Whale Watching near NYC: Catch a Cruise to See Whales, Dolphins, and More Marine Animals

Submitted by Danielle Wilson on

Join the Whale Watching Cruise with Event Cruises NYC, to witness whales breaching the surface of the water just outside city limits.

Anytime we've mentioned to friends and family that we had the best time whale watching near NYC this summer, the first question we're asked is, "Where can you go whale watching in New York City?" After all, the closest most local families have probably come to a larger-than-life marine mammal is the famous, oversized blue whale that hangs overhead at the American Museum of Natural History.

Believe us: If we hadn't gone whale watching near NYC and seen these ginormous marine mammals jump out of the water with our own eyes, we wouldn't think it would be possible either! When we set sail on our NYC Whale Watching Cruise, we thought we might see a fin here or there. By the end of our three-hour tour, the whale watching boat roared with cheers of excitement, thanks to several humpback whale sightings.

Pregnancy and Parenting Classes in NYC

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

Hypnodoula Maeva offers newborn care classes. Photo courtesy of Hypnodoula

Parenting classes are a great way to learn about your child and connect with other parents. There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child, but for most of us in the modern world who don't have that village, parenting classes can provide much-needed knowledge, plus a support network. Thankfully NYC has plenty of pregnancy and parenting classes for new and expecting parents covering topics ranging from pregnancy and childbirth to sleep training and positive discipline. Many of these institutions also offer play spaces and support groups where parents can share their experiences, make lasting friendships, and even organize play dates.

In the wake of the pandemic, many pregnancy and parenting classes are still offered only virtually, but we have gathered together the best small-group, in-person classes in NYC as well as those offered as private, in-home sessions. You can find more parenting classes, and even book a class online, in our directory of classes and listings. Check out our NYC Classes for Kids Guide for more kids' activities and classes for kids of all ages. Find more new parent resources in our NYC Baby Guide.

Pregnancy Classes and Parenting Classes in Houston

Submitted by Sarah Banks on

Photo courtesy of Texas Health Resources

Pregnancy and the early days of parenting are exciting times. However, you might also have many questions and some fears that you would like to address. That's when our list of pregnancy classes and parenting classes in Houston can come to your aid. You can't expect to know it all. Even if this isn't your first child, advances in maternal medicine and changes in your circumstances might leave you with knowledge gaps. Professionals at these pregnancy classes and parenting classes in Houston can help you with your pregnancy and parenting education. We have drawn up a list of Houston hospitals, independent birthing centers, and expertly trained individuals that offer pregnancy and parenting classes in Houston. Options include pregnancy and parenting classes on-site, virtually and in your own home. Choose the pregnancy and parenting classes tailored to your needs with our handy list!

Check out our Baby and Pregnancy Guide to find out about great activities you can explore with your precious new child.

Best Swimming Lessons for Kids in San Francisco: Swimming Classes for Your Little Fishes

Submitted by Sandra Lee on

​Get an early start on a life-long love of the water. Photo courtesy of the AC Swim Club, Facebook

Little ones as young as 3 months can start getting acclimated to the water at these spots that offer fantastic swimming lessons in San Francisco. The Bay Area has some awesome spots for swimming classes with teachers who are patient, fun, energetic, and experienced, and some of these businesses even have trial classes to make sure it’s a good fit. It's never too young to teach kids how to love the water, so every place on our list also offers baby and toddler swimming lessons.

For more great classes for kids, including great cooking classes for little San Francisco foodies, check out our Bay Area Classes Directory.

Chicago's Adler Planetarium with Kids: Top Things to See and Do

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on

Adler Planetarium photo by Chris Rycroft via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Chicago's Museum Campus is the perfect place to visit more than one museum in a day, and the Adler Planetarium gives families the chance to leave Earth from the shore of Lake Michigan. Like its siblings The Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium, it offers exhibits that appeal to every member of the family and provides lots of interactive learning opportunities. It was opened as part of the first planetarium in the Western hemisphere in 1930 and has evolved into a hub for families looking to learn more about stars, planets, galaxies, and space exploration.

One big advantage to the Adler Planetarium is that it won't take a whole day to visit most, if not all, of the building's exhibits. If you have kids with enough stamina, we recommend going to the Shedd Aquarium early on a Wednesday and dropping into the Planetarium at 4 p.m. It's free for Illinois residents from 4 until it closes at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, and you can remain in the same parking space all day. 

We visited with our 5- and 7-year-olds earlier this summer, and while one kid is determined to be an astronaut, the other was just happy to be at a museum. Each enjoyed different things about the museum depending on what was geared to their educational level. Here's what we liked best about the Adler Planetarium with kids!

If you're staying in town and plan to visit multiple attractions in the Chicago area (we’re looking at you, people with visiting relatives you’ll be squiring around town), it’s worth it to look into a Go City - Chicago sightseeing pass to save money on entrance fees to attractions like the Navy Pier, Field Museum, the aquarium, and the planetarium.

Music Classes for Kids in Boston: Toddler Music Classes, Piano Lessons, and Voice Lessons

Submitted by Michael Del Llano on

Music lessons for kids are engaging, stimulating, and fun! Photo courtesy of Groovy Baby Music

We're lucky to have great music classes in Boston. Music lessons for toddlers can aid language development, and music education can even improve test scores and increase your child’s IQ. Music classes also help kids explore their creativity and learn patience through practice. A fun music class will foster a lifelong love of music, which is why we scoured all the music classes in Boston to compile this list of the best of the best!

For more great classes for kids, including everything from dance classes to awesome classes for babies and toddlers, check out our Boston Classes for Kids Guide and Classes Directory.

Best Swimming Lessons in Atlanta for Babies: Mommy & Me Swim Classes

Submitted by Melanie Preis on

Atlanta kids can take a small group class with safety protocols in place at SeaVentures. Photo courtesy of SeaVentures

Learning how to swim teaches confidence, grit, and most importantly, life-saving skills. Swim lessons in Atlanta start as for babies to learn water safety at a young age. Depending on schedule, budget, and accessibility, there are a variety of Atlanta swimming lessons parents can choose from: individual or group lessons; public locations or at-home pools; daily or monthly swim class schedules. For the younger set, many of these swimming classes can introduce your child to the water when he or she is less than a year old; but be advised, children who are not potty-trained will almost always be required to wear swim diapers.

We've rounded up a few of our favorite swim lessons in Atlanta, both intown and beyond the perimeter, that offer a well-rounded aquatic curriculum—fun and informative! 

Best of Brooklyn: 50 Things To Do in the Family-Friendly Hipster Haven

Submitted by Diana Kim on

Prospect Park comes alive with the BRIC! Celebrate Brooklyn music festival each summer.

When it comes to things to do in Brooklyn, the borough has it all for families—great schools, iconic landmarks, great parks and playgrounds, eclectic dining, and the most interesting stores and museums. While we've covered a lot of our favorite things to do in Brooklyn and the borough's top neighborhoods in our Neighborhood Guides, ranging from the top things to do in Park Slope to the best of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn Heights, and beyond, consider this our best-of-Brooklyn list. Below, we've rounded up our top 50 best things to do in Brooklyn with kids. Our picks are a mix of old favorites and new classics.

Read on to discover our picks for Brooklyn's top attractions, the best playgrounds in Brooklyn, our top picks for family-friendly Brooklyn restaurants, museums, and the best things to do in Brooklyn with kids.

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