Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. The beaches open, the sprinklers turn on (assuming it's over 85 degrees), Governors Island begins welcoming visitors and kids start having trouble focusing in school. (Funny, we have the same problem with work.)

In anticipation of a wonderful season full of fun and free activities and cool destinations, we've updated our Summer Fun Guide. Highlights include:

The Bronx has a rich and vibrant arts scene that, sadly, doesn't always get the attention it deserves. As a proud Bronx resident, I'm all about inspiring New Yorkers from other parts of the city to visit my home borough. So today I'm going to tell you about one of my family's favorite Bronx art spaces: The Point Community Development Corporation.

Located in the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx, The Point is a multifaceted center that's been instrumental in revitalizing the neighborhood through youth empowerment and arts education. In fact, a lot of the reason that Hunts Point is now considered a cultural and artistic hub is because of the organization's amazing work. While the center offers classes, camps and workshops that require a long-term commitment, The Point also sponsors many wonderful drop-in family programs, events and performances that are open to the public, many of which are FREE.

Mount Washington Valley is the perfect place to take the kids for an adventure, complete with locomotives, zip lines, mile-long slides, natural wonders, and theme park rides that give little ones just the right amount of thrill. A four-hour drive from Boston, you could escape for the weekend or make a week of it – there’s plenty to do, see, and savor. Read on for some of our favorite ways to spend family fun time in the Valley.

There are many things we sacrifice as new parents: a good night’s sleep, adult conversation, sometimes even showering. But thanks to “Crybaby Matinees,” catching the latest movie doesn’t have to be added to the list. At these midday screenings, you can bring your baby along with you! Hang with other parents, let your little one sleep (or cry) and enjoy the show. Read on for details on two special programs now offered at New Jersey theaters.

We were all about cool new destinations and attractions this week. Cooper-Hewitt opened its brand-new Design Center in Harlem, where kids can take free art workshops. After a one-year renovation, Park Slope's J. J. Byrne Playground reopened with state-of-the-art equipment and a Colonial theme. And the Metropolitan Museum of Art debuted an out-of-this-world rooftop installation.

If you're looking for a fun Memorial Day weekend getaway, how about going fruit or vegetable picking? We've updated our pick-your-own guide with roundups of fruit and vegetable farms on Long Island and berry picking spots in Connecticut. Meanwhile our Travel site can help you plan your big summer vacation. We have new posts about things to do with kids in Virginia Beach and a rave review of Disney's new cruise ship, the Fantasy.

Here's what else we shared this week on our NYC site.

(Photo: Hallockville Museum Farm)

Happy weekend to you! I think we’ve finally hit or spring-into-summer stride with the weather, and it looks like it’s gonna be a good one! As always, Long Island has lots to offer this weekend, both indoors and out. There’s a boaters’ safety event at Tanner Park in Copiague, Maccabiah Youth Sports Day in Port Washington, and several camps are having open houses. Plus 300 Long Island is having a Kids Fest this weekend, where kids get to bowl for free, there’s a Bug Bonanza going on at the Long Island Children’s Museum, and “Raptors & S’mores” at the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center.

Have a great weekend!