Harry Potter fans, rejoice! A portion of Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia has transformed into Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience, a magical walk-through that takes guests along a nighttime woodland trail filled with creatures, characters, and scenes from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films. Spectacular lighting and sound effects, mist, and interactive elements make visitors feel like they've truly stepped into the Wizarding World.

My family recently had the opportunity to visit Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience. Read on for my full review, and check out our review of the Yorktown Heights, New York experience. Be sure to purchase tickets soon: Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience is only in town until January 29, 2023, and tickets are selling fast!

New York City and its surrounding suburbs have enough attractions to keep a family busy for a lifetime, but that doesn’t mean you should let its magnetic energy prevent you from enjoying one of these upstate New York getaways. The less visited northern and western parts of the state are loaded with fantastic attractions that present a feast of family fun. Whether you're seeking nature, culture, recreation, or a combination of all three, the Empire State won’t disappoint. Check out these nine kid-friendly upstate New York getaways and vacation destinations that will have the whole family saying “I Love New York.”

Find more regional travel ideas in our Weekend Getaways and Day Trip Guide.

Wands at the ready everyone: The forested trails of FDR State Park in Yorktown Heights have transformed into the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience. If you dare enter, you'll encounter characters, creatures, and favorite scenes from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series. Utilizing a magical combination of spectacular lighting and sound effects, this walk-through experience transports visitors to the Wizarding World and even allows guests to conjure a little magic of their own.

Read on for our full review, and be sure to book your tickets to the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience soon, as it's only in town for a limited time!

Live theater is not only entertaining for kids; it also teaches them life skills like empathy and problem-solving. But if you don't live near Broadway or one of the country's many wonderful children's theaters, never fear—many live shows for kids are coming to a theater or arena near you. Most of these shows for kids feature beloved characters from your children's favorite shows and movies, from Disney and Sesame Street friends to the Paw Patrol crew.

Here are 21 live shows for kids that are touring the US through September 2023. Not only are the live versions of these beloved kids' shows more entertaining for the grown-ups, they also help instill a lifelong love of theater in kids. You never know—Cocomelon Live! just might turn your kid into a Hamlet fan down the road!

There's no doubt New York City is one of our favorite Christmas towns and if you've ever wondered where it gets its holiday lights and spectacular decorations, we've got the scoop: American Christmas in Mount Vernon supplies much of NYC's magical Christmas decor and holiday lights. This local business is a veritable Christmas wonderland, with large-scale holiday decorations hanging from the rafters of its 100,000-square-foot workshop. There's so much Christmas cheer here, it's built its own Santa's Village, and we've got some sweet news: American Christmas is opening up its workshop and showroom to visitors, creating a Christmas village walk-through that's a picture-perfect holiday outing.

Read on for a sneak peek into American Christmas, and bookmark our Guide to Christmas and Holiday Activities for all our top picks for holiday happenings, brilliant light displays, and must-do fun.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition Atlanta is a utopia of everything magic. This fantastic Atlanta attraction is the closest many of us will ever get to Hogwarts, celebrating the beloved book and movie series. Fans of all ages need to experience Harry Potter: The Exhibition Atlanta as it immerses visitors in the culture, history, and nostalgia of this magical world.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition Atlanta comes to downtown for a limited engagement, where visitors get a behind-the-scenes experience of the Harry Potter books and movies, as well as the Fantastic Beasts films and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play. Take a look at authentic props, original costumes, J.K. Rowling's inspirations, as well as innovative exhibits that use modern magic (i.e. technology) to create truly transformative experiences that will astound kids and kids-at-heart.

Conjur your patronus, wear your House colors, and grab a broom because we're taking you through Harry Potter: The Exhibition Atlanta!

Everything you need to turn your family into a Phamily as the Phillies head to the 2022 World Series.

To have kids in Philadelphia right now is to be entrusted with great responsibility that no true Philly parent will squander. We are parenting during a Phillies World Series run. It’s been 13 years since the Phils were NLCS Champions. That means there’s a whole new crop of kids and basically the next generation of Phillies fans who have the opportunity of their childhood (Sound hyperbolic? Good.) to root for the Phillies in the World Series. So whether you’re a bandwagon fan (shh we won’t tell) or a die-hard phanatic who remembers McGraw's final out, we’ve got you covered for how to make the most of the World Series 2022, from the swag to the snacks.

The sweet spot on a family vacation is when you can adventure together as a family and have plenty of space for relaxing at the end of the day. Hunter Mountain in New York’s Catskills offers the perfect mix of activities for the entire family. With an itinerary of exploring, hiking, skiing, and lounging around our hotel’s fire, we were all very happy campers. There are so many things to do right on Hunter Mountain and in the surrounding area that appeals to parents and kids. Here are some highlights from our visit to Hunter Mountain, New York, including outdoor adventures, delectable dining choices, family-friendly lodging, and ample opportunities to chill out.

Find more things to do near Hunter Mountain on our list of 25 things to do in the Catskills with kids, and bookmark our Guide to Weekend Getaways and Day Trips for more family-friendly local travel spots.