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New York

National Museum of Mathematics, New York

November 22, 2018 / New York, New York Life, Travel, USA / 0 comment

The National Museum of Mathematics or MoMath is the only hands-on science center in Manhattan. Dedicated to mathematics, the museum explores math through dynamic exhibits and fun activities. You’ll never look at math the same way again!

MoMath does a wonderful job of showcasing how mathematics is all around us, shaping the world we live in. The two floors of hands-on exhibits show that math can be fun and exciting, particularly helpful in helping foster a love of mathematics in kids.

The museum is spread over two floors. You could easily spend a whole day here working on each exhibit – many of them with levels of complexity that make them appealing to both kids and adults.

The exhibits explore concepts such as patterns, formulas, statistics, geometry, velocity, acceleration, parabolas, mathematical rules, fractal patterns and number probability.

Note: this is not just a museum for kids! Adults who love math will really enjoy it, too. In fact, the lower level has an area that features complex puzzles that are geared towards adults.

There is no cafe in the museum, but there are plenty right outside, including Eatily, and the excellent Madison Square Park and playground.

National Museum of Mathematics New York
Hours: Daily, 10am-5pm
MoMath closes early the first Wednesday of every month, at 2:30 pm.
11 E 26th St, New York, NY 10010
momath.org

An Art Deco Masterpiece: Empire State Building New York City

November 21, 2018 / New York, New York Life / 0 comment

The Empire State Building in Midtown Manhattan, is an Art Deco masterpiece. Built in 1931, the skyscraper is 102-stories tall and features the highest open-air observatory in New York City.

Enter the lobby via the 34th street entrance and enjoy the beautiful art deco ceiling murals and two story model building, before catching the elevator to the 86th floor, home to the most famous observation deck in the world.

There is a a green screen photo op before taking the elevator – we are always suckers and can’t resist.

Be sure to take a look at the Dare To Dream Exhibit which tells the story of how the Empire State Building was built. The exhibit is on the 80th floor.

The 86th Floor Observatory offers 360-degree views of New York and beyond. On a clear day you can see views of Central Park, The Hudson River and East River, The Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square and even the tiny The Statue of Liberty, way off in the distance.

The high-powered binoculars were a massive hit for Cheese, who used them to a closer look at the streets below. The binoculars are free to use!

Want to go even higher? An extra $20 USD will buy you a pass to the Empire State Building’s Top Deck, on the 102th floor.

Tips for visiting with kids

Under 6 is free.

Arrive early! The Empire State Building is quietest between 8am-11am.

If you’re bringing a stroller, you’ll need to fold it before entering the elevator.

Ues the bathroom on the second floor before getting in line for the elevators.

Rug up on cold days: it can get extremely cold up there!

Buy tickets in advance to save lining up.

Visiting the Empire State Building is a fab idea if you’re in New York and jet lagged too. Make use of those morning hours!

Empire State Building
Hours: Daily, 8am-2am
20 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001
esbnyc.com

Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Center, New York

November 20, 2018 / New York, New York Life, USA / 0 comment

Top of the Rock Observatory sits at the top of the Rockefeller Center in the heart of New York City. From this incredible location, the Observatory offers breathtaking views of the city including the Empire State Building and Central Park.

The main entrance to Top of the Rock is on 50th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. There is a red carpet out the front of the entrance – and usually a queue. If there is indeed a queue when you go, try the second entrance, located on the Concourse level of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

Entry to the Top of the Rock is timed. The best way to get in with minimal queuing is to buy your ticker online in advance and select the day and time of your choice. Unscheduled tickets are also available but you will have to line up to exchange these for timed tickets at the box office and you might not be able to get in for a period of time if it’s a busy day.

After buying a ticket, all visitors must pass through the security checkpoint so be prepared for the scanners. No food and beverages allowed, however my water bottle and snacks were not mentioned and we were able to take them with us inside.

Once through security the queue winds through the mezzanine level, which is filled with information about the Rockefeller Center, its founder, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and how the Top of the Rock began.

Next is a photo-op against a green-screen to recreate the famous photo of construction workers eating lunch on a steel beam high above the city that was taken at the Rockefeller Center.

Before entering the Sky Shuttle to the Top, all visitors are ushered into a theatre to watch a short video presentation about the history of NBC and Rockefeller Center. We found the video interesting, particularly the parts featuring the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

The Sky Shuttle to the Top takes less than a minute to travel up to 850 feet (260 meters) above street level to the 67th floor. Look up when you’re in the elevator – you’ll be glad you did!

The Sky Shuttle brings visitors to the first of three observation floors. The 67th floor is largely indoors with two outdoor areas protected by high glass panels.

On this floor you’ll find the Radiance Room, which absolutely enchanted Cheese.

The room has a wall made up of glass panels that was created by Swarovski and contains crystals, fiber-optic lighting and lots of blown glass. It’s sparkly and mesmerising.

Head up to the 69th floor next which is completely open with glass panels. On this floor you will find the Breezeway Room, an interactive colour experience.

The final floor is the 70th, which has no glass or metal enclosures, so it’s the perfect spot for photos with no reflections.

On each of the 67th, 69th and 70th floors are binoculars that give a close-up view of various points of interest.

Tips for visiting with kids

Under 6 is free.

Arrive early! The Top of the Rock is quietest between 8am-10am.

Rug up on cold days: it can get extremely cold up there!

Buy tickets in advance to save lining up.

Top of the Rock
Hours: Daily, 8am-Midnight
Last elevator up at 11:00pm
30 Rockefeller Plaza,
New York, NY 10112
1-877-692-7625
topoftherocknyc.com

Eloise Afternoon Tea at the Plaza Hotel, New York

November 20, 2018 / Manhattan Munchies, Midtown East, New York, New York Food / 0 comment

A rawther fancy way to enjoy a day in New York City is with the Eloise afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel.

The Plaza’s famous literary resident, Eloise, has a strong presence throughout the hotel, including the specially-themed children’s afternoon tea in The Palm Court. Other places to find Eloise at the Plaza are to visit the Eloise store on the underground level, or if the sky’s the limit, book the Eloise suite.

We booked the Eloise afternoon tea to indulge our city girl and she indeed did find it pink, pink, pink, and all too delightful.

The Eloise Afternoon Tea is served on exquisite china that has been hand-painted for The Plaza Hotel. It can be purchased from the gift shop downstairs if you want to take home a special souvenir.

Eloise Afternoon Tea at the Plaza Hotel

Sandwiches and savouries

Organic Devilled Egg Salad, Dill Pickle Relish, White Bread
Tuna Salad, Celery and Carrots, Wheat Bread
English Cucumber, Minted Goat Cheese Green Goddess, Rye Bread
Organic Peanut Butter and Jelly, Wheat Bread
Parisian Ham, Gruyere Cheese, Bavarian Mustard,
Pretzel Ficelle

Scones

Freshly Baked Warm Seasonal Scones with Double Devonshire Cream, Lemon Curd and Preserves

Pastries and sweets

Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Rice Krispy Treat
Mandarin Orange and Milk Chocolate Éclair
Dulce de Leche Cup Cake, Mango and Lime Butter Cream
Seasonal Fruit Tart
Raspberry and Vanilla Cotton Candy
Graham Cracker Blueberry S’more
Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownie

Hot hot teas

Tropical Garden (a fruity infusion with pieces of mango, pineapple, papaya and peach)
Children’s Tea (a delicious fruit infusion with goji berries, papaya, and melon)
Rooibos des Vahinés (a delicious rooibos sprinkled with pieces of vanilla pods and almonds
Mélange du Cap (a delicious blend of rooibos with cocoa nibs and vanilla pods)

Quenchers

Cold Cold Pink Lemonade
Vanilla Iced Tea

Our diner chose the pink lemonade (delicious!!!) and the tropical garden tea. Her favourite selections from the amazing platter of treats were the giant cotton candy, seasonal fruit tart and rice krispy treat. Considering the amount and quality of food, I thought it was excellent value.

The Eloise Afternoon Tea was a massive hit with our 7-year-old. She loved the custom china and special items she received that we didn’t. The experience made her feel really special.

The Eloise Afternoon Tea is served 12:00pm – 5:00pm
$60 per child under 12 years of age

Adults can also enjoy an afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel. Read about our Plaza Hotel afternoon tea experience here.

CONTACT
212-546-5300
palmcourt@fairmont.com

The Plaza
768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Online theplazany.com

Afternoon Tea at the Plaza Hotel, New York

November 20, 2018 / Manhattan Munchies, Midtown East, New York, New York Food / 0 comment

Afternoon Tea at the Plaza Hotel, New York

The Palm Court, inside the iconic Plaza Hotel, has been the place to enjoy afternoon tea in New York City for over 100 years. In my tea-loving opinion, an afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel is an absolute must when visiting the Big Apple.

In 2013 The Palm Court was relaunched with a fresh look. With a design inspired by the lush greenery in nearby Central Park, the renovation incorporated potted plants, tall palm trees, trellis detailing and can accented furnishings into the classic space. The signature stained-glass dome harkens back to the original design of 1907.

Breakfast, afternoon tea, evening meals and cocktails are all served in The Palm Court, but it wouldn’t be a true New York experience if one didn’t try the famed afternoon tea.

We all wear our Sunday best to dine at the Plaza, even though the suggested dress code is smart casual. It’s a fun outing to get a little fancy, and the interior of the hotel is so fancy that it certainly warrants the special outfits!

The Palm Court is a self contained dining area that feels like diners have been transported into a lush greenhouse. The atmosphere is cheerful and light, with plenty of groups and families enjoying an afternoon tea.

There are two afternoon teas on offer, the New Yorker Tea and the Champagne Tea. Our party chose the classic New Yorker Tea.

The New Yorker Tea Fall Menu

Sandwiches and savouries

Smoked salmon pumpernickel napoleon, chive, dill whipped cream cheese *
Organic devilled egg salad, dill pickle relish, white bread
Truffled chicken salad, black truffle aioli, celery, whole wheat bread *
English cucumber, minted goat cheese green goddess, rye bread
Herb roasted prime rib, horseradish cream, watercress, onion poppy brioche slider bun *
Parisian ham, gruyere cheese, Bavarian mustard, pretzel ficelle *

* I received vegetarian substitutes for these items. My Vegetarian tea below:

Scones

Freshly baked warm seasonal scones, with double Devonshire cream, lemon curd, preserves

Pastries and sweets

Passion & banana daiquiri baba, strawberry compote, Meyer’s rum
Mandarin orange, milk chocolate eclair
Extra bitter dark chocolate black forest tart, preserved cherry
Banana, caramel lime macaron
Seasonal fruit tart
Chocolate hazelnut Nutella bar
Key lime cheesecake, lemon curd, vanilla whipped cream

$75 per person.
Add a glass of champagne (NV Veuve Clicquot Brut, Reims or NV, Moët & Chandon Brut Rosé Impérial, Épernay, $90 pp)

As one expects from the Plaza Hotel, the food is excellent and service flawless. Extra jam, cream and scones are brought when requested, and there is so much tea in our tea pots we couldn’t drink it all.

We couldn’t finish the sweets either, and they are boxed for us to take home.

Champagne Tea Fall Menu

Sandwiches and savouries

Herb roasted prime rib, horseradish cream, watercress, onion poppy brioche slider
Foie gras mousse, fig jam, toasted black walnuts, brioche crostini
Lobster roll, daikon sprouts, buttered potato roll
Golden beet canape, whipped goat cheese, toasted hazelnuts, balsamic pearls
Smoked salmon pumpernickel napoleon, chive & dill whipped cream cheese
Caviar blini three grams imperial ossetra ($21 supplemental)
Three grams kaluga ($29 supplemental)

Scones

Freshly baked warm seasonal scones, with double Devonshire cream, lemon curd, preserves

Pastries and sweets

Apple cider almond delice, bourbon spice jelly
Mandarin orange, milk chocolate éclair
Grapefruit mimosa mousse, citrus meringue, pistachio cake
Seasonal fruit tart
Pistachio chouqette, morello cherry preserve
Jasmine tea infused, dark chocolate macaron
Meyer lemon preserve, lemon & poppy seed cake, earl grey ganache

$95 per person, includes a glass of champagne (NV Veuve Clicquot Brut, Reims or NV, Moët & Chandon Brut Rosé Impérial, Épernay)
$125 per person with a glass of Krug

Afternoon tea is served Mon-Sun 12pm – 4:45pm (last seating is at 4:30pm)

Dining at The Plaza Hotel with kids? Check out their amazing Eloise Afternoon Tea here.

CONTACT
212-546-5300
palmcourt@fairmont.com

The Plaza
768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Online theplazany.com

Christmas DVD Pack Giveaway

November 30, 2016 / Giveaways / 0 comment

Merry Christmas friends! To thank you for following along on our journeys this year, I’ve organised a prize pack worth almost $180 for one lucky reader as an early Chrissie pressie.

The pack contains copies of five DVD sets that the family will love:
1. Bad Moms
2. The Legend of Tarzan
3. Dial E For Emma
4. The Night Of
5. Doctor Doctor

Bad Moms
In this new comedy from the writers of The Hangover, Amy has a seemingly perfect life – a great marriage, over-achieving kids, beautiful home and a career. However she’s over-worked, over-committed and exhausted to the point that she’s about to snap. Fed up, she joins forces with two other over-stressed moms on a quest to liberate themselves from conventional responsibilities – going on a wild, un-mom-like binge of long overdue freedom, fun and self-indulgence – putting them on a collision course with PTA Queen Bee Gwendolyn and her clique of devoted perfect moms.
RRP 39.95

The Legend of Tarzan
It has been years since the man once known as Tarzan left the jungles of Africa behind for a gentrified life as John Clayton III, Lord Greystoke, with his beloved wife, Jane at his side. Now, he has been invited back to the Congo to serve as a trade emissary of Parliament, unaware that he is a pawn in a deadly convergence of greed and revenge, masterminded by the Belgian, Captain Leon Rom. But those behind the murderous plot have no idea what they are about to unleash.
RRP 39.95

Dial E For Emma
Ring, Ring! Hello? Or should we say, yellow? Emma’s friends know that they just have to Dial E For Emma and she will answer the phone and be on her way! Emma embarks on a dancing adventure and uses her “Book of Dance” to help her try out and discover different styles of dance. Whether it is Jazz or Country, Fusion or Ballet, Emma will dance the day away! Share in Emma’s love for dancing, singing, sign language and dress ups and know that she is only a phone call away!
RRP 19.95

The Night Of
From creators Steven Zaillian and Richard Price, The Night Of is an eight-part limited series that delves into the intricate story of a fictitious murder case in New York City. The series follows the police investigation and legal proceedings, all the while examining the criminal justice system and the purgatory of Rikers Island, where the accused awaits his trial.
RRP 39.95

Doctor Doctor
This new Australian series follows Hugh Knight – a rising star in the heart surgery ranks. He is gifted, charming, infallible, and a hedonist who – due to his sheer talent – believes he can live outside the rules. But his “work hard, play harder” philosophy is about to come back and bite him. Hard.
RRP 39.95

These great DVDs are available for purchase in stores nationally.

GIVEAWAY

Here’s your chance to win this DVD pack for yourself (Merry Christmas!). One winner will receive a pack containing The Night Of, Doctor Doctor, Bad Moms, The Legend of Tarzan and Dial E For Emma valued at $179.75. All you need to do to be in the running to win is enter the question in the form below in 25 words or less, “Which DVD would you like to win the most and why?”. The most creative entry will win.

The giveaway is open to Australian residents only, from 6pm December 1st to 9pm December 7th, 2017. See full terms and conditions.

IF YOU ARE ON A MOBILE DEVICE please click on this link to go to the entry form. If you’re on a PC, you can fill it in below.

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Literary Lions at the New York City Public Library

November 4, 2016 / Indoor Play, Museums & Galleries, New York, New York Life / 0 comment

The New York Public Library is great free spot to stop by with kids when visiting New York City. Located on 5th Avenue, it’s the second largest public library in the United States, and fourth largest in the world.

The library is home to more than 51 million items, from books, e-books, and DVDs to research collections.

Most tourists enjoy taking a photo Patience and Fortitude, the famous pair of marble lions that stand in front of the buildings entrance at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street in Manhattan, but don’t venture inside.

If you’re visiting with kids in tow, I highly recommend dropping by the Children’s Center at 42nd Street to enjoy free access to a wide range of children’s literature, music, and media.

The library runs free storytimes suitable for kids from birth to age five. The full program is on their website.

The Children’s Center is open daily, same hours at the library, except Sundays 1pm-5pm

The New York Public Library
5th Ave at 42nd St, New York, NY 10018, United States
Hours: Mon 10am-6pm, Tue & Wed 10am-8pm, Thur-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun closed
Prices: FREE
Get Directions

The Best of New York City for Kids: Children’s Museum of the Arts

September 26, 2016 / Indoor Play, Museums & Galleries, New York, New York Life / 4 Comments

Little artists will love New York’s Children’s Museum of the Arts, a hands-on art museum dedicated to engaging kids aged 10 months-15 years. While the museum runs many hands-on programs throughout the year, we just love to drop by for a creative day out whenever we are in town.

So what’s there to do?

Explore the current exhibition in the Gallery and join in exhibit-themed workshops.

In the Media Lab, learn how to animate or watch a short film made by CMA students.

Mould a scene from your imagination at the very popular Clay Bar (ages 5 and over).

Upon request, record a song, speech, or score a soundtrack in the Sound Booth (only available on Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday).

Kids under five can get messy with art materials in the WEE Arts early childhood studio.

Head to the Fine Arts Studio is to paint, draw, sculpt, or sew an original masterpiece.

What you need to know before you go:

The Clay Bar is one of the most popular stations so sign up for a 35 minutes session as soon as you arrive then check out the other areas of the museum while you wait for your time slot.

The WEE Arts Studio for kids under five is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12-3:30pm Thursday, 12-6pm, and weekends from 10am-5pm. The studio is also open for WEE Arts Drop in sessions when the museum is closed to the public every Monday through Friday from 10:45 AM – 12 PM and Wednesday from 1:45-3 PM.

Prepare to get messy! While there are smocks provided, dress your child in clothes that they can get paint on.

Children’s Museum of the Arts
103 Charlton St, New York, NY 10014
Online
Hours: Mondays: 12-5 PM
Tuesdays & Wednesdays: WEE Arts Drop In Classes* ONLY ( for ages 5 & under, see below)
Thursdays & Fridays: 12-6 PM
Saturdays & Sundays: 10 AM-5 PM
Prices: $12 per person
Get Directions

Jane’s Carousel, Brooklyn: The Best of New York for Kids

September 19, 2016 / Eat & Explore, New York, New York Life, Outdoor Play / 2 Comments

This stunning carousel on the Brooklyn foreshore was such a favourite place of ours to visit that it’s become a constant to measure Cheese’s childhood against. When we lived in Brooklyn, the carousel was an easy 30 minute walk from our apartment so we would stroll on down at least once a week.

Now we no longer live in the city, we still make sure to visit every year (pictured above is our most recent visit). The carousel is so very special to us, and to many Brooklyn families whose children are similarly growing up with this carousel in their backyard as a regular play space to hang out and while away an afternoon.

Jane’s Carousel is actually the same age as Cheese, opening in the Brooklyn Bridge park on the East River in Brooklyn on September 16, 2011 – only a few weeks after Cheese was born. See above for her first ride on the carousel when she was 9 months old.

Of course the bones of the carousel are a lot older than that. The carousel used to be called the Idora Park Merry-Go-Round, and was built in 1922 for the Idora Park amusement park in Youngstown, Ohio by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company.

In 1984 Idora Park closed to the public, The carousel was bought at auction by Jane and David Walentas and moved to Brooklyn, New York for restoration.

Since the carousel opened in its current incarnation it’s been an incredibly popular addition to the Brooklyn foreshore for locals and tourists alike.

It was such an important part of Cheese’s childhood that we held her first birthday party at the carousel (above!).

If you’re visiting Brooklyn for the day there is plenty to see and do apart from the carousel. Check out my guide to DUMBO Brooklyn for ideas on where to eat and play nearby.

Jane’s Carousel
Dock St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Hours: Wed-Mon 11am-7pm. Closed Tues.
Prices: $2 (parents can ride with their child for free if the child is not able to ride by themselves)
Online janescarousel.com
Get Directions
Image from Cheese’s first birthday party and horse’s face in opening image by Raquel Frechette.

SeaGlass Carousel At the Battery Conservancy, New York City

September 10, 2016 / Eat & Explore, New York Life, Outdoor Play / 4 Comments

New York has no shortage of carousels, but its newest is pretty special. The SeaGlass Carousel opened in Lower Manhattan in August 2015, a stunning underwater garden filled with a pastel sea of fish.

The Battery was the first home of the New York Aquarium, which opened in 1896 in what is now Castle Clinton. The aquarium closed in 1941 and is now located at Coney Island, gone from Battery Park but not forgotten. The brand new carousel pays homage to the original home of the aquarium with a mystical display of light, colour and music. Put simply, a ride on the carousel is like swimming in an acid dream.

SeaGlass came to life through the genius design by wxy architecture. The 2.575 square foot spiraling pavilion, inspired by the chambered nautilus, rises out of The Battery’s gardens like a glowing beacon, a siren song to children and adults alike.

The George Tsypin Opera Factory created the unique underwater experience where a rider sits inside one of 30 massive fibreglass, iridescent fish, and glides in patterns on a 360° aquatic adventure.

SeaGlass is unlike most carousels in that it doesn’t have a centre pole. Instead, the fish sit on four turntables that are driven by electric motors under the floor.

The underwater atmosphere is a result of the combination of LED colour-changing lighting in the fish, and light projectors that hang from the ceiling to create a “water effect”.

Of course, the kids we took on the carousel noticed none of these details. They saw only the sum of its parts – a magical underwater ride on glowing fish.

“Can we go again? And again, and again?” Yes kids, you certainly can.

More info:

All children under 42 inches tall must ride on an adult’s lap, with only one child per lap. Both children and accompanying parents must have a ticket. Children under 12 months old may ride for free.

Dogs must be leashed in the park, and are not allowed in the pavilion or on the ride.

Strollers must be left outside the pavilion.

To enter the pavilion where the carousel is housed, you must buy a ticket, even if you don’t intend to ride.

Seaglass Carousel
State St & Water St, New York
Hours: 7 days a week 10 AM-10 PM, Weather permitting
Prices: $5 a ride per person
seaglasscarousel.nyc
Get Directions