Looking for the top fishing spots in the Hudson Valley? We've got you covered. 

Few family-friendly activities are more relaxing than fishing, which involves spending a day basking in the sunlight and communing with nature. And the Hudson Valley is the perfect environment for fishing, with dozens of lakes, streams, ponds, and other freshwater bodies. 

Naturally, if you’re bringing the kids along on your fishing expedition, you’ll want to make sure there are plenty of other activities nearby to help keep them occupied–especially when you hear the inevitable, “I’m bored”. Read on for the top family-friendly locations for fishing in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley. 

If your kids love being outside, check out our rundown on 10 destination parks for Westchester families, and find ideas for other outdoorsy adventures in our Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in Westchester.

Fishing destinations on Long Island offer a fun outdoor family activity with deep roots in Long Island's maritime history and culture. Surrounded by the sea, kids on Long Island can drop a line at several beaches, local piers, from the deck of a boat, and parks. We've rounded up a few of our favorite family-friendly fishing venues where kids can test their skills and perhaps hook the catch of the day.

Looking for more seaside enjoyment? Make sure to visit these stunning Long Island lighthouses or Long Island boardwalks that are ideal for a family stroll.

Adventure Aquarium is a captivating day-trip destination that will engage and educate family members young and old. 

Camden's world-class aquarium showcases a huge collection of underwater life—more than 8,500 aquatic species—plus hippos, penguins, and an assortment of amphibians, birds, and reptiles. Also: sharks. Lots of sharks. Adventure Aquarium houses the largest collection of sharks on the East Coast, and it features the only great hammerhead on exhibit in the U.S.

In short, the kids will be awed. You'll be transported. Everyone leaves a little refreshed. 

Read on to learn more about some of Adventure Aquarium's most impressive attractions and several ways to get up close and personal with sea creatures. And, if your visit to Adventure Aquarium happens to spark a new interest in life under the sea, check out our rundown of the best aquariums for your next family vacation. For trip ideas further afield, read our comprehensive Family Travel Guide. 

Ever wish you could go up, up, and away in a hot air balloon in New Jersey? Or maybe just watch a hot air balloon float across the horizon with your feet planted firmly on the ground? In some parts of New Jersey, ballooning is part of the local culture, with local hot air balloon festivals and opportunities to soar high above the treetops as you take the trip of your life.

We've rounded up a few vendors offering hot air balloon cruises in New Jersey as well as some popular hot air balloon festivals—including the uber-popular, long-running NJ Lottery Festival of Ballooning—where you can catch a glimpse of a hot air balloon-filled sky. A hot air balloon festival makes a great day trip and a ride—while pricey—is an unforgettable splurge to celebrate your kid's next milestone birthday.

Considering visiting The Metropolitan Museum with kids? Here are our top tips for a family-friendly visit to the world-class art museum.

One Friday afternoon, my son came home from kindergarten and announced that we must visit The Met over the weekend because he had to see the Renoirs. His wonderful art teacher introduced the class to Impressionist art, and I was overjoyed.

If you're lucky enough to live down the road from a world-famous art museum, why shouldn't your whole family take advantage of the sprawling galleries, priceless pieces, and kids' activities at The Met, and explore it together? We've made countless trips to The Metropolitan Museum of Art since—it's one of our favorite museums to visit with kids in NYC—and are offering our top tips for a family-friendly visit to The Met, plus our favorite kids' activities at The Met and the top exhibits and hidden treasures to explore. Find all our top picks for cultural outings in our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits in NYC.

Everyone has their own idea of what the best Trader Joe's foods are, and while we all know about the magic of Trader Joe's Orange Chicken, the shelves at Trader Joe’s are lined with products that make meal time, snack time, and just about any other time more enjoyable. Eager to get some new easy dinner ideas, we asked readers what they think the best Trader Joe’s foods are. We were overwhelmed by the responses. Start this week's grocery list off with these best Trader Joe’s foods, from frozen treats to snacks to easy meal ideas. Meal planning just got a whole lot more fun!

If you need more meal inspirations, check out these 15 Easy Trader Joe's Recipes, and other favorite recipe ideas from taco recipes to sheet pan dinners kids love, in our Guide To Easy Recipes for Kids and Families.

Visiting the Long Island Aquarium with kids will give your family access to more than 100 exhibits and interactive experiences, ensuring a fun day admiring majestic sea life. Formerly Atlantis Aquarium, the Long Island Aquarium allows you to embark on an adventure to the lost city of Atlantis, where you'll be greeted by stingrays, sharks, seahorses, and even mermaids. 

With different events and experiences throughout the year, it's always a good time to say hello to Poseidon and his friends. 

For more entertainment inspiration, check out our Guide to Amusement Parks and Water Parks Near Long Island, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar. 

If you have a little historian on your hands, plan a visit to Historic Richmond Town on Staten Island, where guests immerse themselves in rich American history in Historic Richmond Town's living history village and historical museum that springs to life with seasonal programs, workshops, and year-round special events.

Read on for details on our visit to this Staten Island gem and learn about more living history day trips nearby. We've got more picks for great local museums in our Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits in NYC for Kids.