If the last thrill you had in your life was finding that your cellphone still worked after going through an accidental laundry cycle, it’s time you headed out on a real thrill ride–the roller coaster.  Haven’t been on one since the days you wore a feather dangle in your hair and acid-washed GUESS jeans on your then-skinny behind?  Well, now’s the time and this is the place! Read on for our list of the top roller coaster rides in the NJ area.  Then grab the kids and buckle up–it’s gonna’ be a great ride!

If you're looking for a family-friendly vacation destination that doesn't require getting frisked at the airport, consider Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This gem of a New England town puts its best foot forward during the summer, and its small size makes it manageable for families. 

It's easy to have fun in this picturesque portside town without feeling overwhelmed. The downtown area is booming, but despite some urban renewal, it maintains an authentic saltiness that's in tune with the area’s maritime history and traditions.

The town is about a five-hour drive from New York City. However, you can also take Megabus, BoltBus or Amtrak to Boston’s South Station, and then connect to a C&J bus for the one-hour ride to Portsmouth.

Portsmouth is one of my family's favorite places to visit, and I've compiled the top ten things to do here with kids.

There's a lot to celebrate this week: The end of school, the opening of public pools and, of course, the birth of our nation. There will be lots of fireworks on Monday, July 4. Macy's spectacular is the most famous but you can catch explosive displays in Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut. 

Of course there's plenty of other things to do beyond holiday sparklers, like see a new interactive musical for little kids or take a day trip to a nearby water park.

And that's just a bit of what's going on. Here's what we covered this week on Mommy Poppins in NYC, New Jersey, Long Island and Connecticut.

Wait!  It’s the middle of summer already??? If your kids’ summer so far consisted of the couch and the computer, get out and catch up on some REAL New Jersey summer fun this weekend!  There’s a bug safari, two boat sailing events, an ice cream social, an American flag exhibit, loads of live music, a fund-raising barbecue-fest, and, of course, fantastic fireworks.  As our own Jersey boy Jon Bon Jovi says, it’s time to “Make a memory!”

Fourth of July weekend is here, and it's time to go into full on summer swing. If you haven't already busted out the picnic blanket and checked out our recommended picnic places, or started your rounds of Long island ice cream shops, this is the perfect weekend to start. We've collected a few other summer activities for you here, as well as some cool spots to check out the fireworks on Long Island.

If you haven't already, give yourself the gift of guilt free leisure, and grab our awesome Poppins Perk for Le Play Cafe before this deal is over. Have a great weekend.

Happy Fourth of July! Regardless of where you're spending the holiday, fireworks are the main event this weekend. In NYC, Macy's is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its annual spectacular on the Hudson River. We've got details on the best spots to watch the display both in NYC or across the river in New Jersey.

If you're spending the entire three-day weekend in the city, there are plenty of other exciting things to do. Head to Coney Island for Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, catch an alfresco screening of Grease, groove to cool kiddie bands at SummerStage's Bronx Family Day or indulge your sweet tooth at a candy carnival.  Plus the city's free outdoor pools are open for the season, as are local beaches and awesome water playgrounds. Since it's also the first weekend of the month, many museums, including the Children's Museum of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Museum, are offering free hours and special programming.

You can find more seasonal fun in our Summer Fun Guide and additional weekend options in our Mommy Poppins Event Calendar. Happy birthday to the U.S.A!