Your Guide to Family-Friendly Day Trips in New Jersey, New York…and Beyond
On Black Friday we headed into NYC, where we hadn’t visited since March. We weren’t sure what to expect. It was a lot quieter than we anticipated, except for 5th Avenue, which was pretty busy (uncomfortably busy – but less so than a typical Black Friday). I wanted to share some photos and thoughts from that day!
We usually go into Manhattan on Black Friday, and this year we wanted to check out the NYC holiday windows 2020. We haven’t been in Manhattan since early March, just before the lock-downs started. So we weren’t sure what to expect. This is the first of 2 posts about NYC observations – this one of course, holiday windows. Here’s a good NYT piece about the history of NYC holiday windows, and this year’s theme.
A few years ago we were wandering around New York City…on Easter. We didn’t end up at the Easter Bonnet Parade on purpose. We just happened upon it. But it was fun. People wear crazy hats and costumes. Some carried live bunnies. It wasn’t an organized parade, just a bunch of people in costumes (mostly spring/Easter themed hats) walking around and posing for photos.
This year it’s Sunday, April 1 from 10-4. It’s from 49th Street to 55th Street, on Fifth Avenue.
Our annual NYC holiday windows post! Enjoy.
Bloomingdale’s 2017 holiday windows
Bloomingdale’s NYC holiday windows holiday windows are inspired by the Greatest Showman, the new movie coming out about PT Barnum. You’ll find circus performers galore, and some windows with magical elements. You’ll also find a fortune teller, where you can get your own fortune. Here are Bloomingdale’s holiday windows from 2016.
This is part two in our post about the Manischewitz factory tour. Part one is a tour of the Manischewitz matzah production.
**UPDATE – it appears this Manischewitz Newark factory is closing. We’ll update the post if we get additional tour information.**
The Manischewitz factory has four main production lines: Continue reading “Touring the Manischewitz Factory Part 2”
If you grew up in the New Jersey area, you may have taken an Manischewitz factory tour through religious school, in Jersey City. That factory closed, and the new global headquarters and manufacturing plant is now in Newark. It opened in the fall 2016, and you can book group tours there. I love factory tours, and even more so when it’s the actual factory, and not a fake one (I’m talking to you, Hershey’s).
**UPDATE – it appears this Manischewitz Newark factory is closing. We’ll update the post if we get additional tour information.**
In this tour, you walk through a lot of the 186,000 square feet of the factory. What you’ll see being produced depends on the day, as they make more than 400 products. Continue reading “Touring the Manischewitz Factory – Part 1”
It’s that time of the year when we stuff ourselves silly and buy to excess. You’re probably already doing things to help those less fortunate. But I wanted to share our experience with the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ).
I brought my kids to the CFBNJÂ when my college alumni group organized a volunteer session this month. It was a really interesting experience. Here’s what we learned. Continue reading “Help the Community FoodBank of New Jersey”
We loved the Bloomingdale’s windows this year, which feature chandeliers. They’re all going to be auctioned off to benefit the Child Mind Institute.
Each window features a chandelier from a different artist.
Barney’s theme this year is the Love Peace Joy Project. It features work from prominent artists you may or may not have heard of. More on that below. These windows were a lot of fun.
These first two photos are from Rob Pruitt’s window creation. Continue reading “Barney’s Holiday Windows 2016”
If you haven’t had a chance to check out the holiday windows, what are you waiting for? Here are some of my pix from Saks Fifth Avenue. Though I didn’t go at night, they have a lovely light display on the building, above this candy entrance.
Their theme this year is Land of 1,000 Delights. It’s a fun pairing of sweets and some awesome clothing. Continue reading “Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Windows 2016”