What to Do in NYC as a Family this Holiday Season

While there are always plenty of things for families to do in New York City, the holiday season ramps up the fun. The city comes alive even more and making it feel like NYC its truly the best place to be for the “most wonderful time of the year.” Each year, I try to plan out things to do with my family to celebrate Christmas in NYC. Here are my picks for 2018:

Shop at American Girl Place

My daughters have hit the age where American Girl dolls are all they want. Thankfully, there is an American Girl Place in NYC. If you have not visited the store before, it is a whole experience in and of itself. Visiting the store with my girls this time of year also helps me check something off Santa’s list.

Watch the Nutcracker Ballet

Photograph: Paul Kolnik

It is a tradition to take in a performance of The Nutcracker Ballet. All whole family loves watching The Nutcracker, and New York City Ballet has the best of the best.

Observe the Trains at the Botanical Garden

The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a city tradition that my family always enjoys. This train display is unique because it travels around over 175 New York landmarks.

Make a Wish List by Visiting FAO Schwarz

Photograph: Courtesy Shutterstock

FAO Schwarz has newly reopened, so we are so excited to go visit this famous toy store. Not only will our girls get to make their Christmas wish lists, we will get to see first-hand the toys they really gravitate to making our Christmas shopping easier.

Marvel at the Gingerbread House in Madison Square Park

Making gingerbread houses is fun, but seeing a life-size gingerbread house is even better! Head to Madison Square Park to see those giant gingerbread houses.

See the Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Photograph: Ali Goldstein

Another New York City tradition is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes – and for good reason! It is such a fun show to see as a family! We look forward to it every year.

Go Ice Skating

Throughout New York, there are several ice skating rinks. The most popular is the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center. In addition to being iconic, it is also one of the most Christmas-y spots in the city.

Have Holiday Tea at the Plaza

If your kids have read the children’s book Eloise, the holidays are the perfect time to visit the Plaza Hotel and experience Eloise’s life in the hotel. In addition to holiday tea, they also have a cute setup for kids to write letters to Santa.

Visit Santa at Macy’s

The most popular place to visit Santa is Macy’s. Everyone should visit the iconic (and giant) Macy’s Santaland with their children at least once.

Search for the Best Hot Chocolate

While you trek around NYC in the cold weather, search for the best hot chocolate. While Serendipity 3 is the most well-known frozen hot chocolate spot, you are bound to find some others that serve warm delicious chocolate-y goodness in a cup.

Which Christmas Festivities Does Your Family Most Enjoy in NYC?

Why Grown-Ups Should Make Christmas Wish Lists Too

Have you ever received a bad Christmas gift? Or a duplicate gift? Or a gift that made it seem like the gift-giver did not know you at all? This happens all the time! I have received questionable gifts even from the people who know me best! This is just one of the reasons I believe we should keep making Christmas wish lists – even as adults!

After years adulting, I am at a place in my life where I basically have all I need. And, I often just got to the store or online to buy the things I want. I’m definitely not the only one! Our generation is used to getting the things we want when we want them – without waiting for Santa to place it underneath the Christmas tree.

But, this kind of takes the fun out of receiving gifts at Christmas time. Not only does it make it especially difficult for others to buy you gifts at the holidays, but it also takes away the fun of receiving gifts. Instead, I have started making my personal Christmas wish list alongside my daughters each year. Here’s why.

Your Wants Change Overtime

As the years go by, what you want as a gift will change. When you are just starting out, you will want to fill your home with the basics. When your home has all the basics, you’ll want things that are more personalized. And, when your home is simply filled with things, you’ll want fewer things and more gifts of experiences (such as tickets to Paris). To help the people in your life know what you want this year, fill them in!

No More Guessing

Having a Christmas wish list takes guessing out of the equation. If you are married or in a relationship, you have no doubt hinted at the things you want for Christmas. But, as any woman can tell you, just because you hint doesn’t mean your man is going to get it. You know what he will get? A wish list in writing.

No More Filling Your Home with Stuff You Don’t Love

I try to fill my home and closets with things I love. However, at Christmas, I receive gifts that I am less than crazy about, but then I feel guilty about not using them. This is another reason why I craft a wish list that covers a small variety of things I truly love to share with my family and friends. This helps them find something I will love and use rather than having to guess and purchase something that isn’t my taste.

No More Unnecessary Stress

I love to shop, but Christmas shopping can be stressful. As a shopper, I love to shop and find the perfect presents for the ones I love. But this is a busy time of year and the less time I have to spend browsing the racks to find the perfect present, the better. If someone gives me a wish list, it makes my holiday shopping so much easier. I figure I am doing the same by giving my loved ones a wish list.

The Best Ways to Make a Grown-Up Christmas List

Now that you understand my reasons let’s talk about the appropriate ways to make a grown-up Christmas list.

1. This is not a kid’s wish list. It should be tasteful and brief. Do not list a ton of things. Stick to the items you would really love to receive as a gift.

2. With that being said, try to cover different budgets and leave the more extravagant items to those you know can afford it and are likely to make these types of big purchases.

3. It is perfectly acceptable to ask for gift cards, but you should specify the stores or restaurants you frequent (or those you wish you could).

4. Use a service such as Giftster. Giftster is a free online gift registry that makes it easy to share your wish lists with family and friends. (Plus, this service can be used for any occasion – think birthdays, too!)

Our Paw-some Adventure Before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Are your kids crazy about the Nickelodeon show PAW Patrol? PAW Patrol is one of the most popular shows for kids on tv today. My girls love the show and were tickled to hear we had the special opportunity to see the beloved Nick Jr. character Chase come to life before their eyes. Read on to hear all about the new PAW Patrol TV movie and our adventure at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade PAW Patrol balloon inflation.

Why Paw Patrol is a Show My Girls Love

“No job is too big; no pup is too small.” This is the main idea of the kid-friendly Nick Jr. television show PAW Patrol. The show focuses on a ten-year-old Ryder and his pack of rescue dogs. Each of the six rescue pups has a unique personality and talent, which allows the pups to all work together to save the day and keep Adventure Bay safe. As a mom, I appreciate that the show teaches the kids valuable life lessons and encourages positive behaviors.

Why the New TV Movie is the Perfect Stocking Stuffer

The PAW Patrol crew have been embarking on new and exciting adventures, which you can experience through the PAW Patrol: Mighty Pups DVD, available exclusively at Walmart. It takes the fans of the show on a longer mission, allowing them to spend more time with the characters they know and love. If your kids are like my girls, you know that they can re-watch their favorite PAW Patrol episodes over and over again. So, when I heard that the DVD is being sold exclusively at Walmart, I knew it would be a great stocking stuffer for them. My girls will be thrilled that they can watch the movie whenever they want!

What Made This Event Even More Special

As a super popular show for kids, it makes sense that PAW Patrol would be featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. A giant balloon would bring the pup, Chase, to life in New York City for the parade – and we got to see it happen! As PAW Patrol lovers and fans of the parade’s giant balloons, I knew this was an event my girls would absolutely love. And, I wasn’t wrong! Even with the chilly weather, it was so fun to see the balloon being filled right before our eyes. My daughters thought it was PAW-some!

Why Everyone Should See the Balloon Inflation

If you have only ever watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV, then you may not have given much thought to how the popular parade happens. For instance, the iconic massive balloons have to be inflated and staged the day before Thanksgiving. Visitors can stop by and watch the balloons be inflated and see the characters grow and float. Plus, you also get to see how they prevent the balloons from floating away before the parade – with giant nets and sandbags! It’s really fun to see the magic that happens before the main events even begins.

Why We Love the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

All across America, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is a well-loved holiday tradition. But, for New Yorkers, the parade is quintessential to us. It is the true start to the holiday season. It wouldn’t feel like the holidays without it!

The Hottest Toys This Holiday Season

As a mom, there are few things I love as much as seeing my daughters’ imaginations run wild. And, when I purchase the right toys, I know I am providing my daughters with endless possibilities for them to have fun and be creative. I’ve learned as a mom that the best toys provide hours of entertainment. Plus, the right toys mean mom gets a break, too.

My Visit to eBay Toytopia

Last week, my family went to the eBay Toytopia pop-up in Chelsea Market. This unique pop-up event showcased the hottest toys of this holiday season. Guests got to see what toys are currently trending, and I got to see what toys my daughters are most hopeful they will receive this Christmas. Kids even got to play with the most wanted toys! It was so much fun to see my daughters playing and feeling excited about the upcoming holiday.

I attended the eBay Toytopia event, and now I am prepared to fill you in on which toys are expected to be the biggest toys of the year. Having my daughters alongside me also helped me see which toys my little princesses are really hoping Santa brings them this Christmas – and it gave me an inside look into which toys your kids are most likely to want, too. For instance, Fingerling Hugs were a big hit with the whole family, as well as a cool electric guitar designed for kids. You can hop over to my Instagram to see my daughter rocking out.

The Surprise Toy Hits for the 2018 Holiday Season

Every year there are some surprise toy hits that all kids want for Christmas. Often, they are so popular that they run out leaving parents searching frantically to find them before Christmas morning. To help you avoid this mess, here are three of the surprise toy hits for 2018.

• WowWee Fingerling Hugs – Fingerling Hugs are bigger, huggable, interactive stuffed versions of last year’s popular fingerling toys. These swinging monkeys make the cutest sounds when you play with them and come in bright colors. My daughters love them!

• Feisty Pets – If your kid has not mentioned Feisty Pets yet, they will soon. Feisty Pets are cute stuffed animals until you squeeze them, and their feisty side comes out – complete with scary faces.

• Soggy Doggy Board Game – Last year was all about Pie Face, this year expect your youngest kids to want the Soggy Doggy Board Game.

You can find all of these at eBay Toytopia.

The Toys You Won’t Feel the Least Bit Guilty About Giving

While I am all about giving my girls toys that are simply fun and encourage imagination, I am even more excited to give them a toy that helps them learn. Thankfully, parents don’t have to look far. There are so many STEM toy options designed to help kids play and learn at the same time. For instance, my girls loved the Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robot. There are several STEM coding toys on the market now, and your kids will love these fun challenges.

The Toys That Never Go Out of Style

At Toytopia NYC, I was also happy to see that there are some toys that will never go out of style. While they are continuously being improved from one generation to the next, some toys will always be well loved by children. Kids will always love playing with dolls and action figures (whether they are Disney princesses, Marvel superheroes, or Transformers), LEGOs, and game systems (such as PlayStation).

What toys are on your kid’s wish lists this year? What wish list items surprise you?

Where to Shop This Black Friday - WINNER ANNOUNCED!

While Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for what you have, Black Friday is all about shopping for what you don’t have. For those who love to shop as much as I do, Black Friday is our true holiday! It is a day when the rush of shopping is celebrated – and no one bats an eye when you walk around carrying tons of shopping bags. Shopping mavens, rejoice!

To help guide all my fellow Black Friday competitive shoppers, I am highlighting my picks for the best places to find great deals on Black Friday.

The Best Places to Find Deep Discounts

First, let’s tackle the staples in the industry. You want to head to the department stores offering the biggest discounts. According to Wallet Hub, the store offering the steepest discounts is Belk. Belk has a 2018 average discount of 68.9 percent off regular prices. Kohl’s and Macy’s department store are also in their top ten list. Also, you can expect to find great discounts (and big crowds) at Walmart, Target and Old Navy.

Where to Shop in Your Pajamas

For those of you who do not enjoy the Black Friday frenzy or the large crowds, you can find excellent Black Friday deals online. Even better, many of the major online stores (such as Amazon and Walmart) are offering free Christmas shipping or competitively low shipping costs. You will find the best shopping deals on Amazon and Walmart with Best Buy rounding out the group.

Be aware that online sites will run specials beginning at certain times similarly to actual storefronts. If you know an online retailer will drop the price of an item you have to have, then you might want to set up a notification or alarm. For instance, Amazon will run lightning deals for certain products which will likely sell out in a matter of minutes.

If You Want to Shop in NYC, Here’s Where You Should Go

For those of us who call NYC home or those who will be visiting the city that never sleeps over Thanksgiving, you can head to high-end retail stores to find exceptional Black Friday sales beginning on Thanksgiving. Macy’s Herald Square will be open from 5 pm – 2 am on Thanksgiving, and it will reopen on Black Friday at 6 am. Saks Off Fifth and Bloomingdale’s will also have offer Black Friday deals. If you want to finish your Christmas shopping all in one upscale place, head to Brookfield Place luxury mall.

I’m Going to Make One Reader’s Christmas Wish Come True!

While you are spending your Black Friday shopping for those you love, I want to do something special for one lucky reader. What do you want for Christmas this year? Tell me in the comments of this blog. I will choose one commenter and send her what she wished for! It’s really that simple.

So, what are you waiting for? Tell me what you want this Christmas below. I will choose the lucky Christmas wish winner after Black Friday and send the present her way.

UPDATE: THANK YOU FOR ALL THE COMMENTS. I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNER IS AMY - WHO WOULD LIKE A GIFT CARD TO HELP HER BUY SOME THINGS FROM HER DAMAGED HOME FROM HURRICANE IRMA. PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL!

Simple Ways to Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude

With Thanksgiving coming next week, I’ve been thinking about a lot about gratitude. I want to be a person who is known for her attitude of gratitude. But, that’s easier said than done, right? We live in a time where it is becoming easier to be self-sufficient and also selfish. As we strive to do things on our own, we should not forget to thank those who helped us get where we were.

That’s one of those things that sounds good, and we know it is right, but something we don’t put into practice as we should. I can admit that there are many days when I focus more on the negative than the positive. I see the thorns instead of the roses.

And, it is time to stop. I want to be a person that strives to live out Thanksgiving not only on the holiday but throughout the year. I want to extend gratitude and thankfulness to others and to pass this trait on to my kids.

Here are just a few of the things I plan to do to cultivate an attitude of gratitude.

Write it down.

Let’s bring back the practice of writing thank you notes. Writing a thank you note forces you to think about what someone else has done for (or given) you. This practice inspires gratitude. While there are all sorts of etiquette rules about formal thank you notes, I say let’s simple embrace writing someone a simple thank you note – even if it is a quick thank you on a post-it note.

Additionally, try keeping a gratitude journal. Rather than writing about the various things that happen in your day, a gratitude journal is a place where you record the things you are grateful for. This is another great way to inspire grateful hearts.

Say it aloud.

The easiest way to become known as a grateful person is to express thanks aloud! By simply saying, “Thank you” when it is deserved, you can make a big difference. Your thank you may be just what the person needs to hear, and it will help you to focus on others instead of yourself.

Give and serve.

We all take things for granted. Maybe the best way to cultivate an attitude of gratitude is to serve those less fortunate. In doing so, we will see how much we have to be thankful for. During the holiday season, there are numerous ways to give back in your local communities.

Make it part of your routine.

Add intentional moments of gratitude to your daily routine. This will look different for everyone. Some women use a time of meditation or prayer to reflect on the things they are thankful for in their lives. Others take time to name something they are thankful for with their families around the dinner table. There are also women who make finding gratitude a part of their daily exercise routine by thinking on the things they are grateful for motivation. The point is to make it normal and natural to reflect on the things you have to be thankful for each day.

Create a gratitude jar.

For the Pinterest-crowd, you can create a gratitude jar. A gratitude jar is simply a jar that you fill throughout the year with written tokens of gratitude. For instance, some women place a small notepad and a pen next to a jar. Then, they write down something they are grateful for and drop it in the jar whenever the mood hits. At the end of the year, you can dump the contents and reflect on the many reasons you are grateful.

For those of you who would rather buy a gratitude jar, you can purchase Gratitude Glass Jars which were named one of Oprah’s Favorite Things in 2017. In addition to the beautiful jars, they come with 365 gratitude cards.

What are some ways you are striving to create an attitude of gratitude?

How to Take Control of the Holidays

The holidays are upon us, and if you are like most of the women I know, you are already stressing out. Even the American Psychological Association have studied the stress of the holidays on women in particular. According to their findings, “Women say they have a harder time relaxing during the holidays and are more likely to take on all of the tasks associated with family celebrations, such as shopping, cooking, and cleaning.” Sound familiar?

If so, you are not alone! They even made a film about this exact thing last year called Bad Moms 2. The film is all about how to take back control of the holiday season. Knowing that we are heading straight into what is the most stressful time of year for women, let’s talk about how to de-stress your holidays.

Manage your expectations.

First, you need to give yourself a reality check. As much as we all love Insta-worthy holidays, we need to manage our expectations. The table settings may not look just like they did on Pinterest, but let’s choose to focus on getting the meal on the table and the family and friends gathered around it.

We all get caught up dreaming of perfect Christmas moments, and then we end up let down when reality doesn’t line up with our expectations. Instead, embrace the fun and the faults of the holidays. My biggest tip - Do not expect anything to be perfect.

Less is more.

It is so easy to get caught up in the more, more, more mentality of the holiday season. There are so many events, so many decorations, and so many presents to buy. But, here’s the thing. When we just do more and more, we wind up loving the holidays less and less.

Attend fewer events and spend more time in your Christmas pajamas watching movies with the ones you love. Put up fewer decorations and feel less cluttered – and less overwhelmed when it is time to pack it all back up. Don’t go crazy buying presents. It’s better to buy something that will be well loved than a bunch of things that will only last a season.

Do what you love.

If you want to take control of the holiday season, then do what you love. This also means not doing what you hate. So, if your family and friends want you to host and cook an elaborate Thanksgiving dinner and you despise cooking, just say no. Find a compromise, such as you will host and decorate, but someone else can cook the meal. If you love Black Friday shopping, then make it a priority to go! If you love to go look at Christmas lights, then add it to the calendar.

The point - Every yes is a no to something else, so choose wisely.

Have a plan. And a plan to toss your plans.

If you don’t want to lose your sanity between now and the New Year, it is a good idea to have a plan. However, this is a plan written in pencil, not in permanent marker. Write down the events you want to attend foremost, and then see if you have space to add anything else to your busy holiday calendar. Make a Thanksgiving menu and plan your table settings in advance.

But, be prepared to make adjustments. Something will go wrong, and your plans will go out the window. If you go into the holidays with this in mind, you won’t melt down when it actually happens.

What are your tips for taking control of the holidays?

15 Ways to Achieve a Healthy and Happy Work/Life Balance

As a working woman, I learned early on the importance of maintaining a healthy work/life balance. If I don’t, it becomes very obvious that I am juggling too many plates at one time. So, I have worked hard at trying to be the best at my job when I am at work and the best mom and spouse I can be when I am at home.

Here’s the thing. Nowadays, I am proud of my work/life balance. However, it didn’t happen naturally. I had to be intentional. Here are the things I do that help me be my best self at home and work:

1. Plan ahead.

Calendars and planners are your friends. Use them. Make a note of when you have big work projects on the shared calendar, so you know not to schedule important family events during this same time.

2. Talk with your spouse at the beginning of each month.

At the beginning of each month, look over the calendar together with your spouse. Many families use family calendar apps. While these are great, I find it is still helpful to actually talk about what lies ahead and make plans for childcare, date nights, and me time in advance.

3. Change your clothes.

Your work wardrobe should not be your all-the-time wear. As soon as you get home from work, change into lounge wear. This signifies to your family and your body that you are off the clock.

4. Have designated hours at home for work.

Most people will be required to do some work at home. The problem is too often we lose control of the amount of time we are working at home. Instead, have a set time to do work-related tasks at home.

5. Enjoy your weekends.

To maintain work/life balance, you have to have a life! So, enjoy your weekends! Find ways to relax and do things you love with the people you love on your days off each week.

6. Take vacations.

Speaking of days off, you absolutely have to use your vacation days! More than half of Americans leave vacation days unused. Don’t let this be you. You must take vacations with your family. And, those moms reading this post should take kid-free vacations throughout the year to stay sane.

7. Use alarms.

Time can easily get away from us if we let it. Instead, make use of the alarm on your phone. Whenever you have a small work task, set the alarm so you don’t wind up doing more than you should.

8. Stay healthy.

If you want to be your best self at home and work, then you have to prioritize your health. Eat well, sleep well, and exercise.

9. Learn to say no.

Ladies, I cannot say it enough – you have to learn to say no! If the boss asks you to do something that is not part of your job description, say no. If your family asks you to handle one more thing, say no.

10. Have set “me time.”

Add “me time” to your calendar and do not feel guilty about it! You need time for yourself. Period. Whether this is time in the evening for a glass of wine and a bath or a night out with your girlfriends, it is important.

11. Leave work on time.

This is a hard one for many of us, but you should make it a habit of leaving work on time. Again, set an alarm that reminds you it is time to wrap things up. Announce to colleagues that you will be leaving at 5 pm so if they have anything pressing, they need to tell you beforehand.

12. Escape the office.

As often as possible, escape the office for your breaks. Eat lunch outside or in a totally different setting.

13. Set work boundaries.

Good bosses know you have a life outside of work, but they still may need a reminder that when you are on vacation, they need to leave you alone. For instance, tell colleagues you will only be checking email in the morning and not taking phone calls.

14. Make time for the things you love.

Nothing will make you feel more like yourself than doing the things you love. So, it is important to look at the calendar and see where you can squeeze in time to take part in some of your favorite hobbies.

15. Give your loved ones some attention.

Last but not least, make every effort to give your loved ones your full attention for a little bit of time each day. It is so easy to try to multi-task when you are busy, but for a few minutes, put the phone down and look your loved ones in the eye.

Forget the Baby Registry. Here are 10 Things Moms Really Need (or Want)

Being in the mom blog sphere, I am constantly seeing people ask about mom must-haves. However, my baby registry days are over. And, as any experienced mom will tell you, half the stuff you register for you do not even need. But, now that I’ve been doing this mom thing for a few years now, I think I have a good grasp on what moms really need (or want).

I invite you to read over my list of ten things and respond with the things you would recommend as dream mom must-haves.

1. A Giant Bag

During the diaper years, you are going to need a big bag. Period. You will not be able to leave the house without a giant Mary Poppins-sized bag full of mom tricks. Fortunately, designers have seen the need, and today you can find gorgeous designer diaper bags that look more purse-like than boxy diaper bags.

2. A Netflix Subscription

In the baby days, you will find Netflix is your new best friend. Netflix is the one who will be there for you during the middle of the night feeding sessions. And, as your children grow and you head back to work, Netflix will be there for you in the evenings when you are too tired to think.

3. A Meal Delivery Service

Many moms find they are so busy and so tired that they can’t even see straight – let alone plan out healthy meals for the family. Make it easier on yourself by subscribing to a meal delivery service like Hello Fresh. 

4. A Regular Babysitter

It is so easy to let date night take a backseat after you have kids, but it is so important to stay connected with your spouse. The problem for many moms is that they don’t have a regular babysitter. We just want a babysitter that we trust that is reliable! Why is that so hard to find?

5. Endless Amounts of Coffee

Moms want (and need) all the coffee. Really people should just be handed out coffee for free to moms they see on the street. We need it. We are tired. There is a big possibility we did not get enough sleep. Just give us the coffee!

6. A Workout Routine

Not all moms like to work out, but working out has been proven to not only keep you healthy physically but also mentally healthy. If we have just a few minutes every day to get those endorphins up, we should do it. But, again, it is not that easy! If you are finding it hard to get to the gym, consider signing up for online courses.

7. A House Cleaner

Do I even need to explain this one? Ha! All moms secretly fantasize of coming home to a clean home, but realistically, our homes are filled with children. And children are messy.

8. A Personal Wine Fridge

Drinking wine out of a plastic cup. #momlife

In the evenings, many moms like to wine-down. If this is you, invest in a personal wine fridge ensuring you never run out when you need it the most - like a day filled with work complications and toddler tantrums.

9. Something Pretty Just for Herself

As a mom, it is very easy to shop for your kids instead of yourself. You deserve something pretty for yourself! I splurge on beautiful shoes. The shoes are all mine, and they remind me I more than just “mom.”

10. A Camera or an Excellent Photographer

While many of the things on this list are things we want but don’t necessarily need, I firmly believe all moms need photographs of their kids. If you have camera skills, then invest in a quality camera. If you’d rather have professional photos done, then book a photographer whose work you love. Just remember to print the photos out and frame them!

What am I missing? What are some other things moms really need?

9 Fall Break Ideas for NYC Families

Fall in New York City is a special time of year. The weather starts to chill – and sometimes gets downright cold. It also starts the busy holiday season. Now that Halloween is over, the big rush towards the holidays begins.

During a season full of hustle and bustle, I like finding the time to take a nice break. That’s why I love fall break trips! Whether your family plans to travel over the long Thanksgiving break or you can only squeeze in a weekend trip, fall break trips are a must! You need that time to put away the work stuff and the holiday planning to enjoy some quality time with the ones you love.

I’ve come up with a list of 9 fall break ideas for busy NYC families that cover lots of different budgets. Even better, most only require a tank of gas!

The Catskills, New York

If you want beautiful scenery, head to The Catskills. You will find plenty of places to take Insta-worthy shots, and your kids will be able to use up some of their energy on one of your family hikes.

Portland, Maine

Kids love Portland for its ferry boats rides, and parents love Portland for the ambiance of the bay. You can visit the lighthouse, explore the children’s museum, and eat loads of lobster.

Washington, DC

Many families hesitate to take their little ones to DC, but they really shouldn’t. DC is great for kids! In addition to tons of free national monuments to view, there are also several free museums. Dc also has a great food scene, so mom and dad will be happy, too.

Poconos, Pennsylvania

If you are looking for relaxation, a visit to the Poconos may be just what you need. From beautiful mountain scenery to beautiful lake views, the Poconos offer a quiet escape from the city.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is a fun city to visit. In addition to the mass amounts of history you can learn on a tour of the city, you will also love the culture. Bostonians are proud, and you can feel it in the air. Plus, Boston has a lot of fun things for kids to enjoy such as the duck tours.

Hudson Valley, New York

If you plan a trip to Hudson Valley in the near future, you are likely to surrounded by all the breathtaking colors of fall. You will be able to capture beautiful family photographs as you explore the area and wander through the quaint villages.

The Adirondacks, New York

Looking for an early winter escape? Look no further than the Adirondacks. This is the ideal skiing location for winter getaways. Even better – the Adirondacks are home to several breweries and wineries.

Hershey, Pennsylvania

Do I even have to sell you on this one? This whole town celebrates chocolate! The big appeal for families is clearly the HersheyPark, and why not? It’s a theme park that is focused on candy. What’s not to love?

Enjoy a Staycation!

Sometimes the best kinds of breaks are the ones that don’t take us anyway. Those of us who call NYC home can easily enjoy a staycation and still manage to visit places we have never been. Explore new parts of the city that appeal to your whole family or spend your vacation visiting all your favorite spots. The point is to rest.

What plans does your family have for fall break? Let me know in the comments!