Juliana’s -Shhhh it’s the original Grimaldi’s (New York City-Brooklyn)

Everybody loves to know an awesome secret when it comes to food and our family is no different.  When we hit the ground running for our tour of Brooklyn with our pal Larry, Grimaldi's was on the list of must try Pizza's. Grimaldi's is famous in every guidebook for it's coal burning oven with it's flagship location right under the Brooklyn Bridge. When we told Larry we were ready for the Grimaldi's experience, he … [Read more...]

L & B Spumoni Gardens (New York City-Brooklyn)

A true Brooklyn original and a local favorite, this is a pizza you just go to try. Like anywhere in Brooklyn, parking may be a bit of a challenge but don't be discouraged, it's all totally worth it. Beyond the deliciousness of the pizza and adding to the whole experience, the local ambiance is straight out of a movie. This place has been around since 1939 so they must be doing something right! For the uninitiated, … [Read more...]

Pennsylvania

There’s nothing like standing where our nation's independence was declared or seeing the Liberty Bell to connect to our historic and dynamic American heritage. Pennsylvania is home to so much of our history-some that took place in big cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and some that occurred in the rural farmland that covers so much of the state. Pennsylvania beckons you to get to know Benjamin Franklin … [Read more...]

New York Transit Museum (New York City-Brooklyn)

Ever wonder how the marvel of modern engineering known as the New York Subway system ever came to be? I have, and I just couldn't wait to learn about it at the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn. Sadly, this is a pretty dated museum that is screaming for a redo so be prepared. If you really want to learn about the NY transit system you've really got to take the time to read the displays which do go into huge … [Read more...]

Peter Luger Steak House (New York City-Brooklyn)

  If my kids had to pick the one place they'd eat at for their last meal, my guess would be this would be it. If steak is your thing, then this is a must try on your bucket list...just make sure you book your reservation a month or two in advance and bring a wad of cash. No credit cards accepted. Peter Luger's has consistently won the top prize for best steak house in the country, but in spite of that, … [Read more...]

9/11 Memorial and Museum-(New York City-Manhattan)

It took time and careful effort to construct this incredible museum on the site of one of the greatest tragedies in our nation's history. For those of us who witnessed the attack and eventual crumbling of the towers on September 11, 2001, this museum will bring you back to that terrifying moment and fill in the details that we could not imagine as we were glued to our televisions.  For younger visitors who were too … [Read more...]

Central Park (New York City-Manhattan)

There is no greater compliment to the hustle and bustle of New York City than the lush green swath known as Central Park. It's the perfect foil to the concrete and skyscrapers that define the city bringing balance, tranquility and and boundless opportunities to connect with nature and fellow New Yorkers. Bravo to the city fathers who saw the importance of the large expanse of green space and who preserved from … [Read more...]

The Empire State Building (New York City-Manhattan)

Wow, is there anything more iconic New York City, that the Empire State Building? Not in my book. Any visit to the Big Apple is not complete without going up to the observation deck and taking in the panoramic view from what was once the tallest building in the world. There are lots of options for taking in this very popular tourist attraction so let me break it down for you. The observation deck is open from 8am … [Read more...]

Grand Central Station (New York City-Manhattan)

  You've seen this place in a ton of movies, but nothing can prepare you for actually standing there in person and taking it all in. The Grand Central Terminal as it is officially called, is breathtaking in it's beauty in addition to being an architectural marvel that serves thousands of travelers by train on 67 tracks every day. Stand inside the main concourse you will find yourself staring at the … [Read more...]

Back to School Night: Putting Into Perspective What We’ve Learned On The Road

While Lilia my oldest child has settled into college, my two boys Isaac and Joel are still in high school.  Last night I attended Back To School Night and as I sat and listened to each teacher give their spiel about the class I really thought about how much value our road trips have added to my children's education.  Just about every class I visited I thought about some place we'd been in our travels that could … [Read more...]