Frieda Schweky
This past Memorial Day weekend, I took a two-day family getaway to Philadelphia. I was truly amazed how different Philly’s vibe is from that of NY, and NJ, despite not being so far away. The buildings were beautiful, the streets were clean, the parks and monuments were historic, and there was burgeoning nature everywhere.
The rich history of the city really added to our trip in an unexpected way. For example, one night we had an early dinner and, on our drive home we saw Washington Square, a beautiful park. So we decided to get out and take a walk. We walked past a stunning multi-colored hydrangea bush and oak trees the size of three-story buildings!
After this trip, I got curious – what other fascinating and beautiful trips are only a quick drive or flight away, just waiting to be discovered? So, I asked my Instagram followers where they’ve vacationed nearby, and here’s what they had to say!
Dale Levenson
Last summer, my family and I went on a trip to Asheville, NC. It was so much fun! We stayed at an Airbnb at the top of a hill, so we got to see a gorgeous view! Our flight was about an hour and a half and the drive to our Airbnb was just 15 minutes. When we got there, we went food shopping. They had a Walmart and a Target, and we even found a Trader Joe’s. We went hiking and found a waterfall with a swimming area. It was so beautiful! There were several other hiking trails that led to waterfalls. We did gem mining, zip lining, and visited the Sierra Nevada Brewery. We really had a fun trip and the views were just unbelievable! I highly recommend it.
Ida Levy
My teenage son and I visited Crystal Springs Resort in Mount Vernon, New Jersey. It is about an hour and a half away from the Deal area. We went there because it had full-scheduled activities for kids and nighttime entertainment. The rooms included full kitchens, laundry machines, and large bathrooms. The rooms also had fireplaces and balconies. I could even charge my electric car at the resort’s garage. It is a great place for skiing adventures or summertime activities.
Our first activity was metal stamping. We made necklaces with our creations – it was really fun. The next activity was kids’ mixology where my son created two mocktails. It was very cool. Next, we did some arts and crafts in the lobby, where they also had a magician.
The next day, we visited the Crystal Springs sister hotel and played in their arcade, which included virtual reality games. It was so much fun! Then, we tried our hand at laser clay shooting with modified rifles. It was completely laser-based, no bullets were involved.
Next was my favorite activity, which I’ve been wanting to try for so long – goat yoga! (Yes, the goats are right there where participants are doing yoga moves.) The mountain goats were adorable, only seven months old. They roamed around the room – it was super cute. We were all smiles the entire time.
We enjoyed the petting zoo, then, we met the reptiles – amazing snakes, turtles, lizards, chinchillas, and more! Lastly, we did some archery with real bow and arrows, and my son and I both managed to get a bullseye! All and all, it was a very fun and eventful quick getaway.
Fanette Royzen
We love visiting Newport, Rhode Island. We try to go once a year – it’s very nautical and there’s really a ton to do. There are a few kosher restaurants, water activities, beautiful views, and, of course, the historic mega-mansions never get old. It’s a fairly short drive – around three hours.
We really enjoyed touring the mansion museums such as The Breakers, The Marble House, and the Château-sur-Mer. Rhode Island offers a great opportunity to appreciate the beautiful architecture, history, galleries, shopping, restaurants, beaches, and water activities.
We like to stay in the downtown area on Thames Street, which is lined on both sides of the street with shops and restaurants. On the strip, you can also easily hop on a sailboat and cruise the seas just for fun. Compared to the Hamptons, it offers more sights, attractions, and activities.
Sarine Shalom
I recommend Cape May, about a two hour drive away. Before I got married I went there with my friends. We went on a sunset tour, walked around, and looked at the shops. We really had a great time. Here are a few attractions we enjoyed: Beach Plum Farm, Washington Street Mall, Wildwood Amusement Park, Jet Boat Spin Ride, Cape May Lighthouse, a sunset boat ride, and Revolution Rail Co.
Susy Z. Cohen
We visited Connecticut! It is not far from NY, and has so much to offer that we spent three days there. Check out the aquarium, kids interactive museums, the submarine museum, and the It Adventure Ropes Course in New Haven. We went to the science center also, which is big and offers a lot of different things for curious kids.
Connecticut also has a handful of kosher restaurants. Overall, it was a very nice winter break spot. We stayed in an Airbnb, as it’s easier to have a kitchen when traveling with kids. It is also cheaper than a hotel. We went to two places each day. Do check out the Pez factory! It’s a quick activity, but it’s cute. They have a scavenger hunt inside the Pez store. You can also see the factory where the candy is made through the window. There’s a supermarket that has a lot of kosher products plus an organic kosher bakery.
There is also an air and space museum. A good tip is to look up the website of each place and plan according to when they are open, since a lot of them are closed one or two days of the week.
We brought a cooler packed with food and brought along a sandwich maker for fixing breakfast. We have kids aged two to ten. With those ages it’s always good to have food with you.
Jennifer Sorcher
If someone wants a weekend away from Brooklyn, I suggest they rent an Airbnb in Monticello, rent a boat at Swinging Bridge Reservoir, and go into the town of Monticello for kosher food.
If someone in NJ wants a quick getaway, it’s easier to go to the Poconos. You can find a good Airbnb in the Poconos. Alternatively, Skytop Lodge is a great hotel with kids’ activities. You can also find resorts/hotels that have kosher meals. If you stay at an Airbnb in the Poconos and want a fun activity, the indoor water park hotels have day passes.
Michelin Cohen
Woodloch is great! It’s a spa resort in the Poconos, so it’s around a 2.5-hour drive from Deal and Brooklyn. It was extremely nice and very comfortable.
They had daily activities that weren’t scheduled, like kayaking, pickle ball, and hatchet throwing. They also had a packed schedule with about four different activities going on every hour. The activities included yoga, work-out classes, gardening classes, and art classes. There was a ton of different things to do. There is a spa that has a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, snow room, and a pool.
Three meals a day are included, with a kosher menu option, and with snacks offered throughout the day. The entire experience was unplugging and rejuvenating.
Wow, all these ideas sound awesome! I learned a lot and hope you guys did, too! Please travel safe and enjoy the beautiful weather wherever you are!
Until next month,
Frieda Schweky
Frieda is an event and portrait photographer. Check Frieda out on Instagram @ friedaschwekyphoto. For photography inquiries or article topic suggestions email her at friedaschweky@gmail.com.