West Adams is one of the oldest neighborhoods in LA, and as you explore you can feel how right it is in culture, diversity, and history. But it can be tricky for visitors to locate the area’s “hot spots”—which is one of the reasons why those living here love it! Knowing where to find the perfect taco, the perfect gift, or the perfect park, still feels like insider information. You are very much in the middle of a giant city here, but rarely are your favorite spots overcrowded. I love the many family-friendly surprises that this urban, creative neighborhood holds!

Here are 20 spots (and a bonus at the end!) in the greater West Adams and Mid-City area that families are sure to love. For more places to explore in Los Angeles, check out our favorite neighborhood and city guides that help families uncover every great hidden place in LA.

In the concrete jungle of NYC, it’s easy to get swept up by the towering skyscrapers, busy streets, and loud city sounds. The best medicine—and what we probably all need a bit more of—is nature. With that in mind, we culled our knowledge of NYC parks and playgrounds to find the best nature-themed playgrounds for kids to re-connect with the great outdoors.

This list will have you and your kids romping in green spaces, climbing unique structures, and exploring natural wildlife areas, all without leaving the urban jungle. Take a deep breath, dive right in, and enjoy the fresh air! Find more fun places to play in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds for NYC Kids.

Visiting a Christmas town or a Santa's village before Christmas is a great way to experience the magic of the season. While nothing beats the joy of watching your kids’ faces light up on Christmas morning as they run toward the tree, Christmas towns offer kids the chance to post their Dear Santa letter via official North Pole mail, help Santa feed his reindeer, or sing Christmas carols on a sleigh ride. Luckily, you don’t have to wait until late December for yuletide magic. New England has some of the top Christmas towns in the world, along with cities hosting famous light displays, charming Christmas festivals, and spirited parades that offer families cherished Christmastime experiences beginning as early as Thanksgiving week. 

To plan more fun in the region, see our New England Family Travel Guide. If you just can't wait for Christmas, watch one of our picks for the best kids Christmas movies. 

Looking for a new way to tour the beautiful Sunshine State? Immerse yourself and your family in fun and adventure as you step aboard these Florida train rides. Whether you’re looking for a scenic day trip by train, a theme park train ride, or a special holiday train ride like The Polar Express, there are scenic train rides in Florida to please every age and interest. Train enthusiasts—both large and small—will love riding the rails on these Florida train rides.

And if you're looking for an easy, fast, and luxurious way to travel between West Palm Beach and Miami, check out our experience on the new South Florida Brightline train!

Nothing adds magic to the holiday season quite like a festive train ride. To help your family experience that magic, we've rounded up 12+ Christmas trains near DC, including several options for a Polar Express train ride. From trains that transport you to Christmas tree farms to those that bring classic Christmas stories to life, these Polar Express and Christmas trains near DC will make even your Grinchiest family member's heart grow three sizes. And all of them are within a three-hour drive from DC!

Check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids to help you plan more holiday fun this season, and get a jump on your holiday decorating by trying some of these 101 Christmas activities for kids. Santa will be here before you know it!

While Key West attracts most of the attention, parents don’t have to make the 150-mile, traffic-strewn journey to the southernmost of the Keys to introduce their kids to the magic of this extended chain of islands. There are almost too many things to do in the Florida Keys with kids, beginning with Key Largo just 90 minutes south of Miami and continuing through Islamorada and all the way to Sugarloaf Key, in the Lower Keys.

So read on for the best things to do in the Florida Keys with kids north of Key West—including the top Florida Keys resorts and Florida Keys Hotels for families and the best Florida Keys restaurants—and use the driving time you save to pack in another adventure before you (sadly) have to depart.

Summer may be over but playground season never ends in New York City—and the newly redesigned Charybdis Playground in Queens' Astoria Park is finally open to neighborhood kids. Located on the western edge of Astoria Park, Charybdis Playground was first built in 1936 along with the nearby Astoria Pool under Parks Commissioner Robert Moses. The longtime hot spot has gotten new life, thanks to a $30 million reconstruction project.

Read on to learn about the new features that make this Charybdis Playground destination-worthy for a new generation, and find more great local places to play in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.

No matter how many visits we've paid to the Bronx Zoo, there's always something new to see. And today, we've got the details on its Wild Encounters program, an intimate, safe, educational behind-the-scenes way to experience the beloved zoo. These special programs introduce Bronx Zoo visitors to its ambassador animals and plenty of fun facts along the way.

This splurge-worthy outing is a perfect experience gift for the little (or not-so-little) animal lover in your life. Read on for details on our Wild Encounter, and then start planning your own.