Category: Travel

Destination: Stamford Museum & Nature Center

Leave a comment

stamford (7)

I first read about this museum and nature center in Stamford, CT years ago. It’s a short-enough distance from our home to merit a day trip – as long as I timed things right around traffic – but the opportunity never seemed right to go. When I learned that the center would be hosting a special maple syrup workshop, I booked tickets and drove us the 90 minutes there.

We arrived early so we would have ample time to explore the rest of the nature center before the program began. First up was the museum, which features rotating exhibits.

stamford (1)

Older children will enjoy the well-curated but manageable size of the exhibits, and the nature themes will appeal to younger children. We were just in time for the opening of an exhibit about birds in art!

stamford (3)

Next we headed across the white bridge and pond, both beautiful even in rainy weather!

stamford (6)

I decided then and there that we’ll have to come back in other seasons. This place would be beautiful in summer and autumn! There are nature trails to walk, but our day was a bit too cold and drizzly. There is also a “nature playground” for children to explore, including a kid-sized bird’s nest, but rainy weather preempted the play.

Instead we headed just up the hill to visit resident farm animals, including a shaggy cow Travis fell in love with…

stamford (13)

…guinea hogs…

stamford (11)

…and the biggest horse we’ve ever seen.

stamford (14)

At the top of the hill was the maple syrup house. We not only learned about how the center collects maple sap from the trees on its property…

stamford (16)

but also got to collect our own!

stamford (17)

Kids were fascinated by the maple syrup boiling apparatus.

stamford (15)

In sum, the nature center is a fantastic outing for the kids – you could easily spend several hours here. As mentioned, I would make it a priority in a season other than winter, when children can fully enjoy the outdoor spaces.

Trip Date: February 2018

Ages: All

Useful Links:

 

Destination: Meow Cat Parlor

Leave a comment

Meow Parlor (2)

Here’s the latest in my series of day trips for children if you’re in the New York City area. Meow Parlor was the first cat cafe in New York, modeled after similar spaces in Japan. The idea is to go in and spend time with cats, who are all available for adoption.

If you’d like to visit Meow Parlor with kids, plan in advance! There are only special time slots available to children ages 8 and under, including select weekdays at 4 p.m. and every other Sunday at 11 a.m. You have to book online in advance.

With our reservation underway, we headed off to the city.

We arrived a little early, which gave us the opportunity to check out the sister store next door, the food component of the Parlor. Travis was ecstatic to try his first vegan croissant!

croissant

Then we headed next door to play with the cats. There are only 10 to 15 cats on site at a time, making it feel manageable and intimate for both humans and felines.

Meow Parlor (1)

The cats have ample room to roam around, get up high, and sneak behind custom-designed cabinets with multiple entrances and exits, so none ever seemed bothered by even very loud or assertive children in our group.

Meow Parlor (6)

Travis was over the moon. The hour passed surprisingly quickly, between petting cats, dangling toys for those who wanted to play, and simply marveling at their antics.

Meow Parlor (7)

For kids who want additional stimulation, the Parlor provides crayons and markers, books about cats, and pictures of successful adoptees.

Meow Parlor (8)

We couldn’t take a cat home today, but we loved the experience! We capped off our city afternoon with brunch at the mainly-vegan Dirt Candy before heading home.

Trip Date: February 2018

Ages: 0 to 8 (designated times only), 9+ (any time)

Useful Links:

Destination: MCU Park and Coney Island

Leave a comment

coney (10)

Major league baseball stadiums can be overwhelming for children – the noise, the crowds, the noise, the fans’ energy, the noise – did I mention the noise?

A great bet for a child’s first game (and subsequent ones!) is to support your local Triple-A team. We’re lucky to live near MCU Park, home to the Brooklyn Cyclones. The stadium is wonderfully family-friendly; many games include kids running the bases either before or after the game; fireworks on select nights; or themes like Harry Potter Night.

Because the stadium is small, there is literally not a bad seat in the house, perfect for explaining the ins and outs of the game to children old enough to understand.

coney (11)

You’ll be right up close to all those silly mascots, too!

coney (6).jpg

MCU Park has the added bonus of being right up against Coney Island with the rest of its attractions. Make a day of it before the game starts (I find that 4 p.m. games are the ideal start time for the preschool set). If you arrive in the early afternoon, you’ll have ample time to stroll the boardwalk and sample the food (Italian ice is a must!). Duck into Luna Park for a few kiddie rides;

coney (4)

Gape in terror at the roller coasters;

coney (2)

And soak up the local characters (parrot-toting guitar players??)

coney (5)

A perfect summer afternoon!

coney (9)

Trip Date: July 2017

Ages: 3+

Useful Links:

Destination: The High Line

Leave a comment

Highline (4)

This is the first post in a new series of vacations or day trips to enjoy with kids! The High Line is a perfect oasis, not just for children, but also for adults overwhelmed by New York’s concrete jungle. Up a flight of stairs off Tenth Avenue, you’ll suddenly find yourself above the fray of the metropolis. (Note: There is elevator access at the 14th Street, 16th Street, 23rd Street, and 30th Street entrances).

Summer is my favorite time to visit the High Line, although each season has its beauties. You’ll find acres of gardens planted with flowers and vines.

Highline (6)

There are also grass lawns to sunbathe on and strategically placed viewing platforms where you can sit right above the traffic – perfect for toddlers learning to name their vehicles!

Highline (2)

Best of all, if you visit when the High Line is not too crowded, there’s a bit of room for kids to run or walk about and get out their energy… A much safer thing to do up on the High Line than down on the sidewalks.

Highline (3)

A perfect oasis!

Trip Date: July 2016

Ages: All!

Useful Links: