Visiting a Christmas town or a Santa's village before Christmas is a great way to experience the magic of the season. While nothing beats the joy of watching your kids’ faces light up on Christmas morning as they run toward the tree, Christmas towns offer kids the chance to post their Dear Santa letter via official North Pole mail, help Santa feed his reindeer, or sing Christmas carols on a sleigh ride. Luckily, you don’t have to wait until late December for yuletide magic. New England has some of the top Christmas towns in the world, along with cities hosting famous light displays, charming Christmas festivals, and spirited parades that offer families cherished Christmastime experiences beginning as early as Thanksgiving week. 

To plan more fun in the region, see our New England Family Travel Guide. If you just can't wait for Christmas, watch one of our picks for the best kids Christmas movies. 

Nothing adds magic to the holiday season quite like a festive train ride. To help your family experience that magic, we've rounded up 12+ Christmas trains near DC, including several options for a Polar Express train ride. From trains that transport you to Christmas tree farms to those that bring classic Christmas stories to life, these Polar Express and Christmas trains near DC will make even your Grinchiest family member's heart grow three sizes. And all of them are within a three-hour drive from DC!

Check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids to help you plan more holiday fun this season, and get a jump on your holiday decorating by trying some of these 101 Christmas activities for kids. Santa will be here before you know it!

While Key West attracts most of the attention, parents don’t have to make the 150-mile, traffic-strewn journey to the southernmost of the Keys to introduce their kids to the magic of this extended chain of islands. There are almost too many things to do in the Florida Keys with kids, beginning with Key Largo just 90 minutes south of Miami and continuing through Islamorada and all the way to Sugarloaf Key, in the Lower Keys.

So read on for the best things to do in the Florida Keys with kids north of Key West—including the top Florida Keys resorts and Florida Keys Hotels for families and the best Florida Keys restaurants—and use the driving time you save to pack in another adventure before you (sadly) have to depart.

Summer may be over but playground season never ends in New York City—and the newly redesigned Charybdis Playground in Queens' Astoria Park is finally open to neighborhood kids. Located on the western edge of Astoria Park, Charybdis Playground was first built in 1936 along with the nearby Astoria Pool under Parks Commissioner Robert Moses. The longtime hot spot has gotten new life, thanks to a $30 million reconstruction project.

Read on to learn about the new features that make this Charybdis Playground destination-worthy for a new generation, and find more great local places to play in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.

No matter how many visits we've paid to the Bronx Zoo, there's always something new to see. And today, we've got the details on its Wild Encounters program, an intimate, safe, educational behind-the-scenes way to experience the beloved zoo. These special programs introduce Bronx Zoo visitors to its ambassador animals and plenty of fun facts along the way.

This splurge-worthy outing is a perfect experience gift for the little (or not-so-little) animal lover in your life. Read on for details on our Wild Encounter, and then start planning your own.

If you are a “set it and forget it” kind of chef, this list of 10 easy Crockpot recipes is calling your name. Between keeping tiny humans alive, extracurricular activities, sports, and jobs, sometimes the very act of turning on the stove can seem impossible. These easy Crockpot recipes require very little preparation—simply toss the ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning, go about your day, and return home to the delicious smell of a home-cooked meal waiting for your family. And with everything from Crockpot chicken recipes to gooey mac and cheese on this list, you'll find easy crockpot meals to please everyone in your family. 

But these Crockpot meals are not the only way to save time on dinner. Check out our guide to easy recipes for kids, where you'll find everything from tasty Instant Pot recipes to quick sheet pan dinners that kids love. With so many simple and delicious options, you'll never have to worry about what's for dinner again. 

If you're looking for a new hiking trail or family-friendly nature walk to try with your kids, that's not too challenging but has enough variety to pique their interest, head to Hunterdon County's Columbia Trail—and feel free to bring your little ones as this is a fun stroller-friendly path!

The Columbia Trail is a fantastic, relaxing hiking route, running about 15 miles from High Bridge, through Califon, and into Long Valley and Washington Township in Morris County. Read on for more details on this family-friendly hiking spot and find more places to go hiking in New Jersey in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.