Yesterday we took the kids up to Jockey Hollow and Washington's Headquarters in Morristown--what a great place to visit! We had been there before in the Spring and the Fall, but there is still plenty to do in the winter months. You really get more of a feel of what Washington's troops went through during the winter they camped there (which was the coldest and snowiest for the area in recorded history). OK--so we went yesterday, when the temperature was near 50 degrees, instead of today, when it's in the 20s, but still....)
The Ford Mansion, which is where Washington had his headquarters, was open not only for tours, but for special kid-tours, which they have from time to time. Really great for the kids, with a scavenger hunt, fascinating and educational information, and even some fun trivia, too (like how they used the bathrooms in those days). And there is a small museum across the road too.
But the really fun part is Jockey Hollow, which is a bit of a distance away (but still part of the same National park) where the soldiers made camp, nearby to the Wick Farmhouse, which is still in existence. There is another visitor center, with a completely different movie (and gift shop items), that you should stop at before exploring--you should get a park map, showing the driving tour route with lots of sites, for instance.
We explored the soldiers' barracks (really huts), which have seen some major damage since our last visit, presumably because of Hurricane Sandy. In fact, many, many trees in the park were damaged because of the hurricane. We also toured Wick Farm, and listened to a short, kid-friendly presentation on the role of African Americans in the Revolution. Did you know that African Americans and women made the best Colonial spies, because the British didn't even pay any attention to them and let them come and go across enemy lines? Or that the American army was more integrated during the Revolution than at any time until President Truman ordered the armed forces to become fully integrated during the Korean War?
And, of course, the park is FULL of miles of hiking trails studded here and there with historical foundations, and there are plenty of fields where kids can just run around. Definitely worth a visit with the kids, any time of the year. Here's the website if you are looking for more information: http://www.nps.gov/morr/index.htm .
Enjoy! And take lots of pictures!
Monday, January 21, 2013
Saturday, January 19, 2013
New Year, new writing adventures
As some of you may know, I have started writing articles for my local paper, WWP News, and its sister paper U.S. 1. It is quite an experience--having to write things by a set deadline, calling people at the last minute to get more info for a story, the works! But I am really enjoying it.
I am still taking time to visit lots of cool places with my family. Over the holidays, we visited Morven (again)--the former Governors' mansion in Princeton, NJ. Check out the article I wrote about it below.
And--for a short time, you can combine a trip to Princeton with a trip to the Pine Barrens--the new exhibit at Morven features photos from various sites in the Pine Barrens 9which was of course our summer trip last year). The exhibit opens on January 25th, and ends on April 14, so don't miss it!
I am still taking time to visit lots of cool places with my family. Over the holidays, we visited Morven (again)--the former Governors' mansion in Princeton, NJ. Check out the article I wrote about it below.
And--for a short time, you can combine a trip to Princeton with a trip to the Pine Barrens--the new exhibit at Morven features photos from various sites in the Pine Barrens 9which was of course our summer trip last year). The exhibit opens on January 25th, and ends on April 14, so don't miss it!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
New Year, New Design, and Soon New Posts!
One thing I have learned about having a blog is that it is REALLY HARD to keep up with it, even if you have decided to write for a living! One of my New Year's resolutions is to do better (and to hopefully attract more followers as well).
And I also want to encourage more participation--so if anyone has a local or not so local travel tip, idea, story, or just plain funny moment, please share it! That way this blog will become more useful to everyone!
In thew meantime, I am going to seek out new adventures for 2013, and do a better job of writing about our travels in 2012.
Cheers!
And I also want to encourage more participation--so if anyone has a local or not so local travel tip, idea, story, or just plain funny moment, please share it! That way this blog will become more useful to everyone!
In thew meantime, I am going to seek out new adventures for 2013, and do a better job of writing about our travels in 2012.
Cheers!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Halloween Fun with Spiders...and Scooby Doo!
Looking for some Halloween fun this weekend? Too rainy to go pumpkin-picking? Why not head over to Insectropolis, in Toms River, NJ for some zany Halloween fun?
Insectropolis is fun any time of year but this weekend is their annual Halloween mystery adventure, starring Scooby Doo and his pals. Called Boo at the Zoo With Scooby Doo: Mystery of the Missing Gold Beetle, this family-friendly event is a perfect evening activity for kids who are too young to go to a Haunted house or hayride. I have taken my kids and they had a blast! But it fills up quickly, so go early, or buy your tickets online.
Basic info:
Friday, Oct 12, 2012 Open 5-8pm
Saturday, Oct 13, 2012 Open 5-8pm
Tickets are $8 per person.
Insectropolis is located at 1761 Route 9, Toms River, NJ 08755.
For general information about regular visiting hours, admission prices and exhibits, visit their website at
Want to read a first-hand account of our visit to Insectropolis? Then check out my article, which I have posted here as well.
See you there!
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Our summer vacation in southern New Jersey
We spent a fun week in late August exploring southern NJ. We were based in Galloway, and went all over--the shore, the Pine Barrens, and lots of fun places in between. I will be (hopefully) publishing articles about many of our adventures, and adding them to my blog.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Need a light and lazy activity for Labor Day? How about boating?
For those in central Jersey who have kids (like mine) who are tired of swimming and the beach, but who still love water, there is another local option--renting a boat at Mercer County Park.
Mercer County Park's marina offers boat rentals from Memorial Day through Labor Day, so this is your last chance this summer to try this fun activity. You can rent one or two-seater kayaks, or rowboats or pedal boats (4 people). The rentals are available from 12:00-6:00 PM and the cost is $15 per hour for pedal boats rowboats, and single person kayaks, and $20 for a two-seater kayak; after the first hour, it is $5 per every 1/2 hour.
Another option--take a pontoon lake tour! The pontoon tours are held on weekends only, at 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 5 PM. The cost is $7 per adult and $5 per child or senior. They are given on a first-come, first serve basis, and the pontoon holds a maximum of 15 people.
See you on the Lake!
September's New Look...
This one is called "ethereal". Interesting, I think, and the clouds remind me of a nice September day.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Update on Six Flags Wild Safari
As promised, Six Flags has released information about the changes that will be taking place in 2013 at Six Flags Great Adventure, Wild Safari, and Hurricane Harbor.
In a nutshell, there will now be two theme parks, instead of three--Great Adventure and Wild Safari will be COMBINED. And so, although the company is technically closing Wild Safari, the animals will remain. Instead of allowing people to drive through in their own vehicles, they will be offering a "Safari Off-Road Adventure", which will leave from the Frontier Adventures section of Great Adventure. They will be changing the landscaping and topography so that the trip feels like a "real" safari. And there will be a stop at Camp Adventura, to allow visitors to disembark and directly interact with some of the park's animal life.
As an added bonus, this new adventure will be included in the ticket price for both one-day admissions and season-pass holders. This ride is expected to debut Memorial Day weekend, 2013.
In addition, there will be another new ride opening at Hurricane Harbor--the Big Wave Racer, which will offer guests the thrill of racing head-first on water toboggans on a 4-story high, 1,800-foot track. This ride is expected to open in the summer of 2013.
For more information, check out the website at www.sixflags.com/greataventure/index.aspx .
REMEMBER: If you want to drive through Wild Safari in your own vehicle, you only have until SEPTEMBER 30th. That will be the very last day that Wild Safari will ever be open to private vehicles, so take advantage while you still have the chance. I know I will!
In a nutshell, there will now be two theme parks, instead of three--Great Adventure and Wild Safari will be COMBINED. And so, although the company is technically closing Wild Safari, the animals will remain. Instead of allowing people to drive through in their own vehicles, they will be offering a "Safari Off-Road Adventure", which will leave from the Frontier Adventures section of Great Adventure. They will be changing the landscaping and topography so that the trip feels like a "real" safari. And there will be a stop at Camp Adventura, to allow visitors to disembark and directly interact with some of the park's animal life.
As an added bonus, this new adventure will be included in the ticket price for both one-day admissions and season-pass holders. This ride is expected to debut Memorial Day weekend, 2013.
In addition, there will be another new ride opening at Hurricane Harbor--the Big Wave Racer, which will offer guests the thrill of racing head-first on water toboggans on a 4-story high, 1,800-foot track. This ride is expected to open in the summer of 2013.
For more information, check out the website at www.sixflags.com/greataventure/index.aspx .
REMEMBER: If you want to drive through Wild Safari in your own vehicle, you only have until SEPTEMBER 30th. That will be the very last day that Wild Safari will ever be open to private vehicles, so take advantage while you still have the chance. I know I will!
Friday, August 24, 2012
Wild Safari--Better Visit Soon, Before It Closes!!
In my opinion, the best thing about Six Flags Great Adventure, and what sets it apart from other amusement parks, is the Wild Safari. A NJ institution since July 4, 1974, this interactive zoo in the heart of NJ has delighted families for generations. But that is about to change. Six Flags made the shocking announcement earlier this week that Wild Safari will be closing to private vehicle traffic FOREVER on September 30th, 2012 (a month earlier than regularly scheduled to close). More news is expected on August 30th, so stay tuned.
For those of you who--like me & my kids--love this park, you had better get in one or two last visits. And for those who have always wanted to go but never got around to it--NOW OR NEVER!
And for those who are interested in reading more I recently published an article about this soon-to-be-lost NJ treasure, which I posted below. Hopefully my family's experiences will inspire you to go one last time.
For those of you who--like me & my kids--love this park, you had better get in one or two last visits. And for those who have always wanted to go but never got around to it--NOW OR NEVER!
And for those who are interested in reading more I recently published an article about this soon-to-be-lost NJ treasure, which I posted below. Hopefully my family's experiences will inspire you to go one last time.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Another fun place to visit this summer--Lucy the Elephant
If you are looking for more fun at the Jersey Shore this summer, how about checking out Lucy the Elephant in Margate, NJ? After all, how often do you get to climb into a six-story pachyderm on the edge of the beach? And if you go on a Thursday in July or August you can go to Margate beach for free!
Check out my article (below) for more details on this fun NJ icon.
Check out my article (below) for more details on this fun NJ icon.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Atlantic City. . .full of casinos, restaurants, shopping. . .and one REALLY nice aquarium!
If you are looking for something to do with the kids this summer, why not check out the Atlantic City Aquarium? It is small, but surprisingly well-stocked, and there are plenty of things to do in the area (besides casinos). Visit their website at www.acaquarium.com for more information. Or, you can check out the article I wrote about our trip there--I will post it here as well!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Ok, took a bit of a hiatus--had a few family and friend-related life events that took some time. But I am back, with a new design for July, and some fun things to write about! How did you spend your Fourth of July? We went to Baltimore for the week and it was AWESOME (although VERY hot). When you are considering your travel plans for next summer, you might want to consider Baltimore. Some highlights:
- There are two sets of fireworks over the Inner Harbor--one highlights the big, "bloom" sort of fireworks that explode high in the sky and change color or shape; the other features lower fireworks that shoot upwards like colorful sprays of water. If you sit in the right spot, you can see them both at the same time. We figured out that the best spot is most likely Federal Hill, which is across the Bay from the Inner Harbor. If you want to stay on the Inner Harbor side, then the best spot is probably near the new Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum (open late on July 4th, btw).
- For those who want a really great view, (and have cash to burn) several of the venues had special viewing options--several of the restaurants had reserved outdoor seating, the USS Constellation was hosting a fireworks party on deck, and even the electric boats vendor was offering his boats for fireworks viewing--for a mere $50!
- Lots of music leading up to the fireworks, all along the Inner Harbor-two of the best were at the Hard Rock Cafe, (classic rock) and the bandstand near the USS Constellation (dance music & hip-hop). But all along the walkway were smaller sometimes impromptu musicians playing every type of music--street music, rap, jazz--something for everyone!
- Ft. McHenry had family events all day--the only fee was the admission fee. There was flag hoisting (of the giant replica of the original Star Spangled Banner that flew there, fife and drum concerts, musket and cannon firing demonstrations, and the reading of the entire Declaration of Independence. Lots of fun, and informative, too!
- The National Aquarium, Maryland Science Museum, and Port Discovery Children's Museum all had special, kid-friendly hands-on events, and the Star Spangled Banner/Flag House had free admission and tours (Baltimore is in fact the birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner, created for the War of 1812).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)