Review of the Day Archive
As voted by Trekaroo families, here are the Reviews of the Day from back in the day to today.
83
64
'10, '11
1 family found this helpful
"Rugged, Yet Relaxing Adventure Ride!"
Looking for a unique way to see the trails and mountain finery at Skytop Lodge in the Pocono Mountains? Take an outback UTV Tour! Tours are available for either 1-hour or 2-hour bookings and prices vary depending on time booked and people riding. My family booked a 2-hour ride at the beginning of January while we were guests at Skytop Lodge, although you are free to book no matter where you bunk.
Outback tours are available year-round, although the scenery varies by season, so no one tour is the same! Go several times a year for great variety in wildlife, foliage and more. Our "winter" tour was taken on a January day that was 50 degrees, so we had more of an autumn experience without the colorful leaves, but it was highly enjoyable nonetheless. Our guide met us at the main entrance to the Lodge and we piled into the UTV. These vehicles can seat 4 persons (6 including children) quite well, and they ride at a rate of about 10-12 miles per hour, so you have a chance to really see things and don't have to worry about holding on for dear life. The vehicle is open-air, so be sure to bundle up if you're going during the colder season. We were quite comfortable the whole time and there were even blankets provided in case you got chilly or just wanted a snuggly feel.
Our guide took us all over the Skytop property, filling us in on wonderful tidbits about the sites we passed. You could tell he knew his stuff and there were many things I learned that really added to my stay in the area. (Like did you know you can see clear to New Jersey from atop West Mountain, or that battles were fought at Indian Ladder Falls? Way cool information that you won't find on any map!)
Views from the Gazebo on West Mountain were breathtaking and certainly a must-do on any tour, as are the falls! Don't forget your camera and don't forget to make reservations for this terrific adventure! Definitely worth the ride!
*This review is based on a complimentary visit to Skytop Lodge. I received no other compensation and the business owner did not state any requirements that I express a particular point of view. The opinions I express are entirely my own.
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It's helpfulOutback UTV Tours
RR#3, Box 3086,
Cresco,
Pennsylvania 18326
2 families found this helpful
"Very impressive but pricey"
I have been to Luray Caverns several times in my life, and they are always very impressive, but the price continues to creep up. $23 per adult is a little steep, so use your Giant Bonuscard if you have one to save $11.50 on one adult admission.
We were just there at the end of July 2011, and they used a guided tour. The headsets were only given to those who would rather hear the tour in a different language.
You walk about 1.25 miles while down there, but it is not too difficult. Most of the time you are on a flat, brick pathway. There is lots to see, and my 5-year old was never bored.
Your admission ticket includes entry to the antique car museum, which is pretty cool, and another museum that focuses on early farm life (just so-so, no interactive exhibits). At the farm museum you can mine for gems and fossils at $7 per bag. It looks like they are building another section that is not ready yet.
There is also a giant hedge maze, but we didn't go into that.
I definitely recommend Luray Caverns for a good family activity. Bring a light sweater or jacket if you get cold easily because it is a constant 52 degrees down there.
1 family found this helpful
"Sunday Suppers - Fine Dining Family Style"
Fine dining with a 2 year old – sound like a nightmare? Well, 2 year olds are unpredictable and impatient but at West Steak and Seafood they helped ease a potentially uncomfortable situation for me and my husband. It was the little things like rushing out her food and the Chef personally delivering chocolate milk to calm her wiggles!
I happen to live in San Diego County so this was a night out for the family; however West Inn & Suites is just a short walk across the parking lot if you are looking for a place to stay while visiting. We enjoyed the Sunday Night Supper Pre-fixed menu. The cost was $30pp and included either Corn Chowder or a Mixed Greens Salad to start; my husband and I tried one of each and shared, which I recommend! The entrée selections consisted of: Pork Osso Buco, Natural Beef Short Ribs, Veal Osso Buco, Lamb Shanks, or Prime Rib. I enjoyed the hearty portion of Prime Rib; it was seasoned beautifully and prepared to my requested temperature. Prime rib is sometimes very tricky to get to your requested temperature so I was delighted to receive a perfectly prepared piece of prime rib! My husband chose the short ribs, which I also sampled. The meat was tender and melt in your mouth good, it was plated over mashed potatoes. Lastly, you are given the option of two side dishes; you may chose from the following: Creamed Spinach, Sautéed Wild Mushrooms, Mashed Potatoes, Macaroni and Cheese, Creamed Corn, Ratatouille, or Truffle Fresh cut French fries. We tried the Ratatouille, Macaroni and Cheese, and a double order of Fries. This is re we made a meal for the 2 year old. She dines on part of all the side dishes. As the restaurant did not have a kids menu we decided to just share our portions with her. She thoroughly enjoyed the Macaroni, I must say it was one of the best Macaroni dishes I have had. Many times when you go to a fine dining restaurant the Macaroni is unrecognizable to a small child but my 2 year old dug right in and loved it! Additionally, I must say the fries were amazing; I ate mine with the in house prepared aioli sauce which was heavenly!
We ended the meals with a Mocha for Mom and a Chocolate Lava with Chocolate Gelato. The Lava cake is prepared when ordered, as well as other items on the dessert menu; therefore I would suggest placing your dessert menu prior to the completion of dinner as it takes 10-20 minutes. This helps with the restlessness of the little ones. Over all the food was most enjoyable and a nice change from your normal 2 year old cuisine.
As for the atmosphere and service, I don’t think you could have found a more eager group of staff to help entertain a 2 year old. Although the happiness of a 2 year old usually sets the stage for all other patrons the wait staff was more than helpful in keeping my daughter happy. I do suggest bringing a few pieces of entertainment with you as West is a fine dining restaurant and not casual dining where you might expect butcher paper tablecloths and crayons. As for my 9 month old she was very content in her snug and ride and slept through most of the meal. We did require more space than the average 4 person table, we had an advance reservation at 6pm which is quite early, by the time we left the restaurant was very full and waiting for a table to accommodate the bulkiness of high chairs and diaper bags may take some time so I highly recommend a reservation. The general ambiance of the restaurant was very upscale; there were exquisite light fixtures and a color changing light mural on the main wall. This set a very mature atmosphere, something the parents will enjoy! As mentioned we began dining at 6 pm, therefore the sound was quite low in the dining area which spotlighted the “noise” coming from my 2 year old, however by the end of the meal the room muffled any discord from our table.
Overall, the meal was amazing and the restaurant was very accommodate for my small children even though you might not think about brining your family here in fear of a formal dining experience with kids I highly recommend stepping out of your comfort zone and experiencing fine dining family style at the Sunday Supers by West Steak and Seafood.
Menu: http://www.weststeakandseafood.com/menu/?wsmi=sunday-supper
This review is based on a complimentary meal at West Steak and Seafood. I was not required to state any particular opinions. The point of view I express is entirely my own.
West Steak & Seafood
4980 Avenida Encinas,
Carlsbad,
California
1 family found this helpful
"Overcrowded Animal Pens Leave a Bad Taste"
I found the overcrowded duck/chicken pens to be a bit depressing. Not only are they overcrowded, but they stink! As a chicken owner myself, I find this repulsive.
Anyway, on the the berries:
Be sure to call and find out what is in season. We were limited to strawberries, which was kinda blah. Why of why would I drive all the way out to Pescadero to pick strawberries? And be warned that the weather can be quite cold and misty in the summer, so pack layers and be ready to get socked in.
Phipps Country Store and Farm
2700 Pescadero Road,
Pescadero,
California 94060
1 family found this helpful
"Best cheap entertainment in LA!"
I've lived in SoCal my whole life & never went here until last weekend. Have I been misisng out!
The CA Science Center is a huge (3 story) science & discovery museum in LA's Exposition Park. There are tons of exhibits - many of them hands on. The best part---it's FREE! I grew up going to the museums in Balboa Park in San Diego - at about $10 per person plus parking - and this place blows them out of the water.
The only cost is $10 to park at Exposition Park. You can also take public transportation & bypass the parking.
Entrance to the museum & all exhibits is completely free. There are some extras that cost, such as IMAX movies (about $8.25 per person) and riding the tightrope bicycle (only $2) three stories above the ground. However, you can save $1 on any activity by grabbing a free paper "passport" by the elevator & getting it stamped throughout the museum at different exhibits.
There are so many cool things for the kids - an entire wall made of ice that you can touch, a huge fish tank that takes up an entire room (and a tube that you can walk though so that the fish are all around you), a touch pool full of starfish & other sea creatures, a "goop making table" where kids learn about chemical reactions while making their own goop to take home (free), an incubator with live hatching chicks, real space suits & even the Gemini 11 space capsule!
There are even several family areas with exhibits & activities strictly limited to kids 7 & under.
You can take a break downstairs for lunch at either McDonald's, Taco Bell Express or the Rose Garden Cafe - all inside the museum.
We were there for over 5 hours & still didn't see everything. Exposition Park is also a great place to wander around. There are rose gardens (free), the Natural History Museum (entrance fee), and African American Museum (free), as well as walking paths & green areas.
This is deifinitely one to see if you're looking for a cheap way to pack in tons of entertainment!
California Science Center
Exposition Park,
39th Street & Figueroa Street,
Los Angeles,
California 90037
