4 Places I'd Rather be than the Hamilton Mall this Black Friday

I've spent the last few years playing the crazy, frantic, mom waking up at the crack of dawn in search of the perfect toys for my sons for Christmas.  I would scour the paper for the best deals, bundle up in layers, and head out. It's not fun.

I still remember last year waiting in line, outside, in the dark, at Toys R' Us, just to get in the store.  Once I was in, there was no 'incredible' deal that made the 2-3 hour wait to get into the store worth it. I remember thinking..."well now I need to buy something to justify all the time I spent waiting to get in the store."

The wait to check out was almost just as long.  It wasn't worth it. It took away from what the holiday should be all about. It took time away from my children.

This year, I am doing things differently. I am avoiding the shopping madness all together. If you’d like to join me here are four places I would rather be on Black Friday. We’ll be at one of them.

Sesame Place, Adventure Aquarium, and the National Constitution Center all are kicking off special holiday related activities. And Riley, a 2nd grade dinosaur expert, will be at the Garden State Discovery Museum checking out the exhibits and meeting with visitors in the Dinosaurium. These are all wonderful places I can go to spend time with my family (not strangers in department stores) and enjoy time with them and celebrating all that I am thankful for. 

A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place

• 3 all-new holiday shows
• Spectacular light show at our 1-2-3 Christmas Tree
• Neighborhood Street Party Christmas Parade
• Sesame-themed winter wonderland with hundreds of lighted trees and strings of garland, millions of lights and everyone’s favorite furry friends
• Character photos and Santa will also be available to listen to Christmas lists and pose for family photos

 Adventure Aquarium's Christmas Celebration

• Scuba Santa dives among sea turtles, hammerheads, stingrays, and more.
• "I believe in Scuba Santa" show
• Meet Scuba Santa's underwater helper
• Scheduled "dry side" meetings and photo opportunities with Scuba
• Photo opportunities with a life-sized animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
• Meet & take photos of Bumble, The Abominable Snow Monster
• See snow---inside Adventure Aquarium and the 15-foot tall Christmas tree
• Humble Bumble Christmas show
• Boogie Down at Gill’s Holiday Dance Party

Riley's visit to the Garden State Discovery Museum Dinosaurium

• Meet & Greets with Riley, a 2nd grade, dinosaur expert
• Climb-a-Saurus – Where else can you and your kids walk through a dinosaur? Travel through multiple levels and tunnels as you explore the insides of a dinosaur and other dinosaur-related activities.
• Dino Dig – kids can dig for dinosaur fossils.
• Design your own dinocard
• Dino-puppets – 3 different kinds of dinosaur puppets
• Roar like a dinosaur – There are three tubes where kids can talk through to project their dinosaur voice to the lower area.
• You can read more about the dinosaurium here.

Thanksgiving throughout History at the National Constitution Center

• Learn how Americans have celebrated Thanksgiving throughout history.
  • Explore the roles presidents have played in creating Thanksgiving Day traditions
  • How did the presidential turkey pardon tradition start
  • What food would have been prepared for the first Thanksgiving dinner
• Join in the interactive “Growing Up, American Style” show
  • Be part of a costume runway show with traditional-style clothing from various historical eras.
  • Make seasonal crafts, including corn husk dolls.
• Show thanks to our Military
  • At special Soldier Mail Call stations write letters of gratitude to the men and women serving overseas in the Armed Forces.
  • Attend a Care Package Workshop to learn what to include in care packages and the best ways to send them to the troops.

So tell us where will you be this Black Friday?