Best Blueberry Picking near NYC: Favorite Farms and Festivals

Bishop's Orchards is a gorgeous spot for blueberry picking near NYC with kids.

Blueberry picking near NYC begins in July, and juicy blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are usually in season through the end of August. Some farms even have a second crop of raspberries that ripen later in the summer. So, if you missed the short but sweet strawberry picking season and can't wait for peach picking come August, now is a good time for your family to plan an outing to go blueberry picking near NYC.

Read on for the lowdown on 10 farms for blueberry picking near NYC. These tri-state area farms are all less than 2 hours from NYC and even include one accessible by mass transit. We're also including our helpful been-there-done-that blueberry-picking tips. Check out our comprehensive Guide to Pick-Your-Own Farms for everything from peaches to flowers and veggies.

10 Batting Cages Near Chicago Worth Swinging By

Let's play ball! Photo courtesy of Batter's Box.

There's something special about outdoor and indoor batting cages. After all, you can take the kids at any time of year and spend an hour or so watching them swing away at a baseball or softball (or join if you need to blow off steam). You get a taste of America's pastime without the hassle of taking the kids to an actual ballpark and can enjoy a sporting activity without going all in for the day. Perfection, basically, especially for baseball lovers. 

Whether your child is an aspiring ball player or simply enjoys swinging a bat, these 10 outdoor and indoor batting cages in Chicagoland offer a safe and enjoyable environment for kids to hone their abilities. Grab a bat and get ready to hit some balls at these top-notch outdoor and indoor batting cages in Chicago and the suburbs.

Looking for more sporty fun for kids? Check out these awesome bowling alleys, the best laser tag and paintball spots near Chicago, and the best places for extreme sports just for kids

4th of July Weekend in New Jersey: Fireworks, Festivals, and More Things To Do with Kids

Oceanfest combines community and cultural events and tops off with spectacular fireworks. Photo by the author

 Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this 4th of July weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

The long-awaited 4th of July weekend blasts off with fireworks and festivities throughout the state, including the annual Oceanfest spectacular in Long Branch. Kick off the fun with a daytime celebration like Fourth of July Jubilee at Morven Museum & Garden.

Read on for a full rundown of New Jersey's best kid-friendly events this weekend. 

Best Florida Beaches Near Orlando for a Family Trip with Kids

Visit our favorite family beaches in Florida. Photo by Seth Warren for Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau

Take a break from Orlando theme parks with a quick getaway to one of the many Florida beaches near Orlando. Whether you want to take in the sunrise and coastal breeze on the Atlantic side or enjoy the picturesque sunsets on the Gulf, Orlando is centrally located, making it an easy drive to either coast.

We've rounded up our favorite family beaches in Florida within a few hours’ drive of Orlando, so you can pack up your beach gear for a weekend getaway with the kids, or even just a day trip. For those days when a shorter drive is best, check out these close Orlando beaches attached to Florida's natural springs or at an outdoor water park.

More Summer Berry Picking Near Philly: Peach, Blackberry, and Cherry Picking Farms

Photo courtesy of Linvilla Orchards

The Pick-Your-Own season is bookended by strawberries in the spring and apples in the fall, but what do you do with all those months in between? Pick everything else, of course! The Delaware Valley's many farms and orchards are great spots to haul out the family on nice weather days and haul home buckets, baskets, and bushels of fresh summer fruits, and some sweet memories, too.

So, we've rounded up the best places for cherry picking and berry picking near Philadelphia! Many of these farms host summer festivals, family activities, and special events to really round out the day so be sure to search our events calendar for details. For now, read on for our list of the best Philadelphia PYO berry and cherry farms and get picking!

The Best Spots to See the Hollywood Sign

View of the Hollywood Sign from Griffith Park. Photo by Gina Ragland

In a city full of tourist draws, the Hollywood Sign is arguably the most iconic. While it faced decades of disrepair in the middle of the 20th century, it's back to its former glory. The downside? It can be really hard to get up close for that perfect shot! And as Hollywood continues to build up with high-rise hotels, offices, and apartment buildings, it's increasingly difficult to see it from the streets.

photo of the best place to see Hollywood sign 
Photo by Gina Ragland.

Luckily, we have the inside scoop on the 10 best places to view the Hollywood sign. From rugged hillside vistas to Central LA buildings' rooftops, there are quite a few great places to see the sign. 

If you're looking for other fun things to do with kids, check out 77 free things to do with kids in Los Angeles during the summer, the ultimate guide to Discover Cube: LA, and themed restaurants and dinner shows in Los Angeles

 

16 Atlanta Farmers Markets for the Whole Family

Let the kiddos play while you fill up on greens at the Grant Park Farmers Market.

Atlanta farmers markets help families embrace farm-to-table cooking and afternoons spent outdoors. Farmers markets in Atlanta allow families to select freshvproduce; support the local economy; teach kids about food; and enjoy a day of outdoor fun!

Added bonus? Many of these farmers markets offer kid-friendly features like arts and crafts, bounce houses, water play, and much more. Read on for a list of the best Atlanta farmers markets that appeal to kids, as well as parents.

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