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Blue Skies
Citizen
Username: Blueskies
Post Number: 7
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 3:07 pm: |     |
We recently moved to the area and my parents (65 years of age) will be visiting shortly. We'd like to show them a good time. Can you recommend things/events/restaurants in the area that they might enjoy? |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 588
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 3:28 pm: | |
More info about the kinds of things/events/restaurants you had in mind? When you say "the area" do you mean Maplewood/South Orange and vicinity specifically, or NYC/NJ? |
Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 2857
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 3:43 pm: | |
If the weather's decent, take 'em to the Scenic Overlook in South Mountain Reservation (just off of South Orange Avenue), then to the 9/11 Memorial and Overlook (next to the High Lawn Pavillion in the Eagle Rock Reservation just off eagle Rock Avenue in West Orange). Then take 'em to dinner at the Highlawn Pavillion, sitting by the big windows. They'll be wowed.
-s.
BTW: For some reason, all day I've been thinking about 9/11, and how things looked from those overlooks on that and following days and weeks... Dunno why... Maybe the Pope's funeral? |
Mrs T
Citizen
Username: Netjack
Post Number: 94
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 3:51 pm: | |
We recently had family visit, and the best thing we did was the Circle Line around Manhattan. It was cold and rainy and we sandwiched it between 'walking' days. Be sure to get there early for a seat inside if you want, and get a seat on the side of the boat next to the dock, so you can see better. Chinatown was a hit too!! Forget the Empire State Building-hours on line just to get in even if you bought tickets!! |
Wendyn
Supporter
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 1542
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 3:53 pm: | |
If they had relatives that came to the US through Ellis Island take that tour. It is very moving. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 3216
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 3:53 pm: | |
anyone else call the little flap "tail" of fat on a roast chicken "the pope's nose"?
sightseeing ...
Montclair Museum and a walk down Church St (or just a walk down Church St., a drive out to Lambertville, a walk in the reservation, The Hunterdon Museum ini Clinton has an exhibit I want to go see -- of course I can't recall what it is at the moment. Drive down the shore and walk on the boardwalk in Spring Lake? Or out to Sandy Hook and then lunch in the Highlands. |
Blue Skies
Citizen
Username: Blueskies
Post Number: 9
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 4:20 pm: | |
Thanks for the suggestions. To answer Meandtheboys' question, we're looking for things to do within a 30-minute drive or less of SO/M (we will probably make a few trips to the city but wanted some local things to see/do as we used to live in the city and they've seen more of NYC than most New Yorkers). They love good Italian food and we'd like to try Mexican, Mediterranean etc. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 3217
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 4:25 pm: | |
A little closer is Washington's Headquarters in Montclair. I've never been but might take my son out there this weekend -- he's into the revolution lately. Morris Museum, The Great Swamp in Chatham and there's a good Mexican restaurant near there -- maybe a walk folllowed by mexican food --anyone know the name of the place?? |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 591
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 4:38 pm: | |
Don't know if you've ever done Hoboken, but it's a kind of a quaint little town, good for a spring evening stroll, and it's way less than 30 miles away. They have all kinds of restaurants and coffee shops, etc. Don't know about Mexican. I've heard there's a new one but I don't know the name. Not sure what you mean by Mediterranean food. We go back to Hoboken for 2 restaurants. Ali Ba Ba is on Washington Street, and is yummy middle eastern: Falafel, gyro, hummous, baklava, etc. The space is pretty basic, nothing fancy, but we love the food. Haven't found anything like it around here.
The other restaurant is Amanda's (and this is probably the 10th time I've plugged it here). Doesn't fit any of your food categories. Just yummy "american?" food, great atmosphere and decor, classy, fabulous. www.amandasrestaurant.com.
I'm with Algebra, a trip down the shore and a walk on the boardwalk is a definate must. Spring Lake is very pretty. Sea Girt, which is just south of Spring Lake is also very nice. There's a restaurant I really like for seafood, particularly for clams on the half shell (mmmmmmm, I'm getting hungry) in Sea Girt:
Rod's Olde Irish Tavern
(732) 449-2020
507 Washington Blvd
Sea Girt, NJ 08750
www.rodstavern.com
If you're looking for a more honky-tonk jersey shore boardwalk experience, which you really should try, you should definately get to Point Pleasant, which is south again from Sea Girt. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 592
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 4:39 pm: | |
What about Thomas Edison's place. Real close. What is it, West Orange? |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 593
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 4:41 pm: | |
Great mexican on the upper west side, Rosa Mexicana. They make quacamole right at your table, according to your specifications. You may have already done that though, since you used to live there.
(I've got to get away from this thread, I'm starting to drool all over my keyboard, I'm making myself sooooooo hungry!) |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 3218
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 4:42 pm: | |
Thomas Edison's been closeed for years for remodeling.
Love Point Pleasant -- this weekend will be perfect for sitting out at the Tiki Bar -- nice and sunny. |
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 583
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 5:00 pm: | |
Newark Museum, Morris Museum, Montclair Museum. Dinner at Antonella's or in the Ironbound. Visit to the Raptor Trust. Museum of Early Trades and Crafts (I think that's it) in Madison, with nice dinner at Garlic Rose. Drive to Clinton and visit the old Red Mill. McCulloch Hall in Morristown. Drive down Upper Mountain Avenue in Upper Montchair to look at the mansions. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 594
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 5:15 pm: | |
Lambertville/New Hope is always a nice day trip. Plenty of good restaurants to choose from.
Funny, nobody's suggested a nice morning stroll right here in our quaint little Maplewood village. Gotta show off your new home town! Our visitors are always very impressed by the small town america feel we have here. Brunch at American Fare or Carmalitas. Or maybe just a good, old fashioned, down home breakfast at Mapleleaf (if you can stand all the kids!). |
Blue Skies
Citizen
Username: Blueskies
Post Number: 10
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 6:06 pm: | |
Yes, downtown Maplewood is a must. With all these great ideas we could compile our very own local tour guidebook! Many thanks. |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 1975
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 6:36 pm: | |
When exactly will they be visiting? Ocean Grove is a charming little town (exit 100B) but "the tents" don't go up until Memorial Day weekend at the earliest. The town is still great, has some nice little shops and restaurants - but the summer tent homes make it all the more quaint. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 5338
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 7:20 pm: | |
Be sure to check the Community Calendar on MOL for local happenings while they are here. What Exit?, the Underground Concert Series, performances at the Dancing Goat and Here's 2 the Arts, Friday at the Movies Modern, monthly open house at Durand Hedden House, gallery showings at the Maplewood and South Orange Art Galleries -- these are just a few of the activities avialable right here in town. |
tulip
Citizen
Username: Braveheart
Post Number: 2251
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 7:47 pm: | |
Watch out for Lambertville/New Hope. The flood really hit over here. |
SO Refugee
Citizen
Username: So_refugee
Post Number: 143
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 8, 2005 - 10:14 pm: | |
A little further out of the way, but a great place of interest/restaurant is Rat's in Hamilton. Named after a character in "The Wind & the Willows", the restaurant is located adjacent to Seward Johnson's (of Johnson & Johnson fame) Grounds for Sculpture. The grounds are reason enough to make the trip where life size recreations of Monet paintings, elaborate sculptures, and the like allow you to either work up an appetite for French cuisine or a romantic after dinner stroll. Rat's also has a Moroccan bar. Pretty cool. Check out www.ratsrestaurant.org |
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