Last weekend my family and I ventured to New Jersey for a bit of an adventure. I was given a Toyota 4Runner to test out for our journey and was eager to set out on our family road trip. We had big plans: a weekend stay at Hilton Short Hills and a trip to see the New Jersey production of Listen to Your Mother, a show I have had much to do with since its inception. I hadn’t known where the producing road would take me then and I certainly didn’t know where the weekend’s traveling roads would take us, but I was looking forward to finding out.
The Toyota 4Runner was a great choice for a road trip. It’s spacious and savvy, equipped with a sunroof, leather seats, Sirius radio and a 3rd back row. My son actually chose the 4Runner after reading online reviews.
We were all very comfortable and excited about where the roads were leading us. It was a great weekend for an adventure, and having a big, new car would only make it even more of an event.
First stop: Hilton Short Hills
The Hilton Short Hills is a great choice among Morristown, New Jersey hotels. It’s also a very good choice for families looking to get out of NYC for a weekend break. We were so impressed from the minute we entered the opulent lobby. The hotel offers tennis, an outdoor pool, a gym a restaurant and lounge, a spa and big, cozy suites. It was so much more luxurious than we ever expected.
Our suite with two queen beds had an additional half bath, separate living area, & sofa bed. We were able to make dinner in our very well-equipped kitchen, watch TV together in the living room, chill out individually with computers and iPads in our beds and shower separately in the various bathrooms after an evening at the pool. Breakfast was a lovely and indulgent buffet in the main restaurant, with offerings such as an omelet bar, bread pudding and every breakfast option under the sun.
The hotel makes it easy for families to enjoy their time. It’s very easy t relax or stay active at Hilton Short Hills. We also took advantage of their complimentary shuttle service to the mall across the street. They offer a Family Fun Package on weekends that comes with breakfast for four and free Wifi. More information on the package can be found here.
Second stop: Listen to Your Mother at SOPAC
Listen To Your Mother: North Jersey was directed by two alumnae of LTYM: NYC- Sandy Rustin and Deborah Goldstein. The show was in South Orange, NJ, a mere fifteen minutes from the hotel. I drove the 4Runner gracefully and swiftly to the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) in anticipation of the show, which I loved. I laughed, I cried. The stories were filled with interesting topics like being the mother of a special needs child to adoption to being a gay mother with a possibly gay child to divorce and so much more. The mission of each Listen to Your Mother production is to take the audience on a well-crafted journey that celebrates and validates motherhood (in all of its complexity, diversity, and humor) in the form of original readings performed live on-stage by their authors. This show took me on a journey like none other I’ve been on, but I expected no less from my creative friends.
Last stop: Home
With a full heart and a weekend of being together, we returned home, just in time for soccer, homework and a trip to the grocery store. It was nice to be able to get away from reality and just be together. The combination of the 4Runner, Hilton Short Hills and Listen to Your Mother was a real melding of everything I love from travel to culture to family.
Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary car, hotel room and ticket to Listen To Your Mother: North Jersey but all opinions are my own.
Follow
Speak Your Mind