Orange County's Best Kept Secret Is a Water Park Right on the Beach Submitted by Roberta B on Mon, 08/19/2019 - 4:44am Apologies, but I am about to blow a well kept secret wide open: Newport Beach has a cove hidden in plain sight that may be the best family beach day in the Southland. Of course the definition of "best family beach day" may not be the same for everyone; only continue reading if your ideal beach day would include kayaks, SUP boards, paddle boats, and an inflatable water park in a warm surf-free lagoon surrounded by clean sand, fire rings for s'mores, easy parking, and clean bathrooms. Only head to Newport Dunes if you're prepared for that level of nirvana. Read more.
The New Jurassic World Ride at Universal: Is It As Good As Jurassic Park? Submitted by Roberta B on Mon, 08/12/2019 - 2:15am A year without the Jurassic Park ride was like... a year without being splashed by dinosaurs. This summer's relaunch of the favorite Universal Studios ride was eagerly anticipated, though truth be told some of us who were big fans of the old ride were also just a little bit wary. Would Jurassic World: The Ride live up to its Jurassic predecessor? Or would it become just another virtual reality replacement of a classic analog adventure? It's a relief to be able to report that Jurassic World remains one of the best reasons to visit Universal Studios—and that Universal really did find ways to make our favorite ride even better. Read more.
Tween GoList: Amusement Parks, Water Parks, and More Things To Do With LI Kids Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 08/09/2019 - 2:52pm Bounce house boredom setting in? A tween eager for new interests and engagement offers parents exciting possibilities for family fun on Long Island. Here are some of our favorite destinations and activities for that hard-to-define age between young childhood and these teenage years. Added bonus: These activities are guaranteed to get your tween off the couch and away from the electronics. Read more.
25 Fun Ways To Beat the Heat with NJ Kids in August Submitted by Rachel Sokol on Fri, 08/09/2019 - 12:00pm If you're suffering from hot-weather burnout, don't sweat it: New Jersey has tons of cool activities to help the whole family chill out when the temperatures soar. From beaches and splash parks to blissfully air-conditioned bowling alleys and arcades, we've got the best ways to beat the heat during the sizzling second half of summer. Check out even more refreshing activities in our New Jersey Kids Summer Activities Guide. Stay cool, NJ! Read more.
11 Top Hotels with Outdoor Water Parks for Families with Kids Submitted by Liz Alterman on Sat, 08/03/2019 - 2:02pm Kids generally love the perks of staying at hotels but add on a water park and that regular family getaway suddenly hits thrilling new heights. Think of all the family fun: lazy rivers right outside the door, a room nearby for naptime, instant ways to cool down, and no time wasted stuck in traffic to the local pool or beach. We've rounded up 11 top U.S. hotels and resorts with water parks where families can chill out and cool off at the same time. Find great places to stay (and play) in Florida, Texas, California, and the East Coast. Read more.
What’s New at Rye Playland Amusement Park This Summer Submitted by Susan Miele on Fri, 07/19/2019 - 2:00pm A mainstay of Westchester summers is Rye Playland, whose rides, boardwalk, and other attractions have been drawing people from in and around the county for 91 years. Features have evolved over the decades, and this year brings new entertainment, new discount opportunities, a “floating” art installation, and the first new ride in a decade. Read on for the scoop! Read more.
American Dream Mega-Mall Finally Set To Open This Fall in NJ Submitted by Elaine Paoloni ... on Fri, 07/19/2019 - 9:00am It's been a long time in the making, but the mega entertainment complex in the New Jersey Meadowlands, now known as American Dream, announced it will finally open its doors to the public on October 25, with additional offerings added into the new year. Its many family-friendly attractions will include the western hemisphere's largest indoor amusement park AND North America's first indoor snow sports center—not to mention an indoor water park, ice skating rink, aquarium, mini-golf, LEGO Discovery Center, and much, much more. Read more.
Best Long Island Beach Towns for Families That Aren't in the Hamptons Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Fri, 07/05/2019 - 3:50pm Long Island has some great beaches…and surrounding these beaches are some really great beach communities. And we’re not just talking about the Hamptons, Montauk and the North Fork. On both coasts of Nassau and western Suffolk counties, there are communities that boast gorgeous seashores and so much more. From bustling boardwalks and marinas to harborfront shopping ... from dining to playgrounds and parks with water views to free outdoor music and events, these beach towns are the perfect stay-cation spots for Long Island families looking for alternatives to the East End. Read more.
