Memorial Day Weekend 2024 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

Splash, slide, and cool off at Legoland's Water Playground. Photo courtesy of Legoland

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this long holiday weekend.

If you're staying in town for Memorial Day weekend, there's no shortage of fun things to do. Celebrate the beginning of summer with the opening of Westchester beaches and local water parks, plus the season opening of the Legoland New York Water Playground.

Families can enjoy festivities all weekend long at events like the Rye Playland Memorial Day Weekend Celebrations and Fireworks. Or, check out the special changing of the flag ceremony on the beautiful Walkway over the Hudson.

Memorial Day Weekend 2024 in San Francisco: Festivals, Day Trips, and More Things To Do

Submitted by Sandra Lee on

Carnaval San Francisco is a multicultural celebration of music and dance. Photo by Michael Ray in collaboration with Don't Blink Photography.

Looking for the best things to do in the Bay Area this Memorial Day weekend? Here are some events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

Memorial Day weekend is here, kicking off summer and honoring our veterans with events for families all over San Francisco and the Bay Area. Little ones can ride rides, ponies, and a train at the 33rd Annual KidFest in Concord. Carnaval San Francisco is FREE with over 50 acts on 5 stages in the heart of the Mission district. Memorial Day weekend also means the Sacramento County Fair begins in our State Capital—an easy day trip packed with gold rush history and family fun.

Honor the veterans and our fallen heroes with Memorial Day celebrations: our picks include a train ride, gold panning, and rope tricks at Memorial Day at Roaring Camp and an official Memorial Squadron Flyover at the USS Hornet Memorial Day Celebration.

Heading out of town for the long Memorial Day Weekend? We've got loads of travel inspiration ideas in our Weekend Getaway and Day Trips for San Francisco Guide.  

July 4th Cruises in NYC: How to See Macy's Fireworks From a Boat

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Climb aboard a local boat for a memorable 4th of July fireworks cruise in NYC. Photo courtesy of Canva

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.

Best Summer Day Camps in Los Angeles

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Where else are kids going to learn archery, besides summer camp? Photo courtesy of Tom Sawyer Camp

Summer day camps in Los Angeles cater to a wide range of interests and ages. From traditional outdoor adventures to specialized programs in arts, sciences, and sports, there's something for every child. Camps in Los Angeles often take advantage of the city's natural beauty, with options for beachside activities, hiking in the nearby mountains, and exploring urban parks.

Whether it's making new friends, learning new skills, or simply having fun in the California sun, summer day camps in Los Angeles provide memorable experiences that last a lifetime.

Discover more summer day camps in Los Angeles, like performing arts summer camps, science & STEM summer camps, and surfing camps. There's even more in our Camp Directory and Los Angeles Summer Camp Guide. 

Experience the Joy of Glamping at Jellystone Park Delaware Beaches

Lisa Warden's picture Submitted by Lisa Warden on

Lewes is a beautiful beach town near Jellystone Park.

Glamping at Deleware's Jellystone Park is one of the few times camping has been easy, breezy, and, overall, a very enjoyable experience for our family with three kids. We weren’t stressed about setting up our campsite or exhausted from a night of not sleeping and everyone had fun, even us adults. It made for a great and easy long weekend vacation from our home in New Jersey. 

Read on to find out why our weekend at Jellystone Park Delaware Beaches was a delight. For other suggestions for glamping destinations, see our review of the best glamping sites in the U.S. 

Best Dance Classes in NYC for Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

Kids get a great foundation in classical ballet at Dance Theatre of Harlem. Photo courtesy of Dance Theatre of Harlem

If you have a budding ballerina who's pleading for dance classes in New York City, you'll find yourself spoiled for choice, and that fact holds true across genres and genders. We've rounded up 22 studios offering kids' dance classes in NYC. Most of these New York City dance classes offer programs for boys and girls, and, in most cases, kids can study multiple styles at one studio; only a few specialize in one discipline.

For more great classes for kids, including everything from baby swim lessons to gymnastics classes, check out our New York City Classes for Kids Guide and Classes Directory.

Best Sprinkler Parks, Spraygrounds, and Splash Pads near DC for Kids

Submitted by Lila Whatley on

Enjoy the scenery on the Georgetown Waterfront while splashing in the fountain. Photo by Sam Kittner, courtesy of georgetowndc.com

Gone are the days of needing to use a garden hose as a sprinkler: the DC area is brimming with splash pads, splash parks, and water playgrounds to help kids beat the heat on a hot summer day. These splash pads and sprinkler sparks are full of fun features like fountains, dumping buckets, water cannons, spraying animals, and even mini water slides. And the best part is, most of them are absolutely FREE!

Here are 20 great splash pads, splash parks, and water playgrounds in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia to visit with kids for some wet and wild fun. And if you have older children who need a few more thrills, check out our list of the best outdoor water parks and amazing indoor water parks near DC.

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