Best Polar Express Train Rides & Christmas Trains in Los Angeles

Submitted by Kylie Williams on

Say hi to the conductor before meeting Santa on the Southern California Polar Express Train Ride. Photo courtesy of the train

'Tis the season for Polar Express train rides or Christmas trains! Los Angeles has plenty of holiday magic waiting on the rails, from a staple in Griffith Park to a movie-like adventure on the SoCal Polar Express. So, put on those matching family PJs and get ready to sing some carols, hear a story, and chow down on Christmas cookies, while embracing the holiday spirit. Kiddos may even get the chance to hand over those wish lists to Santa Claus in person. 

There are seats available (so far!) on the Christmas train rides below that take place from Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas. Reserve your spot ASAP because Polar Express trains are a hot ticket, and tend to book up fast.

Get in the holiday spirit with the best neighborhood holiday lights in Los Angeles, take your Christmas card to the next level with LA-only photo ops with Santa, and visit our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families for more holiday adventures. 

25 Things To Do in the Finger Lakes with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

Letchworth State Park is known as the Grand Canyon of the East thanks to its impressive gorge.

If you are looking for your next family vacation destination, New York's Finger Lakes region is a great option. Mostly known for its namesake beautiful lakes, the Finger Lakes offer a variety of summer activities, including sailing, fishing, and swimming in the crystal clear waters. However, there are tons of family-friendly things to do and places to explore year-round in the Finger Lakes, from zip lining and leaf peeping in the fall to skiing and snow tubing in the winter.

The area around Ithaca is particularly famous for its many glacier-formed gorges that boast numerous waterfalls. Ithaca is also the home of Cornell University and Ithaca College, and offers many art and cultural attractions and museums, including the kid-friendly Sciencenter.

Read on for all our top picks for things to do in the Finger Lakes with kids and bookmark our Day Trips and Getaways Guide for more family-friendly vacation ideas.

Thanksgiving, Pumpkin Destruction Day, and More Holidays & Activities for November 2024

Submitted by Meghan Rose on

Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Photo courtesy of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

November means Thanksgiving! But that’s just one day, there are 30 more days to fill with fall activities, indoor play, turkey-basting November fun.

In addition to Thanksgiving, you can also celebrate Pumpkin Destruction Day, Love Your Freckles Day,  Evolution Day, Pickles Day, and more – all this month. Oh, and don’t worry, we’ve also rounded up all the Thanksgiving fun with days set aside for Thanksgiving movies, fall leaf crafts, and kid-friendly pumpkin recipes.

Check this list, and you’ll find the perfect thing to do with your kids each and every day. For more ideas for Thanksgiving activities, check out our Thanksgiving Activities Guide for Families.

Halloween Events, Fall Festivals, and More Frightfully Fun Things to Do this Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

Elsa Simcik's picture Submitted by Elsa Simcik on

Calling all ghouls and goblins! Enjoy a Halloween celebration for kids of all ages during Avalon’s trick-or-treat event. Photo courtesy of the event

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend! 

Atlanta is packed with Halloween events and fall festivals this weekend, in preparation for the spookiest night of the year. Families go wild at Boo at the Zoo; dig for dinosaurs and candy at Fernbank's Dinosaur Trick-or-Treat; and party at the Center for Puppetry Arts' Monster Mash. Atlanta also offers lots of easy (and free!) ways to celebrate Halloween this weekend. On Friday night, Duluth hosts the always-popular Howl on the Green, while Kennesaw invites kids to trick-or-treat at its annual Downtown Candy Crawl. Saturday brings the Fall Festival of Fun in Marietta and Trick-or-Treat at Avalon in Alpharetta. Get those costumes ready because we have even more Halloween events in Atlanta below! 

Fall Festivals, Halloween Events, and More Frightfully Fun Things to Do in Orlando This Weekend With Kids

Submitted by Charlotte B on

Visit the City of Tavares for the annual BOO! Festival at Wooton Park, featuring tons of free candy and special activities. Photo by the author

Looking for the best things to do in Orlando this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list!

This weekend is one of the busiest of the year in Orlando, packed with Halloween and fall festivities! On Friday, you can enjoy BOO festivals in Tavares and Kissimmee or experience the Pumpkin Glow in Oakland. Saturday brings even more Halloween fun across Central Florida, with events like Apopka's Halloween in the Park, Lake Mary's Halloween Spooktacular, Lake Nona's Graveyard Smash, Maitland's Fall-O-Ween, and so much more. Cap off the weekend with a visit to Sanford's Fang-tastic Fest or a stop at your local Chuck E. Cheese for a Halloween Boo-tacular!

Parades, Trick-or-Treating and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on

Slightly Spooky Saturdays: Family Halloween. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list!

It's a spooktacular weekend to be a kid in Chicago! Halloween is still a week away, but you can already enjoy some of the season's best events. Check out the parades in Glen Ellyn, River West, or Logan Square, and hit up the trick-or-treating events in Wheaton, Andersonville, or Evanston. You can also remember the thrill of childhood Halloweens with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese for its Boo-Tackular in various locations throughout the Chicago area.

Plan your Halloween route with our list of the best Chicago neighborhoods for trick-or-treating. Or celebrate the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness with one of our favorite Diwali events.

Hope you have a fantastic fall weekend!

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