Since each of the Weekend Walks is overseen by a local community board or organization, the results are diverse, creative and reflect the unique flavor of the area. They're a great way to meet your neighbors and learn about everything your 'hood has to offer.

The official website has lists of Weekend Walks in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. It's hard to say which ones will be the most fun for families, since each one is so specific to its neighborhood and details aren't usually released in advance. However, if you happen to live nearby or come across one in your travels, it's worth dropping by. A few years back, one of our contributors went to one on the Upper West Side with her daughter and spent the afternoon lounging in a lawn chair as her kid decorated a box maze, got temp tattoos and ran around like a maniac in the middle of the street. For once she didn't have to yell at her to get back on the sidewalk. It was very relaxing and she learned about local restaurants and businesses she wasn't familiar with. You can find additional info about each Weekend Walk on the website.