Dawn Miller

Latest posts by Dawn

Visiting the Harriet Tubman Museum in Cape May with Kids

Submitted by Dawn Miller on Fri, 02/24/2023 - 6:49am

Wesley Wofford's remarkable sculpture at the museum depicts Harriet Tubman leading a child to freedom. Photo courtesy of the museum

The Harriet Tubman Museum opened on Cape May in 2022, adding to the seaside city's deep historical appeal. The new museum explores Tubman's legacy as well as Cape May's role in the abolitionist movement.

Cape May is a jewel along the 130 miles of New Jersey’s shoreline, and other points of cultural interest include its historic lighthouse, trolley tours, and historic estates.

Planning a visit to the area? Read our post detailing dozens of Cape May activities and find other wonderful things to do in our Jersey Shore Family Guide.

Best Places to Play Futsal in New Jersey

Submitted by Dawn Miller on Tue, 10/25/2022 - 1:08pm

Futsal is a form of indoor soccer played in gyms in 5-on-5 fashion. Photo courtesy of Dutch Total Soccer

Futsal, an increasingly popular form of indoor soccer, has been taking over gym floors in recent years, and it may fit the bill if you're looking for a new sport for the kids this winter. Futsal is also attracting soccer-loving kids who want a place to kick during those cold winter months. Sure, there are indoor soccer leagues and off-season training programs, but futsal puts a different spin on soccer and offers perks that actually make kids better soccer players.

Have sports-loving kids? Check out our Guide to New Jersey Sports for more cool activities for your kids or our Outdoor Activities Guide for New Jersey Kids, which has fun options the entire family will enjoy.

Best Ice Cream Parlors in NYC: 10 Top Spots for Outrageous Ice Cream Sundae Treats

Submitted by Dawn Miller on Tue, 08/09/2022 - 12:39pm

Grab an over-the-top sundae at Surreal Creamery, which is well-known for its towering Mason jar concoctions.

There's nothing sweeter on a hot summer day than an ice cream sundae and we've rounded up the best ice cream parlors in NYC to get an over-the-top ice cream sundae. We owe a debt to whoever invented the delicious combo of ice cream, syrup, and toppings—this yummy treat is a delight.

The delectable ice cream sundaes below go far beyond your typical scoop with hot fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry on top to include special touches like unlimited toppings, candy coatings, and sundaes fit to feed your entire family. If you're looking for more sweet shops to grab a scoop, bookmark our list of 14 great ice cream parlors in NYC, and find more showstopping desserts for all seasons and occasions on this list of the most insane desserts in NYC.

Fishing Lakes Near New Jersey and More Kid-Friendly Places to Go Fishing

Submitted by Dawn Miller on Tue, 08/02/2022 - 6:28am

Spruce Run Recreation Area. Photo by Susan Miessler

Kid-friendly places to go fishing abound in New Jersey, which boasts more than 400 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs available to residents and visitors. Fishing is a family activity that works for all ages. Even teens have been known to enjoy a fishing outing.

Not sure where to go fishing? We’ve scoped out a dozen places ideal for rod-and-reel time in New Jersey.

Looking for more great NJ places to explore this summer? Check out our Guide to Summer Fun in New Jersey for Kids and make the most of the dog days. And be sure to look at our Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in New Jersey for other outdoorsy things to do.

Toms River Field of Dreams Playground Brings New Park for Kids of All Abilities

Submitted by Dawn Miller on Thu, 06/09/2022 - 3:12pm

Kids of all ages and abilities go wild for a romp in the inclusive Toms River Field of Dreams Playground.

Finding an all-inclusive playground is almost impossible, as parents of special needs children know, but the inventive Toms River Field of Dreams Playground is looking to change that. This brand new park, set on three acres of land in Bey Lea Park is already welcoming visitors.

This special Toms River Field of Dreams is the result of two parents on a mission to create a place for special needs kids to play. Read on for more on the backstory of the Toms River Field of Dreams Playground, and find more fun places to play on this list of the best playgrounds in New Jersey.

From the Jersey Devil to Lucy the Elephant: 10 Off-the-Beaten-Path Attractions in New Jersey

Submitted by Dawn Miller on Tue, 05/17/2022 - 1:36pm

Lucy the Elephant. Photo courtesy of the venue

If you grew up in the Garden State, you’re already familiar with the hotly contested "Taylor ham" versus "pork roll" debate, or the “What exit?” joke. Kidding aside, New Jersey has a lot of well-known assets, including its shoreline, farmland, mountains, the Pine Barrens and, of course, its urban hubs.

There are also a number of lesser-known lures that are worth a visit. Here are some off-the-beaten path attractions in Jersey, from the birthplace of its most illusive and infamous resident, the Jersey Devil, to a giant elephant that used to be a hotel. There's even a museum dedicated to weirdness. What's not to love about that?

If you're looking for other diverting day-trip ideas, check out our guide to New Jersey's best zoos and aquariums or our rundown on the best beaches in the state. And be sure to bookmark our Weekend Trips Guide for things to do with the fam all season long.

Memorial Day Weekend Getaways: 12 Day Trips Near NYC That Aren't the Beach

Submitted by Dawn Miller on Tue, 05/10/2022 - 5:44pm

Oceanport Paddle Club invites visitors and "Positive Vibes Only," to experience its fun. Photo courtesy of the club

Spring is in full swing and summer is just around the corner. It won't be long until Memorial Day weekend arrives. As the unofficial start of summer, many families head to one of our favorite Jersey Shore beaches, but that means traffic, crowds, and parking headaches. If you're looking for a different Memorial Day weekend getaway, we've found 12 fun day trip destinations in New York and New Jersey that aren't the beach.

These fun spots range from soaking up culture in NYC and beyond to outdoor pursuits that include hiking, exploring, paddleboarding, and more far from the sandy surf. Find more fun getaways in our Guide to Day Trips.

12 Fun Spring Activities and Destinations at the Jersey Shore

Submitted by Dawn Miller on Mon, 04/04/2022 - 7:23pm

Spring is a perfect time to make new friends at Jersey Shore Alpacas.

Summer unofficially starts at the Jersey Shore over Memorial Day weekend. That’s when the traffic and beach fees start, not to mention the parking headaches. If you're hoping to avoid that, take note: Springtime at the Jersey Shore is a real treat. Visitors are spared those hassles. So, whether you're searching for something to do on spring break or just a lovely spring weekend, take a ride down the Garden State Parkway or along Route 34 to check out one or more of these Jersey Shore treasures that are ripe for a spring day trip.

Be sure to bookmark our Jersey Shore Family Guide for all-season fun down on the Shore.