Central Park was created as a respite for the teeming masses of Manhattan. The 843-acre jewel is home to woodlands, meadows, lakes, wildlife, and more than a little history. Years after its creation, Central Park still offers a reprieve to all New Yorkers. Today, more than 40 million people annually visit the lush expanses of one of the country's earliest public parks. Central Park's 21 playgrounds make it a destination for families from all over the city and the world.

Central Park isn’t a place to tire of easily. My family's daily commute to school takes us back and forth across the park—for that, I thank my lucky stars. But it's easy to lose perspective and forget how much this massive green space has to offer locals and visitors alike. With that in mind, we've rounded up 33 fun sights, scenes, and things to do in New York City's big backyard, from the obvious destination-worthy Central Park playgrounds and sledding hills to more obscure destinations.

Find more green spaces to explore in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in NYC for Families.

When your kids are bouncing off the walls, your first instinct is probably to send them outside. But if the weather is too hot, cold, or rainy, hop on over to one of DC's amazing indoor trampoline parks instead. These trampoline parks near DC are great places to burn off energy, have fun, and get those sillies out without breaking any lamps in your family room.

Here are seven fun trampoline parks near DC where kids from toddlers to teens can bounce, jump, and play the day away. These trampoline parks have a combined total of 20 locations in Northern Virginia and Maryland. For more fun ways to blow off steam indoors, check out our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for Kids in DC.

Who wants ice cream? Everybody, especially in the summer. Fortunately, we have no shortage of ice cream near Atlanta. We've got all the big ice cream chains, like Baskin-Robbins, Cold Stone Creamery, and Bruster's. We also have lots of smaller, local ice cream parlors, some with just one location —these ice cream shops are the ones that really hit the sweet spot. It was a tough job, researching and tasting various flavors and styles of ice cream near Atlanta, but somebody had to do it! Read on for the "scoop" on the yummiest ice cream parlors near Atlanta, plus cool, local mobile ice cream and popsicle stands. 

Want more of our Atlanta food faves? Check out our list of Atlanta Restaurants with Outdoor Seating and Great Patios and Atlanta Food Halls That Really Hit the Spot. 

One question commonly asked by families visiting Florida is, "Where can we go to see alligators?" Look no further than Gatorland Orlando, known as the Alligator Capital of the World. Even as a Florida native, I am still fascinated by our amazing state reptile and love spotting them every chance I get. Gatorland has been a staple in the Central Florida community since 1949. It is one of my family’s favorite places to visit since it includes activities for all ages, from my picky preteen to my curious preschooler! Read on for everything you need to know about visiting Gatorland with kids.

To see more native and exotic wildlife, check out our roundup of the Top Orlando Zoos and More Places to See Animals. Planning an Orlando vacation? Use our Orlando Visitor’s Guide to help plan your trip!

By now you've probably seen photos popping up all over your social media feed of friends defying gravity in a diner, playing cards with several versions of themselves, chilling with their heads on a platter, or sauntering down a spinning light tunnel while trying to keep their lunch down. Welcome to the Museum of Illusions, Philly's hottest selfie spot that also manages to strike that elusive note of being both genuinely entertaining and educational.

Here's what you need to know for Philly's most mind-bending museum, including all the best highlights to fool your eyes, challenge your brain, and seriously up your selfie game. For more stories like this sent straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletters, and browse our Guide to Philly Museums for Kids for more of the city's most kid-friendly museums.

Food truck festivals across Long Island are real crowd-pleasers since they let everyone in the family order their preferred cuisine, from savory crepes to crunchy tacos to juicy burgers. And don't forget to save room for dessert, because there are even trucks for that!

If you're hungry for more ideas on where to chow down with the kids, check out our rundown of outdoor dining options on Long Island. For more ideas on how to make the most of what's left of summer, peruse our Summer Fun Guide.

Turtle Back Zoo is one of our favorite attractions in New Jersey, and for plenty of reasons: it’s an incredible, beautiful destination that appeals to kids of all ages, with great exhibits and programs. Crucially, it also offers several opportunities for kids to get hands-on experience with animals. The facility also hosts amazing holiday activities, camps, and family-friendly programming throughout the year.

Turtle Back Zoo is located in Essex County in the South Mountain Reservation, and there are tons of other things nearby for kids to do—including romping in a treetop adventure course and playing some mini-golf; read through our guide below for the many nearby activities worth checking out. 

Turtle Back Zoo has been enthralling visitors since it opened in 1963, with a collection of 140 animals of 40 species, and it has continued to expand its rich offerings over the years. Should you go? Of course! Should you have a game plan? You better. Read on for what you should know before you and the family get wild.

If you're looking for other great New Jersey adventures, check out our rundown of the state's top things to do with kids. And be sure to peruse our guide to Zoos and Gardens for New Jersey Kids if you're on the hunt for other animal encounters.