Jekyll & Hyde's - Times Square

On Saturday the 25th of October, after we enjoyed our delicious Krispy Kreme Ghostbusters donuts, it was on to stage two of our perfect Hallowday!  Going along with our plan, we were off to Jekyll & Hyde Club in New York City.  Now, last year, we went to the original location in the Village and it was a blast.  Much like this go-around, we went the Saturday before Halloween and while it was filled with patrons dressed up in Halloween costumes, there was no wait and we were able to walk right in.  Well, in 2014, that wasn't so simple.  Being in the very heart of Times Square, Jekyll & Hyde was attracting a slew of customers all eagerly anticipating entrance into one of the coolest restaurant / bars in the city.  For a lover of the macabre, this was the place to be!  I looked at the line of people waiting outside and said to my girlfriend, "Nah, this line is for the Haunted House, we could walk right into the restaurant."  She said "No, I'm pretty sure this is the line to get into the restaurant."  Being that I'm always right, I quickly responded back with a chuckle and affirmation that "Nope, this is definitely just for the Haunted House."  Then, like an RKO outta nowhere, some random girl on the street turns to me and says "Um, no, that's actually the line for the restaurant."  Damn.. I stood there, stunned, owned by a stranger, and had to suffer from salt in the wound when I looked over at Eileen who was grinning ear to ear.  Alright alright.. Everybody has to be wrong at one point in their lives, right?  I swallowed my pride, pretended that it didn't happen, and got on line knowing girl power is alive and well.

Surf City - Jersey City

Because I'm from Jersey City, NJ, I don't know what the general consensus is around the nation when it comes to my hometown.  Sure, we all know NJ is the "Armpit of America."  Believe me, I've been on the NJ Turnpike and I know exactly why we have such a smelly reputation.  When it comes to Jersey City, I've heard different views.  On one hand, Jersey City is an urban area filled with low lives and gang bangers.  On the other hand, Jersey City is a gateway to Hoboken and NYC, on the rise downtown, and the perfect place to raise a family.  Believe it or not, both of those statements are true.  Just like any major city, it's just a matter of where you go (and where you never would) and who you associate yourself with.  But, never in my life did I expect to find such an awesome place so close to home and right under my nose.  Surf City is an AMAZING location and, last week, we spent three days there because we just couldn't get enough!

We had multiple friends tell us about Surf City and every review was positive.  We were intrigued, but never took the time to drive 15 minutes away and check it out.  Looking back, I wish we had dived in sooner because we missed out on so many beautiful Summer days, and nights, that could have been spent at this beautiful mega bar.  Don't let my picture or the exterior view fool you.  This isn't some run-down shack.  This is the beach, this is the jersey shore, this is the Caribbean all wrapped into one giant ball and placed right along the Hudson River.

To paraphrase Surf City's official "about us" section, Surf City is both an indoor and outdoor bar and restaurant that sits directly on the water with beautiful views of NYC, the Statue of Liberty, and Liberty Science Center.  We first came to Surf City on a Sunday and it was absolutely beautiful!  The sun was shining, the clouds were sparse, and the crowd Surf City attracted was just my type.  There was nothing rowdy about this location at all and I liked that!  There were parents with newborn babies, dog lovers with their pups, young, old, and new couples enjoying the scenery.  Being there felt comfortable and that was what stood out most.

Before we did anything else, we wanted to look around and see what they had to offer.  We could have been seated by a hostess, but we chose to scope the joint out before settling down.  We noticed the incredible view of the water and skyline, we realized how many bars and tables they have for patrons, they have benches and chairs throughout the mega bar, and my favorite part, the sand pit that allows guests to have a seat in the sand and place your food and drinks right on the table.  A waiter or waitress even comes around to take your order.  Where you live, this may be common, but you don't find anything like this in Jersey City.  I was mesmerized by it all and, really, the service is what sets it all over the top.  Had they been rude, all of this ambiance goes right into the river.  But let me tell ya, these guys do it all right!

To be exact, there are five bars throughout the location with one, inside, being completely devoted to making frozen drinks and "buckets."  Because it gets crowded as the day progresses into night, this is an important perk.  Having the ability to choose from one of five bars to get a drink at a busy hour limits your wait time and gets you back to your company.  That's great!  In our three times there, we never waited for a drink and our bartenders were always there with another before we finished the last.  Not only is it good for business, it's good for my buzz :)

I stuck with Coors Light on all three days, but Eileen varied a bit and started the day off with a bucket.  To be more precise, she kicked it off with "Voodoo Juice."  I tried it and it was good!  Imagine an ice cold coconut drink!  Sure, it was a bit expensive, but you get what you pay for.  Besides, it's no small feat.  It's a pretty big drink that's mixed with some hard liquor.  You drink two or three "Voodoo Juice" buckets and you'll be casting more spells than Papa Shongo.  (if you don't know who that is, you're not paying attention to The Holidaze!)

After the beer and bucket, we were on to the next round.  I'm boring, so I stayed with the Coors, but this time Eileen chose to go with her first frozen margarita ever.  They call this one the Strawberry Rita at Surf City and it's only $10.  I think that's a pretty good deal and, in that setting, it's only right that you sit back, toes in the sand, sipping on an ice cold tropical drink.  If you can't make it to the Bahamas, or even if you can't make it down the shore, Surf City is absolutely perfect.  For us, there's no better staycation.

Changing gears, Eileen went from tropical drinks to beer.  But not just any beer, this was "Angry Orchard."  Ever heard of it?  I didn't until this day, but I've always been intrigued by seasonal beers.  It all started last year when I tried my first pumpkin flavored beer.  I didn't really care for it, but that's because I'm picky.  But apple is right down my alley and this was amazing.  The flavor is sweet and tangy.  It draws a fine line between Summer and Fall, but it's sooo good and, when it's that cold, it hits the spot on an 80 degree day.  This is definitely something I'll be looking for as we enter September.

Surf City has plenty of craft beers on tap and these two from Blue Moon, Agave Nectar Ale and Belgian White, stood out.  I, regretfully, never tried them at Surf City, but it did lead us to purchasing Agave Nectar later that night and, if you're looking for the perfect Summer beer, that's it!  I know the season is quickly coming to an end, but we're about to hit the 90s again this week and I'm going to soak up every last drop of Summer I can get.  Believe me, I'm more than ready for Fall and Halloween.  But Surf City makes me long for just a few more weeks!

Our friend met us later that day, but prior plans meant the party couldn't last.  But we had time for some food and one more drink.  Although I didn't snap a picture, we ordered fries and mozzarella sticks to go along with Eileen's "Mango Tango" and my final beer for the day.  It could have been the alcohol talking, but we thought the food was amazing, especially the fries!  They season them just right and, along with the mozzarella sticks, we were in foodie heaven.  It was a great way to end our first time at Surf City but, little did we know, we had only just begun.

After mentioning to my Mom, who loves anything that involves the beach and Sun, just how great Surf City was, she was intrigued.  Apparently, Surf City used to be known as the Sand Bar but, according to her, was very loud and attracted a more raucous crowd.  She was surprised to hear how much it had changed and was glad we had such a good time.  The next morning, she tells me that she and my Aunt are going to Surf City.  I guess I had really sold the mega bar, well eh?  

Of course we joined them! It's always great spending time with family and I take the opportunity to do so whenever it comes up.  This was the perfect time and place to share quality time with my two favorite ladies in the world.  We enjoyed drinks, food, and a lot of laughs.  My aunt, who isn't pictured, is the true matriarch of my entire family and was the driving force behind this outing.  I'm grateful that she decided to coordinate this little event at Surf City because the four of us had a wonderful time and created some great memories.  On top of that, it was already later in the day so we got to enjoy Surf City at night.

As the sun set, Surf City began to illuminate and shine bright in the night's sky.  It was serene.  The water was calm, the breeze was cool, and the music was just a tad bit louder in the background.  A little Margaritaville enhances the experience and makes you feel like you're really in a tropical destination on vacation.  You forget where you are and, if I didn't tell you, you'd never guess that you're in Jersey City.  For a while, even I had to question where I really was!

 

When the Sun finally drops, lights glow from all around Surf City and it's gorgeous.  Between the environment, the people, the weather, and the company, I couldn't have asked for a better night.  If you look closely above, there are fire pits lit at tables in the sand.  Even when it's not cold outside, it's there for you to make yourself even more comfortable.  It's something that Surf City doesn't have to do, but does anyway.  I've mentioned "going the extra mile" time and time again on The Holidaze and that's always what separates good from great.  That's why Surf City is great.

Need more proof?  Take a look at this sign placed at the exit.  Surf City already offers free parking in a huge lot, but if you've had too much to drink and can't drive home, they're happy to oblige.  Simply leave your license plate number with the manager and they'll keep your car safe and sound until you can soberly return to pick it up.  That's class, people!  That's really taking an interest in your well being and the well being of others.  We didn't need this service, but I'm sure people do at times and it's good to see it offered.  Again, it's something they don't have to do, but do anyway

Round Three at Surf City and I had to take a picture of my angel with the beautiful skyline behind her.  She even wore her shirt to match the Surf City logo ha!  I'm lying, but are we loving this place or what?  We didn't have much time on our third trip, but we had to stop in for a drink and some burgers.  They're just too good to pass up!

If you come to Surf City for nothing else, then come for the food!  These burgers are out of this world.  This time, I know it wasn't the alcohol talking because I only had one beer.  I'm the pickiest eater in the world, hence why I don't have any lettuce, tomato, onions, or sauce on my bacon cheeseburger, but I still know a good burger when I see it and this is awesome.  For $11, you get the burger and fries and, look, it's not small.  You're getting your moneys worth!  The fries alone are good enough to spend 11 bucks, but the burger just sets everything apart.  In our time there, we've had the bacon cheeseburger, mozzarella sticks, and fries.  Because I'm picky, I'm not sure what else I'd try, but their menu is packed with shrimp, salad, wings, chicken, burgers, oysters, clams, ribs.. you name it!  If they're anything like what we ate, then it's going to be a success!

I really can't say enough about Surf City.  We had an amazing time all three times and it won't be our last outing.  To tell you the truth, we'll probably be there once or twice this week.  The weather is supposed to be beautiful, so we'll probably swing by on Thursday or Friday.  It's just that good!  It's definitely my new favorite place and I'm recommending it to everybody I know.  It may seem like I'm being paid to say all this, but I'm just a new fan of Surf City who wants to spread the word to anybody who will listen.  If you're in the Jersey City area, give it a try.  If you're in NYC, hop on a ferry and dock at Surf City.  You can literally walk up the ramp from your boat and enter the bar.  I saw people show up on jet ski's and kayaks!  By land or by sea, nobody can get enough of Surf City!

Monster Mini Golf - Round Two

After playing 18 rounds of Monster Mini Golf in Paramus, NJ, we knew we would be back for more.  We had so much fun and enjoyed the atmosphere that it was only a matter of time.  But we had no idea it would be sooner rather than later.  After reviewing the Paramus location and tweeting it out to The Holidaze followers, the founder and owner of Monster Mini Golf, Christina Vitagliano, responded with high praise!  To thank me for taking time to write the review (my pleasure), Monster Mini Golf sent me a little somethin' somethin'.

Free passes to any Monster Mini Golf location at any time!  How awesome is that?  I wasn't expecting anything in return for writing about our experience in Paramus, but I truly appreciate the generosity.  Not only did Monster Mini Golf send me passes, but they sent 12!!  They could have sent one or two and I would have been more than happy, but 12 is going above and beyond.  If you're looking for a company that knows how to treat their customers and operate a business professionally, then look no further.  Christina Vitagliano and the employees at Monster Mini Golf are truly class acts and I thank them for going out of their way!

My girlfriend and I were planning on bringing her brother and sister out to celebrate the end of the school year and, as soon as the mail arrived, we knew exactly where to take them.  After talking to Christina, I learned that every location had a different theme that spawned from Christina's overly creative mind.  So, this time, we traveled to Edison, NJ to see how it was different from Paramus and to level the playing field of the 18-hole course!

Before we even walked in, I knew that this location was going to be better than the first.  The logo was larger, more colorful, and popped against it's background.  The entrance, specifically the shape of the door, resembled Dracula's castle.  It's rounded to a point and makes you feel like you're about to enter a danger zone of fear and terror.  Yes!! Combine that with a green Frankenstein letting you know they're open and you've outdone yourself.  The cover on this book was perfect but, just like the first time around, I didn't want to make a judgement based just on that.  Time to get in there!

The first thing I noticed was how much larger this location is than the one in Paramus.  There were twice the amount of games and cranes, a bit more decor in terms of monster mannequin's and props, and, unlike our first time at Monster Mini Golf, there was a DJ rocking the set.  However, we arrived much later than we planned on and that meant dealing with a little bit of a crowd.  Nothing crazy, but the golf course was packed so we decided to hit the arcade first.

If you didn't bet money on seeing a Pop-A-Shot picture here, then shame on you.  You should have read The Holidaze enough this Summer to know that I wouldn't turn down a basketball opportunity.  This time, we had 4 people playing so that meant 3x the competition.  Well, they really weren't much of a challenge to CK, but we did have a lot of fun.  We all tried to break the high score, but it wasn't happening, especially after Eileen's brother, Connor, overshot a ball that wound up on top "Hoop Fever's" cage.  That's when it's time to throw in the towel and walk away.

I'm not going to lie... I almost lost!  It was such a close game and the worst part was that half of his points were earned by me.  I must have knocked the puck into my goal 3 or 4 times.  At one point, I was actually down 1 and thought it was over.  I thought my undefeated streak had come to an end and that I'd be forced to pass the torch.  But, luckily, I'm the Wayne Gretzky of Air Hockey and managed to pull it out.  CK wins and you wonder why I compare myself to the great Gretzky?  Because he's the only hockey player I know ;)

Right behind the Air Hockey machines were the private rooms for birthday parties and all I can say is whoa!  I love the style!  It's like dining in a Haunted House.  There used to be a restaurant in Salem, MA called "The Crypt Cafe" and this kinda reminded me of that.  If you're a kid, this would be a great place to have a party.  The games are cheap and the golf is competitive and fun.  I could only imagine how much fun it would all be with a large group of friends.  I wonder if there's an age limit.  I need a cool spot for my 27th in March.  I'm kidding.  But not really.

Eileen's brother, Connor, probably had the best time that day but, with me being there, that's debatable.  Figuring out who can be a bigger kid is a toss-up, but I don't think anybody could have a bad time at Monster Mini Golf.  If you embrace the environment, play the games, and pretend you're a kid, you'll guarantee yourself a bunch of laughs.  In this case, Connor guaranteed himself a few free motorcycle games.  Every time he came in 1st place, he would receive admission to the next round.  So, in total, he played 3 full games for free.  It's another example of how Monster Mini Golf rewards their customers.  The game could have ended as soon as the first credit was gone, but it was programmed to continue without having to swipe our card.  That's awesome, but only the beginning.  I'll explain, later.

After a few more games, including one of those crazy dancing machines and "Hammer Head," which was basically a Wack-A-Mole version of "Street Sharks."  That was the coolest part of the game.  To be honest with you, I didn't even play it, I just took a picture of the bootleg Street Shark to show you.  I can't lie to you.  Oh, yeah, I also took a picture of a picture.  Monster Mini Golf in Edison, NJ has a device that works as a digital camera and allows you to take a photo and either e-mail it to yourself or share with your friends via social media.  The cost?  Nothing but a smile.

Okay, it's time to play some Monster Mini Golf.  Before we entered "Cemetery", I could already tell that the course was different.  There were different obstacles and more "blocks."  We were gonna have to be very creative in order to win.  We had to use the side walls to our advantage and make sure we were precise.  Oh yeah, this was going to be a battle.  But I was ready for the challenge and looked forward to this war of monsters.

Through the first 9 holes, we had nobody in front or behind us, so we were able to take our time, kid around, dance to "Ice Ice Baby," and take pictures.  But by the time we got to the 10th hole, a man with his, I'd say, 4-year-old son had caught up to us.  His son didn't care about rules, he just wanted to play, so he kept hitting the ball until he go it in the hole.  It probably took him 12 chances on every hole, but they made it through the entire course in less than 20 minutes.  So when they reached us, we let them go in front in order to keep them at their pace.  Well, next thing you know, the man swings his club on one of the most difficult holes and sinks a hole-in-one!  We were all shocked and gave him a great ovation.  If that's what it takes to become a champion, maybe I should be more like his son.  I'll just wack the ball until I reach the hole.  Then, when I grow up to be a 36-year-old Chinese man, I'll knock it in with one shot.  Sounds like a plan.

One of the coolest aspects of the game was this wheel that must be spun before the putter takes their shot.  After you spin, it will add a stipulation to your shot that can affect you or the other players.  For example, above, it landed on "One Hand Putt."  That meant that we had to attempt our first shot while holding the club with only one hand.  It's harder than it sounds.  When putting, I'm a lefty, but I write with my right hand so I had to turn around and put righty.  I didn't do very well, but it was fun.  Another stipulation was, if you received a hole-in-one, you could add two more strokes to an opponent-of-your-choosing's score.  That could be crucial in a close game.  In this case, it might have changed the outcome, but nobody sunk a hole-in-one all game.  We had a really close call, but it just didn't make it.

 For as fun as the game is, I'm just as into the artistic creativity as I am with the competition.  Everywhere you looked, there were bright colors illuminated by the black lights above.  I become a baby who's distracted by my own 5 senses.  But when it comes to the extreme, take a look at that beast above!  Wow.. The Green Ogre in Paramus was cool, but it just can't compare to this guy.  I don't know what he's supposed to be, but I wouldn't want to get on his bad side.  He's monstrous!  And much like the Ogre, he moves.  His arms, his legs, his head and body all move in a running motion and, if you didn't know any better, you'd think he might break free from his cage and attack you with your own club.  He's like a giant skeleton / druid hybrid on steroids.  In fact, you might find something similar at the Jersey Shore.  Hiyooo!

The art is beautiful.  You forget that it's 2-Dimensional and feel as if you could walk right through the wall and into the scene.  I don't know if that green water would be safe, especially with a red sky at night, but I'd take the chance.  Those yellow arrows are almost seductive.  What's down there?  What will I find?  It's a trick.  They're casting a spell on us.

The illustration is crazy good, but the thought process that went into these designs means much more than the art itself.  Think about it.  We were in Edison, NJ which is named after Thomas Edison.  Thomas Edison was an inventor which explains the lab.  He invented the motion-picture camera, the phonograph, and the light-bulb.  That explains the metaphorical image of the light-bulb blowing out the candle.  That's art that speaks volumes.  "Goodbye light of the past, the light of the future dismisses you."  It's actually a very deep image.  So is that pool of green slime.  I don't know what that has to do with Edison, but I think it depicts the polluted waters of New Jersey, perfectly.  It also looks like Mutagen so I personally loved the glowing green goo of greatness.  How about that alliteration?

On our journey, we ran into the Grim Reaper.  Everybody knows, when you come face to face with the Reaper, your time is usually up.  This was bad news, especially because we had 4 holes left, so I talked to the guy.  I said, "look man, we don't want any problems.  We just want to have a good time and, I promise, you're getting a great review on The Holidaze."

He responded, "The Holidaze?  Nobody reads that garbage!  You're coming with me!"

He wrapped his demonic chain around my neck and pulled me in.  He said "Give me those passes back, too.."  Then everybody reading this said "Whoa, we knew this guy was a little geeky, but this might be a problem."  Then we all awkwardly stared at each other and moved on with the review.  Yep.. :)

Paramus and Edison only share one hole in common and that's the last.  Once again, you have to shoot the ball up and into the evil clown's mouth in order to call it a hole-in-one.  If you miss, you get a 3 so, obviously, this could make or break your game.  Eileen, her brother, and I all managed to knock our balls down his throat (I mean that in the nicest way possible) but her sister, Alana, wound up with a 3 and, unfortunately, last place.

So who won? Time to tally the final scores.

Eileen... 72

Connor....72

Cliff.......73

Damn, I lost.  BUT.. we have a tie!  In the end, Eileen and her brother ended up with the same score and it says a lot about the course.  First of all, every one of our scores suck and that's testament to the difficulty of the Monster Mini Golf course in Edison, NJ.  But I like that!  Nobody wants to hit sub-par every single time.  You want that to be rare and special so that you get to feel that excitement.  But, I can tell you, no excitement was felt that day.  We came close, but we mostly hit 5's.

Our scores also indicate that the "Monster Mini Golf Spinners" wheel and the final hole mean a lot more than you think at the time.  Had somebody been able to add two strokes to Eileen's score and had Connor missed the last hole, then I'm your champion.  If any one of them missed the clown's tongue, there would be no tie and one of them would be the sole victor.  There are crazy twists along the way and that's what's so fun about it!

Now, because we had a deal in place that the winner would get to pick where we go for dinner, we had to find a winner.  So, it was time for the tie-breaker.  It's time to go back to the Air Hockey table and crown our Monster Mini Golf King or Queen.  Who will it be?

Here is your winner, and the NEWWW Monster Mini Golf Champion.... Connor!

Yes, in the end, Eileen was defeated by her younger brother and he got to pick where we went to eat.  But, first, we had plenty of money left on your Monster Mini Golf card because, believe me, $20 goes a very long way, even with 4 people playing different games at different times.

As I was looking at that ferocious wolf-man, trapped in his cage above the kiddie bball hoop, I noticed a sign that said it was "Free-Play Friday at Monster Mini Golf."  What did that mean?  Well, one of the games in the arcade was completely free to play, you just had to find it.  Challenge accepted!  We actually stumbled across the crane by accident, but I happened to move the joystick and the crane moved with me.  So we played around with it and, little did we realize, it's play until you win.  So, for absolutely nothing, we were promised something stuffed or rubber from a glass box.  That's class, people.

While they attempted to win free crane prizes, I checked out the gift shop.  The T-Shirts they have available are all black light ready.  They'd look awesome on the golf course and, next time, I think I may just buy one to truly shine brighter than whoever wins.

But what really caught my eye were those Funko Pop Vinyl Figures.  I'm new to these products, but they were recently brought to my attention after they released the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Master Splinter, and Shredder.  Once I saw photos of them on Instagram, I Googled the rest and, man, they have so many licenses.  In this case alone, you can see Disney, Marvel, and The Walking Dead on display.  But they've released Michael Myers, Jason, The Heat Miser, Snow Miser, Elf, Frankenberry, Boo Berry, and Count Chocula.  That's just to name a few.  They have so many cool figures available, with more on the way, so I have to start collecting these babies.  Monster Mini Golf didn't offer any that really interested me enough to start my collection, but they were only $12.99 and $9.99 online so, soon enough, you'll be seeing these on The Holidaze.  I actually can't wait!

We racked up 350 points because, like the crane, Skee Ball was also on "free play" so Connor was able to get something decent.  I tried to get a photo of the television screen, but the glare was too strong.  But I liked it because, unlike the Paramus location, your collection of tickets were tracked and recorded on your Monster Mini Golf Card.  There were no actual tickets which meant no folding cardboard paper or carrying 20-foot strips around the golf course.  All 350 tickets fit on one card and in your pocket.  Then, as you spent your points, the card was scanned and the television screen showed you how much you had, how much you spent, and how much you had left.  Slowly but surely, mental math is becoming a thing of the past.

So, between the free crane and 350 points, what did we end up leaving Monster Mini Golf with?

A stuffed Patrick from Spongebob Squarepants, two yoinking pigs, a bucket of blue slime, three Airheads, a fake spider, and two bracelets.  It sounds like a poor man's "12 Days of Christmas," but we got all that, in addition to all the games we played, for a mere $20.  Not to mention, thanks to the free passes, we saved $40.  Plus, at the end of the day, the employees at Monster Mini Golf gave us another free pass to come back to the Edison location.  How do they make money??  I'll tell ya, it's through loyalty and it runs both ways!

After dinner at Houlihan's, we gave our English Bulldog, Rocky, one of the rubber pigs.  We like to think of him as our little baby pig, so he deserved his own to love and chew the hell out of.  He actually liked it a lot more than I expected.  He usually chews something for a minute before he never wants to see it again, but this was different.  I think it really did remind him of himself.  They're both little fatties that make funny noises.  Not to mention they're adorable.  I love the picture of Piggy riding Rocky, but that didn't last long at all.  I'm lucky I even got the picture.  I'd love to tell you that they walked around like that, together, all night long, but I'd be lying.  Rock hates anything wrapped around his body.  Don't give him a hat, sunglasses, or a jacket.  Just give him peanut butter.  He loves that.

To conclude, we had a great day and it was the perfect place to bring Eileen's brother and sister to kick off their Summer vacation.  I, once again, want to thank Christina Vitagliano for being so gracious and sending us those free passes.  We're going to try and span them out over the next few months, so they should last us through the Summer.  Including the one we received in Edison, we have 9 passes left and we're looking forward to sharing the experience with more friends and family.  We will, most likely, reach another Monster Mini Golf Destination and, for anybody reading this, I can't emphasize it enough - find a location near you and go have yourself an amazing time.  You will love your time and experience.  I know we did.. again :)