Chicago restaurants with patios offer a way for families to enjoy a meal out without worrying about their kids making messes or noise. And it's the perfect time of year for outdoor dining in Chicago. Many restaurants vastly expanded their outdoor seating areas (and tricked them out!) during the pandemic, and now families can take advantage of the gorgeous weather and outdoor seating to dine out in style.

From grilled sausage to whole roasted duck and lazy coffee-fueled brunches to late afternoon pretzel-fueled beer breaks, these are our favorite Chicago-area outdoor restaurants where families can enjoy a delicious meal outside their own four walls. And don't forget to check our Kid-Friendly Chicago Restaurant Guide for more recommendations.

Outdoor dining is aplenty in Los Angeles. If you want to eat al fresco, Southern California is the place to live. We can find restaurants with outdoor dining pretty much year-round— and they're all comfortably furnished, give kids space to play, and have fabulous food for adults & kids alike.

Whether you crave Mexican food, pizza, vegan meals, dim sum, or afternoon tea, we found it. If you want to eat on the beach, dine with peacocks, or on a fairy-light-strewn patio, it’s on the list below. Bon appètit!

Check out our Restaurant Guide for Los Angeles and Orange County Families for more kid-friendly eating experiences in Los Angeles, including restaurants where kids can play while parents eat and mouth-watering treats that dazzle kids of all ages.

Plenty of space, lots of beautiful views and delicious menu options; restaurants with outdoor dining around Connecticut are always a great idea for families! Especially as the temperatures start to rise. From river docks to secret gardens and beachside patios, these eateries are a hit with hungry families looking for good food and outdoor seating.

Some of these awesome Connecticut restaurants with outdoor seating even made our list of places where kids can play while you relax, which is the ultimate combination for happy dining as a family. And if you're looking for a great breakfast out with the kids, look through our list of Best Breakfast Restaurants in Connecticut.

With exciting views and kid-friendly vibes, these restaurants with outdoor dining near Boston are always a good choice for a family. From a city dock to a suburban orchard, outdoor restaurants offer families a chance to get out for a bite and enjoy the fresh air. Many even offer up green space and added activities and games to keep little diners—and their parents—happy and content throughout the whole meal.

Some of these great outdoor restaurants even made our list of places where kids can play while you relax, the ultimate combination for happy dining as a family. Check websites or call before heading out to find out each individual restaurant's policies about reservations and enjoy the refreshing pleasures of a meal outside!

The combination of restaurants with play spaces gives parents a chance to enjoy a meal, while kids burn off energy. In fact, the person who invented the restaurant-with-playground concept deserves a medal. These Orlando restaurants offer entertainment for kids, from the world's largest McDonalds, to dinosaur discovery at the T-Rex Café.  Keep reading to discover some of the Orlando restaurants with play spaces that are highly recommended by locals and tourists alike.

For more playtime activities around Central Florida, check out our list of the best playgrounds in Orlando, indoor play spaces for kids in Orlando, and local indoor entertainment centers.

Outdoor dining is an annual rite of passage in Westchester, marking the turning of the seasons—and the area's many great eateries mean that you can definitely find choices that work for kids and parents. 

Read on for our list of family-friendly outdoor restaurants in Westchester. These selections offer a mix of price points, atmospheres, and cuisines where families can get an al fresco fix.

Looking for more family-friendly dining options? Check out our Kid-Friendly Westchester Restaurant Guide. And for more family fun this season, bookmark our Event Calendar and Summer Activity Guide. 

What could be nicer during Long Island's warm-weather months than outdoor dining with the whole family? There's something about a warm breeze that makes a tasty meal even more delectable.

We've rounded up some of our favorite restaurants with outdoor dining in Nassau and Suffolk counties, plus a handful of spots on the East End. Family-friendly menus, locations, and attractions make them ideal choices for parents with hungry kids.

Find more family-friendly eats in our Guide to Long Island Restaurants, and if you're craving some post-meal sweets, check out our list of deliciously retro ice cream parlors.

These aquariums near NYC make for a fun under-the-sea day trip destination where families can see colorful fish up close, be entertained by a variety of undersea animals, and get a kick out of interactive exhibits, feedings, and shows.

There are a number of great aquariums within an easy day trip from the tri-state area, so the next time your kids request a trip to the aquarium, consider visiting one of these regional picks, which each offer a truly unique undersea experience. At these local aquariums in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, you can see everything from Beluga whales at the Mystic Aquarium to the East Coast's largest collection of sharks at the Adventure Aquarium.

Find more day trip-worthy destinations in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways and find all our top picks for animal fun in our Guide to Local Zoos and Gardens.