Anderson’s Book Shop in Larchmont is a book-lover’s dream. Not only can you find books for all ages, you can also find a terrific kid’s birthday present at the 11th hour.
Bronx Zoo. We could spend the entire day watching the bears and tigers, riding the carousel, and pretending to be meerkats in the Children’s Zoo.
Custom cakes at the divine ABC Cakes in Mamaroneck. My favorite flavor is red velvet, but my kids love the “cakefetti” cupcakes best.
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Drive to Bear Mountain to enjoy the gorgeous views, and, afterward, I always get inspired to write some cinematic battle scenes!
Emelin Theatre, where you can meet a director or actor (like Tom Cruise!)during screenings.
Fireworks at Harbor Island Park in Mamaroneck every July.
Go-kart racing at Grand Prix New York in Mount Kisco.
Havana Central in Ridge Hill has the most delicious, creamy, and authentic tres leches cake. It’s my special writing milestone reward treat!
Ice skating at the Hommocks Park Ice Rink. I taught ice-skating classes in college and survived women’s hockey for a week before calling it quits. Now I just skate for fun and the chance to meet a NY Ranger.
Jogging the Leatherstocking Trail from New Rochelle to Mamaroneck. I like to re-imagine my life as a forest sprite. I always loved pretending to be other creatures when I was younger and now I write those stories in my books!
Kite-flying at Memorial Park brings back great memories of my childhood. We used to make homemade kites with long crepe-paper tails.
LEGOLAND in Ridge Hill. My 8-year-old son, Noah, is a LEGO wizard who can build 800-piece sets on his own.
Motorcycle ride along Route 22 around the Kensico Reservoir. This is my favorite local ride—zipping along a smooth, curvy, uncluttered double-lane road with the wind whipping in your face and watching the sun glinting off the water. It’s amazing.
New Roc City for mini-golf and bowling at FunFuzion.
Outdoor sports (soccer, baseball, basketball) at Flint Park in the spring and the fall. I played four varsity sports in high school and two in college, so sports are a big part of our family activities.
Playland, where you can unleash your inner 10-year-old. Favorite rides are the Dragon Coaster and the Double Shot because we are thrill-seekers at heart.
Quiet writing time in the gazebo overlooking the ocean at Manor Park Beach in Larchmont. It reminds me of my childhood growing up on an island and always being near the ocean.
Rock-climbing at The Rock Club in New Rochelle.
Sun and sand at Manor Park Beach.
Tea at Silver Tips Tea Room in Tarrytown. It’s scrumptious—and takes me back to when my mom and I celebrated special milestones together.
Underwater swimming from the indoor to the outdoor pool at the Doral Arrowwood in Rye Brook. We go there whenever we need a mini staycation break, and the breakfasts are divine!
Voracious Reader, a great place to whet your reading appetite and enjoy author events, including my signings and book-launch parties.
Walter’s hot dogs. Try the singles with ketchup and mustard mix, and add in a black-and-white shake for good measure.
Xango cheesecake at Molly Spillane’s in Mamaroneck. It’s banana and cheesecake wrapped in pastry, and served with berry sauce, ice cream, and whipped cream.
Yard House in Ridge Hill, with more than 100 beers on tap.
Zeppoles at Polpettina in Larchmont. We like the mini cinnamon-sugar ones
