The Hudson Valley is a great destination for weekends and day trips, offering beautiful nature, scenic hiking trails, outdoor activities, historic sites, and world-class art. When it comes to that last detail, Dia Beacon is our go-to destination.

The larger-than-life museum and exhibition space houses large-scale, post-modern artworks and installations on the banks of the Hudson River in the beautiful, family-friendly town of Beacon.

Whether you're looking for an enrichment activity to help round out your child's schedule between Zoom classes or need remote learning assistance that includes art classes, Brooklyn families are in luck. Playday, the beloved LIC creative space, has expanded, opening a sprawling new location in Cobble Hill.

Playday dubs itself a "micro-school" and offers a wide range of art classes and creative programming to inspire children's imagination and foster their creativity. It meets the moment with a mission is to "celebrate your child’s individuality by exploring, creating, and activating in a safe, socially distanced environment."

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Industry City has welcomed a brand new tenant: Powerhouse at IC is the newest outpost of the local indie bookstore chain. It brings a curated selection of literary titles and an impressive, diverse selection of children's books to the Sunset Park development.

Centrally located in the Food Hall of Building 2, Powerhouse at IC is open and airy, with sunlight pouring through large, industrial windows. With yellow accents, the space feels warm and inviting, ideal for perusing the shelves for your next great read or gift.

Delicious, steaming hot cocoa topped with pillowy marshmallows is a kids staple during the winter months, warming little hands from the very first sip. You can make it at home, of course, but foodie Brooklyn offers a multitude of independent chocolatiers, coffee shops, and cafes serving up rich, creamy and inventive hot chocolates.

We recently covered the best spots to get hot chocolate in Manhattan, as well as Queens, but Brooklyn, home to the city's artisanal food scene, has plenty to offer, too. Read on for 10 of our favorite spots to pick up a cup of hot chocolate with the kids in this family-oriented borough.

Therapeutic massage offers both physical and psychological benefits for an expectant mother. It's a great way to relax, feel good, and help relieve many of the aches and stress of pregnancy, especially for NYC mamas who are hoofing it all over town and up and down those subway stairs.

We recently rounded up great options for prenatal massage in Brooklyn, and now we're spotlighting places in Manhattan where you can enjoy the healing and soothing benefits of prenatal massage. All offer side-lying positions and some also have special pillows and tables that allow you to lie face down, even with a pregnant belly.

Check out our NYC Baby and Pregnancy Guide for more new mom info, including fun baby and me classes and where to meet other parents.

We've probably all seen at least one production of Cinderella, whether in film form or onstage. But have you ever seen the fairy godmother roll in on skates? Or the evil stepsisters played in drag? The Commedia Cinderella, presented by Ragtag Theatre Company, is a raucous and rambunctious adaption on the timeless fairy tale. From a furry, colorful sneaker in lieu of a glass slipper to song and dance numbers performed to pop hits, Commedia Cinderella, kept us in giggles, even if some of the jokes flew right over my kids' heads.

Read on for our full review of this Off-Broadway family show, playing in NYC through mid-summer 2016.

Whether it's Park Slope, Williamsburg, the Upper West Side or Tribeca, we all identify with the unique NYC neighborhoods we call home.

New York City is comprised of numerous diverse neighborhoods each with its own characteristic buildings, vibe and mix of people. A new exhibit called Our City at the Brooklyn Children's Museum features six contemporary artists examining different aspects of neighborhoods and life in New York City.  

Check our NYC Museum Guide for more current art exhibits and tips like FREE times to visit or how to score discounts.

Getting back into shape after having a baby can be daunting. But we know exercise gives us more energy, encourages a positive body image, and just seems to make us feel better. Don't know where to start? A postnatal exercise class geared toward new moms is a great way to get motivated, meet other new moms, and learn what exercises will help you look like your old self (or better).

We've rounded up 10 postnatal exercise classes in New York City that address the needs of your new body. Many are baby friendly and some offer free or discounted trial classes. As with any new exercise program, check with your doctor for the go-ahead.

Check our NYC Baby Guide from Pregnancy to Preschool for more new mom city info, or find more classes in our Classes Guide and Directory Listings.