Peaks Island is located in Casco Bay, three miles from downtown Portland, ME. For such a small place (just 720 acres), the island has quite a story to tell - from its early days as a fishing village, to its era as the “Coney Island of Maine” in the late 19th century, to its time as a WWII outpost, when concrete bunkers and observation posts were set up to help protect Portland in case of German attacks, to its current role as a haven for day trippers and those looking to get away from it all for a week or the entire summer.

For New England families looking for a perfect summertime destination with kids, a 20-minute ferry ride is all that separates them from Peaks Island and the simple pleasures of island life - biking and walking, swimming, kayaking, sailing, beach combing, and even just relaxing.

Read on for our recommendations of the best things to do on Peaks Island.

Although Fête Paradiso isn't on Governors Island for summer 2014, it's supposed to return in 2015! By now you may have heard about Fête Paradiso, the summer-long installation of vintage French carnival rides and attractions on Governors Island. Everyone's been writing about it, including us, but we wanted to experience it in person to see if it really was as awesome as it sounded. So despite the threat of rain, my seven-year-old daughter and I went on opening day and I can say without reservation that it's the most fun we've had this summer.

With its Victorian houses, lush lawns, lack of cars and old-time vibe, Governors Island is already a fantastic seasonal destination. Fête Paradiso makes it even more magical and if you click through our slide show, it's easy to see why. When you get off the ferry, just follow the spray-painted merry-go-round horses on the ground to Nolan Park where you'll find meticulously restored carousels, flying swings, swing boats and other rides from the 19th and early 20th centuries. But the rides aren't its raison d'être: Fête Paradiso is all about atmosphere and it transports you to old-world Europe with mimes, musicians and French cuisine.

Before you hop a ferry back in time to Fête Paradiso, we've got some insider tips that will help you make the most out of your visit with kids.

There's been a lot of buzz about Monkey: Journey to the West, an over-the-top stage adaptation of a famous 16th-century Chinese novel that mixes animation, circus acts, and rock, techno and traditional Chinese opera. From the moment I saw the ads featuring funky, anime-style characters, I knew I had to take my seven-year-old. And while I'm glad I did, Monkey was not at all what I expected.

Although the show overflows with eye-popping visuals that are sure to dazzle audiences of all ages, it is clearly not aimed at kids (or some adults—reviews have been decidedly mixed). It's officially recommended for ages 8 and up but after seeing it, I think enjoyment has less to do with age and more with taste and temperament. Here are are five things to keep in mind if you're planning to take your kids to see Monkey: Journey to the West

For more family theater options, check out our list of the top five Off-Broadway shows for kids.

This post was published in 2013 when Dinosaur Safari debuted. The ride is back for 2014 with new dinos and other attractions.

Throughout the year, the Bronx Zoo offers awesome and enriching live animal exhibits and activities for families. But this summer, the zoo is doing something it has never done before: Shining a spotlight on extinct creatures. Of course when you go on the Bronx Zoo's new Dinosaur Safari adventure, you may start to believe that these prehistoric giants are once again roaming the earth. That's because you come face-to-face with more than 20 different dinos that move and roar—quite realistically!

Dinosaur Safari manages to be very educational as well as great fun, especially if you have a dino-obsessed child like my son. (Even at eight he's still seriously into them.) Families hop on a wagon where a "paleontologist" (a.k.a. a knowledgeable tour guide) takes you through a hidden gate that supposedly leads back in time. Once there, you travel through a lush prehistoric forest filled with realistic-looking dinos that look you right in the eye as if sizing up their next meal. But don't be alarmed: The dinos are state-of-the-art animatronic models and they're not programmed to bite—although they may spit water you.

My son and I recently went and really enjoyed it. I also noticed that the other adults in our group seemed to have just as much fun as their kids. Dinosaur Safari was definitely the highlight of our day at the zoo and he's been begging to go back ever since. Read on to learn more about our Dinosaur Safari experience including important tips to help you get the most out of your visit.

As a lifelong Queens resident with a toddler and a preschooler at home, Tiny You in Sunnyside has been my go-to children's boutique since I became a mom. Opened by a neighborhood family, the adorable shop specializes in clothing and toys made by local and independent designers, and offers occasional classes. In addition to the cute selection, I love going to Tiny You because it means I'm shopping locally and keeping my money in my community.

Tiny You has gotten so popular that owner Jill Callan has opened a second store in Long Island City, Queens. It's a really exciting addition to the area, which has lots of great things to do for families but not a lot of children's shops. My family and I recently visited the new store and were really impressed. At 700-square-feet, it is much larger than the Sunnyside original, and hosts a variety of classes and special events. Here's some of what you'll find at the brand-new Tiny You in Long Island City, Queens.