Chol Hamoed trip

[flyingace]

Trying to find a destination within 3-4 hours drive from tri-state area. Most attractions are closed mid-week in April. Any ideas other than Poconos or Mystic?

[yochai]

Similar question: I have a full day (9:30 am-7:30 pm) stopover in EWR on Tuesday of chol hamoed (4/19). Anything interesting to do with little kids within a 2 hour drive?

[ckmk47]

Similar question: I have a full day (9:30 am-7:30 pm) stopover in EWR on Tuesday of chol hamoed (4/19). Anything interesting to do with little kids within a 2 hour drive?

If you're really from Jacksonville or the like, would just seeing lots of frum people be interesting for your kids?
You can go to a frum neighborhood - Lakewood, BoroPark, etc - and go to a kosher supermarket, hit a minyan factory shul, windowshop, stop off at the kiddie rides set up for chol hamoed, kosher pizza shop...


My niece from out of NY was fascinated at such a large store where everything is kosher in a neighborhood with so many things run by from people - cashiers, schoolbus drivers, etc.

[yochai]

If you're really from Jacksonville or the like, would just seeing lots of frum people be interesting for your kids?
You can go to a frum neighborhood - Lakewood, BoroPark, etc - and go to a kosher supermarket, hit a minyan factory shul, windowshop, stop off at the kiddie rides set up for chol hamoed, kosher pizza shop...


My niece from out of NY was fascinated at such a large store where everything is kosher in a neighborhood with so many things run by from people - cashiers, schoolbus drivers, etc.

That’s likely what we’ll end up doing. Was wondering if there are any specific events going on that we can go to?

[Traveler718]

Coming from EWR, I'd suggest heading to American Dream mall, about 20 minutes away. There are lots of fun activities for kids - indoor amusement park, ice skating, mini golf, possibly indoor skiing (currently closed for repairs) - and it will also come with arguably the largest number of Jews anywhere in the NY area that day.

Also, wherever you end up for Chol Hamoed Pesach, I'd suggest skipping the pizza shop mentioned above.

[aygart]

That’s likely what we’ll end up doing. Was wondering if there are any specific events going on that we can go to?

Robert's carnival

[moko]

Coming from EWR, I'd suggest heading to American Dream mall, about 20 minutes away. There are lots of fun activities for kids - indoor amusement park, ice skating, mini golf, possibly indoor skiing (currently closed for repairs) - and it will also come with arguably the largest number of Jews anywhere in the NY area that day.

Also, wherever you end up for Chol Hamoed Pesach, I'd suggest skipping the pizza shop mentioned above.

the name is perfect. Mortgage one American dream to pay for a trip to American Dream

[aygart]

Robert's carnival

https://www.thelakewoodscoop.com/news/2022/03/dr-rich-roberts-announces-chol-hamoed-carnival-details-2.html

[stooges44]

[ckmk47]

Also be aware that feeding animals matzoh will likely cause disruptions in their digestive system and tzar ba'alei chai is also not recommended.
So if you're going to see farm animals on Pesach, enjoy watching them without feeding them.

[yungermanchik]

Also be aware that feeding animals matzoh will likely cause disruptions in their digestive system and tzar ba'alei chai is also not recommended.

Marror (Romaine) OTOH is great animal food, and likely less than 1/100 of the price in Costco than in the Zoo, (and you don't even have to check them)

L'maan Hock B'almah

[yungermanchik]

Bump

[aygart]

Bringing my children to their 95 year old great grandmother-best trip ever!

[ckmk47]

Bringing my children to their 95 year old great grandmother-best trip ever!

Sounds lovely in theory.
But were they scared of her?
Did they understand what she said? Language, volume, accent?

[YitzyS]

I also brought my children to visit a few grandparents yesterday, including one in a similar age range. Both the children and the grandparents enjoyed it, but at the end of the day, my kids complained that they didn't go on a real Chol Hamoed trip...

I still think it was an important trip, and I think they'll learn to appreciate such visits more as they get older. But I do feel bad for them that they only really have one more day for a big trip, as the first day was Shabbos (and last day is always Erev Yom Tov...)

[SSLPhD]

Sounds lovely in theory.
But were they scared of her?
Did they understand what she said? Language, volume, accent?

One of the sweetest photos I've ever seen of my grandfather was when he was in his mid-90s.  My cousin's 3- or 4-year old daughter was giving him a hug with a big smile on her face.  As with many things in life, kids pick up their parents' attitudes.

[aygart]

Sounds lovely in theory.
But were they scared of her?
Did they understand what she said? Language, volume, accent?

They were not at all scared of her and they had a beautiful conversation. When they talk among themselves about chol hamoed they always include one day of going to Omi. She has a slight British accent.

Wife's side:

Paternal Grandmother: Yekke from Franfurt, was on the kindertransport with one sister and the rest of the family didn't make it. We calculated that those two girls now have about 1000 descendants KA"H

I also brought my children to visit a few grandparents yesterday, including one in a similar age range. Both the children and the grandparents enjoyed it, but at the end of the day, my kids complained that they didn't go on a real Chol Hamoed trip...

I still think it was an important trip, and I think they'll learn to appreciate such visits more as they get older. But I do feel bad for them that they only really have one more day for a big trip, as the first day was Shabbos (and last day is always Erev Yom Tov...)

We always make sure to do something after going to her even if it is relatively small like bowling (which we did yesterday).
We feel that the chinuch aspect of it is extremely important that they see the importance of keeping the connection between generations.

[YitzyS]

I was planning to go to a Sooper Sekrit lounge this Chol Hamoed, but there just were not enough days. Maybe I'll visit there sometime in the coming weeks.