Top Cozy Resorts near NYC Perfect for Kids and Winter Fun

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Crystal Springs Resort offers tropical vibes indoors with plenty of seasonal fun outside, too. Photo courtesy of Crystal Springs Resort

Winter can be a magical season with holiday activities, frost-dusted landscapes, snowy activities, and relaxing fireside with a cup of hot cocoa. Families seeking a winter getaway with kids that's relatively close to NYC have lots of options. We've rounded up the 14 best winter retreats and resorts that are 4 hours or less from Midtown Manhattan by car.

For each winter getaway, we've highlighted why families love to go during the winter, kid-friendly amenities, and types of winter activities each resort or destination offers. From ski resorts in the Hudson Valley to all-inclusive winter resorts in the Poconos, you're sure to find the perfect winter getaway for your family.

If you're looking specifically for ski resorts near NYC, check out our guide to the best family-friendly ski areas near NYC and our comprehensive Guide to Skiing and Snow Sports, which offers more options in the tri-state area, New England, and even California. And, don't forget to check our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for all the information, tips, and advice you need when it's time to plan your family's next trip—no matter the season.

Our Sneak Peek at Elephant Valley (Spoiler: Kids Will Be Obsessed)

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Welcome to Elephant Valley at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park!

I got to take a sneak peek at the new Elephant Valley at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and I can sum it up in one word: WOW. I took my daughter with me to check it out, as she adores animals but has refused to visit zoos since she was a little girl. She hates seeing animals locked up in small enclosures. I do too. But, in keeping with the whole ethos of the San Diego Safari Park, the Elephant Valley is more of a biological preserve and conservation area than it is a traditional zoo. We were both so impressed—and thrilled!

It’s almost 13 acres of wandering, playful elephants. It’s educational, beautiful, and thoughtful—taking into account the needs and comfort of both elephants and humans. Here’s the scoop on the new Elephant Valley, including when it opens, what ages this is best for, and how much tickets cost.

For another animal adventure near San Diego, check out my visit to the Oasis Camel Dairy. For complete San Diego coverage, don't miss our San Diego Family Travel Guide.

Taylor Swift Experience, Sunday Science and More Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend

Jaime Sumersille's picture Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on

Take your little Swiftie to Fearless: The Taylor Swift Experience at The Suffolk. Photo courtesy of The Suffolk

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

Editor's note: Given this weekend's impending winter storm, please click through to each event's site to confirm they are still happening before you head out the door!
Long Island families, get ready to sing your hearts out with a pair of events this weekend. The Winter Movie Sing-Along series at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center offers a musical twist on a classic film experience that's perfect for all ages. On the East End, Fearless: The Taylor Swift Experience promises an upbeat, high-energy tribute that’ll have everyone belting out their favorite anthems. Or, get curious and creative during a Science Spa event at CSTL, where kids can explore cool experiments and hands-on fun that feels more like play than class.

Find all that and more top picks for the weekend ahead below!

MoMath Fest, Brooklyn Museum Teen Night, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend

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Tackle hands-on math problems during MoMath's Winter Math Festival, which kicks off this week. Photo courtesy of MoMath

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Editor's note: Given this weekend's impending winter storm, please click through to each event's site to confirm they are still happening before you head out the door!
January is shutting down with a blast of arctic air, but the last full weekend of the month in NYC offers lots of enticing activities to lure families out to play. Take the kids to the New York Boat Show and fantasize about life on the high seas, build something special at the KoKo NYC Makers Workshop, or make puppets at the Museum of the Moving Image's Open Worlds.

Keep reading for all our top picks for the weekend ahead, plus enjoy this sneak peek for next weekend, when Mommy Poppins hosts our FREE Winter Festival and Camp Fair on Sunday, February 1, at Atlantic Terminal—register today so we can save you a spot!

Monster Jam, America's 250th Party at the National Postal Museum, and More Fun Things To Do in DC this Weekend with Kids

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Monster Jam is back in town! Photo courtesy of Monster Jam

Looking for the best things to do in DC this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

It's the last weekend of the first month of the year, and there's lots of fun things to do! Kick things off with fun FREE events like America's 250th Party at the National Postal Museum.

There are so many events for vehicle lovers this weekend. Get tickets to Monster Jam at Capital One Arena to see monster trucks, or head to DC Transit Day at the National Capital Trolley Museum to the old street cars outside. The Washington, DC Auto Show also kicks off this weelend.

Finally, Saturday is the last to see the breathtaking Time by Luxmuralis Light and Sound Installation at the Washington National Cathedral. Don't miss it!

Trains! Trains! Trains!, Jurassic Quest, and More Things to Do this Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

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Train enthusiasts flock to Southern Museum this weekend for the popular model train display event. Photo courtesy Southern Museum

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend! 

The event name says it all for train fanatics this weekend—Trains! Trains! Trains!, at the Southern Museum, features interactive model train layouts and train-themed activities. Dinosaur enthusiasts head to Cobb Galleria Centre for Jurassic Quest, an immersive walk-through experience with both baby and big dinosaurs, opportunities for fossil digging and a LEGO-themed play zone.  Plus, car buffs zoom down to Echo Park Speedway's FREE open house, with interactive fun and entertinament. Note: North Georgia may be hit hard with cold weather this weekend, so check social media and event websites before heading out due to potential cancellations.

"The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show", Texas Rangers Fan Fest, and More Things to Do in DFW This Weekend

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Kids can see if they have what it takes to be a Ranger this weekend at Fan Fest. Photo courtesy of the Texas Rangers

Looking for the best things to do in Dallas and Fort Worth this weekend? Here are our picks for the coolest family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

I don't know about you, but with ice and potential snow in the weekend forecast, the last thing I want to do is be outside. The good news is that there are plenty of things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth with kids that don't require you to dust off your winter gear and brave the elements.

Dallas Children's Theater kicks off its 2026 lineup with The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show; a kid-friendly version of The Wizard of Oz comes to Casa Mañana in the Fort Worth Cultural District, and a free maker faire is happening at the Sci-Tech Discovery Center in Frisco on Saturday, and baseball lovers can hit up the Texas Rangers Fan Fest in Arlington. 

Feel like cozying up at home with the kids? We've got plenty of ideas to keep cabin fever at bay, like these boredom busters, the best board games for kids, and movies every kid should watch. 

Don't forget to check websites to confirm an event is still happening before bundling up the kids for the day. Stay warm, North Texas! 

Rock the Universe, Just for Kids Weekend, and More Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend With Kids

Submitted by Charlotte B on

SeaWorld Orlando's Just for Kids Weekend is a great time to connect children with watery fun! Photo by author

Looking for the best things to do in Orlando this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list!

Catch jaw-dropping stunts at the Garden Bros Nuclear Circus in Orlando, sing along at Rock the Universe at Universal Studios, or treat little ones to extra-special fun during Just for Kids Weekend at SeaWorld Orlando. You’ll also find free community favorites like Cops ’N Cars for Kids at Oviedo Mall and the culture-packed India Fair at Children’s Safety Village. Keep reading for all the details and start planning a weekend your family will love!