“The Guild has weathered many storms, and thanks to the resilience
of the Guild’s leadership, members and staff, we have managed to
community,” Culver said.
Getting the Most Out of a
Tourist Attraction
BY JOYCE VENEZIA SUSS
TheJournalNJ.com | JUNE 2021 55
toughest part of trying to run the Guild, especially
since we have the salaries of our four
part-time staff to fund.”
The staff didn’t lose hope though and did
its best to bring the Guild to the community in
a safe, effective way.
“We reopened on Sept. 3 for a limited
number of hours twice a week and on Saturdays,”
Culver said. “Our online exhibits took
the place of actual gallery shows, and two in-
The Guild also sought out grants and additional
funding to help with its loss of revenue.
“We have seized every opportunity to
apply for grants and other types of funding,
encouraged members to renew their membership
dues early, since that is a major source of
income, and appealed to membership for donations,”
Culver said.
Now, with COVID-19 restrictions lessening, the Guild plans to reopen
fully in September 2021 with COVID-19 precautions still in place, including
wearing masks and social distancing. The gallery has also released a
fall schedule for its classes and workshops.
Do it
Better :
If your idea of vacation fun includes spontaneity and last-minute adventures,
this column is not for you. These suggestions are designed for
travelers who want to visit their must-see places with no surprises or
hassles. Planning ahead is the golden rule.
Make a wish list of what you want to see, then prepare to narrow your
choices. New places can be sensory overload, and exhausting for children
and sometimes even seasoned travelers. If an attraction is large, pick your
highlights, whether in a museum, national park or amusement park like
Six Flags Great Adventure. If it’s more than just a day trip, create a daily
schedule, and leave some time at the beginning or end of each day to relax.
Research the attraction. Read online reviews and recommendations
on travel review sites such as Trip Advisor, Expedia or Yelp.
Consider weekday or evening visits. Weekends are typically the most
crowded times for popular attractions. Some places offer special evening
hours. Mondays and Tuesdays are often the least-crowded days.
Don’t waste time on ticket lines. Buy tickets in advance online, then
print out or save a QR scannable code to your cell phone. Another advantage:
You may get discounts, or save money on multi-day passes. If you
live near a large city, it may be worthwhile to get an annual membership,
so you can visit as often as you like.
Verify opening hours right before you go. Some attractions may not
be open seven days a week, or may be closed for a private event. Many
museums are routinely closed one day a week. Check the website or,
even better, call and speak to a customer service representative.
Look up the exact address, get precise directions and parking information,
and estimate your travel time, whether by car or public transit.
Don’t start the day on a bad note by getting lost or ending up at the
wrong entrance gate. Google Maps has a feature where you can enter
the time you plan to leave, which gives a more accurate estimate of arrival
time based on past averages and current road conditions. If the attraction
has an exact start time, be sure to arrive early.
At museums, consider guided tours or audio guides. This can be
especially helpful in large museums with many themed halls. Instead
of just gazing at exhibits, you will be enlightened and fascinated. And
if you have questions, a docent will be happy to answer them or maybe
provide a demonstration.
At amusement parks, start with rides at the back of the park, not
the main entrance. Or walk counter-clockwise, which often moves faster.
Consider getting an express pass that allows you to skip long lines.
A backpack provides hands-free storage for water bottles, snacks,
sunscreen, disposable wipes and more. It’s also a great place to keep
smart phones most of the time, so you can actually enjoy the experience.
Take them out occasionally for a must-have photo, but resist the urge to
check your text messages and email.
/TheJournalNJ.com