Your Guide to Family-Friendly Day Trips in New Jersey, New York…and Beyond
We visited Storm King this summer, having visited it in 2013. Given the COVID situation, it was time for an updated blog post, visiting Storm King during the pandemic. Keep in mind that the situation is always changing, so please check the Storm King website before you go.
I had no idea that NYC had a dog museum. I found out because the Smithsonian Free Museum Day included this as an option, so I had to check it out. The AKC (American Kennel Club) Museum of the Dog “preserves, interprets and celebrates the role of dogs in society and educates the public about the human-canine bond through its collection of art and exhibits…”
We finally had time to check out the new Moynihan Train Hall, which opened on January 1, 2021. It’s across from Penn Station and Madison Square Garden between 8th and 9th Avenue between 31st and 33rd Streets.
With Broadway back, we had a staycation weekend in NYC. We found the Staypineapple Hotel in midtown and prices weren’t too bad for a Saturday night. It was such a cute hotel I wanted to post about it! Here’s our review: Staypinapple Hotel.
Broadway is back! See our post about what that looks like. Even though Broadway is back, those affected by the theater are still trying to survive. We went for a drink at Beer Culture after the Lion King and the bartender told us that they’re at about 30% of volume. They’re hoping that with Broadway coming back, their business will improve as well.
Other industries are hurting as well, including costume designers. The Showstoppers: Spectacular Costumes from Stage and Screen show was created to raise money for those costume makers who were unable to work during the 18 month shutdown. The Costume Industry Coalition formed in May 2020 and started a recovery fund for its members, which includes 55 independent businesses and hundreds of artisans in and around NYC. These are the people who create the costumes for live and recorded shows. The exhibition designer, Thinc Designs, donated their efforts. Designers lost $26.6 million in gross revenue from the pandemic in 2020 (up to $35 million by now in 2021). The show was put together in 3.5 months, where a show like this would normally take two years. Here is our review: Showstoppers NYC.
Continue reading “Review: Shopstoppers NYC”
I have never received so many emails before a Broadway show as I did in the past few weeks. As the first shows reopened around September 17, I had gotten tickets to the Lion King and Chicago. I wanted to share our experience on what to expect on Broadway during COVID.
As of this writing, Broadway shows require proof of vaccination to enter, and mask-wearing at all times. This is per an agreement with the Actors’ Equity union and Broadway League and affects Broadway productions and major sit-down engagements, per Playbill. All Equity members and those interacting with them who are eligible for a vaccine, will have received it, other than potential exemptions at the producer’s discretion. Vaccinated actors will be tested weekly. More on how to show proof of vaccination and additional details at the bottom of this post.
Continue reading “What to Expect on Broadway During COVID”This post is sponsored by CAMP NYC. All opinions are my own.
Summer has been fantastic to get outside and play. But sometimes it’s great to go indoors and play too. We checked out Cosmic CAMP this weekend on 5th Avenue (at 16th Street). It’s in town through Halloween, and we recommend if you have kids 3+.
Your mission (if you choose to accept it) is to collect as many points and have as much fun as you can in this space-themed experience. It’s created by CAMP, the experts in all things family fun. The Cosmic CAMP experience includes adventures in outer space, with interactive games, physical challenges, and old-fashioned playtime.
Continue reading “Review: Blast off with CAMP and head to space!”Hurricane Ida came fast and furious to Louisiana, leaving a million with no power in New Orleans and some smaller towns with extensive damage. Here’s a quick post to share how you can help financially.
The Greater New Orleans Foundation: According to Nola.com, “The Greater New Orleans Foundation is the community foundation for 13 parishes in southeast Louisiana. Its disaster response fund has responded to every major disaster in the region since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.”
Little Island opened this past May and after two tries, we managed to check it out. The 2.4 acre park on the water is a magical spot with gorgeous plantings and a whimsical look. It’s a public park and performance space. What can you do and see when visiting Little Island with kids?
When visiting Seattle before the pandemic, we spent a wonderful afternoon at the original Starbucks Reserve Roastery Seattle in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. With many seating areas inside, we plunked down near the fancy coffee bar serving Chemex-prepared coffee that looked like a chemistry experiment. We had fantastic dessert coffees that were presented on adorable wooden trays and cost a pretty penny. Though we ended up not having to pay, because the server couldn’t find our bill, and said it was on them. Score! Why was there not a Starbucks Reserve Roastery NYC?
