New Yorkers often bemoan rapid changes to old-school spots such as Coney Island, where recent "upgrades" seem to have wiped away the grit and charm of old Gotham. Anyone who yearns for the New York of yesteryear needs to head directly to Playland in Rye, New York. Somehow, the amusement park in southern Westchester, in operation since 1928, has managed to revitalize itself with modern standards while maintaining the original charm of the last century. It’s among the most underrated gems for summer fun in the area.

As a child of the 80s, slime ranks pretty high in my archive of childhood memories. It was the stuff that made Ghostbusters awesome, and many of my childhood dreams involved running through an obstacle course getting covered with the stuff. Yet somehow the slime of the new millennium is even cooler. Even better that you can make it in the comfort of your own home with a few simple ingredients. Check out more cool boredom busters and crafts to do with kids.

If there's one thing that I've come to appreciate as a native Houstonian, it's that there is no shortage of rich and varied cultural experiences waiting around every corner. One solid example of this is the Sam Houston Boat Tour, which takes passengers on a FREE 90-minute guided tour of the Houston Ship Channel. I took this tour several years ago with my husband and parents and was eager to take my transportation-obsessed son when the opportunity arose. 

A water park is hard to beat on a hot summer day. With summer's heat on the horizon, I'm re-living the fun my family had at SplashDown Beach in Fishkill, New York last summer. We hardly noticed the blazing temperatures as we coasted along the lazy river and enjoyed the waterslides and other thrill rides. Dubbed "America's Biggest Little Water Park," this Hudson Valley park, about 90 minutes north of NYC, offers all the fun of its larger counterparts, with a solid family-friendly vibe, attentive staff, and fun rides for all ages. There's a reason we included SplashDown in our roundup of best water parks for toddlers, but really the fun extends to big kids, teens, and parents, too.

Don't forget to check out the Mommy Poppins Theme and Water Park Guide for more amusement park fun—and waterslides.

Easter, Valentine's Day, heck, why not Flag Day? Any holiday, birthday, or random down-in-the-dumps day can provide an excellent excuse for a sugary treat. Orange County offers plenty of places to satisfy a sweet tooth, and we were brave enough to take on the task of sampling and sharing some of our favorites. From unicorn hot chocolate to gourmet cookie shots to zombie-themed donuts, there's always some new and exciting way to indulge in decadent treats. Here are five of OC's hottest—or coolest.

Good things come in small packages. Somerville may be only two square miles, but there's a lot of fun packed into this charming Central Jersey borough. With a vibrant and redeveloped downtown, a minor league baseball team, and some amazing historical sites, there is plenty to see and do. Here are 20+ ways for your family to have a blast in and around Somerville.