Our crazy viral post.

Last month something amazing happened.  I wrote a post on my website about the Free and Almost Free Places to Visit in New Jersey and the Surrounding States.  The post went viral.  It exploded!  There were so many wonderful comments and suggestions for places.  It definitely kept me busy for a good few weeks.  I am grateful for all the wonderful responses, and apologize if I couldn't get to answer all of them!  Here is the link to the post: http://www.happyfamilyart.com/Free-Places-For-Family-Fun-NJ.html  I hope you like it!

Statue Of Liberty

This is our second trip to the Statue Of Liberty as a family.  After being there once only a few years ago, I don't know if we would have made this second trip so soon.  However, this time my aunt was visiting from Odessa, Ukraine.  We decided to go there and enjoy it together. 

We went on a weekday in October, and were not disappointed.  The weather was glorious, and since we took the ferry from the NJ side, it wasn't crowded at all.  The island hasn't changed much, and neither has the statue.  We took a nice leisurely walk around the island and shopped for some snacks and then souvenirs, and then caught the ferry back home.  None of us felt like climbing even a few steps up, so we were happy with just the walk.  I do have to say that the snacks and drinks have becove quite a bit improved.  Unfortunately, the Ellis Island was closed due to the government shut down this October.  We will just have to go and visit it next time.

Of course the views of NYC can't be beat from the ferry and from the island.  I do think that the ferry ride was the most exciting thing that day for kids and adults alike.  The statue, well, it is a statue. 

Mitsuwa Japanese Market, Hoboken, NJ

Mitsuwa Japanese Market is located in Hoboken, NJ.  My husband and I enjoyed it! It is not your usual supermarket, but is filled with many different shops with Japanese food.  The food is delicious. Of course my kids managed to find something that looked suspiciously like a giant cream puff. They enjoyed it!  Not a whole lot of Sushi, which is a good thing, but more warm foods, like soups and stews. It was really delicious and differen and a whole new experience for our kids and us.
Parking was tough though, we had to circle a few times before finding a spot.
Here is their site with directions, specials and hours: 

http://www.mitsuwa.com/tenpo/newj/eindex.html