Bear Mountain State Park is one of the most popular state parks in the lower Hudson Valley. In fact, according to NY State Parks, in 2022, it was THE most visited park in the Palisades region. While there are 23 state parks located in the Palisades region, Bear Mountain State Park is one of the few that can be considered a year-round destination. Encompassing over 5,200 acres, the park offers a variety of fun activities for all of the seasons. Please note that a $10 vehicle use fee is collected year-round.
1. Ride the Merry-Go-Round – For only $3 per person, visitors can take a ride on one of the 42 seats of the Merry-Go-Round. The carousel was built in 2001 and is housed in a stone building built especially for the carousel. The seats are hand carved and feature animals native to the area including black bear, wild turkey, deer, raccoon, skunk, Canada goose, fox, swan, bobcat and rabbit. Painted historical scenes of the park and the Palisades region like the Stony Point Lighthouse and the Stony Point Battle Museum are featured along the interior of the carousel. The carousel is only open on weekends from 10 AM – 5 PM.
2. Take a hike – Bear Mountain State Park has has a variety of hiking trails for all ability levels. For a leisurely hike, try the Hessian Lake loop. This is an easy 1.5 mile loop around Hessian Lake. More challenging hikes include the Popolopen Torne trail (1.1 miles), Silver Mine Lake Loop (3.8 miles) and Bald Mountain loop (8.6 miles).
3. Ride a pedal boat – Between April and October (depending on the weather) visitors to Bear Mountain Park can rent a pedal boat around Hessian Lake. This is a great way to get out on the water, since swimming is prohibited in this lake. Each pedal boat seats up to four people. The rental are $10 per person for 30 minutes or $15 per person for an hour rental. A $20 cash-only deposit is required per boat rental, which is quickly returned to you when you’re back on shore. There is a minimum age of 16, with an ID, to rent a boat.
4. Swim in the pool – Nestled between the trees lies The Bear Mountain State Park pool, which opens in mid-June. It’s open daily from 10 AM to 5:30 PM through Labor Day. The pool varies in depth from 1 feet up to 11 feet by the diving boards. There is a $5 admission per person.
5. Enjoy a picnic in the park – There are many picnic tables and grills throughout the park for visitors to enjoy a BBQ. If you don’t bring your own food and get hungry, there is a concession stand. The grill serves burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, fries, pizza and hero sandwiches. They also have a variety of snacks and beverages available for purchase.
6. Visit the Trailside Zoo and Museums – Founded in 1927, the Trailside Museums and Zoo are the country’s first self-guided nature-trail. There are four museums including the Herpetology Museum, Geology Museum, Nature Study Museum and Historical Museum. These attractions are open 10 AM – 4 PM from December 1 through March 31 and from 10 AM – 4:30 PM April through November. Although there is no admission fee, a $1 per person donation fee is suggested.
The Trailside zoo is home to a variety of wildlife that are either injured or cannot live independently in the wild. The zoo is currently building new animal habitats for some of the residents and these should be open for summer 2023. One of the biggest attractions are the two black bears, Pal and Sadie. Other animals on exhibit include a porcupine, bald eagle, and eastern coyote.
The Historical Museum, housed in a small stone building, has both archaeological and military exhibits.
7. Drive or hike up toPerkins Memorial Tower – You can hike the 1.5 miles to Perkins Memorial Tower, climbing the 1,000 stone steps to the top. However, the tower is also accessible by car, April through November, weather permitting, if you want to take in the views without the hike.
8. Ice Skate at the rink – From November to the beginning of March, guests can ice skate at Bear Mountain’s outdoor skating rink. It is open for skating Friday through Sunday, with additional days and sessions for holidays. Skate sessions are 1.5 hours and tickets must be purchased at the rink. Admission is currently $5 per skater, over the age of 4 and skate rentals are available for $10. The ticket window opens for sales an hour prior to each session.
9. Stay overnight at the Bear Mountain Inn – You can spend the night at Bear Mountain State Park. They have three different types of accommodations: The Bear Mountain Inn, the Overlook Lodge and Stone Cottages. Built in 1915, the Bear Mountain Inn is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. It has 15 deluxe guest rooms and suites and has an onsite restaurant, Restaurant 1915.
The Overlook Lodge has 24 guest rooms that have either a king bed or two double beds. The Lodge has a select number of pet-friendly rooms.
There are four Stone Cottages that houses six individual guest rooms, connected by one common room. Each guest room has a queen bed and a private bathroom. Visitors can book individual rooms or the entire cottage can be reserved for a large party.
10. Visit the Spa – The Spa at Bear Mountain is an independently owned and operated spa that opened in 2013 on the third floor of the Bear Mountain Inn. The spa is full service and offers massages and other body treatments, as well as facials, hair removal, and hair, nail and makeup services. Due to lack of space, there is not a sauna, steam rooms or showers.
11. Dine at Restaurant 1915 – Enjoy dinner at the onsite restaurant, named for the year the Bear Mountain Inn was built. The restaurant is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday and for Sunday brunch on the second Sunday of each month.
12. Pick up a souvenir at the gift shop – Bear Mountain State Park is one of the few state parts that I am aware of that has a gift shop. You can find everything from branded apparel and gifts (candles, dishware, jewelry) to toiletries and snacks and beverages.
13. Walk to Bear Mountain Dock – After you pass the pool, make a right on the paved path to walk down to Bear Mountain Dock. You’ll pass the Elk’s Head Statue and a small waterfall. At the dock you can take in beautiful views of the Bear Mountain Bridge, picnic at the nearby gazebo or fish off the dock.
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Happy Friday! We made it through another week! This week has been exhausting on so many levels. My teens were especially emotionally draining, I went to bed later than usual most nights and the kids had pretty busy schedules. I am hoping to be able to rest and recharge this weekend. Here are five from this week:
1.Pocketbook Bingo – Friday night I attended our PTA Pocketbook Bingo fundraiser. It was a huge event with probably close to 200 women there. Besides the BINGO games, there were a ton of raffles. While I didn’t win anything, it was a fun night out with some mom friends!
2. Bear Mountain State Park – Sunday I went to Bear Mountain State Park. I was doing some research for an upcoming blog post. I’ve been to this park many times, but walked down to the Hudson River Dock for the first time. There is such a great view of the Bear Mountain Bridge from the dock.
3. Reading – This week I finished Mad Honey by Jodi Picout and Jennifer Finney Boylan. It was such a good read! I went in knowing nothing about the book, except that it was written by one of my favorite authors. Needless to say, I was not disappointed.
5.Watching – I’ve watched the first couple of episodes of Daisy Jones & the Six (Amazon Prime). While I wasn’t a huge fan of the book, I’m actually enjoying the show. Any one else watching?
I’ve also been watching Gilmore Girls. I never watched the show when it was on. I’ve only ever watched a handful of episodes. So far, I’m halfway through season 2 and I am really liking it. I can see why people are such fans!
6. Boy Scout Court of Honor – Wednesday night we attended my son’s Boy Scout Court of Honor where he was promoted to Star Scout. My husband and I were surprised at the ceremony when we were both given pins by our son for being parents of a Star Scout. He is now only two ranks away from Eagle.
7. Guilty Eats – Check out some of my most recent articles for Guilty Eats:
Imagine a street lined with bookstores that are filled with books and treasures of all kinds from the floors to the ceilings. This dream for book lovers is a reality in the Catskills. Readers of every age will enjoy a visit to Hobart Book Village, where the Main Street of Hobart, New York is filled with eight independent book shops.
This book village is the brain child of Don Dales. This local entrepreneur established the Hobart Book Village in 2005, where it has since grown to become a travel stop famous on social media. Even the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile has made a stop in this tiny village. Two major book sales are held during the Memorial Day and Thanksgiving weekends. While you can still score some great book bargains, these are also the most popular times to visit, with hundreds of book lovers descending on Hobart. Each of the eight shops is unique in its own way. See a short description of each below.
Book Shops in Hobart Book Village:
William H. Adams’ Antiquarian Books (602 Main Street) – The antiquarian bookstore sells “uncommon books at reasonable prices.” The three floors of the bookshop contain tons of books, many of which were printed prior to 1850! They have books on all different subjects, including a large collection of history, art, poetry and biographies.
Blenheim Hill Books (698 Main Street Suite A) – Blenheim Hill Books has the largest selection of children’s and young adult books. Many of these books are brand new and recently published. They specialize in poetry, women’s history and women’s studies. There are a handful of chairs throughout the shop to sit and relax in.
Creative Corner Books (607 Main Street) – If you have any interest in cookbooks and/or crafts, this is the store for you! Creative Corner Books has a large room filled with shelves of cookbooks, including vintage cookbooks, and craft books. Handmade gifts and housewares can also be purchased here.
Liberty Rock Books (698 Main Street) – This bookstore is the largest of them all, encompassing over 5,000 square feet. If you are a first time visitor, the shopkeeper at the front register will give you a quick overview of the space when you arrive. Beside the hundreds of used and rare books filling the store’s shelves, you can also peruse their consignment room.
LionEyesBooks (722 Main Street) – LionEyesBooks houses an eclectic collection of new and used art, philosophy, spirituality and psychology books. You’ll also find general fiction, children’s books and more among the shelves.
More Good Books (645 Main Street) – More Good Books has a small collection of fiction books. Many of their books are focused on railroads, automobiles, games and sports. Most of the books in this shop are overflows from Blenheim Hill Books and Williams H. Adams.
New York Books & Ephemera (615 Main Street) – Connected to Creative Corner Books, New York Books & Ephemera, as the name suggests, carries books all about New York. They sell new, used and vintage books on a variety of topics including history, geography, travel, memoirs and more. They also sell food products, gifts and other NY made products.
Quarry Books (645 Main Street) – This tiny, two room bookshop specializes in mysteries and science fiction books. The shop is not staffed and purchases are based on the honor system, with a money box and change box available.
Unfortunately, the only café in town, “The Coffee Pot”, was closed on the day of our visit. If you are looking to eat, you will have to travel to neighboring towns. Please check each store’s website for the most up-to-date hours. Most of the book shops are open on the weekends only from 11 AM to 5 PM until Memorial Day, when they start daily operating hours.
We stopped at Hobart Book Village before our stay at the Roxbury Motel in Roxbury, NY, which is a 25 minute drive away.
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Hello Friday! My favorite weekday! It was a busy week with our first snow day! Here are five from this week.
1.Angry Orchard Wassail Celebration – Saturday I was invited to Angry Orchard’s Wassail Winter Fest. I’m writing a post for Guilty Eats about the release of their Wassail Wooden Sleeper and the celebration. It was a fun experience that included cider tastings and then partaking in the Wassail celebration.
2. Lunch Date – Sunday my husband and I went on a lunch date to Royal Indian Cuisine. I love their lunch buffet! They have so many vegetarian dishes that you don’t find on a typical menu. It had been months since we last had Indian food. I was so stuffed!
3. Reading – This week I finally finished Miss Cecily’s Recipes for Exceptional Ladies by Vicky Zimmerman. It was a great book about intergenerational friendship and cooking/food. I am almost finished with Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. I am about 3/4 of the way through and need to see how this book ends!
5.Watching – My husband and I only watch one episode of Shrinking (Apple TV+) a day and some days we don’t even get to watch one. But we are all caught up and need something to keep us occupied until March 15th when the new season of Ted Lasso begins! I know I gushed about Shrinking last week, but it’s so good! The episodes are only about 30 minutes so there is not a lot of time commitment.
6. Snow Day – Even though it was the end of February, we finally got our first substantial snow fall and the first Snow Day! There was no school or work for the kids and I on Tuesday. I took a shoveling break and made a snowman.
That night I also made oven s’mores! They are so quick and easy to make…no campfire needed.
7. Tri M Music Society Induction – Wednesday night my daughter was inducted into the Tri M Music Honors Society at her high school. This is the third high school honor’s society that she is a part of now.
We have rounded up some of the March Events taking place in Westchester County (and the surrounding area). Plan some family fun or a date night out this month!
Comedy:
Levity Live (Palisade Center – West Nyack) Enjoy a comedy show at Levity Live in March. Upcoming shows include Anthony Jeselnik (March 2-4),Tracy Morgan (March 9-12), Bryan Callen (March 16-18), and Nick Thune (March 23-25). *Check the site for the full lineup
Yonkers Comedy Club (Yonkers) Enjoy a comedy show at the Yonkers Comedy Club. March shows include Tony Woods (March 2-4), Luis J. Gomez (March 9-11) Des Bihop (March 16-18), Drew Fraser (March 23-25) and Eagle Witt (March 30-April 1).
March 3 (Tarrytown) Manhattan Comedy Night at Tarrytown Music Hall. An evening of hilarious stand up featuring NYC comedy club veterans including Mike Keegan, Jon Fisch, Sandy Marks, Ryan Beck and Carrie Karravas. 8 PM, Tickets: $34-$44.
March 4 (Mamaroneck) Liberty Comedy at the Emelin Theatre. 8 PM. A hilarious night of stand-up comedy starring comedians from Letterman, Seth Meyers, The Late Late Show and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel with Andy Pitz, Ryan Reiss and Ellen Karis.Tickets: $32
March 30 (Peekskill) Jim Breuer at Paramount Hudson Valley. 8 PM. Tickets $42.50-$65.
March 31 (Tarrytown) Anthony Rodia at Tarrytown Music Hall. A first-generation Italian-American born and raised in Westchester, New York, Anthony Rodia came out of the womb making people laugh. In his 20’s he tried a few open mics, but ultimately took a different career path as a finance manager of a luxury car dealership. In 2019, Rodia returned to comedy and left his day job to become a full-time stand-up comic. He hit the ground running and performed 100 shows in just nine months, and within three years Anthony has gained a massive fan base online and around the country. 7 PM, Tickets: $40-$65
Date Night/Girls Night Out:
March 16 (Ossining) Sip ‘n’ Paint Night at Sing Sing Brewery – Hosted by A Maze in Pottery, 7 PM – 9 PM. $27+tax includes all the art supplies (drinks you will have to purchase there). At the end of the evening, your pottery will go with Aggie to A Maze in Pottery to be glazed and fired in the kiln and you will have a choice of picking it up from either AMIP or SSKB.
Eat & Drink:
Taste of Westchester Cooking Demo Classes: (restaurants throughout Westchester County) Enjoy cooking demos from local chefs and then sample their creations. There are several March classes including: La Catena Italian Restaurant (March 13), Tarry Tavern (March 23), Tramontos (March 27), Apiary (March 28), Baked By Susan (March 29)
March 1 (New Rochelle) Wine Dinner at Town House. Enjoy a special wine dinner any time between 5 PM and 9:30 PM on March 1st. A special four course menu will be served along with Morgado do Quintão Wines. $110/person plus tax and gratuities.
March 10 – 12 (New Paltz) Chefs on the Mountain at Mohonk Mountain House. “Immerse yourself in culinary mastery, coalesced on the mountaintop! Bringing together ingredients and experience from Taiwan, Manhattan, Brazil, Miami, and our own Hudson Valley River Region, this weekend’s renowned chefs, and food experts will not only welcome you, but also challenge your palate exploration. Our featured highlights include Pastry Chef Amber Spiegel of SweetAmbs, guest judge from Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay – Chef Dale Talde, The Culinary Institute of America’s Asian cuisine expert of 33 years – Chef Shirley Cheng, and Mohonk’s own culinary team for their debut cooking competition.” There is a weekend filled with lots of culinary events, many of which require an overnight reservation.
March 13 (Tarrytown) Chef Dale Talde’s Menu: Finding Philippines. A Friends of James Beard Benefit at Goosefeather. 6:30 PM. Enjoy a Philippines menu served family style. $135/ticket.
March 15 – 22 (Tarrytown, Yonkers, Bronxville, Pleasantville and Stamford, CT) The Taco Project Restaurant Week. Enjoy a 3-course prix fixe menu that includes a choice appetizer, an order of signature tacos and a choice of dessert for only $20. Available at all Taco Project restaurant locations.
March 17 (Peekskill) Kegs ‘N Eggs at Peekskill Brewery – 8 AM. Enjoy live music by The Parting Glass, a traditional Irish breakfast and beer specials.
March 20 – April 2 (Hudson Valley) Spring Hudson Valley Restaurant Week – 140+ restaurants throughout the Hudson Valley are offering prix fixe lunches and dinners for $24.95, $29.95, $39.95, or $44.95 (price is set by participating restaurant).
March 24 (Katonah) – 14th Annual Katonah Chili Cook-off at the Harvey School. 5:30 – 8:00 PM. Who will bring home the Golden Ladle?! Live music by School of Rock. Wine tasting by Quartz Rock Vineyard. Tickets: General Admission $60 + fees,
Family Fun:
March 3 – March 20 (Yonkers) Flip Circus at the Cross County Center. See acrobatics, aerial and trapeze, clowns, jugglers, motorcycle globe, magic and more. Shows are Monday – Friday, 7:30pm and Saturdays and Sundays, 1pm, 4:00pm and 7pm. Tickets: $45-$65/each
March 4 and March 18 (Katonah) Maple Munchies at Muscoot Farm. 12 PM – 1 PM Syrup isn’t just for pancakes! Come learn about all the ways to use maple syrup in the kitchen while cooking up a maple-themed culinary treat! This cooking class will be offered in Muscoot’s Activity Building for $15 per person, ages 6+. Treats may range from sweet to savory, so bring your appetite with you!
March 5 (Scarsdale) Maple Sugaring Party at the Greenburgh Nature Center. 10 AM – 3 PM. Join us as we continue the sweet tradition of maple sugaring! Featured events include sap collection and evaporation demonstrations, depictions of Native American and Colonial style sugaring sites, and maple crafts and treats. Tickets: Pre-registration Price: Members $8, Non-Members $12 Day of Price: Members $10, Non-Members $15
March 5 (Katonah) Muscoot Farm’s Sugaring Off 11 AM – 2 PM Join us to celebrate the end of our sugaring season! Enjoy some pancakes, syrup, and music and then head to the Sugar Shack to learn how maple syrup is made! Registration is required online.
March 11 (Katonah) Animal Encounters at Muscoot Farm. Join us for the opportunity to enter one of our enclosures where you will see, touch, and learn more about an animal of the farmer’s choice! Due to the nature of this program, pre-registration is required, with tickets being $25 per person, and is only available to those 8+
Join us for a 5k run or walk mostly along the beautiful shores of the Hudson River. The race will start at 10:00 am in front of Peekskill Brewery and will finish a very short distance away on the waterfront green. For those of you who participated in the Block Party 5k, this will be the same course, but in reverse! Get the rolling hills out of the way and finish on the flat, fast and beautiful Peekskill waterfront.
The Wee 1K will be a 1 kilometer fun run on the waterfront intended for kids 10 and under and starting at 10:45 am. The first 100 participants to register will receive a custom trucker hat! Peekskill Brewery will be opening early for check-in and also to provide an included post-race beer! Thanks PB! Race day bib pickup will be 9:15-9:45. Details about picking up bibs before race day will be emailed.
We will have overall and age group prizes, Irish music and of course lots of craic! What better way to pregame for the awesome Peekskill Saint Patrick’s Day Parade than with a run and a beer?! Don’t forget to wear your best green gear!
March 12 (Tarrytown) The Ugly Duckling presented by Lightwire Theatre at the Tarrytown Music Hall. 2 PM Lightwire Theater brings a classic tale to the modern stage in an unforgettable theatrical experience. Lined with electroluminescent wire, the beloved story of The Ugly Duckling plays out on stage through a cutting-edge blend of puppetry, technology and dance. With dazzling visuals, poignant choreography and the creative use of music ranging from classical to pop, this production brings this story into a new and brilliant light.. Tickets: $28/adults, $23/kids (12 and under)
March 17 (Yonkers) Luck Of the Hill at Ridge Hill. Feeling lucky? Grab your lads, lassies and little leprechauns to experience the Luck of the Irish at this St. Patrick’s Day celebration featuring live music, dancing and Irish flair.We are excited to spread the Irish cheer in the Town Square Lawn with face painters, green beer from the Bronx Beer Hall, festive live music & special Irish step dancing performances. 5 PM – 8 PM.
March 19 (Mamaroneck) Junie B. Jones Essential Survival Guide to Schoolat the Emelin Theatre– Now that Junie B. Jones has been going to school for over one-anda-half years, who better to write the book on EVERYTHING you need to know? From bus rules and Band-Aids to carpools to cookies, Junie B. and friends deliver the definitive word on surviving and thriving in style. With a jillion tips, tricks, and trip-ups, Junie B. shares her hard-won expertise and shows us all how school is sometimes scary, sometimes super-fun, and ALWAYS something to sing about!
Shows at 11 AM and 2 PM. Recommended for grades K-4. Show runs approximately 1 hour. Tickets: $24/adults, $19/kids (under 12)
March 22 (Briarcliff Manor) Story & Paint Easter/Passover Class at A Maze in Pottery. 4-5 PM. Open to kids up to 5 years of age with a caregiver. You will hear the story “Bunny with a big heart” by Zoe Waring and then paint an Easter or Passover plate. 1st painter/project $39.90+tax, 2nd painter (sibling) $35.90 +tax. Also offered on March 26 from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM.
March 30 (Briarcliff Manor) Spring Chick Flower Pot Kids Class at A Maze in Pottery. 4 PM – 5 PM. Class for ages 6+. This flowerpot will make a fantastic decoration on your Easter or Passover table! The painters will learn a uniquetechnique of layering paper cutouts, soap bubbles, and sponging! 1 Painter $34.90 + tax, 2 Painters $64.90 + tax, 3 Painters $94.90 + tax, 4 Painters $ 121.90 + tax
Live Music & Performances:
The Capitol Theatre: (Port Chester) March’s lineup includes: Elvis Costello & the Imposters (March 3), Greenwich Wine + Food presents: The Big Easy (March 4), Goose (March 8-12), Regina Spektor (March 16), The Disco Biscuits (March 23-25), Wilco (March 30 – April1). *Check the site for the full lineup.
Emelin Theatre: (Mamaroneck) This month’s lineup includes Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon 50th Anniversary (March 4), Pure Prairie League (March 9), Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen (March 10).*Check the site for the full lineup
Paramount Hudson Valley: (Peekskill) March’s lineup includes: Andy Cooney’s Irish Cabaret w/ Mick Thomas and Ciara Fox (March 9), Professor Louie’s Century of the Blues Concert ft. Dom Flemons and Ray Blue! (March 11), Al Stewart with His Band The Empty Pockets (March 24) and Irradiance at the Great Pyramids of Egypt Recreated ft. The Daisy Jopling Band (March 25) *Check the site for the full lineup
Tarrytown Music Hall: (Tarrytown) March’s lineup includes: Croce Plays Croce (March 4), Red Hot Chili Pipers (March 10), David Cross: Worst Daddy In the World Tour (March 11), Gaelic Storm & the High Kings-The Mighty Tour (March 17), The Moth – True Stories Told Live (March 18), An Evening with Bruce Hornsby (March 26). *Check the site for the full lineup
March 11 (Bedford) Hammerstein’s Broadway: An Enchanted Evening of Stories & Song at Bedford Playhouse. 8 PM in the Main Theater. Tickets: $60 Regular, $75 Premium Members: $51 Regular, $63.75 Premium Oscar “Andy” Hammerstein III shares stories and memories of his famous show business family and narrates selections from the Hammerstein songbook performed in concert. These iconic shows and songs, all well-known standards, are presented in a new light sung by a talented cast under the musical direction of Emmy-award winner Jamie Lawrence.Featuring Bruce Sabath, Robin Reitzes, Rita Neidich and Henry Thrasher.
March 11 (Mahopac) Tramps Like Us performing at the Putnam County Golf Course. 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM. Tramps Like Us gives a cutting-edge performance of all of Springsteen’s songs. No other tribute band can mirror Springsteen and his E Street Band like Tramps Like Us. Ticket includes buffet dinner and the concert. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Dinner is served until 8 PM. Concert takes place 8-10:00 PM. Intermission will have cookies/coffee & cash bar available throughout the evening. Tickets: $42.26.
March 17 (White Plains) Hailey Reinhart at White Plains Performing Arts Center – Enjoy a performance by singer, songwriter and actress Hailey Reinhart, made famous from her appearance on the 10th season of American Idol. 8 PM. Tickets $50-$70/person.
March 24 (Mahopac) Psychic Medium Patricia Griffin: Messages From the Other Side at Putnam County Golf Course. 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM. Patricia reads with great accuracy Integrity, Humor, and Love. She gives messages to audience members from your loved ones in spirit as she receives them. These messages help to bring us Peace, Closure, and Comfort and let us know that even though we leave our physical body, our spirit, our essence, and our soul live on. Ticket includes buffet dinner and the show. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Dinner is served until 8 PM. Show takes place 8-10:00 PM. Intermission will have cookies/coffee & cash bar available throughout the evening. Tickets: From $42.26. Purchasing a ticket is no guarantee of a reading. Patricia reads the spirits that come to her during the event.
March 30 (Bedford) The Yale Spizzwinks(?)at the Bedford Playhouse. Watch America’s oldest underclassmen a capella group perform. Also featuring performances by local high school groups The Treblemakers and the Greenwich Academy Madrigal Singers. 7 PM in the Main Theater. Tickets: $30/regular, $50/premium, Members: $25.50/regular, $42.50/premium.
March 31 (Mahopac) The Flying Ivories Dueling Pianos at Putnam Golf Course. 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM. The Flying Ivories belt out an all-request dueling piano show that’s part music, part comedy, and all fun. Why? The audience controls the set list! No two shows are ever the same, and every show features a rotating roster of the most sought-after performers in the country, hailing from Broadway to Vegas. Whether you like Billy Joel or Beyoncé, Johnny Cash or Katy Perry, Sinatra or Metallica, they’ve got it covered. To make it even more exciting, Putnam County Golf Course added drums to the mix! Ticket includes buffet dinner and the show. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Dinner is served until 8 PM. Show takes place 8-11:00 PM. Intermission will have cookies/coffee & cash bar available throughout the evening. Tickets: $42.26.
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Happy Friday! I hope you all had a great week! It was nice having a shorter work week, since I had Monday off. Here are five from this week.
1.First College Tour – Monday we went on our first college tour with my daughter! We visited SUNY Stony Brook in Long Island. It wasn’t at the top of her list, but she surprisingly liked it. Wednesday she toured Manhattan College, my dad’s alma mater. We have a whole list of additional schools that she wants to visit. I’m just finding it crazy that we are at this point!
2. Eating – Before we got to Stony Brook we stopped in Queens for lunch at the New World Mall. This food court has over 30 different Asian food stalls. We enjoyed vegetable soup with hand pulled noodles, a vegetable bibimbap and egg and chive dumplings.
Then we had an ice cream crepe with berries and bubble tea.
3. Reading – This week I didn’t finish reading anything! I’m over halfway through my current read Miss Cecily’s Recipes for Exceptional Ladies by Vicky Zimmerman. This afternoon I’m picking up some library books that I had on hold that came in. I’ll hopefully finish this one over the weekend since I’m very excited to read some of the other books.
5.Watching – This week my husband and I finally watched the last episode of Fleishman is in Trouble. Although it was a sad show, we enjoyed it. The new show that we are watching together is Shrinking (Apple TV+). This show is both emotional and funny. Although we’ve only watched three episodes so far, we are really liking it!
6. Field Hockey Winter League – Sunday my daughter played her last field hockey winter league game. Next year, after the fall field hockey season ends she won’t be playing in any off-season leagues.
7. Master Bedroom Renovation – We are in the process of redoing our master bedroom. My husband painted the walls, we ordered new furniture and he’s been putting in the new flooring. Part of the process has been going through our stuff and getting rid of things. We dropped off BAGS of donations to our local Goodwill this weekend.
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar is a Japanese sushi restaurant with locations throughout the country. There are currently no restaurants in New York but one is opening soon in Carle Place (Long Island). Kura restaurants are already in 14 states and the District of Columbia . Both my teens are sushi lovers and I knew they would enjoy the experience. When East Japanese Restaurant in the Palisades Center Mall closed a couple of years back, it’s been a while since we have been able to enjoy conveyor belt sushi. We made a fun day out by combining a visit to Kura for lunch in Fort Lee, NJ and then a trip to the Palisades Center Mall, which is approximately a twenty-five minute drive.
We planned our lunch at Kura on a Monday afternoon during a school break. Since the restaurant opens at 11 AM, we arrived at 11:30 AM thinking this would be an unpopular and early time before noon. But when we pulled in the parking lot and saw the line of people waiting, we realized that we should have arrived closer to (or prior to?) opening. When you arrive, make sure you enter the restaurant and check in. A computerized check in system is used and you’ll receive a text when your table is ready. We had a 30-minute wait before we were seated and luckily it wasn’t too cold out. Since there isn’t a lot of space inside the restaurant, we were able to wait outside without being uncomfortable.
Once we were seated, we were asked if we had previously been to Kura. Since we had not, a staff member gave us a quick introduction. He showed us how to open the patented Mr. Fresh™ ventilated lids that cover the sushi plates and had us each practice on his sample. He also showed us how to use the order screen and pointed out the slot to put our empty plates in.
A robot delivered our drink orders. Although we opted for water, other beverages are available including soda, sake, Sapporo beer, and more.
All of the sushi plates are a set price of $3.55 each. They have an extensive menu that includes a variety of sushi and rolls. They have over 30 traditional nigiri options including shrimp, tuna and squid. Plates with seared scallop with with Japanese mayo, Yuzu jalapeno sweet shrimp and umami oil seared beef were brand new to us.
There are over 20 different rolls on the menu, many with interesting combinations of ingredients. While descriptions are not printed on the conveyor belt markers, we were able to find a detailed description of each roll on the computer menu. I enjoyed the traditional shrimp and avocado roll but the Spicy Garlic Tempura Philadelphia Roll was one of my favorites!
They also have hand rolls made with seaweed and soy paper. My daughter is a vegetarian and she found plenty to eat including vegetable hand rolls, inari (tofu pockets filled with sushi rice) and Kappa Maki (cucumber rolls).
Since the conveyor belt travels throughout the entire restaurant, there were many slots on the belt that were empty, or perhaps emptied by other patrons before it passed by us. Fortunately, if you don’t see a roll or dish on the belt that you want, you can order it using screen at your table. When you place an order for a dish, it is sent directly to your table via the second tiered conveyor belt. Dishes like ramen, dumplings, fried rice, edamame, sashimi and more are available to round out your meal at any time.
As you finish your sushi, you place the empty plates in the slot. The computer keeps track of how many plates are deposited and, once you finish 15 plates, you receive a prize.
Kura Sushi has collaborated with brands including Pac-Man, Tetris and Demon Slayer to create the prizes. Prizes, which include lanyards, temporary tattoos, key chains and can badges are dispensed from a tower that sits above the conveyor belts.
Dessert was a treat! The cost is higher than the regular $3.55 plates yet are still reasonably priced. We ordered the Taiyaki Ice Cream, a warm and crispy Japanese fish-shaped pastry with red bean paste filling and a side of creamy vanilla ice cream and red bean paste. We also tried the Japanese-Style Soy Milk Donuts (soft and warm soy milk donuts with creamy vanilla ice cream drizzled in brown sugar syrup) and both Matcha Green Tea ice cream and Strawberry Mochi ice cream. Between the four of us, we devoured them, with the Taiyaki being a family favorite.
Unfortunately, Kura Revolving Sushi is not located terribly close to us, so we will not be able to frequent the restaurant as much as we’d like. However, we plan on making many future visits when we can! If you are looking for a fun and delicious dining experience, I highly recommend Kura Revolving Sushi Bar!
The Details: Kura Revolving Sushi Bar 2151 Lemoine Ave. Fort Lee, NJ 07024 (973) 939-6756 website
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Hello Friday! I am ready for the long weekend! I only have Monday off but my kids have all of next week off. The weekend is filled with taking them to their various activities, but I’m hoping to fit in some fun. Here are five from this past week.
1.Date Night – Saturday night my husband and I went out for dinner at Little Sorrento in Cortlandt Manor. I think everyone else wanted Italian too because we had to wait about 30 minutes for a table. This Calamari Balsamico appetizer was so good!
2. Eating – I picked up a falafel mix from Trader Joe’s this week and used it to make a copycat version of Chopt’s Kebab Cobb salad. Missing from the picture are the crushed pita chips. There aren’t any Chopt restaurants close by so I don’t get to eat it very often. This is my go to salad there, so I’m glad to have been able to make a close recreation. Plus, when trying looking to try to recreate the salad, I couldn’t find it on the menu, so I’m not sure they even make it any more!
Valentine’s Day my husband broiled lobster tails and we served them with jumbo shrimp (cocktail), mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus and Red Lobster Cheddar Bay biscuits. I can’t remember the last time we ate at a Red Lobster, but we thought the biscuits would make a tasty addition to our menu.
3. Reading – This week I finished reading The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros. I thought it started slowly but I ended up really enjoying this historical fiction/romance.
5.Watching – I finished watching season 3 of Emily in Paris. I’ve also bee watching The Bachelor and my husband and I have one more episode of Fleishman Is in Trouble.
PHOTO: LACEY TERRELL/PRIME VIDEO
6. Looking forward to: Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s book Daisy Jones and the Six will want to watch the show coming to Amazon Prime on March 3. While I didn’t love the book, I am curious enough to check out the show.
While the freezing temps of winter may still be lingering, it’s not too early to start planning some summer fun. Summer camp and trips to the beach are great, yet it doesn’t feel like summer without a trip to an amusement park. So if you haven’t been to the Hersheypark recently, now is the perfect time to plan a visit! Hersheypark’s ‘Best Price of the Year’ tickets are currently available to purchase for a limited time.
Jolly Rancher Remix. Photo c/o Hersheypark.
Hersheypark is located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, the Sweetest Place On Earth®. The park is a popular travel destination, spanning across 121 acres and welcoming over 3 million visitors each year! With the ‘Best Price of the Year’ offering, 1-Day tickets are currently on sale for only $49.99 each. This is more than 40% off the regular price of $84.95. You can save even more with a 2-Day ticket for only $42 per day. When you consider the size and features of the main amusement park, the Boardwalk water park, Hershey’s Chocolate World and ZooAmerica, it’s very easy to spend two full days at the property. When you purchase your specially-priced ticket(s), it is valid for use any day between April 1, 2023 through January 1, 2024. However, you have to order your tickets soon since this offer will be ending on March 31st!
If you plan on spending more than one day at the park, consider staying at The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge or Hersheypark Camping Resort. There are accommodations for a variety of budgets. However, there are also numerous hotels located in close proximity to the park.
Get your 2023 Hersheypark Best Price of the Year tickets now!
Reese’s Cupfusion. Photo c/o Hersheypark.
This year, the park is opening earlier with the debut of Spring weekends. Hersheypark, as well as Hershey’s Chocolatetown® and ZooAmerica, will be open only on weekends between April 1 and May 21.
Summer is the most popular time to visit the park. If you are looking for less crowded times to visit, the park has three other seasonal events. Halloween and Dark Nights will be taking place on weekends in September and October. Then, in early November, Christmas Candylane will return until the end of the year. Regardless of when you feel like visiting Hersheypark this year, now is the time to purchase your tickets to get them with a major discount!
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Happy Friday! It’s been another long week and I’m looking forward to the weekend! Here are five from this week.
1.No Heat -Friday and Saturday the temps dropped drastically with the real temperature below zero degrees. Saturday we woke up to no heat in the house! Fortunately, we have a pellet stove that heated the main floor of the house. We were able to contact our oil company and they sent a repairman out. By early evening we got our heat back after he replaced the control unit of our furnace. But for most of the day it was pretty cold in the house. Fortunately, I was out running errands.
2. Kohls – I’m not sure if the clearance sale is still going on, but I went to Kohl’s on Saturday (when we didn’t have any heat). They had a major clearance sale with an additional 50% off the already marked down clearance price! I got two pairs of shoes and several sweaters for myself for such a steal!
3. Reading – This week I finished reading Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica. This was an okay suspense read. Kubica’s books are either hit or miss with me. This was fairly slow for most of the book….until it wasn’t.
5. Lunch Date– On the weekends, my husband and I sit and go over everyone’s schedules for the week – who has to be where when, who is going to be doing drop off/pick up for various activities, etc. To make this task more enjoyable we try to do this while we are at brunch or lunch. So, Sunday my husband and I went out for lunch at a new Vietnamese restaurant that opened in Mahopac called Pho Route 6. We shared the Vegetable Pho and the Shrimp Vermicelli. The pho was huge and delicious! It’s so nice to have a Vietnamese restaurant that is close to where we live!
6. Watching – I’ve caught up on the past two episodes of The Bachelor. I’ve also been watching Eater’s Guide to the World (Hulu) for my food and travel fix this week.
7. National English Honor Society – Tuesday night my daughter was inducted into the English National Honor Society. This is her second academic honor society (she was inducted into the science honor society last year). We are so proud of her and all of her hard work!
8. Trader Joe’s Caramel Taste Test – I bought this caramel taste test box from Trader Joe’s before the holidays and then I forgot about it! I just found it and we enjoyed doing this taste test as a family Sunday night. Some of the caramel flavors were harder to distinguish than others. I’ve always said that I have a good sense of taste and I ended up winning by naming 8/12 correctly!
