Pumpkin World Brings New Halloween Jack-o'-Lantern Trail to the Hudson Valley

Pumpkin World's jack-o'-lantern trail takes visitors on a spectacular journey once the sun goes down.

It's officially spooky season in the Hudson Valley, and you won't want to miss a trip to Pumpkin World, the Hudson Valley's newest spectacular Halloween exhibition, featuring more than 5,000 artistically carved, lit pumpkins spread throughout Clover Stadium in Pomona. With the numerous activities for kids, plus food and beverages available for purchase, my family was able to enjoy a full evening at Pumpkin World, and everyone had something to do.

Read on for the scoop on this Hudson Valley Halloween attraction, which is one of our top Halloween events in the region. Find more Halloween fun in our Westchester and Hudson Valley Halloween Guide.

Best Polar Express Train Rides & Christmas Trains in Los Angeles

Say hi to the conductor before meeting Santa on the Southern California Polar Express Train Ride. Photo courtesy of the train

'Tis the season for Polar Express train rides or Christmas trains! Los Angeles has plenty of holiday magic waiting on the rails, from a staple in Griffith Park to a movie-like adventure on the SoCal Polar Express. So, put on those matching family PJs and get ready to sing some carols, hear a story, and chow down on Christmas cookies, while embracing the holiday spirit. Kiddos may even get the chance to hand over those wish lists to Santa Claus in person. 

There are seats available (so far!) on the Christmas train rides below that take place from Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas. Reserve your spot ASAP because Polar Express trains are a hot ticket, and tend to book up fast.

Get in the holiday spirit with the best neighborhood holiday lights in Los Angeles, take your Christmas card to the next level with LA-only photo ops with Santa, and visit our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families for more holiday adventures. 

Safari West: Glamping in the Sonoma Serengeti

Safari West is sure to be an unforgettable adventure!

Safari West is known as the "Sonoma Serengeti." Home to nearly 1,000 wild animals, the gorgeous 400-acre preserve is so stunning that families won't want to leave. A three-hour African-style safari is the highlight at Safari West to see zebras, giraffes, rhinos, gazelles, and more before dining on-site and sleeping in a private luxury tent. Simply put, Safari West has everything a family needs for a unique glamping experience.

Families will love the large tents, comfortable beds, and private bathrooms that make glamping much fancier and more convenient than camping. Safari West is well worth the short drive from San Francisco for an unforgettable adventure in the middle of wine country. 

For more things to do with kids in wine country, check out the best kid-friendly wineries in Napa and Sonoma, discover the best day trips from San Francisco, and pack up the car and get ideas for more one-of-a-kind experiences in our Weekend Getaway Guide and Day Trips for San Francisco

18 Top Birthday Party Places in New Jersey for Kids

At a Bach to Rock birthday party, kids can sing karaoke or record their own CD.

New Jersey's best birthday party places are tailor-made for kids of all interests–including sports, arts, and science. From flying high at an indoor skydiving center to starring in a Broadway-style birthday performance, the birthday party places we've rounded up below break the mold.

Be sure to check out our post on the top birthday party venues for New Jersey preschoolers and lots more in our Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NJ

Lego, Star Wars, and More Awesome 2023 Advent Calendars for Kids and Parents, Too!

Build the excitement as the festive celebrations approach! Photo courtesy of Lego

Advent calendars are the perfect way to turn a torturous wait for the holidays into excited anticipation. I have to confess, I am a bit of an advent calendar obsessive; last holiday season we had eight going for our family of four, plus one for each of the cats! My kids each had a toy one (Lego for my son, Harry Potter for my daughter) and a candy one, I had a wine advent calendar, my husband had a dark chocolate one, and we always have a family one and a kindness advent.

Find the perfect one, or two, for everyone in your family—from baby’s first to something for your blasé teen—from this list of the very best advent calendars for 2023. But hurry—the coolest advent calendars sell out fast.

For more Christmas activities that get kids in the holiday mood, check out our Guide to Christmas Activities and Holiday Fun for Kids. And for the perfect gift for everyone on your list, our Gift Guide has unique, tested, and beloved recommendations for kids of every age and interest.

Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade 2023: Start Time, Parade Route, and Info

The balloon brigade will be out at this year's 6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Revelers can once again line the city's streets for this year's Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. Celebrating more than 100 years, the Philly parade is one of the oldest local holiday traditions. Giant floats of every variety, bands, dancers, and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus, will join the route to help the City of Brotherly Love kick off the holiday season. Venturing out on Turkey Day morning to watch the show march through the city is a family Philly bucket list experience––but it definitely requires some planning and preparation.

For key details including the 6abc Dunkin' Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade start time, route, and more, read below for our comprehensive guide. Visiting from out of town? Check out these top Philly hotels for families

Guide to the Museum of Jewish Heritage's New Kid-Friendly Exhibition, Courage to Act

Courage to Act is the Museum of Jewish Heritage's first exhibition designed specifically with kids in mind. Photo courtesy of the museum

The Museum of Jewish Heritage might not be atop your list of must-visit children's museums in NYC, but a new exhibit geared toward young people aims to change that. Courage to Act: Rescue in Denmark opened this week and marks the museum's first foray into programming for kids.

Geared toward ages 9-12, we got a sneak peek at this exhibition at one of NYC's top Jewish culture spots before it opened and were struck by its storylines, presentation, timeliness, and connections to today's news. Read on to learn why we can't wait to visit—and re-visit—this long-term exhibition with our own kids in tow. You'll find all our top picks for exhibitions with kids in our NYC Kids' Guide to Museums, Galleries, and Exhibits.

A Whimsical Dr. Seuss Experience is Coming to Los Angeles

Step into the magical world of Dr. Seuss. Photo courtesy of Fever

Dr. Seuss has delighted readers for decades with its whimsical world of classic characters and tongue-twisting rhymes. Those beloved Dr. Seuss stories will jump off the pages and land in Los Angeles, creating an immersive world for kids and parents alike through the Dr. Seuss Experience. 

Read on for what to expect at the Dr. Seuss Experience in Los Angeles, and if your favorite Dr. Seuss book characters like The Cat in the Hat or The Grinch will be present in the Dr. Seuss installments available to explore. 

For another interactive Los Angeles experience for kids that bursts with fun, get lost in Bubble World

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