Sarah Ricks, Philadelphia TravelingMom, Author at Traveling Mom

My Accidental $2000 Room at Hotel Imperial in Vienna

Posted by Sarah Ricks, Philadelphia TravelingMom | Jun 12, 2017 | 4 |

Philadelphia Traveling Mom Sarah Ricks got a good deal at the luxurious Hotel Imperial in Vienna, Austria. But when she checked in, the hotel desk clerk played fairy godmother. The hotel upgraded the room, for free, by a huge amount. Oh thanks, said our Traveling Mom, not appreciating the enormity of the upgrade. When she arrived in the fabulous $2000 a night hotel room, she got a taste of how the other half lives. In 1863, the Prince of Wurttemberg built an extravagant palace in the heart of Vienna. Since 1873, the palace has been a sumptuous luxury hotel,...

Harry Potter Themed Tour of the Metropolitan Museum

Posted by Sarah Ricks, Philadelphia TravelingMom | Jun 12, 2017 | 17 |

Harry Potter fans, this Harry Potter themed tour is for you. Kids are often bored by art museums. But Philadelphia Traveling Mom Sarah Ricks discovered a magical way to make art come to life at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. She explored the Met by hunting for wizarding wands, horcruxes, and magical creatures. The Metropolitan Museum’s art and statues come alive through a lively new Harry Potter themed tour. Harry Potter Themed Tour of the Metropolitan Museum I discovered a great way to spark kids’ interest in visiting the amazing art at the Metropolitan Museum in New...

Family Fun at Beaches Near Wilmington, North Carolina

Posted by Sarah Ricks, Philadelphia TravelingMom | May 21, 2017 | 19 |

Swim and sand time top the list of family fun at beaches near Wilmington, North Carolina. But Wrightsville, Carolina, and Kure Beaches have lots to do when you’re not splashing in the surf. Philadelphia TravelingMom Sarah Ricks explored a botanical garden, enjoyed an exhilarating sailboat ride, and visited the ruins of a Civil War-era fort. She’s got restaurant recommendations for foodies, for great ocean views, and for relaxing with family. Family fun at beaches near Wilmington, North Carolina includes sailing, exploring a botanical garden, restaurants, visiting a Civil War fort, and more. Sailing – Ride or Lesson I have...

Wonderful Things to Do in Wilmington, North Carolina

Posted by Sarah Ricks, Philadelphia TravelingMom | May 10, 2017 | 4 |

Philadelphia Traveling Mom Sarah Ricks says strolling the pretty wooden walkway on the riverbank was one of her favorite things to do in Wilmington, North Carolina. Plus, the riverwalk is free. But Wilmington has much more. Explore antebellum house museums, gorgeous 19th architecture, an historical downtown district that is easily walkable, and African-American history. A plantation near Wilmington is both a house museum and – surprise – a horse sanctuary. Things to do in Wilmington, North Carolina include exploring antebellum architecture and house museums. We enjoyed walking along the river front, a ghost walk, and boutique shops in Wilmington’s walkable...

Bed and Breakfast in Wilmington, North Carolina

Posted by Sarah Ricks, Philadelphia TravelingMom | May 5, 2017 | 15 |

Wilmington, North Carolina is a 19th century town at the edge of a river and also close to the Atlantic Ocean. A bed and breakfast in Wilmington, North Carolina can be in the historic downtown. Or stay at the beach to explore Wilmington. Philadelphia Traveling Mom Sarah Ricks first stayed in historic Wilmington at an elegant mansion converted into a bed and breakfast. Later, she explored the nearby beaches from a casual beachfront bed and breakfast with a fun retro 1950s vibe. A bed and breakfast in Wilmington, North Carolina can be a relaxed beach house or an elegant...

Philadelphia Locals Reveal Favorite Spots

Posted by Sarah Ricks, Philadelphia TravelingMom | Apr 18, 2017 | 2 |

Philadelphia locals know where to go for a magical mosaic sculpture, great burgers, a giant wooden slide, Amish farm stands, pop-up parks, a Japanese garden, and more. Tourists know about some of the Philadelphia favorites. But other spots are only known to locals and require the inside scoop from a local guide. Philadelphia TravelingMom Sarah Ricks lets you in on 12 local Philadelphia favorite places to visit, play, and eat. Philadelphia locals love some spots that are on the tourist radar, like Reading Terminal. But many of my favorite places to play and eat in Philadelphia are only known to...

No Car Necessary: A Weekend in Claremont, California

Posted by Sarah Ricks, Philadelphia TravelingMom | Mar 28, 2017 | 6 |

No need for a car during a weekend in Claremont, California, because everything is within walking distance in this upscale village. Restaurants, shops, art galleries, day spas, and the beautiful campus of the Claremont Colleges are all within a few blocks of each other. Philadelphia TravelingMom stayed at a downtown boutique hotel for the weekend. She avoided all California traffic because there was no need to drive. We recently spent a weekend in Claremont, California. My husband and I enjoy visiting this upscale village with its boutique shops and good restaurants. Claremont is home to a gorgeous college campus...

Where to Go for Cherry Blossoms in Philadelphia

Posted by Sarah Ricks, Philadelphia TravelingMom | Mar 19, 2017 | 4 |

Spring cherry blossoms are beautiful. But if you do not want to deal with the crowds in Washington DC, try Philadelphia instead. In April, consider visiting Philly to celebrate the arrival of cherry blossoms in a more low key way. Philadelphia Traveling Mom Sarah Ricks recommends where to see cherry blossoms in Philadelphia. Where to See Cherry Blossoms Enjoying the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms is a traditional Japanese way to appreciate the beauty of life. This tradition has a name, sakura. Philadelphia is lucky to have hundreds of cherry trees. The Japanese government gave the trees to Philadelphia to...

Fun for Kids in Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Posted by Sarah Ricks, Philadelphia TravelingMom | Feb 28, 2017 | 0 |

Philadelphia Traveling Mom just discovered places that are fun for kids in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It is an hour from Philadelphia and about two hours from New York. Bucks County has a beautiful riverfront, a kids’ museum, and a huge outdoor wooden castle playground for kids to climb. Bucks County has a concrete castle filled with strange things and another that makes handcrafted tiles. Plus, two small towns with restaurants, bookstores, and fun shopping. Bucks County is a rural gem close to the city. We live in Philadelphia but just discovered the pleasure of exploring rural Bucks County,...

Romantic Weekend in Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Posted by Sarah Ricks, Philadelphia TravelingMom | Feb 12, 2017 | 17 |

On a getaway to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, we enjoyed a cozy country inn, an art museum with Impressionist paintings, and gourmet food. We loved an eccentric collection of 19th century American objects housed in a castle. A romantic weekend in the charming riverfront towns of New Hope and Doylestown feels like a different world. But Bucks County is within an hour of Philadelphia and two hours of New York. It’s an easy weekend destination. Romantic Weekend in Bucks County, Pennsylvania We spent a romantic weekend in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, enjoying museums, great food, and a cozy stay at a mansion...