‘Spring Break’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Visit: The Famous Rocky Steps {Philadelphia, PA}

March 31, 2015 · Narrative

If you’re a fan of the Rocky movie franchise, or Sylvester Stallone in general, a visit to the famed Rocky Steps in Philadelphia is a must.

And when my friend, Beth, and I had a Girls Weekend in Philadelphia last August, this was a definite on our list.

Right after eating our way through Reading Terminal.

#priorities

The 72 stone steps are located at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is relatively easy to find.

Parking, on the other hand, was not.

It was like the work-out before the work-out, if you know what I mean.

There were a few crews cleaning up from some sort of art show the evening before, and some areas were under construction, so between finding a good parking space, and navigating how best to get to our destination … well, we were determined and we got it done.

It was a warm, gorgeous day with beautiful blue skies. Which means hello photo op!

Because, besides perhaps running up and down the stairs and channeling your best Rocky moments, what else would you do?

At the bottom of the steps, there were a few, um, entrepreneurial types offering to use your camera to take your picture, for your donation of a few dollars, of course.

It’s the American way.

And there were also a few people selling t-shirts. I wanted one, but had left my wallet in the car.

Next time.

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What to Do for Spring Break in New Jersey

March 30, 2015 · Narrative

Looking for something fun and inexpensive to do with your kids this week on Spring Break? Here are a few of our favorite things to do in the Garden State.

As much as the kids and I love to travel and explore new areas, I also make a concerted effort to continue to enjoy what is seemingly right in our own “backyard.” Here is a little list of some fun things to do in New Jersey, in case you’re looking to head off on a little adventure during Spring Break.

Although it makes me itchy just looking at the pictures again, we really enjoyed visiting Insectropolis in Toms River. A fun little place that has self-guided tours that everyone in the family is sure to like.

We can’t wait to go back to the Long Valley Creamery this Spring. I mean, really. Cute baby animals and cheese tasting? How can you go wrong?

Nick has been collecting rocks for several years now, so I knew he would love visiting the Sterling Hill Mining Museum. He had been with his old school before, but it was still just as fun to go back.

If the weather isn’t cooperating, pop into the Randolph Climbing Center. An inexpensive place to visit, and a great way to burn off some extra energy for both you *and* the kiddos.

My two water babies loved Sahara Sam’s in West Berlin. You can spend the entire day there and the tropical temperatures inside will make you actually *think* that Spring-like weather has finally arrived in New Jersey. Almost.

If the weather warms up enough for outside activities, the Brookhollow Barnyard farm in Boonton is, hands down, the most adorable farm we have ever visited, and well worth a trip.

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Visit: Dollywood {Pigeon Forge, TN}

March 24, 2015 · Narrative

Hitting the road for Spring Break or looking for a fun new destination? How about Dollywood? An all-American theme park with something to see around every corner.

It’s safe to say that if there is an amusement park within a few hours, we have been there.

Likely multiple times.

When my sister and I were kids, I have fond memories of visiting Great Adventure with my Dad. We would leave at (what seemed like) the crack of dawn, so we could be there when the park opened.

And now as a parent myself, visiting theme parks have been a fun pasttime for us.

Especially since Nick LOVES roller coasters.

Higher. Faster. Better. Is pretty much his mantra.

Two feet on the ground is pretty much mine.

So when I was planning our Spring Break trip to Tennessee last year, I checked to see how far we would be from Dollywood, a theme park that has been around forever (well, almost, since they’re celebrating their 30th anniversary this year).

We didn’t exactly get there right when the park opened, which would have surely disappointed my Dad, but we did manage to make it there by noon. A day with beautiful blue skies and temps in the 80s, it couldn’t have been more perfect.

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Visit: Ripley’s Believe It or Not! {Gatlinburg, Tennessee}

August 11, 2014 · Narrative

The creepy, spooky, and downright icky can be found right in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum.

Nick, my twelve year old, is a big fan of the weird and the wonderful, so when I found out that there was a Ripley’s Believe It or Not! location in Tennessee, it quickly got added to our “things to do” list for this year’s Spring Break.

Natch.

Located right on Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, it couldn’t have been easier to find. On street parking is available, as well as many hourly lots tucked down various side streets. Since this is the main drag through Gatlinburg, it is a hotbed of activity. If you park in one of the lots, you will more than get your five bucks worth. Guaranteed.

This Ripley’s museum has three floors filled with exhibits, over 500 of them, in every nook and cranny. Some of the exhibits we have seen in the other locations, and many were new. The very tattooed lady with multiple piercings (and the man who is tattooed from head to foot) has been at many of the other locations we’ve visited, as well as the art pieces made entirely of matchsticks. There were a number of old-school exhibits as well, including a giant Lite-Brite set and a game of Operation.

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