48 Hours in..., Travel

Things to Do in Santa Cruz California

Back in 2003, I applied to work at an academic summer camp. I’m a math teacher after all. The application brochure came my way and one thing about the camp peeked my interest…

Hawaii.

There was a site location in Honolulu, Hawaii.

So I applied for that.

And I was hired!

But when my paper work arrived, no Hawaii. I was slated to work somewhere in California called Santa Cruz.

Figuring I must have put California as my second choice site location, I then needed to figure out where the heck Santa Cruz was! Little did I know I would be spending the best three summers of my life in this funny, California beach town.

Last August I finally returned to this town I loved. I could not wait to revisit, reminisce and bring my kids to Santa Cruz. And I am beyond excited to share all the great food, hotels and things to do in Santa Cruz with the Momma To Go readers!

24 Hours in… Santa Cruz, California

Travel

Splish Splash Water Park Long Island, New York

My family loves amusement parks and my kids love rides. They also can’t get enough of the pool! So I knew this summer we wanted to try a full-on water park for the first time. This week we decided to venture to Splish Splash water park in Long Island, New York for an awesome day of water rides! UPDATE: Excited to say this has become a yearly tradition! One of our favorite summer activities for sure!

Momma To Go would like to thank Splish Splash for hosting us. As always, all opinions are my own.

Splish Splash Water Park Long Island, New York

Travel

Sesame Place Tips

You all know I love the beach and pool, but another summer (and spring/fall) activity that our family loves is to visit theme parks! This past winter we were lucky enough to visit Legoland Florida twice, have a brunch at Chef Mickey at Walt Disney World, and have visited our local amusement park, Adventureland, many times.

One park that has always made our summer must-do list is Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. I honestly do not think we will go this year, for the first time in 5 summers! I am a bit sad about this! But my guys have “graduated” to a bigger water park (we have a Splish Splash visit scheduled in a couple of weeks), but we have gone to Sesame Place for the past five summers and I am thrilled to share my best Sesame Place tips to help younger families plan their most awesome trip.

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Sesame Place Tips

Travel

Legoland Florida Review

I’m staring out the window at a full on blizzard and reminiscing about our trip to Orlando a mere two weeks ago! If you checked out my Chef Mickey review, you know that baby girl and I were in Orlando to visit family. A full-on Disney day wasn’t in the cards for us (plus I would have felt bad going to Disney without little man). But we did do a day to trip to Legoland Florida– and it was awesome! I highly recommend adding a day at Legoland to your Central Florida itinerary! Here is my Legoland Florida Review:

Legoland Florida Review

Travel

Fun Fall Activities for Families

Contrary to popular opinion, fall is definitely NOT my favorite season. I love the heat, the beach, the pool, shorts, flip-flops, and tanning – all things summer related! I can deal with spring, especially late spring, when it’s almost summer. I legit hate the winter. I hate the cold, dealing with coats, the snow, ice, and when it gets dark early – I really am one of those people that runs on Vitamin D and the winter just bums me out.

So I think it a bit crazy how people go gaga over fall (which doesn’t officially start until September 21 despite what Starbucks says). And if I have my way, shorts and flip flop weather will linger into October as well.

But even I will admit there are a few things about fall I look forward to doing each year with my family. Activities that are tucked between sweaty beach weather, and the bundled up/indoor fun of the winter. Some of the specific places I am about to mention are in my area (Long Island, New York), but the ideas can translate to any town! So here is my list of four fun fall activities for families, that even I, a summer girl, can love.