Allison Tibaldi

Allison Tibaldi - Writer

Allison is a native New Yorker who's been lucky enough to have lived in Italy, Australia and Canada. She is fluent in Italian and Spanish, and
believes that language is a key to understanding other cultures. She frequently contributes travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they journey around the globe. She's also a senior writer at offManhattan.com, contributing car-free vacation ideas. Her background as an Early Childhood Educator gives her an added understanding of what it takes to travel with kids in tow, and she firmly believes that the most important part of education takes place outside of the classroom on the road. Her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine.

Latest posts by Allison Tibaldi

Farm Stays near NYC: Enjoy a Farm-Themed Family Vacation

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Sun, 04/16/2023 - 11:35am

These farm stays near NYC let city kids get close to farm animals like bunnies, cows, chickens, sheep, and more. Photo courtesy of Hull-O Farms

Farm stays are an increasingly popular vacation option for families who want to enjoy the countryside and a back-to-nature experience. For New York City-area families, it only takes a few hours to arrive in the bucolic countryside, where the landscape seems thousands of miles away from the crowded subways and packed playgrounds.

For children who’ve never been around livestock, this form of agritourism provides a firsthand way to learn about the animal world in a casual fashion. It also often comes with a few more amenities than, say, a camping trip.

Though you're not required to work during your farm stay, many visitors find farm chores so different from their regular routines that they are eager to participate. Curious kids should relish the opportunity to gather eggs, watch cows being milked, and pick fresh produce.

If this sort of low-key, change-of-pace weekend sounds appealing to you, consider these eight farm stays near NYC. Our picks include properties in New York's Hudson Valley and Catskills, and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Find more family-friendly destinations in our Day Trips and Weekend Getaways Guide for Families.

Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Thu, 03/23/2023 - 4:36pm

The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!

There's no shortage of hotels in NYC, and as a born and bred New Yorker raising children here myself, I often find myself handing out recommendations for family-friendly hotels in NYC to friends and family who are planning their own NYC vacations. New York City is, of course, loaded with hotels, many of which are kid-friendly. And while it's nice to have options, there are so many it can feel overwhelming.

That's why we've compiled this list of 20 hotels in NYC for families based on a combination of personal experience, trusted recommendations from friends, and great reputations. These NYC hotels offer kid-friendly amenities such as pools, free strollers, and even bunk beds. A number of our choices are located right next to top kid attractions; some are budget-friendly, and others are a splurge.

Our picks aren't all in Midtown Manhattan either. We've included places to stay with kids in Lower Manhattan, on the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and even hotels in Brooklyn.

Once you've nailed down your hotel choice, be sure to check out our parent- and kid-tested recommendations for top attractions in NYC, our favorite children's museums in NYC, and much more in our NYC Visitors Guide for Families.

14 Inexpensive Winter Weekend Getaways from NYC for Families

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Thu, 12/15/2022 - 4:38pm

Connecticut's Mohawk Mountain Ski Area offers endless opportunities for fun in the snow. Photo courtesy of the Mohawk Mountain

Falling temperatures don’t necessarily translate to falling prices when it comes to family vacations. Luckily, we’ve rounded up 14 well-priced weekend getaways from NYC that are all within driving distance. Whether you’re in the mood for New England's seaside views, craving winter sports, small-town charm, or big-city culture, we've got a winter weekend getaway destination for you.

Read on for our top picks and bookmark our Guide to Weekend Getaways for more family travel destinations.

35 Warm and Sunny Family Vacation Spots: Winter Vacation Ideas in the US and Abroad

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Sat, 11/12/2022 - 10:13am

Make memories to last a lifetime at the all-inclusive Beaches Turks and Caicos.

From perpetually wet feet to relentlessly bundling (and unbundling) your kids with layer upon layer, the need to escape grows for many parents as the winter season drags on. Even those families who don't live with the finicky four-season cycle might prefer their family vacation with a side of palm trees, rather than fur-trimmed snow boots. So whether you're seeking to escape the cold or just don't want to vacation in it, we've rounded up 35 of the best winter vacation ideas in the US and abroad filled with sun, fun, and warmth.

Read on to find great all-inclusive resorts, beaches, and charming cities teeming with culture that will give you a family vacation that’s sunny, not snowy! For even more winter vacation ideas, be sure to check out our Family Travel Guide.

9 Favorite Upstate New York Getaways for Families

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Thu, 11/03/2022 - 5:56pm

Take a Wild Walk at Tupper Lake's Wild Center for a completely new view of New York state's forest. Photo by Mommy Poppins

New York City and its surrounding suburbs have enough attractions to keep a family busy for a lifetime, but that doesn’t mean you should let its magnetic energy prevent you from enjoying one of these upstate New York getaways. The less visited northern and western parts of the state are loaded with fantastic attractions that present a feast of family fun. Whether you're seeking nature, culture, recreation, or a combination of all three, the Empire State won’t disappoint. Check out these nine kid-friendly upstate New York getaways and vacation destinations that will have the whole family saying “I Love New York.”

Find more regional travel ideas in our Weekend Getaways and Day Trip Guide.

20+ Fall Weekend Getaways near NYC for Families

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Thu, 09/08/2022 - 5:23pm

The lovely Whiteface Lodge is packed with family-friendly including, including swimming, tennis, skating, hiking, games, and canoeing for a weekend getaway in the heart of the Adirondacks. Photo courtesy of the lodge

Fall in the Northeast is a lovely time of year to enjoy one of these weekend getaways near NYC. The crisp air, fall colors, and outdoor activities are hard to resist for most kids (and grown-ups). While you can surely experience some seasonal magic close to home, there's nothing like a weekend away to recharge fully. If you stayed close to home during the summer travel season, these fall weekend getaways near NYC are the perfect antidote to the back-to-school blues. So, go ahead and get planning. Before long, you'll immerse your family in seasonal fun.

We've rounded up more than 20 fall weekend getaways near NYC, whether you're looking for a quick car-free getaway or you've got a long weekend and want to travel a bit further. If you've only got a day to escape, consider one of these 30 fall day trips from NYC, and find more ideas for fall travel in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

San Antonio with Kids: 26 Best Things To Do in San Antonio, Texas

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Sun, 05/22/2022 - 2:49pm

San Antonio is full of amusement parks, good food, and lots of other things to do with kids. Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Riverwalk

San Antonio has top attractions and activities to suit visitors of all ages and interests. History, culture, and five theme parks only minutes from town are just some of its glories. Despite being the second-largest city in the state, the center seems manageable and compact, making it perfect for a weekend trip in Texas with smaller kids. The jewel in San Antonio's crown is the River Walk, a world of its own below street level that connects many sites and attractions. And, of course, a visit to the Alamo allows you to see the location of the infamous 1836 battle that became a symbol of heroic resistance on the route to Texas independence. Modern indoor attractions, such as the Legoland Discovery Center and the DoSeum, mean there are many options for every family.

Read on for the best things to do in San Antonio with kids, plus kid-friendly restaurants and hotels. For more summer vacation fun, check out our Houston Day Trips and Family Getaways guide.

The Best Poconos Resorts for a Family Vacation

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Sat, 04/30/2022 - 10:23am

The H2Oooohh! indoor water park is a highlight of Split Rock Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort

The Pocono Mountains draw families to Pennsylvania from the Northeast, the Mid-Atlantic, and beyond for their picturesque landscapes and outstanding family resorts. Plus, there are so many things to do in the Poconos with kids all year long, from skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing in the winter to hiking, swimming, and boating in the summer. Many Poconos resorts boast zip lines, adventure ropes courses, and other outdoor activities for families, plus indoor fun for kids like arcades and bowling. And some Poconos family resorts, including the popular Camelback Resort and Kalahari Resort Poconos, even have indoor water parks offering hours of splashy, weatherproof fun.

We've rounded up eight of the top Poconos resorts for families, including Poconos all-inclusive resorts, so you can see which one best fits your next Poconos family vacation.