25 Things to do in Vernon

Past Manchester, heading into the Quiet Corner, Moms and Dads can find the bustling minitropolis of Vernon. There are many family friendly things to do in this town, especially for your pre-teens and teens. While you're in th area, make sure to check out some of our favorite road trips in the Quiet Corner and these other small Connecticut towns.

A Dozen New Dessert Spots for Westchester Families

Cake push pops at Flowerbake by Angela are a beautiful and tasty treat.

Sweet news: a host of new sweet spots have opened in Westchester recently, and we’ve rounded them up below. (We also conducted a few taste tests—strictly in the interest of research, of course.)

Our list includes several new ice-cream parlors, three spots for trendy Thai rolled ice cream, and a few eateries offering acai bowls, juices, and smoothies. There’s also new fro-yo, as well as a new bakery that hosts classes and parties.

Read on to get the skinny on these dessert destinations—and be sure you’re signed up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook to stay in the know about news (and more) of interest to Westchester families!

Ice Cream Shops Near Great Playgrounds in Brooklyn and Manhattan

Get Ample Hills Ice Cream by the Thomas Greene Playground. Photo by Jackie Cuscuna

We're well into playground season now, and New York City parents are steeling themselves to endure hearing the Mister Softee theme playing on a loop until September. While there's nothing wrong with grabbing a cone from your friendly neighborhood ice cream truck, I admit that I prefer play spots that have really fantastic ice cream vendors nearby. Cold and sweet, a few scoops of mint chocolate chip or strawberry (my flavors of choice) make sticking out the sticky New York City weather that much more manageable. And my kids don't mind eating it either.

Here are some of my favorite spots to grab a scoop, plus fun places to play before or after.

Vancouver With Kids: 30 Great Things To Do as a Family

Take a ride aboard the Aquabus and watch Vancouver's skyline unfold. Photo courtesy of Aquabus

One of Canada’s most ethnically diverse and densely populated cities, Vancouver, British Columbia is the crown jewel of the country's West Coast.

Less than an hour by car from the border with the United States, Vancouver is the gateway to the Pacific Rim and draws visitors from all over the world. It’s not just the city’s location that makes people flock there, but also the stunning backdrop of mountains, temperate weather, and world-class parks and amenities.

With the ocean and mountains within a short drive, Vancouver is a veritable outdoor playground. This cosmopolitan city is waiting for your next adventure. With a favorable exchange rate in Canadian dollars, free public parks, and an easy-to-navigate public transportation system, Vancouver offers great value and seemingly endless and unforgettable experiences.

8 Educational Day Trips to Take With Houston Kids

As a parent, finding just the right balance of learning and play feels like the ultimate win. Kids love to explore new places and learn new things, and the added benefit of gaining some educational insight during a family outing is truly awesome. That's why we've rounded up some of our favorite spots for learning where families can spend the day discovering new ideas and concepts with little learners or explore subjects like history and science with older kids. These destinations are not only fun, but can provide children of all ages with tons of knowledge.

6 Natural Tide Pools Where Kids Can Explore Crabs, Sea Stars, and Marine Life Around Boston

Chances are, you've hit one of our glorious local beaches this summer to jump the waves and build sandcastles. But have you gone tide pooling yet? Kids love exploring these tiny ecosystems, usually created by outgoing tides, where they can discover crabs, sea stars, and more marine life. Bring a bucket and your curiosity, and consider a stop at a North Shore seafood shack on the way home. (Your shellfish discoveries might lead to some interesting discussions about the menu.)

Science and Natural History Museum Day Trips Near NYC

The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia is well worth the day trip.

Do you feel as if you've memorized every inch of the American Museum of Natural History? As mammoth as it is, we've visited so frequently I think I could find even the most remote corner of it blindfolded. We've also explored every inch of the New York Hall of Science in Queens and liberated all the science at New Jersey's Liberty Science Center.

If your family's looking for new, fun universes to discover, now is the perfect time for a family-friendly day trip. Here are four science and natural history museums outside of New York City that make great day or overnight trips. Car-free families take note: You can reach all of them by bus or train.

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