As we've spoken about both here and the old forum, we all have "traditions" that we do on our annual vacations. These traditions have become so ingrained that it just seems so natural for us. We look forward to it.
But this year, my girlfriend and I realized that we will be changing one of our traditions. Normally, we would eat at Bandana's the first night of every vacation since we've been going together in 2016. However, this year it wasn't open on our first night due to staffing shortages. We reluctantly decided to try Curry Inn again, after not being too impressed with it in 2019. We were blown away this time, so much so in fact, that we said, "This is where we'll be going on our first night from now on."
And thus, a tradition was changed! Anyone else change traditions? Not even exclusively food related, but in general?
My family and I stay at Le Voyageur Motel every year in the summertime. I think every week they used to have these two funny guys doing live music and games where if you won, you got a free Le Voyageur t-shirt and they don't do it anymore. I really miss it! But, as you get older, everything changes.
I mean, we've kept the same sort of traditions but swapped out certain places for new ones. Like, we'd get into town on a Sunday around noon, and we'd all go to Woody's Place, get a few drinks and some food, then check-in, unwind and catch some of the Jerry Lewis telethon as we geared up to go to the boardwalk. Woody's no longer exists nor the telethon. Now, we check-in and unpack first, then we'll go for a late lunch/early dinner at The Adam's Restaurant/Red Parrot Lounge, then enjoy a few hours at the arcades, etc.
Used to have a family dinner at the motel our last night, now we don't and we'll do a few drinks at Seaport and the kids will do some rides while the rest of us wander around shopping and such.
I love this topic! A lot of our traditions changed once my son was born. We used to stay down in May and September, but with school, we now vacation during the summer. We also used to go out to eat a lot more but since my son is so picky and he doesn't like to sit for a long period of time, we mostly either cook or get the food to go. The biggest change has been the fall car show where it used to be all about the cars. Now we do whatever my son wants, which is usually swimming in the pool. I don't mind how much things have changed over the years. I'm just happy to be able to spend time as a family in our little bubble.
Our traditions have changed. Mostly wanting to try something new and creating new traditions. We shall see this summer as we are planning a trip back to our favorite hotel for a week. For the first time in 4 years or so
As the kids get older, we do less of the rides. But, if I become a grandfather someday, I suppose I will be doing the rides again! One tradition that has remained the same for me since I was a kid is getting a slice of Mack's Pizza!
Our traditions haven't changed too much other than for the past few years I have now arrived a day sooner than the rest of the family. It gives my now fiancé' and I a chance to do some things there usually wouldn't be time for like a trip to Cape May and the opportunity to try a couple different places to eat. As a whole we are pretty regimented on our vacation but I think that's mostly just years of figuring out how to pack everything we possibly can into a few days so I'm all good with it.
Our traditions have completely changed over the last 30 years but I think that was to be expected as our ages went from being in our late 20's to age 60 in a few months. Change happens as peoples lives, interests and even health change. As far as food goes we used to pretty much have it planned out in our heads where we going to eat and now just go with the flow depending on what we feel like eating, no absolute musts except maybe the Lobster House. The most important thing is do what you both enjoy and have a blast!