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Its summer time and the weather is fine, you can jump right up and touch the sky…. Well yes! This is the time you want to go out, roll in the sand, climb high mountains, camp in the wild and do so many out of the ordinary things.

The weather seems just right, nature seems to call out to you, the sea invites you and the feeling is just irresistible.

Well there’s no point waiting and all you need to do is plunge into your holiday activity and enjoy every moment of it. But hey, – Conditions do Apply.

Now it’s time to read between the lines. While you shouldn’t obsess over the possible hazards and obstacles in your path, it would be wise to calmly prepare for them. It doesn’t hurt to have a ‘plan B’. Camping, hiking, sea swimming and sun bathing can be great fun, but throwing all caution to the wind in your hedonistic pursuits, can all too often prove to be counter-productive. It’s with good cause that spring is also referred to as allergy season, a bleak description that could also describe the weather that continues into summer, and its best for you to stay on guard. Well, almost anything can trigger an allergy and you need to be aware of your surroundings, as well as your body’s responses to various possible triggers. Let’s look at some of the allergies you could be prone to and how you can prepare for them:

Allergies Affecting You

Pollen/ Plant Allergies: If you are out in the wild this is one thing you need to keep a lookout for. Pollen levels are highest during this time of the year and trigger severe respiratory allergies. Asthma patients are at highest risk, and if you do suffer from asthma and must venture out, make sure to take precautions. As a preventive measure you should carry your asthma pump with you wherever you go. Besides this, there are various creams that will help in the treatment of rashes that could result from any allergy, resulting from contact with various wild weeds and herbs like Poison Ivy, Dandelion, sun flower, velvet grass, cypress trees, maple trees and so on.

Animal Dander and Dust Mites: This is probably the most widespread of all allergies, second only to those caused by plant material. Dust is probably the hardest to avoid, particularly when you’re outdoors. Keeping your house dust free in itself is a challenge. Animal dander on the other hand can be controlled, but you can’t always avoid contact if you’re travelling or a guest at someone else’s house. As with any allergy, if it isn’t always possible to avoid exposure to the allergen, you need to take measures to protect yourself against possible exposure. Carry a first aid kit with you with any anti-allergy medications you could need, as well as ointments and lotions to help prevent or minimize the effects of an allergic reaction. If you’re out camping, select your camp site well and pitch your tents carefully.

Insect Stings: The very thought of those creepy crawlies can send shivers up your spine. As disinfected, bug free, and sterile as your household may be, there’s little that you can do to avoid them outdoors. Bee stings, ants, mosquitoes and so on can sting you at anytime; either when wide awake or fast asleep. One of the most effective ways to protect yourself against possible insect bites would be by applying insect repellents, like mosquito repellent creams and bug sprays. Burning a fire at nights will also keep insects away. Some bites and stings cause severe reactions and can even be life threatening because of the toxins released into your body. In such scenarios, where you observe any severe or prolonged reactions, it would be best to rush to the nearest emergency unit.

Foods: Food can be another major cause of allergies and it’s also often the hardest to identify. While those wild berries and fruits may look really tempting try not to reach out for them! Food allergies can produce pretty severe reactions, so it’s important that you are particularly careful about the foods you eat if you have ever suffered from an allergic reaction. With the delightful weather outside, it’s great to get outdoors, but try and carry some sandwiches, chips and health drinks when you go camping or picnicking. Always be prepared for a reaction and carry the necessary first aid, in case you are going to be in an isolated area with poor access to medical facilities. Eating at cheap motels could also be risky, so try not to grab any quick bites along the way.

Worried about heavy electric bills this summer because of the air conditioning your home requires? Well, there is a lot that you can do to keep your room cool, without being dependent on air conditioning. Cooling your room with an air conditioner may work really well, but it’s not the best method in terms of both energy efficiency and the environmental cost.

An air conditioner may be a necessity in some parts of the world, but it isn’t something we can’t make do without. There are other methods of cooling as well, some that are more energy efficient and practical, and some that simply require a little effort on your part.

Evaporative Cooling

Evaporative cooling is a technology that uses water to cool the air through evaporation.

This sets it apart from refrigerative air conditioning systems and makes it a lot more cost effective. This is particularly effective for cooling air in areas with a dry climate. In such conditions, it also helps to moisturize the air making living conditions a lot more comfortable. While it requires a steady supply of water to work it does not consume much electricity making it a lot more eco-friendly.

Turn on the Fans Switch off the AC

Fans cool the room by circulation the air that is present. In this way it helps keep the air fresh at all times. Breathing fresh air will help you stay calm, cool and also active through the day. Fans are also known to consume less energy as compared to most air cooling units and therefore are more efficient. Refrigerative air conditioners tend to use more energy and therefore are responsible for heating the outside air, making the summers hotter.

Fans don’t actually lower the temperature though; they simply ensure a steady flow of fresh air keeping you a lot more comfortable. In areas with an arid climate where the temperature of the air itself rises in summer, fans are unlikely to be of much help without additional cooling.

Check your Drapes

What color are your drapes and curtains? That’s an important factor that you need to keep in mind when finding ways to cool your room. Dark colored curtains will absorb more heat and therefore should be avoided. Decorate your home with some light colored curtains and bed covers. This will reflect much of the heat and light from your home and thus keep it bright and cool for most part of the day and night. Make sure that your curtains are not of heavy material; cotton is best.

Plants are the best natural coolers

Sitting in the shade of a tree is always a lot more comfortable than standing in the bright sun, but this only seems logical. Trees however don’t just offer shade; they actually do help keep the temperature down. Similarly, a few plants around your home, on your front porch, as also in your home will help to a great extent to maintain the right temperature to keep the air pleasant. Plants use the heat and light of the sun for their own sustenance and in turn grace the atmosphere with oxygen that is a necessity for our survival.

Cooking adds to the heat.

Cooking food can increase the temperature in the room, making you feel gloomy lot more irritable and gloomy. Though cooking is a regular feature in most houses there are different ways to keep the heat from affecting us. Fitting an exhaust fan in the kitchen will solve 90% of the problem as most of the heat will be thrown out of the room. Other tips like cooking food earlier in the day, avoiding foods that need too much cooking and so on will help in maintain a pleasant room temperature.

Other Small tips:

Besides all of this there are a few other things that you could do to maintain the coolness of your room. These include.

Check the humidity of your room. The more the humidity the higher the temperature in the room.

Avoid as much as possible the use of electric appliances like laptops computers, microwaves and so on.

Keep the house clean and keep things in order. It greatly helps in keeping the air clean and cool.

Avoid closing the windows completely. The drapes can help keep the heat out while good ventilation helps in air circulation.

All these tips date back to the times when electricity was not commonplace. With time however, we have resorted to technology to solve our cooling problems. However, these natural cooling tips are still an answer to cool a heating room.

What new goodies are parks planning for us? This is where to get the lowdown on the new roller coasters, attractions, rides, and shows are on tap? Discover the latest and greatest theme park happenings.

2012 Will Be a Great Ride

Holiday World, 2011. Used with permission.

It's an incredibly exciting year at theme parks. Insane new roller coasters, cutting-edge attractions, new record-holders, and so much more await park fans in 2012. There's such an overload of goodness, it's going to be hard to figure out how to fit it all in. To help you decide how to plan your park visits, I've compiled all the new developments in a handy-dandy, park-by-park list. Are you ready to ride?

Fairy Tales can Come True at Expanded WDW Fantasyland in 2012 and 2013

Disney 2009. Used with permission.

A major expansion at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Florida will more than double the size of Fantasyland. With two phases scheduled to open in 2012 and 2013, the land will offer richer, more immersive experiences and will introduce a wider array of characters. Instead of simple meet-and-greets, the new mini-lands will envelop guests in the worlds of Disney's classic films and get them involved in hands-on adventures.

Read more about the Fantasyland expansion and see preview images.

All in All, Another Brick in the Fall at New Legoland Florida

© Merlin Entertaimants, 2010. Used with permission.

It's now open! Built on the site of the former Cypress Gardens and opened in October 2011, the new Legoland Florida is larger than any of the current four Legolands (including the sole US property, Legoland California). It offers about 50 rides and shows. Like the other parks, it is geared to the 12-and-under set, and features Lego-themed lands and attractions, many of which are interactive and include hands-on activities.

Putting the Disney into Disney's California Adventure

Disney 2007. Used with permission.

The transformed park will include a new entry plaza, a new Cars Land, new attractions, a new nighttime spectacular, and more.

Massive 5-year, $1.1 billion expansion and makeover of park announced in 2007

Despicable Stuff Coming to Sunshine State. The Florida Ride Guide 2012

Universal Orlando, 2011. Used with permission.

Among the new goodies there will be an all-new motion simulator attraction based on the hit film, Despicable Me, headed to Universal Studios Florida and a 3-D film and marine life exhibit about turtles coming to SeaWorld Orlando.

Read more about theses and other 2012 Florida attractions.

California Parks Transform in 2012

Universal Studios 2008. Used with permission

Nostalgia is often part of the appeal of theme parks. Honoring and preserving the past is good, but parks cannot stand still nor rest on its laurels. Many California parks are transforming themselves in 2012 with a slew of new attractions, including Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, Transformers at Universal Studios Hollywood, and Manta at SeaWorld San Diego.

Read about what's new at California parks in 2012.

Bigger Better Potter

© Arthur Levine, 2010. Licensed to About.com.

From the moment that Harry Potter and the gang took up residence at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure, the response has been nothing short of phenomenal. And since people can't seem to get enough Potter, Universal is doing the logical thing and giving them more.

Read more about The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Expansion in Florida.

Roller Coaster Ride Guide 2012

Six Flags, 2011. Used with permission.

What a year for coaster lovers. Many parks will be spending big bucks to bring big, bad, new thrill machines. Read about the two "wing" coasters coming to Six Flags Great America and Dollywood, the 200-foot Skyrush debuting at Hersheypark, the monstrous Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland, the almost-as-monstrous Shambhala at PortAventura, and many more.

Six Flags Ride Guide 2012

Six Flags, 2011. Used with permission.

There are some spectacular coasters and other rides coming to Six Flags. How spectacular? Well, how about the world's tallest vertical drop ride? It will cause hearts to race, armpits to perspire, and Lord knows what other bodily functions at Six Flags Magic Mountain. It's hard to imagine a more thrilling ride.

See what's on tap for all of the parks in the Six Flags Ride Guide 2012

Turtles, Penguins, Rides, and Shows Coming to SeaWorld Orlando in 2012 and 2013

SeaWorld Orlando, 2011. Used with permission.

Continuing its tradition of combining live animal experiences with themed rides and shows, SeaWorld Orlando has two major attractions coming. In 2012, the park will open TurtleTrek, an exhibit that will include real sea turtles and super-duper virtual turtles presented in glorious 360-degree 3-D. The following year, SeaWorld's penguins will shuffle over to a newly expanded attraction that will feature a ride-through experience.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando, 2007. Used with permission.

Fans of one of the most beloved series of books and films can now visit J.K. Rowling's fanciful lands and characters at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, part of Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando.

Disney to Let the Memories Begin in 2011 and 2012

© Arthur Levine, 2007. Licensed to About.com.

Let the Memories Begin will be the theme for the 2011 and 2012 promotions at the US Disney parks. It features a spectacular nightly show that incorporates guest images.

Read more about Let the Memories Begin.

Ride Guide 2011

Cedar Fair, 2010.

New rides. New shows. New coasters. New thrills. Even new theme parks. There will be plenty of reasons to visit North American amusement parks and theme parks in 2011. Highlights include The Little Mermaid ride at Disney's California Adventure, part of the ongoing expansion of Disneyland's second park; wild, new coasters at Busch Gardens Tampa, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Six Flags Over Georgia; and the snappy new Legoland Florida (which is being built on the stately grounds of Cypress Gardens). Please lower your lap bar, and keep your hands inside the moving vehicle at all times, as we discover what's new at theme parks in 2011.

Discover what's new at About.com's Ride Guide 2011.

Park Ride Guides by Year

Busch Entertainment, 2007. Used with permission.

Discover the new roller coasters, rides, and other goodies that theme parks and amusement parks have introduced through the years.

I'm Cowboy Ryan Ehmann "AS SEEN ON ABC SHARK TANK" and I can't wait to share this program with you. Are you "TIRED OF WORKING OUT WITH MINIMUM RESULTS? CAN'T GET RID OF BELLY FAT? For only $9.95 LEARN THE Cowboy Fit Zone SECRET at LOSE12INCHES.com. IT'S SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN AND SWEEPING THE NATION BECAUSE IT WORKS. YOU WILL DISCOVER that YOU'VE BEEN WORKING OUT WRONG YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. My client "Daymond John, Founder of FUBU and Reality TV Star of ABC Shark Tank is doing the Cowboy Fit Zone training so why not join him. You will learn the scientific reason why you are not losing fat with any other workout. Come on, let's get started today. Wooo Hoooo ... That's What I'm Talking About! VISIT: www.Lose12inches.com

I'm going to give this a try. I hope you will too and let me know your results! I'll share mine

Get this free today! All we ask instead is to "pay" us with a Tweet or a Facebook post! Subscribe to our newsletter for our Grand Opening and lots more freebies!

Click this button. Once you've posted, it'll re-direct you to the file for you to print and create any way you'd like, as many as you'd like.

Newsletter www.eepurl.com/jEK6D

“O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?” Shelley concluded his ode to the west wind on a hopeful note with spring being significant of better days to come. The season of spring conjures images of blossoming flowers, trees laden with fruit and leaves fluttering in happy cheer.

You aren't the only person with a quirky behavior to conceal. You aren't the only one anxious about a trivial thing or two. You have a life that is perfectly in sync with the rest of humanity.

Healthy hair enhances your spunky rejuvenated look, so that you can continue prancing around in style!

Why the gloomy hair in spring?

To look at your flat, boring hair in the summer can be quite upsetting. The weather and your mood seem to be at odds. Spring is often able to restore life to everything EXCEPT your hair! Before you try to get rid of your problems, you need to understand the cause. When the hair cuticles lie flat they overlap tightly and protect the inner layers from heat, sun and chlorine damage. During the summers, the humidity, moisture and heat cause the hair cuticle to open up, and this leads to split ends, breakage and duller hair color. The strong UV rays also oxidize melanin in the hair, which is reflected in lightening of hair color. Excessive heat also sucks out the healthy proteins and natural oils from your hair. Spring can increase your hair woes, so that instead of feeling refreshed you look more tired and frazzled.

Reinvigorate your tresses

There is a lot that you can do, to keep your hair looking healthy and manageable. Whatever the texture of your hair may be, make sure that you use a shampoo that is suited to or specifically meant for your hair type. Use a UV protecting shampoo to prevent extensive sun damage to your hair. If you spend time swimming in chlorinated pool water, then you need to use a clarifying shampoo to prevent probable hair damage. A protein shampoo can help breathe life into your dull mane. Almost 88% of your hair is composed of proteins which are important for preventing breakage and dryness.

Use a deep cleansing conditioner if you are tackling frizzy, dry hair. There are simple kitchen ingredients that you can use to condition your hair. If you have dry hair, you can treat it with a simple homemade moisturizer. Add a tablespoon of oil and an egg yolk to a cup of yogurt. Apply this mix to your hair and leave it on for about three hours. Yet another homemade hair conditioner that you can use to improve hair shine involves mixing lemon juice and egg. Apply and leave this on your hair for about 15 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Use leave-in hair conditioners as they help moisturize your hair better. Make sure the water you use to wash your hair is not too hot, as this can affect hair vitality.

Hair serums can make your frizzy hair more manageable. Do not apply it to the roots of your hair; start from the middle to the end. Apply a coin-sized amount of serum to damp hair. You can even make your own serum with avocado, jojoba, and coconut oils.

Foods to eat for healthy hair

Eating healthy food can actually improve the texture of your hair. Chickpeas provide a good amount of iron-rich protein that helps fortify your hair. Complement your consumption of chickpeas with other vitamin C- rich foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits. Skinless chicken which is chock full of proteins and B vitamins are also good for dull hair. Iron–rich lentils are also a good food option as they help strengthen dry hair.

I've been suffering from migraines for the past few years. I dont really recall when or how it started, but they got worse after we moved. I started to see a neurologists whom specializes in migraines. Mine were so bad that I had to start botox injections. They were lasting for 37 days or more without a break.

It has worked for me, but along with the migraines, I had some other health issues. One happened a couple of months ago after bike riding with my kids. I suddenly got very winded and came home to lay on the couch. I couldnt move my body. It felt paralized. I was terified. I didnt know why this was happening or even what was happening.

A few weeks later it happened again after returning home from the store. I started to have nerve issues througout my body, which for me is normal as I have issues with those. Once it was so bad I thought I was having heart attache because my arm had a shooting pain so bad I had to drop the phone.

This becomes terrifying because what happens is I lose all control of my body. I'm awake, I have feeling, but my body cant move. I can only speak, I cant move my body. It feels like when you first wake up in the morning and your so tired. Your mentally awake, but your mody wont move. Also a feeling of a stroke. It lasts for about 2 hours.

Yesterday, I was in Physical Therapy, not doing anything really, when suddenly I felt like I was loosing control. I felt weak, I noticed my body was going numb and I could no longer hold my head up. I was carried over to the bed where I do my stretches. That gave my body relief becaue it would relax and do its thing. Becaues my PT is in the hospital, they had me to go the ER. They did numerous tests as they've never heard of this before.

They got in touch with my neurologists, whom is familiar with me having these in the past. He said soemtimes people with migraines have these sizure like episodes called Migraine. I never knew there were different names for migraines.

If you have any of the symptoms of hemiplegic migraine, see your doctor for a full evaluation. This is a serious form of migraine and many of its symptoms are also signs of a stroke. Tests to look for signs of a stroke may include a CT scan or MRI of the head. An exam may also include tests of the heart and blood vessels in your neck to evaluate whether your symptoms may be caused by blood clots forming in the heart or blood vessels in the neck. I had all these done which is why I'm assuming my doctor knew what was going on.

Genetic testing is available for hemiplegic migraine. If you have a family member with similar symptoms, or if you test positive for one of the genetic defects linked to hemiplegic migraine, you maybe diagnosed with "familial" hemiplegic migraine. That means it runs in your family, and you most likely could pass it on to your children. If you don't test positive, your condition is called sporadic hemiplegic migraine.

When somebody mentions having a migraine we tend to automatically think of a really bad headache. Most people associate a migraine to be just that. However there are several different types of migraines that display very different symptoms.

Migraine - only a really bad headache?

Migraine describes the disease which is the vessels in the brain have spasms which causes a change in blood flow. Sometimes it causes extreme pain and other times it causes visual problems. There is also a different set of symptoms caused by migraine that is much more severe. These are called hemiplegic migraines.

Symptoms of Hemiplegic Migraine

The symptoms are the same for both FHM and SHM. Those symptoms are as follows:

Visual disturbances or aura that can last for days or even weeks. - Vision may seem like you are looking through a broken window or may have a zig-zag appearance.

Hemiplegia or having paralysis on just one side of the body. This symptom generally comes on suddenly and is often confused with stroke. - For this reason it is advised to wear a medical idea bracelet.

Fever

Symptoms of the condition “meningitis” without having the actual disease. - One will experience the identical symptoms of meningitis without really having the illness. This is yet another reason you should wear a medical identification bracelet. I suffer from all of these.

Changes in consciousness such as confusion or even coma.

Headache. - Headache is not always a symptom, but is noted as one of the possible symptoms.

Irregular or poor muscles coordination.

Nausea and vomiting.

Heightened sensitivity to sound. (phonophobia)

Heightened sensitivity to light. (photophobia)

How Are Hemiplegic Migraine Headaches Treated?

Treatments for Hemiplegic Migraines

Because hemiplegic migraines are rare many doctors have never treated anybody for the condition and are unsure about the right treatment. It is best to educate yourself on the subject and seek the help of a migraine specialist who understands the disease path. There are a lot of symptoms associated with hemiplegic migraines and for that reason they are much harder to treat.

The best treatment right now is medications such as NSAID’s and narcotic analgesics. A patient with hemiplegic migraine would not want to take any medications that are vaso- constrictors because there are concerns that this may cause stroke.

With normal migraine the onset is often due to external factors such as stress, diet, lack of sleep, etc. but with hemiplegic migraine this is a genetic neurological disorder that affects the amount of calcium moving into and out of the cells of the chromosome 1 and 19. Because of this abnormal influx and efflux of calcium, this causes neurons to fire too easily which in turn causes the hemiplegic migraine. For this reason it has been found that calcium channel blockers can be an effective preventative to the migraines. It is not likely that a change in diet or exercise or stress level will prevent a hemiplegic migraine attack.

It is also very important to tell your children of your condition so they can inform their doctors of the family history just in case they begin showing symptoms of the same disorder. It is possible to prevent your children from having a hemiplegic migraine if their doctors are aware of the family history and thus they can test and treat the disorder before it ever manifests itself in the form of an attack.

Certainly this is the most traumatic of all migraines but the good news is they tend to lessen or even go away as your get older. Understanding the disorder and knowing the chances that your children will also suffer from it is a huge benefit to them. But it is still very poorly understood in the world of science and research continues to try to figure out the causes and cures for this debilitating disorder. Hopefully as it becomes better understood science can develop treatments and possibly a cure to eliminate this disorder from ever effecting another generation.

So, the next time you see your doctor, be sure to talk to him/her about your migraines.

Enjoy two great weekends of fun, with the Easter Bunny Express at the N.C. Transportation Museum!

Take a ride on the Easter Bunny Express. The Easter Bunny will be riding alongside children

and their parents, while handing out candy for the kids. Kids can also get temporary tattoos

and make a craft to take home!

This year, we have two weekends full of fun. The fun starts Saturday and Sunday, March 23 & 24

with Easter Bunny Express rides. The fun continues Friday and Saturday, March 29 & 30.

March 30 Only: The big Easter Egg Hunt happens at Noon for kids 10 and under.

AND In addition to the Easter Bunny Express, the event will also feature the

Lehigh Valley Steam Locomotive #126 pulling the museum's special Caboose Train!

Get Your Tickets Today! http://www.nctrans.org/Events/Easter-Bunny-Express.aspx

Train Ride Times

• March 23 - 10, 11, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30

• March 24 - 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30

• March 29 - 10, 11, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30

• March 30 - 10, 11, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30

March 30 ONLY

Annual Easter Egg Hunt - Noon

Children will be divided into age groups, 0-3, 4-5, 6-7 and 8-10. Golden eggs will be available in each age group. Eggs will be stuffed with small toys, candy and stickers. Bring your own basket!

Get Your Tickets Today! http://www.nctrans.org/Events/Easter-Bunny-Express.aspx

Noizy Bandz Children's wristbands are musical, educational and a whole lot of fun! Watch your children light up as they hear the music and fun sounds coming from their wristbands that they control. First of its kind, expect more from your silicone bandz check out Noizy Bandz and hear the music at www.noizybandz.com Great for all ages and all occasions. Have a Birthday party give a musical Happy Birthday band instead of a card kids just go crazy for them. Check them out at www.noizybandz.com

I havnet had the opportunity to try this yet, so use this coupon and I'll post my review once I have tried it, and please share your thoguhts if you get one.

Coupon

New York City has a wealth of fun things to do that don't cost a thing -- you just have to know where to look. If you're traveling with with children, check out this list of free things to do around the city and see how many family-friendly free activities New York City has to offer.

1. Central Park

Central Park is something many travelers find surprising, yet wonderful -- many folks say it's their favorite thing in New York City. The enormous park offers visitors (& locals) a contrast to and escape from the bustling city that surrounds it. If your kids need to burn off steam (particularly after visiting the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art or American Museum of Natural History), head to Sheep Meadow or the Great Lawn, with wide expanses perfect for running free (or having a picnic!) Kids are also sure to enjoy a visit to Belvedere Castle, catch-and-release fishing or spending some time at one of the park's 21 wonderful playgrounds. There are also a number of inexpensive activities that kids enjoy: renting model boats to sail in the Conservancy Water, taking a spin on the Central Park Carousel or rowing a boat across the Lake.

2. Grand Central Terminal

If your kids (or their parents) like trains or architecture, Grand Central is a great stop to add to your itinerary. Take your kids to the whisper gallery outside of the Oyster Bar and they can experience some of the building's interesting architectural "secrets" first hand. Grand Central is also a wonderful place for people-watching, but avoid rush hours if you want to make it easier to keep an eye on your children.

3. Staten Island Ferry

Don't want to fork over a lot of cash, but you want to see the Statue of Liberty and the New York Harbor? Look no further than New York City's famously free boat "tour" -- the Staten Island Ferry. Although the view of the Statue of Liberty won't be as good as you'd get on a sightseeing boat cruise, the price is right, and you'll get a great view of the New York Harbor and the working waterfront of NYC.

4. Pier 6 at Brooklyn Bridge Park

The playgrounds here are simply spectacular, and the views are great as well. Kids will love the opportunity to run around various areas, including Slide Mountain and a water area that's practically a mini-water park (bring a towel!) Parents will love the fact that it's well situated for walking around historic Brooklyn Heights and that there are numerous vendors selling delicious eats.

5. Governors Island

On weekends from late May through the end of September, you can explore Governors Island with your kids. Take a free ferry ride from Manhattan (adjacent to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal) or from Pier 6 at Brooklyn Bridge Park to get your adventure started. Governors Island hosts a variety of events throughout the season, including many that are great for kids like FIGMENT Mini Golf, free kayaking and arts & crafts. It's completely car-free, making it a great place to go bike riding and one hour bike rentals are free on Holiday Mondays.

6. Brooklyn Bridge

Taking a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge will cost you nothing (except the energy that it takes to make the 1.1 mile walk). One fun way to incorporate a Brooklyn Bridge walk into your trip is to take the subway to Brooklyn, visit Brooklyn Heights or Brooklyn Bridge Park and walk back to Manhattan along the pedestrian walkway. It's really amazing to see the Manhattan skyline "appear" as you approach the mid-point of the bridge. If you plan to walk one direction of bridge, it will probably take you about an hour, maybe longer if you have kids walking with you (as opposed to in a stroller or carrier.)

7. Get Into a New York City Museum for Free

Museum admission for a family can add up to be quite a bit, which is why you should check out the Free & Pay-What-You-Wish Days at NYC Museums and our guide to Free Days/Times at NYC Children's Museums. With a little planning, you could save enough to afford another trip to New York City!