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Summer Escapes: T h r e e D r i v e - t o D e s t i n at i o n s By Judi Rothenberg
Grown-up getaway, kid-friendly adventure or a combination of both? Whatever your choice and interests, New Jersey Savvy Living has a destination for you. Foodies can hobnob with their favorite Food Network stars in Atlantic City, the cultural set can explore Gatsby-era mansions and spend the night in a castle on Long Island’s “Gold Coast,” and nature lovers can enjoy their favorite outdoor pastimes at a stately mountain retreat in northeastern Pennsylvania.
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Food, Wine and Song
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Castles and Culture
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Fresh Air and Family Fun
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Do you crave simple comfort food
Discover what life was like for
From the pristine waters of its 75-
and a brew or sophisticated fare ac-
the magnates and millionaires at
acre lake to its endless array of activi-
companied by fine wine? Whatever
the turn of the 20th century when
ties, the stately Skytop Lodge in Sky-
your taste, the Food Network Atlan-
names like the Vanderbilts, Guggen-
top, Pa., is an ideal destination for a
tic City Food and Wine Festival has
heims, Pratts and Phipps built lavish
family gathering. There’s something
more than 40 events that are sure to
country estates on the North Shore of
for everyone, from the tiniest tot
please your palate.
Long Island, now known as the Gold
to Great Aunt Betty. Children ages
Join Guy Fieri, star of “Diners,
Coast. These mansions, along with
three to 12 can attend Camp in the
Drive-Ins and Dives,” for a cheese
their vast acreage and magnificent
Clouds while mom and dad play golf
steak tasting competition on the
gardens, became increasingly difficult
or tennis. Teens can unleash their
beach at Caesars or acclaimed chef,
to maintain and many fell into disre-
competitive
Alexandra Guarnaschelli, an “Iron
pair or were demolished. However, a
ing (a high-tech version of hide and
Chef” challenger and judge, for
handful of these private homes have
seek using GPS units), paintball, rock
spirit
with
geocach-
climbing and laser tag. Clockwise from far left: Morton’s Steakhouse, courtesy of Caesars Atlantic City; red snapper, Prime Restaurant/Jim Lennon; Oheka Castle/Elliott Kaufman; biking and canoeing at Skytop Lodge
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Food, Wine and Song a Farm-to-Table Brunch at One Atlantic, Atlantic City’s newest venue, with spectacular ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows. At Claire Robinson’s five-course Jersey Tomato Brunch, each course is paired with a specialty cocktail made with Jersey tomatoes. If you’re bringing the kids, sign up for “Play With Your Food,” a hands-on workshop with Food Network’s Melissa D’Arabian and Pat and Gina Neely. Other highlights include a Cigar and Whiskey Gala at Bally’s Bikini Beach Bar and The Grand Market, a tasting event with more than 200 stations featuring foods, wines, ales and spirits from world-renowned restaurants and brands. The three-day festival will be held at Harrah’s Resort, Caesars, Showboat and Bally’s from July 29 to August 1. A portion of the proceeds from the festival benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Be sure to take a time out from all the eating and scoot over to Trump’s Taj Claire Robinson, courtesy of the Food Network
Mahal for a nostalgic evening of music on July 31 as the beloved duo of Simon and Garfunkel take the stage to perform. Atlantic City, acfoodandwine.com, www.harrahs.com; Simon and Garfunkel, ticketmaster.com or trumptaj.com
Castles and Culture been rescued and are currently open to the public. Among the more interesting to visit are Eagles Nest, Old Westbury Gardens, Coe Hall and Oheka Castle (where you can even spend the night). Eagles Nest is the legacy of William K. Vanderbilt, whose staggering inheritance (21 million in 1910) from his great-grandfather, railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt, allowed him to indulge his passion for traveling and collecting. The Spanish Revival style home sits on a 43-acre complex that also includes a marine museum, natural history habitats, artifacts and fine home furnishings. There’s also a planetarium with traditional celestial programming and laser light shows accompanied by a Beatles soundtrack. Centerport, vanderbiltmuseum.org The 200 acre campus of Old Westbury Gardens includes the former Phipps home, a 23-room mansion replete with formal gardens, lovely landscaped
Oheka Castle/Elliott Kaufman
grounds, lakes and woodlands. A variety of educational programming, concerts, botanical arts and gardening classes are available, along with in-depth tours. Old Westbury, oldwestburygardens.org Large manors like Coe Hall at Planting Fields required huge staffs to maintain them. The “Upstairs-Downstairs” tour illuminates the living and working conditions of the servants that kept this 65-room Tudor Revival mansion in tip-top shape. The estate is also home to Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, which features 409 acres of greenhouses, rolling lawns, formal gardens and wooded trails. Oyster Bay, plantingfields.org Want to experience the Gilded Age for yourself? Rooms can be booked at Oheka Castle, which at 109,000 square feet and 127 rooms was once the second largest private residence in the United States. The French-style chateau has just 32 luxurious guest rooms and each is uniquely decorated. If you can time your visit for a weeknight, take advantage of the Gold Coast Mansion Tour Package, $655 for two guests, which includes admission to three mansions, accommodations for one night, breakfast, two lunches and several other amenities. Oheka does not have a restaurant, but arrangements can be made for an elegant catered dinner or you can drive into town for fresh seafood and sushi on the water at the sleek and chic Prime Restaurant. Huntington, ohekacastle.com; primerestaurant.com; historiclongisland.com, discoverlongisland.com
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Both photos, courtesy of Skytop Lodge
Fresh Air and Family Fun Less active guests can while away the morning in a rocker on the sweeping back porch, book a massage at the spa or sign up for a cooking or watercolor class. Families can wander on more than 30 miles of mountain trails in quiet and solitude or join an organized hike with a guide. Other on-site resort activities include canoeing, kayaking, archery, mountain biking and swimming (with both indoor and outdoor pools). The lakeside Fishing and Shooting Center is equipped with instructors and gear for fly-fishing and skeet shooting. Every-
Count on Christy’s
one reunites at meal time (three bountiful meals a day), either at the historic Windsor dining room or the more casual Lakeview dining room. Whichever you choose, the cuisine is quite sophisticated. Accommodations are available in the main lodge, the inn by the golf course or in one of the cottages with four interconnecting rooms and the convenience of a washer/dryer and refrigerator. $465+ per night. skytop.
It’s been 31 years now and Christy is still here, serving the avant-garde woman looking for the up-to-date fashions. You’ll find everything from casual outfits to high-end evening gowns in a full range of sizes. Come to Christy’s for quality fashions, personal old-world service,
com, 800.345.7759
and complimentary alterations.
CHRISTY’S ADDED TOUCH 761 Bloomfield Avenue, West Caldwell 973-226-6800 ChristysAddedTouch.com Appointments necessary for cocktail and evening wear.
Geocaching at Skytop Lodge
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