Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on
Sure, you can snap a picture with Santa in hundreds of spots around Chicagoland at this time of year. But at a few select locations, kids and adults both naughty and nice can dine, cruise, or even bowl with Santa. From a casual Santa sing-a-long to a decked-out Santa suite at the Swissôtel, here are the best Santa breakfasts, brunches, and experiences for Chicago families this holiday season.
Submitted by Susan Miele on
Assorted fun is coming up this weekend for Westchester and Hudson Valley kids, including several ways to get a jumpstart on Thanksgiving festivities.
For starters, there's the Annual Valenti Thanksgiving Day Parade, one of the largest Thanksgiving parades in the state. In a similar vein, celebrate National Native American Heritage Month by creating wampum beads and viewing exhibits, or immerse your family in our early settlers' lifestyle at Living Off the Land. Families can also honor the bird of the month by learning more about it at Turkey Day. For a departure from the holiday, snag a seat at the performance by Arch 8, a multi-genre production with a message.
These are just a few of our top picks for the weekend; the rest can be found below, and there are even more fun and enriching opportunities on our Event Calendar. Consult our November GoList to plan ahead, and sign up for our weekly newsletters to stay current with all our great findings!
Submitted by Raven Snook on
If you're looking to see America's melting pot reputation in action, take a family trip to the Lower East Side. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the neighborhood's tenements housed waves of immigrants from a variety of backgrounds, notably Germans, Italians, and Eastern European Jews. Although this Manhattan neighborhood has undergone a major transformation in recent years, with spots for knishes and cannoli being replaced by craft cocktail bars and boutique hotels, there are still remnants of its multicultural history that are great fun to discover with kids.
The Tenement Museum and the Museum at Eldridge Street both offer engaging peeks at the area's past, along with frequent family programming. Sara D. Roosevelt Park hosts celebrations for Asian holidays in honor of the nearby Chinatown community. The neighborhood's restaurants reflect the area's diversity with dim sum houses, delicious delis, pizzerias and the oldest candy store in NYC all vying for your appetite.
Of course there are cool, new kid-friendly attractions, too, including a pair of cat cafés, the New Museum, which offers FREE admission for children under age 19, and much more. Stretching from Houston Street to Canal Street and East Broadway between the Bowery and the East River, the Lower East Side is small enough for families to explore on foot in one day, and boasts lots of places to play, both indoors and out. Read on for 40 places to explore in this culturally rich, uniquely New York neighborhood.
Submitted by Pam Hegner on
If you usually have an artificial Christmas tree or head off to the nearest mega-store for your pre-cut Christmas tree, why not start a new holiday tradition by going out to one of Connecticut's many cut-your-own farms? The unmistakable smell of pine, the freshly made treats, and large decorative wreaths these homey places offer will definitely get you in a festive mood. We've also listed more Christmas Tree Farms in Litchfield County and in Fairfield County.
Submitted by Tara D on
Submitted by Laurie Rein on
Fill your plate with a taste of Thanksgiving and a sampling of Christmas on this pre-Turkey Day weekend in New Jersey. Get ready for the big day at Alstede's Farm to Table Friendsgiving Feast; celebrate with historical flair at Early 19th Century Thanksgiving; and learn more about our feathered guest of honor at NJ Audubon: Turkey Talk.
Christmas is the air this weekend with rides on the North Pole Express and Polar Express. Turtle Back Zoo debuts its holiday light display, and Holiday Trolley Tours are up and running in Princeton. And don't miss the amazing Magical Cirque Christmas at Mayo Performing Arts Center.
Check out our Holiday Fun Guide for more options, including the Best Nutcrackers and Holiday Shows for NJ Kids. And look to our November GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.
Submitted by Michelle Vames on
A "City Under the Sea" is coming to the American Dream entertainment complex in the NJ Meadowlands next spring, with interactive exhibits showcasing more than 3,000 sea creatures from jellyfish to sharks. Merlin Entertainment unveiled its plans for the metro-themed SEA LIFE aquarium at a media event last week, and Mommy Poppins was there to get the scoop.
The first SEA LIFE to open in the Northeast, the New Jersey aquarium will join nine other locations across the U.S., including aquariums in San Antonio, Texas; Orlando, FL; and Carlsbad, CA. New Jersey SEA LIFE will open alongside the LEGOLAND Discovery Center, which is also slated to open at American Dream in spring 2020.
Submitted by Christine McGrath on
If you’re looking for something to keep the kids entertained for hours, look no further than Urban Air Adventure Park in Lake Grove. This 48,000-square foot indoor adventure park has something for kids of all ages. While the littlest members of your brood enjoy the indoor playground and trampolines, big kids (and their parents) can channel their inner ninja warrior on the ropes course, climbing wall and Sky Rider Coaster.
Looking for more places to play? We've got you covered with guides to the best indoor play spaces in Nassau County and Suffolk County. There's fun to be had even when the weather is chilly, check out the Winter Fun Guide for the best in seasonal entertainment. And for more family fun all year long, be sure to check out events calendar.
