Spyscape did not make our list of “things to do with kids in NYC”.  In fact, we had never even heard of it.  But when we exited the Newark Airport, my 10 year old spotted a huge billboard for it.  Immediately the badgering began.  “What’s Spyscape?  It sounds cool.  Can we go there?  Can I look up Spyscape on your phone?  Can we go tomorrow?”  And so it continued until we determined what it was, that it was indeed cool, and that we probably couldn’t go tomorrow but would try to fit it in on Sunday.  (Remember my earlier comment …

Central Park is an oasis in the middle of New York City, and the Central Park Zoo is one of many hidden gems inside it.  At only 6.5 acres, it is a tiny part of the 843 acre park.  But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in quality.  It is well worth the hour or two it takes to explore.  It is especially great for young kids, as the small size makes it manageable to see all the animals and less overwhelming for little ones. We had been once before with the boys about 5 years ago, …

I grew up just 50 miles outside of NYC but visited surprisingly infrequently.  Somehow having the city only a short train ride away actually seemed to make me less likely to go.  I figured it would always be there.  But the strange thing about things that will always be there is that you rarely motivate yourself to actually take advantage of them.  I took day trips here and there to visit my siblings who lived and/or worked there but I had never actually spent a weekend or more there. But kids have a strange way of motivating you to see …

For a taste of real Jersey Shore family fun, we visited Jenkinson’s Boardwalk in Point Pleasant, NJ.  Jenkinson’s has everything from your typical boardwalk arcade games to an aquarium, as well as unbeatable people watching.  The boardwalk is roughly a mile long, with the ocean on one side and all the games, rides, and cotton candy you could ever want on the other. We came down in the evening and ate dinner on the outside patio of Jenkinson’s Pavillion Restaurant.  The food was fine – typical boardwalk fare of burgers, pizza, and cheesesteaks.  It was super windy but really pretty …

Sandy Hook is a barrier peninsula in central NJ with the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Shrewsbury River to the west.  Discovered by Henry Hudson, it is now a National Park comprised of beaches, a lighthouse, a fort, and an active US Coast Guard station.  On a clear day it boasts views of the Manhattan skyline. The majority of visitors come to Sandy Hook for the beaches and recreation.  It’s convenient to many parts of Central New Jersey and an easy ride across the NY Harbor for Manhattanites.  There are multiple public beaches (including a clothing-optional beach) and …