jerseykids, Author at Jersey Kids

October 22, 2015August 28, 2016

Tour Israel for $999 including airfare via Groupon

We went to Israel this summer with our family. It was my fourth trip there, but the first for my kids. I know that now is not the time everyone wants to go – the random acts of violence are certainly scary. This is probably why Groupon and Israel introduced an amazingly priced deal to go to Israel in January and February. They are offering tours which INCLUDE airfare from JFK, for $999. We paid more than per person for our airfare last summer and flew out of Philly because JFK airfares were several hundred dollars more per person. This tour, though, includes hotels, some meals and the tours many days as well.

The Western Wall and Dome of the Rock in the old city of Jerusalem. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

If you’ve ever wanted to go to Israel (and pretty much everyone I’ve ever talked to said they do – regardless of their religion), I’d encourage you to look into this deal. You can read more of the details on the Groupon site. This is a great price.

October 22, 2015December 16, 2017

Hershey Create Your Own Candy Bar Experience

We went to Hershey last weekend for the first time, and I wanted to cram in as much as we could. My husband was running the Hershey Half Marathon, which make planning a little more difficult, so I had to prioritize what we were going to do. I heard about the Hershey create your own candy bar experience, though, and knew that was top of the list.

We arrived at the entrance at our appointed time. It wasn’t a formal tour, so you literally just show up at your ticket time. They give you an apron, hair net and if needed, a beard net. My 12 year old took one of those just because it was fun. Not sure why you need an apron, since you don’t go anywhere need the food. The hair net, I kind of get, even though everything is behind glass.

You choose your own chocolate base bar and toppings, using your ticket's bar code for tracking. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan — You choose your own chocolate base bar and toppings, using your ticket’s bar code for tracking. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

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October 20, 2015August 28, 2016

Hersheypark in the Dark Tips for Families

It’s rare to be at an amusement park on the weekend with virtually no lines. That was the upside to going to Hersheypark on a cold October day where it hailed on us three times plus rain (of course we had no ponchos or umbrellas, though everyone in our group except for me had hoods). I’ve included some Hersheypark in the Dark tips for families here.

Hail storm at Hersheypark. Copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

Six hours in an amusement park is generally not enough time to ride a big coasters numerous times, eat lunch and do some low-key rides too. But in our six hours we did quite well, riding: Continue reading “Hersheypark in the Dark Tips for Families”

October 8, 2015August 28, 2016

Treat of the Day: Doughnut Plant

If you find yourself on the Lower East Side and in need of something sweet and filling, head over to Doughnut Plant. I keep wanting to call it Doughnut Planet because that makes more sense to me. But alas, it’s Doughnut PLANT.

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September 30, 2015August 29, 2017

Review: Meow Parlour in New York City

We don’t have any pets at our house (unless you count fish), but I do like dogs and cats. I first heard about cat cafes while watching the Amazing Race. And then I found out there was one in New York City – it’s called Meow Parlour. My kids freaked out and couldn’t wait to go.

The Meow Parlour in New York City. Photo copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan.

What is a cat cafe? Basically it’s a store front with adoptable free-roaming cats (from a shelter). You can play with them. Continue reading “Review: Meow Parlour in New York City”

September 25, 2015August 28, 2016

Amazon Prime Sale $67 Today

If you’ve been on the fence about getting Amazon Prime, today is your day to buy. From 12 a.m. Eastern time until midnight Pacific time today (September 25), Amazon Prime is $67 (a $32 savings from its normal rate). They are offering it on sale as a way to celebrate Transparent winning an Emmy. If you’re interested in in buying, use this link as it has the sale info mentioned on it. It’s also an affiliate link, but that won’t cost you anything extra. It’s still $67 for one year (presumably the second year it goes back up to the regular price).

With Amazon Prime you’ll get free two day shipping in addition to access to all their streaming movies and television shows (like Transparent!). There are other benefits as well, like access to 800,000 free ebooks via a lending library, and access to music and playlists.

September 11, 2015April 27, 2016

Remembering…9/11

Remembering.

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September 8, 2015August 28, 2016

Treat of the Day: 10 Below Ice Cream in Chinatown

When I heard about the new ice cream place called 10 Below in Chinatown, where they made the ice cream in front of you in two minutes, I knew we had to go. Soon! I saw these pictures of ice cream rolls with cute toppings and it was a done deal. So I told my kids that we were going into the city to get ice cream, and they thought I was nuts. Sure, we eat ice cream. A fair amount of ice cream. But planning a trip to New York City just to eat ice cream? Well, we added in a few other things on the itinerary too, but planned to get there on the early side (and on a weekday before school started) to avoid the lines.

10below1 — Don’t come to 10 Below if you’re in a hurry. You’ll have to wait no matter what time you come.

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August 21, 2015August 28, 2016

Shopping at H Mart in Edison New Jersey

When I go to a foreign country, I make plans to visit a grocery store. I love seeing all the different products, since it tells you a lot about their culture (like what they eat). So on my recent trip to the Korean Island Spa in Edison, I checked out HMart, which is in the same strip shopping center. It’s a huge Asian grocery store. I’ll share some of my findings.

In addition to the grocery section, they have a mini-mall indoors, with a vendors selling Gangnam style socks (above), as well as make-up, household items, kids’ fun accessories and a dessert shop. Continue reading “Shopping at H Mart in Edison New Jersey”