Scary Haunted Houses in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Head to Ulster Park to catch the spooky Headless Horseman Haunted Houses. Photo courtesy of event

Westchester and the Hudson Valley are teeming with top-of-the-line haunted houses and scream parks, many boasting Hollywood-quality makeup and special effects. If you have teens keen on a thrilling screamfest this Halloween, look no further. 

Read on for our list of the top haunted houses and scream parks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Some of these are returning favorites that have been recognized as the top haunted houses in the country, such as Pure Terror Scream Park. Others can even boast of being held in historic haunted locations, like the Dark Forest at Burn Brae Mansion.  

Find more great Halloween activities in our Westchester and Hudson Valley Halloween Guide

See Stunning Fall Leaves on a Long Island Nature Walk

The Quogue Wildlife Nature Preserve is open daily and is free of charge. Photo courtesy of the Quogue Lake Wildlife Refuge

Looking for the best nature walks to go see fall leaves on Long Island with kids? Read on for our top picks for reveling in magnificent autumn colors across LI. 

Fall on Long Island is perfect for memory-making with kids. The fall leaves and colors lend themselves to great family photos that will put you ahead of the game for holiday cards. 

So, grab your hiking shoes, pack some snacks, and enjoy a family day at one of these destination nature walks. Be sure to check out our Fall Fun Guide for more kid-friendly activities this season. 

40 Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey on a Rainy Day

Get drawn into the art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

New Jersey is teeming with potential rainy-day activities that are perfect for when your active kiddos want to do more than curl up with a book or stomp in a puddle. No matter the season, New Jersey has an array of great indoor activities for the whole family, from museums and indoor play spaces to bowling alleys, roller rinks, and more.

If staying in sounds better, we've got plenty of ideas for at-home rainy-day fun, too. Find more picks for things to do with kids on the next bad weather day in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces in New Jersey for Kids

Holiday and Christmas Events in NYC to Book Now!

Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has become an enchanting holiday tradition for many families. Photo courtesy of the garden

Whether you're a New York City resident or planning an epic Christmas in NYC itinerary, there are so many holiday and Christmas events in New York City that it's never too early to get a jump-start on planning your holiday season must-do's.

In fact, many Christmas events in NYC are already selling tickets—and fast! So act now to ensure you've secured your seats and reservations to these family-friendly holiday happenings in NYC.

The holiday season is big business in NYC, whether you're looking for a hotel with a view of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, or booking tickets to a beloved annual show like the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, read on for our top picks for Christmas events you need to book now, and find more seasonal fun in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events in NYC.

12 Haunted Houses in Chicago Perfect for Families Who Love Thrills and Chills

Photo courtesy of Sonny Acres Farm

If you like all things thrills and chills, this collection of haunted houses in Chicago is just for you. We've curated a list of haunted houses in and near Chicago, and don't worry—if you've got a little one who's not quite ready for a proper haunted house, we have a few options that'll get the right amount of screams that don't equal nightmares. 

Many of these haunted houses in Chicago (and haunted factories, prisons, forests, and maybe even a haunted office building) are super-scary and not recommended for kids under a certain age. Parents should know their children's (and their own) tolerance for gore and fright before heading to one of these haunted venues.

These haunted houses in Chicago are just a few of the fun Halloween experiences for kids and families. Be sure to also check out our list of free Halloween events and many other Halloween happenings in our Halloween Guide.

Activate Atlanta: A Physical Gaming Experience for Big Kids and Teens

Test your physical and mental prowess at Activate Atlanta, a gaming facility perfect for big kids, teens, and adults!

Activate Atlanta is an exciting, live-action gaming activity for families with children ages 10 and older. While kids will love the state-of-the-art gaming elements and light effects, parents will appreciate that this is an active gaming experience, utilizing teamwork with physical movement that includes running, jumping, climbing, crawling, and throwing. My kids were so excited to visit Activate — after only five minutes, my 13-year-old asked, "Can I have my birthday party here?!" Even more exciting? Mommy Poppins readers can use the promo code POPPINS10 to receive 10 percent off when booking online through November 6, 2024

Great Country Farms with Kids: Pumpkin-Eating Dino, Ninja Warrior Course, and More Family Fun

Beware of P. Rex, the Pumpkin-Eating Dino! Photo courtesy of Great Country Farms

Thinking of visiting Great Country Farms with kids? We highly recommend it!

DC-area families looking to spend a fun-filled day on the farm have no shortage of nearby options. There are so many fun farms in Maryland and Northern Virginia that offer family entertainment like giant slides, corn mazes, petting zoos, and so much more.

But my family particularly loves Great Country Farms in Bluemont, Virginia. Located about 75 minutes from DC by car, this family-owned farm is open year-round and offers a 12-acre play area; opportunities to pick pumpkins, apples, and other produce; seasonal festivals; and so much more.

Read on to learn all about why we love Great Country Farms. Then visit our Pick-Your-Own Guide to Farms in DC to find more fun farms to visit.

26 Amazing Free Haunted Houses and Halloween Displays in Los Angeles

Stroll by spooky Halloween yard displays to get you in a festive spirit. Photo courtesy of Spooky Hollows, Facebook

To get in the Halloween mood, nothing beats checking out the skeletons our neighbors have dragged out of the closets at these amazing (and free) haunted houses and incredible Halloween yard displays. One of the perks of living in the film capital of the world is that the people who make movies bring that same love of spectacle entertainment to their front yards. Some homes go all out with spooky, creepy, and cool Halloween decorations, while others create private haunted houses that rival the spectacles at big theme parks. 

Immerse yourself in the spooky season by visiting one of these free house haunts or wandering through a street full of movie-ready Halloween decorations. For more Halloween fun, from the best Halloween events in Los Angeles to trick-or-treating in Los Angeles, check our Los Angeles Halloween Events and Activities Guide

10 Great Farms Near Philly with Family Entertainment

At times Hellerick's Family Farm can resemble a thrill park. Photo courtesy of Hellerick's Family Farm

The fall is an ideal time to visit these kid-friendly farms in the Philadelphia area. Visits with the animals are a must, corn mazes are always a big fall hit, and who doesn't love a sweet treat from the farm market to end the day? All of that and much more awaits families at these 10 farms with music, rides, face painting, and more! 

Looking for more fall fun? Check out our Fall Activity Guide!