Somehow, during all my years in LA County, I had never ventured out to Pomona for the Los Angeles County Fair until this past weekend. The fair always seemed so big that I didn't know where to begin, and generally so hot that I hesitated to try. Thrill ride fans probably already know the vast opportunities the fair offers for hurtling bodies through space in a variety of carnivalesque ways; but truth be told my own thrill ride needs can be satisfied in an hour or two at the Santa Monica Pier. I brought my family to the fair in search of a different experience, something more akin to a spider spinning "Some Pig" above a farmer's prize livestock. And while I didn't find Charlotte, I did find several unexpected ways to enjoy a September day–many of which turned out to be shady, breezy, or even air conditioned. And let's be honest, that pretty much always matters during LA County Fair season.

Our day at the fair was a triple-digit scorcher–the kind that makes my family question my sanity when I head the car east. Here are five unexpectedly fun ways we found to escape the heat while enjoying the LA Fair.

There are so many incredible things going on this weekend, you're going to wish you could clone yourself. Enjoy carnival rides and farm animals at the Queens County Fair, celebrate quality kid lit at the Brooklyn Book Festival's first-ever Children's Day or check out the grand opening of the new Staten Island Museum.

And that's just a taste of what's going on—kites, cannoli and an aquatic parade are also on the menu. Read on for all of our best bets for the weekend. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Fall Fun Guide.

Ever wonder what type of fish swim in the East River, or which species of trees dot the perimeter of the adjacent Brooklyn Bridge Park? The recently opened Environmental Education Center, which sits under the Manhattan Bridge along the Dumbo waterfront, will answer these questions and more for NYC kids and adults who can explore hands-on exhibits during FREE drop-in hours or sign up for a paid STEM-inspired class to learn all about the ecology and history of the surrounding waterfront habitat. And yep, this family spot is hosting both weekend and weekday drop-in hours!

There's still plenty to still see, do and taste outdoors on Long Island as we head into fall weather. Be sure to check out our complete roundup of Fall Fairs and Festivals.

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As the temperatures start to drop and families settle in to the new school year, fun events for families shift from hot dogs and ice cream to apples and pumpkins. So what’s in store for this weekend?

Festivals! You can have your fill of some half dozen of them in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, including the SOWE Music Festival, Armonk Cider & Donut Festival and the Hudson Valley Apple Festival. But equally noteworthy are the cultural performances with an international flair—namely Circus Latino and Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats.

Ready for more? Read on—then continue to our Events Calendar for even more great options. Craving even more fall festivals? We’ve rounded up our top finds for Westchester and the Hudson Valley so you can see them in one place.

This weekend is the perfect opportunity to bridge the gap between summer and fall. Take advantage of the warm days and slightly cooler evenings with some early autumn outdoor fun: check out the Classic Car & Truck Show at the Tuckerton Seaport, lace up up your boots for a Night Campfire & Hike at Tenafly Nature Center or pick some juicy ripe apples and take a hay ride during Alstede Farms Fall Family Days. For more late September activities to keep the gang busy, head to an early Oktoberfest at Crystal Springs Resort or the much-loved Princeton Children’s Book Festival hosted by the Princeton Library. Whatever you decide to do this weekend, we hope you enjoy it with family and friends. For even more activity options, check out our Event Calendar .

When we were invited by the Roger Williams Park Zoo to attend the annual Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, I was delighted—but when something is billed as “spectacular,” I am always at least a little bit skeptical. As it turns out, the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular lives up to its name. More than just a collection of carved pumpkins, it is a curated show of highly skilled and imaginative artwork, with a soundtrack to boot.

My family has long had an annual Halloween tradition of attending a zoo event during the daytime; now that my kids are older and are starting to outgrow Zoo Howl and Boo at the Zoo, maybe the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular will become our new Halloween zoo tradition.

Keep reading for highlights from the show and tips for getting the most out of the experience—perhaps it will become your family's new tradition, too. Editor's note: This is a past review of the annual Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular; this year, guests can travel through time and visit with dinosaurs, explore the ice age, and peek into the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Rome.

The Philadelphia area is a hub for the arts and sciences for kids and grown-ups alike. Not only do the city’s museums provide a great opportunity for educational fun, they also provide relief from inclement weather during any season. The Academy of Natural Sciences is one such venue. I brought my family for a visit during one of the hottest months of the year, and it was certainly worth the drive from the suburbs.