Trip Report
Thursday: We left around 7:30 PM and arrived in Rochester at about 1:30 AM. The extra hour plus of driving beyond Syracuse was tough, but my rationale was that the yeshiva in Rochester has a 7:40 AM Shachris, allowing us to wake up an hour later rather than going to bed an hour earlier. Also, it meant an extra hour of kids being asleep in the car instead of up. I do see why people often opt to stop in Syracuse, though.
Friday: We drove straight to Toronto, arriving around 1:30 PM. Our first stop was Slice N Bites for pizza. It was okay, but I still prefer New York-style pizza. Afterward, we settled in for Shabbos at our hosts.
Shabbos: We spent a restful Shabbos catching up with friends. It was a great time reconnecting and enjoying the company in a relaxing environment.
Sunday: We took the ferry to Centre Island, which turned out to be quite an ethnic experience with a diverse crowd. Our kids were the perfect ages for Centreville, the amusement park on the island. They loved the rides, and we all enjoyed the hedge maze and the playground. The island's relaxed atmosphere was a refreshing change of pace. Our Shabbos hosts were gracious enough to extend our stay to include Sunday night.
Monday: After "checking out" from our hosts, we picked up provisions from Kosher Gourmet, including some all dressed chips (meh). We then headed to African Lion Safari. The safari was super fun, and we got incredibly close to the animals – it was a thrilling experience for the kids. Besides the safari, they have a water play area (which we didn't do), animal shows, and a mini zoo. After an exciting day, we drove back to Rochester and stayed at the Courtyard Marriott.
Tuesday: We spent over four hours at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, and the kids could have easily spent even more time there. The museum was filled with interactive exhibits and play areas that kept them entertained and engaged. Although we had initially planned to visit Letchworth State Park, also known as the "Grand Canyon of the East," we decided to head straight to Scranton instead. We stayed at the Residence Inn Scranton, which was comfortable and welcoming.
Wednesday: We visited Lackawanna State Park, which turned out to be a delightful experience. The park features a nice paved path around the lake, a playground, and a short hike through the woods. The kids enjoyed playing on the playground and exploring the trails. The serene environment was a perfect way to unwind before our journey home. We stopped for some Rita's and made it home for dinner.
