These budget weekend getaways are cheaper than your average getaway, while still delivering all the vacation fun. Because sometimes you really need to get out of town, pack in some family-only time, and explore something new—while leaving that vacation budget intact. You know, for that all-inclusive resort or Walt Disney World extravaganza!

With free and cheap activities, inexpensive places to stay, and gorgeous locations, these getaways are all big on family fun but come with small price tags.

For more family weekend fun, you can stay in town at our favorite Kid-Friendly Philadelphia Hotels for a Family Staycation or pack the car for a fantastic Family Road Trip from Philly. For these suggestions and more, check out our Guide to Philadelphia Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Pinkies up for high tea and tea party places in Atlanta! Treat mom like a queen with a Mother's Day high tea or spend any afternoon getting the royal treatment at these Atlanta tea party spots. (In fact, keep that royal energy going with a weekend tea party in May at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, in honor of the coronation of King Charles III!) High tea in Atlanta offers a fun way to spend time with kids— trying new drinks and foods, dressing up, and feeling like a princess or prince.

A note that almost all Atlanta high tea spots require reservations (and deposits for some) so plan accordingly. Sip hot or iced brews at our favorite Atlanta tea party spots, enjoy finger sandwiches (remind kiddos no actual fingers were used), and have a royally fun afternoon!

Even before the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation opened, the American Museum of Natural History was one of NYC's most iconic cultural institutions, so hulking in its square footage you'd be hard-pressed to see it all in one day. That statement is doubly true now that the Gilder Center is set to debut on Thursday, May 4, 2023.

A modern-looking new wing, the Gilder Center adds a whopping 230,000 square feet to AMNH and, for the first time, allows visitors to traverse the entire 10-building campus without hitting a dreaded dead end.

We got a sneak peek at the brand-new building and walked away in awe and anxious for a return visit with kids in tow. Read on for our review of the Gilder Center, which further cements AMNH's place on our list of the best museums in NYC for kids to visit, and learn about all the family-friendly attractions this brand new wing houses, including a year-round butterfly vivarium, 18 species of live insects, and an impressive, immersive exhibition backed by the science and data the American Museum of Natural History holds at the core of its mission.

Most Westchester restaurants will offer some kind of birthday package. But what if you want something more for your child’s special day than table service in a quiet room at the back of the restaurant? What if you want a truly unique experience? 

Fortunately, Westchester County has lots of restaurants, some exclusive to the area and others with multiple locations, that offer a wide range of singular birthday celebrations. With that in mind, here are 10 of Westchester’s most entertaining and unique birthday experiences.

Check out our rundown of the best birthday party places for toddlers in Westchester and more in our Kids' Birthday Party Guide for Westchester Families. 

Families have bonded over camping for generations, and Long Island campgrounds can offer oceanside views, hiking trails, historic landmarks, and even lighthouses. Happy campers can enjoy roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, making shadow animals on tent walls, chasing after fireflies, and otherwise celebrating nature.

We've compiled a list of the best camping destinations in Nassau and Suffolk counties just waiting to host you and your family. Some are located in our favorite state parks, while others are in county parks, where residency restrictions might apply. Other camping spots are private or corporately run and open to all. Regardless, camping is an especially popular Long Island pastime from May to October, so book soon if you plan to go camping this season.

Find more great outdoor fun in our Guide to Playgrounds and Parks on Long Island, and more vacation inspiration in our Long Island Getaway Guide.

In my family, the kids get to choose a birthday dinner restaurant from any New Jersey eatery they desire (within reason). They look forward to this ritual, and so do I. They have favorite spots they love to revisit, but I am also always looking for new suggestions to wow them. Keeping birthdays in mind, I did some research into fun and unique restaurants that children can enjoy on their special day.

Whether it is impressive kids’ menus, big sparkler candles, free food, or festive décor, the 10 featured locations below are sure to bring a smile to the birthday child’s face. This list highlights top family-friendly, locally-owned restaurants throughout the state. If you’re looking for big-name chains, then check out some of these themed restaurants in NJ.

You can find even more great family restaurants in New Jersey in our New Jersey Kid-Friendly Restaurants Guide.

Our kids' birthdays deserve special treatment, and luckily, Los Angeles has tons of unique restaurants to help make the celebrations extra special. So many places throughout Los Angeles take a "Happy Birthday" serenade to the next level with delicious desserts, outlandish decor, impressive culinary displays, and incredible settings. Read below for the best restaurants for kids' birthdays in Los Angeles. 

For more birthday fun, try the craziest desserts in Los Angeles, enjoy birthday freebies, browse great places for indoor kids' birthday parties, and see even more ways to mark the milestone occasion in our Birthday Party Ideas Guide for LA Kids. 

Madison Square Garden is a hub of activity no matter the season. Whether you've caught playoff fever and are cheering on the Knicks and Rangers or are seeing the latest family-friendly show on stage at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, when you hit the Midtown West hot spot, you're likely going to need a meal!

Avoid paying those sky-high stadium prices by opting for lunch or dinner out at one of these family-friendly restaurants near Madison Square Garden before or after the main event. Our picks include everything from fast-casual spots and excellent pizza—by the slice or pie—to unique sit-down establishments that will make your trip to Madison Square Garden a truly special occasion. All our top picks are below, but you can find more kid-friendly picks for many NYC destinations in our Guide to Family-Friendly Restaurants in NYC.