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

Late Summer Family Travel Deals: Dorney Park, Atlantic City, Vermont, a Single Parent Special and More

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Sun, 07/29/2012 - 9:21pm

It’s not too late to plan an impromptu family getaway and enjoy summer's last stand for a bargain price. August is prime vacation time, but there are last minute deals to be found in the scenic mountains of New England, beach-side in Atlantic City, at a popular Lehigh Valley amusement park, in the desert resort Palm Springs and a special deal at Beaches Resorts in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos for single parent families.

Best Things to Do in Cleveland with Kids

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Mon, 04/23/2012 - 10:45am

Cool down with a free outdoor splash pad in Cleveland. Cody York for ThisIsCleveland.com

Cleveland, Ohio is a bustling, energy-infused city that makes for a fun family getaway. This city is full of kid-friendly activities, from interactive museums to great sports teams to bargain-priced restaurants. It is a city with a compact center, so you can leave the car in the hotel parking lot and explore on foot. You can also take Amtrak to Cleveland, a nine-hour ride from NYC.

Cleveland stays close to its working-class roots by promoting family fun without a big price tag. Here are 16 reasons to check out Cleveland with the kids, including places to eat and where to stay.

Find more family fun destinations in our Family Travel Cities Guide.

Crafting on the Upper West Side

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 10:07pm

[UPDATED: JANUARY 24, 2013]

This time of year those languid summer afternoons spent in the park, watching your children engage in endless free play while their imaginations run wild, seem a distant memory. Never fear, the Upper West Side has become the unofficial craft capital of New York City, a place where neither rain nor snow will slow your kid’s creativity down. It is teeming with all-weather spots to keep the kids engaged for a few hours, without creating chaos in your home. These hands-on craft activities are just the sticky mess that your child craves, with the added bonus of taking home a handmade keepsake. Here are six places to make your own crafts, perfect for the dog days of winter. And since crafting usually makes my family’s stomach growl, nearby spots to pick up a snack are also listed.

Day Trips Near NYC: 10 Holiday Break Destinations for Families

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Mon, 12/19/2011 - 4:00pm

While there are plenty of things to do in New York City over holiday break, school recess is a great time for families to explore the world beyond the five boroughs.

Over the years, our readers have shared their favorite family-friendly day trips. Now we've got 10 more mini-itineraries to add to the list. These getaways are all within two hours of NYC, and many are even accessible without a car. Best of all, some of them have special activities and attractions in honor of the holiday season.

Family-Friendly Hotels on the Upper West Side

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Tue, 11/29/2011 - 9:00am

[UPDATED: July 26, 2010]

We don't usually post about NYC hotels since, well, we all live here, and most of our readers do too. But with the holidays coming up, we know lots of out-of-town families will be looking for affordable kid-friendly places to stay. While staying in Times Square or another tourist area may seem like the way to go, we recommend the Upper West Side.

We've been focusing on this super-family-friendly neighborhood all month long, and it really is a kids' paradise with big attractions like the American Museum of Natural History and the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, Riverside and Central Park, and tons of places to play, eat and have fun. While hotels here are no bargain, they're usually a bit cheaper than their Midtown Manhattan counterparts. (We're not including prices though, since they change so often and many websites offer discounted rates.) Plus, since it's a residential area, visiting families can get a taste of how "real" New Yorkers live.

As a longtime UWS resident, I suggest these hotels to my family and friends when they come to town (they can't stay with me, my apartment barely fits my own family!). All five are within walking distance of the UWS' best spots and near subway lines that will have you in Midtown in minutes.

Chocolate Show - New York: Sweet Stuff for Families

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Mon, 10/31/2011 - 3:00pm

Yes, we realize your kids will be unwrapping their trick-or-treat loot for weeks to come. But if your family is as serious about sweets as mine, it's worth checking out the 14th annual Chocolate Show - New York, which takes place Thursday, November 10-Sunday, November 13. While the tickets are pricey ($30-$40 for adults), children under 12 get in free and once inside, all tastes and activities are included. The only additional cost is if you want to buy chocolates to take home. (For me, resistance is futile.)

My children and I attended Chocolate Show - NY last year and just loved it. (I mean, it's chocolate. What's not to love?) It's very family-friendly and even includes a Kids Zone, where creative youngsters can draw and paint with chocolate, make chocolate-flavored pasta and decorate cupcakes with—wait for it—chocolate. New this year is the Chocolate Grab game. Just like a scene out of Willy Wonka, kids will grab handfuls of chocolate and the child who finds the specially wrapped piece will win a prize, like tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular or the upcoming revival of Peter Pan.

Here are other some other sweet things you can do at the 2011 edition of Chocolate Show - New York.

Best Burgers on the Upper West Side for NYC Families

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Thu, 09/29/2011 - 10:00am

So what if we Upper West Siders can’t fire up the grill like our suburban friends? (Unless of course you've got one on your fire escape, like my neighbors do.) But really, who needs charcoal when we have so many tasty neighborhood havens serving up one of the most kid-friendly foods around: burgers.

The Upper West Side is a true carnivore heaven, with great places for families to fill up on this all-American favorite. Here are our picks for the best burgers in the area, all taste tested by my own family, which includes two ravenous, meat-eating teens.

Nature for NYC Kids: 20 Places Where Families Can Connect With Nature

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 3:00pm

Even though we're raising our families in the urban jungle, there are a multitude of ways to keep New York City kids connected to nature.

We've already written about many great outdoor activities you can do in the five boroughs, like bird-watching, hiking and gardening, and many items on our list of 100 Things to Do in NYC with Kids Before They Grow Up involve communing with Mother Nature.

Now we've rounded up our top 20 places in (or near) New York City where your family can marvel at, learn about and connect with nature. So before you plan your next trip to the country, check out our list. You may not need to rent a car after all.