Memorial Day weekend has arrived! Even though there are still a couple weeks of school and spring ahead, summer has unofficially begun. Lots of big attractions open for the season on Saturday like local beaches. We've got the detailed scoop on what has changed at NYC beaches and on the Jersey Shore since Hurricane Sandy.

Other big openings this holiday weekend include Governors Island, which kicks off with a huge family festival; the Bronx Zoo's brand-new Dinosaur Safari ride; the New York Aquarium in Coney Island, which has been closed since Sandy; and a pair of amusement parks perfect for preschoolers: Victorian Gardens in Central Park and Fantasy Forest in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. And if it reaches 80 degrees, playground sprinklers should turn on.

While you have the entire summer to enjoy all of those attractions, there are some great things to do that only take place this Memorial Day weekend like the annual fair in Sunnyside Gardens Park, the final days of the Kings County Fair and the Lower East Side Festival of the Arts Cultural Street Fair. If you're thinking about planning a last-minute getaway, we rounded up five great family destinations less than two hours from NYC by car. Plus many nearby farms open for strawberry picking season. You can find more travel inspiration in our NYC Day and Weekend Trips Guide.

All of our best bets for Memorial Day weekend are below. Remember, there are additional options in our Event Calendar and our Summer Fun Guide. Have a wonderful three-day holiday!

Flushing Meadows Corona Park is already jam-packed with cool kids' attractions like the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Zoo and a historic carousel. But there's always room for more. This Memorial Day weekend, Fantasy Forest at the Flushing Meadows Carousel, the only amusement park in Queens, officially opens to the public, and my kids and I got a sneak peek at the fun.

Before you start thinking that Fantasy Forest is the next Coney Island, it's much more modest. In addition to the carousel, there are four fairly tame rides best for younger children and a couple of games. But it's certainly worth a stop during your day out in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Bring a picnic lunch, hang out under the shady trees or plop down on one of the many benches, and stay a while.

New York City beaches open for the season this Memorial Day weekend despite the damage they sustained during Hurricane Sandy. The Parks Department staff, and sanitation and construction crews have been working nonstop to make sure they are safe and clean, and that the sand is back where it belongs. (In some communities, sand washed up onto residents' front lawns!) This is good news for NYC families because—much as we enjoy hitting the Jersey Shore, Long Island beaches and Fire Island—we're not big fans of renting cars or sitting in traffic.

While it won't quite be business as usual for New York City's beaches this summer, you'll still be able to hop on a subway, bus or ferry to hit the shores. From the "Bronx Rivera" to the iconic Coney Island to the Rockaways, these eight urban seasides offer everything that suburban beaches do except the out-of-town commute.

With so many amazing things to do with kids in NYC we're never jealous of suburban families... except when it comes to throwing birthday parties for our children. Most of us don't have the space to host a big bash at home and no backyard for a bouncy house. And while there are lots of great party places in all five boroughs, buying an all-inclusive package can get pretty pricey, especially if you want to invite the whole class.

But if you're a DIY type who just suffers from space constraints take heart: There actually are some ways to rent relatively inexpensive party rooms in NYC, you just have to know where to look.

This Memorial Day weekend Governors Island reopens for the season. It's truly my favorite summer destination in NYC. Whenever I go I think to myself, if they built condos here, I would totally want to buy one. (Thankfully, the island is considered a national monument, so not even Trump can get his hands on this real estate!)

This 172-acre oasis was once home to the U.S. Army and Coast Guard, and is full of quaint 19th-century houses, grassy hills and traffic-free bike paths. It's just a seven-minute ferry ride from lower Manhattan, but if you stand in a spot where the city skyline is out of view, you feel as if you've been transported to 1800s New England. In addition to being a fantastic place for families to relax and explore, the isle hosts lots of cool festivals and activities throughout the season, most of which are FREE. The ferry ride there is FREE, too.

For 2013, all of the big kid attractions will be back, including the opening day family festival, the Figment arts fest when the mini-golf course and Interactive Sculpture Garden debut, and the Children's Museum of the Arts Free Island Outpost. But there are also some really exciting new additions, notably a French festival of vintage carnival rides and carousels in July! Read on for the scoop on the very best things to do on Governors Island with kids this season.