A Family Weekend in Downtown New York City

  

 Two years after our first trip to New York City with the kids - where we focused on Midtown classics like Central Park, Times Square, Broadway, and the American Museum of Natural History - we returned for a completely different adventure.

    This time, we based ourselves downtown and spent the weekend exploring history, food, and neighborhoods, with a visit to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as the centerpiece of the trip.

Here’s how to recreate this easy and fun family weekend in NYC:

Friday Night: Arriving in Tribeca

    We arrived Friday evening and met up with my friend Lydia and her kids (check out her blog and instagram).  We were lucky enough to be able to stay with her parents in the Tribeca neighborhood. I was able to score free street parking (available here from Friday night through Monday morning). Parking rules in NYC can be confusing, but if you carefully read the signs and understand alternate side parking schedules, it’s possible to avoid expensive garages for a weekend.  After the drive down from New Hampshire, we settled in and called it an early night.

Saturday Morning: Bagels, Coffee, and Battery Park

    The next morning started the way every NYC morning should: bagels and coffee from a neighborhood shop just a short walk from the apartment.

    From there, we took a casual subway ride to the World Trade Center stop and walked down toward Battery Park. Along the way, we stopped at the National September 11 Memorial to show the kids the 9/11 Memorial pools and talk a little about the history of the site.

Subway "rides" are the kids favorite

9-11 Memorial is free to visit

    One thing that made navigating the city easier than our last visit: the subway system now allows tap-to-pay directly with a credit card or phone. No MetroCard needed - we simply tapped our cards at the turnstiles and went.

Visiting the Statue of Liberty

    We purchased ferry tickets about a week ahead of time and included access to the pedestal (“the base”) of the statue. If you’re planning a visit, make sure you book through the official ferry operator website since there are many confusing third-party ticket sites online. The official site is: Statue City Cruises

    Security before boarding feels very similar to airport security, so plan a little extra time for screening. Once onboard, the ferry was crowded on the beautiful spring day, but the excitement of approaching the statue from the water made it worth it. The ferry stops first at Liberty Island, where everyone disembarks.

Boarding the ferry

Climbing to the Pedestal

    Our first stop was the pedestal access. We decided to climb the stairs to the observation level instead of taking the elevator, and the kids loved the challenge. The views over the harbor and skyline were incredible.

    Afterward, we walked around the base of the statue and ate the lunch we had packed. Food options on the island are limited and expensive, so bringing lunch worked really well for our family.

    We also spent time in the museum, where the interpretive film was surprisingly engaging. The kids completed the Junior Ranger worksheet and earned badges, which added an interactive element to the visit.

A clear day!

Being sworn in as Jr rangers

View from the top of the pedestal

Ellis Island

    From Liberty Island, we boarded the ferry to Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration and no additional ticket was required. At Ellis Island, we wandered through the historic immigration building, watched another museum film, and explored the exhibits and gift shop.
    One of my kids’ favorite small details of the day: collecting National Park passport stamps. At Battery Park, Liberty Island, and Ellis Island - all separate National Park Service sites - they were able to add unique stamps to their books.
    By late afternoon, we took the ferry back to Battery Park and headed toward Chinatown.

Ellis Island Museum

Ice Cream, Sushi, and the High Line

    We made our way to Chinatown for ice cream at the iconic Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. The unique flavors and old-school feel made it a fun stop after a long day of sightseeing.
    For dinner, we grabbed Japanese food in Chelsea at Juban before heading to The High Line for an evening walk. The warm May weather made it the perfect way to wind down the day.

Waiting in line for ice cream in busy Chinatown

Busy night on the High Line

High Line Walk

Sunday: Dim Sum and Chinatown Wandering

    Sunday morning was intentionally slower. After a leisurely start, we headed to Golden Unicorn for dim sum. If you’ve never had dim sum, it’s a traditional Cantonese dining experience where servers bring around carts filled with small plates and dumplings to share. You pick dishes as they pass by your table - everything from pork buns and soup dumplings to sesame balls and sticky rice. It’s fast-paced, fun, and especially great for groups because everyone gets to try a little of everything.
    After brunch, we spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon wandering Chinatown - popping into shops, browsing markets, and soaking up the energy of the neighborhood before packing up and driving back to New Hampshire.

Steamed dumplings at Dim Sum

Chinatown

Soup dumplings were a hit

Tips for Recreating This Trip

• Book Statue of Liberty Tickets Carefully: There are many unofficial ticket sellers online. Use the official ferry operator:
  Statue City Cruises Official Tickets

• Subway Tip: NYC’s subway system now supports tap-to-pay with a credit card or phone through OMNY. No need to buy a MetroCard for a short trip.

• Learn more here:
  OMNY Subway Payment System

• Read Parking Signs Closely: Street parking can save a huge amount of money, but NYC parking signs are complicated. Double-check alternate side parking schedules, street cleaning rules, and meter hours before leaving your car.

• Pack Lunch for Liberty Island: Food options are limited and expensive at the Statue of Liberty, so packing snacks or lunch makes the day easier and more affordable with kids.

• Junior Ranger & National Park Passports: If your kids enjoy the National Parks program, bring their passports. Battery Park, Liberty Island, and Ellis Island each have their own stamp.

• Lanyards: I printed my kids emergency contact cards and put them on lanyards. Since they don't have smart watches or phones, this way - if they ever got separated from me, someone could call me. It's a strategy I use for student travel trips and brought peace of mind in the busy subway!

Chinatown street shopping

Read about similar experiences here:

- Spring Family Weekend in the White Mountains

- Ogunquit Family Weekend

- Montreal Family Weekend

Puerto Rico Family Vacation: Old San Juan, El Yunque waterslides, Manatees, & Isla Verde Beach

Last year we enjoyed three nights in Fort Lauderdale for April break - combining days of adventure in the National park with relaxing days of beach and pool.  This year, we used the formula on a slightly more exotic destination - Puerto Rico.  In four nights we had a history/culture day in Old San Juan, an adventure day in the El Yunque rainforest, and a beach relaxing day in Isla Verde.  Our family of four (kids age 8 and 10) had the perfect spring break vacation in Puerto Rico.

Here’s how to recreate this adventure:

Hotel Pool at Embassy Suites San Juan

Lobby at Embassy Suites

Day 1 - Fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a US territory although its cultural and linguistically different than the mainland, you do not need a passport to travel there.  Four hour direct flights from Boston were reasonably priced.  We flew in around dinner time, picked up our rental car without any issue (I like Avis) and drove the 10 minutes to our hotel - Embassy Suites San Juan Hotel & Casino - which is actually in Isla Verde - a beach community just outside San Juan.  Once checked in, we walked the two easy blocks to the beach where we grabbed classic pina coladas in coconuts and food at Lifeguards on the Reef Cafe.  We watched the sunset, walked back to our hotel and did a night swim in the giant pool.  It really felt like we were instantly on vacation!

!!Hotel Pick!!  I spent more time researching hotels than anything else!  The Embassy Suites was chosen because it literally checked all the boxes:

• Close to the airport (we didn’t want an exhausting or stressful drive the first day)

• Not far from Old San Juan or El Yunque - the two main places we wanted to go - it’s in between both.

• Beach access by walking - ES provided beach umbrellas, towels, and chairs down on the beach.  It was an easy walk.

• Kid Friendly Pool - it was massive and aesthetic with stone landscaping and a waterfall.  It also had a pool bar, attendants, and restaurant.

• Included breakfast - When traveling, I don’t like the stress of figuring out where to eat breakfast at 8 am and getting everyone out the door right away.  ES has a great continental breakfast including a cook doing made-to-order omelets.

I was really happy with our choice!  There were even some extra perks that made it even better than I thought:

• Happy hour - ES puts out complimentary snacks from 5:30-7ish.  Adults got two free drink tickets per day.  I usually used mine to get the rum punch and the kids liked the chips and hummus.

• Suite - We had a king bed suite.  The kids slept on the pull out couch in the living room.  It was nice having two separate spaces.  We also used the fridge for leftovers.  There was also a sink and microwave.

• Walking distance to restaurants, shopping, and supermarket - Even though we had a car, we only used it twice.  We could walk to restaurants, souvenir shops, and even a supermarket.

• Parking - the ES is also a small casino with a large parking garage so our car was always safe. This however, comes with a price of $25 but it has easy in and out ability with your card.

I’m really happy with our choice to stay at Embassy Suites.  We had a comfortable, quiet, and clean experience.  I booked through the Expedia app and that was smooth as well.

Drinks at Lifeguards on the Reef Cafe

Happy Hour included at hotel every night

Day 2 - Culture and History of Old San Juan

Our first full day in Puerto Rico was about experiencing Old San Juan.  *Fair Warning* this was a lot of walking!  We parked the car at Escambrón beach ($6 a day). This was a surfers beach with spectacular views of waves, palm trees, and sand. From here, we walked the Pasea Puerta de Tierra - a scenic, award-winning pedestrian walkway stretching roughly 1.5 to 2 miles (about a 30–45 minute walk) along the coast from Escambrón Beach to the entrance of Old San Juan. It offers spectacular ocean views and convenient access between the beach area and the historic city center, capitol building, and passing by Muñoz Marín Park.  We stopped at Old San Juan when we got to the San Cristobol castle - the largest fortress built in the Americas!  It is a National Historic Park.  We paid entrance and did a self tour.  The kids loved the dungeons and I loved the views from the top!

Moving on, we wandered into Old San Juan.  We marveled at the large colorful buildings and blue bricked roads.  We popped into some shops (Matt bought the popular four pocket shirt called a guayabera) and we all got Puerto Rican ice cream from a street vendor.  We made it all the way to the end where we also visited San Felipe del Morro fort (nick named El Morro).  Our entrance from San Cristobal got us into this one as well.  

Escambrón Beach where we parked

Old San Juan Streets

Dungeons in San Cristobol fort

At this point we were hot and tired.  Matt chose our lunch spot of Caleta cafe where we had fantastic sandwiches outdoors right in the Cathedral Plaza - an aesthetic masterpiece. We started our walk back - but first got gourmet popsicles for dessert at Zippops. 

Getting our National Park Passport Stamped

Views from El Morro

Getting street ice cream ($5 a piece)

Back at the hotel, we relaxed and enjoyed the happy hour and pool. For dinner, we got authentic and affordable dinner at Bebo’s BBQ - a short drive from the hotel.

Popsicles on the go at Zippos

Bebos BBQ - all this for $24

**TIPS** Wear sunscreen and comfortable shoes for this itinerary. My phone read I had walked 15,000 steps by 1 pm!  If we had had the energy, it would have been nice to hang at the Escambron beach before heading back.  We got caught in a 10 minute downpour in Old San Juan - none of us minded since it cooled us down a little, but an umbrella would have been handy in the backpack.  Lastly, bring cash to buy ice cream or shaved ice from street vendors.

Day 3 - Adventure in El Yunque

I knew we wanted to experience some adventure in the rainforest.  I waffled between going on our own and choosing a tour.  Based on my Costa Rica experience this summer, I knew with a tour guide I wouldn’t have to stress about getting in, where was safe to hike or go, as well as help identifying plants and wildlife.  To relieve stress and get access to some adventure, I booked a guide.  I chose ComfortPR tours - a one man operation of David Ortego - who does his own booking and does not use third party booking like tripadvisor and getyourguide. We booked his Trails-River-Beach tour that included transportation to/from our hotel. 

short walk to the waterslides

Fruit stand/smoothies before the rainforest

This excursion had three stops: First, a visit to a fruit and smoothie stand outside the rainforest, then a short hike to natural waterslides - including safety and photo/video taking, and last, a trip to Luquillo beach - another must-see destination famous for the kiosk market. My son would have spent all day doing the slides!  We all tried the small one but he was the only one brave enough to to the big one…over and over.  At Luquillo beach, we had lunch at La Parrilla restaurant - kiosk # 2. We tried the traditional seafood mofongo as well as a conch salad.

David helped us stay safe in the waterslides

David made sure we got great photos

Our guide David with Comfort PR tours

David was very knowledgeable and even helped Matt do a side quest to a take-out place to get him mondongo (not to be confused with mofongo) - a tripe soup he wanted to try. 

This day was lots of fun and we felt we were in good hands with David.  We saw a lot of large group tours doing similar experiences but without the safety warning, life jackets, etc. 

We were pooped that night - so we stayed in - used the pool and had dinner at one of the hotel restaurants.

Mofongo and conch salad at the Luquillo kiosks

Day 4 - Manatees and Beach

My daughter loves manatees, and last year we weren't able to see any in our Florida trip.  I was determined that we’d see them this one!  After some searching, I found out that San Juan’s manatee rescue organization offers one hour tours of their facilities which include seeing the manatees receiving care!  The Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center is located in the Bayamón Campus of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico - a 35 minute drive from our hotel.  Our guide Shelly was engaging and informative.  We learned about the rescue process, the animals they treat, and the  veterinary services they provide.  We got to safely view their patients including four manatees, sea birds, and a sea turtle.  It was a wonderful experience! 

Manatee viewing

Great tour at the Manatee Conservation Center!

The afternoon was designated our beach day.  Embassy Suites is two blocks from the Isla Verde Beach - a large family friendly beach.  We brought some portable sand toys and the hotel provided a beach attendant with lounge chairs, towels, and umbrellas.  Unfortunately, it rained on and off during our afternoon, but since the kids didn’t care - Matt and I decided that neither did we.  They loved making sand castles and body surfing in the warm, tropical water.  We got food and drink from the hotel cafe and also from Lifeguards on the Reel Café again.

Big beach and warm water at Isla Verde - 2 blocks from hotel

For dinner, we took a local’s suggestion for Metropol for local Puerto Rican favorites.  Matt and I each tried a new mofongo again and we had the traditional dessert of flan for dessert. 

Day 5 - Heading Home

Our last morning in Puerto Rico included another continental breakfast and pool time.  We got to the airport early.  I’d heard scary tales of four hour TSA lines, but we didn’t have this experience.  The required USDA check (don’t miss this!) took about ten minutes and the TSA precheck line under ten.  As a result, we had at least three hours to kill before our flight. 

Would repeat!

I felt this vacation was a nice blend of relaxing, culture, and adventure. With more time, it would have been fun to visit one of the islands - Vieques and Culebra.  If the kids were older, a snorkeling, jetski, zipline, or atv adventure would be fun as well.  Overall, we have no regrets and hope to come back.  

See similar adventures here:

Costa Rica Adult Trip

Family Florida Trip

Florida Keys Adult Trip

See more photos, video, and adventure at my instagram

A Family Weekend in Montreal (With an Unforgettable Sugar Shack Experience)

There’s something special about introducing your kids to a place that already holds meaning for you. This March, we took our first international trip as a family - a weekend in Montreal, Canada - with one main goal: visiting an authentic Quebec maple sugar shack.

Plan a Montreal family getaway with kids -
Old Montreal, Jean-Talon Market, Biodome,
and a memorable maple sugar shack experience.

For my husband Matt and me, this wasn’t new. We’ve visited Au Pied de Cochon Sugar Shack four times (see last years post here) . But this time felt entirely different because we were seeing it through our kids’ eyes.

Here's a breakdown of our family-friendly maple sugaring weekend in Montreal, Quebec:

Friday: Arrival + Old Montreal Charm

We arrived Friday and checked into Hotel Bonaparte in Old Montreal. I chose it for its charm and unbeatable location, and it delivered immediately.

At check in, we were given sparkling cider

We loved the charm of Hotel Bonaparte and Old Montreal

Cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and that distinctly European feel - Old Montreal is one of those places that makes you slow down.

Our first stop was Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. There’s an admission fee, but it’s absolutely worth it. Walking into that soaring Gothic interior felt like stepping into another world. It was the perfect warm-up after being outside, and the kids had never experienced anything like it.

Back at the hotel, we were greeted with sparkling apple cider - a small but memorable touch.

Our hotel was next to this landmark

The kids were in awe of the basilica - and so was I!

Dinner at a Montreal Institution

That night, we headed to Au Pied de Cochon, the flagship restaurant behind the sugar shack. An Uber picked us up within a minute right outside the hotel - so easy.

This is not a restaurant for everyone (vegetarians beware) but if you’re open to rich, indulgent, unapologetically Quebecois cuisine, it’s unforgettable. Chef Martin Picard is a genius in this space.

Highlights for the kids:

• Foie gras poutine (yes, really!)
  

• Maple cake for dessert
  
  

We also ordered the stuffed pig’s foot—because when in Montreal…Matt and I have now been here three times, and it continues to impress.

Simple but indulgent menu - get reservations!

Classic Montreal Poutine

---

Saturday: Bagels, Markets + The Main Event

We woke up to fresh scones and juice left outside our door. Overnight snow had transformed the city, and our view of the basilica looked like a winter postcard.

A Classic Montreal Morning

First stop: St-Viateur Bagel.

Widely considered some of the best bagels in Canada, they’re smaller, denser, and slightly sweet thanks to honey water. We arrived around 9 a.m. and walked right in. (Bring cash! They take USA currency too.)

• Kids: toasted bagels with cream cheese
  

• Us: bagel sandwiches

This was our second time to St. Viateur Bagels

Next, we wandered through Jean-Talon Market - a favorite of ours in any season. Even in winter, it’s lively and full of local flavor.

The large market is a great place to grab a cappuccino and walk around

The Sugar Shack Experience

Then it was time for the highlight of the trip: our noon reservation at the sugar shack in Mirabel.

This visit felt extra special - we had a private room with 10 of us, sharing the experience with family and friends.

If you’ve never been to a Quebec sugar shack, expect:

• Course after course of rich, maple-forward dishes
  

• A celebratory, communal atmosphere
  

• A meal that feels like an event, not just lunch
  

Favorites at the table:

• Pea soup
  

• Pork pie
  

• Maple honey ham
  

Every course brought “oohs” and “aahs.” It’s indulgent, it’s over-the-top, and a three hour event that is completely worth it. See my last years post for specifics on how to book and prepare.

5 courses of rich food!

We brought a lot of the leftover ham home

---

Afternoon + Evening: Old Montreal & The Ferris Wheel

Back in Old Montreal, we spent the afternoon souvenir shopping before heading to the waterfront to ride La Grande Roue de Montréal.

I could only convince my son to join me, but it ended up being such a fun experience.

Inside the heated gondola:

• Panoramic views of the snow-covered city
  

• A 20-minute ride (3 - 4 rotations)
  

• Bluetooth connection so you can play your own music
  
  

It’s touristy—but in the best way.

We finished the day wandering the streets again before settling in for the night.

The largest Ferris wheel in Canada!

Rue Saint-Paul in Old Montreal

---

Sunday: Biodome + The Road Home

Our final morning started with fresh croissants waiting at the hotel - another detail that made the stay feel special.

After checking out, we headed to Montreal Olympic Park to visit the Montreal Biodome.

This ended up being a huge hit with the kids.

The Biodome lets you walk through different ecosystems of the Americas, with real animals in each environment:

• Capybaras
  

• Sloths
  

• Tropical birds
  

• Penguins
  
  

It’s immersive, educational, and a perfect family-friendly stop.

From there, we packed up and made the five-hour drive back to Seacoast New Hampshire.

The architecture was so cool!

The rainforest exhibit was my favorite!

Taking photos of capybaras

---

Final Thoughts: Is Montreal Worth It with Kids?

Absolutely.

Montreal strikes a rare balance:

• European charm without the long-haul flight
  

• Incredible food (for adventurous and picky eaters alike)
  

• Cultural experiences that feel exciting - not overwhelming - for kids
  
  

And if you’re looking for something truly unique?

A traditional Quebec sugar shack - especially Au Pied de Cochon Sugar Shack - is an experience your family won’t forget.

Desserts were a hit!

For similar adventurers, check out the links below - and follow me on instagram!

- A Pilgrimage to A Sugar Shack

- Florida 3 Night Vacation with Kids

- Family Adventure in the Monadnock Region