It's time to play the music, it's time to light the lights, it's time to meet the Muppets at this Queens' museum all right!

There is a delicious solution to the long, hot, and humid days of summer: ice cream! The sweet treat is a quick way to cool off a bit and share a smile. We've made finding the best ice cream shops in the area a mission. Stand by for some of the best frozen treats you'll find in New London County...and if you happen to be in Fairfield County, check out our favorite ice cream shops there.

While you might not normally think about paintball as a great way to get into the "great outdoors" the fact of the matter is, paintball parks are typically acres of land where your kids will basically get a chance to play an epic game of hide-and-seek with some hilarious, if slightly painful, consequences. Your teen or tween may already be a fan, or you might be trying to find some way to burn off their excessive energy. Either way, you are in luck because the Philadelphia suburbs has some great fields, many of which are family-friendly.

What's better than a fun boat ride around historic Galveston Bay? Easy - a fun boat ride around Galveston Bay where you can see dolphins in their natural environment! That's exactly what we got when we decided to end a day of fun in the sun in Galveston with a dolphin tour. The tour is entertaining for both adults and kids.

West Hartford is a bustling town that offers everything from great libraries and restaurants, to a children's museum, an ice skating rink, and playgrounds. You'll also find here a tranquil nature center that provides a brief escape from the daily responsibilities of a fast-paced life while enabling little ones to come up close to farm animals. Bonus: visiting Westmoor Park is one of the many free destinations your family can enjoy in the Hartford area. 

Not your typical suburban playground, Hoboken’s Pier C Park has a decidedly urban vibe that will delight little and big kids alike—and adults, too! With the Manhattan skyline as a gorgeous backdrop, this amoeba-shaped oasis sits on a two-and-a-half-acre pier off the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, between Third and Fourth Streets in downtown Hoboken.

The park is separated into two playgrounds and also offers sand and water play. You won’t find any of your standard, primary-colored play equipment here, nor any swings. The landscape has an old-fashioned feel, with lots of rustic wood and metal touches. The promenade, along the eastern edge of the pier, provides grassy lawn areas for families to picnic, play games, and soak in the sights. Use this day trip–worthy park as a launch pad to enjoy all that Hoboken has to offer.

It might please moms and dads to know the East End offers an assortment of family-friendly eateries. These spots offer everything from the traditional lobster roll to a "guppy" menu, ideal for young appetites.

Some of these locations even offer outdoor dining with stunning views, so it's a good idea to venture out early to avoid the crowds. We've rounded our favorite family-friendly locations, where you can sample the catch of the day (or most anything else) and eat with boats shimmering in the marina behind you. (Did we say summer photo-op?)

Before heading out to the East End, be sure to check our guide to the Hamptons and North Fork to help plan your visit. In addition, check out our list of 50 Things to Do with Kids in the Hamptons and North Fork. Bring your appetite, because delicious options are waiting.

My husband and I both went to college at Texas State University in San Marcos, which (in my obviously unbiased opinion) is arguably one of the most beautiful college campuses in Texas. Being tucked in the Texas Hill Country and surrounded by rivers means there is no shortage of water related activities to do. My husband even took kayaking as one of his electives! Our kayaking adventures came to a dead stop when we moved back to Houston post-graduation, though, largely because we made the same assumption that many people probably make: there's really nowhere to kayak or canoe in the Bayou City. But after doing some research, boy, were we wrong.

One of Houston's best-kept secrets is that it isn't just home to numerous hike and bike trails but also an abundance of waterways perfect for paddling and just waiting to be explored. Here are five of my favorite spots to kayak and canoe in Houston.