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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

3 Family Friendly Nights in Acadia National Park

Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park.  Photo by Leanne De Craene

This time our little ones joined the trip!
Photo by Leanne De Craene.

It's that time of year again...Girl's Trip!  For the ninth year in a row, my best girl-friends and I planned an adventure trip together.  Years past have included everything from far off Newfoundland and Iceland to stateside Michigan and Colorado.  Not only have the trips changed through the years, but we have as well.  While we started off this tradition as carefree 20-somethings, we now have husbands, families, careers, and mortgages.  Still, we have found a way to continue our tradition of enjoying an adventure every summer together.  This summer, we honed in on the Northeast.  I had a two month old baby, and Courtney a toddler (and pregnant with number two). Acadia National Park in Maine seemed like the perfect destination - great views, lots of hiking, and relatively "close" to home.  It was the perfect destination for our crew.  Read on to recreate this adventure...

Adventure:  3 nights, 4 days on Mt. Desert Island - Acadia, Bar Harbor, and more!

Hadley's Point Cabins

Lodging:  We wanted an affordable housing option near Bar Harbor (VERY HARD TO FIND!)  Having a baby, I wasn't ready to camp (especially since I booked before I had even had the baby).  We were lucky to find Hadley's Point Campground where we were able to book rustic cabins for $80 a night.

 The cabins included a bathroom, queen bed, twin bunk bed, porch with picnic table, and fire pit.  It was only 10 minutes north of Bar Harbor and 5 minutes from the Acadia Visitor Center.  We loved our stay there.
** Important note - book your stay early!  We booked our July stay in January and Friday and Saturday was already sold out so we stayed Sunday-Wednesday.

View of interior cabin. 

Outside the cabin porch

Trying out the new Baby Bjorn One Outdoors!
Photo by Leanne De Craene

Gear: There's a saying in Maine - "If you don't like the weather...wait 5 minutes".  This is important to keep in mind when packing.  Besides food, camp gear, linens, and beach gear, we also were glad we packed rain gear, warm weather gear, and hiking gear.  I used this trip to gear test a new hiking baby carrier on the market - Baby Bjorn's One Outdoors.  It was crucial as a hiking-mom and allowed me to hike tens of miles each day without pain.  See my gear review HERE.

I also purchased the Appalachian Mountain Club's Acadia National Park Hiking and Biking Map.  This map provided detailed trail information including carriage road and bike trails.

Itinerary: Below is the itinerary for our trip.  I like how we were able to spend time hitting some of the main highlights of the park/island as well as some more offbeat adventures.

Day 1 - Bar Harbor Afternoon

Our first day we arrived by car to a damp and cool Maine day.  We decided to spend the afternoon walking around Bar Harbor, grabbing a bite, and setting up/snuggling in our cabin.  We enjoyed such a great lunch at Side Street Cafe that we ended up going there for dinner again on our last night!  That night we made a camp dinner and enjoyed each other's company at the campground.

Cool and rainy first day in Bar Harbor.

Day 2 - The "Right" Side

View from Gorham Mountain Summit of Beehive.

Mount Desert Island is divided into two sides - almost like two large peninsulas.  The "right" side (north-
east) is more populated and contains the popular tourist town of Bar Harbor as well as the more visited Acadia park destinations like Sand Beach, Jordan Pond, Otter Cliffs, and Cadillac Mountain.  A park loop road takes visitors to the various destinations (note- part of this loop is one-way).  Although there is a free park bus, we decided to drive ourselves around this portion - knowing there was risk of not finding parking at various spots.  Our first stop was the Visitor Center where we purchased our $25 week parking pass.

Our main stop of the day was Sand Beach.  Parking here provides access to the beach as well as popular hiking trails.  We split ways here - some spent 2 hours on the beach, some hiked the challenging Beehive Trail, but I chose to take baby Lucien up Gorham Mountain. It is an easy to moderate trail that provides amazing views of ocean, mountains, and forest at a relatively short distance.  It took me about an hour and a half to hike the out-and-back trail and return to Sand Beach.  We all met up for a little beach time before moving on.

Sand Beach

Courtney decided to stay with her toddler at the beach while Leanne and I meandered on.  We walked the Ocean Path the 1.6 miles from Sand Beach down to Thunder Hole. I enjoyed cliff and ocean views on this easy, flat path.

Ocean Path Views

Back at Sand Beach, Leanne and I hopped back in the car and drove the Ocean Drive around Otter Point.  We stopped for a beach stroll and more scenic views at Otter Cove before making way to our next big stop - Jordan Pond.

Jordan Pond is a heavily trafficked stop.  It took a while to find a parking spot here.  Besides great

Jordan Pond

hiking and views, there is the famous Jordan Pond House where guests can enjoy lunch or tea on the lawn or restaurant.  I've tried this before- it was nice enjoying gorgeous views and their famous popover rolls.  Be prepared for a long wait if you decide to dine!  We decided to pass this time and opted for another hike instead.  The 3.3 mile Jordan Pond Shore trail is an easy trail that takes you around the entire lake.  The trail is flat but involves a mile stretch of "bog bridges" which can be hard for small children and slippery when wet.  Leanne and I decided to add some challenge to our hike by climbing up the South Bubble Trail.  From the south, we climbed the rocky and steep trail to the gorgeous views of the summit.  Near the summit, the trail was very challenging.  The decent on the north side of the mountain was more moderate although involved lots of boulders with some tricky footing.  Hikers can also take a look at Bubble Rock - a precariously perched boulder on the summit of South Bubble.

**Note - Jordan Pond is the water-source for the area.  As a result - swimming and motorized vehicles are not allowed in the water.

Hike up the Bubbles was more challenging.

After our Jordan Pond hike, we returned to our car and headed north back to Hadley Point Campground for a home-made dinner at our cabin.  It was a wonderful day!

Day 3 - The "Left" Side

Hike up to Acadia Mountain.

Day 3 was designed to explore a little bit of the left (or south-west) peninsula.  After a delicious home-made breakfast in our campground, we drove south to Echo Lake.  This spot is a great place to swim, sunbathe, and relax at the freshwater beach.  After setting up Kendra and Sarah with little Cedar, Courtney, Leanne, Baby Lucien, and I headed up Acadia Mountain Trail (a short drive up the road) for a morning hike.  The trail was a moderately challenging.  Although it can be made into a loop with Valley Peak and St Sauveur Trail, we decided to just go out-and-back so we could fit in more adventures.  The peak had gorgeous ocean and mountain views and was a perfect morning hike.

After dropping Courtney back off at Echo Lake for the day, Leanne, Lucien, and I continued south on 102/102A.  We saw quaint views of Southwest Harbor and made stops to take nature walks at Wonderland and Ship Harbor.  Both trails were very easy and provided cliff, beach, and woodland views.  Ship Harbor was my favorite for the pink/red cliff views in the harbor.

Views along Ship Harbor Trail

Ship Harbor Trail

Bass Harbor Light

Our next stop was at Bass Harbor Headlight.  This picturesque light sits at the southern most point of Mt. Desert Island.  A short walk down some steep stairs and you can get the post-card shot of the lighthouse sitting above the seashore cliff.

After the lighthouse, we continued our scenic driving tour up 102.  We returned to Bar Harbor for a delicious dinner at Side Street Cafe followed by ice cream at Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream.  After watching the sunset in the harbor, we returned to our cozy cabins.

Sunset in Bar Harbor

Day 4 - Sunrise on Cadillac and Delicious Breakfast

On our last day, Leanne and Sarah got up at 4 am to drive the auto road up to the summit of Cadillac Mountain.  This popular activity gives viewers an opportunity to be the first in the US to see the sunrise for the day.  I'd experienced the sunrise view on past trips so I decided to sleep in on this occasion.  After a little more shut eye, Leanne and I packed up and went to Bar Harbor's 2 cats for breakfast.  After a yummy breakfast, we spent time gift shopping in town and lounging in the grassy knoll in the town center before leaving the island.

Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain. Photo by Leanne De Craene.

Final Thoughts 

Acadia was the perfect place to spend sometime with kids and girlfriends.  We enjoyed gorgeous views, endless choices in hiking, and a wonderful seaside town.  It would be easy to spend more time there finding more hikes and getting adventurous on the carriage trails.  It was great to realize that even with our busy lives, we could still escape for a wonderful friend and adventure filled vacation.

Me and my girls (and boy)

You might also enjoy the following adventures:

Four Family Friendly Days in Olympic National Park

Waterfalls and Swimming Holes - Vermont Adventures

Girls Trip 2014 - L.A. to Colorado