18 Eerily Fun Ghost Tours in Atlanta & Georgia

Step into the shadows of St. Mark Church, where history and mystery intertwine. Photo courtesy Atlanta Ghost Tours

Halloween is almost here, and there are great Atlanta ghost tours awaiting brave souls...alive and dead! Blending historical facts with hair-raising ghost stories, Georgia ghost tours allow families to explore prominent landmarks after the sun sets. If your Halloween calendar is already booked, many of these ghost tours occur year-round!

We’ve rounded up the best ghost tours around Georgia, including Atlanta, Macon, and Savannah (ranked as one of the most haunted U.S. cities!). While some ghost tours welcome kids of all ages, it may be best to leave toddlers and preschoolers at home due to tour length, required walking, limited restrooms, and spook factor. Purchase tickets now as many tours sell out close to Halloween.

Scary Haunted Houses in Orlando for Teens and Tweens

Explore immersive worlds, complete with a few jump-scares at Haunting Nights at Leu Gardens. Photo courtesy of the gardens

Orlando haunted houses will make even the bravest teens and tweens cower this Halloween! We've got the spookiest, creepiest Halloween events sure to make older kids and adults run for cover. Make sure to check out the details of each of these Orlando haunted houses and spooky sites, as many have minimum age requirements for entry as well as details about the dos and don'ts of visiting. Be ready for scares around every corner—you've been warned!

For tamer Halloween scares, check out our entire Orlando Halloween Guide for more ideas of where to go and what to do during the spooky season.

21 Things To Do on Long Island Before Your Baby's First Birthday

Spend a day at a Long Island beach with your baby during their first year.

A baby's first year is full of memorable firsts and, on Long Island, there's always something new to experience and explore with your little one. From a baby's first dip of their tiny toes into the ocean to their first play cafe fun to a first barnyard adventure, we have you covered.

The photo-worthy moments we've listed below will be plentiful. so be sure to have your phone or camera ready for some great pictures. 

For more new parenting tips, check out our Baby Guide for New and Expecting Long Island Parents

Best Trunk or Treats in New Jersey for Kids

Take your trick-or-treaters off the street to hit up one of these family-friendly trunk or treats in New Jersey. Photo by Mommy Poppins

Family-friendly trunk or treats offer New Jersey kids a safe alternative to trick-or-treating. Instead of wandering door-to-door, young trick-or-treaters can load up their Halloween bags with candy from decorated cars.

These trunk or treats—most of which are FREE—take place in parking lots, parks, and on blocked-off streets. They sometimes include parades, costume contests, and other Halloween activities.

Another bonus for sugar-crazed kids: Many of these trunk or treats take place before Halloween. That means double the loot if you make your plans right!

For more boo-tiful Halloween fun, check out our Halloween Guide for New Jersey Families

47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day

Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by  Jody Mercier

These fun indoor activities in NYC don't let rain ruin the day. This list of rainy-day activities for kids brightens up even the dreariest day. We've included picks for NYC's most kid-friendly museums, fun stores where kids can play, and plenty more parent-tested picks.

Of course, if you'd rather stay cozy at home, we’ve got you covered there, too, with creative indoor activities in our Guide to Boredom Busters for Kids.

25 Best Things To Do in Peekskill, NY, with Kids

Peekskill, NY, is a lovely riverfront community that acts an the unofficial gateway to the Hudson Valley.

Peekskill, New York, is most diverse city in Westchester and sits at its northeast corner, firmly grounded by the Hudson River. There are plenty of fun things to do in Peekskill. The friendly town is a magnet for artists, gourmands, and families all over the area.

Read on to learn why this unofficial gateway between to the Hudson Valley—with its river views and delicious restaurants—is sure to delight the whole family. Then, add a visit to Peekskill, New York, to your weekend trip bucket list, and find more local places to explore in our Day Trips Guide for Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

20 Quirky and Small Museums in Chicago Kids Will Love

Test your mind! Photo courtesy of the Chicago Sports Museum

Chicago is home to world-class museums like The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute of Chicago, The Field Museum, and the Adler Planetarium. But did you know that dozens of small museums in Chicago have quirky and cool attractions for locals and visitors alike? We hit the pavement to find the most unique small museums in Chicago because if there's one thing kids love, it's weird and out-of-the-ordinary things. And who knows? Your kids might even develop a new hobby after visiting one of the off-the-beaten-path museums on our list.

Is your favorite missing from the list? Let us know, and we'll make sure to get there soon! 

Top Quirky Museums and Off-the-Beaten-Path Gems for Kids Near DC

Planet Word has lots of opportunities to get hands-on. Photo courtesy of Planet Word

Families in the DC area are fortunate to live in one of the world’s top museum cities, with so many fascinating treasures to explore. While the Smithsonian museums are some of the most well-known, the city is full of many great museums to discover off the National Mall as well.

I’ve been working in local museums for many years planning family programs, early childhood classes, and school field trips. As both a parent and a museum professional whose focus is on creating kid-friendly museum experiences, I can share some of my favorite museums for kids in the Washington, DC area.

Here's a list of some of the best off-the-beaten-path museums for kids in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. For even more museums to explore, check out our Washington, DC Museum Guide, which includes our lists of free museums near DC to visit with kids and the best museums for kids in the DC area.

Pages