Enjoy a spot of afternoon tea at these cozy CT spots!

Take the family for a food factory tour (and a treat!)

Traveling with toddlers can be tricky, and visiting Orlando theme parks with toddlers is no exception. Between the heat, ride wait times, and crowds, little guests can burn out fast. On the other hand, toddlers are only little for so long, and we understand the importance of soaking up this time with them and making lasting memories! Thankfully, many Orlando theme parks cater to little ones with kid-friendly waiting lines, indoor play zones, and more. We’ve rounded up the best Orlando theme parks (and water parks!) to visit with toddlers.

The Bristol Renaissance Faire is a magical realm that comes to life each summer. Step through the gates and be transported to the year 1574 where the streets are bustling with villagers, nobles, and performers in elaborate costumes.

You'll find different play spaces, interactive kid's areas, playgrounds, shows, interactive performances, food options, rides, games, shops, and a benevolent queen who rules over her kingdom. If you're planning a visit to the Bristol Renaissance Faire with kids, these insider tips will make the most of this enchanting adventure. 

If you're looking for other exciting family adventures in Wisconsin, opt for a weekend in Lake Geneva or Madison. Want to try something else? These family day trips and weekend getaways are the perfect fit for more family adventures.

When the summer heat descends on the DC area, there are plenty of nearby swimming lakes and watering holes where families can make a splash and cool off. These swimming lakes (all within a two-hour drive) are a fun, natural alternative to the area's swimming pools and water parks. Many of them are within state parks and national forests, which offer a variety of other fun activities like hiking, fishing, and camping.

Here are our favorite swimming lakes and watering holes near DC where families can beat the heat and reconnect with nature. Many of these awesome swimming spots even offer a Tom Sawyer-like adventure that will have the kids swinging, diving, and absolutely grinning.

Check out our Ultimate DC Kids Summer Vacation Guide for even more fun ways to cool off this summer.

Toddlers and preschoolers are like little sponges that soak in the world around them. These days are fleeting so take advantage of the many Atlanta places for toddlers and preschoolers to explore and expand their world. Enjoy our curated list specially geared for toddlers and preschoolers in Atlanta before they get busy with homework and sports. Bonus: Many of these Atlanta attractions offer FREE admission for kids at this age!

There are no two ways about it: Kids love swimming! Lake swimming is the perfect way to cool off when the beach or the pool is too crowded, or when you just want to mix it up a bit. There are quite a few swimming lakes in the Philadelphia area that offer great little beaches, picnic areas, and, of course, swimming! As an added bonus, most of these swimming lakes are located in state parks, which offer lots of other great activities, including camping and hiking. Most swimming lakes in the Philadelphia area are open Memorial Day through Labor Day. So get your bathing suits on, load up the car, grab the sunscreen, and head out to one of these great local swimming lakes in the Philadelphia region!

Looking for more summer fun? Check out our favorite Jersey Shore Beaches, or browse our roundup of Where to Go Camping with Kids. For all the best Philadelphia-area swimming spots, our guide to Beaches, Pools, Spray Pads, and Water Parks has got you covered.

All of my three children have gone through a train-loving phase around 2 years old, and while we are lucky enough to live on a train line where we can watch the trains zoom by all day long, I've been known to go out of my way to feed our kids’ love of choo-choos. From local train rides to seasonal Polar Express train rides, train museums, and model train displays, families in the tri-state area have plenty of options to entertain pint-sized train lovers.

Read on for our top picks for train-inspired day trips, including all the best things to do with train-obsessed kids in NYC and beyond.