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Monday, December 2, 2024 72° Today's Paper


Travel

Taking baby on tour calls for exit plan

Question: Are kids allowed on tours of microbreweries? My family is going on vacation near the place where they bottle my very favorite beer. I heard there is a factory tour, and my wife and I would like to do it, but we will have our 9-month-old son with us. Do you have any tips for taking a baby on a tour like this?

Answer: I have seen kids on brewery tours before, but I imagine each brewery sets its own policy for this. You might, for example, be able to bring a baby in a carrier but not a stroller. Call ahead and ask.

My top tip for taking a tour with a baby is to have an exit strategy. If your baby gets fussy, you and/or your wife should be prepared to leave early with the baby. When everybody’s milling around waiting for the tour to start, ask the guide if he or she can help you escape if necessary. Usually the guides are very accommodating — they don’t want a crying baby on the tour, either. And if you do have a stroller, I’d walk at the end of the tour group rather than have everyone get stuck behind you. Finally, I’d bring toys (non-noisy ones are best) and a bottle, and do a diaper change right before the tour starts.

Q: I want to take my girlfriend to a Broadway show. Should I book tickets in advance, or go to that discount day-of-show ticket booth in Times Square?

A: It depends on the show you’re talking about, and whether you want to stand in line for tickets.

TKTS, the discount booth in Times Square (with other locations in Brooklyn and South Street Seaport), is awesome, but you’re not going to get "Book of Mormon" seats at 50 percent off there. If you’re interested in seeing a less-popular show, and you don’t mind spending part of your time waiting in line, then you could risk it. I’d download the TKTS app and get a feel for what sort of shows are available (and how much you can save) before you decide.

Email travel etiquette questions to Lesley Carlin at deartripadvisor@tripadvisor.com.

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