This summer, I leaned hard into our family’s unofficial tradition: experiences over things. When it comes to birthdays and milestones, we’ve learned that roller coasters, water parks and tennis matches make for far more lasting memories than gift cards and gadgets.
It all added up to one of our most active, laugh-filled and sore-muscle-producing summers to date. From amusement park getaways with my daughter Jenna, who turned 16 on Aug. 27, to an unforgettable U.S. Open experience with my 11-year-old tennis-loving son Jared, it was a season of motion—and meaning.
And for my wife’s birthday, we switched gears and laughed ourselves silly at a Jerry Seinfeld stand-up show in Bridgeport. The venue—the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater—was a little unusual: open air and right next to a train station. Every so often, a Metro-North train would barrel by, but Seinfeld handled it like a pro, weaving the interruptions right into his set. We had gone to an early bird dinner beforehand—so we really had no right to judge—but we were easily among the youngest in the audience. The average age was probably 20 years older than us. It felt like date night at a live taping of 60 Minutes, and we loved every second of it.
But I digress. If you're a fellow parent looking for ideas that go beyond the backyard, here are three of our favorite summer adventures—with some tips I learned (and earned) along the way.
When you have a kid who’s passionate about something, there’s nothing better than finding a way to step into their world with them.
For my 11-year-old son Jared—who’s been dominating the tennis court and already playing in UTR-ranked tournaments—that meant one thing this summer: a day at the U.S. Open during Fan Week.
Held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, NY, Fan Week is a hidden gem. It’s completely free to attend, though you’re technically supposed to reserve free tickets in advance. We did—but no one actually checked them at the gate. So if you're reading this and thinking, “We should go next year,” just know that it’s easy to access, even with minimal planning.
The main stadium, Arthur Ashe, does require a paid ticket—but that was no big deal. There was still tons to see, including several outer-court matches between world-class athletes most casual fans have never heard of. And that’s what made it great. These weren’t household names, but they were still ranked in the top 500 players on the planet. In sports terms, these were the tennis equivalents of starting NFL or MLB players.
We watched Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France (ranked 139) take on Henrique Rocha of Portugal (ranked 168), with Rocha ultimately taking the win. We also saw Leandro Riedi of Switzerland (ranked 436) upset Luca Pavlovic of France (ranked 199). If you’re wondering how close we were: at one point we sat a foot away from the baseline, so close we could smell the sweat between games. Literally.
One of the most fascinating parts was watching the ball boys and ball girls. Their job is to be fast, invisible and perfectly timed—so the players never break rhythm. For anyone who’s played recreational tennis, it’s wild to see a match without those awkward breaks to chase down your own stray balls. These young adults made it look seamless.
Before the matches, we picked up a mandatory souvenir: a $50 oversized tennis ball so Jared could walk around collecting autographs. (Was it overpriced? Absolutely. Was it worth it for the smile on his face? Also absolutely.) That’s part of the brilliance of Fan Week: they draw you in with free admission, then surround you with expensive merch and food. It’s basically a theme park in tennis whites.
But the real takeaway? These players aren’t just athletes—they’re superhuman. To be ranked in the 100s, 200s, or 400s in the world, you have to be faster, stronger, and more precise than 99.9999% of the global population. Seeing them live was inspiring—not just for Jared, but for me too. It was a reminder of what dedication looks like up close.
If you’ve got a tennis-loving kid—or just want a unique New York City experience—Fan Week should absolutely be on your radar. Just pack sunscreen, be ready to walk and keep some room in your bag for an oversized tennis ball you didn’t plan on buying.
Lake Compounce in Connecticut has the distinction of being the oldest amusement park in America, but this summer, it was new to me.
The deal that roped me in seemed almost too good to be true: season passes that included parking, buddy tickets and full access to the park for less than what a single day might cost at one of the bigger names. It popped up repeatedly in my news feed, almost as if the algorithm knew I’m a sucker for amusement parks—and that my kids are too.
Located just 40 minutes from our house (on a good traffic day), the park was close enough for repeat visits. On our first trip, I brought both Jenna and Jared. Amusement parks are more Jenna’s scene, especially the coasters, but Jared still enjoyed tagging along.
The weather that day was ominous—dark clouds and distant thunder—but that ended up working in our favor. Crowds were light, and while we did have to wait out a storm delay (thunder forces a full 30-minute shutdown across the park), we took advantage of the empty lines as soon as the skies cleared. Jenna and I walked right onto Zoomerang and the Phobia Phear Coaster, both of which deliver high-speed loop-de-loops that left my adrenaline surging. At 46, I considered that my full-body thrill quota for the day. Jenna, meanwhile, was just getting started.
The water rides were some of the most memorable. Venus Vortex, a towering slide that ends in a giant swirling funnel, was both wild and disorienting and had us both laughing and holding on for dear life. Honestly, it felt borderline extreme. The fact that it allows kids as small as 42 inches tall left me blinking. You really do need solid grip strength to avoid hurling to an early death at the bottom of that thing. It’s fun—but intense.
The wave pool at Bayou Bay was more chill, if not especially wave-intensive, and it gave us a chance to cool off between bigger thrills. One thing I didn’t plan for? Soaking through my shirt early in the day and having nothing to change into. Next time, I’m packing a towel and a change of clothes—and maybe a soft cooler. The park allows both, which could easily save you $100 or more on food and drinks. (Yes, I’m speaking from experience. Ice cream and bottled water for three? Over $50. Lunch? Same story.)
Our second visit was a girls’ day for Jenna and her friend—with Dad in tow. I still joined them on many rides but took more breaks, content to play the role of designated bag-holder and occasional thrill-seeker. It felt like the perfect balance: letting them roam with a little freedom while still being part of the day.
And then came Boulder Dash—the legendary wooden coaster that, quite frankly, should come with a free chiropractic voucher. I’d been warned: it’s fast, it’s jerky and it’s intense. The signs say not to ride if you have heart issues, neck problems or are pregnant. While I checked none of those boxes (except maybe the dad bod), the ride delivered a series of bone-rattling drops and sharp turns that left me legitimately sore for several days. I tapped out after that.
For those who want a classic amusement park experience without the size (or price) of a mega-park, Lake Compounce hits the sweet spot. With the season pass, the value was unbeatable. Just bring some snacks, skip Boulder Dash if you’re over 40, and remember: the real ride is the time you get to spend with your kids.
For Jenna’s early 16th birthday gift, we planned a two-day escape to Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey.
In our family, we’ve come to realize that experiences beat material gifts every time. This one checked all the boxes: epic rides, nonstop laughter and at least one moment where I genuinely questioned whether I should get my heart checked.
To make the most of it, I booked a hotel about 20 minutes from the park. It was inexpensive, slightly smelly, but clean enough for what we needed—basically just a place to crash after each long day. I’m glad I didn’t splurge. The real investment came in the form of skip-the-line passes (the first time I ever took advantage of it), which made us feel like royalty boarding rides with little to no wait.
Now, I have a love-hate relationship with skip-the-line passes. There’s something deeply un-American about them. In India, there’s a caste system. In Europe, there’s aristocracy. But in America, we’re all supposed to stand in the same line and put our pants on one leg at a time. Still, for Jenna’s birthday—and because she wanted to squeeze in as many rides as humanly possible—I swallowed my egalitarian pride. It felt a little like being Jack from Titanic: I knew I was going down eventually, but for a while, I was living it up on the upper deck.
We rode Batman multiple times—still a phenomenal coaster, even though it dates back to 1992. Medusa was another favorite. I foolishly boarded Nitro, a floorless mega-coaster that nearly ended me, as I almost passed out. I staggered off, pale and winded, seriously wondering if I needed to call a cardiologist. Jenna, of course, was completely unfazed. She even went on Superman several times. That one was too much for me—the idea of lying face down, soaring through the air like the Man of Steel, just looked like a good way to test my life insurance.
We both passed on The Joker, which looked—how do I say this—unhinged. It’s a coaster with traditional loops and flips, but each individual seat also spins like a gyroscope. It’s like someone strapped a tilt-a-whirl to a roller coaster and called it a day. Hard pass.
We also tried The Flash: Vertical Velocity, which reminded me of Zoomerang at Lake Compounce. You’re launched into a series of loops going forward, then backward. It’s the backward part that’s especially terrifying; your body has no idea what’s coming.
We skipped El Toro, another massive wooden coaster, because I was still feeling the aftershocks of Boulder Dash at Lake Compounce.
Unlike Lake Compounce, Hurricane Harbor, the adjacent water park—requires a separate gate and entrance. But with the Gold Pass, we could bounce between the parks across two days, parking included.
Hurricane Harbor had its highlights—and one maddening lowlight. Our very first ride, Big Bambu and Reef Runner, had a conveyor lift to carry rafts to the top of the tower. Unfortunately, the staff weren’t paying attention, so the line dragged for ages as rafts piled up at the bottom. Once we got through that, the rest of the water park ran smoothly. The slides were fast, fun and pretty similar to those at Lake Compounce.
There was one set of slides—Cannonball, Wahini, and Jurahnimo Falls—that had no line. And for good reason. These are basically vertical death drops. You stand in a capsule, the floor disappears beneath your feet, and you plunge downward like a sack of potatoes. You’d have to be at least mildly masochistic to enjoy them. We passed.
A highlight of our trip was the Wild Safari—another perk included with the Gold Pass. It used to be a true drive-through, back in the day when my parents let ostriches peck at our windshield and baboons climb on the car roof. Now, presumably for safety (and liability) reasons, guests ride in open-air diesel trucks with a guide narrating the tour. Surprisingly, it still had that wild, Jurassic Park vibe. In fact, the open-air format gave us better views than you’d get from inside your own car.
The best part? Getting just a few feet away from a black bear—albeit one separated by barbed wire. Still, it was thrilling. Not quite as thrilling, though, as the time I saw a black bear on my morning walk in our neighborhood. No barbed wire that day—just me, a startled bear, and the fastest adrenaline spike of my life.
Bottom line? Great Adventure lives up to its name. But so does the Gold Season Pass, which gave us access to the theme park, water park, safari and free parking across both days. For families making the trip, it’s the smart way to go—especially if you’ve got a birthday to celebrate and a kid who’s braver than you are.
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