Holidays

All A-Boo! Halloween and Fall Train Rides for New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Shari Simpson on Mon, 09/19/2016 - 1:00pm

Halloween and hayrides go hand in hand, but have your kids ever heard of a "Halloween train"? If you have a junior train conductor in your family, don't miss out on one of these four seasonal NJ railway adventures. Take a seat in a vintage caboose, travel through gorgeous fall foliage, pick pumpkins to bring home, and even trick-or-treat onboard. After the ride, round out the day with autumn activities, from corn mazes to crafts to spooky scarecrows.

Check out our NJ Fall Fun Guide for even more seasonal family fun around the state, and find more cool fall train rides just over the border in Pennsylvania, from a haunted ride to preschooler-friendly Day Out with Thomas.

Area/Neighborhood:

Age:

Category:

Trains, Dinos & Heros

Fall Festivals and Fairs in Fairfield County

Submitted by Jacqueline Miller on Thu, 09/08/2016 - 8:00am

Fall is an amazing time to be in Connecticut, with wonderful fairs and festivals nearly every weekend, celebrating the many aspects of Nutmeg life, from apples to pumpkins to oysters and beyond. Most of these have free admission, but charge small fees so you'll want to check that before heading out. Have fun at the fair!

Area/Neighborhood:

Age:

Category:

Weekend Getaway: Family Fun in Mystic, Connecticut

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Tue, 08/02/2016 - 11:34am

The village of Mystic in Connecticut is a charming little getaway for New York City families. About two hours by car from Midtown Manhattan, Mystic offers lots places for fun with the kids: a fabulous aquarium, the largest maritime museum in the country, and a beautiful outdoor retreat for hiking, birding, and exploring nature—an ideal family excursion no matter if you stay for the day or the entire weekend. Mystic is especially fun during Memorial Day weekend when the Rotary Club hosts its annual “Lobster Days” celebration with children’s lobster-themed storytelling, cooking and fishing demonstrations, and of course lobster dinner.

Area/Neighborhood:

Age:

Travel Regions:

Category:

4th of July Weekend: Parades, Lobster, Sailing, and Fireworks

Submitted by Clementina Verge on Wed, 06/29/2016 - 5:30pm

Independence Day weekend - a feast for the senses: barbecue, gooey s'mores, flags dancing in the summer wind, and fireworks booming throughout the state. If seeing the night sky light up is a must for your family, visit our comprehensive list of 4th of July celebrations in CT (but be sure to check venue websites for possible last minute schedule changes).

Of course there are many other activities happening this weekend. For a more leisurely pace, enjoy Summer Music Sunday at Mystic Seaport, trek with dinosaurs at the Southington Drive-in, or unleash your inner artist while exploring the bucolic Weir Farm, our state's only national park. Raspberry lovers can start picking at these farms (it's raspberry season!), and our Connecticut Beaches and Water Fun Guide will help you cool down in the best places.

Check the Mommy Poppins calendar to see what else is happening this weekend (and beyond!). For the latest and best family-friendly events, subscribe to our weekly newsletter and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Area/Neighborhood:

Age:

Category:

10 Ways To See July 4 Fireworks and Festivities in the Lower Hudson Valley

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Sat, 06/25/2016 - 2:30pm

The 4th of July is almost here! We've already filled you in on the best places to catch stunning Independence Day fireworks in Westchester. Now we are heading across the county line to round up the top spots for holiday sparklers throughout Lower Hudson Valley. Since many of the 2016 celebrations also include live music, ball games, parades, magic shows and even a carnival, these festivities are definitely worth the drive if you're coming from Westchester.

Area/Neighborhood:

Category:

4th of July Fireworks in Connecticut

Submitted by Jacqueline Miller on Sat, 06/25/2016 - 10:34am

Who doesn't love fireworks—especially after a sandy day at the beach like the celebration in East Haven? Here in Connecticut, fireworks season starts before July 4th and continues afterward, too. Kick off summer with a bang with our roundup of more than 40 (!) CT pyrotechnic displays in honor of Independence Day. As always before heading out, check the weather forecast and parking restrictions, especially at beaches. Some venues allow nonresidents to pay for parking on-site, but others (I'm looking at you Greenwich) require that passes be purchased in advance at a separate location.

Area/Neighborhood:

Age:

Category:

4th of July Fireworks: Where to Celebrate with Families in Westchester

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Fri, 06/24/2016 - 9:00am

Note: Due to the inclement weather Friday night, some of these events have been rescheduled. Dates shown here include the updated schedules.

Independence Day is right around the corner, and that means summer fun, barbecues and, of course, stunning pyrotechnics. Fireworks go hand in hand with the 4th of July, so the big question is, where to see a show? The famous Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular is one option (and we have the best spots to watch with your family); however, if you prefer to stay closer to home, there are great displays happening all over Westchester. Some celebrations take place before the holiday, and often the fireworks come with fairs, festivals and concerts, so there's lots to do and see. Read on for where to catch the best 4th of July fireworks in Westchester.

Area/Neighborhood:

Category:

20 Ways to Celebrate 4th of July in Philly Without Fireworks

Submitted by Lindsay Li on Wed, 06/22/2016 - 10:00am

It’s time to celebrate America! While you might think no 4th of July is complete without a celebration of fireworks, we have found 20 events around the region that are firework-free but full of American pride and good old fashioned family fun! From readings of the Declaration of Independence to music and movies, the region is full of ways to celebrate our Independence that don’t keep us up late at night or include any of the rockets red glare or bombs bursting in air.

Area/Neighborhood:

Category: