Even though ice cream stands, shops, and chains are plentiful throughout the lower Hudson Valley, there are a few local spots that stand out. 

All of our picks below are destination-worthy, using handmade or locally sourced ice cream for creative concoctions and traditional favorites–perfect if you're like me and my kids, who don't need much of an excuse to indulge in ice cream on a hot summer day!

For more frozen treats, be sure to check out our top picks for local ice cream shops in Westchester County!

Visiting a Long Island batting cage is a great way for little sluggers to get some practice in. Kids can spend a few hours hitting balls and couple it with another activity, as many batting cage facilities also offer go-cart racing and mini-golf.

For more sports-themed fun, be sure to check out our Indoor Play Spaces, Sports Centers & Fun Zones Guide for Long Island.

Raising kids in NYC comes with crazy rent, stressful school searches, and closets for apartments—but it also brings easy access to enriching cultural activities, and NYC is equally rich in good old-fashioned outdoor activities, too. The city offers a range of bucolic parks and outdoor adventures where kids can get busy playing outside, all without leaving the five boroughs.

From fishing to hiking to exploring to off-the-beaten-path parks, here are 25 outdoor activities in NYC for the whole family. Some are FREE, most are accessible by public transportation, and we guarantee all these things to do outdoors are tons of fun.

Atlanta restaurants with delicious food are great; themed restaurants with delicious food AND one-of-a-kind experiences are fantastic! Keep kids engaged at the dining table at these unique Atlanta themed restaurants that offer the best in "eatertainment" and quirky menus. Take a look at our favorite, mind-blowing restaurants in Atlanta sure to bring smiles to your children's faces.

Hotel water parks add to the perfect Orlando vacation! An Orlando hotel water park helps guests cool down and let loose just a few steps from their rooms. There are several stand-alone water parks in Orlando, including inflatable water parks, but why not double up on the fun by staying at a Central Florida resort with a water park on site?! We've rounded up some of the best Orlando hotels with water parks, making it easy for families to have fun under the Florida sun.

If you're hankering for a cold beer that's not from a bottle or can, you don't need to hire a babysitter. The greater DC area is full of kid-friendly beer gardens and breweries with large outdoor spaces, lawn games, playgrounds, and other amenities that make them perfect for families. Some of these breweries and beer gardens also have playgrounds, live music, farm animals, and even arcades.

Here are 21 family-friendly beer gardens and breweries in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia to visit with kids. Many of them allow you to bring your dog, too, so no family member needs to be left behind.

If wine is more your style, check out our list of family-friendly wineries near DC. Our Kid-Friendly DC Restaurants Guide will show you even more great places to grab a bite to eat—and a drink—with little ones in tow.;

Find smooth CT trails for families with strollers to explore nature.

Check in with the kids for a Boston getaway at these family-friendly hotels!