When many of us think about Harrisburg, PA, our minds immediately take us to the state capitol, politics, or maybe just a turnpike exit—not necessarily the stuff long weekend family trips are made of. However, given the time to map out an itinerary, the Hershey-Harrisburg area is a fabulous destination for families to enjoy, beyond Hersheypark and Pennsylvania’s political hub.

Here are our top 25 picks for must-see spots in Harrisburg and the surrounding area. We recommend planning out your visit, rather than just winging it when you arrive. You’ll be able to park and walk to some of these places, but as in any city, parking and navigating an unfamiliar area can be a challenge. If you’re making a long weekend out of it, consider staying in a hotel outside the city so you can easily access everything within the city limits, as well as the suburban spots.

Looking for more fun in the area? Visit nearby Lancaster!

Hi. It's January. I know. You're feeling stuck indoors, maybe a little bit remorseful about holiday indulgences, and let's face it...kinda stir crazy. We live in New England. That's totally normal. I promise. What we need this time of year is some indoor fun. When outdoors is either frozen or flooded, there's really no other option.

As your children grow, they will definitely outgrow (and lose interest in) clothes, shoes, strollers, car seats and toys alike. And let’s be honest—all that stuff takes up space. Before you haul your unwanted items to the curb on recycling day and hope that someone else takes them, see if any of the following organizations might make good use of them (and possibly give you a tax write-off to boot).

We've gathered several charities where you can donate kids’ toys, gear and clothing in Westchester. Looking for more ways to stay in the know as you watch your kids grow? Sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook.

There are just so many things I love about ice skating: gliding across the slick ice rink, feeling like I am flying through a sea of other skaters, spinning and twirling until I'm dizzy and ready for a hot chocolate break. Then there are the things that I don't enjoy so much, like the freezing cold temps that necessitate a rink, the hard ice that is so painful to land on, the pinch of skates laced too tight...you get the idea. Luckily, the Boston Children's Museum has found a way to highlight the joys of skating (without all of the downsides) at their Snowmazing exhibit, now open to the public. 

It's tough to find the right summer camp for any kid. But if your child has special needs, like autism or ADHD, sensory-motor challenges, social anxiety, or learning differences, choosing a program can be especially nerve-racking: we want our kids to enjoy a traditional summer-camp experience, complete with swimming and lanyards and new friendships, while also receiving the kind of individual attention they need and with the option to avoid activities that might cause undue stress.

We've rounded up a number of camps favored by NYC families for their kids with disabilities or other challenges. Camps outside of New York City and on Staten Island provide bussing, so don't be discouraged by the seemingly far-flung locations: it can be especially therapeutic for kids to get out of the city for the summer.

While most of these camps cater exclusively to special-needs children, other traditional summer camps often offer inclusion programs for those with mild special needs (a few are mentioned below). Please consult our Summer Camp Guide for NYC Kids for a list of our favorite summer camps across the city to see if there are any that might work for your child.

Winter 2018 in New York City is loaded with cool theater for families, including the debut of three super buzzed-about Broadway productions: Disney's Frozen the Musical, Tina Fey's musicalization of her hit movie Mean Girls, and the two-part Harry Potter and the Cursed Child from London. But you don't need to shell out big bucks to give your kids a memorable live entertainment experience in NYC—plenty of engaging family productions are playing off Broadway for a lot less.

This winter there are wonderful options for toddlers to teens, including interactive shows created specifically for the preschool set (A Book of Hours and Waves, All That Glows Sees ), stage adaptations of popular picture books such as A Sick Day for Morris McGee and Owen & Mzee the Musical, and eye-popping spectacles for the whole family (Bromance and Marvel Universe Live!).

Best of all, most of these nearly two dozen shows cost $25 or under, so you can take the whole family for less than the price of one Broadway ticket.

It looks like New York City dads can no longer get out of diaper duty! Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a law Tuesday, January 9, requiring that new public buildings make diaper changing stations available to all New York City parents regardless of gender identification. That's right, baby changing stations will be coming to a men's room (or gender-neutral restroom) near you—and soon. As early as July, all new or recently-renovated public buildings in the five boroughs will need to provide this amenity to all parents or face fines of up to $1,600.

Generations of kids were firefighters, postal workers, grocery store clerks, construction workers, and doctors at the Jersey Shore Children's Museum, which closed down in December 31 due to a lack of funding. Founded in 1998 by two local teachers, the non-profit museum promoted learning through play and was a favorite indoor play spot in the community.