Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids

Allison Tibaldi's picture Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on

The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!

There's no shortage of hotels in NYC, and as a born and bred New Yorker raising children here myself, I often find myself handing out recommendations for family-friendly hotels in NYC to friends and family who are planning their own NYC vacations. 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 20 hotels in NYC for families based on a combination of personal experience, trusted recommendations from friends, and great reputations. These NYC hotels offer kid-friendly amenities, including pools, kids-friendly welcome treats, and even bunk beds. A number of our choices are located right next to top kid attractions; some are budget-friendly, and others are a splurge.

Our picks aren't all in Midtown Manhattan either. We've included places to stay with kids in Lower Manhattan, on the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and even hotels in Brooklyn.

Once you've nailed down your hotel choice, check out our parent- and kid-tested recommendations for top attractions in NYC, our favorite children's museums in NYC, and much more in our NYC Visitors Guide for Families.

Best Strawberry Picking Farms and Strawberry Festivals in New Jersey

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Pick some delicious, ripe strawberries at Johnson's Corner Farm this spring. Photo courtesy of the farm

Strawberry picking in New Jersey is one of the sweetest times of year in the Garden State. 

Whether this is your child’s first time strawberry picking or you’re looking to fill pies, jam jars, smoothies, and shortcakes for months to come, you'll want to check out our long list of farms for strawberry picking in New Jersey where your kiddos can get their hands on bushels of juicy red berries.

Be sure to check out our rundown on the best places to go peach picking in New Jersey and other farm-fresh ideas in our Guide to Pick Your Own Farms in New Jersey.

Strawberry Picking on Long Island and Summer Strawberry Festivals on Long Island

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Fill your baskets with ripe strawberries at Garden of Eve in Riverhead. Photo courtesy of the farm

Strawberry picking season on Long Island is almost upon us. There are lots of options for strawberry picking, and deciding where to go can be challenging, so we've handpicked our favorite farms to share with you.

Harvesting your own fruit is not only fun, but it connects you with your food and supports local farmers. Long Island strawberries tend to be sweeter and more delicate than most grocery-store varieties; they also have a shorter shelf life.

Check out our Guide to Long Island Farms for more places where you can pick your own fruit and vegetables. 

Best Strawberry Picking and Strawberry Festivals in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

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Fishkill Farms offers certified organic berries during its strawberry-picking season.

Strawberries from the supermarket or farmer's market are tasty, but going strawberry picking in the Hudson Valley is a springtime experience worth savoring with your family. Fortunately, there are plenty of farms for strawberry picking in the Hudson Valley that offer not only strawberry picking but other attractions that round out a visit.

Read on for our favorite local farms for strawberry picking in the Hudson Valley, and check out our Guide to Pick-Your-Own Farms in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

10 Places to Visit in the Chesapeake Bay Area with Kids

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The Chesapeake Bay area is home to lots of great beaches to explore. Photo courtesy of the author

The Chesapeake Bay area is one of most beautiful places in the country for families to watch a sunset, splash at a beach, explore museums, and have fun outdoors. As the biggest estuary in the United States, the Chesapeake Bay boasts seemingly endless miles of coastline for nature lovers to enjoy.

I have vacationed in the Chesapeake Bay area my entire life and even lived there for several years. Now I have the joy of taking my own children back to enjoy it.

Read on for 10 great places to visit in the Chesapeake Bay region with kids. Then check out our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for DC Kids for more great nearby areas to explore, like Williamsburg, VA and the Delaware beaches.

Florida Campgrounds with Extra Entertainment for Kids

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Florida campground Westgate River Ranch offers amazing extras, like archery. Photo courtesy of Westgate River Ranch

Planning a Florida camping trip this year? Several Florida campgrounds have additional amenities for kids of all ages to enjoy, from petting farms to water parks, and everything in between. We’ve rounded up seven Florida campgrounds chock full of fun features to keep the littles (and even the teens) happy! Florida camping weekend trips are great ways to enjoy the outdoors, bond with kids, and discover the uniqueness that Florida campgrounds offer.

For more ideas for camping beyond the state, see our list East Coast Beach Camping Sites from Florida to Maine.

Heal The Bay: An Insider's Guide to Santa Monica's Aquarium

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Little girl enjoying the aquarium. Photo by Kylie Williams

Heal the Bay Aquarium, nestled within the Santa Monica Pier, stands as a beacon of marine conservation and education. The aquarium offers visitors a captivating journey through its exhibits, showcasing diverse sea creatures and habitats. 

From colorful tide pools teeming with sea stars and anemones to shark touch tanks, and interactive displays highlighting the importance of ocean conservation, Heal the Bay Aquarium provides an immersive and educational experience for visitors of all ages. 

Discover all there is to do at the Santa Monica Pier with kids and find more fun things to do with kids in Santa Monica beyond the pier. For more animal encounters, browse our Zoos and Gardens for Los Angeles Kids Guide. For more aquarium fun, check out this guide to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. 

Toronto with Kids: 25 Best Things to Do in Toronto, Canada

Submitted by Rebecca Singer on

Niagara Falls makes for an easy day trip from Toronto.

Toronto, Canada (the country's largest city) is an ideal vacation destination for families looking for an urban adventure. Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, the city offers a perfect mix of outdoor activities, cultural attractions, world-class museums, and charming neighborhoods. With so much to see and do, there’s something for everyone in your family to enjoy.

My family visited Toronto last summer and had a blast. Here are the 25 best things to do in Toronto, Canada with kids, including iconic city landmarks, kid-friendly museums, sports venues, amusement parks, and family-friendly Toronto hotels.

For more great family vacation spots in Canada, check out our Canada Family Travel Guide, including the top things to do in Montreal with kids.

Free Outdoor Movies in the DC Area this Summer for Kids

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Outdoor movies abound in the DC area all summer long. Photo courtesy of the Fairfax County Park Authority

It doesn't get much better than enjoying free outdoor movies on a warm summer evening. This summer, the DC area is brimming with outdoor movies for families in parks, plazas, wineries, and even a cemetery. Grab your lawn chairs or blankets, pack a picnic, and enjoy a relaxing evening of free family fun in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

Our Outdoor Activities Guide for DC Kids has even more ideas for fresh-air fun, like free concerts and outdoor music festivals. And, be sure to keep checking our DC events calendar as more outdoor movies are announced.