Top Five Free Things To Do On Family Spring Break Vacation in New York City with Teens and Tweens

 Posted by on March 7, 2013  Comments Off
Mar 072013
 

If New York City is your destination for a family friendly spring break vacation with teens and tweens, make sure to bring your walking shoes and plan time to enjoy the many and varied free activities around New York City.  By the time you get done shopping, taking in a show, eating out and visiting the paid attractions you’ll be glad you added a few freebies to the mix.   Based on several visits by our teens, here’s their top five free things to do when visiting New York City:

1) Take a Walk in Central Park

On our visit we walked the east side of Central Park from the lower entrance of at 6th Avenue and Central Park Drive up to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on 5th Avenue at East 82nd Street.  On a sunny Spring Day the trees and flowers will be in bloom and the remote control sailboats will be out on Conservatory Lake.  The official Central Park site provides a wealth of information about things to see and do in the Park.

Central Park is lovely on a Spring Day

Central Park is lovely on a Spring Day

2)  Visit New York City Museums on the Cheap

Many of New York City’s museums offer specific times when admission is free or is on a pay what you want basis.  Check out those museums listed here by NYC-ARTS to find a deal.  The well known Metropolitan Museum of Art makes the list by offering a pay what you wish policy every day and children under age 12 are fee all the time.  Some New York City Museums have free admission at specific times.  For example, the Museum of Modern Art is free for everyone on Fridays from 4-8 pm and kids, tweens, and teens under age 16 get in free anytime.

The Temple of Dendur at the Met

The Temple of Dendur at the New York City Metropolitan Museum of Art

3) Take a Walk on the High Line

The High Line is a true urban oasis.  This linear park on the lower West Side is located on a former elevated rail spur that runs through the  Meatpacking District between 10th and 11th Avenues.  The first section opened in June 2009 and runs from from Gansevoort Street to West 20th Street. The second section, which runs between West 20th and West 30th Streets, opened June 8, 2011.  The High Line is maintained and operated by the Friends of the High Line non profit group.

Take a walk along New York City's High Line

Take a walk along New York City’s High Line

4) Visit Times Square and Broadway at Night

Nothing represents New York City more than the lights of Times Square and Broadway.  For better or worse, the neon and Times Square street scene should not be missed.  Although still a bit rough around the edges, Times Square becomes more family friendly every year hosting flagship stores for chains such as Toys R Us with an amazing lego zone and a 60-foot high  indoor ferris wheel (ticket required to ride).  In recent years traffic in Time Square has been diverted to create a pedestrian mall that includes tables and chairs and outdoor stages.  There is even a free mini-museum at the visitors center.

We're really in New York City!

The lights of Times Square in New York City!

 5) Take a Walk on The Brooklyn Bridge

Completed in 1883, the 1,595 foot main span of the Brooklyn Bridge  links lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.  It is the oldest suspension bridge in the country.  Today, the bridge carries 135,00 or more cars most days – as well as thousands of pedestrians.

The Brooklyn Bridge is a New York City icon

The Brooklyn Bridge is a New York City icon

Have more time?  Explore the wonderful art deco architecture of Rockerfeller Center and stop in at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.  Also be sure to check out the frequently updated listing of free things to do in New York City hosted by the NYCGO visitors web site.

Finally, don’t forget to check out our list of budget family friendly hotels near Times Square.  Enjoy your visit to the Big Apple


Omni Mt. Washington Resort: One of the Best Ski Destinations for Families with Kids and Tweens

 Posted by on January 12, 2013  Comments Off
Jan 122013
 
The Omni Mt. Washington Hotel in New Hampshire's Mt. Washington Valley

The Omni Mt. Washington Hotel in New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington Valley

The Omni Mount Washington Resort is a high-end 4-season resort located at the base of New Hampshire’s 6,000 foot tall Mount Washington in the midst of the White Mountain National Forest and the Mt. Washington Valley.  This area is one of our favorite family vacation destinations at any time of year.  Since Omni Hotels began managing this historic property in 2009 there have been an ongoing series of major updates to the hotel, the golf course, and the adjacent Bretton Woods ski area.

Bretton Woods, New Hampshire’s largest ski area with 434 acres of skiing and snowboarding, including 101 trails and glades and four terrain parks is always a family favorite with lots of options for all ability levels.  Off slope activities include sleigh rides, a winter canopy tour, ice skating, nordic skiing, snow tubing, dog sledding, an indoor pool, game room and spa.

Kids and tweens snowmobiling at the Omni Mt Washington Kids Snowmobile Park

Kids and tweens snowmobiling at the Omni Mt Washington Resort Kids Snowmobile Park

New this winter, the Resort launched a snowmobile park specifically designed for kids and tweens ages 4 to 13 (and under 135 pounds).  The resort partnered with with FB Spaulding and Polaris to offer state of the art equipment and a well maintained course complete with banked turns, straight stretches and wooded runs.  They provide full-face helmets and supervision before and during the ride including training on how to safely operate and shut-off the machine.

The Resort has one of the most extensive programs we have seen for kids and tweens – including day and evening kids club activities through age 12,  spa manicure and pedicure packages for kids and tweens and ski school options that include the Hobbits Ski & Snowboard School with skiing for ages 4-12 and snowboarding for ages 6-12.  Private lessons are always available as well.  For the most part, teens ages 13 and up are treated more as adults in terms of activities and lessons.

Check the Resort’s web site for the lastest deals and family discounts including free lift tickets with many overnight stays and the Family Interchangeable Ticket that lets Mom and Dad each go skiing for the price of one. This option lets Mom and Dad purchase two identical tickets at the single-ticket price. Only one may be used at any given time. Regular full-day daily ticket pricing applies. This is great option if one parent wants to stay with kids or tweens off the slopes.

Photos courtesy of the Omni Mt. Washington Resort


Families Welcome Smugglers’ Notch Winter Adventure Program for Teens Ages 16-20

 Posted by on December 26, 2012  Comments Off
Dec 262012
 
Escape to the trails on Mt Madonna and Mt Sterling at Smugglers' Notch

Escape to the trails on Mt Madonna and Mt Sterling at Smugglers’ Notch

Smugglers’ Notch, one of our favorite Vermont ski resorts, has added a new Winter Adventure program for teens ages 16-20.  The program mixes intermediate and advanced ski fun with the opportunity to explore a wide range of alternative winter sport options on and off the mountain. Thursday through Sunday, the morning starts at the teen friendly time of 10:00 am with an intermediate to advanced Snow Sense Session where the group skis and rides together focusing on exploring the mountain, reading terrain, and having fun – instead of focusing on formal technique. After lunch, the group heads back out with  instructors for specialty sessions such as ice climbing, backcountry snowshoeing, Ice Canyon Via Ferrata, and Winter survival skills.

Smuggs has always offered one of the most comprehensive on mountain ski and snowboard programs for tweens and teens including the Notch Squad all day camps for ages 11-15, private lessons, night time free style boarding lessons, and the Mountain Explorer half day group option for teens age 16 and 17 that want to work on ski and boarding skills.  The Winter Adventure program fills a real gap for families that want to take a winter holiday together but have older teens (including college students home on break) who might not want to ski all week but would welcome a break from non-stop family bonding as well as the chance to do something new and challenging.

The Notch Squad on the move

The Notch Squad on the move

Smuggs also offers full and half day Adaptive ski lessons and runs five-day Autism Snowman Camps  for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Campers  participate in a variety of winter activities including sleigh rides, alpine and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horseback riding, dog sledding, ice skating and swimming.

Combined with all the other off-mountain fun available for kids and adults of all abilities and ages – -  like cross country skiing, snowmobiles, zip-lines, tubing, outdoor ice skating, and a large indoor playspace — plus high quality day care and lessons for younger kids,  Smugglers’ Notch continues to be top of our list for resorts that can meet the needs for very diverse families and interests.

For the best deals, book the a Club Smugglers’ Classic or Summit Package that includes on-mountain lodging but always check to make sure the programs you want are included in the package you select since options vary.


Three Vermont Ski Resorts that Cater to Families with Teens and Tweens

 Posted by on September 27, 2012  Comments Off
Sep 272012
 

Vermont continues to be one of our favorite family ski destinations year after year.  Just a few hours from home we find easy access to big mountains,  expansive snowboard terrain parks, and  a wide range of great off slope activities, lodging and restaurants that appeal to our teens as well as mom and dad.  Families taking a ski vacation with teens and tweens need to be honest about each family member’s skiing abilities and interests.  Some teens may want to ski hard all day while others are pretty rusty and might benefit from a private lesson or all day camp.  Mom might want a spa and dad might want to ski a half day before taking a turn on a snowmobile tour.

Hockey Princess gets a snow boarding lesson

For teens and tweens with little ski or snowboard experience, a private lesson will get them on the slopes quickly

For a multi-day ski vacation, unless your family plans to ski together every day, the major options for making sure the teens and tweens have a buddy at the mountain are to bring a friend or seek out resorts with teen and tween-specific ski school and mountain camp offerings.

Three of our favorite Vermont ski resorts that have lots to offer  teens, tween and their parents, regardless of each individual’s level of skiing or snowboarding ability, are:

Smugglers’ Notch: Join the Notch Squad

With two mountains and Ski Schools options for younger and older teens, Smugglers’ Notch gets our vote for one of Vermont best destinations for families with skiers of all ages and abilities.   During our visit, the Notch Squad program for ages 11-15 really filled the bill offering small group snowboard lessons at several levels of expertise.  The instructors were friendly and upbeat and were able to quickly connect with our teen.   We understand that this winter Smuggs will be revamping some of its programs for older teens so be sure to ask what is available when you call to book a vacation.

The Notch Squad on the move

Smuggs is a destination resort where most visitors stay for a weekend or longer.  If you are looking for things to do off the mountain – either with or without the teens – snowmobile rides, ice skating and the Arbor Trek zip line tours are great fun.  Smuggs has a wide range of condo lodging options including some that are large enough for extended families or two families traveling together.

Stowe Mountain Resort: Explore Stoked Teen Camp

Stowe, Vermont is a classic alpine town with four seasons of dining and outdoor activities that are fun for mom, dad and the teens and tweens.  Multiple mountains mean that skiers of any level can find the perfect trail at the Stowe Mountain Resort.  Green trail skiers will enjoy the 2.5 mile Toll Road trail from the top of Mount Mansfield while more advance skiers and boarders will never run out of options.  Off the mountain there are many great restaurants, stores and activities such as Dog Sled rides.  The Mountain Road is lined with a wide range of hotels, motels, condos and bed and breakfasts.

The full day Stoked Teen Camp for blue/black skiers and riders, aged 13-17 years, is grouped by skill level.  It is offered during major vacation periods.  For families where 24×7 togetherness gets to be a little much on a ski vacation, the Stoked Teen Camp allows the teens the run of the mountain with built in supervision, lessons and the opportunity to hang with kids their own age.  More traditional ski school options are available for tweens and younger teens up to age 14.

Killington: Chill in the SnowZone 

With over 140 trails, Killington is synonomous with skiing in Vermont.  Trails include “Outer Limits” a double black diamond mogul trail that is the steepest mogul run in all of New England. It also has the longest trail in the east in  the 6.2-mile  ”Juggernaut” and boasts  five snowboard and alpine parks.

For older teens, ages 13-18, the SnowZone program offers ski and snowboard lessons designed especially for teens of all ability levels, with a promise that there will be no more than 5 teens in a group.  The half day and full day lesson programs include a lesson-only, lift ticket and rental equipment including a snow sports helmet is additional.  A smiliar program for tweens and younger teens is available via the SuperStars program.

Killington is known for being one of the first Vermont mountains to open and one of the last to close.  Discounted single day tickets for non-peak times are on sale until October 11th and the mountain expects to be open by Thanksgiving, if not before.  Off slope the fun continues with sleigh rides, tubing, snowmobile rides and a great spa.

Our Top Tip

Our top tip for a successful family ski vacation with teens and tweens is to make some up front assessments about priorities and skill level, then look for a resort with a wide range of on and off slope options including teen-specific ski and snowboard schools if you are not bringing a friend of similar ability to keep yout teen company on the slopes.

Looking for more family ski and snowboard ideas?  Check out all the great family travel blog ski links on the Mother of All Trips Back to Ski page.

Make New England Leaf Peeping Plans Today!

 Posted by on September 18, 2012  Comments Off
Sep 182012
 

Its coming, “The Peak”, the peak of the New England leaf peeping fall foliage season that is.  After a muted season last year, all forecasts are for a colorful and vibrant display this year thanks to a warm summer with decent amounts of rain here in New England.  Already, north of Boston hints of color are creeping onto the leaves and in just a couple of weeks much of Maine, central Vermont and New Hampshire and western Massachusetts will be at peak color.

Vermont's fall foliage was on full display over Columbus Day weekend

Vermont’s fall foliage on full display over Columbus Day weekend

Columbus Day weekend often offers particularly good views in central Vermont but, as you might expect, hotel reservations go quickly.   Depending on your time, budget and interests,if you make plans now you should still have your pick of campgrounds, motels, full service hotels, bed and breakfasts, or condos at resorts such as Vermont’s Smugglers’ Notch or Sugarbush or New Hampshire’s Attitash Mountain in the Mount Washington Valley.

Wondering when exactly “Peak” will come to the area you are visiting?  Foliage tracking maps like this one from Yankee Magazine will be providing daily updates.  So, if you plan to head North to see the leaves turn make your plans now.  By Columbus Day weekend you may not be able to get reservations anwhere close to the brightest colors of the season north and west of Boston, although there will still be time to catch the colors around Boston and on Cape Cod through mid to late October.


Our Picks for Boston’s Top 10 Family Activities for Teens and Tweens

 Posted by on September 10, 2012  Comments Off
Sep 102012
 

Boston offers a lot to do any time teens and tweens and their families come to town.  We’ve got a long list of favorites for visiting families to try.

Old Noth Church on Boston Freedom Trail

The Old Noth Church on Boston’s Freedom Trail

Based on years of experience, we are happy to share our Top Ten list of the best things to do in the greater Boston area during a family vacation or college visit with teens and tweens:

Need even more ideas?  Did we mention Boston’s signature museums including the Fine Arts Museum and the Institute for Contemporary Art?  Like the water?  Boston Harbor Cruises offers whale watches, harbor tours and the Codzilla high speed thrill ride.  High speed ferries depart frequently for Provincetown if you want to visit Cape Cod for a day.  Or closer to the city, water shuttles make regular visits one or more of the Boston Harbor Islands where you can explore a Civil War era fort or use a Park GPS to do a little islandcaching.  The Aquarium is another teen favorite.

Hubway offers bike rentals from stations all over town and Segways tours are available starting on Commercial Street not far from the TD Bank Boston Garden – where the Bruins and Celtics play.  After your tour, take in a game or a concert.

There is so much to do, you will almost certainly have to come back more than once.


Three Best Boston Walks for Teens and Tweens

 Posted by on September 2, 2012  1 Response »
Sep 022012
 

Boston is a highly walkable city with parks and promenades opening up pedestrian access to many parts of the city.  Teens and tweens are the perfect age to enjoy Boston’s more ambitious walks including three of our favorites:

The Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail, marked by a red stripe, follows a 2.5 mile route past many of Boston’s most important landmarks from the Revolutionary War.   It is easy to pick up the trail anywhere along the route but if you want to walk it start to finish the best place to begin is on the Boston Common at the Visitor’s Information Booth on Tremont Street near the Park Street MBTA stop.  From there you will quickly pass by the State House, several famous burying grounds and churches, including the Kings Chapel and The Old South Meeting Hall where the Boston Tea Party originated.

Old Noth Church on Boston Freedom Trail

The Old Noth Church on Boston’s Freedom Trail

From there the trail continues past the Old State House and the site of the Boston Massacre, through Faneuil Hall, and on to the North End — which is home to the Old North Church and a bronze statue of Paul Revere.  Continue down narrow side streets past Copps Hill burying ground and over the bridge to the Charlestown Navy Yard, the USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument.    The whole route can take most of an afternoon if you stop to examine every landmark, but it is a great way to bring history to life and get familiar with some of Boston’s oldest neighborhoods.

Paul Revere statue on Freedom Trail

Paul Revere statue seen on Boston’s Freedom Trail in the North End near the Old North Church

The Boston Harborwalk

The  Boston Harborwalk celebrates the restoration of the city’s waterfront following decades of work to reduce water pollution and the completion of the controversial Big Dig project.  The Big Dig  removed an unsightly elevated Expressway that had cut the waterfront off from the rest of the city and provided land for new downtown greenspace.  As the waterfront has shifted from commercial fishing to more residential and tourist friendly activities, the city has made a point to guarantee pedestrian access at many points stretching from Chelsea Creek to the Neponset River, through East Boston, Charlestown, North End, Downtown, South Boston and Dorchester.

Boston Coast Guard Station seen from Harbor Walk

Boston Coast Guard Base seen from the Harborwalk

We recently visited part of the Harborwalk in the North End where is comes within a block or two of the Freedom Trail.  We enjoyed the views of Charlestown across the harbor and stopped for a drink at the waterfront Fairmont  hotel on the recently completed Battery Wharf – next to the still active Coast Guard Base Station.  In addition to purpose-built walkways in areas like the North End, the Harborwalk also connects to existing  trails and open space parkways, including the Emerald Necklace system, the Charles River Esplanade, and the Rose Kennedy Greenway.   It is almost impossible to determine exactly how long the Harborwalk actually is because of the way it meanders and connects with other trails, but, for as long as you care to explore it will offer you lots of options.

The Emerald Necklace

The Emerald Necklace, originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, stretches from the Boston Common and the Public Garden to Franklin Park.  In between it visits many of the Boston’s most beautiful, but not always well known, green spaces including the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, the Back Bay Fens, the Riverway (home of the Muddy River), Jamaica Pond and Harvard’s renowned Arnold Arboretum.

The Emerald Necklace begins on the Boston Common

The Emerald Necklace begins on the Boston Common

The full trail is about 7 miles long and it can be biked or walked.  A visitor center offers tours of sections of the park.  It is located in the Fens areas in the renovated, former Old Stony Brook Gatehouse, designed by H.H. Richardson.  Several areas of the Necklace are accessible via the subway for those who don’t want to explore the entire trail.  If you do decide to travel beyond the Back Bay you will be rewarded by an introduction to many parts of Boston that are not on the regular tourist trail.  Consider renting a boat to sail Jamaica Pond, take a side hike through the Arboretum to see some of the 4,000 different varieties of woody plants and 15,000 trees, shrubs and vines housed there, and don’t forget to check out the zoo in Franklin Park.

Bring Your Walking Shoes to Boston!

Regardless of whether you and your teen are visiting Boston for just a day or longer, try to make time for at least a short walk around town.  And if you have longer, any of Boston’s extended walking explorations provide a great way to get your exercise and see a different side of the city.  And don’t forget that you can rent bikes all over town via the Hubway bike sharing system.  However you get around, let us know what you discover!


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