Jeannine Cintron

28 Winter Date Night Ideas in Staten Island

October 28, 2019 By Jeannine Cintron

Enjoying time alone on a weekly or at least monthly basis is a major component to a healthy relationship. And it doesn’t always have to be a fancy dinner by candlelight, either. Sometimes you have to think outside the box. Here are a bunch of ideas for your next date night right here on Staten Island. Schedule one soon!

See a show

See a concert, watch a play, hear one of your favorite stand-up comedians live – those are just a few of the St. George Theatre’s many offerings showcased on its historical stage. CSI Center for the arts also features shows all year long, as does Spotlight Theater, Wagner College, and Little Victory Theatre.

Bowling

Challenge your date at one of the Island’s two major bowling alleys — Rab’s Country Lanes on Hylan Boulevard or Showplace Entertainment Center off Victory Boulevard.

Take a walk

Staten Island is home to many scenic areas that offer the perfect, picturesque backdrop for a share-worthy date selfie. Take in the beauty of Snug Harbor‘s botanical gardens, stroll along the FDR Boardwalk and smell the salty sea air, enjoy an afternoon at Clove Lakes Park, just to name a few.

Cooking class

Is the way to your partner’s heart through his or her stomach? Take a cooking class and find out. Casa Belvedere offers cooking classes for adults where you can learn tactics for making delicious Italian food.

Spa day

Pampering yourselves with a relaxing massage after a busy week is a great way to slow down and enjoy time together.

Get a room

Sometimes a few hours away is just not enough. Book a room at the beautiful Hilton Garden Inn on South Avenue, where you can have dinner and drinks at Lorenzo’s Restaurant and then head up to the room to enjoy a peaceful night together.

Catch a flick

Check out the latest blockbusters at one of Staten Island’s major theaters — The Atrium on Arthur Kill Road or The United Artists Theatre on Forest Avenue. The Island’s first dine-in movie theatre is opening very soon in the Staten Island Mall, which will offer an IMAX movie experience option in addition to sit-down dining.

Grab a bite

The Island is jam-packed with eateries boasting beautiful views and even better food. Can’t narrow it down to just one restaurant? Try an exciting restaurant crawl hosted by a local merchant’s association. Check out the siparent.com calendar for dates to upcoming crawls throughout the spring and summer.

Museums

There are so many museums and cultural institutions in Staten Island, you could never visit them all in one day (although it might be fun to try!). There’s plenty of material to spark fresh conversation for the most cultured of couples. For a complete list of local museums, go to siparent.com/museums

Paint and sip

Show off your art skills (or comical lack thereof) with the added bonus of sipping cocktails while you work. Staten Island offers several options.

Sign-making

This new DIY activity has grown in popularity tremendously over the past few years because it’s so much fun to do and you get to take home the finished product. Try Board and Brush Staten Island to get your wood-working fix.

Ice skating

Ice skating can be both fun and romantic for couples who want to glide along, hand in hand, out in the winter air. If it’s a little too cold for you, Staten Island Skating Pavilion offers open skating hours too. Hot chocolate after is a must afterward, either way.

Makerspace

Want to do something really hot? How about Valentines Day Couples Welding? Staten Island Makerspace is offering the class on February 15 for couples who are clearly not fans of traditional dates. Makerspace offers a wide variety of classes for those who are into, as the name suggests, making stuff.

Bookstore or library

Cozy up with a book and your beau. Stop by a bookstore or library and pick something you will both enjoy, then cuddle up by the fireplace at home and get lost in the pages together.

Winter hike

Clay Pit Ponds offers free snowshoeing when there is more than six inches of snow on the ground. No snow? Just bundle up and follow the trails along Staten Island’s long stretch of greenbelt.

The zoo

If you love animals, and you love each other, then a zoo date is a win/win. The Staten Island Zoo is just big enough to see everything in an afternoon.

Yoga

Nama-stay together this Valentine’s Day! Enjoy a yoga class together or schedule a private lesson for date night.

Volunteer

Giving back to those in need can help couples to strengthen their own bond while doing a good deed together. Visit siparent.com/volunteer for ideas.

Rock climbing

You’ve probably been to a kids’ birthday party at Rock ‘Em Extreme, but rock climbing is super fun for grown-ups too. Test your physical endurance on the wall – and hopefully impress your date too.

Escape room

Not many dates start off with people locked in a room together. The growing escape room trend requires participants to solve riddles and puzzles in order to make their way out of a series of closed rooms. It’s the perfect date idea for the adventurous couple.

Archery

Maybe you want to share your love of hunting with the one you love; maybe you’re just both really into the Walking Dead. Either way, archery class is definitly different kind of date night.

Roller skating

Hit the local roller rink later on at night for some grown-up skating time. Why not make it even more fun with a 50’s theme, sipping a milkshake with two straws afterward.

Classes at local museums

Check the local museums for classes you can take on your own or with a partner. The Alice Austen House offers photography workshops throughout the year. The Noble Maritime Collection at Snug Harbor offers free knitting on Thursdays. The Garibaldi Meucci Museum offers Italian language classes. Check individual museum websites for their schedule of upcoming events.

Wine-tasting

Most local wineries offer wine-tasting nights, where various types of wine are served with appetizers. Occasionally they include demonstrations as well. Romantic? Yes. Fun? For sure.

Shopping

Have you seen the Staten Island Mall lately? New shops, restaurants, and entertainment line the Richmond Avenue icon. Pick out your own Valentine’s Day gifts and you can’t go wrong.

Arcade

Check out the new Dave & Buster’s location in the mall! Classic arcade games, video games, air hockey, virtual reality, plus food and cocktails, you get to be a kid and an adult all at once. It’s the fun-loving couple’s perfect date destination.

Dance class

Are you more Fred & Ginger or Elaine from Seinfeld? Jokes aside, dancing together can be a wonderful way to get closer to your partner. Many dance studios offer adult dance classes or even private lessons.

Just stay in

Plan an indoor picnic for two, complete with baskets and blankets. Or rent a movie and cozy up on the couch with some popcorn. For something with a quicker pace, try a board game night (get more players if you make it a double date). Sometimes, you just make your own fun.

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My Husband Was Deployed When Our First Child Was Born

November 11, 2018 By Jeannine Cintron

If you ask my husband about his time in Iraq, he’ll be extremely modest about it. He’ll say “I’ve only been deployed once,” or “I was lucky enough to be on the base most of the time,” or “Well, I’m not even in the military anymore.”

These statements are true to him, and probably to others who have served in the military as well. But most of us are likely thinking to ourselves “ONLY once?” or “LUCKY enough?” or “not ANYMORE?”

What my husband won’t mention, when asked about his time in the United States Marine Corps, is that during his “only” deployment I gave birth to our first child, a baby boy. He won’t tell you that our son’s birth was on page 10 of the New York Daily News the following day because ten years ago, people couldn’t easily FaceTime major life events, especially to deployed service members overseas, and so it was kind of a big deal. Thanks to the organization Freedom Calls, we were lucky enough to be part of a rare broadcast which enabled my husband to witness the live birth of our first child, via cesarean section, from a U.S. military base in a foreign, war-torn country.

He won’t tell you that he missed almost my entire pregnancy, along with the first three months of our son’s life, to serve his country. He won’t tell you he wasn’t there to hold my hand through the scariest and most excruciating moments of childbirth; or that he missed the iconic trip home from the hospital, or baby’s first checkup, first onesie, first feeding, first diaper change, first nap. Nor will he reveal that he missed my baby shower, my doctors’ appointments, decorating the nursery, putting together baby furniture, and so many ups and downs associated with a first pregnancy – because he was fighting for his country.

His modesty isn’t because he lacks pride. He’s enormously proud of himself. And of course, he should be. His modesty is due to the fact that there of thousands of families out there just like ours, with mothers who gave birth alone while a spouse was deployed. There are children out there who haven’t seen their parent in months, sometimes years. Missed holidays and birthdays and graduations and milestone after milestone – this is simply a part of life for military families.

So this Veteran’s Day, lets support the men and women who are sacrificing these precious moments with their families to keep us safe every day. Let’s go above and beyond to express how much we appreciate those sacrifices, and show they aren’t taken for granted here at home. As a family, you can write letters to service members to brighten their day; attend a Veteran’s Day parade or event nearby; send a care package to someone serving overseas; or simply thank a veteran in person.

Let’s support the military spouses and families. Being the wife or husband of a service member can be incredibly difficult. They play the role of both parents for very long periods of time, with little to no help, all while unsure where their spouse is and if he or she is okay. And for children who don’t fully understand why Daddy or Mommy is gone for so long, well, it might just be the hardest on them of all. If you know of anyone in this situation, offer to help with babysitting or housework, or just be there during rough times. Having a deployed family member can be one of the loneliest feelings in the world, so do your part as a friend or family member to show they aren’t alone.

Let’s support the less fortunate. With the help of a VA loan, my husband and I were able to purchase our first home not long ago. But there are many veterans who are not as blessed. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there were an estimated 40,000 veterans experiencing homelessness nationwide last year. If you know of a homeless veteran or wish to help end veteran homelessness, go to va.gov/homeless for ways to get involved.

Let’s honor the fallen. For families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, every day is Veteran’s Day. Every day is Memorial Day. Every day is a constant reminder their loved one is no longer with them. Let’s honor and remember those courageous men and women, not just on designated holidays, but all the time and every day. They will never be forgotten.

And when we gather around the table later this month for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, let’s remember to give thanks to our country’s heroic military men and women, many of whom won’t be enjoying that day with their families.

This Veterans Day, thank as many vets as you can. They might be a little modest about it, but show your gratitude anyway. They deserve it.

By Jeannine Cintron, a Staten Island mom of two who is beyond grateful to the brave military men and women who serve their country.

Do your part to thank a Vet! Here are some good ways to show your support.

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Mid-Island Still In It to Win It

October 28, 2019 By Jeannine Cintron

Mid-Island is neither down nor out today after their first loss of the season broke an impressive 17-win streak.

In a heart-wrenching defeat, the team lost 10-0 to Hawaii last night. The west team managed the first grand slam of the series in the first inning, setting a grim tone for the rest of the game.

Tonight’s elimination game against Georgia will determine whether they face Hawaii again Saturday for the U.S. championship title. You can watch it live on ESPN at 7pm.

Andrea Bruno, mom of the team’s star pitcher Gregory Bruno, chalked up the loss to just a bad day.

“They were definitely off. My only assumption is that they were intimidated by the team they were playing. My son wasn’t himself at all. The fact that he wasn’t able to pitch must have gotten in his head and it took away his spirits.”

Little League rules restrict a player from pitching in three consecutive games. According to Mrs. Bruno, Gregory can’t wait to be back on the mound for Saturday’s game against Hawaii if they win tonight.

Despite last night’s curveball, morale is up for Staten Island’s youngest celebrity baseball players.

Mrs. Bruno says the boys are totally ready to play tonight. “They had an off day, but it’s a new day today. We’re hitting the reset button, and coming back out to play. If we play the game the way we play, then we definitely have a shot.”

Coach Joe Calabrese likely feels the same. “Our coach never has doubts. They’re talented boys, they’re a good team, and he knows they can win,” Mrs. Bruno said.

They’ve got all of Staten Island behind them and an angel in the outfield too—the coach’s late brother, John Calabrese, to whom the team chose to dedicate the entire season.

A little optimism goes a long way, so be sure to show Mid-Island we believe in them by signing our Congratulations Card here. Our goal is to get at least 1,000 signatures to show these amazing boys that ALL of Staten Island is pulling for them. They are making us proud— let’s return the favor. Sign the card here.

If you’d like to donate to the team to help the families with expenses, you can link to their Go Fund Me page here. Be sure to share the page with other Mid-Island supporters.

LET’S GO MID-ISLAND!!!!!!!

Tips for a Stress Free Holiday Season

October 28, 2019 By Jeannine Cintron

Take a moment to picture your childhood memories of the holidays. They were so carefree and cheery, filled with gifts, guests, and laughs galore. Family members would come and go, always smiling and well-fed, spending hours at the dinner table while trays of delicious food and baked goods would continuously appear throughout the day.

Fast forward to present day. Now, it’s your turn. Somewhere along the line, you became the grown-up and thus the provider of all those gifts, meals, and assorted laughs. Doesn’t it seem so easy and carefree now, does it?

And whether it’s the Elf, the Mensch, or your collection of Instagram and Facebook followers (many of which you may or may not actually know in real life), everyone seems to be watching and judging. Like it or not, the pressure is ON to have a picture-perfect holiday season and, of course, post tons of proof.

Take a deep breath (and maybe a few sips of wine). Then take a step back and realize it CAN be done. It really is possible to have an enjoyable holiday season without losing your mind in the process. Here’s how.

Get organized. This should be your first order of business. A good friend of mine uses her insane excel skills to map out a master to-do spreadsheet, complete with gift lists, holiday menus, shopping lists, total budget, etc. But you don’t need Microsoft to know how to make lists – and stick to them.

Speaking of budgets, don’t forget that your gift budget is only part of the total spend for holiday season.

Holiday cards. If you’re planning to send out a fancy card featuring the whole family, pets and all, donning matching outfits and professionally photographed outdoors, well, good luck with that. Um, it’s the middle of December? But no worries. Just prop the kids in front of the tree, hit up an online photo site like Snapfish or Shutterfly, and print at Walgreens or Costco within the hour. You know your kids will look adorable no matter what!

Gifts. If your family is small, exchanging gifts with a few relatives should be simple. But how many small families do you know in Staten Island? This year, get creative to save yourself money and time. Try a Secret Santa, a single gift exchange, or stick to just buying gifts for the kids. This is an area where Pinterest shines!

For co-workers, neighbors, and neighborhood helpers, a little baking goes a long way. Fill festive holiday tins from the dollar store with homemade pizzelles or rainbow cookies. Or go store bought; it’s the thought that counts! Be sure to make extra for the holiday dessert table.

Food. I’ve got two words for you: Pot Luck. Don’t be afraid to ask for as much help as your guests are willing to offer. Seven different kinds of fish sounds like seven different ways to have a nervous breakdown if no one is lending a hand. Plan your menu as far in advance as possible and shop around for local deals or coupons. If everyone is too busy (or just really bad at cooking), each family could chip in and order catering.

Entertainment. Most families stay entertained just catching up at the holiday table. But if you aim to take the fun a step further, give the kids a reason to look up from their screens and make eye contact with actual people— some of whom they may finally learn they’re related to – by taking to the internet for some family-friendly holiday party ideas.

Décor. Keep it simple. It doesn’t have to look like Santa’s workshop exploded in your living room. Going overboard on decorations takes up valuable time and space in your home. On the big day, keep the fine china in the closet and opt for disposable dishes and silverware to make cleanup a breeze.

The week before. The week before a holiday is a frenzied one, so don’t go in to holiday overdrive by doing everything at the last minute. Gift wrap as you go, instead of waiting to do it all at once. Assemble toys ahead of time if you have a good hiding spot for them. Make and freeze extra batches of meals in the weeks leading up the big one so that your weeknights are free from cooking. Plan or purchase everyone’s outfits in advance. Do whatever you can to keep yourself from losing it that week.

The important stuff. The holiday memories you make today are your kids’ childhood memories of tomorrow. Try to scale back the stress and just live in the moment. Then, when it’s their turn to be the gown-ups, all you’ll have to do is sit back with the Elf and take in the joy of the season.

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76 Day Trip Ideas Near Staten Island

October 28, 2019 By Jeannine Cintron

UPDATED July 2020: Need some inspiration for a quick family getaway? Here’s a mega roundup of day trip ideas that are a two-and-a-half hour drive (or less) from Staten Island. Find out which of your family’s favorite day trip and road trip destinations are open during Covid-19.

Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment
Zoos, Aquariums, Whale Watching, Petting Zoos & Animal Fun
Theme Parks for Families with Preschoolers
Family Resorts, Waterpark Resorts & Ranches
Museums
Beach & Park Destinations
Fruit Picking

Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

Wild Wild West City
Stanhope, NJ • 973-347-2355
wildwestcity.com/
Western heritage theme park recreating 1880’s life in Dodge City, Kansas, featuring
live-action shows, stagecoach, train and pony rides, and museum-quality exhibits.

July 2020: Wild Wild West City is currently open. Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets online, but tickets will be available online or at the gate upon admission. Facial coverings are required, and markings will be on the ground to promote social distancing. The train, stage coach, pony ride, and mini golf are open, and The Golden Nugget Saloon and Frontier Frank’s Prairie Pizza are open for takeout.

Field Station Dinosaur
Leonia, NJ • 855-999-9010
fieldstationdinosaurs.com
Walk the trail and see 32 life-sized, realistic dinosaurs come to life.

July 2020: All tickets must be purchased online in advance. All shows, games, and activities will be outdoors in areas that can promote social distancing. Visit the website for more information about COVID-19 safety guidelines.

RPM Raceway
Jersey City, NJ • 201-333-7223
rpmraceway.com/race
Features go-kart racing for drivers 4′ tall and up, plus arcade and billiards.

July 2020: RPM is open. Raceway provides a head-sock for racing that you can keep afterwards. Sanitizer will be available and accessible, and it is recommended you register online in advance.

Diggerland
West Berlin, NJ • 856-768-1110
diggerlandusa.com
The only construction themed adventure park in North America where children and families can drive, ride and operate actual machinery.

July 2020: Open operating at 50% capacity with masks required and social distancing protocol enforced. Contactless pay recommended. Park rides open 12pm-6pm, water rides open 10am-6pm.

TopGolf
Edison, NJ • 732-374-4097
topgolf.com
Giant golf facility with over 100+ climate-controlled hitting bays, Full-service restaurants, over 200 HDTV’s and more.

July 2020: Open while promoting social distancing protocol and increasing sanitation.

Crayola Factory
Easton, PA • 610-515-8000
crayolaexperience.com/
Explore and learn all about crayons and coloring, plus do art projects and see live demonstrations.

July 2020: Attractions temporarily closed due to COVID-19.

Legoland Discovery Center
Plymouth Meeting, PA • 208-513-1429
legolanddiscoverycenter.com
A Lego-themed indoor family entertainment center for kids age 3-10 with rides, Lego build-and-play zones, a 4D cinema and a gift shop.

July 2020: Legoland Philadelphia is open at limited capacity 5 days a week with two sessions: 10:00am-12:30pm & 2:00pm-4:30pm. Purchase tickets in advance. The store is also offering in-store purchased and free curbside pickup. Legoland Westchester is closed until further notice. Legoland NJ is closed until further notice.

GlowGolf
Garden City, NY • 516-747-3682
opryglowgolf.com
A glow-in-the-dark miniature golf and laser maze center located in Roosevelt Field Mall.

July 2020: Temporarily closed.

Palisades Center Mall
West Nyack, NY • 845-348-1000
palisadescenter.com
A four-level shopping center offering over 200 stores, 15 sit-down restaurants, a bowling alley, ice rink, the world’s tallest indoor ropes course, and more.

July 2020: Open Mon-Sat 11am-7pm, Sunday 11am-6pm.

The Adventure Park at Long Island
Wheatley Heights, NY • 631-983-3844
longislandadventurepark.org
The largest forest climbing park in New York with 10 Trails, 15 zip lines, 5 difficulty levels, and over 140 challenge bridges.

July 2020: Open adhering to social distancing protocol. Will no longer be giving communal gloves, so recommended that patrons bring their own gloves.

Howe Caverns
Cobleskill, NY • 518-296-8900
howecaverns.com
Journey more than 150 feet below the Earth’s surface, where you’ll take a tour of an underground cavern six million years in the making. You’ll see stalactites and stalagmites, limestone formations, and the underground Lake of Venus.

July 2020: Tours must be booked online in advance; walk-ins will not be accommodated. Tour capacity is limited. Masks are required. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 9am-3pm

Zoos, Aquariums, Whale Watching, Petting Zoos & Animal Fun

Turtle Back Zoo
West Orange, NJ • 973-731-5800
turtlebackzoo.com
Featuring a multitude of animals, aviary, butterfly tent, shark and sting ray touch tank, endangered species carousel, treetop adventure course, mini golf and more.

July 2020: Open. Giraffe Feed, Pony Rides, Goat Feed and Aviary are closed until further notice. Patrons will have tickets for given time slots, and early or late arrivals will not be accommodated. No re-entry. Face coverings required.

Read Next | Questions to Ask a Camp Director

Insectropolis
Toms River, NJ • 732-349-7090
insectropolis.com/
View and touch beautiful and bizarre exotic insects from all over the world.

July 2020: Closed until further notice.

Bronx Zoo
Bronx, NY • 718-220-5100
bronxzoo.com
The largest metropolitan zoo in the United States and one of the largest in the world, at 265 acres of park lands and natural habitats.

July 2020: Opens to all members July 20, and to all guests July 24. All visitors must have a date-specific ticket. Tickets for Wednesday will be available beginning the prior Tuesday at 10am and will be available until 2pm Wednesday or until the day reaches full capacity.

New York Aquarium
Brooklyn, NY • 718-220-5100
nyaquarium.com
Large aquarium featuring an aquatheater, sea cliffs, a new shark exhibit with over 115 marine species and more.

July 2020: Closed until further notice.

American Princess Cruise Whale Watching
Queens, NY • 718-474-0555
americanprincesscruises.comSpot whales and dolphins in the waters of Rockaway, Queens, New York. Kids can help crew members with official whale and dolphin count.

July 2020: Whale Watching & Dolphin Adventure Cruises are currently departing from a temporary dock at 2498 Emmons Ave., in Brooklyn. Beach Ferry is to be announced.

White Post Farms
Melville, NY • 631-351-9373
whitepostfarms.com
A petting zoo and animal farm, with exotic birds and aviary, inflatable water slides, pony rides, and a giraffe station.

July 2020: Open with social distancing protocol. All admissions must be purchased in advance to guarantee entry. Masks required for guests 3 and up.

Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Saugerties, NY • 845-336-8447
casanctuary.org
Ideal for animal activist families, meet rescued animals and hear their stories and learn about the plight of farmed animals and how you can help.

July 2020: Temporary closed but offering Virtual Sanctuary broadcasts every Tuesday & Thursday at 1:00PM (EST) on Facebook Live.

Seaquest
Woodbridge Township, NJ • 732-283-2945
Trumbull, CT 203-502-8337
visitseaquest.com
Offers a unique petting zoo aquarium experience, and the chance to interact with various species.

July 2020: Woodbridge Township – Open 12pm-6pm daily at 25% capacity Masks are required and social distancing protocol will be in place. • Trumbull, CT – Open Monday-Saturday 11am-7pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm. Snorkel With Stingrays, Sloth, Kinkajou,Bengal Cats, Kookaburra are open, but toucan interaction is closed until further notice. Masks are required and social distancing protocol will be in place.

Amusement Parks & Waterparks

Crystal Springs Family Aquatic Center
East Brunswick, NJ • 732-390-6981
eastbrunswick.org/crystalsprings
Featuring splash pools for small children, two large pools for swimming, water slides and a lazy river.

July 2020: Open 11am-5pm until August 30. Tickets can only be purchased online, and once 250 tickets are sold for the day there will be no more available.

The Funplex
Mt. Laurel, NJ • 856-273-9061
thefunplex.com
An indoor amusement park and outdoor water park with rides, arcade games, live entertainment and laser tag.

July 2020: Open with reduced hours: Monday and Tuesday Closed, Wednesday and Thursday Open 12pm-8pm, Friday Open 12pm to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday Open 12pm-9pm. Splashplex Water Parks, Arcade, Bowling and the Outdoor Rides in Mount Laurel are all open.

iPlay America
Freehold, NJ • 732-577-8200
iplayamerica.com
Featuring indoor rides, attractions, boardwalk games and one of NJ’s largest arcades.

July 2020: Open, and activities are modified to promote social distancing.

Keansburg Amusement Park & Runaway Rapids
Keansburg, NJ • 732-495-1400
keansburgamusementpark.com
Beach-adjacent amusement park with rides, games, food, arcades, go-karts, plus a waterpark with 18 slides and a lazy river.

July 2020: Rides, waterparks, arcades all open. Heidelberg and Pavilion Bar & Grill will be open weather permitting for outdoor dining.

Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ • 732-892-0600
jenkinsons.com
Amusement park rides along the boardwalk plus aquarium, beach-adjacent, fireworks shows, games, mini golf, ropes course and more.

July 2020: Attractions and activities are open with modified hours, visit the website to see hours. Social distancing ambassadors will be walking around to ensure that protocol is followed.

Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari
Jackson, NJ • 732-928-2000
sixflags.com/greatadventure
Featuring rides for kids of all ages and adults, shows, characters, a safari and animal attractions, and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor waterpark (which added its biggest expansion ever for the 2019 season).

July 2020: Open daily, reservations required.

Playland Park
Rye, NY • 914-813-7010
playlandpark.org
A historic amusement park, often referred to as Rye Playland, featuring rides for young kids and adults.

July 2020: Playland amusement park closed for the 2020 season. Playland Beach, Mini Golf, Boardwalk, Seaside Walk and the Edith G. Read Wildlife Sanctuary remain open.

Luna Park
Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY • 718-373-5862
lunaparknyc.com
World-famous amusement park located on the boardwalk at Coney Island, featuring roller coasters, kiddie rides and more.

July 2020: Closed until further notice.

Splish Splash
Calverton, NY • 631-727-3600
splishsplash.com
96-acre Long Island water park featuring 20 water slides, rides, and attractions, including two wave pools, a large Kiddie Area, a lazy river, and a tropical bird show.

July 2020: Closed until further notice.

Splashdown Beach
Fishkill, NY • 845-897-9600
splashdownbeach.com
Self-proclaimed “America’s biggest little water park” featuring waterpark with slides, rides, a wave pool & play areas.

July 2020: Closed until further notice. All current season passes will be valid for the 2021 season.

Hershey Park
Hershey, PA • 718-534-3900
hersheypark.com
Chocolate themed amusement park with rides for kids of all ages, plus a waterpark, games, a zoo, and chocolate factory tours.

July 2020: Open with COVID-19 safety guidelines in place.

Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Allentown, PA • 610-395-3724
dorneypark.com
A waterpark and amusement rides for little kids up to adults.

July 2020: Open with increased sanitation and social distancing protocol in place. Wildwater Kingdom will remain closed until further notice.

Whitewater Challengers
Lehigh River, Poconos, PA • 800-443-8554
Hudson River, Adirondacks, NY • 800-443-8554
whitewaterchallengers.com
White water rafting for families! Hudson River location has zip lining and paintball, plus white watrer afting for kids ages 7+. Lehigh Valley location offers family style rafting with kids ages 5+, plus camping, biking and more.

July 2020: Lehigh River – Open, and will only be accepting group reservations for groups between 4-12 people. • Hudson River – Open, whitewater rafting trips are available through the Hudson River Gorge every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, April through October. Minimum group size of 4.

American Dream
East Rutherford, NJ
americandream.com
Join your favorite television characters at Nickelodeon Universe, the rink, and DreamWorks Waterpark.

July 2020: Attractions and stores are currently closed.

CHECK OUT THE JULY ISSUE OF STATEN ISLAND PARENT!

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Theme Parks for Families with Preschoolers

Land of Make Believe
Hope, NJ • 908-459-9000
lomb.com
Waterpark and rides and attractions for children of all ages, even kids under 36″.

July 2020: Open daily from June 20, 2020 through September 7, 2020. Buy tickets online.

Storybook Land
Egg Harbor Township, NJ • 609-641-7847
storybookland.com
A nursery rhyme themed amusement park primarily for families with young children.

July 2020: Open but operating at 50% capacity. Patrons must make reservations online.

Dutch Wonderland
Lancaster, PA • 866-386-2839
dutchwonderland.com
“Kingdom for Kids” themed park with over 30 rides for kids of all ages plus water play area and live shows.

July 2020: Patrons must register for the day they want to come in advance, in addition to having a ticket or season pass. Masks are required for everyone 3 and older, and COVID-19 safety guidelines are in place.

Sesame Place
Langhorne, PA • 215-702-3566
sesameplace.com/philadelphia/
Sesame Street theme park with rides for kids of all ages, as well as a water park, live shows, games, and characters.

July 2020: Open with modifications and COVID-19 safety protocol in place. Visit the website beforehand to make sure the attractions you are looking for are available.

Family Resorts, Waterpark Resorts & Ranches

Mountain Creek
Vernon Township, NJ • 973-827-2000
mountaincreek.com
Waterpark and resort featuring 22 rides and world’s tallest double looping slide, as well as mountain biking and an aerial adventure park and ropes course.

July 2020: Open with COVID-19 safety protocols in place.

Coco Key
Mount Laurel, NJ • 877-494-2626
mtlaurelcocokey.com
Indoor waterpark and resort for all ages plus an arcade.

July 2020: Closed until further notice.

Sahara Sam’s Oasis
West Berlin, NJ • 856-767-7580
saharasams.com
Indoor & outdoor waterpark and resort with rides and attractions for all ages, plus an arcade.

July 2020: Outdoor waterpark open only.

Great Wolf Lodge
Scotrun, PA • 800-768-9653
greatwolf.com
Indoor waterpark and resort for all ages plus characters and activities for kids.

July 2020: Open with COVID-19 safety protocol in place. Fitness Center, Valet and Bell service, ATM, Vending and Ice machines, and hot tubs are closed until further notice.

Camelback Mountain
Tannersville, PA • 570-629-1662
skicamelback.com
Featuring Camelbeach outdoor waterpark, Aquatopia Indoor Water park, plus ziplining and other adventure rides.

July 2020: Open with COVID-19 safety protocol in place. Food and beverage outlets with indoor seating will be operating at 25% capacity.

Kalahari Indoor Water Park
Pocono Manor, PA • 877-525-2427
kalahariresorts.com
America’s largest indoor waterpark at 220,000 square feet, featuring water slides, spa, wave pool, lazy river, and toddler play area.

July 2020: Open with COVID-19 safety protocol and wellness initiatives in place.

Split Rock Resort
Lake Harmony, PA • 800-255-7625
splitrockresort.com
Indoor waterpark perfect for the 12 and under crowd, featuring slides and a wave pool, plus resort activities like a movie theatre, bowling, arcade, mini-golf, sports, beach and lake activities and more.

July 2020: Open with COVID-19 safety protocol in place. The indoor waterpark is also open with social distancing measures in place.

Splash Lagoon
Erie, PA • 66- 3-SPLASH
splashlagoon.com
Waterpark resort featuring nine water slides, ropes course, lazy river, the largest wave pool in the Eastern United States, plus arcade, lazer tag and more.

July 2020: Open with COVID-19 safety protocol in place. Food, beverage, and retail venues are open with new modifications and safety guidelines in place.

Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark
Monticello, NY • 845-397-2500
thekartrite.com
Brand new resort set in the Catskill Mountains featuring the biggest waterpark in New York, covered entirely by the world’s largest texlon transparent roof.

July 2020: Opening day to be announced.

Pine Ridge Dude Ranch
Kerhonkson, NY • 845-626-7345
pineridgeduderanch.com
All-inclusive resort located 90 miles from NYC featuring horseback riding, petting zoo, paddle boating, archery, fishing, sports and more.

July 2020: Open, and the majority of activities are operating and have been modified to adhere to social distancing. Massage services and fitness centers are closed until further notice. Dining seating times will be given upon check-in. All meals will be serviced, and there will be no buffets.

Rocking Horse Ranch
Highland, NY • 800-647-2624
rockinghorseranch.com
Resort featuring indoor waterpark, horseback riding, mountain tubing, exotic wildlife exhibit, organized family activities and more.

July 2020: Open with COVID-19 safety protocol in place.

The Country Place Resort
East Durham, NY • 518-239-4559
thecountryplace.com
Set in the Northern Catskills Mountain, the resort is home to the Zoom Flume Waterpark. Features activities for the whole family.

July 2020: Resort is open with limited activities. The waterpark is closed for the season.

Villa Roma
Callicoon, NY • 800-627-8455
villaroma.com
All-inclusive resort offering year-round activities for families, including skiing, snow boarding, ziplining, pools, horseback riding, spas, shopping, nightlife, archery and more.

July 2020: Resort is open with with safety protocols in place.

Museums

Liberty Science Center
Jersey City, NJ • 201-200-1000
lsc.org
An interactive science museum and learning center featuring multiple exhibits and the largest IMAX Dome theater in the United States

July 2020: Closed until further notice.

Newark Museum
Newark, NJ • 973-596-6550
newarkmuseum.org
Museum featuring planetarium, creative play, interactive galleries, science exhibits, fire museum, art collections and more.

July 2020: Closed until further notice, but offering virtual visit opportunities.

Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey
Teterboro, NJ • 201-288-6344
njahof.org
View historic aircraft, air and space artifacts, photographs, fine art and an extensive model collection.

July 2020: Open Tuesday-Friday, reservation only, with three daily sessions: 10:30am-12pm, 12:30pm-2pm, 2:30pm-4pm. Each session will be capped at 15 people, and masks are required.

New York Transit Museum
Brooklyn, NY • 718-694-1600
nytransitmuseum.org
See a collection of vintage subway cars and retired buses, as well as other bridge, tunnel, and railway artifacts and memorabilia.

July 2020: Closed until further notice.

New York City Fire Museum
New York, NY • 212-691-1303
nycfiremuseum.org
Observe the history and cultural heritage of the fire service of New York and learn about fire prevention and safety.

July 2020: Closed until further notice.

Dimenna Children’s Museum
New York, NY • 212-873-3400
nyhistory.org/childrens-museum
The children’s wing of the New York Historical Society is targeted toward children ages 8–13 and uses interactive exhibits to make history fun.

July 2020: Closed until further notice.

Intrepid Air, Sea & Space Museum
New York, NY • 212-245-0072
intrepidmuseum.org
Climb aboard the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, see the space shuttle Enterprise and the world’s fastest jets and a guided missile submarine.

July 2020: Closed until further notice.

New York Hall of Science
Queens, NY • 718-699-0005
nysci.org
Featuring over 450 interactive displays that explain science, technology, engineering, and math, plus a 60,000 square foot outdoor Science Playground and Rocket Park.

July 2020: Closed until further notice.

American Museum of Natural History
New York, NY • 212-769-5100
amnh.org
One of the largest museums in the world, featuring 45 exhibition halls, planetarium, and library, and a collection of over 33 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, human remains, and human cultural artifacts.

July 2020: Closed until further notice.

Madame Toussauds
New York, NY • 212-512-9600
madametussauds.com
Times Sqaure wax museum featuring life-like wax sculptures of the world’s most iconic musicians, A-list stars, sports legends, world leaders and more.

July 2020: Closed until further notice.

Books of Wonder
18th Street, New York, NY • 212-989-3270
84th Street, New York, NY 212-989-1804
booksofwonder.com
New York City’s largest and oldest children’s bookstore and the city’s leading specialist in children’s literature, featuring old, rare, and collectible children’s books and original children’s book art, as well as new titles for purchase.

July 2020: Open daily 11am-6pm.

National Museum of Mathematics
New York, NY • 212-542-0566
momath.org
Features exciting, interactive displays and exhibits that provide a place for children and adults of all ages to experience the excitement of math, with a special emphasis on activities for 4th through 8th graders.

July 2020: Closed until further notice.

Please Touch Museum
Philadelphia, PA • 215-581-3181
pleasetouchmuseum.org
Featuring highly interactive exhibits for purposeful play, with a collection of over 25,000 toys as well as toddler zones, a carousel, and imagination playground.

July 2020: Closed until further notice. Current memberships are frozen.

Baseball Hall of Fame
Cooperstown, NY • 888-425-5633
baseballhall.org
Relive the history of Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and women in baseball, and take in the new display of historic baseball cards. Kids can visit the Sandlot Kids’ Clubhouse, an interactive educational area devoted to Little Leaguers who want to learn about the big league.

July 2020: Open with limited capacity, and tickets must be reserved online. Visitors are asked to follow directional signs in exhibits.

Sloomoo Institute Children’s Museum
New York, NY
sloomooinstitute.com
A celebration of slime, featuring interactive classes helping children to make and customize their own slime and shops to purchase.

July 2020: The Sloomoo experience and shop are closed until further notice, but Zoom classes are available.

The Slime Factory
Edison, NJ • 848 247 7769
theslimefactory.com
Children become scientists as they can experiment and customize their own slimes in the slime lab.

July 2020: Closed until further notice.

Beach & Park Destinations

Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ • 732-892-0600
pointpleasantbeach.com
Featuring arcades and games, beach, restaurants, Jenkinson’s amusement park rides & aquarium, live entertainment, and fireworks shows.

July 2020: All attractions are open.

7 Presidents Oceanfront Park
Long Branch, NJ • 732-229-7025
Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park on the Monmouth County Park System website
38 acres including an activity center, a boating launch, fishing, a playground, swimming, sand volleyball, pavilion with snack bar, and restrooms.

July 2020: Park is open from 8am-9pm, and the amount of family passes sold will be limited to reduce capacity. The skate park is closed. Restrooms opened at reduced hours for cleaning and sanitizing, and all restrooms close at 8pm. Face masks are required when using the restroom.

Seaside Heights
Seaside Heights, NJ • 732-793-6488
Beach and boardwalk featuring Casino Pier amusement rides, Breakwater Beach waterpark, plus go-karts, mini golf, arcades, games and food.

July 2020: Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach open with COVID-19 safety guidelines in place.

Ocean City
Ocean City, NJ • 609-399-7082
Two and half miles of boardwalk containing family amusements like OC Waterpark and Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, plus the beach and free entertainment.

July 2020: Open from 5pm-10pm daily. Waterpark open from 10am-6pm daily.

Sandy Hook
Sandy Hook, NJ • 732-872-5970
One of New Jersey’s most beautiful beaches, visitors can go fishing, birding, camping, boating, canoeing, have a picnics, take sightseeing tours and eat at local seafood restaurants.

July 2020: Everything is open.

Read Next | The Benefits of Summer Camp

Wildwood
Wildwood, NJ • 800-992-9732
Featuring over 100 rides and attractions including Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Waterparks, Ocean Oasis Waterpark & Beach Club, Splash Zone Water Park, games, arcades, food, and restaurants.

July 2020: Amusement piers, and water parks open at 50% capacity, indoor arcades along the boardwalk operating at 25% capacity.Splash Zone Water Park will be operating with two sessions, 10am-1:30pm and 2pm-5:30pm.

Central Park
New York, NY • 212-310-6600
centralparknyc.org
So much more than just a park, there’s a zoo, live free shows, a carousel, kiddie rides (in the summer time only at the Wollman rink), playgrounds and more.

July 2020: Open to the public. Official Central Park Tours, Discovery Walks for Families, Discovery Kits, Chess & Checkers House Gaming, Catch-and-Release Fishing, Pitch In, Pick Up, Basketball Programs and Field Day Kits, Lawn Games, and Public Group Volunteering suspended until further notice.

Coney Island
Brooklyn, NY • 718-373-5862
coneyisland.com
Amusement park rides for kids of all ages, games, food, fireworks shows, beach, live entertainment, New York Aquarium, ferris wheel, carousel and more.

July 2020: In-person programs suspended until further notice, but virtual options are available.

Nautical Mile
Freeport, Long Island • 516-377-2200
longisland.com/freeport-nautical-mile
A lively, seaside destination featuring great restaurants, shopping, fishing boats, mini-golf and ice cream shops.

July 2020: Open with COVD-19 safety guidelines in place.

Bushkill Falls
Bushkill, PA • 888-287-4545
visitbushkillfalls.com
Known as “The Niagara of Pennsylvania,” Bushkill Falls is comprised of eight waterfalls within the Pocono Mountains accessible through scenic hiking trails and bridges.

July 2020: Open at 75% capacity, tickets from 10am-5pm or until capacity is reached, gates close at 6pm. Visitation is on a first-come first-serve basis. The playground, paddleboat rentals, and mini golf remain closed. Picnic grounds and restrooms are open, but grilling is not allowed

Fruit Picking

Pick Your Own Fruit Farms
Find nearby farms near Staten Island in New Jersey where you can spend a beautiful day picking fresh fruits, berries and veggies with your family.

CHECK OUT THE JULY ISSUE OF STATEN ISLAND PARENT!

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11 Ideas for Date Night on Staten Island

October 28, 2019 By Jeannine Cintron

Every couple needs a night out as often as their schedules – and babysitters – allow. But with the hassle of leaving the kids with a sitter, along with the ever-increasing price to go over the bridge, it’s probably easier to stay close to home. So we’ve compiled ten different ideas for date night (and on some occasions, daytime dates) that are right here on the Island. There’s something for everyone!

See a live show. See a concert, watch a play, hear one of your favorite stand-up comedians live – those are just a few of the St. George Theatre’s many offerings showcased on its historical stage. If you and your sweetie are big fans of live music, you can catch free live concerts on the South Beach boardwalk and in various parks throughout the Island all summer long. For more information on those events, check siparent.com/summer later on this month.

Hit the lanes. Up for some friendly competition? Challenge your darling at one of the Island’s two major bowling alleys — Rab’s Country Lanes on Hylan Boulevard or Showplace Entertainment Center off Victory Boulevard. Make it interesting: the winner gets to pick where to grab dinner afterward.

Go for a stroll. Staten Island is home to myriad scenic spots where you can enjoy the view before spreading out a picnic. Take in the picturesque beauty of Snug Harbor‘s many botanical gardens: The New York Chinese Scholar Garden, The Rose Garden, even The Secret Garden, just to name a few. Be sure to snap a photo together under The Allee, the iconic tunnel arch. Stroll along the FDR Boardwalk to smell the salty sea air amidst the stunning backdrop of the Verrazano Bridge. Go buy a bag of food and feed the ducks together at Clove Lakes Park (just make sure you only throw duck food pellets because bread and other human food may grow bacteria that can harm the ducks).

Take a class. Learn something new together and who knows, you may end up sharing a lifelong hobby. Casa Belvedere offers cooking classes for adults where you can learn tactics for making delicious Italian food. At Pinot’s Palette on Ellis Street or Forest Avenue, or at Paint with a Twist in New Dorp, you’ll create original artwork together (with the added bonus of sipping wine while you work). Ed Perpetua Tennis Academy offers a Friday night walk-in class for adults, beginners welcome. Many local museums offer classes as well. For example, the Alice Austen House offers photography workshops throughout the year. The Noble Maritime Collection at Snug Harbor offers free knitting on Thursdays. The Garibaldi Meucci Museum offers Italian language classes. Check individual museum websites for their schedule of upcoming events.

Try something new. Are you and your spouse the adventurous types? Here are a few new ideas you may yet not have tried.
• Wheel Fun Rentals lets you cruise the boardwalk in a variety of pedal-powered vehicles, including surreys, tandem bikes, and other specialty cycles.
• Geocaching is a real life treasure hunt that sends you to various spots using GPS coordinates.
• Supreme Chocolatier takes participants on a tour inside the factory where you can even sample some indulgent chocolate for just $4 per person.
• The National Lighthouse Museum‘s popular Lighthouse Boat Tours usually run once a month and feature spectacular views of the New York Harbor and the Jersey Shoreline.
• Kayak Staten Island offers weekend kayaking off the shores of South Beach entirely for free.
• Staten Island is home to 2,800 acres of rugged Greenbelt where you can hike, run, or even ride a bike.
• Go stargazing in Gateway Great Kills National Park on a clear night with the Amateur Astronomers Association.

Just relax. Pampering yourselves with a relaxing massage after a busy week is a great way to slow down and enjoy time together. Relax on Cloud 9 on Clove Road and A.F. Bennett on New Dorp Lane both offer special packages for couples looking to enjoy some tranquil time together.

Get a room. Need a little alone time? Sometimes a few hours away is just not enough. Book a room at the beautiful Hilton Garden Inn on South Avenue, where you can have dinner and drinks at Lorenzo’s Restaurant and then head up to the room to enjoy a peaceful night together.

Watch a ballgame. There’s no need to travel all the way to the Bronx to see the Yankees play. The Staten Island Yankees minor league team plays at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark on the North Shore from June to September. You can buy tickets for a specially-themed game or even view a postgame fireworks show on select nights throughout the summer.

Catch a flick. Check out the latest blockbusters at one of Staten Island’s two major theaters — The Atrium on Arthur Kill Road or The United Artists Theatre on Forest Avenue. There’s also the Island’s first dine-in movie theatre coming to Hylan Boulevard, although you’ll unfortunately have to wait until 2019 for it to open.

Grab a bite. The Island is jam-packed with eateries boasting stunning views and even better food. Enjoy dinner overlooking the Atlantic at the Marina Cafe or South Fin Grill. Cozy up with lunch in the park at the Stone House at Clove Lakes. Get happy for Happy Hour at the South Shore Bar & Grill (also on the water). Can’t narrow it down to just one restaurant? Try an exciting restaurant crawl hosted by a local merchant’s association. Check out the siparent.com calendar for dates to upcoming crawls.

Go museum hopping. There are so many museums and cultural institutions in Staten Island, you could never visit them all in one day (although it might be fun to try!). There’s plenty of material to spark fresh conversation for the most cultured of couples. Immerse yourself in Italian culture at the Garibaldi Meucci Museum; see how Staten Islanders lived during colonial times at Historic Richmond Town; explore the many artifacts and exhibits at the Staten Island Museum. For a complete list of local museums, go to siparent.com/museums.

By Jeannine Cintron, a Staten Island mom of two who hasn’t had a date night in a while and could really use a night out (hint hint, hubby).

Jeannine Cintron

See a show

Bowling

Take a walk

Cooking class

Spa day

Get a room

Catch a flick

Grab a bite

Museums

Paint and sip

Sign-making

Ice skating

Makerspace

Bookstore or library

Winter hike

The zoo

Yoga

Volunteer

Rock climbing

Escape room

Archery

Roller skating

Classes at local museums

Wine-tasting

Shopping

Arcade

Dance class

Just stay in

Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

Zoos, Aquariums, Whale Watching, Petting Zoos & Animal Fun

Amusement Parks & Waterparks

Theme Parks for Families with Preschoolers

Family Resorts, Waterpark Resorts & Ranches

Museums

Beach & Park Destinations

Fruit Picking

Staten Island Parent

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