If you don't want to deal with the hassle of air travel for your next family vacation, there's no need to: There are are loads of great family road trips from DC that will entertain the entire crew. Whether you're looking for a beach retreat, a big-city adventure, an active outdoor vacation, or just a change of scenery, there are so many great places to visit within a five-hour drive from the DC area.

Here are 15 fun family road trips from DC, including some fun-filled places in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and North Carolina. Check out our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways From DC for even more great places to visit. And, our Ultimate Road Trip Guide for Families will ensure the trip runs smoothly.

Family-friendly restaurants on Long Island are a great place to make unforgettable memories with kids, and many have fun themes or interactive experiences the whole family can enjoy together. From haunted hamburger houses to shipwreck diners to cotton candy desserts, we’ve rounded up the best themes and unique restaurant fun Long Island has to offer.

Check out our Family-Friendly Long Island Restaurant Guide for more kid-friendly spots to dine, including where kids eat free and more.

If visiting an outdoor water park is on your summer bucket list, Mountain Creek Waterpark in Vernon, NJ, is a great option for a day trip or an overnight.

On a recent summer Saturday, my family and I visited the park and had a blast, with plenty for my 9-year-old and 6-year-old to do separately and together. Here’s a closer look at how we spent the day, plus what to know as you plan your visit.

For even more theme park fun, check out our Guide to Theme Parks in the region.

It’s no coincidence that California is also known as the Golden State. It has breathtaking scenery from the mountains to the desert and the coastline, and did we mention the mild climate? Plus it's dotted with exciting big cities and quaint small towns. The best part? No matter where you go, the kids will have a blast! These 15 California vacation ideas for families are perfect for those who want to create memories that'll last a lifetime.

Themed restaurants in Houston turn dining out with kids into an exciting adventure. Keep those kids from getting bored while waiting for food with one of these unique and engaging themed restaurants in Houston. Whether your kids are into animals, sports, music, or something different, there's something on our list to spark every child's imagination.

Check out our Houston restaurant guide for more kid-friendly eating-out ideas. 

Learning a language at a young age can help ensure that your child has dual language capabilities for a lifetime. While many schools may offer a language learning time, bilingual and language immersion schools take your child through the majority of their day in a non-English language. This helps the child understand not only hearing and speaking the language, but often, by extension, the culture related to that language.

To see more preschools in your area, visit our preschool directory, and find more great articles about choosing a preschool in our guide.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago turned 90 earlier this month, but the animals have big plans for the next decade and beyond. The Brookfield Zoo master plan—the ambitious Next Century Plan, was unveiled on Tuesday, July 16, outlining a $500 million renovation and expansion plan that will take place in four phases over the next 15 years.

As a native Chicagoan who has been visiting Brookfield Zoo Chicago for more than three decades and taking my kids there for nine years, I'm so excited to see how the zoo will convert its historic grounds into a modern haven for wildlife and conservation!

If you plan to head to the Brookfield Zoo now, check out what's new and cool at Chicago's zoos for 2024. 

How to plan a birthday party for kids? We polled all the moms we know and reduced the hassle of birthday party planning to 10 easy steps. Follow them and voila—birthday party of your kid's dreams with no headache for you!

Close your eyes, and make a wish! Did you wish that you'd be given the magic recipe for how to plan your kid's birthday party? Well, today's your lucky day. Read on for 10 easy steps to plan a birthday party for kids.

Check out our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties and Birthday Party Ideas for even more inspiration.