Character meals at Disney World are a unique and magical experience to include on your next Orlando vacation. At these special Walt Disney World dining experiences, kids (and kids at heart) can meet their favorite Disney characters from movies and TV. To help you plan your Disney trip, we've put together a guide to the best character meals at Disney World.

While planning your Orlando vacation, be sure to also check out our list of the Best Orlando Hotels for Families and Things To Do in Orlando Besides the Theme Parks.

Fall foliage, cooler temperatures, and doorways decorated in cornstalks and gourds create a welcome change from summer throughout Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. As autumn settles into the region, Philly families anticipate traditions they know and love, including day trips to nearby corn mazes and hayrides, apple picking or pumpkin picking, and plenty more.

This year, we've rounded up the classics and thrown in some fresh ideas, too. Don't forget to review our comprehensive Fall Activity Guide for Philadelphia Kids and create a customized bucket list of fun for your family. For even more inspiration, browse our ultimate Philly bucket list, 100 Things To Do in Philly with Kids Before They Grow Up.

Autumn in New Jersey is a perfect time for a family day trip. We've got the lowdown on the best foliage tours, apple picking, and pick-your-own farms in the state—so grab a sweater and a mug of hot cider, and head out with the family on one of these fall day trips from New Jersey.

Find all our picks for seasonal fun in our Fall Fun Guide and bookmark our Day Trips Guide for all-seasons destinations.

When it comes to spooky season, I can't think of a cooler place to celebrate than the village of Sleepy Hollow! Even before Washington Irving made the name famous in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the area was known for its haunted past, with the story of the headless horseman being the most popular piece of local lore. Today, Sleepy Hollow, New York, embraces its spooky history, with the entire town getting decked out for Halloween and local historical sites hosting festive events to celebrate the season and their unique histories.

In addition to being the Hudson Valley's Halloween headquarters, Sleepy Hollow is also a picturesque location to visit year-round. Situated on the banks of the Hudson River with a beautiful lighthouse and views of the Mario Cuomo Bridge, the cute, walkable downtown boasts a variety of shops and restaurants as well as a number of parks and historical sites that are within walking distance or just a short drive away. We've picked out our favorite things to do with kids in Sleepy Hollow during Halloween and beyond, including special annual events, local family-friendly restaurants, and places to stay nearby.

For more Halloween fun, check out our list of spooky day trips near NYC for ghostly adventures and our Hudson Valley Kids' Halloween Guide for more local haunts.

Search for these San Francisco hidden gems with kids that are hiding in plain sight. 

San Francisco is full of big attractions like cable cars, Golden Gate Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, and so many others that bring tourists to the city on the daily, but parents know the real fun often lies in the little surprises. From tucked-away playgrounds and secret staircases to hidden museums and quirky art installations, San Francisco has a ton of free, off-the-beaten-path adventures that kids actually love.

Whether you’re exploring with toddlers, tweens, or a stroller in tow, here are the best hidden gems and secret spots in San Francisco for families. Whether you've been there or not, these are sure to be a hit on your next day trip, and they are all absolutely free. Want more free things to do? For more inpso, check out these free things to do with kids in San Francisco and our San Francisco Visitors' Guide for families. 

Ready for some cool, crisp autumn air and a bright expanse of fall foliage? Perfect, because a spectacular show of fall leaves is within a short drive from Los Angeles at multiple locations. There are lots of options for pumpkin picking in Los Angeles but if a relaxing fall drive is more your speed, pack some pumpkin-spiced snacks and hit the road. Not only are our suggestions filled with cute towns and gorgeous hikes, but they also provide fantastic photo ops with stunning multi-colored leaves as a backdrop. (Just in case you're already starting to think about that family holiday card photo!)

For more fall activities from our bucket list of things to do this fall, fall day trips from Los Angeles, and local fall festivals, be sure to check out our Los Angeles Fall Fun Guide.

If you're up for an Alaskan adventure with kids, Anchorage is a great city to visit. Because it's a big city with an international airport, Anchorage is relatively easy to get to (flight time and time change from the East Coast not withstanding). There are also so many fun things to do in Anchorage with kids.

After enjoying my own family vacation in Anchorage, I've put together a list of kid-friendly things to do in Anchorage. It includes outdoor Anchorage activities for kids, museums and other indoor Anchorage attractions for families, day trips from Anchorage with kids, and kid-friendly Anchorage hotels and restaurants.

Want to visit some other cool places in Alaska while you're there? Our Alaska Family Travel Guide is chock full of info about family travel to Alaska, from tips on visiting Denali National Park with kids to our list of free things to do in Seward, Alaska (a common Alaska cruise stop). You won't regret visiting the 49th state!

Explore fall fun around Boston with the top autumn activities for 2025!