When the weather is cold on Long Island, enjoying a warm cup of tea with your favorite little person is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

From sampling a variety of tea flavors to tasting yummy miniature sandwiches and scones, these Long Island tea rooms offer a warm welcome in an elegant setting just in time for Hot Tea Month in January.

For more delicious fun with your little ones, check out our list of the best Long Island brunch destinations for families, or treat yourself to our roundup of the Island's most decadent dessert spots. 

With all that needs to be done during the holiday season, it's not always at the top of the list to take some time to relax. But a little break can go a long way in helping you power through that shopping and to-do list. What better way to slow down and recharge than by enjoying some holiday tea with family and friends?

We've rounded up 12 kid-friendly places to get afternoon tea or holiday tea in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia this holiday season. All of these places offer an assortment of savory and sweet treats and traditional tea fare such as scones along with tea. And if tea isn't to your liking, several of these places offer other beverages, including adult choices!

We've checked with all 12 afternoon and holiday tea spots to ensure they have availability, but they're likely to fill up quickly. So, make your reservations early to be sure you get a spot—fancy hats optional!

See pop culture in a whole new light at a brand new exhibition at The Met. New York City's largest art museum turns its critical eye toward an unusual subject, honoring the iconic work of Walt Disney in a first-of-its-kind installation titled Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts. The exhibit provides a stunning juxtaposition of the old and new, merging treasures from the museum's collection with a trove of works from the Disney brand as well as the Disney family collection.

Read on for more details on the exhibit and find more kid-friendly installations in our Guide to Museums in NYC.

Small business owners are at the heart of our local communities, representing the composition of the places we call home. Getting to know the owners and staff on a personal level and doing your part to shop locally truly beats ordering online. With that in mind this holiday season, we've rounded up 13 charming local businesses in the Hudson Valley who are sure to have perfect gift you’ve been looking for, whether you're a local or visiting the region on a seasonal day trip. From candies to candles and chocolate to tchotchkes, consider shopping small at these local spots this season.

Be sure to bookmark this list of local craft fairs and Christmas markets for more ways to support local businesses and makers.

The Santa Cruise is a festive experience for the entire family. This lake cruise is a fun way to see holiday lights, visit Santa, and experience a family Christmas outing on the beautiful Lake Geneva. Just a quick hour and a half from downtown Chicago, you’ll find the adorable town of Williams Bay, home to Pier 290 and Gage Marina which hosts their annual Santa Cruise from Thanksgiving weekend through December 30th. From how to buy tickets to what to wear, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the Santa Cruise Lake Geneva. 

For more holiday travel ideas check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities for Chicago Families.

There is nowhere in the DC area that has more Christmas in one place than the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor. Each year, Christmas at Gaylord National seems to grow bigger and brighter, with more holiday decorations and more Christmas activities for families to enjoy. In fact, there is so much to do that it's become a holiday tradition for many locals to spend the night at the resort to experience it all. My family had our own December staycation at Gaylord National several years ago and did not run out of things to do!

When Gaylord National was temporarily closed in 2020 due to Covid, all of its Christmas programming was cancelled. But this year, Christmas at Gaylord National is back with a new experience called I Love Christmas Movies, new winter activities such as ice tubing and ice bumper cars, and tons of lights and over-the-top decorations.

My family of five—my husband, our 10-year-old twin sons, our 7-year-old daughter, and I—were invited to experience some of the attractions at Christmas at Gaylord National on a recent Sunday afternoon. Read on for my review, information about all of the Christmas activities being offered in 2021, and everything else you need to know about Christmas at Gaylord National.