Anyone raised around New England knows the best part of summer is discovering a new swimming hole to plunge into on a hot day. Explore any mountain range or river valley and you're sure to encounter a number of lovely, cool, and, if you're lucky, little-known swimming spots. Here are swimming holes that locals know and love in various corners of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. Bring your towels and good sense—many of these naturally formed swimming holes are rocky, and depths can be tricky to determine.

For more beautiful spots to splash this summer, check out our favorite swimming lakes in the Northeast.

Far, far away (about 26 miles from the Canadian border), you will find an enchanted place anchored by towering pines, where a star-filled sky twinkles after dusk and the cry of loons, a pretty but feisty native water bird, is the only sound that breaks the night. Welcome to Cathedral Pines Campground in Eustis, Maine, where during the day, families hike or relax on a private lake beach, and children bike, play, and savor ice cream. The setting of this Maine campground is as idyllic as it sounds.

Looking to get out of the apartment, but in need of an out of the ordinary destination? This season's crop of public art displays in NYC might be just what you need to spice up your next socially distant adventure and provide a bit of culture in a time when museums have been shuttered for months. From a fresh crop of Black Lives Matter murals in every borough to site-specific pieces in Queens, a giant gorilla on the west side, and even an augmented reality installation in the Rockaways, we've rounded up 16 cool pieces of public art to check out this summer.

Some are in familiar locations, like the newly reopened New-York Historical Society while others are off the beaten path, in spots like LaGuardia's new Terminal B. Whatever the location, you're sure to see something new.

For more family-friendly diversions, be sure to check off all the fun things to do on our list of 50 top summer activities to do before school starts, and find lots of seasonal fun in our Summer Fun Guide.

With New York City barreling toward reopening of schools this fall, the plan set forth by Mayor Bill De Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza has received plenty of pushback from educators and other stakeholders. The city's hybrid model, which combines in-person and remote learning, may have seen its most vocal opposition this week as some school leaders implored the mayor to reconsider the in-person start date to allow more time for teacher training and planning.

Currently, students are expected back in the classroom on Thursday, September 10; teachers would report just two days prior, which presents a learning curve in setting up classrooms to accommodate smaller, more socially distant seating arrangements, while also tackling the planning challenges of teaching a blended model.

Yet, despite the pressure, the administration seems set on its plans, which were given the green light by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo last week.

Updated August 13 - Amid increasing pressure, the governor of New Jersey will allow individual school districts to initially choose 100% remote learning this fall if they are unable to meet health and safety standards. Previous school reopening guidelines from the state had directed all districts to offer some form of in-person learning.

“We recognize for some districts there are legitimate and documentable reasons why some of these core health and safety standards cannot be met on day 1," Murphy said on Wednesday, August 12. "For these districts today, we are reaffirming our commitment for districts to do what’s best for their school community."

The governor has already said that any student or parent that prefers remote learning must be provided that option.

I'm pretty sure the only way to get through the stress that is back-to-school time is a heaping pile of funny memes.

Whether your kids are going full online learning, hybrid, podding up, or 100% in-person, the return to school seems to be incredibly anxiety-provoking for everyone: our kids, the teachers, and parents. I have a kid headed into the school system for the first time as a kindergartner, so I feel this deeply. The only silver lining I see—OK, maybe there are a couple more if I look really close—are the incredibly funny memes this pandemic is producing. I can't be the only one distracting myself from doomsday scrolling with those coronavirus meme threads, right? 'Cause what else can we do but laugh?

So if you want to just keep cry-laughing along with me through the emotional ups and downs of this pandemic, read on for our favorite funny school memes, from laughable school picture days to all-to-true remote learning takedowns.

Families are fortunate to have plenty of playgrounds in Philadelphia from which to select. Even better, many of these locations have shade to offer a reprieve from these steamy Philly summer days. We rounded up a few of our favorite shady playgrounds in the city to help you beat the heat.

Looking for other ways to stay cool? Check out these nearby water parks and favorite Philly splash pads for more splashing fun. Find more outdoor play options in our Guide to Philly Parks & Playgrounds.

Nothing is better than gathering up your loved ones and spending the night under the stars. With an extra dose of vitamin sea, beach camping brings your family adventure to the next level. Spend your days exploring the coastline and your nights around the campfire listening to sounds of waves gently crashing against the shore. 

From Maine all the way down to Florida, the East Coast offers some of the most epic beach camping spots whether you choose tent camping or an RV trip. Find more family adventures in our US Travel Guide.