Indoor water parks near Chicago will let you have a fun day swimming with your family without a plane ticket to a tropical destination. There are plenty of indoor water parks near Chicago with tube slides, lazy rivers, and even wave pools to help you beat those winter blues. We’ve grouped these indoor water parks by location so you can see which are easily done in a day trip and which would require a mini-road trip or staycation.

For more indoor family fun, check out our guide to indoor play spaces for Chicago kids. And if you're just looking for swimming without a bunch of slides, we also have a list of Best Indoor Swimming Pools in Chicago.

From Mattapan to Sturbridge, February means maple sugaring with Boston kids. One of the sweetest things about living in Massachusetts is being able to experience maple sugaring firsthand. Bostonians don’t have to go very far to enjoy maple sugar festivals, learn to tap maple trees at farms, or watch sap being boiled down in sugar houses. Of course, the best part is tasting the final product!

Read on for the maple sugaring activities and sugar house tours available to families during this year's syrup season, starting in late February and lasting through March. Make the most of the next couple months by checking out our Boston winter fun guide. It's full of great activities that you can combine with a maple sugaring, like the Best Snow Tubing near Boston for families. 

It takes special South Florida and Miami restaurants to cater to the needs and wants of kids. Many children love to be outside and active; and in South Florida, families especially enjoy beautiful waterviews and good food. We have found amazing restaurants in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and beyond where adults AND children can have fun, eat delicious food, and enjoy cool, kid-friendly amenities.

Forget just a boring kid's menu—these South Florida and Miami restaurants will keep children occupied with on-site game rooms, playgrounds, pools(!), and more. Hope you brought an appetite because we're digging into awesome restaurants in South Florida the whole family can enjoy!

Since its 2016 opening on DC's National Mall, Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture has been a hot ticket—and for good reason. Housing more than 40,000 artifacts (with over 3,000 of them on display), it's the only national museum dedicated exclusively to documenting African American life, history, and culture. The massive museum features exhibits on the civil rights movement, slavery and freedom, famous African Americans including athletes and musicians, and so much more. And with its unique and breathtaking design, it wows visitors even before they enter.

The best part? Like all of the Smithsonian institutions and other museums in DC, entry to the National Museum of African American History and Culture is absolutely free. But is it appropriate for kids? My family and I visited several months ago when my twin boys were 10 and my daughter was 7, and I will say that the answer is a resounding YES! My kids were interested and engaged throughout our entire four-hour visit, and they can't wait to go back.

Read on for all of my tips on visiting Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture with kids. Then check out our Museum Guide for Kids and Families in Washington, DC for more great museums to check out.

The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens makes the perfect outing in Orlando for any family. The Central Florida Zoo is located about 20 miles north of Orlando in beautiful Sanford, Florida, on the shores of Lake Monroe. A Central Florida attraction dating back to the 1920s, this small zoo is home to over 350 animals, as well as a splash pad, ropes course, playground, and more. There is something for all ages to enjoy at this Orlando zoo!

Looking for the best baby stores in Westchester and the Hudson Valley? Read on for 10 great picks. 

We've found shops located throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley where we’d choose local over big-name chains any day of the week. Shoppers can buy the softest outfits, sweetest room décor, organic teethers, and eco-friendly toys at these stores. And that’s not all: Several of these shops offer educational classes on top of their impressive product selections. Most also have online ordering so that supporting local communities is only a few clicks away. 

Find more local baby tips, like the best baby enrichment classes, in our Westchester Baby Guide for Pregnant and New Parents.

Looking for the best breakfast restaurants on Long Island? Read on for our top picks. 

Many say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but why not take it easy and leave the cooking to someone else? The Long Island restaurant scene is full of fun diners and restaurants with extensive morning menus and many kid-friendly options.

Since little ones are often early risers, it’s a no-brainer. Get the family together and check out these family-friendly restaurants that are sure to please.

Find our post on the best Long Island brunch spots and other family-friendly restaurant ideas in our Long Island Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide.