From trying on a real space suit, to jumping into a the cockpit of a full-size helicopter, to touching a shark, Fairfield County offers some top-notch museums when it comes to science, nature, and machines. Featuring authentic and original equipment, imaginative and creative displays of abstract scientific concepts, and a variety of hands-on, interactive engagement, kids are sure to love exploring these Fairfield County museums. And so will their grownups!

Looking for more STEM fun? Consult our Event Calendar and sign up for our newsletters. And we've also rounded up Science Museums in the Hartford area.

Ah, August in the city! You've probably got your routine down pat at this point: art exhibits, subway-accessible beaches, and Summer Streets are all regulars in your summer schedule. As are trips for cool treats. If your neighborhood ice cream shop is feeling a tad too familiar at this point in the summer, it's time to step it up—and step it out of your 'hood.

We’ve rounded up 10 over-the-top ice cream establishments that are a little more under the radar than say Black Tap, but are the perfect way for you and your kids to enjoy before summer's over. Get ready to be blown away (and say goodbye to Mister Softee, for now): There’s rolled ice cream, innovative soft serve, make-it-yourself ice cream, and cutting-edge ice cream sandwiches. Go forth and enjoy, and check out our NYC Restaurant Guide for more great family eats.

Slide the City, the giant town-hopping water slide for kids and adults, arrived in Goshen over the weekend, and we were there bright and early to check it out. This inflatable slip-and-slide is scheduled to stop in Mt. Vernon on Saturday, August 26, and we have everything you need to know ahead of time.

Looking for more summer fun? Consult our Summer Activity Guide and follow us on Facebook.

When you walk into the lobby at Norristown's Theatre Horizon, it is clear that Hero School is no ordinary show. In this 40-minute interactive experience, you and your kids will go through superhero training all while solving a mystery to find the bad guy.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you actually got off the Staten Island Ferry when you arrived? I know, it seems like a radical idea, but Staten Island actually has plenty for kids to do, making it well worth your while to exit on the other side. Recently, my family and I took a day trip to Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden. We were all pleasantly surprised that this little nook in Staten Island holds so many treasures in one location.

Please note that Buccaneer Cove in Orange County has permanently closed. Buccaneer Cove now resides at Castle Park in Riverside—check it out, along with other great water parks in Los Angeles. 

Aarrgghh! Beating the heat is no easy feat when SoCal temperatures can rise well into the hundreds. Luckily, little pirates can stay cool all summer long at Buccaneer Cove. This Orange County pirate-themed water park, located just off the 405 freeway in Irvine, is the perfect spot to introduce mini swashbuckling adrenaline junkies to the rush of riding water slides. It's great for younger children, is easy to navigate, and doesn't plunder as much treasure as other water parks–so parents won't feel like walking the plank after paying the entrance fee.

There's something about the way the air feels as summer fades to autumn that is uniquely New England. It's that time of year when we begin to break out hats and scarves and crave warm drinks on nippy days. One of our favorite fall activities is apple picking and the New Haven area surely doesn't disappoint when it comes to Pick Your Own orchards. In fact, the whole state is spilling over with fresh fruit just waiting to be harvested. Find an orchard near you in our CT Apple Picking Guide.  And not to worry if your apple harvesters go a little overboard, we have some awesome recipes to help you turn your autumn bounty into a fruit-filled feast.