What is your name?

Esther Sherman

Michelle Kohn

Where do you work/
go to school?

Baruch College

Clinical psychologist in private practice

What is your age?

22

50

What are your
Top 5 activities?

Bear Mountain: I really enjoy going to Bear Mountain because the hike is moderately challenging and it has a great view at the top. Be sure to bring hiking shoes, sunscreen and plenty of water!

Any zoo: Bronx, Turtleback, or even the charming one at Van Saun are all great options! Nothing beats watching different species of animals interact with each other in their simulated habitats while being outside and getting some fresh air.

#5

#4

Area 53: This place is great because it has many different activities in one. They have laser tag, skating, rock climbing, arcade games and an indoor ropes course. You can either purchase an all-in-one pass or purchase it separately.

Rage Room in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey: Always take advantage of a safe and fun way to release all of your anger, frustration, anxiety and angst! I mean, c’mon, let’s be real—who doesn’t need to do this!?

#3

360 Bowling: I love going to 360 Vowling because you can either play a regular game of bowling or you can use one of their unique options that puts a twist on the game. If you come anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., you can get unlimited bowling for $10 per person including shoes for two hours.

The Giraffe Experience at Six Flags Great Adventure: How incredible would it be to interact with, pet and feed these magnificent gentle giraffes? It is totally on my bucket list, so see ya there!

#2

DUMBO: DUMBO is my favorite scenic place in all of NYC. I love coming here on a Sunday and going to the flea market that is directly under the bridge. I like to then walk to Brooklyn Bridge Park, where each of the piers has different activities (boating, soccer, tennis).

Take a hike: Get up, pack a lunch, plenty of drinks and some bug spray, and take a hike! Family bonding is always achieved when hiking together. Palisades, Harriman State Park and Ramapo Mountain are some of my favorites. Visit the All Trails App to find hikes that are safe and suitable for your skill level, time frame and needs. Ramapo offers it all with clearly marked shaded trails, a lake at the top and a waterfall.

#1

Ping Pod: This place is open 24/7 and is great for anyone who wants to play table tennis, from beginner to expert. You can bring friends to play with or you can connect with people on Slack. They have unique events where you can meet lots of different people, compete or improve your skills. You can also get video replays to save an awesome rally (or just to laugh at those funny points lost).

The Loeb Boathouse at Central Park: Rent a row boat for one hour and take in the incredible views of Central park. This is a must-do because sadly, it is closing forever in mid-October. It’s the most charming place, and afterwards you can enjoy exploring Central Park.

Baruch Lerman

Chayim Mahgerefteh

Shoshana Baida

Senior at YU

Grant Thornton

Digital marketing program
coordinator at B&H Photo

20

24

24

Central Park Zoo: I love zoos and animals and everything like that, but this zoo is pretty small. It is a nice spot full of nature in the city though which is a massive redeeming factor. Overall a solid 7.86/10.

Bryant Park: Whenever I want to take a break from work and responsibilities I explore midtown Manhattan and stop by Bryant Park. It has a lot of interesting vendors to see and it’s a great place to enjoy the beautiful weather.

Take a nature walk + scenic photoshoot: Enjoy a day walking around a beautiful park or botanical garden with friends. The fall scenery is especially colorful and picturesque. To make it more of an activity, use the scenery as a nice background for a photo shoot with friends. Some suggestions are Laurelwood Arboretum in Wayne, New Jersey, or Bear Mountain.

Go-karting: I love go-karting and driving and anything where I can really feel the wind in my face. I highly recommend this as a family activity for people with older kids. Super-fun time overall for a Chol Hamoed trip.

Escape the Room NYC: I am always up for a challenge, especially if it’s a fun activity with friends. Escape the Room is a great opportunity to brainstorm and bond with friends.

Apple picking: Go Apple and Squash Picking! Especially cute idea for family fun. Great way to add some fresh fall fruit and vegetable to your Yom Tov and Shabbat Chol Hamoed delicacies. Riamede Farm in Chester, New Jersey is an especially vast and scenic orchard perfect for a fall day.

Ropes courses: This is a fun physical activity that really gets your blood pumping. It’s a way to release some energy and get an adrenaline rush in a safe and easy way.

Human Bumper Balls: It’s not every day you get to run around and make contact with things without the fear of getting hurt or causing damage. I haven’t done this myself yet but look forward to trying it soon.

Shopping trip to Woodbury Commons: If you are like me and enjoy shopping for something new for the upcoming season, take a day trip to Woodbury Commons. It is a nice drive and the crisp, fresh air adds a different element to a regular trip to a mall. Just be aware that the deals are not always better there, but it’s fun to see the diversity of brands and stores.

Escape rooms: Put your brain to work in an escape room. It’s always a fun time to see how well your team can work together to solve the mysteries and puzzles … and escape the room.

Blacklight Mini Golf: The American Dream Mall has a lot of really cool activities, some of which I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing. Blacklight Mini Golf is a unique way to play golf. All the glow-in-the-dark colors give the place a vibe other places don’t have.

Visit a craft-making studio: Go to a craft-making place! It is a great, chill activity and you get to take home unique creations. Some studio recommendations: In Ridgewood, Color Me Mine has a nice ambiance; and I also recommend a beading and jewelry-making studio called Bazaar Star Beadery. For glass making, try Glassworks Studio in Morristown, New Jersey. There are also plenty of Paint Your Canvas studios throughout the area.

Hersheypark: This one needs no explanation. Hersheypark on Chol Hamoed is a favorite childhood memory of mine, and a great time in general.

Hersheypark: Hersheypark is an amazing place to try different rides and see the countless unique Hershey products you can’t find everywhere. A Hershey’s item I saw there that comes to my mind is the huge chocolate bar.

See a Broadway show: Go to a Broadway show! With COVID regulations being lessened, Broadway has been back in full swing for a while. Masks are now optional and theatergoers will be able to experience Broadway much as they did before the pandemic. You can save some money by seeing what is available on discount the day of by TKTS in Times Square.