Best Kid-Friendly Hotels for a San Diego Family Vacation

Photo courtesy of Omni La Costa

Whether you're driving down from Los Angeles or flying in from afar, a weekend in San Diego is the perfect getaway to find rest and relaxation all year long. The SoCal destination offers a wide array of family activities to keep everyone entertained, in between the requisite visits to Seaworld, Legoland, and the Safari Park. Here, we round up eight of our favorite spots to kick back and unwind in this picturesque beach town.

Jack O’Lantern Journey at Franklin Park Zoo: 5 Tips for a Fun Family Evening

Marvel at dinos, exotic animals, superheroes, movie stars, and more after the regular zoo closes for the evening. Photo courtesy of Franklin Park Zoo

Eager to experience some Halloween night magic before October 31? This fall season, Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo is just the place to do it. Through November 4, the zoo is home to the Jack O’Lantern Journey, a spectacular jack-o’-lantern display filled with thousands of intricately carved pumpkins over a half-mile trail. I headed to the event with my two children to find out everything you need to know before visiting. Here are my insider tips to make sure your visit with children is a real treat (with no tricks).

Football Widow Survival Guide: Philly Kids' Activities a Parent Can Handle Alone

Get the playground all to yourself on fall Sundays.

Ah the crisp air of fall! With it comes pumpkin-flavored everything, fall festivals, and this thing called “football” starts. Maybe you didn’t grow up in Philadelphia or maybe you’re just not a sports fan. Either way this whole Eagles-fandom thing can seem over-the-top. And as Jason Kelce so eloquently expressed last year, Eagles fans don’t really care if you don’t get it. But if you are married to a fan, dating a fan, or a co-parent with one, Sundays from September through (at least) December can sometimes feel a little like you are doing this parenting thing solo.

So what is a non-fan to do on a Sunday when more than half the city is pinned to their TVs? Actually, this is one of my secret favorite things about living in Philadelphia. When football is on, the top places to go feel like a Tuesday afternoon (aka, no crowds) and our go-to places sometimes feel like a new experience we get to explore. So if you, like me, have had to set boundaries on the E-A-G-L-E-S chant, then join me in some of my favorite Sunday adventures.

Ultimate Halloween Guide for NJ Kids: Parades, Pumpkins, Parties

Hit the streets for the Ragamuffin Halloween Parade in Hoboken. Photo by John Dalton

It's that special time of year when all thoughts turn to candy, costumes, parties, and pumpkins. The weeks leading up to Halloween are filled with costume parades, harvest festivals, pumpkin displays, and plenty of FREE Halloween happenings.

Whether your kids want to visit a haunted house, take a Halloween train ride, pick some pumpkins, trick-or-treat at the zoo, or parade through downtown streets dressed as their favorite superheroes, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best ways to celebrate—plus a list of drive-worthy day trips that offer up even more frightening fun.

So get your ghosts and goblins ready, fuel up on candy corn, and don’t forget to brush! Look to our Halloween Guide for even more frightening fun, and check out our Fall Fun Guide for seasonal activities beyond October 31.

10 Great Places for Fall Leaf-Peeping Right in NYC

Head to Brooklyn Bridge Park to see vibrant fall colors and hit the playgrounds.

Signs of fall's arrival are all around us as the leaves in New York City's parks and along tree-lined streets start to turn. This is the time of year when many families plan a day trip upstate or to New Jersey to gaze at gorgeous red, orange, and yellow foliage. But you don't need to leave NYC to take in some stunning autumn sights. In addition to major green spaces like Central Park, Prospect Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Staten Island's Greenbelt and Van Cortlandt Park, there are some wonderful off the beaten path city spots where you can enjoy colorful panoramic views that deliver the full splendor of fall.
 

The Village Play Cafe: Fun for Littles and Fuel for Moms and Dads

It takes a village, right? It’s something I believe so strongly ever since my son was born last year—so I feel like I stumbled upon my soulmates when I found out about The Village Play Cafe in Chatham. Just opened in July, this indoor play space is truly the hautest hive for mamas and their baby bees (ages 1–5) to come for the day to work, play, and leave feeling energized and excited to take on the rest of the week. At least that’s how I felt when I walked out of their doors earlier this week.

Find Outdoor Family Fun Year-Round at Lewis Morris County Park

Lewis Morris Park's 1,154 acres include excellent hiking and biking trails, a lake recreation area, and more.

I begin my review of Lewis Morris County Park with a word of caution: the park does not have a playground, much to the disappointment of my 5-year-old daughter. While plans are in the works for a new play space (the previous one was removed several years ago), you won’t find any brightly-colored jungle gyms, slides, swings, or climbing walls here. 

That said, Morris County’s second-largest park still offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun. You can swim, hike, bike, and even ski during a day trip to this four-season park. So with all that Lewis Morris has to offer, chances are your kids won't even miss the slides and swings.

Read on for more about this historic park. Find even more great day trips in our NJ Day Trip Guide, or check out our Parks & Playgrounds Guide to discover a new-to-you playground.

Handcrafted Marshmallows? This Burbank Sweet Shop Serves Ultimate Indulgence

Photo courtesy of Plush Puffs

Long before becoming Mommy and Daddy, my wife and I were determined to have a favorite indulgence we loved even more than cake at our wedding reception: s’mores. So when Plush Puffs Handcrafted Marshmallows opened in Burbank this fall, I jumped to take my daughter to enjoy one of my favorite, decadent treats. But take note: these are far from the average bag of mallows that are probably aging in the back of your cupboard.

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