Best Places for Boating in DC: Paddleboarding, Electric Boats, Kayaking, and More

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Rent an easy-to-drive electric boat for a scenic and cool family outing. Photo courtesy of SeaDC at dceboats.com

Boating is a fun way for families to get out on the water and beat the heat during a DC summer. Whether it's kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, electric boats, or other types of vessels, there are various companies in DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland from which families can rent boats.

We've compiled a list of 12 great places to go canoeing, paddleboarding, electric boating, or kayaking near DC, whether for an hour or a whole day. Most places offer personal flotation devices (PFDs), so all you have to do is bring a sense of adventure and fun.

Check out our Ultimate DC Kids Summer Vacation Guide for more ways to stay cool this summer, from sprinkler parks and splash pads to free public swimming pools.

Los Angeles's Free Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals for Families This Summer

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Saturdays Off the 405 at the Getty Center. Photo by Cassia Davis. © 2022 J. Paul Getty Trust

Free concerts throughout Los Angeles in the summertime, where parents can pack up both a picnic and restless tots and spend an evening under the stars, is beautiful music to our ears. 

They say music soothes the savage beast, but it's also pretty good at entertaining the easily bored child. Lucky for us, free outdoor concert series fill Los Angeles and OC parks and open spaces all summer long. So the odds are you won't have to travel far to find an open-air event. Throw down a blanket, spread out the snacks, uncork the wine, and watch the kids boogie the evening away as you sway to breezy melodies. 

Looking for more entertainment in the great outdoors? Our roundup of the best free outdoor movies in Los Angeles this summer will help you find your favorite films, and there's plenty more summer fun in our Ultimate Los Angeles Kids Summer Vacation Guide. 

Free Outdoor Summer Movies in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this Summer for Kids

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Catch summer flicks at Movies Under the Walkway in Poughkeepsie. Photo courtesy of the event

Summer offers up looser schedules and later bedtimes, and FREE outdoor movies in Westchester and the Hudson Valley are a great way to take advantage of those seasonal perks. 

We’ve rounded up an assortment of outdoor flicks for your family’s enjoyment—films both old and new, and for a range of ages, often with the added appeal of a Hudson River view or sand in your shoes. Some offer added amenities like pre-film entertainment (from live bands to magic shows and more), complimentary refreshments, or food for purchase. But all have one thing in common: FREE summer fun! 

For another way of enjoying outdoor movies, check out our roundup of drive-in movie theaters. And don't forget to consult our complete Summer Activity Guide or Family Activity Calendar.

Our Epic Summer Bucket List of Things To Do on Long Island with Kids

Jaime Sumersille's picture Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on

Cool down with the family this summer at Calverton's Splish Splash Water Park. Photo courtesy of the park

There's no shortage of incredible things to do all summer on Long Island.

From swimming at beautiful beaches to taking a family-friendly road trip to the East End or exploring Long Island's many excellent parks and playgrounds, you shouldn't have to hear the words “I’m bored!” from your kids this epic summer. To help your family get the most out of this season, we’ve put together this list of 35 summer activities we can’t wait to do on Long Island.

Be sure to bookmark our Ultimate Long Island Summer Vacation Guide for plenty of other things to do.

Guide to Visiting Island Waterpark in Atlantic City with Kids

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Island Waterpark, at Atlantic City's Showboat Hotel, boasts 11 waterslides and four restaurants. Photo courtesy of the park

Atlantic City's new Island Waterpark at the Showboat Hotel opened in summer 2023, and this new indoor water park is quickly becoming a family fan favorite. 

Featuring 11 water slides, four restaurants, and access to the "world's largest arcade," it's easy to see why!

Here's everything you need to know about the ins and outs—and slips and slides—of this super kid-friendly water attraction in Atlantic City. Find tons more entertaining options in our Jersey Shore Family Guide.

16 Great Spraygrounds and Splash Pads in Atlanta for Kids

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Head to City Springs City Green for a romp through the refreshing splash pad. Photo courtesy of City Greene

As this summer proves to be another hot one, let kids frolic in an Atlanta splash pad, sprayground, and fountain. Splash pads allow kids to be physically active, interact with others, and spend time outdoors. They even appeal to those toddlers anxious about large swimming pools. Put these budget-friendly (and some even FREE) splash pads in Atlanta on your summer bucket list.

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