Jenkinson’s Boardwalk in New Jersey #JenksMemory

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Jenkinson’s Boardwalk Fun!

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Ever since I was a child, I can remember riding up and down the New Jersey Parkway every single summer heading to different shore towns to spend countless days on the beach and boardwalk. The same could be said for my own kids. Funny thing is I thought we had been to almost every beach town along the route. Not sure how we missed out on Jenkinson’s Boardwalk all of these years. It’s a definite great place for families and friends to create memories and to return to year after year.

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jenkssharkFirst of all, Jenkinson’s Boardwalk at Point Pleasant Beach is close! It’s less than two hours from NYC and an easy drive. Our family left early in the morning and arrived at our destination around 10 am. In my eyes that was perfect timing. I noticed that soon after things started to really crowd up.  We found a parking lot easily and headed straight to the beach. Right away our family loved how everything was right there-all together. The boardwalk did not last forever, it was a perfect size and not overwhelming. As for the beach. It was gorgeous. The lifeguards were totally attentive to all of the swimmers and boogie boarders. That really kept mom and dad at ease. The waves were crazy the day we visited! The kids had such a blast. My big guys spent the day in the waves- while Mommy and Emily built a sand castle city! I was also thrilled that sand toys, beach chairs and umbrellas were all available and they did not break the bank.  It was a perfect day at the beach! There was also a changing house available complete with private showers. Bonus: It was super clean!

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jenksaquariumOur second stop was the boardwalk. We cleaned up and headed out to check it all out. Our family decided to check out Jenkinson’s Aquarium. All I can say is Wow! What a hidden gem. The aquarium was just amazing. There were so many varieties of fish and sealife. There was even a tank filled with sharks! Emily was thrilled by the touch tank and the seal feeding. As for me, I could not believe I was able to get in a little bit of learning in the middle of our beach trip.

Next up we went out in search of some lunch. The choices were all there from burgers to seafood to typical boardwalk food.  Once place looked better than the next. I can’t even remember where we ate, but it was absolutely delicious. We feasted on sausage, peppers and onions, philly cheesesteak, pizza and more. We also grabbed some late night snacks before we headed home. My favorite “foodie” choice of the day was the hot waffles and ice cream sandwich. Wooza! It’s a must- but get it as a share food. It’s pretty big! As day turned into night we played boardwalk games of chance and made a million memories walking the boardwalk and riding the rides! There were rides for everyone in the family! Our favorites we rode over and over again. It was a summer day that our family will remember for a very long time! We cannot wait to visit again. For more information about Jenkinson’s Boardwalk click here: http://jenkinsons.com/

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Disclosure: Diane Sullivan is a Jenkinson’s Boardwalk Ambassador. All opinions are that of mine and completely honest. As part of the ambassador blogger program our family was provided with family VIP wristbands and compensation. Contact me at Diane@3decades3kids.net and @3decades3kids.

There’s Something New At Great Wolf Lodge Poconos

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There’s Something New At Great Wolf Lodge Poconos

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This summer, Great Wolf Lodge. Poconos Mountains, PA has made some big changes– and our family was lucky enough to get a special look at some of the lodge’s greatest new features! The biggest new addition to Great Wolf Lodge awaits visitors in the waterpark: a brand new waterslide/video game hybrid called Slideboarding! In this new water sliding experience guests get the opportunity to play their favorite songs– from a variety of genres including pop, rock, rap, electronic, country, and more– as they cascade down one of two unique Slideboarding courses. Count me in on this one! We could not wait to test it out. Of course everyone in the family thought they could just rock it out, but we found it to be a little bit more of a challenge, which only peaked out interest. 

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Slideboarding at GWL!
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Here’s how it works: guests begin their experience by creating their own personal Slideboarding profile. This can be used to track their scores and log in at other Slideboarding locations (the feature is coming soon to the Williamsburg, VA Great Wolf Lodge and more) as well as on the official Slideboarding app. Next guests will pick a genre of music to determine which songs they will play along with on the slide– each genre has a pool of current and classic songs that will play randomly, so each slide is a new surprise! Once they’re aboard the slide, guests press buttons on the kayak-like Slideboard as they pass under colored lights. Time it just right, and you can get a perfect score, unlocking the next level of play! Leaderboards are displayed on screens at the slide’s base, and are also available online– try to beat your friends and family’s scores or those of other players, and race to become the best!
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Let’s go Glamping at GWL!
But Slideboarding isn’t the only new feature at Great Wolf Lodge– the lodge is also offering three new programs to guests staying the night. The first is a must-have for anyone traveling with little ones: a complimentary service (available on request) providing a Diaper Genie and a pack of swim diapers right in your room! We are past the diaper stage in our family, but I do remember the days of straining my brain wondering what to do with all the diapers! Congrats on the this one GWL! It’s going to be a real keeper of parents with littles in the room.
The next is geared more toward fashion-friendly guests– the Glamping Pack! This program includes a Great Wolf Lodge canvas backpack for you to keep, a pack of Scooops nail polish, and a special delivery of milk and cookies to your room by Wiley or Violet the wolf! So Glamp on! Our family loved testing this package out. We were already in the Kids’ Cabin room, so the Glamping package was a natural. We loved it. I would completely recommend it to friends and family.
Finally, a package that will fill the whole family with wintry wonder– Great Wolf Lodge’s new Snowland themed rooms! This new package gives the standard Great Wolf Lodge room a snowy makeover to fit with the Snowland theme of the rest of the lodge, complete with festive lights, a decorated tree in your room, a visit with milk and cookies from Wiley or Violet, and a special Snowland blanket for you to keep! https://www.greatwolf.com/poconos
The fun just keeps coming at Great Wolf Lodge! The next time you visit Great Wolf Lodge don’t forget to add on your favorite package and definitely test out the new Slideboarding! You will not be disappointed.

Disclosure: Diane Sullivan was entended a media invitation that included lodging, some dining, and surprise items. All opinions are that of Diane Sullivan and honest. Contact me at 3decades3kids@Gmail.com or Diane@3decades3kids.net. Very Special thanks to the GWL team and Bill Colavito.

Chevys Fresh Mex Has A Lobster Fiesta Going On Now! @ChevysFreshMex #LobsterFiesta

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Chevys Fresh Mex Has A Lobster Fiesta Going On Now!

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One of our family’s favorite restaurants around is Chevys Fresh Mex. Everyone in our family of five loves Mexican inspired food. Hubby and I have spent many days in Mexico and dining at Chevys Fresh Mex is the closest thing we have found to going back!  Now that summer is in full swing, Chevys Fresh Mex has introduced a limited time, seasonal menu perfect for lobster lovers – and the summertime season. Chevys Fresh Mex’s Lobster Fiesta menu features three new dishes starring sweet, succulent lobster with a Fresh Mex twist. I took pictures of ALL of them, so you could get a close up look of the deliciousness! Don’t ask me which one my fav was, please! We all ending up just digging into all three of the lobster dishes. Yum to all! The three dishes are available at Chevys Fresh Mex location in Clifton and Linden.

The Lobster Fiesta Menu includes:

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Lobster Salad – This Spring mix is topped with a generous portion of lobster meat, accompanied by house-roasted corn salsa, fresh avocado slices and tortilla strips, served with choice of dressing (Chevys recommends cilantro-lime). We took the recommended dressing and the entire dish was absolutely delish! 

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Lobster Roll –Where ever lobster rolls are available, I am so there. I order this all time at many different places. Chevys Fresh Mex totally lived up!  Two split-top rolls, toasted and stuffed with Chevys’ mexi-style lobster salad – delectable pieces of lobster mixed with homemade chipotle aioli and fresh-roasted corn salsa. Served with cilantro-lime aioli and fries.

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Lobster Tacos –Okay, so if I did have to choose my favorite of the three, this would be it. It’s a personal choice. I think this dish did the best of giving a Mexican flair to a lobster dish. The combo of everything served together totally impressed me. Yummmo! Just looking at the pic makes me want to jump into the car and head back to Chevys!  It’s served with house-pressed flour tortillas stuffed with shredded lettuce and cabbage, topped with Chevys’ mexi-style lobster salad. Served with rice, choice of beans and cilantro-lime aioli on the side.

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In addition to the new lobster dishes you can find all of your favorites on the menu for your non-loving lobster friends and family. Ironically, my son insisted he would not like any of the lobster dishes….until they arrived! We have a new lobster fan in the family thanks to Chevys. As for dessert, Chevys Fresh Mex cannot be beat, so definitely leave some room. You will not want to skip the Fried Ice Cream or the other delicious choices. There was NOT much sharing when it came to dessert. Everyone had their own and pretty much kept to it. 

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We were also wowed with the redesign of Chevys Fresh Mex in Clifton, NJ. We were given some inside info that the lamps and many of the decor pieces were brought in directly from Mexico.  Our family especially loved the upside down bottle lamp. What an amazing piece of lamp art! Thank you Chevys for bringing Mexico and bringing lobster to New Jersey! We will definitely be back! Yum! Thumbs Up from this family! Check out everything Chevys Fresh Mex right here: http://chevys.com 

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Disclosure: Diane Sullivan was invited by Chevys Fresh Mex to review the new limited time Lobster Fiesta. All opinions are that of my own and completely honest. No compensation was given for this post. Contact me at Diane@3decades3kids.net or 3decades3kids@gmail.com and everywhere else as @3decades3kids. Special thanks to Chevys for the delicious dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy Halloween in Hershey, PA @HersheyPA #HersheyParkHappy

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Enjoy Halloween in Hershey, PA
The Sweetest Place On Earth Delivers Family-Friendly Fun

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August is here and we all know what comes next-September, and then my favorite month of the year, October! Yes, I absolutely am in love with October! There is something about the chill in the air, the changing leaves and of course Halloween! I may be so into summer right now, but come the first breeze of Fall, I will be breaking out the cuddly sweaters and cozy boots!  Fall does bring some wonderful changes as Hershey transforms into a festive Halloween destination. Featuring safe, family-focused events and activities ranging from roller coaster rides and a trick-or-treat adventure at Hersheypark in the Dark to a flashlight walking experience at ZooAmerica during Creatures of the Night, Halloween In Hersheyprovides guests with three weekends of family thrills.

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Although we are wearing our flip-flops, now is a great time to book your Halloween stay at a Hershey Resort!

The fun takes place Fridays through Sundays from October 16 through November 1, and includes:

Hersheypark in the Dark

Hersheypark in the Dark features more than 50 rides and attractions including the Park’s 13 roller coaster and Halloween-themed entertainment. Guests visiting the Park will experience:

  • Halloween-themed rides and experiences.
  • New this year! Thrill seekers will enjoy our newest roller coaster, Laff Trakk, the nation’s only indoor, spinning glow-coaster, in complete darkness the last hour of each operating evening.  
  • Additionally, the Park will also turn the lights off on our three wooden roller coasters during that same hour creating more opportunity for seasonal fun!  
  • Hershey’s Trick-or-Treat Adventure featuring a candy trail that starts at Hershey’s Chocolate World and continues throughTreatville, a seasonal town inside Hersheypark, for children 12 and younger (costumes are encouraged).
  • Fall-themed food and beverage offerings, and live entertainment including favorites “Bunsen & The Burners,” a band of crazy singing scientists and their monster friends.

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Tickets for Hersheypark in the Dark are $35.85 for adults (ages 9-54) and $24.85 for juniors (ages 3-8) and seniors (ages 55+). For hours of operation and additional information, please visit www.hershey ; park.com/seasons/halloween.php.

Creatures of the Night at ZooAmerica

Included in the one-price admission to Hersheypark in the Dark, guests are invited to bring a flashlight to experience Creatures of the Night at ZooAmerica. This is the only time of the year when guests can experience the Zoo after dark. They will enjoy:

  • Seeing the nocturnal habits of North American species.
  • Pumpkin treats being fed for select animals.

Separate admission is also available at the Zoo’s off-street entrance.

The Official Resorts of Hersheypark

Guests that stay at one of the three Official Resorts of Hersheypark get to enjoy discounted admission to Hersheypark in the Dark and complimentary shuttle service.

The Hotel Hershey and Hershey Lodge offer a Halloween In Hershey Package that gives guests the following perks:

  • Deluxe accommodations.
  • Breakfast with the Hershey’s Characters.
  • One-day admission to Hersheypark in the Dark.
  • Admission to Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story’s Museum Experience.

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The package is available Fridays and Saturdays from October 16 through October 31 with prices starting from $489* at Hershey Lodgeand $559* at The Hotel Hershey, for a family of four.

*Price is per room per night, based on a family of four. Excludes tax and gratuities. Other restrictions may apply.

The Spa At The Hotel Hershey     

From September 1 through November 30, The Spa At The Hotel Hershey offers guests fall-themed treatments to relax their mind and body.

  • Pumpkin Latte Manicure & Pedicure: $140* Monday – Thursday, $150* Friday – Sunday
  • Pumpkin Spice Scrub: $70* Monday – Thursday, $75* Friday – Sunday (available October
  • Pumpkin Soufflé Wrap: $125* Monday – Thursday, $135* Friday – Sunday (available October 1)
  • Pumpkin Immersion: $195* Monday – Thursday, $205* Friday – Sunday (available October 1)

*A 20 percent service charge will be added to the bill for all treatments. This treatment may not be combined with any other offer, discount or promotion.

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Hershey’s Chocolate World

With fun for the whole family each weekend during Halloween in Hershey, Hershey’s Chocolate World guests enjoy:

  • Hershey’s Trick-Or-Treat Adventure: Enter Hershey Hallow to begin your trick-or-treat adventure.
  • Tricky Treats & Sweets: Shop Halloween treats in Hershey’s largest candy store and pick up delightful sweets from the bakery.
  • NEW! Flavors of Fall Dessert Festival: Discover unique treats and rediscover classic favorites.

The Hershey Story Museum

Visitors can learn about the history of chocolate at The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue, and families can experience:

  • Black Cat Alley: Follow the black cat to Halloween fun and get a head start on trick-or-treating with some delicious Hershey’s treats! Kids can use vintage Hershey advertising art to create their own mini Halloween character to use as a pin or decoration. Make a Halloween spider web, too. Costumes are encouraged for children ages 12 and under. $5 per person. This activity is held Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. from October 17 through November 1.

Hershey Gardens

Hershey Gardens lights up the night with more than 150 uniquely carved illuminated pumpkins and a variety of whimsical scarecrows, some of which come alive, during its annual Pumpkin Glow. Kids ages 12 and younger are invited to bring a flashlight, come in costume, trick-or-treat throughout the Gardens and experience the following activities:

  • Listen to a garden-themed story.
  • Collect candy treats at stops along the Gardens’ paths.
  • Watch live pumpkin carving demonstrations.

Pumpkin Glow is from 6 to 9 p.m. on October 23, 24, 30 and 31.

            For additional information, hours and pricing for Halloween In Hershey, please visit www.HersheyPA.com. Follow us on Twitter @HersheyPA. 

Disclosure: Diane Sullivan is a travel blogger who loves to visit Pa. All opinions are that of Diane Sullivan. No compensation was given for this post. Please contact me at Diane@3decades3kids.net or 3decades3kids@gmail.com and everywhere else as @3decades3kids.

Nintendo’s Splatoon Is Taking Over Our House This Summer! #Nintendo

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Nintendo’s Splatoon Is Taking Over Our House This Summer!

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This summer something has taken over our house! No one is complaining that’s for sure. In fact this gaming family has welcomed the takeover with open arms! Splatoon, Nintendo’s new energetic third-person shooter game is a perfect game for families and kids of all ages! Splatoon offers a unique experience that differs from other games in its genre. Players can seamlessly transform from their human form into squids, and can swim around in the paint that they have coated the ground with from their guns.

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Splatoon’s multiplayer mode focuses on two teams competing the cover the most ground with their team’s paint color. This makes for a hectic, exciting, and fun multiplayer experience. Splatoon’s graphics show off the technical power of the Wii U, and all of the different vibrant colors in the game set it apart from most other games on the market.
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My children have become big fans of Nintendo’s Splatoon. It is a game that appeals to all ages, due to the fact that it is very bright and colorful along with having RPG-like character customization and multiplayer with high replay value. Splatoon is an incredible game, and has become a classic in my home. By the way: SPLATFEST!! We have and will be so there! If only we could choose the winning team! Thanks for all the fun, Nintendo. You know how to keep this family happy! 
 
Disclosure: Diane Sullivan was provided with Nintendo WiiU gaming system along with Splatoon and Amiibo figures in order to be a Nintendo Gamer and complete this review. All opinions are those of my own and completely honest. No compensation was given for this post. Contact me at 3decades3kids@gmail.com or Diane@3decades3kids.net