A visit to the Whaling Museum & Education Center in Cold Spring Harbor is nautical fun for the whole family. This Suffolk County gem is home to historical Long Island maritime exhibits and whaling industry artifacts dating back to the 19th century.

The museum's new exhibition, “Monsters & Mermaids,” transports kids and adults into a mythical world of mermaids, sirens, and legendary deep-sea creatures. Mermaid-loving kids and aspiring ocean explorers, like my little ones, were dazzled by the exhibit's hands-on crafts, interactive oceanic folklore fun, scavenger hunt, and more. 

Read on for details that will help you plan your family’s Whaling Museum adventure, and check out our Guide to the Best Museums for Kids on Long Island for more tips on visiting LI's top cultural instituations. 

Find a kid-friendly stay at our favorite hotels in Newport, RI!

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 are always things to do in Salem.

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, MA 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. 

Spend a night at the museum...literally! These Orlando museums, zoos, and attractions host fun sleepovers for kids of all ages and interests. Whether part of a school event, birthday party, or a club activity, sleepovers at Orlando attractions are fun, exciting ways to experience everyday places in a totally new way. If your child isn't ready for an overnight event, don't worry -- many of these zoos and museums feature late nights, where kids stay for an evening of excitement then eventually head home to get some shut eye. 

Take a look at some of our favorite places for Orlando kids to sleepover or spend a late night for a unique experience under the stars!

If there's one thing Philly has plenty of, it's museums. From art to cars, history, and more, there is definitely no shortage of museums in Philadelphia. With so many unique places to visit, there's bound to be some you haven't even heard of yet. Check out this list of great lesser known museums and find some fascinating new places to explore. Quite a few of these places are even FREE!

Note: Some of these museums have odd hours. You may need to make an appointment or reservation before you go. Check each website for more information.

If you're looking for more local museum fun, check out our Guide to Philly Museums.

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Find spooky fun with family-friendly New England ghost tours!

New Jersey has some weird, wonderful, and unique attractions for when you feel like exploring someplace new and different with the kids. The attractions we've curated below give kids a fascinating look into a world of fairy tales, insects, surfing, trains, and more.

If you're ready to wander off the beaten path, here are 15 unique museums and quirky spots that have all the makings of a memorable family outing. Find more ideas for a great day out in our Guide to Museums and Art for New Jersey Kids.