The best playgrounds in New Jersey go above and beyond, with design features offering way more than the basic park down the block. From awesome jungle gyms to zip lines, a carousel, and even a zoo, these stellar rec areas allow kids to slide, swing, splash, climb, and imagine the day away. 

For a comprehensive rundown on playgrounds with water features, check our rundown on 35+ sprinkler parks in New Jersey, and be sure to bookmark our Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in New Jersey.

It's summertime and if you want to go all-in on the wet-and-wild fun, take note: these free swimming pools in NYC open Thursday, June 27, shortly after public schools let out. With more than 50 free swimming pools in NYC to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming to find the right outdoor swimming pool for your outing. We've done the legwork, though, rounding up our picks for the most family-friendly free swimming pools in NYC. These local NYC swimming pools are all places we've visited personally or have come highly recommended by families we know. Read on and get ready to dive in!

Find more cool places to play this summer in our Guide to Swimming Pools and Sprinkler Parks in NYC, plus all our picks for free fun on this list of 100 free things to do in NYC this summer.

Vacationing on Daniel Island, SC, grants families access to the best of all worlds: the stunning beaches of the nearby barrier islands, more parks and playgrounds than you can count, the fabled Charleston dining scene, bite-size American history lessons set in gorgeous waterside locations, and outdoor excursions, to name a few.

This planned community—a Charleston suburb surrounded by rivers, creeks, and beautiful marsh views—is peaceful and safe, but it’s also just a few minutes by car, boat, or ferry from Charleston proper and a short journey to activity-packed destinations including lively Mount Pleasant, beachy Sullivan's Island, idyllic Isle of Palms, and surfers’ haven Folly Beach.

Read on for our picks for the 35 best things to do with kids on Daniel Island, SC, including great Daniel Island restaurants and the best hotels on Daniel Island, SC for families. Our Southern States Vacation Guide includes even more great places to visit in South Carolina, like Charleston and Kiawah Island.

Explore blueberry picking near Boston and farms with fun play areas and petting zoos.

These breweries have the best patios, menus, and kid-friendly amenities in all of Houston.

When you're looking to grab a drink outside with the kids in tow, these family-friendly beer gardens in NYC are a great option. Beer gardens offer plenty of space for little ones and menus packed with hearty fare that's sure to please picky palates. As it turns out, NYC could give Bavaria a run for its money when it comes to kid-friendly beer gardens. So, whether you have a special occasion to celebrate, or you're simply saluting the fact you've made it through another day, here are some of the best NYC beer gardens and halls where families can raise their glasses.

For more dining options, check out our roundup of 20 restaurants in NYC offering outdoor dining, and visit our Restaurant Guide for NYC Families for even more picks.

Outdoor water parks near DC will soon be opening up, and they'll be just in time—summer in the DC area often brings stifling heat and sticky humidity. From calm misters and lazy rivers to thrilling wave pools and water slides, these outdoor water parks near DC offer plenty of fun ways for kids of all ages—and their grown-ups—to cool off.

Here are 15 great outdoor water parks in Northern Virginia and Maryland that will keep families splashing, sliding, and laughing all summer long. For more fun ways to beat the heat outdoors, check out our lists of free public swimming pools, parks with beaches, and splash pads, splash parks, and water playgrounds near DC. Find even more thrills in our DC Theme Parks and Water Parks Guide.

Universal Orlando is expanding its universe with Epic Universe —the new theme park scheduled to open in 2025. Orlando residents and visitors alike are anxiously awaiting the opening of this fantastic attraction, Universal's first entirely new theme park since Islands of Adventure opened in 2001. Steve Tatham, Executive Creative Director of Universal Epic Universe, indicated recently on a podcast that construction will end soon, and the new theme park is set to open at the beginning of next year.

Keep reading for a sneak peek into Epic Universe, as well as new attractions coming to Universal Orlando Resort!