Edge Welcomes Visitors to Western Hemisphere's Highest Open-Air Observation Deck

The Edge's glass cutout offers a terrifying view 1,131 feet above street level. Photo courtesy of Related-Oxford

Daring New Yorkers have a brand new observation deck to take in sweeping city views: Edge had a short-lived debut way back in March, before shutting down with the rest of the city, but the attraction in Hudson Yards has reopened and is ready to welcome visitors.

Even before its debut, the highest open-air observation deck in the Western Hemisphere made its mark on the city skyline. One glance at the towering skyscrapers of the new neighborhood, and you can't miss it—it's the triangular platform jutting out 100 stories high from 30 Hudson Yards.

Read on for details on our visit to the new attraction, and learn what sets it apart from the city's other sky-high observation decks at the Empire State Building, One World Observatory, and Top of the Rock.

Jersey Shore Beaches, Long Island Beaches Extend Summer Seasons

The sun hasn't set on beach season. Several beaches on Long Island and along the Jersey Shore are staying open through September. Photo courtesy of Discover Long Island

Labor Day weekend is nearly upon us, and the milestone typically marks the end of the beach season in the tri-state area, but from the Jersey Shore to the sands of Long Island and Westchester County, area beaches are extending their seasons, giving visitors a chance to enjoy a little more sun and surf.

Read on for the details on which family-friendly beaches are welcoming visitors into September. 

NYC Schools Delay Reopening

New York City has delayed the start of its school year.

New York City has pushed back the start date for its public school children to Wednesday, September 16, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday. The move is part of an agreement between the city and the UFT, which had long been pushing for enhanced safety protocols before schools reopened, even threatening legal action and laying the groundwork for a strike if its safety concerns weren't addressed. 

In-person instruction will not begin until Monday, September 21, meaning all students will start with remote learning.

Zipline Courses and Treetop Adventures for SoCal Kids

Photo courtesy of Action Tours

Ziplining is about as socially distanced as an activity can get. If you're raising a kid who loves a good rush of adrenaline, maybe it's time for a family outing in the treetops. Ziplining is a thrilling, exciting, and safe activity that is great for adventurous kids—and their daring parents. We've pulled together several zipline locations that make great day trips or weekend trips from LA; the following treetop tours are currently operating unless otherwise noted.

Haunted Drive: Spooky, Socially Distanced Halloween Fun near Houston

Haunted Drive offers three acres of drive-through Halloween scares.

Haunted houses are a Halloween tradition for all the thrill-seekers out there, but the idea of big groups moving through tight spaces naturally raises social distancing concerns. Enter: Haunted Drive. A drive-through Halloween scarefest in Splendora, Haunted Drive gives visitors the opportunity to get their screams in while keeping a responsible distance from others.

Read on for the scoop on what Haunted Drive is adding this year to make the spooky drive-thru experience bigger, better, and safer than ever before. For more thrills and chills, check out these other Houston-area haunted houses as they consider 2020 opening plans, too.

New Halloween Drive-Thru Options Coming to Orlando

Two spooky Halloween drive-thru events open soon. Photo courtesy of Scream n Stream

Is Halloween saved? Even as Disney, Universal, and others cancel Halloween events due to coronavirus concerns, new spooky—and contactless—Orlando Halloween fun is popping up for 2020. Two new Halloween drive-thrus are opening near Orlando in late September, and we've got all the details.

This new type of socially-distanced haunting fun might just help to keep the Halloween spirit alive for Central Floridians. Dare to drive into a world of twisted fairy tales at the Haunted Road Drive-thru in Orlando, while the new Scream n' Stream in Kissimmee offers a younger kid drive-thru trick-or-treat trail or a chilling immersive horror movie experience in a haunted house for the teens and up. Read on for more details on the new Halloween attractions coming to the Orlando area.

The Best Local Ice Cream Shops in Westchester

King Kone is a sight to behold and offers a welcome, tasty, roadside diversion.

One of the sweetest parts of summer is an outing to a local ice cream shop. Whether you're cooling down with a shake or lounging on a bench and licking a cone, these frozen treats hard to pass up.

Westchester has its fair share of independent ice cream parlors. We've rounded up 18 of our favorites below so that families can get in their "last licks" of the summer. Whether you prefer to keep things simple with traditional treats or get excited about inventive confections like donut ice-cream sandwiches, we've got the goods.

Best PA State Parks with Kid-Friendly Hikes and Attractions

Enjoy the wildflower meadow at Delaware Canal State Park near the Giving Pond. Photo courtesy of PA DCNR

Pennsylvania is filled with amazing state parks to explore. In fact, there are over 300,000 acres of land managed by Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Nature Resources that offer everything from horseback riding and fishing to biking and overnight camping. By far, the most popular activity is hiking. Some hikes consist of short loops that are less than a mile while other trails are extensive and challenging.

If your family is looking for a PA state park to hike, check out our top 10 list below. Whether you want to see beautiful scenery, search for wildlife, or get some exercise, the list does not disappoint. Included in the descriptions are additional activities available at each park.

Looking for even more outdoor activities? Browse through our Parks & Playgrounds Guidenearby camping, and tubing and water rafting options for additional fun things to do with Philly kids. 

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