Long Island Day
Trip
Friday,
November 20, 2015
Merle and I took a short trip to a few places near Garden City, Long Island. I still don't like to go anywhere without my GPS who decided that we needed to travel through the campus of Nassau Community College to our first stop.... Long
Island Children's Museum. www.licm.org
The
museums exhibits and galleries are designed for children from 2 to 12 and is a
hands on experience. There are several
programs available including the Theater, workshops, early Childhood
Programs, and Group visits. There is also an Outreach Program that goes
out to classes, libraries, community centers, etc.
On
our trip we were accompanied by a staff member, as adults are not allowed to
tour the Museum without a child. Merle
had her rubber chickens but that didn't count.
Children
can build, make bubbles, construct, climb, create, and generally explore the
different areas for hours on end. They
won't be looking at their I-pads or phones, so as a parent, you shouldn't
either. Spend the time watching your
kids explore and learn and maybe you can learn something too.
not without difficulty from my dear GPS. It certainly would have been easier just looking at a map, which I did.
Lunch
is at the newly renovated Garden City Hotel in the Polo Lounge for the Business
Lunch. For $32 you can choose from a
selected appetizer, main course and any side.
Guaranteed within 30 minutes, for the business people with limited
time. There is also a raw bar and
seafood available for an extra charge.
At first I thought I was at the wrong table having been seated with some rubber chickens.....they were escorted to another table.
I
start off with the Lobster Bisque which is a large bowl. The bisque is not too thick and the taste is
not over powering as some bisque can be.
I started off with a salad and then get the Maine Lobster Roll as the entree. It was a large portion on a New England style
Brioche roll. A little too much dressing
for my taste, but over-all very good.
The
side of Brussel sprouts with bacon and brown sugar is exceptional.
Not a surprise, for
dessert, the Vanilla crème brulee which is just the right texture and
consistency. After out "Get your our spoon....get your own damn spoon" adventure, Merle rarely gets the creme brulee but did so.
A
full lunch and dinner is also available at the Polo Steak House, right next to
the lounge, in addition to a Saturday afternoon Tea and a Sunday Brunch.
I don't know what was up with Clarissa as she started to talk in German or some language of that sort. We were just going back to an address that was so near the Children's Museum....we made it to... Nassau
County Firefighters Museum and Education Center. www.ncfiremuseum.org
Located
right next to the Aviation Museum in Garden City on Museum Row.
Starting
with the collection of memorabilia of a
fire service academy instructor, Frank Pendl and a Nassau County fire marshal,
Andy Stienmuller, who wanted to have a public education center, and the 71 fire
departments of Nassau County, the Museum
finally found its home at its current location.
The
Museum now houses exhibits of historic and contemporary “firematic” memorabilia
and equipment from small patches, to huge fire trucks. A major goal of the Education Center is to
inform the public, particularly children, about fire safety and prevention.
The
Museum is currently raising funds for a 5,000 square feet expansion.
Chief
John Murray showed Merle and me around the Museum, including areas designated
for interactive education for children and school groups.
It's
a fascinating place and a great learning experience for any one of any age.
