Every city has something uniquely its own, some quirky event or phenomenon that defies description yet defines by association. Houston has its rodeo; Boston has its tea party, and Laguna Beach has the Pageant of the Masters. 

If you've never experienced this curious gem, the private treasure of the people of Laguna, opportunity awaits you every night all summer long. But get ready to clean your glasses, because you won't always be sure what you're looking at. The extraordinary event is unlike anything else I've seen; it may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you're raising a budding artist, if your family rocks art museums, or if you just love outdoor entertainment on a summer evening, you owe it to yourselves to check the Pageant of the Masters off this summer's bucket list.

It's no secret that little kids mean lots of gear, clothes, and toys—and the stuff only multiplies as your children and family grow. So, rather than going for broke buying all the latest toys and tech, consider gifting your kids an unforgettable only-in-New-York experience for their next milestone birthday.

Whether you've got tough-to-impress teens or preschoolers with more toys than they know what to do with, we've got a dozen ideas for experience gifts for kids in and around NYC.

Playtime is the name of the game at Rockville Centre's new, wonderfully cozy play space dubbed The Children's Social Club. Here, children ages 5 and under can explore, play, and create, all while parents enjoy a light snack or cup of coffee as they socialize with one another. It's a perfect escape on a hot summer's day and a welcome addition to Long Island's growing selection of indoor play spaces.

Is there anything better than a county fair? Ferris wheels, hot dogs, funnel cake, live music, cars, and cows are all waiting for our city kids. Luckily for Angelenos, Southern California has several great fairs to choose from—and a couple of them have big news this year. The Orange County Fair is the first of the fairs to return, the Los Angeles County Fair is moving to a new time of year, and there's a brand new fair coming to LA. Read on for the scoop on the returning fairs and all about the new kid on the block...

Looking for more summer fun? We've got FREE things kids can do in LA this summer and 100 bucket list things to do with LA kids before they grow up.

My toddler runs circles around the house all day long. For this reason, we have a list of favorite outdoor parks, playgrounds, and splash pads to head to when his energy levels are at an all-time high and we need a change of scenery. But during the long Houston summer, on rainy days, or when we just feel like playing somewhere new, Houston's many great indoor play spaces serve the same purpose. As an added bonus, many of these places also have areas for babies and toddlers to play and learn, which is the perfect combination for any parent with children who fall into multiple age ranges.

When temperatures soar, there are always New York's FREE neighborhood pools or sprinklers for a quick cool down with the kids, but on sweltering summer days, nothing beats the heat like a trip to a water park near NYC.

Families with toddlers in tow aren't looking for big slides or big waves, though, so we've rounded up our top water parks for the preschool set. Prepare to find toddler-sized attractions, along with perks such as nursing stations and FREE mini life jackets—and don't worry, there's plenty of big-kid fun to go around, too. So read on for details on 14 parks within two hours of New York City catering to the littlest water explorers.

Check out our NYC Beaches, Pools, and Water Fun Guide for more family-friendly ideas on how to cool down in the city and beyond.

With the Cape, North Shore, and South Shore a drive away, a day trip to a great Boston-area beach is a snap. The only drawback to the most popular beaches is, of course, crowds—which can make parking, swimming, and watching little kids somewhat stressful. If a quieter space to stretch out on the sand is what you're after—and many families are—check out these less-crowded beaches, which can all be reached in about an hour or less from the city. 

For more warm-weather fun, check out our full Summer Guide and keep tabs on our events calendar—we're adding activities daily!

Parents of pint-sized paleontologists take note: The Jurassic Quest Drive-thru is roaring into town once again, and if you live with a dino-loving kid, this outdoor exhibit is worth the price of admission.

With more than 70 life-like dinosaurs, some animatronic and others statuesque, Jurassic Quest is one-part museum exhibit and one-part theme park ride—with you as the driver. Read on for all the details on this prehistoric tour visiting the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA (starting July 23) and Rentschler's Field in East Hartford, Conn. (starting July 30). Catch these guys for their return appearance before they go extinct (again).