| Author |
Message |
    
patmich
Citizen
Username: Patmich
Post Number: 59
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 9:55 am: | 
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My son loves airplanes and I am trying to find a place to watch planes take off and land. Any ideas? |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14046
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 10:05 am: |
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Ikea's cafeteria is a great place for that. They even have those big tourist binoculars to look through. Exit 13B off the Turnpike. Also, the turnpike is impressive from that vantage point.
The food is good, too. I think they have all-you-can-eat pasta nights on Tuesdays or something like that. Call ahead.
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Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 900
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 10:08 am: |
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It's probably not legal or encouraged, but we used to take our kids to a part of the highway near the Jersey Garden Mall. I can't tell you if it was part of 78 or 1-9 (can you tell I wasn't driving?) but the traffic is fairly light there and you can pull over and see planes take off and land up close.
Another fun thing to do w/young kids it to go to the shipping docks and watch containers and other stuff be loaded on/off the huge ships. We got a few strange looks from the workmen, but I think it became clear that we were entertaining children in our minivan.
Have fun! |
Earlster
Supporter
Username: Earlster
Post Number: 1535
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 10:08 am: |
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Newark airport?
If you want smaller ones, then maybe the airport in Morristown?
Essex county airport or
LincolnPark Airport:
http://www.lincolnparkairport.com/ |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3659
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 12:18 pm: |
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Ikea definately. It's often a "destination" for us, particularly during the winter months when cabin fever sets in. You can get a cheap, decent meal and watch the planes, then put the kids in the ballroom (if they're tall enough) while you do a little peaceful shopping.
Wouldn't do it on weekends though. |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 1807
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 12:58 pm: |
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I third Ikea. It really is the perfect view, and you can eat some swedish meatballs while you're there. I recommend not going on a Sunday if you can possibly avoid it, as Ikea turns into something out of Lord of the Flies on weekends.
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Hillsider
Supporter
Username: Hillsider
Post Number: 66
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 1:19 pm: |
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As Earlster said, give the small airports a try...
You can get very close to the planes, and see them land & take off... once the weather gets better you will see many student pilots out, who will practice touch-n-goes...
Teterboro, Morristown, Caldwell are good places to go to... You can also stop by the flying schools and buy some toys/models etc...
If your son is old enough, go for a discovery flight... it is not too expensive and they fly you in a Cessna 2/4 seater for 1/2 hour... all flight schools offer it.
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delin wareham
Citizen
Username: Dwareham
Post Number: 58
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 10:43 pm: |
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Go up to Lincoln Park. There's a road that runs perpendicular to the runway and the small planes are taking off and landing about 20 feet above your head.
Also good is Millstone Valley airport (also known as Central Jersey Regional). It's in Manville, off 287. Very friendly crowd there.
At both MV and LP (and at Caldwell to some extent) you can walk around in the lots where the planes are parked.
You can also do a "discovery" flight at MV or LP for about $50. If you do this from LP, ask the pilot to fly you down the Hudson -- you'll go south to the statue, turn around and come back. It's a great ride.
You can also ask at the flight schools about Young Eagle days. This is a national campaign to interest children in aviation. It's a day-long affair and I believe the kids get to ride in a small plane if you're willing.
Caldwell has a great restaurant -- best Sunday brunch around -- called the 94th Bomber Squadron where you can sit and watch the 2 runways as you eat. (Someone told me it closed in the past week but I don't know that for sure.) LP also has a nice little restaraunt where you can watch the action.
Morristown airport is a little too big and corporate for any fun -- they have lots of fences and don't like people getting too close to the planes.
Have fun! |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 23049
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 4, 2006 - 11:34 pm: |
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The old airport that served Denver, CO. There was an overpass on I-25 (maybe I-70) that was an airport ramp and man, was it distracting to see humongous jets landing right in front of your eyes while going 60 mph. |
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