When it comes to family travel, a comfortable crash pad is a must in my book! And the fact that my family of five doesn't fit in your standard hotel room always complicates our vacation planning. But a recent trip to Branson, Missouri, came with a pleasant, super-sized surprise. My visit landed me in one of the most lovely, family-friendly Branson, Mo. hotels: the Branson Westgate Woods Resort. It was the perfect place for us to stay in one of our favorite Christmas towns in the US.

The rustic, mountain lodge-themed property sprawls out over 145 beautiful, wooded acres and packs in plenty of family-friendly activities. But when you've had enough fun, the spacious, suite-style accommodations wait to welcome you back like a warm hug—cozy fireplace included!

Read on for more of what you can expect from this Branson, Mo. hotel and the town it calls home, then bookmark our Midwest Family Vacation Guide to start planning a trip of your own.

If you are wondering what's open on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve in Connecticut, there are light shows and fun things to do and see. When the "most wonderful" time of year is here, and decorations are up, menus are planned, and most gifts are wrapped, you may be thinking about some activities that will help you cherish family time. This list of 17 events happening on and around Christmas Day in Connecticut is sure to have something for everyone, from Christmas Eve skating and a reindeer festival to a much-loved free light show.

With media issues fixed and "It's a Wonderful Life" cued up, I'm ready for Christmas! No matter what you celebrate, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or a combination, have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy as much as you can with our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Connecticut Families.

Most places are closed on Christmas, but we’ve come up with 20 things to do with kids and found out what's open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Boston. These ideas can add some multi-generational family fun to Christmas, whether you want to be warm and cozy indoors or get outdoors for some fresh air. Finding things to do on holidays can be a really special activity, whether your staying home with immediate family, or gathering with siblings, cousins, grandparents, and other loved ones.

For more ideas, explore our Holiday Fun Guide.      

These programs teach kids how to code, build websites and apps, and more.

Winter sports fans take note: A brand-new ice skating rink complex debuted outside UBS Arena in late December 2023. The Park at UBS Arena is a new wintertime destination for hockey enthusiasts, show-goers, and local families alike.

The Park at UBS Arena, a partnership between the arena, the New York Islanders, and Northwell Health, is located adjacent to the historic and entertaining Belmont Park and aims to take advantage of this unique setting to create something special for visitors of all ages.