On our way up to Rochester last weekend, we stopped to see the World’s Largest Pancake Griddle in Penn Yan, NY! Don’t we look tiny in front of this thing? It measures 27 feet across.
Pass the syrup!
It is not lost on me that The Boy has grown nearly as tall as me…sigh…he needs to stop doing that.
So, the story is that on September 27th, 1987, the Birkett Mills company cooked the world’s largest (buckwheat) pancake in this huge griddle, which was placed over hot stones. They mixed the batter in a cement mixer, and flipped it with a crane.
After we left, I tweeted that I think Penn Yan is Dutch for “middle of nowhere.” The very nice staff at the Penn Yan Public Library responded, graciously setting me straight as to the true origins of the name.
In its early days of settlement, the town welcomed emigrants from Pennsylvania as well as from the New England states. “Penn Yan” credits both parties – “Penn” in honor of Pennsylvania, and “Yan” in honor of the Yankees, as all people from the New England states were called.
Turns out, we didn’t need that $10 box of Claritin after all. Unfortunately,the Lilac Festival in Rochester was rained out yesterday, which was the only day we had to visit. But since it was one of the reasons we drove up to Rochester, I still wanted to drive over to Highland Park to see what we could.
We drove around the perimeter of the park, and saw several rows of tall lilac bushes in various shades of lavender and purple. We stopped the car in front of this lovely bed of pansies, and the girls were brave enough to jump out for a quick photo in the driving rain and gusty wind. Oh, and Matt was gracious enough to get out to snap the shot!
Hurry up, we're getting soaked!
The ten-day festival isn’t over until May 22nd, so if you’re near Rochester, try to get there! The park is home to the world’s largest collection of lilacs – over 500 varieties and more than 1,200 bushes. Plus, there’s free entertainment, including children’s shows, arts & craft vendors, food, and other activities.
We’re headed upstate this weekend to see some BIG things, including the world’s largest lilac festival in Rochester. As you can see, we’re PREPARED. Give me a badge and call me “scout!”
Matt is in charge of all the electronics to keep us at the level of connectivity to which he’s become accustomed. In other words, we could launch a space shuttle with all the technology we’re bringing. This post, the only one he has written so far, describes our travel “geek gear.” You’ll get an idea why our local Best Buy has put a restraining order on him.
On the way up, we’re excited to be stopping at the Corning Museum of Glass, the world’s largest glass museum. I know what you’re thinking, but they tell me it’s a kid-friendly place. Having no leash for The Girl, I will trust they know what they’re talking about. I did try one of those harnesses once at Disneyland, when she was a crazy toddler. She was way too smart for that. She walked around me in a circle until I tripped over it.
The kids will be participating in glass-making workshops, and we’ll get to see live glassblowing demonstrations. We’ve been prepping The Girl by reading simple books explaining how glass is made from sand.
Then we’re making a time-sucking detour to see the world’s largest pancake griddle in Penn Yan.
Finally, on to Rochester to see the world’s largest collection of lilacs at the Lilac Festival. There’s over 500 varieties of lilacs on more than 1,200 bushes. Weather forecast: rainy with a high of 55 degrees. I anticipate a lot of bribery in exchange for enthusiasm.
We’re also spending time at the National Museum of Play, part of The Strong complex, where they have the world’s largest collection of electronic games. This is pretty much the only reason The Boy is putting up with the lilacs.
I made the mistake – once – of hosting a 4th birthday at home for one of my progeny. The Boy’s birthday is in May, and I was overly confident that it would be a nice day for lots of outdoor games and activities. Then it rained. We ended up playing animal charades 587+ times, until I (gasp) put on a DVD.
So on the occasion of The Girl’s 4th, the possibility of a birthday party wasn’t even presented to her. Instead, we hyped up a trip into NYC to see the Madagascar Live! show at Radio City Music Hall, followed by lunch and shopping at Dylan’s Candy Bar. Funny thing…they both fit the “Go BIG” profile as world’s largest…interesting…
Where we went, and who was coerced into going:
The four of us drove into New York City (a 90-minute trip) for the day. We had tickets to see Madagascar Live! at Radio City Music Hall. The kids love a trip into “The City,” and as long as Matt does the driving, everyone is happy.
WHY did you go there, exactly?
Radio City Music Hall is the world’s largest indoor theater, but it’s also one of the loveliest. And it’s a quintessential New York landmark which I wanted the kids to experience. It was serendipitous that a kid’s show was scheduled for The Girl’s birthday weekend, providing the perfect opportunity for all of us to see it together. The last time I was there was over 15 years ago for a Barry Manilow concert.
Go ahead and snicker…I’ll wait…
The size of the Music Hall is deceiving from the outside. Its marquee is a full city-block long. Its auditorium measures 160 feet from the back to the stage, and the ceiling is 84 feet high! The stage is framed by a huge proscenium arch that measures 60 feet high and 100 feet wide. The shimmering gold stage curtain is the largest in the world.
For most events, the seating capacity is approximately 6,000, with seats on the orchestra level and three mezzanines. They’re shallow, so the view is good even in the nosebleed seats.
Wearing our lemur glasses...some more willing than others
Sometimes I enjoy planning our travel more than actually traveling. Mainly, because I’m usually alone, in a quiet place, reading and putting together our itinerary. I get my (temporary) fill of omnipotence without any complaints from the smaller people in our household about 1) being shortchanged of pool time, or 2) the unavailability of rectangular chicken nuggets.
Credit: Rochester Lilac Festival
And, by the way, I prefer the old school method of looking through glossy travel guides, as opposed to navigating through flash-ridden websites. Don’t look for my picture next to the definition of “early adopter.”
Our Go BIG plans for this spring and summer are coming together nicely! Now if only the price of gas would stop its precipitous climb.
These are the adventures we’ve planned so far:
APRIL:
World’s largest indoor theater – Radio City Music Hall, NYC
World’s largest hot dog stand – Nathan’s Famous, Brooklyn
MAY:
World’s largest collection of lilacs – Rochester, NY
World’s largest collection of electronic games – Rochester, NY
Frying pan used to make world’s largest pancake– Penn Yan, NY
World’s longest pleasure beach – Virginia Beach, VA
World’s largest gorilla – Virginia Beach, VA
World’s largest living history museum – Colonial Williamsburg, VA
Virginia Beach. Credit: CameronDavidson@CameronDavidson.com
JUNE:
World’s largest regional theme park company – Six Flags (Queensbury, NY location)
World’s largest Uncle Sam – Lake George, NY
AUGUST:
World’s largest cowboy boots – San Antonio, TX
We need something for July! Suggestions?
What do you think? If you know of any other BIG things in these areas, please comment and give us the scoop!
Shopping is one of those beloved hobbies of my past, b.k. And by shopping, I mean thrilling, all-day adventures in search of bargains and perfectly-fitting jeans for ME. Not quick Target run-throughs, throwing any shoes in the cart which may fit the kids’ feet, only to be tried on at home and inevitably returned.
Matt and I do sometimes get out to do grown-up stuff, like when we had a date night at the world’s largest Spanish restaurant, The Columbia, in Tampa. And occasionally, I still get to shop without the kids!
Woodbury Common
Where we went, and who was coerced into going:
Luckily, it takes little to convince my cousin-in-law Stephanie to join me at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, NY. She was our intrepid travel companion to Montréal, and is not intimidated in the least by the crowds and lines at this shopper’s paradise.
WHY did you go there, exactly?
Woodbury Common is the world’s largest premium outlet shopping center, which means two things in my favor. The first: there are 220 stores. The second: there are 220 stores all in one place. Which means a lot of walking is involved, but also – literally — one-stop-shopping! A much more efficient way to dispose of my money!
Plus, I needed new shoes.
Okay, what was so cool about it?
Yes, there are some fantastic brands at Woodbury Common, offering discounts so good the result is usually lines and controlled entrance times:
Is this the line for the Toy Story Mania ride?
But even at “discount” prices, I’m still not in the market for Jimmy Choos (although they do have a store here). My eyes were on a different prize: Crocs. Go ahead, apply the suburban hausfrau labels to me. I can stand up to any insult…as long as I’m wearing my comfy shoes.
There’s a reason the sale of psuedoephedrine-laced cough medication is regulated. It can make you do crazy things. Case in point: suffering from a sinus infection, and self-medicating with Advil Cold & Sinus, I made the decision to drag everyone into NYC recently to check out the brand new Disney store…in Times Square…one week after it opened. I took leave of my senses, and I’m blaming it on pharmacology.
It’s the world’s largest Disney store, but as I found out from a “Cast Member,” it’s not as big as the “World of Disney” store in Orlando. They are different companies, so the distinction is made.
Bonus: After our expedition, nourishment was in order, so we ended up at Applebee’s. Turns out, the Times Square location is the world’s largest Applebee’s!
WHY did you go there, exactly?
Actually, we were going to the upper west side anyway, because The Girl and I had tickets for Angelina Ballerina, the Musical. The Girl imagines herself to be a dainty ballerina type. Taller, louder, and more in-your-face than all the other three-year olds in Miss Tanya’s “Combo” dance class, she obviously has an active imagination.
The boys went to check out the Quidditch World Cup, then came to pick us up after the show. When I said to Matt, “let’s go down to Times Square,” he acquiesced, knowing I was on medication and fearing the unknown.
We found free, on-street parking on 45th street–a sign that it was meant to be. We entered, squeezed our way through throngs of people, and applied the Death Grip to The Girl’s hand so she wouldn’t get lost.
A Jessie doll? Why yes, I would be interested in purchasing that. How did you know?
Okay, what was so cool about it?
Any Disney fan will lose their mind in this place. There are two floors with floor-to-ceiling merchandise; everything from toys to apparel. The displays are so endearing, the décor so magical, the staff so friendly…all the necessary elements to separate you from your money.
Who else is suffering from the world’s largest food hangover? Show of hands…
A few fun items to report today…
Be on the lookout for another contest& giveaway this week! Can’t tell you what the prize is yet, but here’s a clue: rhymes with “bisney.”
We’re SO delighted to be the focus of an article in Perceptive Travel, an award-winning webzine! The site includes a “biggest highest longest category” where they highlight unique, bizarre, and eccentric sights…can you dig it?!? We can!
Also, please check out our recent guest post for Travel Mamas, a fun family travel website. We shared five of our favorite “Go BIG” kid-friendly attractions!
Hey, did you know that the world’s largest discohappened this Saturday night in Buffalo, NY? The event sold out — and 7,000 people got their boogie on! It’s an annual fundraiser, and has raised over $1,800,000 for Camp Good Days and Special Times, a camp for children with cancer and several other children’s charities. Henry Winkler (aka “Fonzie”) was there! Did anyone else have a little bit of a crush on him growing up? Yes, we’ve already established that I’m OLD. No need to remind me.
Okay, here’s my attempt at blogging with a cold. We feed, clothe, and house two Petri dishes, and they re-pay us with post nasal drip.
We hang at the Danbury location.
Where we went, and who was coerced into going:
I don’t know anyone who actually enjoys grocery shopping, especially with kids in tow. Things are different when we go to Stew Leonard’s, the world’s largest dairy store. There are four locations in CT and NY, and we usually end up in Danbury. I get no arguments from anyone when I announce, “We’re going to Stew’s!”
WHY did you go there, exactly?
Granted, a grocery store is not necessarily a travel destination. But if you’re driving near their Danbury or Norwalk locations during the warmer months, you can stop in for a little diversion, and eat outside at their “hoedown,” which offers grilled cheeseburgers, chicken, hot dogs, as well as steak sandwiches, lobster and fries.
Stew Leonard’s is in the 1990 Guinness Book of World Records for having the “largest sales per square foot for a single grocery: $115 million in sales, $3,470 per square foot.” The “World’s Largest Dairy Store” title came from Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Regardless, the offerings go way beyond dairy. The bakery, deli, and meat department are also stand outs, and the prepared foods make a lazy cook out of me.
If a trip to Stew’s is in the forecast, I ditch the weekly meal plan like a hot potato. Yes, I’ve recently attempted to plan dinners a week in advance. Because I like to pretend I’m organized and in control. Until 4:00 comes around, nothing is defrosted, and the cereal boxes start calling my name.
Okay, what was so cool about it?
Girl: “Don’t pull the rope!” Boy: “I’m pulling the rope…” Cow: MOOOO!!! Girl: “AAAAAACK!”
Stew’s strategically elevates the supermarket to quality entertainment. The largest elements of this are the animatronic animals, food, and other characters. Push a big red button, and Twinky the Kidpops out of a box and says “Hi” with a friendly twang. The Farm Fresh Five dairy band jams over the frozen food cases, mesmerizing the kids while I peruse the nugget selection. There’s a parrot, chicken, donkey, bears, and a pine tree all ready to greet you.
And then, there’s Clover the Cow. The Boy, at ten years of age, has just recently gotten over his fear of her loud, deep “moo,” initiated with a yank of her rope. The Girl will still shake and plead “No cow!” when we pass near her sweet face. Both would much rather stand in front of Chiquita Banana, shimmying and singing along with her.
Do you know the words to the Chiquita ditty? I thought these might help, because once you watch this video, you’ll by humming the tune all day. Curiously, the official lyrics are not the ones sung by this big banana.
Whoever designed the store layout was a genius. Instead of straight aisles, there’s a winding path through each department, with occasional cut-throughs. You’re forced to pass by every single item sold at Stew’s. Not that you’ll mind. The quality is above par, and the prices are reasonable. Frequent free sample stations of both hot and cold foods lessen the burden considerably!
“Slim Skim” is secretly jealous of “Rich Milk,” who gets to sing lead. The cookies are just throwing themselves at him.
Up until April of this year, the world’s largest garden gnome was Chomsky, the jolly, 13’ 6” bearded fellow who welcomes you at the entrance of Kelder’s Farm in Kerhonkson, NY. Another feather in our Hudson Valley cap. I’ve learned there are two taller gnomes; one in Iowa, and the other in Poland. I’m bummed. I have to categorize this post as “Biggish,” not “Biggest.”
Where we went, and who was coerced into going:
At the strike of midnight on September 30th, we begin the excited preparations for Halloween. It’s a long month of discussing, analyzing, and comparing costume choices; putting up decorations; watching Halloween TV specials (we own It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown) and reading our favorite books, most notably Jerry Seinfeld’s Halloween. Both kids can now recite the Halloween Three-Step Program by heart.
So this year, we went to get our pumpkins about an hour away, on Kelder’s Farm in Kerhonkson, NY.
WHY did you go there, exactly?
We’ve been there to see Chomsky once before, but it was in March when the farm stand wasn’t open. We went to get a better look at the world’s second largest garden gnome, with the added benefit of getting our pumpkins and having some fun on the farm.
The International Spy Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of espionage artifacts, was the highlight of our trip to Washington, DC! Great gift shop!
A scratch off map to show the places you've visited!
Turns out, we didn’t need that $10 box of Claritin after all. Unfortunately, 
I made the mistake – once – of hosting a 4th birthday at home for one of my progeny. The Boy’s birthday is in May, and I was overly confident that it would be a nice day for lots of outdoor games and activities. Then it rained. We ended up playing animal charades 587+ times, until I (gasp) put on a DVD.
