New York City and its surrounding suburbs have enough attractions to keep a family busy for a lifetime, but that doesn’t mean you should let its magnetic energy prevent you from enjoying one of these upstate New York getaways. The less visited northern and western parts of the state are loaded with fantastic attractions that present a feast of family fun. Whether you're seeking nature, culture, recreation, or a combination of all three, the Empire State won’t disappoint. Check out these nine kid-friendly upstate New York getaways and vacation destinations that will have the whole family saying “I Love New York.”

Find more regional travel ideas in our Weekend Getaways and Day Trip Guide.

The sweet spot on a family vacation is when you can adventure together as a family and have plenty of space for relaxing at the end of the day. Hunter Mountain in New York’s Catskills offers the perfect mix of activities for the entire family. With an itinerary of exploring, hiking, skiing, and lounging around our hotel’s fire, we were all very happy campers. There are so many things to do right on Hunter Mountain and in the surrounding area that appeals to parents and kids. Here are some highlights from our visit to Hunter Mountain, New York, including outdoor adventures, delectable dining choices, family-friendly lodging, and ample opportunities to chill out.

Find more things to do near Hunter Mountain on our list of 25 things to do in the Catskills with kids, and bookmark our Guide to Weekend Getaways and Day Trips for more family-friendly local travel spots.

Few holidays rival the scope and spectacle of Halloween in NYC, and while we've already told you about tons of fun things to do in NYC on Halloween, consider this your must-do guide to the big day. Our NYC Halloween Fun Guide overflows with Halloween parades, FREE Halloween events, and we've even spilled the beans on the best trick-or-treating spots in each of the five boroughs.

The countdown to Halloween is officially on. Some things are certain: The trick-or-treating in Tribeca will be packed with amazing costumes. The Jackson Heights Halloween Parade will be as big as ever, and the BAMboo! block party and Myrtle Monster Mash are going to rock Brooklyn.

Whatever you decide to do on Monday, October 31, arrive early and expect crowds. For the best ways to plan an epic Halloween night with your NYC kids, scroll on. Most of our picks are FREE or inexpensive.

Whether you're a visitor, a commuter, or a local, it's hard to avoid the action-packed things to do in Midtown Manhattan. Bordered by 59th Street on the northern end and 34th Street to the south, encompassing Times Square and Rockefeller Center, and extending from river to river, Midtown Manhattan has an expansive personality that matches its footprint.

Between the towering office buildings and the tourist traps on seemingly every street corner, it might seem hard to uncover worthwhile, family-friendly things to do in Midtown Manhattan, but take note: This neighborhood is loaded with entertainment, art, attractions, and activities.

We've done the legwork and rounded up 50 fun things to do in Midtown Manhattan with kids in tow. Bookmark our NYC Neighborhood Guide for more fun places to explore.

There's no shortage of art museums in New York City, but the Whitney Museum of American Art is the only one devoted to showcasing contemporary American art. While displaying the works of many well-established American artists, the Whitney Museum is unique in its dedication to presenting the works of living artists whose works often contains social messages.

The Whitney Museum in NYC is a must-see for families and kids to learn about important artists making their mark in the present day. Since modern art can be a bit intimidating even for grown-ups, we've gathered our top tips for a family-friendly outing to this unique museum and our favorite kids' activities to enjoy while you're there.

Read on for our top tips for visiting the Whitney Museum in NYC, and find all our top culture spots for kids in our New York City Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits Guide.

New York can be a big, intimidating place for anyone, and that's especially true when you're looking for fun things to do in NYC with preschoolers. Thankfully, pint-sized visitors and residents alike can enjoy plenty of fun activities for preschoolers. While NYC has preschool-friendly zoos and gardens, and a top-notch collection of children's museums, we wanted to provide something a little out of the ordinary. So, we've crafted five itineraries perfect for preschoolers. Whether you're looking for activities for preschoolers as a visitor, or you're a local who wants to check out a new-to-you neighborhood, we've rounded up five mom-tested outings meant to give you and your kid a glimpse of the city without totally wearing everyone down.

Find more fun things to do in New York City in our Guide to NYC's Best Preschool Activities, and bookmark our Family Activity Calendar, where you can search for fun things to do by age or neighborhood.

We don't talk about Bruno, but we do have to talk about the Disney Encanto x CAMP mashup that's taken over the store's flagship Fifth Avenue location. This paid experience invites visitors behind the Magic Door and into the Casita making you an unofficial member of the Madrigal family! Sound enticing? Book your tickets here! 

Read on for a glimpse into the magical Disney Encanto x CAMP world and find more indoor places to play in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones in NYC.

Living in New York City means access to some of the world’s greatest museums, and these world-class institutions are also completely underrated birthday party places in NYC. Next time you're faced with planning the perfect birthday party, consider hosting a birthday party at one of these NYC museums and culture spots, which offer unique themes you can’t often DIY. Fully interactive fun, animal encounters, giant ball pits, VR gaming, sleeping among exhibits, and a slime waterfall feature make these some of the best birthday party places in NYC.

So, escape the clean-up and hand over the organization and entertainment of your child’s birthday to someone else, and enjoy one of our amazing cultural institutions from a completely different perspective. We've got tons more suggestions for places to host your next NYC birthday party in our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in New York City.