Best Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, & West Palm Beach

Photo courtesy of Just 4 Fun Family Fun Center

Indoor play spaces are the answer for South Florida days that are raining, hot, or just because. The Miami area overflows with great places to visit, and outdoor family fun is everywhere you look, but when the word of the hour is air conditioning, these indoor playgrounds beat the heat for kids of all ages. Some of them even offer great solutions for birthday parties.

Read on for our recommendations for where to play indoors, when outdoors is not an option.

3 Days in Boston with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

With history, attractions, events, and activities, visiting Boston with kids is three days of fun! Photo courtesy of the Old North Church

So visiting Boston with kids is on the agenda? Great choice! The northeast has so much history, culture, and food to experience when traveling with your family. 

Boston is a kid-friendly city that has so much to offer. From museums to historic landmarks to family-friendly restaurants, it’s packed with adventures just waiting to be had. If you have more than 3 days planned for your family vacation, there are tons of great day trips you can plan around the Boston area. We've rounded up a few of our favorite locations for visiting Boston with kids. 

3 Days in the Hudson Valley with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Hang out Lego friends at Legoland New York. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

New York's Hudson Valley was recently named by National Geographic Traveler as one of the top 20 must-see destinations in the world and those of us lucky enough to live here know that is a prime destination for a family trip. Its picturesque hills offer stunning views and numerous activities for all seasons, from hiking and waterfall hopping in the summer to skiing and snowtubing in the winter. 

To give you the best bang for your buck, we're giving you a local's perspective on the best things to do in the Hudson Valley. You probably can't do all of these activities in three days (kids could probably spend the entire trip at Legoland), but we have included plenty of options so you can take your pick. 

For more family-friendly fun, check out our roundups of Things To Do with Kids in the Hudson Valley, Best Hudson Valley Sledding Hills, and Easy Hikes in the Hudson Valley

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.  

3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier

New York City overflows with things to do for families, and while you may have visited the city that never sleeps in your pre-parenthood youth, it’s a completely different experience with kids in tow. Lucky for you: I’m here to offer my parent-tested tips for the best things to do in NYC on a family vacation. Even locals can appreciate these picks, which are a combination of off-the-beaten-path destinations and New York City’s top attractions, all catering to a mix of ages and interests.

I’ve laid it all out in an easy-to-follow three-day itinerary, and while you can’t do it all in three days, you can definitely take a big bite out of the Big Apple. Read on for my top picks for things to do in NYC during your family vacation—or use these picks for a local staycation to explore some new-to-you sites and neighborhoods. You can find all our top things to do in NYC on our NYC kids’ bucket list and in our Visitors Guide to New York City.

3 Days in Houston with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

The Houston Zoo is a great stop for kids, and near other things to do in Houston, too. Photo by Jessica A., courtesy of the zoo

Looking for things to do when visiting Houston with kids? We've got you covered with this three day itinerary packed with kid-friendly activities in Houston.

You’re sure of a big Texas welcome in Houston on a family weekend away. Houston is a large, diverse, kid-friendly city with many amazing indoor and outdoor tourist attractions. With warm weather year-round, Houston is great to visit in any season – although plan for indoor and pool time in the heat of the summer. Whether you’re looking to head to one of the world-class attractions in the Museum District or are keen to learn about space at NASA, there are hundreds of awesome things to do in Houston with kids.

When you need to take a break and enjoy local dining, most restaurants welcome small to large families with family-style meals, large booths and kids’ menus. We’ve made suggestions for eating out with some of Houston’s most famous cuisines, such as Tex-Mex, steaks, and barbecue, but if you need further inspiration, check out our Houston kid-friendly restaurant guide. And if you're looking for festivals and other special events on the days that you're in town, use our kid-friendly activity calendar.

Ready? Check into one of Houston's Family-Friendly Resorts and Hotels and start exploring!

3 Days in DC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Explore amazing interactive exhibits at the National Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Visiting DC with kids can be very overwhelming, especially if you're only here for a long weekend. After all, DC is home to the iconic monuments and memorials of the National Mall, loads of free museums (including the incredible Smithsonian institutions), government buildings to tour, and historic neighborhoods to explore. So how can you narrow down all of these great things to do in DC if you only have three days?

If this is your first trip to Washington, DC, here is a three-day itinerary that will help you visit some of the city's top attractions. I've saved neighborhoods and attractions outside the city itself—like Arlington National Cemetery, Old Town Alexandria, and National Harbor—for a later trip. The best part? Other than the restaurants and shopping, every single attraction on this itinerary is absolutely FREE! Yes—you can spend a long weekend in our nation's capital without breaking the bank.

Read on for a three-day itinerary of 21 fun (and mostly free) things to do in DC with kids. If you have more than three days to fill, check out our Guide to Free Things To Do in DC with Kids or our list of 100 things to do in DC with kids for more fun ideas.

3 Days in Los Angeles with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

This 3 day itinerary will make you fall in love with LA. Photo by Roberto Nickson, via Pexels

So, you’re visiting Los Angeles with kids, and you’ve only got three days. No problem—I have the perfect itinerary for you! Now, most would say that’s not enough time to explore this bustling, bursting metropolis. But I’ve been all over this city, and tried pretty much single thing to do in LA with kids, and I’m telling you—by the time you finish the three-day tour below, you’ll know this city, and love it, like a native Angeleno.

This itinerary will give you a taste of why I love it here: the hidden gems, the incredible history, the iconic sites & sights, and even the best bathrooms in town. Plus, you’ll get a taste of the tastes of LA, and the vibrant food scene that is the most exciting in the country. So buckle up (yes, you’ll need a car) and get ready to go back in time to the La Brea Tar Pits, stroll down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, and play on the beach. Here we go!

If you’ve got more than three days, you might want to check out our list of the top attractions in Los Angeles and our bucket list of the 100 best things to do in Los Angeles with kids before they grow up.

3 Days in Orlando with Kids (Minus the Theme Parks): Itinerary From a Local Mom

Spend a few hours exploring Orlando with Winter Park Scenic Boat Tours. Photo courtesy of the company

Take an Orlando trip with Mommy Poppins! As a local (born and raised), I'm here to tell you that there is so much more to do in Orlando with kids beyond the theme parks. If you are visiting Orlando for a long weekend or quick trip and want to avoid the high costs and crowds associated with theme parks, we’ve compiled the perfect three-day itinerary for an Orlando trip with kids. And since the Florida weather can be unpredictable, we've included both outdoor and indoor attractions. Plus, if your kids are older and can hang after the sun has set, we've included evening entertainment options for your Orlando visit.

Pages