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posted on November 14th, 2012
 Get in line by early to avoid the crowds at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Balloon Inflation What: Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Balloon Inflation
Where: Columbus Ave. and West 79th St. New York City, NY
When: Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012 3 – 10 pm
Cost: FREE
Photos: For More Photos of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation, visit Field Trips with Sue on Facebook
Last Thanksgiving we visited New York City with the kids. It was their first trip to the Big Apple and it was a huge success. I grew up with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade but since we were not going to be in the city on Thanksgiving (and I didn’t want to get up before dawn and freeze just to see the parade) we decided to take in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Balloon Inflation that takes place the Wednesday before Thanksgiving outside the American Museum of Natural History along Central Park West. Here are some tips to ensure a pleasurable experience.
 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation
In 2011, we arrived about 3:30 pm and there were several balloons already inflated, as well as several to go. It was a great time to visit as we were able to get up close and even enjoy taking a few leisurely photos.
After we had walked around looking at the balloons, we visited the American Museum of Natural History for a few hours. When we came out, we found a HUGE line wrapped around the block to see the fully inflated balloons. There were no opportunities for photos at 6 pm. In fact, I’ve heard from NYC moms that you really need to be there around 2:30 if you want to have any room to breath.
There are two new balloons this year. Elf on the Shelf and a balloon called Companion, designed by graffiti artist KAWS (this would be especially fun if you saw the giant KAWS sculpture at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta). Companion is part of the Blue Sky Gallery series that recreates famous works of art by some of the world’s most renowned modern artists. After their parade debut, the artists’ balloons travel the world to museums and public spaces around the globe.
If you can’t make the balloon inflation and the parade is a little too crowded for you, NYC blog Mommy Poppins suggests watching the balloon deflation on the side streets around 34th Street and Sixth Ave.
If you plan to visit New York City with Kids, take a look at our post on NYC with Kids or vista the local blogs of these fabulous New York City Moms:
Culture Mom
NYC Mama
Mommy Poppins
posted on November 13th, 2012
 The views from Grandfather Mountain are beautiful. What: Hiking NC
Where: Grandfather Mountain, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646 | 828-733-4337
When: Between 8 am and 7 pm depending on the season, check the website before your visit
Cost: $18 Adults 13 – 59, $15 Seniors 60+, $8 Children 4-12, Under 4 Free
Photos: See the Field Trips with Sue Virtual Tour or Photos on Field Trips with Sue on Facebook
A short drive from Beech Mountain in Linville, NC is Grandfather Mountain, home to the Mile High Swinging (or Singing) Bridge. As you enter, you are given a CD that tells you about the mountain and what you are seeing. It’s a terrific guided tour and sets the stage for a day of exploring. Continue reading Grandfather Mountain NC offers hiking and more
posted on November 13th, 2012
 Buckeye Lake near the Buckeye Recreation Center is also part of the Fall Trail Hiking Loop. What: Hiking North Carolina
Where: Buckeye Recreation Center, 206 Grassy Gap Creek Rd., Beech Mountain, NC 28604 | (828) 387-3003
When: Hikes Anytime. Rec Center Hours vary by season. In the Fall Mon. – Fri.10 – 7 pm, Sat. 10 – 5 pm, Closed on Sunday
Cost: Hiking is FREE.
Buckeye Recreation Center Rates: Daily Passes start at $3. Weekly passes start at $20 and Monthly start at $40
Photos: View Field Trips with Sue’s Virtual Tour on Buckeye Recreation Area or Field Trips with Sue on Facebook
One of the most popular activities for families during a weekend at Beech Mountain is hiking. Beech Mountain has 33 miles of trails through the beautiful North Carolina high country. The Buckeye Recreation Center on Beech Mountain is a great place to get hiking information, or sign up for a guided hike. Continue reading Hiking North Carolina at Beech Mtn. Buckeye Recreation Center
posted on November 9th, 2012
 Beanstalk Journey has a series of ropes elements to get you up to the zip lines. The rope tunnel is your first obstacle. What: Beanstalk Journey zip line NC
Where: Catawba Meadows Park, 701 Sanford Dr., Morganton, NC 28655 | 828-430-3440
When: Call for specific times during each season
Fall Season hours are: Wednesday – Sunday 10 – 5 pm
Monday and Tuesday Beanstalk Journey is closed
Zip Line Tours start at 11 am and 2 pm.
Climbing Tower sessions are on the hour from 11 – 4 pm
Cost: $69 for the zip line (save $10 with a reservation)
$19 per hour for the climbing wall
Discounts apply for groups
Photos: Visit Field Trips with Sue’s Virtual Tour
or Field Trips with Sue on Facebook
Beanstalk Journey is about an hour and a half from Beech Mountain and located within the Catawba Meadows public park. It’s a great location with ball fields on one side, picnic pavilions and unique playground on the other, so it’s easy to make a day of it. Here’s a few things to consider before heading out to zip line in North Carolina. Continue reading Zip Line NC: Beanstalk Journey
posted on November 9th, 2012
 The Falls Loop Trail begins at the Buckeye Recreation Center. What: Beech Mountain
Where: North Carolina High Country
When: September – November
Photos: Visit Field Trips with Sue on Facebook
Visit Field Trips with Sue Virtual Tours
When I think of Beech Mountain North Carolina, I think about skiing at Beech Mountain Resort. This fall however, we took a drive to Beech Mountain for a long weekend of outdoor fun. Due to some weather issues, we weren’t able to explore as much of the wonderful outdoors as we would have liked, but we still had a great time exploring the area, taking in the scenery and enjoying The Land of Oz during the popular Autumn at Oz festival, held each October. Here are some recommendations for a fun fall weekend at beautiful Beech Mountain.
Continue reading Tips for a fantastic Weekend Getaway to Beech Mountain
posted on November 7th, 2012
 Core’s Lunchtime in the Studio is a chance to get up close and see how contemporary dance is crafted. What: Watch Atlanta Dance at Core Lunchtime in the Studio
Where: Core Studios, 139 Sycamore St., Decatur Square
When: Nov. 15, Jan. 17, March 7, May 9
Cost: Free (and the first 40 people get lunch too!)
CORE’s Lunchtime in the Studio series is a free and fun way to introduce kids to watching dance performance, while adults can enjoy the dance too, along with some creatively and intellectually stimulating discussion. CORE welcomes the public into CORE Studios for this informal “get to know us” event, and you get free lunch, too!
Continue reading Atlanta Dance: CORE’s Lunchtime in the Studio
posted on November 1st, 2012
 What: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Where: Center for Puppetry Arts
When: Nov. 8 – Jan. 6, 2013, see website for specific times
Cost: Tickets start at $16.50 for ages 2 and older, Member tickets start at $9.25
(see below to win four tickets)
Halloween is over and it’s time to start thinking about the holidays. My holiday would not be complete without Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The 1964 TV special was turned into a puppet show at the Center for Puppetry Arts a few years ago and has played to sold out crowds ever since. It’s returning again this season and it’s a hot ticket, so make sure to get yours early. Here’s a bit of what you can expect at Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and a chance to win tickets to see the show. Continue reading Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Returns to the Center for Puppetry Arts (giveaway)
posted on October 30th, 2012
 The Northside Trail is short but has lots of playgrounds and fun bridge underneath a railroad tressel What: Bicycle Atlanta
Where:Atlanta BeltLine
When: Any Day
Cost: Free!
Photos: For additional photos of the BeltLine, visit our Virtual Tour of the Atlanta BeltLine
After spending time in bicycle friendly Breckenridge CO, we came back to Atlanta with a different outlook, more experienced riders and a desire to find some great places to bicycle Atlanta. Enter the Atlanta BeltLine.
The Atlanta BeltLine is built on former railroad paths and when complete, will be 22 miles of continuous trails circling Atlanta and connecting 45 neighborhoods. Note, at some point this will be a continuous trail, but at the moment, these are out and back trails.There are five sections of the BeltLine: Northeast, Northside, Westside, Southwest and Southeast. My only complaint about the BeltLine is that it’s difficult to figure out where to get on the trails and which trails are currently open. Here are three trails currently open for bicycling Atlanta on the BeltLine. We’ve been on each of these and we’ll tell you where to park and what to expect. Continue reading Bicycle Atlanta with Kids along the Atlanta BeltLine
posted on October 19th, 2012
 Vote for Field Trips with Sue
Field Trips with Sue has been nominated for the Red Tricycle Totally Awesome Award in the Top Family Travel Sites category (under Web). The awards are sposnored by giggle and FamilyFun Magazine. In order to win, I need your vote. Not every day, just one vote per email one time and you don’t have to sign up for anything to vote. I would truly appreciate if you could vote for Field Trips with Sue from all your various email accounts and if you feel so moved, email or Facebook kids, friends and neighbors to do the same. Here is a direct link to the Red Tricycle Top Family Travel Site. Thank you!
What you Get When You Vote
Everyone who votes is entered to win a $500 giggle gift card. Giggle is an online baby store (if you don’t have babies anymore, maybe a shower present or a fantastic donation to a local women’s shelter.)
posted on October 18th, 2012
This morning on the Field Trips with Sue segment on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta, we talked about Halloween in Atlanta and some of the fun activities going on this weekend through the end of the month. Watch Field Trips with Sue on select Thursday mornings on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta.
Continue reading Field Trips with Sue on CBS: Halloween in Atlanta
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Nickelodeon Parents' Pick for Best Local Blog in Atlanta
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation
