Playgrounds may be as much a part of childhood as potty training and the tooth fairy, but having a go-to playground is a real sanity saver for city families. When you live in a tiny apartment, the neighborhood park is your backyard.

While New Yorkers are lucky to have many awesome local play spots, some NYC playgrounds are a cut above the rest. These spots offer plenty of space to romp and enough outdoor entertainment to make them worth a schlep on the subway. Without further ado, read on for 21 of the city's best playgrounds—our NYC playground hall of fame.

If you're looking to add a little indulgence to your day, why not visit one of these Long Island restaurants serving up decadent desserts sure to hit your sweet spot. From groovy, tie-dye milkshakes to larger-than-life sundaes, here are 11 family-friendly restaurants on Long Island serving outrageously over-the-top sweet treats.

For more dessert finds, check out our list of old-fashioned ice cream parlors on Long Island and find more all-occasion eats in our Guide to Family-Friendly Restaurants.

Toddlers may be tiny, but their sense of adventure is enormous. On the playground, this can mean near-heart attack moments for parents and caregivers! Luckily, New Jersey has a bunch of great tot lots with age-appropriate equipment for the littlest daredevils. Here, we've rounded up some of the best toddler playgrounds in New Jersey.

No matter the age of your kids, we've got plenty more places to play in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds in New Jersey.

Whether you’re a local looking for a fun downtown staycation or visiting the city from out of town, we’ve rounded up the best hotels in Chicago for a family vacation. There are literally hundreds of hotels in Chicago, so to narrow it down, we’ve picked hotels with fun amenities, indoor or outdoor pools, kid-friendly rooms, and great locations for family fun. Get packing and check out this list of hotels in Chicago for a family vacation. 

For more family-friendly activities and things to see, visit our Chicago Visitor's Guide. If you're looking for great attractions to visit, check out our guide for the Top Tourist Attractions in Chicago for Kids.

There are lots of great parks and playgrounds in Westchester, no matter which city or town you live in. But finding a playground that’s suitable for the under-5 set can sometimes be a challenge—you want them to be safe; they want to try that giant, twisty slide with a group of wild 7-year-olds on it. Happily, there are several toddler playgrounds near Westchester. These tot lots have plenty of safe options for keeping little ones occupied while having fun. We've rounded up a few of our favorites.

Read on for 13 toddler playgrounds in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, and find more fun places to play in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.

As the days get longer and the temperatures rise, flower fields in Connecticut start springing to life. Daffodils, cherry blossoms, tulip fields, and more put on a beautiful floral firework display with a cacophony of blooms throughout the state. From the urban beauty of Cherry Blossoms in New Haven to the delightful daffodils in Litchfield, Connecticut sure knows how to celebrate the arrival of spring.  

Browse our list of the most beautiful places for flower picking near you in Connecticut before digging out those buckets from the garage. Colorful inspiration is all around us during springtime in the Nutmeg State, so don't miss Spring Festivals and Fairs in Connecticut for Kids and Families and our ultimate Spring Bucket List.

A visit to the City of Lights has long been on my bucket list, and I was thrilled—and shocked—when my husband surprised me with an epic family vacation to celebrate a milestone birthday. We found plenty of things to do in Paris to fill our days and nights with outings and explorations that weren't always kid-centric but delivered a sophisticated, satisfying trip for our family of five, ranging in age from 8 to 40-something. And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how kind, helpful, and stereotype-defying we found the French people.

From trekking through the Louvre Museum to climbing the Eiffel Tower and wandering the winding, cobblestoned alleys, here are our favorite things to do in Paris with kids. Find more international destinations nearby in our European Travel Guide for Families.

Zoos are a popular destination for families with kids of all ages—who doesn’t love to gawk at giraffes and roar like a lion? While Franklin Park Zoo is a popular (and wonderful) option, there are six others within a 90-minute drive of Boston that each offer something unique for animal aficionados. Whether it’s Franklin Park’s sister zoo in Stoneham or York’s Wild Kingdom in Maine, there is an option for you within day-trip distance, offering entrance to another world of miraculous and mysterious creatures not normally seen around Boston.