review Archives - Page 10 of 18

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

Continue reading “Hershey Create Your Own Candy Bar Experience”

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”

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”

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”

August 20, 2015August 10, 2018

Review: Island Spa (Korean Spa) in Edison

The last two summers I spent a day at King Spa Fitness in Palisades Park, NJ. It’s a huge Korean spa, and one for which non-Koreans like me need a culture lesson before going. I was thinking of going back this summer, when a friend told me that Island Spa in Edison just opened up this summer, in July. In the name of research, I went there instead.

The exterior of the charcoal island at Island Spa. Photo copyright Deborah Abrams Kaplan

Island Spa and Sauna is on Route 27 Continue reading “Review: Island Spa (Korean Spa) in Edison”

August 14, 2015August 28, 2016

Review: Glen Lodge in the Adirondacks

We were looking to raft in the Adirondacks near Lake George, and came across the Glen Lodge and Market when researching. Their rafting/lodging special was too good to pass up ($199/person for 2 nights’ lodging, breakfasts, rafting day and dinner). We came with 2 families, booking three of the lodge’s seven rooms.

glen lodge 1 — The Glen Lodge in Warrensburg has seven rooms and a woodsy feel.

The rooms were all upstairs. They had plenty of space and were stocked with tables, chairs, toiletries and a hair dryer. While not fancy, it was quite comfortable and warm. One treat was Lake Champlain chocolates on the nightstand. Continue reading “Review: Glen Lodge in the Adirondacks”

July 21, 2015February 27, 2018

Chicago: Embassy Suites downtown Chicago with Kids Review

**This is the last in our series on Chicago. In this series are our reviews of the Shedd Aquarium, the Willis (Sears) Tower and the Museum of Science and Industry). **

When we stay in a hotel, our preference is a suite – that includes breakfast (and even better for one that includes happy hour). We really enjoy having our kids sleep in a separate area, but not necessarily next door. We often end up at the Embassy Suites in downtown Chicago (600 N. State Street). (While we sometimes get rooms to review for the blog, we paid for this one ourselves).

embassy2 — The Embassy Suites in downtown Chicago

Continue reading “Chicago: Embassy Suites downtown Chicago with Kids Review”

July 21, 2015November 8, 2017

Chicago: Museum of Science and Industry with Kids

**This is part of our series on Chicago. Also in the series: the Shedd Aquarium, the Willis/Sears Tower, and a review of the downtown Embassy Suites**

We flew into Chicago early morning, and took a taxi straight to the Museum of Science and Industry (as for luggage – we sent that ahead with my husband who had other plans for the day). We planned to spend the day there but I didn’t realize we would spend the ENTIRE day there. So much to see and do. And we still missed out on some of the exhibits. My kids are tween/teen age, and they loved it as much as I did. Plenty for the younger set too.

msi1 — The simulator – no way I was going on that!

Some planes “flew” over the miniature set with trains below. Continue reading “Chicago: Museum of Science and Industry with Kids”

July 13, 2015July 13, 2015

Review: One World Observatory

To be honest, I was a little nervous to go to the top of One World Trade Center. I wasn’t in the East Coast on September 11, 2001 but it’s impossible not to think about what a target this building is, and how high I would be, trapped if something similar happened. Okay, getting the creepy feelings out of the way early!

One World Observatory opened to the public in late May, 2015. The building opened to tenants the previous November.

world trade center 2 — Looking up the One World Trade Center building. Photo by Deborah Abrams Kaplan

The entrance to One World Observatory is on Continue reading “Review: One World Observatory”

June 27, 2015June 27, 2015

16 Things You Didn’t Know about Hurricane Harbor

We went to Hurricane Harbor last year for the first time (our Hurricane Harbor review and primer here). We went back again yesterday and had a great time, noticing and doing different things than we did before. Here are 16 things I bet you didn’t know about Hurricane Harbor.

1. Going on a weekday (especially one when rain is expected and it’s cloudy and in the 70s) makes a HUGE difference in line compared to the weekends. Fortunately it didn’t rain on us and we only got cold once (took a break then went back out) and had a relaxing day without many lines. We waited at most 20 minutes (for the Tornado – video below) and most lines were less than 10 minutes.

2. You will get a lot of exercise. Continue reading “16 Things You Didn’t Know about Hurricane Harbor”