I love to travel with my kids. But while relaxing moments can happen on a trip with young children, the overall experience is often far more taxing. Here are some of my top family travel tips on surviving and thriving during your next adventure with the littles:

Be early

Everything takes longer with kids in tow. Some little hiccup always seems to occur, be it extra fuss about a toy, an emergency visit to the restroom or something else. I’m a bit of a punctuality nut, but just two weeks ago our family nearly missed our flight to Disney World. We ended up being the last people seated on the plane — first for me. So remember, with kids, always leave and arrive earlier than you think you need to.

Bring distractions

Of my family travel tips, this one is essential on longer journeys. Pack the tablets and headphones, obviously. Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with giving kids iPads or the like on a multi-hour plane ride no matter what some say. Looking out the window gets a bit dull even for me, and I love to fly. Also, if your trip includes long waits in lines, like during our family’s recent trip to Disney World, tablets can be a plus. But don’t rely on just those. Mid-trip for us, one tablet broke (full-screen smash). Our 5-year-old daughter needed something else, and even our 8-year-old son wanted something other than his tablet. Break out the coloring books (Crayola Color Wonder are particularly helpful), the fidget spinners and other similar toys you can keep in your pocket. And don’t forget those easily portable snacks. You will need them all!

Pack light, but pack smart

You don’t need to bring everything to enjoy a trip with kids. Yet, some of the most important items are often overlooked. A reporter at Consumer Reports recently asked me for the most indispensable item for a diaper bag that no one remembers — my response, without hesitation, was toenail clippers. They’re compact, easily pass through airport security, and come in handy for the many times we suddenly need to cut something be it a travel packet of Tylenol or the packaging for a toy the kids are begging to play with right now. Yeah, pack smart.

Patience, patience, patience

It’s so easy to get swept up in the sights, sounds and new experiences on a family trip that you might not realize your kids are struggling a bit. When we traveled to Ireland last summer, we drove a lot from place to place, and moved almost as much from hotel to hotel. We didn’t build in enough downtime, and — boy — did the kids let us know. When you’re on the road, there are different stimuli, different foods, different beds and more. Everyone’s going to have their rough moments. Being patient is critical.

Don’t forget yourself

This might seem opposed to the last one, but it’s not. Parents traveling with kids need to remember that these trips are for moms and dads too. Some trips have built-in breaks, maybe a childcare center on a cruise ship or a family member traveling with you who can give you a break. Even if you don’t, find time for yourself. If there’s something you want to do, don’t sacrifice it because the kids are being grumpy. This can be a juggling act, but remember you’re the one paying for this trip, so the kids shouldn’t have all the fun.

Laugh at the crises

This final one of my family travel tips is the hardest to follow, but it honestly helps a lot. Some bad stuff, more than likely, is going to happen. On our Disney trip, we brought along our au pair. This was only her second-time ever on a plane. We all had only carry-ons with us, and put them in the overhead bins. When we arrived at the Orlando airport, someone got off the plane with her bag. Crisis! We reported the bag and talked to the airline, but in the end, we finally just left. What could we do? My wife and I felt awful, but also assured our au pair she’d have lots of extra shopping time to replenish the clothes she’d lost. Then, lo and behold, the airline called and the bag was returned! It’s not always that simple, but if a crisis happens, try to step back a bit and shrug. It sucks, but you’re still on vacation. And vacations are adventures, after all.

What family travel tips do you have?

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This blog post is part of the #NoDadAlone campaign. Fathering Together/City Dads Group, the National At-Home Dad Network, and Fathers Eve are joining forces to amplify messages that help dads recognize we are not alone! Follow #NoDadAlone on Instagram, and learn more at NoDadAlone.com.

Family travel tips photo by Hanson Lu on Unsplash.

My son’s impending entry into kindergarten this fall is causing problems in my life. Not the least of which will be his eventual ability to read the channel guide as I try to quickly scroll past the names of his garbage programs.

I need to make all sorts of schedules now. Schedules mean planning, and I don’t like planning. I’m supposed to know what I’m doing six months in advance? I don’t even know what I did two days ago, and that was two days! Ago! (I went on a bar crawl, so what did you expect? I’m surprised I’m awake right now.)

But I’m a parent. Of a soon-to-be kindergartener. Planning has become an unavoidable part of my life. I mean, it’s even part of “planning” an escape.

It’s like I’m being mocked.

Unfortunately, planning and scheduling and budgeting are a major part of being a parent. It’s totally lame. But planning is what separates man from the animals. It’s what makes you an adult. It’s when you are forced to constantly look ahead and consider the future. And not just the future of your own life, but the future of other people’s lives. Endless potential trajectories require countless contingencies. Once you start factoring other people into your life, it becomes a logistical nightmare – times infinity when you have kids!

I have enough stress without having to try to predict it.

His schedule is my schedule — ripoff!

Over-planned parenthood is your everyday reality when you become a parent. In the early years, it was not such a big deal. When your kids aren’t yet in school, they don’t have tons of extracurricular activities unless you count doctor’s visits and the occasional play date. They are still pretty easy, relatively speaking. That changes fast.

So right now, let’s focus on the most important thing: vacation!

We won’t find out what school he’ll be attending for another few weeks, but already we’re faced with planning our summer and our fall. We want to go somewhere, but since the kid will be in the real deal school system in September, we are beholden to that system’s calendar. This means planning is a lot more difficult. It’s no longer about getting time off of work; it’s also about making sure the kid doesn’t miss learning about consonants and vowels or whatever the hell goes on in kindergarten these days.

(He’s been in preschool since the past September but that hardly counts; we’ve never worried about pulling him out of preschool if need be. But kindergarten is the real deal. Kindergarten is important. Kindergarten has a German name! You don’t fuck with kindergarten.)

It’s also about making sure we don’t get screwed.

Kindergarten has an actual schedule to adhere to so we have to take our vacations at the same time as everyone else. If we don’t book something now (read: two months ago), we’ll be paying through the nose for the world’s last remaining hotel room. Which means we have to plan ahead. By the time we’re done, I’m going to need a vacation just from planning my vacation.

I certainly never planned for this! I just wanted the tax break.

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A version of this first appeared on Dad and Buried.

This blog post is part of the #NoDadAlone campaign. Fathering Together/City Dads Group, the National At-Home Dad Network, and Fathers Eve are joining forces to amplify messages that help dads recognize we are not alone! Follow #NoDadAlone on Instagram, and learn more at NoDadAlone.com.

Friendship: What is it? Where do we find it? How do we keep it?

According to Facebook, a friend is someone we may have met for a minute, added to a list, and then left to the algorithm.

According to Marc Antony in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, friends (like Romans and countrymen, respectively) tend to lend their ears and are often prone to peer pressure.

According to my youngest son, friendship is a compass that points to where your heart is, regardless of time or distance.

Sorry, Bill, but I’m with the kid on this one.

“I’m not tired,” said that same kid, lying through his eyelids, then his mouth fell open and never closed again. We were five hours into a 10-hour flight, somewhere over something dark. It was late. We were all tired. He was asleep.

We were on our way to Sweden. Again. The best friendships, you see, like any compass, are a magnetic thing, and they pull us through the iron of our heartstrings. Frankly, it is a wonderful way to travel.

I get that long-distance friendships aren’t for everyone. There are far more obstacles to family travel than not, with money being perhaps the biggest. It wasn’t easy for us, either. In fact, it nearly didn’t happen. Despite buying our airfare so far in advance that it was cheaper than most domestic travel, and having accommodations provided via the generosity of our friends and their timeshare, it was still a big undertaking that involved a lot of saving and even more corners cut. The benefits, of course, outweigh everything.

The best friendships are a good investment

The slopes of Storlien look soft from a distance, white and fluffy like marshmallow rivers running down the sloppy side of a bright, cold sundae; and the nuts in the thick of it are those you love the most. Mountains are made for metaphors, but they are not nearly as soft as the brochure may suggest. Still, it is worth it all the same, even more so for the sharing.

This is where we spent a week, a quick walk in the snow, uphill both ways, between cabin and ski lifts. We were an overnight train ride from Gothenburg, sans internet and dressed in more layers than an onion. The temperature stayed well below freezing. The wind blew it colder. The kitchen, however, was cozy with wine and conversation.

The best friendships, when done correctly, become the family that you choose.

Ours started seven years ago, when two little boys, both new in town, met in a California classroom. Neither spoke the language of the other, nor did they seem to care, but they knew what laughter sounded like and they understood kindness perfectly. Their friendship rippled to include their older siblings and their parents, from play dates to family game nights to theme parks on the weekends.

And then they moved back to Sweden, which could have been the end of it. We all know life has done meaner things.

But it wasn’t.

Absence, it turns out, really does make the heart grow fonder, but the digital age provided a tether that wouldn’t break. The boys’ long-distance friendship grew all the stronger, and they took the rest of us right along with them. It is an easy comfort.

Hence, our trip to Sweden, and plans are already in motion for the next trip we will all take together. We’re thinking somewhere warmer.

Friendship is anything you want it to be, and everything you make it.

Winter sports are optional.

This article about long-distance friendships was originally published in 2018. Best friendships main photo by Sunny Jat via Pexels.

A few weeks before our family left for a weeklong Disney World adventure, I posted a meme. It read, “Vacationing with kids is just parenting in another city.” Now, a couple of months removed from our Florida trip, I began thinking back on a few things I learned along the way. My hope is these theme park hacks might save you some money and frustration during your next family trip.

Maybe skip the rental car

Most of us are programmed to rent a car when we travel simply for convenience. We experienced multiple issues on our trip with two different rental car companies. One was literally the subject of a Seinfeld episode (holding the reservation is the most important part of a reservation!). Then there was the dead car battery four days into our vacation. And, finally, the dead key fob that resulted in us being stranded in a Disney World parking lot for three hours. 

My main takeaway from these incidents: maybe we didn’t need a rental car at all. 

We spent most days swimming at our resort or visiting with family staying at their nearby hotels. On the other days, we went from our resort to the theme parks and back. The rental was basically parked most of the day in an overpriced Disney lot for $25 to $50 a day. That’s on top of the rental car fee that included 10 different taxes and fees not to mention fluctuating gas prices and tolls. In contrast, an Uber from our hotel to the parks was $15 to 20 one way.

So for around $40 a day, we could have been hassle-free. And we would still have our neck pillows which were trapped in our dead car and then lost by the rental company.

Get the “fast pass”

If you are doing Disney or any theme park thing, just go all in. Buying the “fast pass” (or the park’s equivalent) is well worth the extra cost per ticket (the Walt Disney World Genie+ fast pass costs $15 per person). It allows you to skip waits for several rides throughout the day. We used ours to focus on the rides that usually have the longest lines. Then you can save your actual waiting for other less popular rides with shorter or more reasonable lines. 

Buy souvenirs before you get there

I have three kids, and I knew they would want souvenirs at Disney. So, we hit up a nearby Target and let them go nuts (not too nuts but enough to be happy). They got a branded water bottle from the $1 section at the very front of the store and then I let each of them pick three T-shirts (one for each park we were visiting). Buying nine T-shirts with their favorite characters on them for under $12.99 each saved us a bundle when shirts at the parks were $20 and up.

Pro theme park hacks: We also promised we would buy them their own “laser swords” on Amazon so they would be less inclined to want to build their own light saber in the Star Wars park at $150 per person. Not to mention, the more bought when you travel, the more to figure out how to bring back home.

Eat affordably

Breakfast, lunch and dinner add up quickly. One way to save is to stay at a hotel that includes a free hot breakfast. (“Hot” usually means a waffle maker and a tray of scrambled eggs versus cold cereal and fruit). For lunch, many parks let you bring food in, so we hit a supermarket for cold cuts and snacks.

If you want to splurge, save it for dinner. While we would have saved more by eating outside of Disney, having a reservation for one of the themed on-site restaurants proved a fun experience. It also offered a nice time to recharge since those restaurants tended to be less busy and crowded than the walk-up restaurants. 

If your hotel room has a kitchen, making a simple meal for one or two nights can really save you. Think pasta or hot dogs.

Pro theme park hacks: Bring a refillable water bottle! Many parks today have water fountains or refill stations. For example, concession stands at Disney World let you refill with ice and water for free. 

Remember to have fun

You’ll have spent a lot of money just getting to your destination. You’ll spend even more when you get there. But don’t get so caught up in what you have spent that you forget why you are there: to make good memories with your family.

Make sure not only that kids are having fun but also that they are not so tired by day’s end that they won’t want to ever go to another theme park. At Disney World, for example, the parks are huge, and for much of the year, Florida is hot. And, don’t forget, kids love to complain. Be ready for that and be adaptable because kids will be kids.

Pro theme park hacks: Take the opportunity to teach your kids a bit about the value of a dollar. When they ask for some overpriced trinket, see how much they still want it when you tell them to use their allowance. That’s how you raise a smart consumer.

Theme park hacks photo: © Rawpixel.com / Adobe Stock.

Relax.

Why is it so hard for me?

Admittedly, I’m a workaholic, but it’s impossible to be at one’s peak without some relaxation.

Relax.

I hear the term, and wonder if I’m supposed to fly back to Los Angeles International Airport. No, that would be re-LAX, not RELAX.

Relax.

I work three jobs. I’m a full-time at-home dad. That takes most of my energy. I’ve been doing the gig for nearly six years. Never had a night away from the kids. It’s a 24/7 job, and it really is the best. I’m also an author. I’ve written 20 books in those six years, seven of which are now on submission through my agent. But that’s not enough. I also write freelance articles and do content writing work.

My idea of relaxing is doing more work.

Then there’s my wife. She works three jobs, too. Full-time fundraiser, online business store owner/manager, and — of course — world’s best mom.

Damn, just writing all this makes me realize maybe we both need to relax.

A trip is not necessarily a vacation

We have a regular babysitter. That helps. Although, I admit, we spend a fair bit of that babysitter time working our other jobs. Sigh.

Last spring, we knew it was time for a break. We packed the kids in the car and drove from Delaware through Virginia. Then down to Virginia Beach, over to Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, and then across to Chincoteague Island. Perfect family trip. It was an absolute delight. Zoos, aquariums, adventures every day.

It was wonderful.

It was exhausting.

We learned, after that, that “family trip” does not mean “family vacation.” In fact, the one thing we needed most had not happened at all. Not once on our amazing adventure –from my filling Easter baskets on a beach bench by moonlight to the long drives through farmland — did we relax. We had an amazing time, but we wondered how we could get that break we so desperately craved.

We asked for help from a travel agent. It turns out there are some places with childcare. Not only childcare but fun, camp-style childcare. We ended up booking a vacation at a Club Med in Florida. Billed as one of the only all-inclusive family resorts in America, it was a place that offered a fun experience for the kids and a break for the parents.

Relax regardless of the accommodations

I won’t lie. The resort should have been called Club Meh. The place was falling apart, from the rooms to the overall facilities. And yet, we’d go back. Why?

The kids’ clubs were amazing. My children, ages 3 and 6, had the times of their lives. When we gave them the option to spend the day with us or go to the kids’ clubs, they chose the clubs. They made friends, sang and danced onstage, swam in the pools, made pizzas, interacted with “pirates” in a full-resort treasure hunt, and even tried the trapeze.

And in those moments, my wife and I sat on the riverbank, surrounded by palm trees, enjoying gourmet cuisine. In silence.

No screams or fights. No thrown food. Not even a demand for ice cream.

We toasted wine glasses and thought about nothing. Nothing at all. A blank mind, deep breaths, and quiet.

My wife once told me relaxation is a sense close to boredom. It’s the moments when you do nothing, think about nothing, and worry about nothing. Some find it in video games or working out or taking long walks. However you relax, it’s important not just for your health, but for your family as well.

We returned from this vacation feeling rejuvenated. And we pledged to relax a bit more. We still work three jobs each. We are still a pair of workaholics. Yet, we’re recognizing that the key to everything, from happy kids to successful careers, really is relaxation.

Take a moment, and think about how you relax. Do you take any time for yourself? It’s OK to take a break.

No, not OK.

Necessary.

Photo: ©Anna / Adobe Stock.

Take the kids to an amusement park on a summer weekend? Are you crazy? Not all at. A trip to Hersheypark in Pennsylvania makes for the perfect two- or three-day getaway and, as seasoned veterans of Hershey, Pa., we have insider tips on not just surviving while visiting Hersheypark but thriving there!

In addition to helping your family enjoy all the fun, thrills and food with minimal hassles, we can help you possibly get in the gates for FREE. Scroll to the bottom for a chance to win an epic family four-pack of tickets to visit this summer or later in the year.

Tip #1. There’s a Hersheypark app for that!

Most people enter Hersheypark and start with the rides nearest to the entrance. Then, they either slowly work their way back or follow a rigid agenda that tries to squeeze everything into one day. Forget those approaches.

Surviving Hersheypark starts with the free and reasonably reliable Hersheypark mobile app. It enabled our family to strategize and maximize our fun time.

First, keep a loose agenda. Start by creating it based on park geography using the app’s online park map. Then drill into its useful tools, such as ride descriptions and minimum heights, then apply the app’s ultimate weapon — a “ride wait time” feature.

We’re always obsessed with the app during our visits. We kept a close eye for wait times under 20 minutes for our favorite attractions like Sooperdooperlooper, Breakers Edge Water Coaster and Candymonium. When we see those magic numbers, we take off!

Tip #2: Don’t let rain wash out your good times

Most families cringe when rain starts falling during their visit to Hersheypark. Not us.

Wait times are usually shortest when inclement weather hits. The crowds bolt indoors to shop and eat or leave to head home. That means more rides for us! We always come prepared with rain ponchos and relish having the park nearly to ourselves during showers.

Don’t like getting wet? You can still ride while escaping the rain on several indoor/covered rides: Reese’s Cupfusion, Laff Trakk, Kissing Tower, the carousel and bumper cars, for example. Or head over to Hershey’s Chocolate World for their free and entertaining chocolate factory tour ride.

Visiting Hersheypark Pro Tip: If the weather gets severe and causes the majority of major rides and attractions to close for a continuous 60 minutes, a voucher may be issued for a return visit for the current operating season.

Tip #3: Don’t miss Hersheypark’s Jolly Rancher rides

Everyone always wants to be in on what’s new and trending. Here are two bright additions to Hersheypark’s playscape.

Jolly Rancher Remix is one of 15 Hersheypark rollercoasters. Formerly known as the Sidewinder, this reimagined boomerang coaster takes thrill seekers on a “flavor ride.” Riders and their senses zoom forward and backwards on the same track, inverting six times in 90 seconds while jamming to sweet, catchy tunes. Jolly Rancher Remix features five randomized flavor rides, like Watermelon or Green Apple. Each features completely different music, lights and SCENTS as you blast through the “flavor tunnel.” You’ll definitely want to ride it a few times like we did to compare each immersive experience. 

Mix’d Flavored By Jolly Rancher is steps away from Jolly Rancher Remix. Riders of this family attraction sit in one of the massive four arms and spin 360 degrees. The ride really shifts into gear when it mixes, lifts and drops, providing spectacular park views as you dodge the other riders. My 7-year-old couldn’t get enough of this ride!

While there, don’t miss the Frozen Spoon food truck next to Mix’d. It offers Jolly Rancher Grape, Green Apple, Cherry, and Blue Raspberry sorbets to help keep your family cool and refreshed.

Tip #4: New heights in amusement park food and treats 

We don’t usually get excited about eating at a theme park. Hersheypark, though, elevates the whole experience. There are quality, name-brand options across the park. These include many of our favorites, such as Nathan’s Famous, Subway, Chick Fil-A and Moe’s Southwest Grill. The East Coast Mini Donuts are also unbelievable!

Additionally, we always carve time out for a family meal at The Chocolatier. This culinary destination features a restaurant, bar and an expansive second-floor, outdoor patio with spectacular views.

The largest restaurant in all Hershey, Pa., The Chocolatier features a diverse menu. We enjoyed nachos, chicken and waffles, flatbreads and a host of other unique dining options. Our best memories, however, are of their dreamy dessert menu. It includes Chocolate Fun-Due (like a chocolate fountain), The Chocolatier Cake and milkshakes.

Visiting Hersheypark Pro Tip: Make reservations at The Chocolatier in advance using the Open Table app or the restaurant website. Book as soon as you know the dates you’re visiting the park this summer because wait times can be long!

Visiting Hersheypark Pro Tip #2: Staying hydrated is important. You’re allowed to bring in your own sealed water bottles or empty bottles that can be refilled at various locations throughout the park.

Tip #5: “Sweet Start” — More rides, less waiting

An incredible bonus offered exclusively to guests at the official resorts of Hersheypark and some levels of season-pass holders is the “Sweet Start” option.

Sweet Start allows you to feel like a VIP. You can enter Hersheypark one hour before the general public and access several popular areas in the front half of the park including Candymonium, Skyrush, Comet and Sooperdooperlooper. This amazing perk enabled our family to go several times on rollercoasters that usually have long lines and wait times.

While Sweet Start is only for the rides in the front half of the park, it sets you up to be among the first ones on any of the rides in the back half once Hersheypark fully opens. That’s invaluable on busy summer days.

Lastly, if you come the day before your ticketed visit to the amusement park, “Preview Plan” allows you to enter Hersheypark three hours BEFORE closing that night. That’s three hours of bonus fun time to enjoy the rides and attractions.

Visiting Hersheypark Pro Tip: One of Hersheypark’s newer and most popular rides is Candymonium. Located in Hershey’s Chocolatetown, Candymonium is the park’s tallest, fastest, longest and sweetest rollercoaster. It has become our favorite thrill ride in all the land. With average wait times of an hour or more, Candymonium is easily one of the most popular rides in the entire park. Candymonium is included in Sweet Start, so make it your FIRST stop when the gates open. We’ve also found wait times for Candymonium dip in the late afternoon so that could be another window of opportunity to ride this impressive coaster.

Tip #6: Hit The Boardwalk waterpark when it opens

The lines for waterpark attractions are much more manageable when The Boardwalk first opens for the day. They are also much lighter on weekday visits, so skip weekends if you have the choice.

There’s something for everyone at The Boardwalk, but we recommend making a beeline for Breakers Edge Water Coaster. It’s an incredible ride and usually has the longest wait time. We usually hit it three times in a row before the crowds descend on this ultra-popular attraction.

Visiting Hersheypark Pro Tip: Shade is a rarity in The Boardwalk. Make sure to set up a home base under one of the canopied or umbrella areas when you first arrive. Those spots go quickly!

Tip #7: Don’t do everything in one day – stay overnight at an official park resort

Rather than drive three hours back to New York City after an action-packed day of thrills in Hersheypark, we stayed overnight at The Hotel Hershey — located directly across from the amusement and water parks. The Hotel Hershey, one of three official lodging sites, was as memorable of an experience as the park! The accommodations were luxurious and provided panoramic views of the rides and attractions.

Why is The Hotel Hershey so special?

• You receive Hershey Bars and have photo opportunities with some of the park mascots at check-in.
• Breathtaking, outdoor pool complex (there’s an indoor pool on the property, too) to cool off. Or sip frozen cocktails under a shady umbrella while watching your kids zip and zag through water slides in the pool.
• Roasting s’mores at a family-friendly fire pit EVERY evening.
• Loads of engaging activities throughout the day like making ice-cream sundaes, playing “glow golf” after dark and bingo where the prizes are full-size Hershey bars!

When you stay at an official Hersheypark Resort, you receive VIP perks like Sweet Start, Preview Plan, and free shuttle service to an exclusive drop-off location – just steps away from the front gate of Hersheypark.

Ticket giveaway for visiting Hersheypark

Want to win a family four-pack of tickets so you can visit Hersheypark? Enter below for a chance to win four general admission tickets this summer or later in the year for the park’s Halloween event, Dark Nights, or Christmas Candylane? Winning tickets will be sent via email.

Important details:

• We’re giving away one family four-pack of 1-day ticket general admission to Hersheypark. (Each winner will receive four 1-day passes.)
• Contest runs July 26 through Aug 9, 2022.
• Entrants must be 18 years or older and residents of the United States.
• ONE winner will be chosen randomly using Rafflecopter after the entry period ends Aug. 9, 2022.
• Winner must follow Rafflecopter instructions for getting entries
• Winner must supply email address to receive four electronic tickets to Hersheypark 2022. Tickets are for one daily admission to Hersheypark. The tickets expire Jan. 1, 2023.
• Hersheypark charges a separate fee for parking, which is NOT included with these tickets. The winner will need to pay for parking if needed.
• City Dads Group is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets.
• Winner must respond to prize notification within 48 hours otherwise a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: Lance Somerfeld is a member of Hersheypark’s Sweetest Families Program. The program includes complimentary park passes and hotel accommodations for our family provided by the kind folks at Hershey’s Entertainment & Resorts. His thoughts and opinions are genuine and have not been influenced from the brand. All photos provided by Hersheypark.

If your family is like mine, we are raring for adventure, a sense of normality and mouth-watering treats this summer. So, in 2022, we’re heading back to the “Sweetest Place on Earth” — Hersheypark.

Hersheypark continues to be our family’s favorite destination in the Northeast. Why? Because it keeps raising the bar each year by adding new thrills, experiences and sweet things to tastes.

Hersheypark started its summer schedule Memorial Day weekend. This means all three of its parks — the traditional amusement park, The Boardwalk water park, and ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park — are open daily, and one ticket gets you admission to all three! This three-for-one runs through early September.

Here’s the latest and greatest things that have us salivating for another trip to Hersheypark in summer 2022:

New rides, flavors at Hersheypark in 2022

Your senses should be on high alert for two bright new additions to Hersheypark’s playscape. You can’t miss these rides with their special color scheme of bright green, pink, purple, blue and red, representing the Jolly Rancher candy flavors.

Jolly Rancher Remix is one of 15 Hersheypark rollercoasters. Formerly known as the Sidewinder, this reimagined boomerang coaster takes thrill seekers on a “flavor ride.” Riders (who must be at least 48 inches tall) and theirs senses zoom forward and BACK (intense!) on the same track, inverting six times in 90 seconds while jamming to sweet tunes. Each ride, though, is different from the last. Jolly Rancher Remix features five randomized flavor rides, like Watermelon or Green Apple. Each features completely different music, lights and SCENTS as you blast through the “flavor tunnel.” It’s an only-in-Hershey immersive experience. 

Mix’d Flavored By Jolly Rancher is located steps away from Jolly Rancher Remix in the heart of Hersheypark. Riders (minimum height of 42 inches) of this family attraction sit in one of the massive four arms and spin 360-degrees. The ride really shifts into gear when it mixes lifts, drops and spectacular views as its dodges the other riders.

Those are not the only Jolly Rancher inspired additions to Hersheypark for 2022:

• At The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio guests can now enjoy a Jolly Rancher Watermelon Cocktail or a Jolly Rancher Sorbet Sundae. (While there, also take a sip of the Twizzlers Frozen Daiquiri!)
• Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor features a sundae with Jolly Rancher Watermelon and Jolly Rancher Blue Raspberry Sorbets.
• Debuting in June, The Frozen Spoon food truck will offer Jolly Rancher Grape, Green Apple, Cherry, and Blue Raspberry Sorbets.

Nearly new, still completely awesome

If you haven’t visited Hersheypark in a few years, brace yourself. One of the park’s most ambitious, most awesome and newest sections is Hershey’s Chocolatetown, opened in 2020. Conquering Candymonium — the park’s tallest, fastest and longest — rollercoaster should be your top priority. It’s our favorite ride.

Of course, Hersheypark is not just thrill rides. It’s tasty treats!

The previously mentioned Chocolatier, opened in summer 2021, is the culinary destination for our family. It features a restaurant, bar and an expansive second-floor, outdoor patio with mesmerizing views of Hersheypark and Candymonium.

The largest restaurant in all Hershey, Pa., The Chocolatier features a diverse menu. This includes nachos, chicken and waffles, Reese’s Peanut Butter Hummus, flatbreads, and a host of other unique dining options. We love their food, but our best memories are of their dreamy dessert menu. It includes Chocolate Fun-Due (like a chocolate fountain), The Chocolatier Cake and milkshakes.

Additionally, if you’re famished and seeking food or dessert more swiftly, the “newish” Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor is also located in Hershey’s Chocolatetown. Opened in spring 2021, it is sure to hit the spot.

Pro Tip: You can now make reservations at The Chocolatier in advance using Open Table. Waits in the past were long. Book as soon as you know the dates you’re visiting the park this summer!

More Hersheypark 2022 updates, giveaway coming

Stay tuned on the NYC Dads Group social media feeds (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) when our family heads to Hershey, Pa., this week!

We’ll have loads of time to cruise on our favorite coasters — again and again, plunge down the waterslides at The Boardwalk water park, hug adorable Hershey characters, and spoil ourselves rotten in all of the new Jolly Rancher delights. Plus, we’ll be sharing our top tips for visiting Hersheypark this summer as well as hosting a ticket giveaway later this month.

Hersheypark, here we come!

Disclosure: Lance Somerfeld is a member of Hersheypark’s Sweetest Families Program. The program includes complimentary park passes and hotel accommodations for our family provided by the kind folks at Hershey’s Entertainment & Resorts. His thoughts and opinions are genuine and have not been influenced from the brand. All photos provided by Hersheypark.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Summer is already starting to wind down, but the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., is open year round. Fall is a great time to visit as crowds are smaller, the weather cooler and the autumn scenery spectacular.

As a kid, I would spend hours on my bedroom floor organizing my baseball cards. It was quite the process.

My favorite players went into one folder. A second folder was for good players that weren’t necessarily my favorite. A third folder was for Hall of Famers. Players that didn’t make the cut went through another organization process, being sorted into teams inside of a box. I looked through my folders daily and reread the stats on the back of the cards.

Besides collecting cards, some of my favorite memories as a kid took place on the diamond. I fondly remember hot Oklahoma summer days getting sunburned while playing Little League. Baseball brought me and my friends together as we yelled, “Hey batter, batter, batter,” and other chants while trying to get a win. We argued about our favorite players and favorite teams, and rode our bikes all over town, buying cards from a variety of stores.

I knew early on I would not get a Hall of Fame plaque with my name on it, but I always dreamed of visiting Cooperstown’s Baseball Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, it took me a very long time to walk the aisles that showcased baseball’s elite.

I drove the four hours from New York City to Cooperstown with three of my kids. We wanted to do more than visit the Baseball Hall of Fame, so we spent three nights and four days exploring the town. After a hike in the nearby woods and a trip to the Farmer’s Museum, we entered the Hall of Fame to pick up our tickets.

On entering, my kids received a scavenger hunt sheet full of questions with answers found in the exhibits. My 16-year-old acted like he didn’t want to fill out a paper and volunteered to help his younger siblings, but if kids fill out the paper and turn them in at the end of their visit, they receive a packet of baseball cards. Since I wanted everyone to have their own pack, I filled out the questionnaire my oldest received. This sheet helped me by entertaining my kids so I could spend more time perusing the plethora of baseball memorabilia. As we toured the museum, it was obvious I wasn’t the only dad filling out a kid’s sheet.  Everywhere you looked, there was a dad holding a paper and pencil while their kids wandered around. Occasionally, I would greet other dads with a smile of acknowledgment.

Before I go on, I want to mention the friendly staff at the Baseball Hall of Fame. From the person greeting us at the entrance to those in the gift shop, everyone was kind and generous with their time. One employee, who we bumped into throughout the day, showed us exhibits and provided his knowledge on people, artifacts and games. And he was patient with my little ones while they badgered him with questions and comments. The Baseball Hall of Fame has the kindest employees out of any museum I have ever visited.

As I walked around the Hall of Fame, it took me back to being that kid on the floor of my bedroom who loved baseball. I relived staring at my TV during George Brett’s pine tar incident while looking at the bat that caused the controversy. Pete Rose’s shoes and bat brought me back to glorifying his playing style and being heartbroken by his gambling and banning from Major League Baseball. Cal Ripken Jr.’s helmet sat behind the glass, and I once again admired his commitment to baseball and the fans. We also walked through exhibits discussing baseball’s racist past, the Negro Leagues, and the great Jackie Robinson. Other exhibits honored Latin players and the women who played. With each stop, I talked to my kids about the players and the memories they stirred.

Walking through the Baseball Hall of Fame wasn’t only about exploring baseball’s history, but it was also about exploring mine. With baseball being a big part of my childhood, fond memories opened up again. What made it even more special was that I got to run through my memories with my kids by my side.

My oldest is 16 and all-too-soon will be caught in a rundown between taking his own path and the home he grew up in. In a way, it’s already started. Standing next to him while looking at memorabilia touched by baseball’s greatest players; I foresaw an older son standing with his kids in front of the glass and sharing moments of going to Mets’ games and, hopefully, fondly recalling playing catch with his old man. He pointed to a question on his brother’s sheet and helped him spell out the answer. My chest was full of pride of the young man he has become. This had nothing to do with the love of the game, but because of a love for who my kids are. That’s what the Baseball Hall of Fame provided me. To remember how far I’ve come and who I’ve brought with me.

Baseball stirred memories that reminded me time is fleeting and to spend it as wisely as possible. As a dad, I’m the team manager and it’s the 7th inning stretch. There isn’t a lot of game left, but plenty of time to make an impact. I’m reminded to have fun, play hard, and get the line-up ready to make the save. Visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame was a parenting win with lifetime statistics racked up with wins and losses. I cherish moments like our tour because it was one for the win column.

If you’ve been contemplating making the trip to Cooperstown with your kids, I suggest you put it on the calendar. It will bring up old memories and provide new ones.

Baseball Hall of Fame Tips

Tickets:
Tickets are timed. It’s recommended to buy your tickets ahead of time. You don’t want to show up and try and purchase your tickets the same day. It’s possible you will not be allowed to enter.

Kids under 6 are free.
Adults and Seniors are $25.
Juniors are $15.
Veterans receive a $7 discount with proof of service.

Hours:
The museum is open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year.

Disclaimer: This Is Cooperstown sponsored Jason’s visit. The words and photos shared in this post are his own. A version of this post first appeared on One Good Dad. All photos by Jason Greene.

Summer dad jokes are hot this time of year, kids. Hotter than cargo shorts. Hotter than shiny, white New Balance sneakers. Hotter than, dare we say it, when the wife started a bonfire with our cargo shorts and New Balance sneakers.

Yep, almost as hot as those Father’s Day dad jokes we gave you were. Certainly not as painful as those grill burns we got from the cookout that day, though. Or the burns from those Fourth of July dad jokes — no, wait, those were powder burns from the firecracker “incident.”

That’s why we plumbed the depths of the internet for the best and worst summer dad jokes, riddles and puns so you can get laughs around the swimming pool or on the beach that are not related to your love handles. We promise these dad jokes are kid-approved and mom-tested for maximum groans. Just ask my family.

So if you’d enjoyed our other dad jokes compilations, you really should see a doctor. But while you’re in the waiting room (or just waiting to unleash some groan-worthy autumn dad jokes), check out these …

Best/worst summer dad jokes for kids

Q. Where do Jersey cows go on their summer vacation?
A. Moo York!

Q. What do you do if you get rejected for a job at the sunscreen company?
A. Reapply.

Q. What do sheep do on a summer weekend?
A. Have a baa-baa-cue.

Q. Why are mountains the funniest places to go for summer vacation?
A. Because they are hill-arious. 

Q. What do snowmen do in summer?
A. Chillout.

Q. What do you call a cantaloupe in a swimming pool?
A. A watermelon.

Q. Why are basketball players afraid of going on summer vacation?
A. They don’t want to get called for traveling.

Q. What do bees say during a heat wave?
A. Boy, it’s swarm!

Q. Where do sheep go on vacation?
A. The Baa-hamas

Q. Why doesn’t summer have any friends?
A. Because it’s not cool enough.

Q. Why did the robot go on vacation?
A. He needed to recharge his batteries.

Q. What’s the best way to watch a fishing tournament?
A. By live stream.

Q. Where do sharks go on vacation?
A. Finland.

Q. What do you call a snowman in summer?
A. A puddle.

Q. What do you get when you combine an elephant with a fish?
A. Swimming trunks.

Q. Who’s Irish and stays outside all summer?
A. Patty O’Furniture.

Q. Why don’t mummies ever take a summer vacation?
A. They’re afraid to unwind.

Q. Why did Humpty Dumpty have a great fall?
A. To make up for his miserable summer.

Q. Why do bananas use sunscreen?
A. So they don’t peel.

Q. Where does fruit like to vacation?
A. In Pear-is.

Q. What did the pig say on a hot summer day?
A. I’m bacon!

Q. Where do ghosts like to go to cool off in the summer heat?
A. Lake Eerie.

Q. Why was the boy excited for summer’s arrival?
A. After hearing dad jokes all winter, he couldn’t wait to retaliate with some son-burns.

Photo: © Rawpixel.com / Adobe Stock.

Before our 10-year-old son heads off to sleepaway camp for the summer, our family escaped New York City for one last hurrah. We had an unforgettable vacation experience less than three hours away from NYC at the “Sweetest Place on Earth” — Hershey, Pa.

Our fourth quest to the Hershey theme park rocked and we never wanted to leave, the best compliment you can ever give to a vacation destination. Here’s some suggestions for finding your inner child along with a road map for returning families on what’s new, intriguing and happening at Hersheypark.

New rides at Hershey theme and water parks

We still love the whimsical, indoor glow-in-the-dark Laff Trakk roller coaster. The most anticipated ride of our latest adventure, however, was the new Reese’s Cupfusion.

This sleek, interactive gaming ride captivated us and revved up the family competition level, even of our 4-year-old daughter. Our mission: become agents under the guidance of new theme park character, Commander Cup, and protect the chocolate factory to ensure the world is never deprived of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. We blasted away at targets, stunned intruders and scored loads of points.

With new rides like Reese’s Cupfusion comes excitement, curiosity and extremely long wait times — sometimes up to 90 minutes. Pro tip: Hit this ride first thing in the morning. The wait times never decrease as the day goes on. Hersheypark Resort guests, like we were, should take advantage of “Sweet Start”– the benefit of entering the park one hour before the general public — to ride early and maybe even often.

One amazing aspect of Hersheypark is you have the opportunity to enjoy two parks in one location: the amusement theme park and the Boardwalk water park. No added travel, no additional admission fee.

During the midday heat, we ventured over to the Boardwalk to kick the tires on two recent additions:

• Whitecap Racer is a fast-paced set of six tunnel slides. You race each other, cascading through darkness. We barreled down on our water mats numerous times. Pure, edge of your seat awesomeness!
• The highlight for our family was Breakers Edge Water Coaster. It’s a spectacular of water slide/roller coaster combination. You rocket through high-speed tunnels in a raft, splashing around intense curves. The ride provided sheer joy that kept us going back again and again for more.

Hersheypark mobile app: free and awesome

Before you visit, definitely download the robust Hersheypark mobile app. It makes navigating the parks, plotting your agenda and having fun so much easier. The free app contains a wealth of useful information including:

• an online park map
• complete list, description, and height requirements of rides
• start times of shows and character appearances
• the ultimate weapon — Real-Time Wait Times and Ride Closures- which you can track from the car, hotel, or inside the gates of the park

Our family became obsessed with using the app to search for wait times under 15 minutes for our favorite attractions like SooperdooperLooper, Trailblazer and Hershey’s Triple Drop Tower.

Additionally, Hersheypark just launched a new, personalized digital platform, HP-GO. The HP-GO program lets guests track ride statistics, add photos and connect your Fast Track purchases all through a wristband. We loved being able to track our Reese’s CupFusion scores and race times on the Whitecap Racer water slide.

Sweet treats at Hershey’s Chocolate World

A complete Hershey experience is more than just the theme and water parks.  The Hershey (Botanical) Gardens, The Hershey Story Museum on Chocolate Avenue and Hershey’s Chocolate World all offer unique attractions for your family. Even better, all have free admission if you stay at an official Hersheypark resort.

Hershey’s Chocolate World is the official Hershey Company visitor’s center, conveniently located next to the entry gate of Hersheypark. While here, hop on the free Chocolate Tour ride where you follow the journey of how cocoa beans into delicious tasting chocolate. This is always our favorite attraction at Hershey’s Chocolate World along with receiving a free candy sample when you leave.

Your family faces many other interesting and tasty options here:

• get sucked into the Hershey’s Chocolate World retail labyrinth offering every type of Hershey candy in all shapes and sizes
• make your own sundae, cupcake or cookie with toppings galore in the Dessert Creation Studio
• create your own Hershey’s Chocolate Bar
• indulge in a Chocolate Tasting experience
• immerse yourself in a chocolate 4D movie theater

We dabbled in a few of the chocolaty experiences (all of them have associated fees), but fell hard for the brand new, Hershey’s Unwrapped: A Chocolate Tasting Journey. Hershey’s Unwrapped is perfect for kids and parents alike. The immersive theatrical experience makes you use your five senses, laugh out loud and finally dazzles your taste buds.

Make your Hershey day trip a vacation 

After an action-packed day of thrills and entertainment, we wouldn’t have had the energy to drive back to New York City. We planned to stay a few nights at The Hotel Hershey just up the hill from Hersheypark. The Hotel Hershey  is just as much a highlight as the amusements. My daughter kept referring to it as our “princess castle on the hill.”

The accommodations were generous, luxurious and comfortable, leaving us refreshed and recharged for another day at the Hershey theme park. The rooms feature new carpeting, Keurig machines and new flatscreen televisions. In addition, you’ll love the chocolate soap, shampoo and body wash. If all of the chocolate treats we ate weren’t already oozing out from our pores, the soap and shampoo kept us feeling fresh and sweet all day long.

It’s easy to feel like you’re in paradise there because you:

• receive Hershey Kisses on your pillow at turn-down before bed
• can frolic in a beautiful outdoor pool (the newly renovated indoor pool with splash pads looked inviting, too)
• receive top-notch service so you can sip a frozen Pina Colada while watching your children meander through a water slide
• roast s’mores at a fire pit every evening
• enjoy the most delicious breakfast buffet to fuel up for the day while taking in the lovely views from The Circular Restaurant
• can watch your little ones enjoy a host of engaging activities throughout the day. These include going on a scavenger hunt, playing ping pong and corn-hole, photo ops with the Hershey characters, and bingo where the prizes are full-size Kit-Kats.

Aside from the countless amenities, several other perks come with staying at one of the three official Hershey resorts:

• The frequent (and FREE) air-conditioned shuttle bus that brought us back and forth from The Hotel Hershey to Hersheypark.
• The previously mentioned “Sweet Start” option that enables you to enter Hersheypark, minus the crowds, one hour earlier than the general public.
• Additionally, you may arrive with your family at Hersheypark 3 1/2 hours before closing the night BEFORE your scheduled visit to get a jump start on enjoying all of the rides and attractions.

Drooling in anticipation: Hershey’s Chocolatetown

A construction boom like the one we’re used to in New York City is hitting Hersheypark. Tractors, drills, cranes and loads of construction workers are in motion crafting something innovative that sounds truly magical.

Hershey’s Chocolatetown is billed as the “most transformative expansion in Hersheypark history.” This all new section within the theme park will provide an opportunity for guests to play, eat, gather and shop. Also, we’re giddy in anticipation for the new coaster that will be Hershey’s fastest, tallest, longest and sweetest! That’s reason enough for our family to revisit in 2020.

Disclosure: The kind and generous folks at Hershey Entertainment Resorts provided complimentary park passes and hotel accommodations for our family. Our thoughts and opinions are genuine and have not been influenced from the brand.

All photos: Somerfeld family