Full Version: Road Trip To New Jersey
I am leaving on a two week vacation to PA / NJ and NY in just a few hours.
I am driving my personal work truck as I have alot of tools and materials to take with me to do work for relatives while I am there (Carpentry, Electrical, Phones, Cable, Networking,Etc.).
My wife and daughter fly out tomorrow AM and might be there before I am.
My question is:
Anyone in the PA / NJ / NY area who has a few good suggestions on places to go for my family and I to have a good time, and other places where my wife and I could have fun by ourselves?
So far we plan a trip to PA for a Family Reunion, a day or two at Sandy Hook Beach, and Seaside for my daughter, as well as a trip into NYC for my wife and I. Other then that I have a few dozen projects to do to help out my Mom, and at least one to help out my Aunt.
Any suggestions would be helpful.
I will be taking my laptop with me, so though I will not be a vocal as I usually am I won't be posting that much (come on, you all know I can't shut up for long
)
Belford here we come!!!
(anyone else here "the boy(s) are back in town" in the background? 
).
I am driving my personal work truck as I have alot of tools and materials to take with me to do work for relatives while I am there (Carpentry, Electrical, Phones, Cable, Networking,Etc.).
My wife and daughter fly out tomorrow AM and might be there before I am.
My question is:
Anyone in the PA / NJ / NY area who has a few good suggestions on places to go for my family and I to have a good time, and other places where my wife and I could have fun by ourselves?
So far we plan a trip to PA for a Family Reunion, a day or two at Sandy Hook Beach, and Seaside for my daughter, as well as a trip into NYC for my wife and I. Other then that I have a few dozen projects to do to help out my Mom, and at least one to help out my Aunt.
Any suggestions would be helpful.
I will be taking my laptop with me, so though I will not be a vocal as I usually am I won't be posting that much (come on, you all know I can't shut up for long
)Belford here we come!!!
(anyone else here "the boy(s) are back in town" in the background? ).
Depends on what part of Pennsylvania. The central and northeastern parts of the state are beautiful just to drive through. If you're in central Pennsylvania, near Penn State, you could stop off at my family's business, Indian Caverns. 
Philadelphia, of course, has Independence Hall and a few other historical sies. I have only ever passed through New Jersey as quickly as possible - maybe Conservpat can help you out there.
New York - well, there's loads to do in New York: all kinds of restaurants and shows and clubs and museums. The Metropolitan Museum is highly recommended and the Museum of Natural History - and the Brooklyn Children's museum is great for the young ones. If you're passing the site of the WTC, the Irish Hunger Memorial is just across the street and is a very serene oasis in the middle of lower Manhattan. There are all of the obvious things of course: a Circle Line cruise, a trip to the top of the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall, etc. Outside NYC, though, I'm again at a bit of a loss.
Philadelphia, of course, has Independence Hall and a few other historical sies. I have only ever passed through New Jersey as quickly as possible - maybe Conservpat can help you out there.New York - well, there's loads to do in New York: all kinds of restaurants and shows and clubs and museums. The Metropolitan Museum is highly recommended and the Museum of Natural History - and the Brooklyn Children's museum is great for the young ones. If you're passing the site of the WTC, the Irish Hunger Memorial is just across the street and is a very serene oasis in the middle of lower Manhattan. There are all of the obvious things of course: a Circle Line cruise, a trip to the top of the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall, etc. Outside NYC, though, I'm again at a bit of a loss.
Welcome Home Overland! 
Don't forget the Liberty Science Center. I've never been there but I heard it's a lot of fun for the kids. Liberty State Park also is very nice (I have been there) and you can take the ferry to Ellis Island.
Canoeing on the Delaware River Gap is always a fun day. I have done it from the Dingmans Access.
I recently went to a bachelorette party at Layla. They serve delicious Moroccan Cuisine and a belly dancer. The ladies seemed (or were less embarrassed) to be less inhibited in getting up and dancing with the belly dancer then the men. It was a lot of fun and the food was out of this world. We ate family style so I got to try a lot of what was on their menu and I loved every bite. It's a bit pricey though.
If you like Blues or Jazz 55 Bar is pretty cool. It is located on 55 Christopher Street. If you will be there on June 24th, Sweet Georgia Brown is a blast.
Have a great time.
Don't forget the Liberty Science Center. I've never been there but I heard it's a lot of fun for the kids. Liberty State Park also is very nice (I have been there) and you can take the ferry to Ellis Island.
Canoeing on the Delaware River Gap is always a fun day. I have done it from the Dingmans Access.
I recently went to a bachelorette party at Layla. They serve delicious Moroccan Cuisine and a belly dancer. The ladies seemed (or were less embarrassed) to be less inhibited in getting up and dancing with the belly dancer then the men. It was a lot of fun and the food was out of this world. We ate family style so I got to try a lot of what was on their menu and I loved every bite. It's a bit pricey though.
If you like Blues or Jazz 55 Bar is pretty cool. It is located on 55 Christopher Street. If you will be there on June 24th, Sweet Georgia Brown is a blast.
Have a great time.
I'll be in the Wilkes Barre Area of PA. As for NY, we're looking at a visit to NYC, all day one day, that's about it. I'm not sure if I want to go to ground zero. I was pretty deeply effected on 9/11 and I have never been to ground zero. THough I feel obligated to go to the former site of the trade center I am not sure I want to deal with those emotions on vacation.
As for New Jersey, We will be staying in the Monmouth County area of Central NJ. So Red Bank, Highlands, Seaside, etc are the areas we are looking to explore. Will definitely visit the twin lights, as that was an old hang out of mine years ago.
Thanks for all the suggestions folks, my job for today was rather difficult and that caused me to be delayed leaving until early AM tomorrow. Well, at least I'll have a good nights sleep.
As for New Jersey, We will be staying in the Monmouth County area of Central NJ. So Red Bank, Highlands, Seaside, etc are the areas we are looking to explore. Will definitely visit the twin lights, as that was an old hang out of mine years ago.
Thanks for all the suggestions folks, my job for today was rather difficult and that caused me to be delayed leaving until early AM tomorrow. Well, at least I'll have a good nights sleep.
Oh boy Overland, I can highly recommend Rajin' Cajun in Belmar, 1102 River Rd, 732-280-8685.
If you go on a Sunday Evening, Stringbean and the Stalkers plays. They are a lot of fun. The restaurant is in an old house, sometimes you eat in the Kitchen and if it is nice out they set up tables on the front lawn. It might be better to leave the kids home but you if you can get outside their is more room for them to be kids.
If you go on a Sunday Evening, Stringbean and the Stalkers plays. They are a lot of fun. The restaurant is in an old house, sometimes you eat in the Kitchen and if it is nice out they set up tables on the front lawn. It might be better to leave the kids home but you if you can get outside their is more room for them to be kids.
Overlandsailor, well, I just got back from South Jersey, Stone Harbor to be exact, but since you're not going that far south, you have to check out Point Pleasant in Central Jersey, there's a great little boardwalk for the kids. And if you want a learning experience, go to Princeton, and if you do, you have to go to the center of town to check out The Street on Princeton U. campus. The Street is full of great restaraunts and is an overall great experience for everyone. Also, you've gotta have ice cream at Thomas Sweets [in Princeton]...it might well be the greatest ice cream on the face of the Earth. Also DreamPiper hit the nail on the head with Liberty State Park/Liberty Science Center in scenic Jersey City. Have I mentioned that the Statue of Liberty is in New Jersey? That's all I can think of off the top of my head, hope you have fun.
On edit:
And if you're looking for food here are some suggestions:
Northern Jersey: Rita and Joes, Jersey City New Jersey, right on the corner of Broadway and Wallis Ave., great Italian food, and I would know.
Puccini's [spelling]: Also in JC, on broadway, just down the road a piece from Rita and Joes, more great Italian food.
Central Jersey: Anything on The Street, Princeton University Campus, Palmer Square.
CP
On edit:
And if you're looking for food here are some suggestions:
Northern Jersey: Rita and Joes, Jersey City New Jersey, right on the corner of Broadway and Wallis Ave., great Italian food, and I would know.
Puccini's [spelling]: Also in JC, on broadway, just down the road a piece from Rita and Joes, more great Italian food.
Central Jersey: Anything on The Street, Princeton University Campus, Palmer Square.
CP
Ok whether the Statue of Liberty is in NJ is debateable but you can't beat the view of it from the Staten Island Ferry. Unfortunately all you see from NJ is her backside 
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Oh if you go to Rita and Joe's I am only a hop skip and a jump away, I'll meet ya for drinks!
.Oh if you go to Rita and Joe's I am only a hop skip and a jump away, I'll meet ya for drinks!
OK now that were talking about Rita and Joes, Please note The Big Statue With the Lumber Jack looking Guy holding the Big roll of Carpet featured in the opening of the Sopranos, then you may want to head west towards us, lots of Soprano stuff in Harrison and Newark, Keep on heading west and I'll met up with you and family at the Turtle Back zoo and well let all the kids and spouses get to know each other. As we leave we can Pop in on a Devils Practice, my daughter plays with one of the Coaches daughters maybe I could hook something up, and if your feeling that the children need a bit of Education we have the Thomas Edison Museum as well in West Orange. I am really tired at this point so Ya better go before I get Cranky 
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