One perk of raising children in the DC area is the volume of high-quality classes for kids. If you have a budding ballerina or Baryshnikov—or a kid who wants to learn some smooth K-pop moves at an area dance class—have no fear. We have all the info on dance classes for kids and toddlers near DC.

Dance studios and classes come in a variety of styles for all ages. Some focus on fun and fitness while others trend toward competition and professional training. Many offer classes starting with Mommy & Me for the youngest dancers, and expand their variety as children get older and more skilled. Whether the aspiring dancer is into ballet, jazz, tap, modern, or hip hop, this list has something for everyone from Center City to the 'burbs.

With museums, parks, sports teams, racing, great restaurants, and shopping, there's tons of fun things to do in Charlotte, North Carolina, with kids. Whether you are a native Charlottean, one of the thousands of transplants, or just visiting, we hope you will love exploring the history, diversity, culture, and beauty of the Queen City. It's one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the southeast, so there are often exciting new openings and pop-up experiences, too. 

If you somehow get bored in Charlotte, you can always head to nearby Asheville, North Carolina, or see all our city guides for more family adventures.

When I think of the long, lazy days of summer from my childhood, one of my favorite memories is visiting the local waterpark. Hours of water slides and tubing around the lazy river is always a summer day well spent. So when a free weekend popped up on the schedule, my family jumped at the chance to hop in the car with the camper in tow and head to Grand Prairie for a weekend road trip and a day playing at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark. 

Summer is traditionally the season for spending as much time outside as possible. Except sometimes it’s just so…hot. Our top picks to beat summer's heat include indoor play spaces, museums, and local shopping destinations where kids can play—all while enjoying some industrial AC. Find more fun things to do inside—in any season—in our Guide to Indoor Fun.

Boating is a fun way for families to get out on the water and beat the heat during a DC summer. Whether it's kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, electric boats, or other types of vessels, there are various companies in DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland from which families can rent boats.

We've compiled a list of 12 great places to go canoeing, paddleboarding, electric boating, or kayaking near DC, whether for an hour or a whole day. Most places offer personal flotation devices (PFDs), so all you have to do is bring a sense of adventure and fun.

Check out our Ultimate DC Kids Summer Vacation Guide for more ways to stay cool this summer, from sprinkler parks and splash pads to free public swimming pools.

Nothing beats a day on the river—floating, swimming, or enjoying a whitewater rafting adventure. In fact, whitewater rafting in the Philadelphia area is one of the most enjoyable, fulfilling activities I can think of to do as a family.

If you are eager to enjoy some outdoor family fun or just want to escape these 90-degree summer days, we have compiled the best whitewater rafting and tubing in Philadelphia and the surrounding area. For more water fun, check out our roundups on the Best Places for Canoeing and Boating and the Best Swimming Lakes near Philadelphia.

Fans of Friends—both fanatic and fair-weathered—flock to Perimeter Pointe to see sets, costumes and memorabilia from the 90s sitcom that launched "The Rachel." Since viewers can now watch Monica, Chandler, Ross, Joey, Rachel and Phoebe nightly in reruns or through streaming services, the show has found a younger fan base. For both original fans and new, The Friends Experience: The One in Atlanta does not disappoint. We checked it out to see if it was more of an adults-only activity or a family-friendly event.