Best Sweet 16 Birthday Party Places in New Jersey

Celebrate your daughter's Sweet 16 at one of these Garden State venues. Photo via Canva

New Jersey offers many venues perfect for a Sweet 16–lucky for those of us who have a 15-year-old at home and understand the pressure to throw a successful Sweet 16 party. Nowadays, the bar is set high!

We’ve rounded up options in North, Central, and South Jersey, ranging from classic catering halls to unique party locations. If you're casting a wider net, consider hosting your party at one of these Best Venues for Sweet 16 Parties in NYC

Pensacola and Pensacola Beach with Kids: 26 Best Things To Do in Pensacola, FL

Miles upon miles of endless gorgeous beach and stunning emerald water; that's Pensacola Beach!

Pensacola, Florida has it all. Pensacola is over 40 miles of wildlife-protected sugar sand beaches, incredible food, welcoming locals, a historical village to rival Plimoth Plantation or Colonial Williamsburg, and a booming foodie and local brews scene to rival Seattle or Portland.

It’s a fabulous family vacation spot where you can visit wildlife, take part in all kinds of water sports, see the Blue Angels or Blue Wahoos, and spend time on Pensacola Beach—one of the most stunning beaches I’ve ever seen.

Read on for an itinerary of things to do in Pensacola that will appeal to kids of all ages and interests, and parents, too! For more places to visit along the Gulf Coast, check out our guide to the best things to do in Panama City Beach; Destin; Orange Beach, Alabama; and more fabulous Florida family vacations.

Must-Try Ice Cream in the Hudson Valley

Get fresh, locally made ice cream in the Lower Hudson Valley. Photo courtesy Canva

Even though ice cream stands, shops, and chains are plentiful throughout the lower Hudson Valley, there are a few local spots that stand out. 

All of our picks below are destination-worthy, using handmade or locally sourced ice cream for creative concoctions and traditional favorites–perfect if you're like me and my kids, who don't need much of an excuse to indulge in ice cream on a hot summer day!

For more frozen treats, be sure to check out our top picks for local ice cream shops in Westchester County!

Best Batting Cages on Long Island to Hone Your Home Run Swing

Little Leaguers can get ready for the season at one of these Long Island batting cages. Photo by author

Visiting a Long Island batting cage is a great way for little sluggers to get some practice in. Kids can spend a few hours hitting balls and couple it with another activity, as many batting cage facilities also offer go-cart racing and mini-golf.

For more sports-themed fun, be sure to check out our Indoor Play Spaces, Sports Centers & Fun Zones Guide for Long Island.

Best Outdoor Activities, Adventures, and Things To Do in NYC for Kids

Explore the enchanted gardens at Wave Hill. Photo courtesy of Wave Hill

Raising kids in NYC comes with crazy rent, stressful school searches, and closets for apartments—but it also brings easy access to enriching cultural activities, and NYC is equally rich in good old-fashioned outdoor activities, too. The city offers a range of bucolic parks and outdoor adventures where kids can get busy playing outside, all without leaving the five boroughs.

From fishing to hiking to exploring to off-the-beaten-path parks, here are 25 outdoor activities in NYC for the whole family. Some are FREE, most are accessible by public transportation, and we guarantee all these things to do outdoors are tons of fun.

9 Themed Restaurants and Family-Friendly Dining Experiences in Atlanta

Amore e Amore welcomes muggles and wizards alike during its Harry Potter themed events. Photo by author

Atlanta restaurants with delicious food are great; themed restaurants with delicious food AND one-of-a-kind experiences are fantastic! Keep kids engaged at the dining table at these unique Atlanta themed restaurants that offer the best in "eatertainment" and quirky menus. Take a look at our favorite, mind-blowing restaurants in Atlanta sure to bring smiles to your children's faces.

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