Weekend Trips

Spring Break Staycation: 45 Fun Things To Do with New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Sun, 03/24/2019 - 11:00am

Who says you need to get on a plane for spring break? Skip the long airport security lines (or road-trip meltdowns) and enjoy a spring break staycation right here in New Jersey.

Different school districts are closed during different dates, but you can expect roughly 10 days of uninterrupted playtime anywhere between April 13–28.

Luckily, you don’t have to go far to make the most of your time off. The Garden State is home to museums, playgrounds, zoos, and other fun zones that are just a short drive away. There are also many special events and activities taking place on specific dates within this timeframe to give you and your kids something to look forward to.

Read on for 45 fun things to do with kids—no plane ticket required. You can also find great nearby getaways in our Day Trips Guide, and for far-flung destinations, check out our Family Travel Guide.

15 Best Campgrounds for Tent Camping with Kids Near LA

Submitted by Martha Hall on Fri, 03/22/2019 - 6:11am

Marshmallows. Check. Bug spray. Check. Air mattress. Check. Camping season is upon us. Hurrah! And thankfully in this multi-terrain region of ours, you don't need to go far to enjoy a night or two under the stars. A weekend without electronics, breathing fresh air, and enjoying meals over the campfire: all this can be yours without driving more than an hour or two—in some cases even less! Read on to find an easy destination for you and your happy campers. (And if the one you want is full this weekend, check out a few last minute camping spots.)

8 Fun Day Trips From New York City Without a Car

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Thu, 03/21/2019 - 4:12pm

Although New York City is home to wonderful museums and cultural centers, destination day trips are a fun and easy way to give kids a change of scenery, while giving the whole fam the chance to explore nearby cities and towns. Maybe you have a touch of cabin fever, or just want to explore someplace new—either way, we've rounded up close-enough-to-home adventures for a quick trip out of the city. And the best part is, you don't even need a car! All of our picks are accessible by public transit, so no need to wrestle with traffic jams—just enjoy the commute with the kids and make getting there part of the adventure.

Must-See Cherry Blossoms in New Jersey's Branch Brook Park

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Thu, 03/21/2019 - 12:00pm

You don't have to travel to Washington, D.C., to see a stunning display of cherry blossoms this spring. You can enjoy the lush pink blooms right here in New Jersey this month at the 2019 Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, held in Newark's Branch Brook Park from Saturday, April 6 – Sunday, April 14.

The event features two festivals-within-the-festival—Essex County Family Day and Bloomfest !—both of which offer plenty of family fun, including performances, bounce houses, a nearby playground, live music, and Japanese cultural demonstrations. It all takes place under the fragrant canopy of the sprawling park's 5,000 cherry blossom trees—the largest collection in the country.

Read on for an overview of Branch Brook Park and the festival, along with tips for visiting with kids.

Weekend Fun for DC Kids: Cherry Blossom Festival, Marvel Universe, March 23-24, 2019

Submitted by Christine Mooney on Wed, 03/20/2019 - 10:37am

Bring on spring...and the cherry blossoms! This weekend marks the kick off of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, as well as some other cherry blossom-related events, like bicycling, Japanese culture days, and more.

Looking for something a little less pink and a little more "superhero"? Marvel Universe Live! comes to the DC area for the Iron Man, Spider-Man, or Black Panther fan in the family.

No matter what you choose to pencil in on the family calendar, Mommy Poppins wishes you a great weekend!

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19 Best Family Hotels in New York City With Perks for Kids

Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on Thu, 03/14/2019 - 10:30am

As a born and bred New Yorker who is raising children here myself, my out-of-town friends always ask my advice when planning their NYC family vacation. They want to know everything: the best things to do, places to eat, museums to explore and, perhaps most important, where to stay.

New York City is, of course, loaded with hotels, many of which are kid-friendly. And while it's nice to have options, there are so many it can feel overwhelming. That's why we've compiled this list of 19 NYC hotels for families based on a combination of personal experience, trusted recommendations from friends, and great reputations. These hotels offer kid-friendly amenities such as pools, free strollers, and even bunk beds. A number of our choices are located right next to top kid attractions; some are more budget-friendly and others a splurge.

Our picks aren't all in Midtown Manhattan. We included places to stay with kids in Lower Manhattan, the Upper West Side, and Upper East Side, and even hotels that are in hot neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens.

10 Best Kid-Friendly Weekend Getaways Near NYC

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Sun, 03/10/2019 - 1:05pm

New York City is unlike any other place in the world, and that’s just the way we like it. Still, it’s fun to get away from New York for a weekend to show our families what lies beyond the city limits (nature! culture! art! fun! food!), and the best part is, you don’t have to travel far to feel like you're a world away from New York.

We’ve rounded up ten of our favorite kid-friendly destinations for stir-crazy city families, all 2.5 hours or less from NYC.

Spring Wildflower Hikes To Catch this Season's Super Bloom

Submitted by Audrey M on Fri, 03/08/2019 - 4:30pm

Spring is the time for enjoying wildflowers! With all the rain LA has seen, people are using that word superbloom again this season; local hills look more like Ireland than Southern California, and you don't have to go far to see carpets of flowers. There are several locations known for spectacular annual displays of spring wildflowers (not to mention the famous fields of Carlsbad), and areas recovering from recent fires can surprise us by bouncing back beautifully. Large displays typically last two to six weeks, so you need to make plans quickly when word comes of a good one. (Don't have time to drive outside the city limits? We know plenty of local hikes worth checking, too!)

If we hear of more great displays, we'll share in our newsletter! (Have you subscribed?)