Anonymous
Post 11/24/2023 13:42     Subject: American Dream Mall for a few hours with my 79 yo mom
It is huge and loud. Create a game plan first.
Anonymous
Post 11/24/2023 13:29     Subject: American Dream Mall for a few hours with my 79 yo mom
It was evacuated for a bomb threat.
Anonymous
Post 11/24/2023 12:07     Subject: American Dream Mall for a few hours with my 79 yo mom
Maybe just find a cute main street and do lunch and hit some cute gift shops. Maybe Montclair NJ? (Not sure what county that is in.) I would try to avoid a mall in the middle of a sunday right before xmas just to kill time, it will be a madhouse.
Anonymous
Post 11/24/2023 00:23     Subject: American Dream Mall for a few hours with my 79 yo mom
Maybe scope out a bookstore and cute cafe for lunch?
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2023 23:25     Subject: American Dream Mall for a few hours with my 79 yo mom
Anonymous wrote:My mom and I are going to drive up to New York on a Sunday in a few weeks for my cousin's birthday party. My mom wants to leave at 9am for a 4pm party, so we'll have a chunk of time in the middle with nothing to do. I saw on the map that we'll pass right by the American Dream mall, and I figure we could stop there for lunch. Is there anything we should definitely do while there? We only have a few hours, and while she's active, she's still 79 yo. There are Blue Laws in New Jersey so many stores will be closed, and I hate shopping anyway. It's just such a big mall that I don't want to waste time deciding right then what to do. Any suggestions are appreciated!


Here’s a place in Jersey City that has a good view of Manhattan and is about two blocks away from a shopping mall: https://bestofnj.com/directory/restaurants/seafood/north-jersey-seafood/hudson-county-seafood/battello/
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2023 10:55     Subject: American Dream Mall for a few hours with my 79 yo mom
Anonymous wrote:What does SHE like?

For example, going to a mall would feel like punishment to me.

I would enjoy a surprise picnic near a lake or something. Is there a nature center along the way?


These are good points. A mall is not a fun leisurely activity for me. I did go to American Dream Mall. It was OK. Only reason I went to it is we were going to an event at the Meadowlands, which is adjacent to the mall.

IMHO, a better stopping point in NJ is Liberty State Park in Jersey City. It’s not too far off of 95 and has postcard views of Lower Manhattan. Nice spot to take a walk and enjoy river and skyline views. Jersey City is also has some really good restaurants.
Anonymous
Post 11/23/2023 09:55     Subject: American Dream Mall for a few hours with my 79 yo mom
What does SHE like?

For example, going to a mall would feel like punishment to me.

I would enjoy a surprise picnic near a lake or something. Is there a nature center along the way?
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2023 18:18     Subject: Re:American Dream Mall for a few hours with my 79 yo mom
Would she be interested in an escape room or mini golf? They have both there.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2023 16:40     Subject: American Dream Mall for a few hours with my 79 yo mom
Just a heads up NJ as a state doesn’t have blue laws, but Bergen County, where American Dream is, does.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2023 16:25     Subject: American Dream Mall for a few hours with my 79 yo mom
Kingston and Rhinebeck?
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2023 15:23     Subject: Re:American Dream Mall for a few hours with my 79 yo mom
OP here. Thanks for the info. Any suggestions for where we can stop on our way from Maryland to Stony Hill, NY for a few hours?
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2023 14:31     Subject: American Dream Mall for a few hours with my 79 yo mom
I went to the American Dream Mall once and it really wasn’t that great. It’s big and there are some high-end stores, but about a third of it was empty. I think there is an indoor ski hill there, which I didn’t see. If you love malls and shopping, you might enjoy it, but didn’t do much for me.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2023 10:10     Subject: American Dream Mall for a few hours with my 79 yo mom
My mom and I are going to drive up to New York on a Sunday in a few weeks for my cousin's birthday party. My mom wants to leave at 9am for a 4pm party, so we'll have a chunk of time in the middle with nothing to do. I saw on the map that we'll pass right by the American Dream mall, and I figure we could stop there for lunch. Is there anything we should definitely do while there? We only have a few hours, and while she's active, she's still 79 yo. There are Blue Laws in New Jersey so many stores will be closed, and I hate shopping anyway. It's just such a big mall that I don't want to waste time deciding right then what to do. Any suggestions are appreciated!