Top Family-Friendly Beer Gardens and Breweries Near Washington, DC

Kids of all ages (and even dogs!) are welcome at The Farm Brewery at Broad Run. Photo courtesy of The Farm Brewery at Broad Run

If you're hankering for a cold beer that's not from a bottle or can, you don't need to hire a babysitter. The greater DC area is full of kid-friendly beer gardens and breweries with large outdoor spaces, lawn games, playgrounds, and other amenities that make them perfect for families. Some of these breweries and beer gardens also have playgrounds, live music, farm animals, and even arcades.

Here are 20 family-friendly beer gardens and breweries in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia to visit with kids. Many of them allow you to bring your dog, too, so no family member needs to be left behind.

If wine is more your style, check out our list of family-friendly wineries near DC. Our Kid-Friendly DC Restaurants Guide will show you even more great places to grab a bite to eat—and a drink—with little ones in tow.;

Free Outdoor Movies in NYC This October

Jack Skellington gives a new meaning to Christmas Spirit in The Nightmare Before Christmas, which is one of the free outdoor movies streaming in NYC this October.

New York City's FREE summer movie season is anticipated annually, but in 2021 New Yorkers are in for a special treat! The FREE outdoor movies are extending well into the fall. There are enough FREE outdoor movies playing in October, they warrant a list of their own. Our list of FREE outdoor movies playing this October includes the SHOCKTOBERFEST series in Brooklyn, which offers screenings in some of our favorite parks and playgrounds

Movies usually begin when evening falls, so take note of the earlier showtimes this season. Plan to arrive early to stake out a good viewing spot. Even if your local park is screening a flick you've watched a dozen times before, it's a totally different experience viewing it in the open air alongside other fans. It's a thrilling, communal event, and a rite of passage for New Yorkers of all ages. Plan to practice social distancing and bring your masks; they're required for the unvaccinated.

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Transforms the Observation Deck Experience

Take a leap in Levitation—glass-enclosed skyboxes suspended 1,063 feet above Madison Avenue at the new SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Photo courtesy of One Vanderbilt

Observation decks seem to be multiplying in NYC, and soon New Yorkers and visitors alike will have a brand new, sky-high observation deck to take in the city views. SUMMIT One Vanderbilt officially opens to visitors on Thursday, October 21, but we got a sneak peek at this four-floor, art-and-entertainment space that aims to transform the observation deck experience.

Read on for our review of this kaleidoscope in the sky, which offers stunning views inside and out, including a unique perspective on its Midtown competitors at the Empire State Building, Edge, and Top of the Rock.

Family-Friendly Vineyards and Wineries in New Jersey

Valenzano Winery is located in the heart of the Pine Barrens and offers a relaxing escape.

When planning a family day trip this fall, vineyards and wineries may not be the first destinations that come to mind. Believe it or not, New Jersey is home to relaxing and scenic vineyards that welcome kids and even pets. These vineyards offer outdoor fun that includes food truck events, music, farm activities, spacious fields, and of course, the Garden State’s homegrown wines.

Not all local vineyards and wineries permit children on the premises, but raise your glass to those that do! Be sure to check the policies on children in the tasting areas before you visit.

Best Playgrounds in Brooklyn's Prospect Park (Ranked!)

Parents and kids alike flock to Vanderbilt Playground for its separate jungle gyms for big and little kids, which keeps mixed-age siblings happy.

Prospect Park spans more than 500 acres, providing plenty of space for varied adventures within its woods, green lawns, winding paths, and brooks and ponds. But did you also know this green space is also home to seven playgrounds? From big-kid swings to water features and toddler-sized slides, there’s something for every kid (and parent) in Prospect Park's playgrounds.

While you can—and should—head to all of these playgrounds at some point, if you're short on time, we've tested them out to present this parent-and-kid approved ranking of all seven playgrounds, from those that are destination-worthy to picks perfect for impromptu playtime. Find more picks for top play spots in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in NYC.

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