There is no shortage of options for NYC beach-goers. We have the Rockaways, Coney Island and Jacob Riis all within city limits, plus the Jersey Shore and the often-overlooked beaches in Staten Island within day-trip distance. Each beach has its own special vibe and its own reasons to put on your flip flops and head to the ocean.

Sandy Hook is another kid-friendly beach destination that's just a short ride away from NYC on the Jersey Shore. And best of all: No car? No problem! A ferry can take you right to Sandy Hook beach from Manhattan. Bring your boogie boards and beach blankets and make your way to Sandy Hook for an unforgettable afternoon at the seashore: Here's what to know before you go.

Recently, we told you about a new indoor trampoline park for active families. Another new venue for those on the move is Boundless Adventures, a treetop adventure complex in Purchase that offers assorted aerial feats for varying levels of ability—and bravery. Read on to learn more about how your family can harness up and rise to the challenge.

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Let your kids spray away the heat and sprint away their energy against a sapphire horizon studded with beach umbrellas at Jones Beach State Park’s new splash pad. The facility is located at the Central Mall area by Parking Field 4 and opened in late June.

Toddlers, school-aged kids, and tweens will revel in their ability to push the round buttons and send water cascading through stalk-shaped pipes and pattering to the ground, where it gurgles up around their feet. 

This showery diversion is a great addition to Long Island's top sprinkler parks for kids and another reason why Jones Beach, in central Nassau, is one of our favorite Long Island beaches for families.

Some states are defined by their skyscrapers and sprawling metropolises, but Connecticut is distinguished from its 169 towns that dot the countryside, hills, and coastline.  While you may come here to shop, enjoy a cup of coffee at a local cafe, or cruise the countryside - there is a lot of history hiding behind those white picket fences.

As soon as the weather turned warm, I couldn’t wait to get outside with my son. And while we love going to the park or playground by ourselves to swing or play with toys, it’s extra fun when a friend or two can join us. So when I started hearing about outdoor playgroups, an increasingly popular alternative to meet-ups in houses and rec centers, I knew we had to check them out. We’ve mostly been going to the Growing Center (see below) because we live in Somerville, but all of the groups look like really fun (not to mention no-cost) ways to soak up the sunshine and fresh air while meeting new friends.

Let’s face it. Traffic on Long Island is no picnic. In fact, sometimes the thought of taking a day trip to another part of this beautiful island makes us cringe when we think of the hours on the road and the challenge of keeping the kids in the backseat entertained.

But there is a another way to get from here to there…the LIRR! Taking the train is a convenient, fun way for families to get around the Island without the hassle of driving. From beach communities to charming downtowns to family-friendly museums, there are plenty of LIRR stops where families can hop off and explore the area for the day.

We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite family day trips reachable via the LIRR, highlighting the best attractions and sights in the area. All aboard!

Let’s face it, a day at the Adventure Aquarium can work up an appetite, especially if your experience is anything like mine: Frantically chasing my child through dimly lit exhibits to make sure he doesn't get away from me in his excitement. While there is plenty to eat at aquarium's newly remodeled Marketplace, an all-new eco-friendly dining experience with a focus on locally-sourced, seasonal options for the entire family. But if you want to explore more options, you’re in luck - there are a handful of local options within walking distance of the aquarium.

When it comes to beach getaways, we regularly pack up and head down to nearby favorites like Surfside and Galveston Island, sometimes for a day trip, other times for a longer weekend stay. However, it rarely feels like an actual vacation because it's so close to home and so easy to do. So when we're in the mood for a longer family-friendly beach vacation, our destination is always the same: Port Aransas. Clocking in at almost four hours away, it's far enough from home to truly feel like we're getting out of town and packed with plenty of coastal town charm and activities that appeal to all family members.