Cradle of Aviation in New York

I had been enjoying some down time with friends and family in New York. That wasn’t going to change on day four, but I added in some discovery as I took my daughter and son-in-law to the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City.

Even though I had lived 15 minutes from this museum for 20 years, I had never been there. It had been in the back of my mind, and when I would occasionally pass it, I would remind myself. It just never happened.

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This Long Island trip was planned to include checking out new places, and with this museum close to the Viana Hotel and Spa where I was staying, I decided to include it. The ILoveNY team helped me make the arrangements.

I had breakfast at the hotel before Sam and Matt picked me up for the museum. I was happy to see immediately that it was extremely wheelchair accessible.

 

 

We were met at the entrance by Joe Pobliner. I soon learned he was a wonderful expert on Long Island’s history in aviation and everything the Cradle of Aviation has to offer. There is even more than I had ever imagined.

The location of the museum has a lot of meaning. Charles Lindbergh’s first solo trans-Atlantic flight started at Roosevelt Field, right next to where the museum is. Long Island is also known for its Mitchel Field Military Base and military engineering powerhouses, such as Grumman.

 

Charles Lindbergh and his history of flying is just part of what this museum offers. In relics, replicas, movies, writings, and photographs, you will see aviation beginning with balloons in 19th century France, and continuing to modern day Space X.

Mitchell Field was used for soldiers all over to learn how to fly. There is a copy of the Avenger Fighter Plane that Grumman released to fight against the Japanese planes, as well as those used in Korea and Vietnam.

 

The museum is definitely worthwhile for all ages. We saw kids enjoying some of the hands-on experiences, as well as marveling at the planes and spaceships. As three adults, we also found endless things to see and read, and Joe Pobliner’s anecdotes were captivating.

There was a Pan Am Museum next to the Cradle of Aviation, but it’s being reimagined and the contents were moved here. It was fascinating looking at the history of that famous airline, including the 707, which was the first jetliner created by Boeing.

 

Before we left, we saw the lunar module Grumman made for Apollo, the first trip to the moon. It is one of three. The other two are at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC,  and the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. There is also the parachute used in the 1972 Apollo 17 mission.

I strongly suggest planning a trip here if you are in New York. Allow a few hours to properly explore the Cradle of Aviation. Educational programs are also available at the museum. Visit their website for details.

 

After the museum, we went back to the Viana Hotel & Spa for dinner at the Marco Polo Restaurant. It was my third night having dinner there and I was still excited about it. Everything eaten there had been so good. It was definitely a restaurant I wanted to be back to.

On this night, our dinner at this Asian-Italian eatery included Ginger Chicken Milanese with wonton noodles, Crab Cake, Pan Seared Tuna with wasabi potatoes, and Egg Roll Sampler (chicken parmigiana, Philly cheese steak & Mongolian mozzarella sticks).

 

After dinner, I said goodbye and headed to my room at Viana Hotel & Spa for the last time. I was leaving the next day for a very special location I had looked forward to checking out for a long time. It ironically also had an aviation theme.

 

 

I was hosted for some of this part of the trip, but opinions are my own.

Viana Spa and Dinner with Friends

I don’t get a lot of relaxing days when I am traveling, but my first full day at the Viana Hotel & Spa in Westbury, New York, was a perfect one.

 

The best way to start a day is without an alarm clock and that’s what I did. I took my time putting on something comfortable and went down to the Marco Polo restaurant for breakfast. The buffet had a nice assortment of items, and there was a spot to get custom omelets, which I did, as well as pancakes and French toast.

It was comforting to be in a place that is wheelchair accessible on all floors. There were wide open hallways and, even though there were stairs in the lobby to go up to the restaurant or down to the spa, you could also take the elevator to both.

After breakfast, I caught up with emails and then went downstairs to wait for my daughter. We had a spa date at this Long Island hotel I was looking forward to.

 

Viana Hotel has a full-service spa that includes massages, treatments, nail, and hair services. There is also a small indoor pool and whirlpool, as well as a sauna and fitness center. We had plenty of time to hang out in the water and dry off in the sauna before our appointments.

My daughter went for a Swedish Massage, while I decided to go more to the holistic with the Reiki (they also have reflexology). Reiki is said to help promote energy movement in the body, boosting the immune system and lowering stress. I did have any miraculous cures, but I felt more relaxed and balanced. Sam also enjoyed her massage.

We waited in the comfortable lobby for my friends, Lynn, and Gail. The three of us have known each other since our five-year-old girls played on the same soccer team. I see them whenever I come to New York and Lynn has traveled with me often.

Sam left and we went to the Marco Polo restaurant for dinner. After such a wonderful meal the previous night, I was excited to go back. There was plenty left to try on their very unusual Asian-Italian menu.

 

We started with the dumplings and salads. I recommended the Korean BBQ Ribs and Lynn agreed they were delicious, but Gail and I went for dishes that really reflected the restaurant. It was Penne Ala Sake for Gail, a take on penne ala vodka that substituted the Japanese spirit. I did the Lo Mein Bolognese, which, in addition to the Asian noodle, changed up the dish with a bit of unique flavoring in a normally Italian sauce.

We rounded off the meal with some traditional desserts (cheesecake and red velvet cake), which were as satisfying as the rest of the dinner.

 

It was a wonderful day catching up and relaxing at Viana Hotel & Spa and I was ready to get back to my room. I had a more active one planned for the next day, to a place I lived 10 minutes from for nearly 20 years, but never made it to.

 

I was hosted for some of this part of the trip, but opinions are my own.