Orlando museums offer a diverse collection of fun for children and families to explore. From children's museums in Orlando to others within a day trip's drive, and themed museums for train fanatics and even something for chocolate lovers, there are many Orlando museums for both residents and tourists alike. We've listed some of our favorites below. Read on to find Orlando museums for children to add to your itinerary!

For more Orlando indoor family fun, check out our Indoor Activities Guide, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter to get articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.

Washington, DC is known for its amazing free museums, including the world-famous Smithsonian institutions. That's why DC museums that charge admission are often overlooked. But, trust us—there are several fantastic museums in DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland that are truly worth the price of admission.

On a cold or rainy day, these museums offer something new and interesting for families to experience, whether it's exhibits just for young visitors, planes or trains to marvel at, optical illusions, or hands-on activities such as building and art.

Here are our favorite museums for kids and families in the DC area that are worth paying for, including children's museums and more. We've also included a few of the free museums near DC that are especially kid-friendly. Read reviews of some of these places in our Museum Guide for Kids and Families in Washington, DC, which includes our list of free museums in DC to visit with kids.

There are so many fun things to do in Salem, MA with kids throughout the year. Costumes are always on in Salem, but the city truly becomes Halloween Town through October. While Halloween has historically been packed with revelers, Witch City is always a great destination for an easy day trip or weekend getaway because there's always things to do in Salem. Take the ferry from Boston to learn the history of the Salem Witch Trials, experience everything from the magical to the macabre anytime of year, and explore family-friendly, hands-on exhibitions at the world-class Peabody Essex Museum. It's easy to promise families year-round fun in this historic walkable town with our list of the top things to do in Salem with kids. 

For more fun things to do this October, we've rounded up the best kids Halloween events near Boston and loaded up our Halloween Guide with the best of spooky season. 

When it comes to Halloween thrills with kids, a tricked-out haunted house or slightly spooky Halloween walk just might be the right kind of boo for you. Haunted houses have long been popular suburban Halloween staples, and we've got the scoop on Long Island haunted houses and Westchester's top spooky attractions. For city kids, haunted houses in NYC are more limited. The most spooky picks, like Blood Manor, are definitely grown-ups only. There are, however, a handful of haunted houses in New York City offering gentler Halloween chills for families.

Read on for the scoop on kid-friendly haunted houses in NYC, plus Halloween walks with more gentle thrills—and heed the age warnings. While grade-school kids can attend most of these, not all are suitable for preschoolers. We've got the scoop on NYC's top Halloween events and plenty more spooky fun in our New York City Kids' Halloween Fun Guide.

Catalina Island offers a quick getaway that will make you second guess if you left California and somehow found yourself on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Easily done in a day trip or longer if your family prefers, Catalina Island is reachable by an hour-long boat ride (or slightly longer, depending on the port you depart) from Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point. 

There are endless activities for kids on Catalina Island, from glass-bottom boat tours to bison expeditions and just playing in the sand at the beach. Plenty of entertainment and activities will keep little ones and grown-ups happy for a day or a weekend trip on Catalina Island. 

When departing from Long Beach, check out these things to do in Long Beach with kids. If islands are your thing, drive up the coast to explore Channel Islands National Park with the family, and plan your next adventure with our Weekend Getaway Guide and Day Trips for Los Angeles Families. 

As the saying goes, there's no place like home for the holidays. But we say home is wherever your family is. And if your family is looking to get away this holiday season, book your trip now—some of the best family resorts are booking up quickly!

We've rounded up a dozen great family resorts to spend the holidays at with the whole gang. Some of these family resorts go above and beyond with holiday decorations and activities, making your family feel like they're in a Hallmark Christmas movie. Others are near destinations that do it up for the holidays, including Disneyland and Disney World.

Prefer to spend the holidays in paradise? We've also included some of our favorite all-inclusive resorts and other hotels in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii. These family resorts, along with others on our list of warm and sunny family vacation spots, provide a welcome respite from Jack Frost nipping at your nose.

See our Family Resorts and Hotels Guide for more great places to spend the holidays with your family.

Nestled 25 miles from downtown Chicago is the quaint and vibrant town of Elmhurst, Illinois. If you’re looking for a new train town to explore, Elmhurst is a quick ride from the city and many of the main attractions are walkable. Make a day or a weekend out of exploring all Elmhurst has to offer for families. Between kid-friendly museums, state-of-the-art playgrounds, and family-friendly breweries, there is something for kids and adults to enjoy in Elmhurst.

Check out our Visitors Guide for more neighborhoods to explore near Chicago.

All aboard! Fall train rides are a fun way for DC families to soak up the autumn spirit and see the gorgeous fall foliage.

Some fall train rides offer a festive way to see the fall colors in all their glory. There are also Halloween train rides that offer both spooky and not-so-spooky activities such as pumpkin picking, trick-or-treating, ghost stories, and costumed characters. Whatever your family is looking for, there are fall train rides for every age and interest level within a four-hour drive of DC.

Here are 18 fall train rides and Halloween train rides to add to your fall bucket list. Find even more autumn fun, including our lists of the best harvest and pumpkin festivals and the best pumpkin patches near DC, in our Fall Fun Guide for Washington, DC Families.