When it comes to summer weekend getaways, there's nothing better than a beach town. There are lots of great family beach towns for tri-state area families to visit. From the many beach towns along the Jersey Shore to picturesque beach towns on Long Island and cute Connecticut spots, these beachy weekend getaways are all easy to visit from Midtown Manhattan, and a few are even reachable by public transportation.

Once there, you’ll find kid-friendly beaches, of course, as well as lots of options for fun—from family-friendly restaurants and amusement park rides to mini golf, ice cream shops, and quaint downtowns to stroll. And, while we’ve compiled this list of beach town getaways with weekends in mind, you can opt for a day trip or even extend your getaway to a week or more.

Looking for more summer travel ideas? Bookmark our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways and our Ultimate Kids Summer Vacation Guide for all our top picks.

Bring some snap, crackle, and fizz to your 4th of July festivities—without the fire hazard—by making colorful, homemade fizzy chalk fireworks. This STEM activity adds some sizzle to your summertime sidewalk chalk using just a few basic ingredients: baking soda, cornstarch, food coloring, and vinegar. And if being festive and educational isn’t enough, note that this project kept my kids busy for a solid 45 minutes. So occupy the littles while you fire up the barbecue and watch them delight in their bubbly explosions that are fit for the 4th.

For more science fun, check out our 64 favorite science experiments for kids or these super simple science activities for preschoolers. All this and more can be found in our Guide to Science Experiments for Kids.

Chicago's free swimming pools typically open at the end of June and close at the end of August. So on sunny days, you can find Chicagoans swimming, floating, and soaking up the sun at one of Chicago’s fifty (!) free outdoor swimming pools. Many free Chicago public pools have separate splash pads, or kiddie pools with zero entry for the littlest swimmers—and a few even have water slides! 

Here are a few of our favorite outdoor pools in Chicago for no-cost summer fun with kids. Looking for more ways to play in Chicago with kids this summer without breaking the bank? Check out our list of Free and Affordable Summer Camps for Chicago Kids, and also our complete Summer Fun Guide for Chicago Kids!

These car games for kids are completely free and imaginative road trip games that keep kids happy and entertained while parents concentrate on the road!

If Mom and Dad's ideas for vacation involve hopping in the car and getting out of Dodge, games to play in the car make everything easier. Our fond childhood memories of family road trips with our own parents sometimes gloss over how boring the backseat can be. If you're looking for a solution that doesn't involve screens, try some of these car games for kids of all ages—from those strapped in a car seat to tweenagers.

For everything your family needs to plan the perfect road trip, from road trip essentials to things you can pack to keep kids entertained, head to this Ultimate Road Trip Guide for Families. Want to get out of town, but you need some suggestions for where to go? Check out our Guide to Weekend Getaways and Day Trips near you.

It's back, and Connecticut kids have another summer freebie. More than 125(!) of the state's museums will provide free admission for Connecticut kids and an accompanying adult this summer. Read on for more details.

And don't miss our roundup of the 50 best things to do for FREE in Connecticut with kids this summer. And our Ultimate Connecticut Kids Summer Vacation Guide is here to help you with the best things to do in Connecticut, from beaches and pools to water parks and festivals, plus cool deals, and giveaways—all summer long.

The best blueberry picking farms on Long Island offer a great activity for kids of all ages: Bushes are low to the ground, berries are small enough for little fingers to grasp, and who can resist a bowl of fresh berries and cream?

July is the peak season for blueberries and raspberries, while blackberries ripen in August. If you're in the market for some farm-fresh berries, call the farms before heading out to confirm picking hours and berry availability. Don't forget to check out our Pick-Your-Own Guide to Farms Near New York City for more fruit-picking options and farm fun in the tri-state area, and bookmark our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide for tons of other things to do this season.

Summer birthday parties in Houston are tough — until you add water. These pools, water parks, and aquatic centers in Houston will ensure your guests have a great time and stay cool. All of these birthday party options have fees associated with them, but we also have recommendations for some of the city's best FREE swimming pools where you can call the city of Houston for reservation details. There are also some great pools around Houston for indoor pool parties. And for more ideas on where and how to throw the best birthday party in and around Houston, check out our Houston party guide.

While DC and its surrounding suburbs are teeming with pricey community swimming pools, you don't need to reach into your wallet to make a splash with your family this summer. The city has plenty of public swimming pools, both indoors and outdoors, that are completely free for DC residents (and super cheap for non-residents). All you need to do is show proof of residency for some wet and wild fun that's free of charge.

So grab the swim gear and head to one of these 12 free public swimming pools in DC. For more water fun this summer, check out our lists of swimming lakes, splash pads and sprinkler parks, outdoor water parks, and parks with beaches near DC. After all, there's no better way to beat the heat than by having some fun in the water.