Don’t want the hustle and bustle of the big city? Check out these best small towns in New York! 

Best Things to Do in New York City with Family on Vacation

Wander Through Times Square 

Arriving in Times Square early in the morning will have you avoiding the crowds. For the most part. You will still see lots of people in certain areas, like where they film Good Morning America.  

If you arrive later in the day, be prepared to be elbow to elbow with everyone. And for the lines at all the stores to be long.  

You will be tempted to purchase all your souvenirs here. But if you can hold out, you can avoid the stress of packed stores. Although, the two stores you should definitely go into are Hershey World and the M&M Store. You won’t find those stores anywhere else in the city. So, you might as well grab your chocolate fix while you can!  

Have Fun in Central Park 

There is so much to see and do in Central Park. Visiting this park is one of the best things to do in New York City. A few things you should make a point of seeing include the Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Fields, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, and Belvedere Castle.  

I recommend taking a picnic lunch or grabbing some food from a nearby food truck. This way you can watch all the action and refuel at the same time.  

Oh, and if you have extra time, head out on a horse and carriage ride through the park. It’s a great way to see a few of the sights without walking for miles.  

Pay Your Respects at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum 

The time you spend at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum will be somber. However, it’s a good way to teach the kids about the history that happened on this day back in 2001. If you don’t want to see the artifacts in the museum, simply stay outside and stand by the two reflecting pools.  

Go to the Top of the Empire State Building 

One of the best ways to see the city from a different perspective is from the top of the Empire State Building. Try to time your visit so it is a clear day. This will ensure you see many of the highlights of the city from more than one thousand feet above.  

Go to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck 

Another option for gorgeous views is the Top of the Rock Observation Deck. You will find this deck at Rockefeller Center. The Today show is filmed here too, so you can always try to be a part of the outdoor audience during your visit.  

During the winter months, the city’s Christmas tree, as well as an ice-skating rink is in place behind Rockefeller Center. It gets really crowded at this time of the year. But it is still worth a visit.  

Head Out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island 

A trip on the ferry from Battery Park to Liberty Island and Ellis Island is a must for most families visiting New York City. I can make arrangements, so you have your tickets in advance, including the ticket that allows you to go to the pedestal.  

This can be an all-day adventure. Keep that in mind, as you are considering which of the best things to do in New York City should be added to your itinerary.  

Walk Over the Brooklyn Bridge 

If your family loves taking walks together, consider walking over the Brooklyn Bridge. This bridge is a historic landmark. There is a pedestrian walkway, as well as a bicycle path and six lanes for vehicles. This bridge crosses over the East River. It offers incredible views of Manhattan and Brooklyn.  

Enjoy a Picnic at the High Line 

The High Line is an old rail track on the West Side of Manhattan. It is approximately one and a half miles long. When you walk along, you will be thirty feet above street level. There are stunning views of Manhattan and the Hudson River.  

I recommend taking a picnic lunch with you. There are also vendors on the High Line. So, you can always grab food from one of them if you are hungry.  

Take a Walk Through Grand Central Station 

Most people don’t step foot inside Grand Central Station unless they are taking the train somewhere. I recommend popping your head in and walking around to see the marble floors and ornate architecture. Make sure you check out the Information Booth Clock, as well as the Whispering Gallery. They are two of the must-see items inside this train station.  

Watch a Performance at Radio City Music Hall 

The Radio City Music Hall is a wonderful place to watch a performance in New York City. However, if you are looking for one of the best things to do in New York City, you must visit Radio City Music Hall between November and January. This is when the Rockettes perform their infamous Radio City Christmas Spectacular.  

Relax at Bryant Park 

Bryant Park is to the south of Times Square, while Central Park is to the north. Bryant Park isn’t as large as Central Park. But it is still a nice place to relax.  

Numerous events are held within this park throughout the year. During Fashion Week, you can watch models strut their stuff on runways. And during the winter season, a Christmas Market is set up inside the park.  

Take a Ride on the Staten Island Ferry 

Riding the Staten Island Ferry is a great way to see New York Harbor, as well as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. This ferry goes between the Whitehall Ferry Terminal and the St. George Ferry Terminal. The distance is five miles, and the ride takes approximately twenty-five minutes.  

Read at the New York Public Library 

The main branch of the New York Public Library is located next to Bryant Park. Take a few family photos out front by the two marble lions. Their names are Patience and Fortitude. Then head inside to see the books that line the shelves.  

If you have book lovers in your family, consider visiting the Morgan Library and Museum nearby as well. That is where you will find J.P. Morgan’s library from 1906.  

Catch a Show on Broadway 

There are plenty of shows to choose from on Broadway and just off-Broadway. I can secure tickets to a show of your choice when I am planning your itinerary for your New York City family vacation.  

Go Inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral 

St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City is one of the most impressive cathedrals in the country. You will find this cathedral across from Rockefeller Center. St. Patrick’s Cathedral opened back in 1879.  

Once you walk inside, you will be in awe of the altars, stained glass windows, and the bronze doors. Sit in a pew for a few minutes or simply light a candle and leave. It’s up to you.  

Explore Little Italy 

Exploring Little Italy is one of the best things to do in New York City. Especially when it is time to grab something to eat. Start at Lombardi’s. This pizzeria is thought to be the first pizzeria in the US. It opened back in 1905.  

For dessert, head over to Ferrara Bakery and Café. They opened in 1892 and serve the best cannoli.  

Shop ‘til You Drop on Fifth Avenue 

Fifth Avenue is the shopping mecca in New York City. After your visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, continue down the street, entering stores along the way. The stores between 34th Street and 59th Street are the ones every New Yorker visits. Enjoy shopping at Tiffany & Co, Bergdorf Goodman, and many others. Just be prepared to spend a pretty penny along the way.  

Visit the Animals at the Bronx Zoo 

The Bronx Zoo has more than ten thousand animals you can visit right in the middle of the city. Spend time with the gorillas in the Congo Gorilla Forest before seeing the rhinos and tigers via the Wild Asia Monorail.  

I recommend arriving early and planning on staying for a few hours to see everything at this zoo.  

Have Fun on Coney Island 

Visiting Coney Island has long been one of the favorite things to do in New York City. Walk along the boardwalk. Grab a Coney Island hot dog. And go on a few rides. Or find something else that will allow you to make the memories you want while on your family vacation.  

Head Back in Time at Greenwich Village 

One of the best ways to find your way around Greenwich Village is by taking one of the walking tours. This is how you will ensure your family gets to visit Washington Square Park, Bleeker Street Pizza, and the apartments that inspired Friends and Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment in Sex and the City.  

After your tour, you can do a little vintage clothes shopping. Or simply relax, as you people watch.  

Go Shopping in SoHo 

Another incredible place to go shopping in New York City is SoHo. This area is full of trendy shops, art galleries, and a few restaurants.  

Visit the Strand Bookstore 

The Strand Bookstore has been open for more than ninety years now. There are more than two million books lining the shelves at this store. The employees seem to know where every book is located. And they have a habit of suggesting books you will love, but never considered reading.  

Basically, be prepared for everyone in your family to leave with an armful of books to read!  

Wander Through Chelsea Market 

Chelsea Market is a food hall that has more than thirty vendors. Food, spices, and souvenirs are available from those vendors. You can even have a sit-down meal at Chelsea Market.  

I recommend arriving early to enjoy a donut from the Doughnuttery. Then wait until lunch to indulge in tacos from Los Tacos No 1.  

These are some of the best things to do in New York City. You will discover there are many other things to do once we begin chatting about your family vacation. I will make sure your entire itinerary is full of things your family wants to do in New York City. After all, a personalized itinerary is the only way to go when it comes to fully enjoying your time away from home and making memories at the same time.  

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for your trip to New York City or another destination?  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session with me. When you click the link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.  

Not ready for a personalized family vacation planning session yet? Sign up for my newsletter and continue receiving all the travel information I share.  

The post Best Things to Do in New York City with Family on Vacation appeared first on integritylawfirmcmr.com.

Best Foods to Eat to Celebrate National New York Day 

Bagels 

You haven’t tried the best bagel in the world yet if you haven’t had one while on a family vacation in New York City. The bagels in New York City are crunchy, dense, and huge. Most bakers in New York City roll their bagels via a twisting and shaping method. Then they boil them in water and malt syrup before baking. The result is the crunchy, yet chewy, bagel New Yorkers have come to love.  

There are quite a few local bagel shops in New York City. So, while you are on a family vacation in the City for National New York Day, you will want to pop into a few until you find your all-time favorite.  

New York Cheesecake 

The cream cheese in cheesecake was invented in Chester, NY. While the most popular brand of cream cheese is Kraft’s Philadelphia, this dessert is still a best food to eat in New York. You can order New York cheesecake in almost any diner and restaurant throughout the state.  

Beef on Weck 

Beef on Weck was invented out in Buffalo. The dish Beef on Weck is a kaiser bun, topped with caraway seeds and salt, that is piled high with roast beef. The next step is beef au jus poured over the top and served on the side. Add a little horseradish and you are all set. If you are going to try this dish, please be out in Western NY. The rest of the state just doesn’t make it as good. 

The Garbage Plate 

The Garbage Plate was created in 1918 at Nick Tahoe’s in Rochester. The current owner of the restaurant had the name, Garbage Plate, copyrighted in 1992. This dish is meat, potatoes, and other side dishes all piled high on one plate. The best place to eat a Garbage Plate is in Rochester. However, you can find different versions of the Garbage Plate all around the state.  

Thousand Island Dressing 

Thousand Island salad dressing was invented up in the Thousand Islands in New York state. There are a couple different versions of the story. One version is the chef for George and Louisa Boldt, the owners of Boldt Castle, forgot the salad dressing one day when they were out on their yacht. He improvised by mixing mayonnaise, pickle relish, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce together. You can purchase Thousand Island dressing anywhere. However, if you are on a family vacation in the Thousand Islands for National New York Day, you must try it at LaLonde’s Inn. They use one of the original recipes.  

White Hot Dogs 

A few different hot dog manufacturers make white hot dogs. In New York, the best white hot dog is a Zweigle’s. They have been around since 1925 and are only served in Western New York. People in the state are known to drive quite far to purchase these hot dogs or order one at a restaurant.  

Sponge Candy 

It is not known where sponge candy was originally made. Nowadays, you can only find it in Buffalo, NY. This is a crunchy toffee with toasted molasses flavoring. It is covered with chocolate. This candy needs to be kept in cool temperatures with very little humidity. That may be one reason why no one outside Western New York has heard of this candy before. They can’t ship it anywhere!  

Spiedies 

Spiedies are sandwiches made from chicken, beef, pork, or lamb. The meat is placed on a skewer and marinated in a Spiedie sauce. The skewers are placed on a spit so the meat can be grilled. The bun is then used to pull the meat off the skewers before being served. There are no other toppings, but the sandwich is delicious as is. This sandwich was first made in Binghamton by Augustine Iacovelli in 1939. It is still one of the best foods to eat in New York today. Try it for yourself to celebrate National New York Day!  

Salt Potatoes 

Salt potatoes were created in Syracuse. During the 1800s, the Irish salt miners would take bags of small potatoes to work and boil them in the saltwater near the mines. Since the skin is left on the potatoes, the result is crispy skin and creamy inside. You will mainly find salt potatoes in Central and Western New York.  

Buffalo Wings 

You can’t take a family vacation in Buffalo and not try a few Buffalo chicken wings. While the wings are best in Buffalo, the rest of the state has learned how to make amazing chicken wings too. So, try them anywhere while on vacation in New York for National New York Day. 

Knishes 

Knishes have been sold on the streets of New York City since the 1800s. These puck-shaped delicacies are normally filled with cabbage, sweet potato, caramelized onion, and potato, or blueberry and cheese.  

Frozen Custard 

Another Rochester favorite is frozen custard. The best place to get frozen custard is Abbotts. You can find Abbotts down on Charlotte Beach, which is on the shores of Lake Ontario. There are a couple of other locations in the city, but the best is the original location.  

Grape Pie 

When you take a vacation in the Finger Lakes, you must try their grape pie. Monica Schenk started selling these pies at the side of the road back in the 1960s. Now, she makes approximately ten thousand grape pies each year through her shop, Monica’s Pies.  

These are the best foods to eat to celebrate National New York Day. If you haven’t taken the time to try any of them yet, I can help you find the best places to eat everything during your family vacation in New York.  

So, are you ready to book a family vacation in New York?  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. When you click on this link, you will be taken to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.  

And if you are not quite ready to plan a family vacation in New York to eat all these best foods, you can sign up for my newsletter here. This will ensure you continue to receive all the exciting travel information I share.  

The post Best Foods to Eat to Celebrate National New York Day appeared first on integritylawfirmcmr.com.

5 City Destinations No One Considers for a Family Vacation

1. Hood River, Oregon

Hood River is only an hour from Portland. Yet very few people choose to add this to their vacation travel bucket list. This city is right on the Columbia River. Therefore, you know time out on the water is going to be included in your vacation plans. A few of the more popular family activities in this city include kayaking, hiking, kite surfing, and mountain biking. And if you want an adult activity, there are numerous breweries and wineries to visit. Imagine spending the day out in nature, making memories with your kids, and then relaxing with a new drink every evening!

2. Buffalo, New York 

The city of Buffalo is directly on the shoreline of Lake Erie. This may not be good news in the winter, thanks to all the lake effect snow. But spending the summer months in the city will have you out on the lake, whether swimming, paddleboarding, or fishing from a boat. History lovers will want to visit the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site. And future architects will want to spend quite a bit of time at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House. And don’t forget to eat some of the infamous buffalo chicken wings during your vacation to this city destination!

3. Appleton, Wisconsin

There are so many things to do in Wisconsin. And yet, so many people choose to vacation in the larger cities instead of areas like Appleton. This charming city has everything you want for a vacation away from home. Lazy days can be spent wandering through the downtown streets or grabbing ingredients at the Farmer’s Market. If your family loves to eat out, then the restaurants along the Fox River will be calling your name. During your family vacation in Appleton, you must take one of the sunset cruises along the river. It is an excellent ending to any day.

4. Las Cruces, New Mexico

The cultural scene in the city destination of Las Cruces is amazing. The options are endless when it comes to history, science, and art museums. Add in the multiple art galleries and you may feel like you have found your new home. And if the outdoors is more your family’s style, there are plenty of hiking and biking trails in this area of New Mexico. I recommend beginning at the Dripping Springs Natural Area before heading over to the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument.

5. Peoria, Illinois

Another cultural destination that is left off vacation travel bucket lists is Peoria, Illinois. This large city sits directly on the Illinois River. This city may be close to Chicago, but it’s vibe couldn’t be more different. Your family can wander through the city streets. But your kids may prefer to spend their time with the bison, cougars, and bears at the Wildlife Prairie Park. Other places of interest include the Peoria Riverfront Museum and the Luthy Botanical Garden.

These are five city destinations no one really considers when planning a family vacation. If you are looking to visit somewhere new to make memories with your family, I recommend considering these destinations. Or use them as a guideline to find another underrated city for your next vacation.

So, are you ready to plan a family vacation in one of these city destinations?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

And if you are not quite ready to choose one of these city destinations for a family vacation, you can sign up for my newsletter by clicking here. This will ensure you continue to receive all the travel information I share.

The post 5 City Destinations No One Considers for a Family Vacation appeared first on integritylawfirmcmr.com.