holiday activities Archives - Have Sippy Will Travel

A Winter Wonderland in Southern California!

Chill at the Queen Mary is the United States’ first-ever Ice Adventure Park and it is a great way to enjoy the Holiday Season. With the beautiful Queen Mary ship lit for the Holidays in the background Chill is a lovely destination of lights and activities. There are any number of adventures to enjoy, from the sweet, to the bumpy, to the high flying, they have options for the whole family. Why not also enjoy some seasonal specialties of both food and drink to add to the experience.

The most obvious activity for an Ice Park is skating of course and that is the center piece of Chill. Included in the price of admission this will keep you busy as you skate from section to section. Skate through a giant igloo dome showing the Northern Lights, enjoy the live shows on the different stages along the path. You can hop off at the Swiss Chalet for a snack, or to take a break. A large portion of the park is accessably by foot or skate.

The next Winter classic that comes to mind is sledding. My favorite to enjoy is Chill’s tubing hill where you can race down next to your friends and family. If something milder or for the very little ones is more your speed check out a ride on the Worlds Largest Rocking Horse! If you get the Ultimate Expedition there are some more rides included or for an additional fee you can ride the bumper boats, take a turn around the speedway on a tricycle, or zipline in the park. Feeling creative? Try your hand at decorating a stocking or a gingerbread house. You can also take a break for the 4D Rudolph video on the actual ship theatre and get a look inside the Queen Mary.

The Park is broken up into different countries to offer an International flare to Chill. Germany, Holland, Switzerland, China, Russia, and the North Pole! Each offers their own activities, live performances, and seasonal treats. Pretzels, beer, and an authentic Alpine band in Germany. Shuffleboard on ice and vodka at the Palace Ice Bar which is kept frozen by keeping the room at freezing temperatures. China has dumplings, a winter favorite there, and the best shows! Acrobats, the costumed Lion Dance, and Shaolin Monks all take the stage in front of the Tea House where you can get a hot drink before sitting down to watch.

Chill at the Queen Mary runs now through January 7th 2018. A visit to the Ice Park is a lovely taste of winter with an International flare for locals or tourists. Expect to be at the park for the night if you are going to experience everything Chill has to offer. You can find out more about Chill at the Queen Mary on their site Queenmary.com or check it out on Social Media – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

Lake Placid Holiday Stroll

The Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll is the perfect way to discover the magic of the holiday season in an Adirondack Winter Wonderland. The volunteer ran committee of elves has a wonderful weekend of art, music, gourmet foods and boutique shopping planned for the pleasure of visitors. Shoppers love the alternative to the big box store options and the intimate setting makes the Village Stroll appealing to couples and families.

The Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll features over 50 unique stores that accept holiday bucks to help you find the perfect holiday gifts in a serene setting. There is no hustle and bustle of the mall crowd to contend with, and you will find gifts that will be treasured by the lucky recipients.

The weekend isn’t all about shopping. Families will love the ice skating party and Holiday Story Time at the Mirror Lake Inn. Couples will enjoy the wine tastings and art displays. Children will delight in the matinee showing of the Polar Express, the craft workshops and breakfast with Santa at participating hotels on Sunday morning.

If you are traveling to attend the weekend you might wonder where to stay and eat. I have a few recommendations for you to consider while you are planning your 2014 Village Stroll trip.

The Pines of Lake Placid is truly a home away from home. Featuring a huge hot tub and gorgeous decor, the family operated inn offers a peaceful ambiance in one of the most beautiful places on earth. I loved the cozy atmosphere and wholesome vibe of The Pines. I had the pleasure of spending 2 nights at the Pines Inn, I had a lovely stay and was very impressed with the Pines of Lake Placid. The beds were wildly comfortable, and it was within a short walk to all of the town festivities. They also offered great activities for the kids and adult alike, from free movies and popcorn to wine and cheese tasting and a wrapping station.

During my stay I dined at a few great places in Lake Placid. Duncan’s Grille at the Pines Inn offers Authentic German cuisine on weekends at affordable prices including Rahm Schnitzel, Schnitzel Cordon Bleu and Zwiebelsuppe.

A favorite place to dine or celebrate in Upstate New York is the Dancing Bears Restaurant, located at 2384 Saranac Ave., Lake Placid NY 12946 . The energy of this establishment makes for a fun dining experience. The rich history of the restaurant includes the celebrations of Olympians during the 1980 games. On the menu you will find 3 egg omelets, gourmet burgers, lobster rolls and pizza to name a few.

The Great Adirondack Steak and Seafood Companyoffers delectable selections such as the maple and pear flat-bread pizza, BBQ Brisket, Bangers & Mash and the Portabella Philly. The menu here is affordable, most options are under $13. They also have an award winning beer which is loved by locals and visitors alike. Lake Placid beer this fresh is not to be missed, and the kids menu is awesome as well. The below photo is a rib-kid-meal.
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