Solar Eclipse 2024: Book Now for an Upstate New York Getaway in the Path of Totality

Get your solar glasses and book your reservations now to see April's total solar eclipse in Upstate New York. Photo by Ally Noeltal eclipse

As the celestial spectacle of total solar eclipse 2024 approaches, families are anticipating the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness this awe-inspiring event together. During the solar eclipse 2024 on Monday, April 8, the moon passes in front of the sun, casting a shadow upon the Earth resulting in moments of complete darkness in the middle of the day for those in the path of totality.

While the solar eclipse 2024 cuts across a great swath of the United States, the path of totality—where complete darkness exists—crosses over eastern and northern New York state, giving local families the chance to take a day trip or long weekend to witness the excitement. But, take note: The solar eclipse 2024 is expected to draw huge crowds, so if you want to travel to the path of totality, book now.

We've got the scoop on all the best events and destinations to witness the solar eclipse 2024 in New York state, plus family-friendly hotels to stay in, and more fun to round out your trip. Find more family-travel destinations in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Guide To the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway with Kids: Everything You Need to Know

Palm Springs Tramway observation deck photo by author Jackie Jones

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway offers a thrilling adventure for visitors of all ages. Ascending the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon, the tramway provides breathtaking views of the Coachella Valley and beyond. 

At the Mountain Station, located at an elevation of 8,516 feet, families can explore hiking trails, enjoy dining with scenic vistas, revel in winter activities, and experience the natural beauty of the San Jacinto Mountains. With cooler temperatures and stunning landscapes, the tramway offers a refreshing escape from the desert heat and unforgettable memories for families seeking outdoor recreation and exploration at new heights. 

Explore more to do in Palm Springs with kids, plan road trips from Los Angeles for a family getaway, and find adventures in our Weekend Getaway Guide and Day Trips for Los Angeles Families

Family Camps with Cabin Camping

Family camps offer lots of outdoor adventures like canoeing, kayaking, and more. Photo courtesy of Camp Seymour on Puget Sound

For decades, American kids have made lasting summer memories at sleepaway camps from New England to the West Coast. But, what about the adults? Enter: Family Camps with cabin camping. Many popular sleepaway camps open their bunkhouses to families for weekend or week-long family camps each spring, summer, and/or fall.

Family camps offer families an entire summer camp experience with a slew of activities including sports, hiking, boating, arts and crafts, and more. Nearly all of them serve up three meals a day, and some offer extra perks like evening happy hours and movies under the stars.

Here are 20 family camps with cabin camping in the Northeast, South, Midwest, and West Coast. Get even more fun family vacation ideas in our Family Travel Guide. And if your kids are ready to attend an overnight camp on their own, find the perfect one in our US Sleepaway Camp Guide.

Best Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Brooklyn for Kids

Kids can climb the walls—and more—at the Play Lab, one of our top picks for the best indoor playgrounds in Brooklyn.

Brooklyn can't be beat for indoor playgrounds. From Play Kids in Greenpoint to Fairytale Island in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn kids have some prime indoor playgrounds to explore.

While we've included a couple of mellow tot spots with crafts or storytelling, this list of the best indoor play spaces in Brooklyn is focused on active indoor playgrounds, where toddlers, preschoolers, and even bigger kids can conquer multilevel mazes, swoosh down slides, climb rock walls, or just turn around in circles until they fall down exhausted and ready for a nap.

Read on for the best drop-in indoor play spaces in Brooklyn and find more indoor playgrounds citywide in our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces.

25 Best Board Books for Babies and Toddlers You’ll Love to Read Over and Over

Babies love books; sure they may treat them as toys or food at first, but a love of reading will come.

Board books for babies are the perfect way to spend time together and foster a lifelong love of books and reading. From classic tales to brand-new reads, there are so many incredible board books that babies can gnaw on, play with, flip through, have read to them, and one day even read!

Sweet, silly, profane, profound, inclusive, and interactive—these are our tried and true recommendations for the best board books to read with your baby.

For more tips on building a fabulous home library check out lists of our favorite banned kids' books, bedtime stories for kids, and even 100 Books Every Kid Should Read. They're all in our Best Kids' Books Guide.

New Play Street Museum Is an Imaginative Wonderland for Little New Yorkers

Play Street Museum caters to kids ages 8 and younger with a variety of imaginative play elements.

Upper Manhattan families take note: Play Street Museum has just debuted on the Upper West Side bringing with it a brand-new mini-city perfect for imaginative play. Geared toward children ages 8 and younger, the new play space is a perfect destination for cold or rainy days and offers a creative outlet for little New Yorkers.

Read on for all the ways you can play at Play Street Museum, which seems destined to make its way onto our list of Manhattan's best drop-in play spaces, and find more fun places to play in our NYC Kids' Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones in NYC.

Best Free and Fun Things To Do in Connecticut with Kids March 2024: Easter and More

Spring is extra sweet this March, so get out for the top things to do in CT with kids! Photo by Meri Erickson courtesy of the Greenwich Land Trust

Looking for the best things to do in Connecticut this March? St. Patrick's Day brings Irish festivities to the Nutmeg State, while the Easter Bunny is hopping in early this year with fun things to do with Connecticut kids. Don't miss out on these annual events!

You can harvest your syrup in just about every corner of Connecticut with the Statewide Maple Syrup Weekend. Bring your basket (and camera) to gather eggs at Easter EggVenture. If you are up for a challenge, try the Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt at EverWonder Museum. And be sure to throw on some green and attend the free Annual Greater Hartford St. Patrick's Day Parade!

We're adding things to our family activity calendar every day, so don't forget to sign up for our newsletters for regularly updated events!

Best Free & Fun Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids March 2024

The Atlanta Science Festival is an annual celebration of world-class learning and STEM career opportunities, featuring engaging events for kids and adults. Photo courtesy of the festival

From Purim to St. Patrick's Day to Easter, March is a great time to get out and enjoy free fun in Atlanta! Don’t miss our favorite FREE things to do in Atlanta with kids in March.

As we spring forward into March, Atlanta families can head to FREE events, especially leprechaun-friendly ones, like the Atlanta St. Patrick's Day Parade, Shake Your Shamrock in Buford, and Avenue Shamrock in East Cobb! Purim falls in late March this year and families can attend several events, including Purim Carnival with a Cause. Easter arrives on March 31, so that means Easter egg hunts all month long at free events like Egg-cellent Adventure in Doraville, Milton Community Egg Hunt, and the Easter Egg Hunt in Norcross.

Find more Atlanta spring fun, including activities, travel guides, and more in our Spring Activities Guide for Atlanta Kids!

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