A trip to the Southwest isn't complete without a stop in Scottsdale, Arizona—especially as an add-on to a Phoenix family vacation. There are so many things to do in Scottsdale with kids, from hiking and biking the gorgeous surrounding trails to learning (and possibly meeting) the cowboys that call it home.

I grew up in this beautiful city northeast of Phoenix, which was once a suburban region. Now, Scottsdale's picturesque appeal, great schools, elite resorts, and countless attractions have made it one of the most popular Arizona cities to both visit and live in.

Check out this list of 40 things to do in Scottsdale, AZ, including some awesome Scottsdale hotels for families. And if you're already traveling westward, take a look at our Guide to the Best Vacations Out West, including articles about nearby Sedona and Colorado Springs.

Make the most of winter with these day trips from Boston!

Visiting New Orleans with kids is a wonderful cultural trip for a family vacation. There are foods you've never heard of, hard-to-place accents, and street names you may not even know how to pronounce (Tchoupitoulas Street, anyone?) making New Orleans a must-visit city.  There are so many fun things to do in New Orleans with kids any time of year, but if you visit during one of the city's big festivals—like Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, or Bayou Boogaloo—your family is guaranteed an even greater time!

Read on for our list of the best things to do in New Orleans with kids, including the best family friendly New Orleans restaurants and foods to eat as well as family-friendly New Orleans hotels. If you're interested in taking the kids to Mardi Gras, find our 3 Day New Orleans Mardi Gras with Kids Itinerary.

For more great family vacation options, from warm and sunny vacation ideas to must-try dude ranch vacations for families, check out our Family Travel Guide.

Winter months are the best times to see manatees in Florida, specifically Orlando and the central region. When the weather is cold and water temperatures drop below 68 degrees, these warm-blooded mammals congregate in freshwater springs, which remain at a constant 72 degrees year-round. Mid-November through March are ideal months to spot manatees, so read on for the best places to see gentle manatees within a few hours of Orlando.

If you've got some little—or not-so-little—Hot Wheels fans in your life, check out Hot Wheels Champion Experience at Tysons Corner Center near DC. Open since December 2023, the 16,000-square-foot interactive environment includes 10 activities that combine physical play with video games, like designing your own Hot Wheels car and watching it come to life onscreen, building custom tracks in an augmented-reality room, and virtually driving a car.

I recently had the chance to visit Hot Wheels Champion Experience with my 12-year-old twin boys during a media preview. The boys enjoyed it, and said they would have loved it even more when they were younger.

Read on for all the details on visiting this experience, which is set to roll out of town on March 31, 2024. For even more ways to have fun indoors, check out our Guide to Indoor Fun for Kids in DC.

Get out of the house this winter and head to one of these 25 free indoor play spaces, including museums, malls, libraries, and more. 

When Old Man Winter comes calling, it's time to hit the slopes. Pennsylvania is home to several kid-friendly ski areas boasting endless lanes, steep trails, and snow tubing action to boot. Whether you're looking for the highest peaks or some bunny hills to teach your kids the sport, these ski resorts near Philadelphia have it all.

Looking for more wintery fun? Check out our Winter Fun and Activities Guide. We've also rounded up the Best Snow Tubing Spots and the Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks.

Exploring Palos Verdes with kids means idyllic ocean views, rugged coastlines, white-picketed equestrian paths, and lush forested hiking trails. The Palos Verdes Peninsula might feel worlds away from the rest of LA's urban bubble, but the gorgeous and quieter coastal scenes are worth the traffic, especially with plenty of things to do in Palos Verdes with kids. 

From jaw-dropping hikes and whale-watching lookout points to horseback rides and garden strolls, keep reading below for the best things to do in Palos Verdes with kids. 

If you're craving more coastal scenes, discover the best tide pools for kids in Los Angeles, drive up the PCH for the best things to do in Malibu with kids, and dive into our Beach Guide to Los Angeles and Orange County.