Family Vacation Ideas and Help for Family Vacations

When my son was asked to write an essay for school on the “Best Part of First Grade,” he wrote about his Spring Break trip to NYC. It made me realize the scope of education through travel, as he never referred to the classroom at school. Our family trip was educating and fun, which is so important for children.

Here are a few more ways to mesmerize the kids this summer in New York City:

MONUMENTAL MAN-MADE WATERFALLS PREMIER AT FOUR WATERFRONT LOCATIONS IN NYC  

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park Announces the New York City Waterfalls Package at The Only Luxury Hotel Featuring Waterfall Views from Guest Rooms and Suites

A new major work of temporary public art by internationally acclaimed artist Olafur Eliasson, The New York City Waterfalls, will be on display in New York City from July to October 2008. The project is commissioned by the Public Art Fund, and consists of four monumental, man-made waterfalls installed for three months at four sites along the shores of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Governors Island. The 90 to 120-foot tall installations, which have been designed to protect water quality and aquatic life, will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, and will be lit after sunset, adding a striking element to New York City’s iconic skyline.

The New York City Waterfalls Package at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park includes the following:

• Overnight luxury harbor view accommodations in a guest room or suite.

Harbor view accommodations are equipped with in-room telescopes for enhanced views of the Governors Island Waterfall, Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor.

• Two tickets for a 60-minute cruise to view “The New York City Waterfalls” with the official Water Tour provider, Circle Line Downtown.

The cruise offers visitors the most in depth look at this monumental work of public art, with audio insights from the artist behind them. Visitors will be able to see an up close view of the waterfalls (Brooklyn Bridge, Governors Island, Pier 35 in Manhattan, and Piers 4&5 in Brooklyn) on the tours. Guests will also see New York’s most iconic sights including Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The tour is offered multiple times each day.

• Complimentary Downtown Connection shuttle bus regularly picks up guests across the street from the hotel and drops off at South Street Seaport where tours depart from Pier 16. Also, the Pier is a fifteen-minute walk or five minute taxi ride from the hotel.

• American breakfast for two in choice of 2 WEST restaurant or in-room dining.

This package is available weekdays and weekends from July 4, 2008 thru October 14, 2008.

Conceived by Eliasson and commissioned by the Public Art Fund, The New York City Waterfalls will showcase New York City’s natural environment alongside the City’s industrial and commercial landscape. Sited in the historic New York Harbor, which has served as the gateway to America for nearly four centuries and as a point of origin for the City’s growth, the Waterfalls will introduce a breathtaking element into the heart of New York’s waterfront. The waterfalls have been designed to be sensitive to the environment. The structures will not only protect fish, aquatic life, the river and the shoreline, but will also run on “green power”–electricity generated from renewable resources–for its operations.

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park is the only AAA Five Diamond luxury waterfront property in New York. The hotel overlooks historic New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Guests venturing from the snug haven of their room can enjoy a breathtaking sunset and award-winning cocktails from Rise, the hotel’s 14th floor bar and terrace or experience New York’s only Prada Beauty Spa. For hotel reservations and information, visit online at www.ritzcarlton.com, or call 800-241-3333, or the hotel direct at 212-344-0800.