The Explore All 50 States Project
Let's Go!
What I love about America is there are so many places where you can go and feel like you are in another whole country. Brooklyn is no exception. There are many immigrant communities here but one of the most famous is Brighton Beach which can feel to the average American like a trip to Russia. Take a walk under the subway bridge a block from the beach and every sign will be in Russian, the language you hear on the … [Read more...]
There are many ways to take in the storied Brooklyn Bridge. You can walk across it, cruise under it, or just take it in from the shore. We opted for option number three which we recommend from the Brooklyn side where you can enjoy some ice cream or pizza at Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory or Juliana's while you stroll along with the Manhattan skyline as a backdrop to the beautiful bridge. The first thing I thought … [Read more...]
We weren't sure what to expect when we walked up to the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory under the Brooklyn Bridge. All our guidebooks told us to check it out but Larry our friend from Brooklyn had never heard of it. If you know us by now, you know we will never pass on ice cream so in we went and man, are we glad we did. First off the little shop is adorable, located in an old firehouse it's filled with little bits … [Read more...]
A visit to Brooklyn is not complete without at stop at Coney Island on the shore near Brighton Beach. Walk up to the ticket booth for The Luna Park amusement park amid the brightly colored rides and instantly you are 7 years old pulling on your parent sleeve begging to go explore. Don't expect much in comparison to a new theme park though. It's a place of nostalgia that hearkens back to simpler times. Our main … [Read more...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
