We are back to the daily life on Whidbey now. I really enjoyed the whole trip and it helps to have the best travel companions I can ask for.
For the parents out there, the Natural Science Museum in New York is way cool. It’s big and would take you close to a week to see all of it, so be ok with not catching everything. It’s also cool to just get lost. It was very enjoyable with Sabrina as she’s doing a lot of reading now and can read some of the displays instead of just moving on. Also, the habitation maps were a hit with her so she had an understanding of where animals lived. The C train will drop you off with an entrance right into the back lobby of the museum so it can’t get much easier to find the place.
The Statue of Liberty was a big hit too. I realized after talking with some other people who have been there pre-9/11 that the reservations for the museum and pedestal are a new requirement which tends to keep the crowds down. Go on an off day and hope there’s a break in the weather as it’s WAY better than the summer crowds. I don’t think there would be much more enjoyment to be had if the weather was much warmer. It did help when the sun peaked from behind the clouds and shown on the city for a brief moment. That had a bit of magic in it.
Philly was a lot more fun than I expected, even after being there a couple of times (the bad stomach bug I got last time didn’t help). Kim and Sabrina did some good exploring and as a family it was fun exploring the deserted waterfront and historic district. The Park Service has obviously put a lot of effort in that area and it shows. History buffs will love it but so will children who can catch a glimpse of how people lived in another time. I’d find out what kind of summer programs there are but the power is out at our house right now, so I can’t. The museums are another big attraction and I’d love to spend a week just hitting them all. They are all within a good walking distance from Center City so you don’t need a cab. They are also close to the Whole Foods which served us well and kept the food budget in check.
I really like Kim’s idea of spending a couple days in Philly the next time we go back to visit family. It’s a nice way to have some time together as a family and there are still a TON of adventuring possibilities in the city. Getting to and from the airport is a breeze as well. We’ll be back for sure!!
