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.

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.

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.

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. 

Many kids get excited to dress up and head out to a special place during the holidays—especially when delicious treats are involved. These restaurants and hotels are rolling out the red carpet (and some pretty fantastic pastries) for kids and their parents this month with festive holiday and Christmas teas. From the Four Season's celebrity-studded Teddy Bear Tea downtown to a Victorian-inspired Santa Tea in Waltham, these events are sure to get kids in the seasonal spirit (and provide some photo ops, too!)

See our post about Santa breakfasts around Boston for more special holiday meals ideas, and our roundup of kid-friendly restaurants near Boston for a relaxed meal during Christmastime or anytime.

Spanning nearly 150 miles with stunning views, natural landmarks to explore, deep history, and adorable small towns, a trip to the Shenandoah Valley is well worth the drive. The only question is, where to start? Growing up in the Shenandoah Valley, I'm amazed at how much of this beautiful scenery remains unchanged for decades. Farms span innumerable acres. You can still catch a cart and buggy, and have your pick of some of the best local produce at pop-up farmers markets in unexpected places. But the Valley isn't locked in time. It is thriving with new small businesses, a growing winery and brewery scene, and an intentional effort on the part of Virginia's small towns to create more amenities and attractions. 

To help you navigate this expansive region just west of Washington, DC, and bordering West Virginia, we've put together a list of the 40 best things to see and do with your family, including exploring Shenandoah National Park and the famed Skyline Drive.