Author: Mollie Dwortzan Mandell

Vancouver: Canada’s Outdoorsy Urban Oasis
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Vancouver: Canada’s Outdoorsy Urban Oasis

After a week-long Alaskan cruise, which included journeys on a plane, bus, skiff, helicopter, and JetCat boat, it was gratifying to reach dry land in Vancouver and finally explore on foot. As our ship, Regent Navigator, docked, the breezy promenade and massive sail-like rooftop structures of Canada Place came into view. This relatively young, international city with a distinct Asian flair has a laid-back, outdoorsy vibe. Filled with a delightful mix of traditional and modern architecture, Vancouver is surrounded by water on three sides and ringed by lovely, sandy beaches. British Columbia’s “west coast wonder”offers visitors the perfect mix of history, culture and outdoor pursuits all wrapped up in a pleasing, temperate climate.

Vancouver

Canada Place and its sail-like rooftop structures, echo the country’s nautical roots

A quick taxi ride brought us from the terminal to The Fairmont Pacific Rim, home base for our three-day visit. The hotel is sophisticated, but casual, and its soaring lobby offers cozy seating areas where we relaxed and enjoyed a drink. Our family of four met up with our guide and embarked on a three-hour private walking tour with a lovely young woman from Tour Guys. A graduate student with a wealth of knowledge, she engaged the boys with stories of the city’s roots. We spotted the ubiquitous floatplanes hovering in and out of the harbor, and stopped to admire the majestic Olympic Cauldron, lit during the 2010 Winter Games. We wound our way through the distinctive neighborhoods, Gastown and Chinatown, where we jumped into a taxi and continued our tour on Granville Island, the city’s creative center. After saying goodbye to our guide, we wandered around Granville, enjoying the galleries, a seafood lunch, and dessert at the Public Market.

Granville Island

Granville Island Public Market offers an endless mix of edibles

During our three days, we visited the Vancouver Aquarium and Stanley Park, and enjoyed the diverse cuisine and the views from the outdoor restaurants that dot the perimeter of the peninsula-shaped downtown area. Our last morning, we picked up boxed lunches from the Fairmont’s  Italian-inspired lobby café, Giovane, and then joined a fishing excursion at Coal Harbor marina. At the end of our long, but satisfying days, we relaxed at the Fairmont’s outdoor pool, and daydreamed about our next trip to Vancouver.

If you have only a few days to explore Vancouver, here are my recommendations:

Tour Guys: A great company that gives you a local’s perspective. They offer small group and private tours (as well a free public tours) that cover all the popular areas while getting into the “nooks and crannies regular sightseeing tours don’t go.”

Chinatown: North America’s third largest Chinatown — visit the summertime weekend night market and the tranquil Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Park.

Gastown: The starting point of modern-day Vancouver, its handsome brick and stone buildings house the best bars, restaurants and unique independent shops. Stop for a photo-op by the statue of “Gassy” Jack Deighton and the famous Steam Clock on Water Street.

Stanley Park: One of North America’s largest urban green spaces, it’s surrounded on three sides by stunning ocean views. Stroll or bike along the 8.8 km seawall, making stops along the way for a picnic lunch at one of the sandy beaches. Bikes can be rented at Spokes, near the park’s entrance.

Granville Island: A favorite urban hangout featuring plenty of waterfront shops and galleries, and an indoor Public Market with rows and rows of delicacies.

Vancouver Aquarium: Located in Stanley Park, my kids were mesmerized by the stunning iridescent, jellyfish displays, Beluga whales, and adorable sea otters and penguins.

Vancouver Aquarium

Vancouver Aquarium, home to 9,000 critters including these enchanting jellyfish

A sampling of our favorite restaurants:

Simply Thai: Located in hip Yaletown, Vancouver’s “little SOHO,” it offers authentic Thai in a warm and inviting setting. My kids devoured the delicious and beautiful steamed, violet-colored flower dumplings stuffed with minced chicken.

Coast: Fresh British Columbia seafood at its best, in a dramatic, high-ceilinged setting. The extremely professional and knowledgeable staff guided us through the menu, which also features a unique sushi selection.

The Sandbar: The perfect spot for lunch on Granville Island, with dramatic views of False Creek from its outdoor dining area.

Teahouse in Stanley Park: Set on a bluff overlooking the ocean, it features Pacific Northwest cuisine. Try to get a seat outside on the lovely patio.

Bella Gelateria: All natural, award-winning gelato, ice cream and sorbet — worth the wait in the line that forms outside its door. Located right around the corner from the Fairmont Pacific Rim, so of course we went … EVERY night.

IMG_2207

Smoked-salmon flatbread at the Teahouse in Stanley Park

Simply Thai Vancouver

Delicious and beautiful steamed, violet-colored flower dumplings at Simply Thai

Vancouver

A stunning view of downtown Vancouver and False Creek from the Sandbar restaurant on Granville Island

Stanley Park

Our walk around Stanley Park started with a view of Coal Harbor

Stanley Park

Gorgeous views from the grounds of Tea House restaurant in Stanley Park

Bella Gelateria

One of many visits to Gella Gelateria for the freshest and creamiest gelato

Vancouver

Vancouver’s proverbial picture-postcard views don’t disappoint

Ready to plan a unique trip for you or your family? Contact me at mollie@herrickstravel.com. For more information on my trip planning services, please click here.

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NY Travels: Discovery Times Square “Art of the Brick” Exhibit

“Art nurtures the brain. Whether made from clay, paint, wood or a modern-day toy.”

During a recent day-trip into Manhattan, my husband, our two sons, and I seized the opportunity to visit Discovery Times Square’s current exhibit, “The Art of the Brick.” My boys’ love of all things LEGO has resulted in my basement becoming a shrine to this popular, Danish, brick, construction toy. Naturally, we were very eager to visit the exhibit, which showcases artist Nathan Sawaya’s critically acclaimed collection of beautiful works of art made exclusively from LEGO bricks.

The artwork is inspiring, but so is the artist’s story. Before you enter, you watch a brief film that describes his life: “When I was a lawyer I quickly came to realize I was more comfortable sitting on the floor creating sculptures than I was sitting in a boardroom negotiating contracts. My own personal conflicts and fears, coupled with a deep desire for overall happiness, paved the way to becoming a full-time working artist,” explains Sawaya.

We wandered through the two-floor exhibit space marveling at the artist’s handiwork. Famous masterpieces as well as original works of art are entirely represented in colorful bricks. Next to each piece of artwork is a plaque that explains the historical context of the artwork as well as how Sawaya selected the specific LEGO’s to create the piece. It is amazing to see how he has fashioned the fold of a robe, the roundness of a shoulder, or a brushstroke of paint, with only rectangular and square shaped pieces as his medium. You can’t help but smile in amazement as you admire his skills.  From Vermeer to Van Gogh, and Whistler to Warhol, he tackles each piece with passion and flair.

At the end of the exhibit, there is a place where you can write your name on a LEGO brick and add it to a growing, free-form sculpture. When the New York show concludes, Nathan Sawaya will take apart the sculpture and create a new one-of-a-kind sculpture of his own, to be displayed at future exhibits. Any extra bricks that he doesn’t use will be donated to charity.

Whether you enjoy building with LEGOs or not, this is a must-see exhibit for children (and adults) of all ages. With a limited run, try to get there soon. (Check his website below for future exhibit locations in the U.S. and abroad).  Discovery Times Square is conveniently located on 44th between 7th and 8th Avenues, so combine it with other family-friendly, midtown stops like the Times Square Museum & Visitor’s Center, Madame Tussaud’s wax museum, Top of the Rock in Rockefeller Center, the Bryant Park Carousel, the Sony Wonder Technology Lab (an amazing hands-on exhibit), or an overnight stay at the New York Marriott Marquis, just one block away.

You will definitely come away from the exhibit inspired, with a life-lesson to boot — as artist Nathan Sawaya simply states, “Dreams are built, one brick at a time.”

Nathan Sawaya

An Easter Island LEGO Moai Sculpture

 

Nathan Sawaya

LEGO Nefertiti, wife of Pharaoh

Nathan Sawaya

This life-size yellow figure reveals a heart filled with LEGO’s

Nathan Sawaya

A portrait of the artist’s girlfriend

Nathan Sawaya

A close-up of the eye of the portrait reveals the square LEGO bricks

Nathan Sawaya

I added my LEGO to the growing free-form sculpture, soon to become a new Nathan Sawaya-built creation

Nathan Sawaya

Thousands of people added their bricks to the sculpture

For more information:

“Art of the Brick” ticket information

Future Nathan Sawaya “Art of the Brick” exhibits 

Times Square Alliance

Guide to Midtown Manhattan

Stay tuned for my next post: Vancouver: British Columbia’s West Coast Wonder

unique family traveler

Ready to book a trip? Email me at mollie@herrickstravel.com. 

Fish and Feast in Ketchikan, Alaska
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Fish and Feast in Ketchikan, Alaska

 

Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.

I have to say that I really knew nothing about fishing until my kids literally got hooked on this timeless pastime. Personally, I couldn’t tell you the difference between a fluke and a flounder, a jig and a rig, or a line and a leader. But, my kids have become avid fishermen, trolling the waters in and around Long Island for the past four years.  Like most things in life, it takes a child to open your mind to new experiences, and they have thus inspired my husband and I to include fishing excursions on several family vacations.

Our recent summer cruise to Alaska, on Regent Seven Seas Navigator, included a stop in Ketchikan, the state’s southeastern-most city. With my sons’ passion in mind, we signed up for the excursion “Guided Fishing in the Wilderness.”  I really didn’t know what to expect.  This wasn’t sunny Mexico or Miami – we were right in the heart of Alaska’s rainforest!  Before we left the safety of our cruise ship, I diligently dressed warmly and in layers, as instructed, and tried to visualize exactly what a “skiff” was and whether it would cause seasickness. But, from the moment we were introduced to Baranof Fishing Excursions, I was immediately put at ease.

We were escorted to their marina offices where the professional staff checked us in and helped us purchase our fishing licenses. Included in our charter were complete waterproof outfits designed to protect against wind and possible rain.  As we navigated our way into industrial strength rubber boots, pants, coats, and life vests, I couldn’t help but think of the “Gordon’s Fisherman.”

Our family of four was then introduced to our captain/guide who led us to our skiff – a small open boat, about 16 feet long. The trip out to the fishing spot took about 40 minutes, and on the way we marveled at the pristine Alaskan wilderness, spotting several bald eagles.  At the fishing site, our guide handed out the rods and tackle.  My kids immediately dropped their lines and began jigging, while my husband and I waited for instructions. Over the course of a few hours, at several different sites, the repeated shouts of “fish on!” had me scrambling for my camera to catch the joy on my kids’ faces.   They proudly hooked one dogfish, one halibut, and two rockfish.

With our fish in the hull, our captain brought us to Baranof’s wilderness camp for an outdoor culinary adventure.  Our catch of the day was expertly filleted and became the entrée in our gourmet campsite meal.  We sat on benches arranged around roaring fires surrounded by centuries-old cedars and spruce trees.  We chatted with other fishing families as we sipped hot coffee and hot chocolate, while an expert chef skillfully prepared our catch in his rustic, outdoor kitchen.  He transformed our fish into a mouth-watering, saffron-infused, bouillabaisse stew accompanied by fresh sourdough bread, garlic aioli, and for dessert, warm rhubarb blueberry bread pudding.  It was “Gourmet Magazine” meets “The Discovery Channel.”  There is nothing like the taste of fish freshly caught and prepared and served al fresco.

After lunch, the kids explored the shoreline and the tidal pools, and then we boarded our skiff and headed back to the marina with my son, Jack, happily at the tiller.  As we shed our fishing gear on the pier and sadly said our goodbyes to our guide, I thought back to that ancient fishing proverb, and realized that, although my fishing skills may not be sufficient to last me a lifetime, my memories certainly will.

Ketchikan Fishing

An expert fisherman, Jack boards the skiff and is ready to go

Fishing in Ketchikan

Harris’s first catch of the day, a fifteen-pound halibut

Fishing in Ketchikan

Jack follows-up with a Pacific Rockfish

Fishing in Ketchikan

Harris arrives at the campsite with his catch of the day

Fishing in Ketchikan

A successful day at sea

Fishing in Ketchikan

The chef prepares a gourmet meal in the wilderness campsite kitchen

Fishing in Ketchikan

A delicious halibut and rockfish Bouillabaisse

Fishing in Ketchikan

Exploring the tidal pools at the campsite

Fishing in Ketchikan

Jack at the tiller for the ride back to the marina

Check out my video below of our fishing and feasting adventure in action!

Ready to plan a unique trip for you or your family? Contact me at mollie@herrickstravel.com. For more information on my trip planning services, please click here.

 

Seattle: Top Spots to fill the Stomach and the Shopping Bag
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Seattle: Top Spots to fill the Stomach and the Shopping Bag

It has been said that an army travels on its stomach.  The same could be said for traveling families. My last post, “Four Days in Seattle, the Emerald City,” highlighted the best of what to do in this eclectic city, nestled between Puget Sound and Lake Washington.  Taking advantage of a summer-time visit filled with sunny days, and with the Four Seasons Seattle as our home base, we covered a lot of territory, exploring the sights and taking breaks to browse through the shops.  What surprised me about this city was how hilly it was — like a mini-San Francisco.  All of this urban hiking left us hungry, and as with any adventure away from home, sampling the local cuisine was paramount.

Seattle will not disappoint the food-lover with its bountiful seafood, fresh, locally produced ingredients, and focus on sustainable fishing and farming.  Fish plucked that morning right from the waters surrounding the city is not only common on menus, but expected.  With so many choices, the following list is by no means complete, but it’s a good start in helping you to plan a trip.  And, if you have more than a few days to spend here, consider renting a car or joining a tour, and taking an excursion outside the city to catch a glimpse of the beautiful and lush state of Washington.

Seattle Seafood

Seattle offers the freshest of seafood

The First Starbucks: A must-see for the caffeine addicted, near Pike Place Market.

Seatown Seabar & Rotisserie: With its outdoor-seating and location outside Pike Place Market, it’s the perfect spot for fresh seafood and people watching.

Elliot’s Oyster House: On Pier 56, stop here for lunch after a morning visit to the aquarium. Afterwards, stroll along the waterfront or ride the giant ferris wheel.

Plaka Estiatorio: Located in the historic and hip neighborhood of Ballard, this authentic local restaurant serves all the Greek specialties, like spanakopita and souvlaki.

Ray’s Boathouse: On the shores of Ballard not far from the Locks, enjoy casual seafood with a beautiful view of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

Wild Ginger: Located downtown, the city’s best Asian restaurant covers the whole Pacific Rim: Thai, Chinese, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Malaysian and more. Order the Buddha Roll, Seven Flavors Beef and the Sichuan Green Beans — delicious!!

Barolo Restaurant: When you get tired of seafood, this is a great choice for Italian. Located downtown, it’s casually elegant, and features old-world dishes with a contemporary twist. My kids loved the rigatoni with organic, lamb ragu.

Serious Pie & Biscuit: Just a few blocks from MOHAI Museum in the Westlake neighborhood, its specialties are personal-size pizzas made in wood-burning, stone ovens and biscuits topped with everything. It’s all served at communal tables.

Art Restaurant & Lounge: Located in the lobby of the Four Seasons Seattle Hotel, we celebrated our last night in town with delicious Northwest cuisine and dramatic sunset views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic mountains. And, our gracious server, a native of Alaska, engaged our kids with talk of our upcoming cruise up north.

Plaka Estiatorio

This authentic Greek restaurant is a great place for dinner in Ballard

Stop by these Seattle shops, all founded in the Pacific Northwest:

REI: Located downtown, this is not just an outdoor equipment/clothing store, but an indoor/outdoor adventure! Walking through the mini forest to enter the store, my kids were amazed by the 470-foot mountain bike test trail, which leads to a waterfall, and inside, the 65-foot tall rock climbing tower. They even had a “steep terrain” area to test out hiking boots!

Columbia: Located downtown, we picked up some extra outdoor sportswear for our next stop on our trip: Alaska. It’s well stocked — perfect if you forgot to pack something, which we did.

Fran’s Chocolates: Two words: “salted caramels.” Located on First Avenue, in the lobby of the Four Seasons Seattle hotel, this specialty chocolate shop is addictive—trust me, just go there. And, they give out free samples.

Nordstrom’s: Not far from Pike Place Market, this is the famous retailer’s first location.

Fran's Chocolates

Stop by Fran’s Chocolates for a taste of its irresistible confections

Fran's Chocolates

My son, Jack, puts his spending money to good use

If you have time:

Mt. Rainer National Park: On a clear day, you can see this majestic snow-capped mountain from downtown Seattle, and it’s only about 75 miles away.

Issaquah: It’s a former mining town, and now the second fastest growing suburb in the state. We went to visit my cousin, but I would recommend to anyone. There’s lots of mountain hiking trails, lush green forests, a quaint town center, a salmon hatchery and much, much more.

Ready to plan a unique trip for you or your family? Contact me at mollie@herrickstravel.com. For more information on my trip planning services, please click here.

Stay tuned for my next post…. Fish and Feast in Ketchikan

Four Days in Seattle, The Emerald City
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Four Days in Seattle, The Emerald City

Until this summer, I had only associated Seattle with coffee, Bill Gates, and the setting of one of my favorite sitcoms, “Frasier.” The little drawing of the skyline with the Space Needle prominently featured in the opening credits always intrigued me.  Having already booked a summer Alaskan cruise (covered in my post “Inside Passage,”) I jumped at the chance to add on a visit to Seattle before meeting our ship, the Regent Seven Seas Navigator, in Anchorage. It’s a three-hour flight from Sea-Tac airport to Anchorage or a two-and-a half hour drive to the Canadian Border, which makes Seattle the perfect jumping off point if you are headed to points north. The visit also gave the four of us (my husband, our two sons and me) a chance to spend time with my cousin and her family who have recently made Seattle their home.

Emerald City is actually the official nickname for this seaport, surrounded by lush evergreen forests, which is unusual for a coastal destination. Our four days, although too brief, gave us a taste of all that this eclectic city has to offer. Yes, it has earned its reputation as rainy for most of the year, but a visit to Seattle in the summertime will surprise you with many warm, sunny days and daylight extending past 9pm. To make the best use of our time, we booked a hotel in the downtown area, the Four Seasons Seattle, which enabled us to walk, take public transportation, or taxis to any other part of the city. And, we also rented a car for road trips to the suburbs. Having a hotel with an outdoor pool also came in handy after long days of touring, and since the weather was so mild, we made good use of it.  The hotel’s outdoor deck, overlooking Puget Sound, was the perfect spot to end the day.

If you only have a few days to spend in Seattle, here are my top picks of things to do. (Bolded items are hyperlinked to the related websites):

Seattle Space Needle
A view from the top of the Space Needle

Things to do:

  • Seattle Space Needle: Built for the ’62 World’s Fair, make this your first stop to get a bird’s-eye view of the whole city. Reserve in advance online.
  • Monorail: After visiting the Space Needle, jump on the Monorail for the one-mile ride back to downtown.
  • Pike Place Market: Seattle’s famous public market with lots of stalls selling fresh local produce, fish, crafts and baked goods like yummy bear claws.
  • Seattle Aquarium: Perched on Pier 59 overhanging Puget Sound, it gives you a great view of Pacific Northwest creatures including adorable otters and seals.
  • Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI): The name sounds dull but the museum is definitely not! It’s a great way to learn Northwestern history through hands-on exhibits and historic photos and memorabilia—like the set from Seattle-themed TV show “Frasier.”
  • Boeing Factory Tour: This was a huge hit with my kids. Located in Everett, 25 miles from downtown, this tour takes you through Boeing’s commercial jet assembly plant, the world’s largest building by volume, where the 787 Dreamliner are assembled. Book online in advance.  We drove in our car, but van tours are also available; contact your hotel concierge or front desk for information on tours and public transportation.
  • Ballard Locks and Fish Ladder: A real engineering feet, this mini Panama Canal comprised of locks, or water elevators, enable vessels to pass between Puget Sound and Lakes Union and Washington. After watching the boats, walk to the far side of the bridge and check out the salmon that make their way to spawning grounds by using specially built ladders. This was of extreme interest to my kids who have recently become avid fishermen, and a real learning experience for anyone interested in the life-cycle of Seattle’s famous fish.

For more information, check out my recent article: Seattle: Top Spots to fill the Stomach & the Shopping Bag

Ready to plan a unique trip for you or your family? Contact me at mollie@herrickstravel.com. For more information on my trip planning services, please click here.

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Boeing Factor Tour

Welcome Center for the Boeing Factory Tour: cameras and phones are not allowed in the actual factory.

Puget Sound

A view of Seattle’s Great Wheel on Pier 57 from the pool deck of the Four Seasons.