When you're up for a road trip, New York's Catskills offer a slew of great things to do for families. Whether you have young kids or tweens and teens—or all of the above!—you can enjoy hiking, camping, river rafting, and more.

Let’s start with the basics: Where are the Catskills? Covering 600,000 acres and encompassing most of Ulster, Sullivan, Delaware, Greene, and Schoharie counties, the Catskills are rich in natural beauty and historical significance. You'll find family-friendly skiing and picturesque resorts—including the sprawling Kartrite Resort—as well as charming small towns, like Saugerties, Woodstock, Phoenicia, Tannersville, and Delhi.

Most destinations are about a 2- to 3-hour drive from the New York metro area. Here’s a look at the 40 best things to do in the Catskills with the kids, no matter your family’s interests.

Looking for even more places to visit in your area and beyond? Check out our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Find kid-friendly outdoor adventure and more in Newburyport and Plum Island!

Is there anything more iconic than the Pacific Pier, rising over the ocean with its sparkling Ferris wheel? Santa Monica is, in many ways, the most "LA" part of LA, and is number one on the list for most tourists, which is why locals tend to avoid the packed streets. 

For years I was partial to beaches north of Los Angeles, but a friend recently invited me for a beach day, and I discovered that the coastline further down the PCH is less crowded, incredibly spacious, and perfect for my little crew. After a blissful day splashing in the Pacific, I was sold on Santa Monica's shoreline and the rest of the city as well. 

Whether you are a local mom looking for adventure or an out-of-towner planning your day, here are 40 fantastic, tried-and-true recommendations for enjoying Santa Monica with kids. When you know where to look (and where to park), Santa Monica can be the perfect day out for everyone. 

Looking for more city guides? We can help you navigate around Pacific Palisades, Ventura, San Diego, Marina del Rey, and more seaside spots. Head to our day trips and weekend getaways guide for an extensive list of adventures in and around LA. 

After undergoing a $5-million renovation, LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta continues to remind children and families of the power and beauty of imagination. Still located on the top floor of Phipps Plaza, this 35,000-square-foot, indoor play spot features fun and innovative ways to build, interact, create, climb, and even ride LEGOs. And it was the first LEGO Discovery Center in North America to earn a Certified Autism Center status!

We've got your inside look into the LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta LEGO Master Builders and Duplo newbies alike will love this Atlanta attraction sure to connect us all, brick by colorful brick.

Take advantage of all the kid-friendly fun in the capital of the Lone Star State.

A Class Act NY’s musical theater and acting program offers summer camps and classes for ages 5 and up taught by Broadway stars and industry pros.

Offering 10 different week-long summer camps led by Broadway actors, LA TV Directors and Casting Directors, and other top industry professionals, A Class Act NY has options for young actors of all skill levels. From late June through August, the popular program serves up training in musical theater, on-camera acting, dramatic arts, and voice-over at Pearl Studios in Midtown Manhattan–just steps away from Times Square and the Theater District. Choose from Aladdin Kids Camp, Broadway Boot Camp, an On-Camera Intensive, and other engaging programming.

Whether you’ve got a rising kindergartener eager to play a part in their first play or an experienced teen hoping to participate in an industry showcase packed with talent reps, A Class Act NY has the camp for you. We have the answers to the most commonly asked questions about this award-winning studio and its summer programming.

If you've got a high school senior who is into the arts, listen up: TDF, the not-for-profit performing arts org, is offering FREE year-long TDF memberships to graduating high school seniors from NYC public and charter schools. So, if your kid can't wait to see everything from Broadway shows to off-Broadway performances, dance, and more—all at deeply discounted prices—read on for details on how they can score this special gift. Students who register by Monday, June 10 can enter a drawing for up to two tickets to a special students-only showing of Hell's Kitchen, too!

One of our favorite annual events, the Macy's 4th of July fireworks display, is ready to light up the city skyline and these July 4th cruises are the best way to see the show. The display illuminates the skyline, and nothing quite compares with watching the 4th of July fireworks celebration up close from the water on one of these July 4th cruises in NYC. Take note: The Macy's 4th of July fireworks are moving across town to the Hudson River this year, so routes have been amended to accommodate the new view.

Of course, these special July 4th cruises don't come cheap, and many are only open to ages 21 and older. We set out to find the lowest-cost July 4th cruises in NYC that also welcome children. If you're interested, book quickly. Some already have sold out and the remaining tickets will be gone before you know it.