NYC Hotels with Rooftop Pools for Your Next Family Staycation

The Margaritaville Hotel boasts a tropical feel at its rooftop pool right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.

Imagine a swim in a rooftop pool with a side of skyline views—there's arguably no more scenic spot for a rooftop pool than NYC. Whether you're a New Yorker looking to book a staycation or a visitor on the hunt for a family-friendly hotel in New York City, consider booking one of these hotels with rooftop pools—some of these cool hotel pools even offer day passes.

We've found eight family-friendly hotels with rooftop pools, plus one beachfront haunt, just waiting to welcome you for a cooling dip. If your travels take you further afield, consider a stay at one of these resorts with cool hotel pools in New York state.

Find the Perfect Catskills or Hudson Valley Brewery to Visit with Kids

The Peekskill Brewery offers brews for the adults, with kid-friendly fare like hand-cut fries and wood-fired pizzas.

With the dog days of summer upon us, parents may be dreaming of a cold brew—but where can you indulge alongside your kids? A family-friendly Hudson Valley brewery might be the answer. At these local taprooms and brewhouses, parents can enjoy locally brewed beers alongside kid-friendly perks like food truck fare, lawn games, and even enjoy some facetime with furry friends.

We've found 12 local breweries to visit in the Hudson Valley or nearby Catskills regions. If that's too far to travel today, consider supporting one of these local beer gardens or switch gears and visit a family-friendly vineyard or cider house nearby. Wherever your day takes you, cheers to a day of family fun.

Swimming Lessons for Babies and Toddlers in Philly

Take your little fishies to a class at Goldfish Swim School.

With everything from pool play to life-saving skills, these locations offer swimming classes in Philly for the tiniest swimmers and provide great options for introducing young children to the water.

Bubbles and splashing, bonding and safety: for fun, survival, or some combination of both, getting young children into a pool is at the top of many parents’ lists. Starting with caregiver−child swimming classes and progressing all the way to stroke refinement, many of these facilities take your child’s swim journey from infancy through childhood. So get those swimsuits on (you, too, grown-ups) and head to the pool any time of year to learn a lifelong skill and have fun along the way.

For more parent−child bonding, check out these mommy and me classes in Philly, or browse our Philly Classes for Kids Guide to find a class for kids of all ages.

Baby Swimming Classes in DC: Swimming Lessons for Babies and Toddlers

Toddler and baby swimming lessons are offered all throughout the DC area. Photo courtesy of Aqua-Tots Swim Schools

Learning to swim is a life skill, and no child is too young to start. In fact, babies are born with natural swimming instincts, and toddler and baby swimming lessons are designed to get them used to the water and teach them to enjoy it. If you're ready to make a splash with your infant or toddler, there are a variety of baby swim classes available throughout the DC area.

Here are 10 swim schools in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia that offer toddler and baby swim classes. If you're looking for classes for older children, check out our round-up of the best swimming lessons for kids in DC. Then, when your family is ready to dive in, visit one of these outdoor swimming pools near DC with a daily pool pass option, free public swimming pools in DC or a local water park!

Family-Friendly Hotels in the Hamptons and North Fork

The waterfront Pridwin Hotel and Cottages offers a serene escape at its family-friendly hotel on Shelter Island.

If you’ve ever visited the Hamptons and North Fork on Long Island, you know there are hotels in the Hamptons and nearby to fit every need. There are family-friendly hotels near fishing resorts, country inns near golf courses, and bed-and-breakfasts within walking distance of the North Fork’s celebrated wineries. Families visiting the East End have options, too, from chain hotels near kid-friendly attractions to mom-and-pop guesthouses with private beaches and pools. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite family-friendly hotels in the Hamptons, plus a selection of North Fork hotels, motels, and guesthouses for families.

Find more places to stay and get away in our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Baby Swimming Lessons in New Jersey: 10 Top Picks for Babies and Toddlers

Take your little fishies to a class at Goldfish Swim School.

Looking for the best baby swimming lessons in New Jersey? Here are our top picks throughout the Garden State.

Summer is here, and whether you are joining a pool, going on vacation, heading to the Shore, or sending your kids off to camp, chances are that swimming is part of your plans. While your kids are still young, mommy-and-me swimming lessons (or daddy-and-me) are a great way to carve out some special time for you and your child to bond.

These swimming lessons usually run for children 6-36 months—although some start even younger—and involve a parent in the water along with the child. Singing, toys, and water play are often incorporated into these swimming lessons to help children feel comfortable in the water and have fun while learning valuable water safety skills. 

If you are interested in signing your infant or toddler up, read on for a description of swim clubs that offer these mommy-and-me classes in New Jersey. 

Find more great things to do in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Family Activity Calendar.

Bluebird Sunapee Reinvents the Roadside Motel

Bluebird Sunapee aims provide its guests with an experience that goes beyond cozy rooms and a place to lay their heads at night. Photo courtesy of the Bluebird Sunapee

Family road trips can be a great adventure—and also a pounding headache with antsy kids in the backseat—but the newly opened Bluebird Sunapee aims to reinvigorate the family road trip by offering a well-appointed, boutique, roadside motel with welcoming service and upscale amenities waiting to greet you when you put the family car in park.

The innovative new Bluebird Sunapee, in Newbury, New Hampshire, is located steps from the banks of the beautiful Lake Sunapee and within a stone's throw of the Mount Sunapee Ski Resort, making it a perfect jumping-off point for all-seasons adventure. Its proximity to major East Coast cities—1 1/2 hours from Boston, and 4 1/2 hours from NYC—makes it an epic road trip destination for families anxious to explore the great outdoors.

So, load up the kids, brush up on your road trip games, and pack some essentials, then hit the road. Bluebird Sunapee awaits.

15 Seashell Crafts: Easy Summery Craft Ideas for Kids

Seashell crafts are a fun way preserve beach-day memories.

Summer means long days at the beach building sandcastles, splashing in the waves, and collecting seashells. But what to do with all of those seashells when you get home? You can, of course, simply display them in pretty jars or bowls to remember your family beach days. But you can also step up the fun and create some awesome seashell crafts!

Here are 15 seashell craft ideas for kids of all ages, from toddlers to big kids. These fun seashell crafts are a great way to relive those beach days and bring out your kids' creative sides. For more at-home summer fun, check out our lists of 100 awesome art projects for kids, and 27 water games for kids to play all summer long.

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