This weekend is about more than just the long weekend (though it is a long weekend). This weekend asks us to examine the power of the individual: to do good, to achieve, to entertain and inform.

Whether your skill is trick shotting, krill eating, or sheep herding, whether your area of expertise is geekdom or brick-building or onomatopoeia, this weekend reminds us that we can all rise up and achieve great things.

On Monday in particular, we look at the American presidency and the power of one individual to impact the lives of so many. LA is lucky to have two presidential libraries in the region, both of which offer up observances of the holiday. Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you are going to do with your kids on this long weekend. 

Read on for our most statesmanlike picks for this weekend …

Dog lovers rejoice: New York City has a brand new museum to visit and it's dedicated to man's fluffy, four-legged best friend. Opened last week, just steps away from Grand Central Terminal, the Museum of the Dog is the latest addition to the quirky museum scene in this city that loves its culture...and its dogs.

Does having kids bring back memories of TV shows, cartoons, and jingles from your own childhood? Wouldn't it be cool if there were a place where you could watch them? Enter The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills. Whether you're making peace with some weekend screen time, or you've simply exhausted the other great LA museum and library options, this place is worth checking out. With an archive of more than 160,000 radio and television programs, this small but mighty museum offers a fun (and free!) way to connect with the family over TV past and present. 

It’s expensive to expand a ski resort. The folks at Hunter Mountain invested $9 million to construct an 80-acre addition to New York’s second most-visited ski destination.

Did they get their money’s worth without compromising all that made Hunter one of the top ski destinations for families near New York City?

After visiting the now 320-acre Catskills resort that is 2½ hours north of the city, one is tempted to say, yes.

Millburn may be known for top-notch schools and swanky shopping at its Short Hills mall, but look a little closer and you'll find a vibrant town packed with family fun.

The heart of downtown, where Main Street and Millburn Avenue meet, is dotted with shops and restaurants and is home to the town's annual street festival. Kid-friendly activities in Millburn range from swimming and theater classes to storytimes and live performances. Creative play spaces, charming cafes, gardens, and parks round out the fun.

Located less than 20 miles from New York City in Northern NJ, Millburn is a great bet for an easy day trip any time of year. Spend some time exploring all the arts, recreation, food, and fresh-air fun that Millburn has to offer. 

Finding ways to fill long summer days with fun and enriching activities for kids can be a challenge. This is especially true for preschoolers, many of whom seem to have boundless energy and want to constantly be entertained. Day camps can help get kids out of the house and provide a variety of engaging events to participate in. Whether your little one is into exploring the outdoors, experimenting, or creating, Houston has a variety of day camp options. Read on for a selection of day camps that are specifically designed for preschoolers.

For more summer and vacation camp ideas, check out our comprehensive Houston Summer Camp Guide or full directory of camp listings to search by age, interest, or area.

Ever wondered what makes a car go? Why some cars sound different? What safety gear is most effective when racing? Why is it important to use weather compliant tires and steering wheels? The Hot Wheels: Race to Win exhibit at the Discovery Cube Los Angeles is providing all these answers through interactive videos, displays, and “hands-on” stations giving the whole family opportunities to learn while unleashing their inner race car drivers. The iconic miniature vehicles, which have been igniting kids’ and collectors’ imaginations since 1968, are the centerpieces of this traveling show: some vintage models are enclosed in glass cases, while others serve as die-cast models to experiment with high-speed racing.

Here in the Northeast, what apple picking is to fall, maple sugaring is to winter. The season begins in February and runs through late March. Ideally, temperatures must dip below freezing at night and warm up during the day to stimulate sap flow. Thus, the maple-sugaring season is brief. And to make just one gallon of pure maple syrup, it takes more than 40 gallons of sap!

We've rounded up maple-sugaring fun in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Read on for details on where to learn about and celebrate this centuries-old tradition. Looking for more seasonal fun? Check out our Westchester Winter Fun Guide, and look to our Event Calendar for new events added daily.