Where Can Families Eat Well for Cheap in DC?

Eating out as a family can get pricey fast—especially in a city like Washington, DC. So when I told people I was compiling a list of spots in the DC area where you can get a meal for under $10, many people insisted it would be impossible.

But some of my fellow local parents know otherwise. They came through with hidden gems and local favorites where everyone can eat well without breaking the bank. Along with some of my own family's favorite restaurants, I came up with a baker's dozen (like my food reference?) cheap places to eat in DC. Every spot listed has kid-approved cheap eats under $10 (and not just off the kids menu!) and has been tried and tested. The list includes both well-known local favorites and offbeat finds.

Want to save even more money? Check out our Guide to Free Things To Do in DC with Kids. Find more affordable restaurants for kids and families—as well as some splurgeworthy ones—in our Kid-Friendly DC Restaurants Guide.

The best things in life are free, especially with kids. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up dozens of the best free things to do with kids throughout Westchester. My family and I have had a great time at many of these, and there are free activities suited to different seasons and different ages. 

From outdoor adventures and museum access to STEM fun and seasonal excursions, and from Mount Vernon to the Catskills, there are plenty of activities to please every interest. Be sure to bookmark this for year-round reference—your family will never be bored (or broke) again!

Keep tabs on our Westchester and Hudson Valley Family Activity Calendar, which is always loaded with free (and low-cost) activities for all ages, and check out our Local Guide to Free Fun Things To Do.

Eating out with the family is always a fun adventure, but it can get pricey very quickly, so we've rounded up a list of affordable restaurants that won't break the bank.

Many of these hidden gems are local favorites, parent-tested, and promise to be family-friendly fun for all. The menus have kid-approved options that come in under $10 for a delicious meal on a budget. 

My family's favorite cheap-but-great meal spots include places like Pizza Village in Montauk and Williston Townhouse Diner, both of which do an amazing job of catering to young eaters. Read on for other hand-picked spots, which include Mexican food, bagels, burgers, and some hidden gems you'll only find on Long Island. For more affordable, fun activities, check out our Guide to Free Things to Do on Long Island with Kids. 

Some of our favorite places in NJ, from free zoos to museums, are fabulously free. And we're not just talking about one or two places. There are tons of free things to do in New Jersey with kids, which just goes to show that you don't need to spend a lot of money to have a great day.

Read on for 100 free family activities and events in NJ that we've hand-picked and tested out with our family. 

Looking for even more options? Be sure to check out our Guide to Free Fun Things To Do with NJ Kids, too. Note that some venues are run by volunteers, so donations are appreciated.

When it comes to free things to do in NYC, we're here to remind you that while raising kids in NYC can cost a pretty penny, it doesn't always have to. From free times to visit NYC's top museums and cultural institutions to restaurants where kids eat for free and stores where they can play for free, it's not too hard to find free things to do in NYC—you just need to know where to look. We do, and we're sharing our secrets with you on this list of 100 free things to do in NYC with kids.

Be sure to bookmark our Guide to Fun, Free Things To Do in NYC with kids and our Family Activity Calendar for more all-seasons entertainment on the cheap.

Dining with kids can add up fast, not to mention the added difficulty of picky eaters. So, where can you take the whole family to eat without breaking the bank? Philadelphia area parents know the hidden gems, and we're happy to share them with you. Every eatery on this list of local favorites and offbeat finds includes kid-approved meals for under $10 and has been tried and tested.

Looking for more places to grab a bite in the Philly area? Check out our Restaurant Guide for more great places to dine out.

Here's our mega-list of 100 awesome things to do in Houston that don't cost a penny – including playspaces, cultural venues, and outdoor activities. 

Set in the Blue Ridge range of the Appalachian Mountains, the southwest Virginia city of Roanoke is woodsy and outdoorsy—a major departure from the political hustle and bustle of the Washington, DC suburbs. Roanoke is affectionately known as Star City because of the giant neon star that sits atop one of its peaks (the largest man-made star in the world, FYI).

But that's not the only thing that shines in Roanoke. The city boasts cool museums for families, killer restaurants, and plenty of outside play activities. Our family had a blast exploring Roanoke, VA!

Here are our 21 favorite things to do in Roanoke with kids, including where to eat and where to stay. Check out our Ultimate Virginia bucket list for more fun ideas throughout the state, as well as our Family Travel Guide for more cool cities to visit.