Visiting the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Kenosha, WI with Kids: What You Need to Know Before You Go

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People enjoying the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Photo by Joseph Gage via Flickr

The Bristol Renaissance Faire is a magical realm that comes to life each summer. Step through the gates and be transported to the year 1574 where the streets are bustling with villagers, nobles, and performers in elaborate costumes.

You'll find different play spaces, interactive kid's areas, playgrounds, shows, interactive performances, food options, rides, games, shops, and a benevolent queen who rules over her kingdom. If you're planning a visit to the Bristol Renaissance Faire with kids, these insider tips will make the most of this enchanting adventure. 

If you're looking for other exciting family adventures in Wisconsin, opt for a weekend in Lake Geneva or Madison. Want to try something else? These family day trips and weekend getaways are the perfect fit for more family adventures.

Best Swimming Lakes near NYC You Need to Discover

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Highlands Natural Pool is carved out of a hillside in New Jersey. Photo courtesy of Highlands Natural Pool

These swimming lakes near New York City add to the bounty of options local families have for taking a plunge on a scorching day. While New Yorkers are lucky to be surrounded by water, including family-friendly beaches right here in NYC, plus those on Long Island or at the Jersey Shore, for families with little kids, the ocean can be intimidating, with its choppy waves and miles of hot sand without an inch of shade. If you're itching to get the kids out of the city to enjoy a swim in the great outdoors, what better place than one of the area's beautiful, tranquil, freshwater swimming lakes?

We've rounded up 11 swimming lakes in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut ripe for summertime visits. Some are even close to our favorite family-friendly campgrounds, making them perfect for a weekend away. Speaking of getting out of town, our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways has more picks for all seasons family travel.

12 Swimming Lakes Near DC You Need to Discover

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No ocean? No problem at Greenbrier State Park. Photo courtesy of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources

When the summer heat descends on the DC area, there are plenty of nearby swimming lakes and watering holes where families can make a splash and cool off. These swimming lakes (all within a two-hour drive) are a fun, natural alternative to the area's swimming pools and water parks. Many of them are within state parks and national forests, which offer a variety of other fun activities like hiking, fishing, and camping.

Here are our favorite swimming lakes and watering holes near DC where families can beat the heat and reconnect with nature. Many of these awesome swimming spots even offer a Tom Sawyer-like adventure that will have the kids swinging, diving, and absolutely grinning.

Check out our Ultimate DC Kids Summer Vacation Guide for even more fun ways to cool off this summer.

10 Swimming Lakes near Philly You Need To Discover

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Dive into Parvin State Park; the water's fine! (And a little chilly...) Photo by Cait Sumner

There are no two ways about it: Kids love swimming! Lake swimming is the perfect way to cool off when the beach or the pool is too crowded, or when you just want to mix it up a bit. There are quite a few swimming lakes in the Philadelphia area that offer great little beaches, picnic areas, and, of course, swimming! As an added bonus, most of these swimming lakes are located in state parks, which offer lots of other great activities, including camping and hiking. Most swimming lakes in the Philadelphia area are open Memorial Day through Labor Day. So get your bathing suits on, load up the car, grab the sunscreen, and head out to one of these great local swimming lakes in the Philadelphia region!

Looking for more summer fun? Check out our favorite Jersey Shore Beaches, or browse our roundup of Where to Go Camping with Kids. For all the best Philadelphia-area swimming spots, our guide to Beaches, Pools, Spray Pads, and Water Parks has got you covered.

Best Swimming Lakes near Westchester and the Hudson Valley You Need to Discover

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Get to Lake Tiorati in Harriman State Park early to beat the crowds. Photo courtesy of New York State Parks

Swimming lakes in Westchester and the Hudson Valley are ideal destinations for cooling off in the great outdoors. While you'll only find a few local swimming lakes and rivers in Westchester County, the greater Hudson Valley region offers plenty of places for freshwater swimming. 

Here, we've rounded up several lakes and rivers perfect for swimming with kids this summer.

Looking for even more fun in the sun? Check out our Summer Fun Guide.

Jones Beach Air Show: Guide to Visiting with Kids

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The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels headline the Jones Beach Air Show for the first time since 2004. Photo courtesy of the Blue Angels/via Facebook

The super-popular Bethpage Air Show returns to Jones Beach this Memorial Day weekend, featuring show-stopping aviation acrobatics. Hundreds of thousands of visitors attend this unofficial kick-off to summer, so we've put together the guide below to help make your visit to the Jones Beach Air Show as smooth as possible. 

For other open-air cultural offerings, check out our rundown of the best beaches and pools in the area, and bookmark our comprehensive Guide to Summer Activities.

Awesome Swimming Lakes near New Jersey You Need to Discover

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Cool off in Lake Marcia after a hike in High Point State Park. Photo courtesy of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

New Jersey has some of the best swimming lakes in the Northeast, so make a plan to dive into one this summer. From Cheesequake to High Point, most of these lakes are on the grounds of majestic state parks that offer other recreation opportunities, like hiking trails. Some, like Sunrise Lake, are even outfitted with incredible inflatable water parks.

If you're looking for other ways to cool off on hot summer days, check out our rundown of the best NJ pools that offer day passes or our look at the Garden State's top water parks. 

Best Things To Do with Kids this Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

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Pet farm animals and enjoy outdoor seasonal fun at the Hurds Farm Apple Blossom Festival in Modena. Photo courtesy of the farm

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

Spring is in full swing this weekend with family festivals including the Apple Blossom Festival at Hurds Family Farm. Kids will also love interacting with horses at Help a Horse Day at Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue or meeting adoptable dogs and cats at the Family Festival and Adoption Fair at Germonds Park in Nyack. 

Families are also invited to experience A Day of Puppetry at Cornell Creative Arts Center, which features elaborate, interactive shows by local puppet theaters.

Arbor Day, Shark Sleepover, and More Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids

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Scale some trees during the weekend-long Arbor Day Festival at Planting Fields Arboretum. Photo courtesy of Planting Fields

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.

Celebrate Mother Earth this weekend at great events like the Arbor Day celebration at Planting Fields Arboretum. Or, enjoy an overnight adventure by sleeping with sharks at the Long Island Aquarium. 

Meanwhile, LEGO fans can check out more than a million bricks on display at the weekend-long Brick Fest Live at Nassau Coliseum.

Keep reading for more of the weekend's best kid-friendly events on Long Island. 

Rutgers Day and More Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey this Weekend

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Celebrate Rutgers Day this Saturday with kid-friendly activities and entertainment. Photo courtesy of Rutgers Day via Instagram

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

Spring festival season is fully underway this weekend at the annual Rutgers Day, brimming with outdoor activities, entertainment, and more. Plus, get healthy tips at the YMCA's Healthy Kids Day at events in Scotch Plains and Toms River.

Read on for a full rundown of New Jersey's best kid-friendly events this weekend.