Springfield, MO, and the surrounding areas are known as the gateway to the Ozarks: a stunning region in the heart of America filled with caves, springs, forests, and vast limestone formations. It’s also home to Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro, and one of the country’s most important conservationists.

His foundation has created nature parks and important educational institutions that put the spotlight on his home state far more than a certain Netflix show could ever hope to do. And while I loved watching Jason Bateman captain his boat among the fingers of the Lakes of the Ozarks, it was by exploring the land preserved by Mr. Morris’s that I was able to truly understand the historical and natural impact and wild beauty of the Ozarks.

Springfield, along with the nature preserves that fall under the Johnny Morris Foundation umbrella, is just an eight-hour drive northeast of Dallas, near Branson, one of the most popular Ozark tourist attractions for North Texans. If you’re planning on exploring this beautiful part of the country on your next vacation, include the gateway to the Ozarks in your itinerary.

As school starts up again across the country, tweens and teens are beginning the arduous adventure that is middle school. And thanks to pretty much all of pop culture—and many adults who have gone through the middle school years and lived to tell the tale—kids go into middle school fearing the worst. You know—classmates are terrible. School is terrible. Everything is terrible.

We're here to assure you—and your anxious middle schooler—that middle school can, in fact, be the best. Many teachers say middle school kids are their favorite age to teach. That's because they're learning to think critically, joke cleverly, and care deeply. They're growing, learning, and finding their spark. In other words, middle schoolers are becoming themselves.

Read on for middle school tips for parents that will help you encourage, inspire, and celebrate your kids. You'll learn how to make middle school better for your children so they'll become happy and thriving in middle school.

Our 2025-2026 Back-to-School Guide has even more advice on how to make this the best school year yet, including our list of the best school supplies (from a veteran teacher).

Queens residents have a new public space for their enjoyment with the reopening of Rainey Park in Astoria. After extensive renovations, Rainey Park boasts new playground equipment, fitness areas, spray showers, a new greenway, and increased access for those with disabilities. Read on to find out all you need to know about this new park.

Find more places to play in our NYC Kids' Guide to Parks and Playgrounds and the our list of the best things to do in Queens.

When nearly 1 million NYC public school students head back to class in September, they’ll be entering a no-phone zone.

A new state law in New York bans students from using cell phones and all personal internet-enabled devices during the school day. The law goes into effect at the start of the 2025-26 school year, which kicks off Thursday, September 4, for public school kids.

Read on to find out what the ban might look like at your school, and check out our list of 57 screen-free activities for all ages.