE. We've got the scoop on catching the Roosevelt Ride as well as details on sites along the route, all adding up to a car-free, family-friendly day trip that’s heavy on history with a side helping of nature.

25 Things To Do in Cincinnati with Kids

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Sat, 07/23/2016 - 12:00pm

Cincinnati, Ohio hits the highbrow and lowbrow sweet spot for families. It may be referred to as the Queen City, but there are no regal airs in this utterly unpretentious town.

Proud of its working-class roots, Cincinnati forges into the 21st century with plenty of innovations. Its compact core makes it ideal for walking and an eagerly anticipated new streetcar route opens in September, connecting its diverse outlying neighborhoods with the vibrant downtown. Nature lovers can bask in Cincinnati's leafy parks just minutes from the city center. Pro sports are a big deal, with baseball’s Reds and football’s Bengals leading the charge, but families with an interest in history and the arts have also come to the right place.

To help families get the most out a visit to Ohio's Queen City, we've pulled together a carefully curated list of things to see and experience with kids. For more stateside family vacation ideas, be sure to check out our United States Family Travel Guide.

Summer Travel Deals for Families: Disney, Hamptons, Legoland

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Sat, 06/04/2016 - 12:00pm

The school year is coming to an end, and prime summer vacation season is about to get under way. If you still haven’t planned your escape, no problem. We have you covered. We’ve found bona fide deals at classic East Coast summer resorts like Mohonk in Hudson Valley and Woodloch in the Poconos, plus savings at Disney, in the Caribbean, Southern California and a low-key Hamptons spot. The catch? Some of these deals are good for travel just for June. So get booking!

Read on for 11 money-saving deals on family travel going on now at some of our favorite family resorts and destinations.

25 Things To Do with Kids in Daytona Beach, Florida

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Fri, 04/22/2016 - 11:00am

With 23 miles of sand and surf, no wonder Daytona Beach is a vacation favorite. Swimming and sand castles combine with an old-fashioned pier, arcade games and salt-water taffy for a throwback family vacation of the finest caliber.

This Florida beach attracts a magnetic force, but this town boasts a range of non-beach attractions. Famous as the birthplace of auto racing, no visit is complete without a pit stop at the Daytona International Speedway. Motorbikes are a major presence in Daytona Beach and you’ll see bike enthusiasts of all ages cruising around town. Rainy days are no problem, as the Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts & Sciences will keep the kids entertained.

It's true that spring break is big here, but once the college kids leave, families rule. The vibe is pure Americana and the retro feel translates to prices. Budget-friendly hotel, restaurants and attractions add to the appeal.

11 Best US Aquariums for Your Next Family Vacation

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Fri, 04/15/2016 - 12:30pm

A visit to a top-notch aquarium is a great way for kids to explore the secrets of the sea. Families in the Northeast are blessed with an array of regional aquariums, including the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead, the New England Aquarium in Boston, and the Adventure Aquarium with its Shark Bridge in Camden. Southwest families are fortunate to have the Aquarium of the Pacific in their back yard.

If you’re looking for really fabulous odes to underwater environments and sea life that are simultaneously entertaining and educational, we’ve found them, from a 28-foot-tall kelp forest to a jellyfish invasion. The following 11 aquariums up the aquatic ante and are so worth the trip.

25 Things to Do in Berlin with Kids

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Fri, 02/19/2016 - 1:00pm

Yes, it's ultra-hip and loaded with cool nightclubs, but the city of Berlin surprises as a great family vacation destination with impressive museums, wide-open green spaces, affordable hotels—and even a Legoland. Berlin never tries to hide its brutal past; reminders of the Holocaust are everywhere, making a visit part history lesson, so be prepared for frank questions from your kids regarding Germany’s complicated legacy. A tolerant spirit pervades, so families of every configuration should feel at home.

Making spring break or summer travel plans? Check our U.S. regional travel guides for more family travel planning or some of our recent family resort reviews.

Allison Tibaldi

Latest posts by Allison Tibaldi

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