Drive-in Movie Theaters in and around Boston for Outdoor Movie Nights with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

Drive-in movie theaters and pop-up drive-in's are back in Boston for the summer! Mayor's Movie Night photo courtesy of Boston Parks and Recreation

Drive-in movie theaters in and around Boston have made a major comeback, offering New England families an fun activity for warm summer nights. Outdoor movie nights with kids means piling in the car and getting cozy in the backseat while munching on popcorn and enjoying a family film. Many drive-in movie theaters are running screenings all summer, while several towns are offering "pop-up" drive-in movies on certain days. 

We've rounded up the latest summer drive-in movies in Boston and nearby Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut towns for fun family outings. Check back on this post for updates: As more screenings are added and pop-up theaters open, we will add them to the list. So read on for our guide to drive-in movie theaters in and around Boston for outdoor movie nights with kids.

While you've got summer fun on the brain, take a peek at our Ultimate Summer Bucket List Ideas: 100 (Mostly) Free Outdoor Games and Activities for Kids. If you're looking to get away for a day or two, we've compiled a list of the Best Cape Cod Beaches for Families. For some daytime fun, see our guide to the Best Sprinkler Parks and Splash Pads in Boston. 

Museum of Illusions Atlanta: Experience Mind-Bending Fun

Submitted by Melanie Preis on

Museum of Illusions Atlanta offers installations and hands-on experiences to confuse your mind and senses. Photo courtesy Museum of Illusions

The Museum of Illusions Atlanta confuses the human mind with its never-ending brain twisters, visual oddities, and baffling (yet hysterical) photo opportunities. Up is down, black is white, right is left, and every other mind-altering direction goes at the Museum of Illusions Atlanta. Kids will LOVE the new museum, which opened this weekend at Atlantic Station, for its hands-on approach of upending everything you see in the world.

Fall down the rabbit hole of this topsy-turvy Wonderland to take a whole new look at the world of through the Museum of Illusions Atlanta!

Cheap and Free Outdoor Movies in Orlando this Summer with Kids: Free Indoor Movies, Too!

Submitted by Charlotte B on

Enjoy outdoor movies in a gorgeous setting. Photo courtesy of Harry P. Leu Gardens

The Florida heat may put a pause on some outdoor movies around Orlando, but we've rounded up places that are still offering outdoor movie nights, including dive-in movies. And to top it off, some of these are FREE outdoor movie nights! We've also included indoor free movies this summer around Orlando, as well as theaters offering low-cost kids movies weekly throughout the summer! Read on for 20+ free and cheap movie events happening in Orlando this summer.

Enjoy more outdoor movies at these Drive-In Movie Theaters near Orlando. And for additional summer fun on a budget, check out our roundup of 50 Free Things to Do in Orlando this Summer.

Best Day Trips from San Francisco with Kids

Submitted by Sandra Lee on

Take in coastal thrills. Photo courtesy of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Day trips from the Bay Area are just a quick drive away from so many things to do with kids, with attractions that bring tourists from all over the country to see. Lucky for us, they are all in our backyard, without the need to book a flight. 

We’ve got the best day trips from San Francisco with kids, all within driving distance, for a day out of the ordinary. From beaches to redwoods, amusement parks to wine country, we’ve got a day trip for every kind of family.

Turn an afternoon of hiking into a day trip with these family-friendly urban hikes in San Francisco. Looking to extend a day trip to a weekend? Get inspired by our Weekend Getaway and Day Trips for San Francisco Guide.  

Long Beach with Kids: 26 Things To Do in the City By the Sea

Submitted by James Smith on

Long Beach offers sun, sand, and surf fun for the whole family. Photo courtesy City of Long Beach

Nicknamed the "City by the Sea," the eclectic enclave of Long Beach, NY, offers visitors a rare combination of energy and relaxation.

One of only two cities in Nassau County, Long Beach has an ocean vibe generally reserved for vacation communities. And yet Long Beach is less than an hour from Manhattan and 15 minutes from Jones Beach State Park. It is accessible by car via the Meadowbrook State Parkway or the Long Island Rail Road, whose Long Beach station is in the heart of the city.

In summer, the population of Long Beach swells with beachgoers, surfers, sightseers, and fans of the city’s famous boardwalk. So pack up the kids, bring your beach gear, and work up a healthy appetite—there are plenty of family-friendly restaurants in the city—as you take in all this Nassau County gem has to offer.

Best Parks and Playgrounds in the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

Balance on the wobbly bridge at Freedom Park in Lagrangeville.

Known for its picturesque scenery and spacious natural areas, the Hudson Valley offers some amazing parks and playgrounds where kids can enjoy nature, cool off on hot days, and even meet new animal friends. Out of the dozens of parks spread out over the Hudson Valley, we have picked out the best options with the most activities for kids of all ages, plus some fun attractions for the adults too, so you can make a day of it with the whole family. 

For more ideas on where to play, check out our Guide to Playgrounds and Parks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. 

Sedona with Kids: Best Things To Do in Sedona, Arizona

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on

Take a short but challenging hike to Cathedral Rock for gorgeous views.

With its magical, red-rock landscape and plethora of outdoor activities, Sedona, AZ is a great destination for your next family vacation. Whether you want to explore the art and history of this rich cultural area, catch thrills in a backcountry Jeep or ATV tour, or get up-close and personal with nature on one of the many hiking trails, there is something for everyone in Sedona.

Sedona is often called the gateway to northern Arizona because of its central location among some of the most iconic attractions in the American Southwest, including the Grand Canyon. We were able to visit Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and the Petrified Forest in one overnight trip from Sedona, but these are also doable as day trips.

Here are 32 things to do in Sedona with kids, including family-friendly Sedona hotels and restaurants. Check out our Western US Family Travel Guide for more adventures out west, including our visitors' guides to Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Colorado Springs.

Visiting the New Harry Potter Exhibition in Midtown: Tips for a Magical Trip with Kids

Jody Mercier's picture Submitted by Jody Mercier on

Choose your house and strike a pose at the brand new Harry Potter: The Exhibition, which is now open in Midtown Manhattan.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition is popping up in Herald Square and promises to be one of the it tickets of the summer in New York City. Wizard-loving muggles who are fans of the franchise would be wise to snap up tickets now because this touring exhibition is only in NYC through mid-October.

Grab your wand and your house robes and read on for a first look at this new-to-NYC exhibition, which invites visitors on an interactive journey throughout the Wizarding World with cool immersive experiences and top-notch technology that leaves you feeling like you're smack dab in the middle of Hogwarts Castle. Want more Harry Potter fun? Don't forget to check out our take on the magical Harry Potter New York just a few blocks south.

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