When you're looking for something cool to do with the kids in NYC, who do you ask? Other local parents of course!

That's why we asked our readers to tell us about their favorite summer day trips in and around New York City. The answers ran the gamut from famous favorites (Coney, Coney, Coney!) to lesser-known destinations (Bannerman Castle on Pollepel Island) to creative city itineraries (a DIY walking tour based on Food Network shows. Yum!).

So in addition to all of our other roundups of summer fun, including 100 free things to do this summer and 40 staycation destinations, we're happy to share the 42 top summer outings for NYC families as chosen by our fellow moms and dads.

It's been an exhilarating week here in NYC. Now that winter has finally let go, my daughter and I took a long walk through our East Harlem neighborhood and spotted the first signs of spring: daffodil buds and Mister Softee trucks. And, like many of our fellow public school families, we participated in a citywide protest criticizing Governor Cuomo's controversial teacher evaluation proposal (glad we didn't have to do it in the snow).

With all that activity, the upcoming school recess can't come fast enough as far as we're concerned. Our Travel site has an enticing roundup of spring break family travel deals in case you're looking to take a full-fledged vacation to Florida, California or Mexico. Or check our regional sites for great seasonal day trips like New Jersey's seaside Jenkinson's Aquarium, the construction-themed amusement park Diggerland, which reopens this weekend, and the end of maple sugaring season in Westchester.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

We're big fans of kid-friendly STEM activities and anything FREE. So put them together and you've got an event that we want to shout about. New York City's Brain Week 2015 kicks off today and offers neuroscience programs throughout March. Most of the kid-friendly ones take place this week and next, and include family favorites like the BioBus (of Ultimate Science Street Fair fame), and educational expos such as the NYU Brain Fair. Programming occurs in various locations (mostly Manhattan), and while almost all events are FREE, preregistration is often required. We've got the scoop on the top Brain Week events for families.

This photo sums up the way I think we all feel about winter right about now (minus the expletives). A warm vacation somewhere would be the perfect cure, but there's school so you'll have to console yourself with our slide show of the best things to do in Naples, Florida with kids or try hitting a toasty indoor destination right here in NYC.

If you can bear to be outside, maple sugaring season is upon us and there are lots of places in nearby Westchester and Connecticut to see how the sweet stuff is made. If you're planning for summer (assuming it ever gets here), we've updated our Camp Guide, including our super-popular post about free and inexpensive summer programs.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

With ice and dirty snow piled up everywhere we turn, it's hard to believe that spring is just three weeks away. Our just published March GoList highlights balmy seasonal favorites like Macy's Flower Show and St. Patrick's Day Parades. And yet with temperatures below freezing for the foreseeable future, I bet we're going to be consulting our list of 50 things to do indoors with kids in NYC for a while longer.

But even though it feels like winter is going to last forever, it won't, so it's getting down to the wire for ice-skating, snow tubing and skiing. Our Travel site just posted a review of the popular Camelback Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains if you can squeeze in a last-minute winter day trip.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

All of our bloggers have been so busy enjoying February break with their kids this week, we've barely had time to write! A few went skiing in Vermont and New Hampshire. Others are celebrating Lunar New Year. And my family and I finally got around to seeing the Paddington and SpongeBob movies, and Cambuyón at the New Victory Theater. We hope your family has been having as much fun as we have.

Since winter refuses to let go, the last few days of break are a great time for a warm getaway like an indoor water park or a food factory tour. Or embrace the season by going skiing, snow tubing or ice-skating—remember, spring reportedly starts in four weeks so there's not much time left for winter sports.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

All the talk in the schoolyard is about February break, which starts this Presidents' Day weekend. It's just about your last chance to book an enriching midwinter recess camp or plan a family vacation.

Of course, if you're sticking around NYC for a staycation like my family, you'll find plenty of fun things to do in our Winter Guide, which has a whole February break section filled with ideas for every day the kids are off from school, from Lunar New Year celebrations to warm indoor destinations to creative at-home activities. If you're looking for nearby seasonal getaways, our Snow Sports Guide is packed with great options like our just-posted review of Stowe, Vermont's awesome Stoweflake Resort and Spa along with nearer ski and snowtubing spots, including a few that don't require a car.

Want a kid-friendly way to celebrate Valentine's Day this Saturday? Then join us for a special performance of the percussive dance spectacle Cambuyón at the New Victory Theater, hosted by Mommy Poppins. Our readers enjoy a 20% discount on tickets and exclusive post-show cookie decorating with our friends at Cookie Party. I'll be there with my kid as will Stephanie so be sure to say hello.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

Well, at least the snow looks pretty. That's what I keep telling myself as my daughter and I try to navigate slushy corners and slippery curbs. We're hoping for a snow-free (or at least ice-free) February break when we'll finally have enough free time to check out all of the cool museum exhibits, children's film festivals and family theater shows we've been writing about.

If you just can't take winter anymore and need to get out of town, our Travel site has a roundup of last-minute February break getaway deals including Disney, the Berkshires and ski resorts. Don't want to stray so far? You'll find lots of day trip inspiration on our tri-state area sites, like maple sugaring on Long Island, great small towns to explore in New Jersey and 100 things to do with kids in Westchester.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week: