New York City's Central Park is one of the most beautiful and functional parks in the country. When it was built, Central Park was actually excavated down so visitors don't see the city when they're inside.

This “escape” feature makes Central Park the perfect place to picnic with the kiddos, and the following Central Park destinations are just five of my family's favorite spots. Some are city staples, but a few are secret landing spots hidden in plain sight.

Luna Park has lured generations of New Yorkers to Coney Island for summertime fun, and the newest iteration of its famed boardwalk amusement park is celebrating 120 years of fun on Coney Island with a huge expansion that brings a brand new ropes course and adventure zone, plus a family-friendly roller coaster, and wet-and-wild log flume ride to the already action-packed park. That, in addition to classic crowd-pleasers like the iconic Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster, and all the fun along the Coney Island boardwalk and beach make Luna Park a bucket list destination for ultimate summer fun.

Whether you want to make a day of it, or just duck into the amusement park for some carnival games en route to the beach, here are our top things to do at Luna Park, plus some parent-tested tricks to keep you sane during a visit. Find more epic seasonal destinations in our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

It's no secret the Bronx Zoo is one of our favorite local haunts, and we love that it's always reinventing its offerings. The latest addition to the fun at the Bronx Zoo is Budgie Landing. The exhibit transports visitors to the open woodlands of Australia, where 1,000 budgies—small, colorful, and social parrots—fly freely and visitors have a chance to feed them.

These free-flying beautiful birds provided plenty of entertainment for my daughter and I. Read on for our tips for visiting Budgie Landing at the Bronx Zoo and find more fun animal encounters in our Guide to Zoos and Gardens for NYC Kids.

If you’re looking to fill your kids' calendar with fun and fitness this summer, Chelsea Piers Field House Brooklyn is now open for business. Bringing with it a place for parkour, a practical pool, and space for basically every physical activity imaginable, the Chelsea Piers Field House Brooklyn has everything you need for a full day—or full season—of family-friendly activities. 

From swimming to sports, here's all the family-friendly fun this supersized romping spot has to offer. Find more fun places to burn off energy with kids in our Guide to Kids' Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones in NYC.

When it comes to summer weekend getaways, there's nothing better than a beach town. There are lots of great family beach towns for tri-state area families to visit. From the many beach towns along the Jersey Shore to picturesque beach towns on Long Island and cute Connecticut spots, these beachy weekend getaways are all easy to visit from Midtown Manhattan, and a few are even reachable by public transportation.

Once there, you’ll find kid-friendly beaches, of course, as well as lots of options for fun—from family-friendly restaurants and amusement park rides to mini golf, ice cream shops, and quaint downtowns to stroll. And, while we’ve compiled this list of beach town getaways with weekends in mind, you can opt for a day trip or even extend your getaway to a week or more.

Looking for more summer travel ideas? Bookmark our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways and our Ultimate Kids Summer Vacation Guide for all our top picks.

Big things are coming to Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos. Just when you thought the supersized family-friendly resort had maxed out its fun factor, Great Wolf Lodge Poconos is undergoing a major renovation that's sure to wow. From the newly constructed family suites to seven brand new water slides to an outdoor pool area and the luxurious Woodland Villas slated to open in October, this family vacation destination is getting some major upgrades.

Read on for all the details on Great Wolf Lodge's improvements and start planning your Poconos getaway now. Find more vacation inspiration nearby in our Guide to Kid-Friendly Activities in the Poconos.

There are 14 miles of beautiful beaches in NYC, with sandy shores to explore in four of the city's five boroughs, and many are easily accessible by ferry or train. Soon, there will even be a beach in Manhattan. As much as we enjoy hitting the Jersey Shore, Fire Island, and other Long Island beaches, we're not big fans of renting cars and sitting in traffic.

Luckily it's easy to hit the sand and surf by taking a ferry or subway to these beaches in NYC. From the "Bronx Rivera" to iconic Coney Island and the Rockaways, these urban seasides often offer just about everything suburban ones do—except the out-of-town commute.

Read on for details on our favorite beaches in NYC and find more seasonal fun in our Ultimate NYC Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Once upon a time, Saratoga Springs, New York, was a magnet for famous—and infamous—New Yorkers, from the Vanderbilts, Whitneys, and Rockefellers to the bootleggers and gamblers who took up residence during prohibition. Thankfully, Saratoga's offerings are now more family-friendly than booze and bookies.

A 3-hour drive from Midtown Manhattan pays off with a visit to the historic racetrack, hiking and fishing, or even a quiet stroll down Saratoga Spring's quaint Main Street. Rainy day activities can be found at the Saratoga Children's Museum or the local library, which offers a great children's room. Here are a few of our favorite things to do in Saratoga Springs, New York, with kids. Find more local towns to explore in our Guide to Family-Friendly Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.