Best Museums for Kids in the DC Area: Children’s Museums and Family-Friendly Museums

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What masterpieces will your kiddo create at the National Building Museum’s PLAY WORK BUILD exhibit? Photo by Anne McDonough, courtesy of the museum

Washington, DC is known for its amazing free museums, including the world-famous Smithsonian institutions. That's why DC museums that charge admission are often overlooked. But, trust us—there are several fantastic museums in DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland that are truly worth the price of admission.

On a cold or rainy day, these museums offer something new and interesting for families to experience, whether it's exhibits just for young visitors, planes or trains to marvel at, optical illusions, or hands-on activities such as building and art.

Here are our favorite museums for kids and families in the DC area that are worth paying for, including children's museums and more. We've also included a few of the free museums near DC that are especially kid-friendly. Read reviews of some of these places in our Museum Guide for Kids and Families in Washington, DC, which includes our list of free museums in DC to visit with kids.

Salem with Kids: 25 Best Things To Do in Salem, MA

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The Salem Witch Museum and other fun attractions draw visitors to Salem MA all year. Photo courtesy of the Salem Witch Museum.

There are so many fun things to do in Salem, MA with kids throughout the year. Costumes are always on in Salem, but the city truly becomes Halloween Town through October. While Halloween has historically been packed with revelers, Witch City is always a great destination for an easy day trip or weekend getaway because there's always things to do in Salem.

Take the ferry from Boston to learn the history of the Salem Witch Trials, experience everything from the magical to the macabre anytime of year, and explore family-friendly, hands-on exhibitions at the world-class Peabody Essex Museum. 

It's easy to promise families year-round fun in this historic walkable town with our list of the top things to do in Salem with kids.  For more fun things to do this October, we've rounded up the best kids Halloween events near Boston and loaded up our Halloween Guide with the best of spooky season. 

Scary Haunted Houses in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

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Head to Ulster Park to catch the spooky Headless Horseman Haunted Houses. Photo courtesy of event

Nothing says Halloween like a spooky haunted house, and Westchester and the Hudson Valley are teeming with top-of-the-line haunted houses and scream parks, many of them boasting Hollywood-quality makeup and special effects. If you have teens keen on a thrilling screamfest, look no further. 

Read on for our list of the top haunted houses and scream parks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Some of these are returning favorites that have been recognized as the top haunted houses in the country, such as Pure Terror Scream Park and Scared by the Sound. Others can even boast of being held in historic haunted locations, such as the Dark Forest at Burn Brae Mansion and Prison of Horrors.  

Find more great Halloween activities in our Westchester and Hudson Valley Halloween Guide. 

NJ's Most Amazing Jack-o'-Lantern Displays and Pumpkin Festivals

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Enjoy dozens of pumpkin- and fall-themed activities at the Great Pumpkin Festival at Heaven Hill Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm

Kick off the festive fall season at one of the many wonderful pumpkin-themed events and festivals happening around New Jersey, from elaborate jack-o'-lantern displays and carving competitions to good old-fashioned pumpkin picking at local farms. There's also plenty of fun to be had at pumpkin decorating events. 

Read on for our top picks, plus a couple of bonus events worth a drive across state lines. You can find our guide to pumpkin picking in New Jersey and even more seasonal events in our Guide to New Jersey Fall Fun and Guide to Halloween Events in New Jersey.

Haunted Houses and Not-Too-Spooky Halloween Walks for NYC Kids

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The Queens County Farm Museum's Haunted Farm House is full of winding paths and sudden surprises.

When it comes to Halloween thrills with kids, a tricked-out haunted house or slightly spooky Halloween walk just might be the right kind of boo for you. Haunted houses have long been popular suburban Halloween staples, and we've got the scoop on Long Island haunted houses and Westchester's top spooky attractions. For city kids, haunted houses in NYC are more limited. The most spooky picks, like Blood Manor, are definitely grown-ups only. There are, however, a handful of haunted houses in New York City offering gentler Halloween chills for families.

Read on for the scoop on kid-friendly haunted houses in NYC, plus Halloween walks with more gentle thrills—and heed the age warnings. While grade-school kids can attend most of these, not all are suitable for preschoolers. We've got the scoop on NYC's top Halloween events and plenty more spooky fun in our New York City Kids' Halloween Fun Guide.

32 Best Things To Do with Kids on Catalina Island

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There are tons of Catalina adventures on the water. Photo courtesy of Catalina Tours

Catalina Island offers a quick getaway that will make you second guess if you left California and somehow found yourself on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Easily done in a day trip or longer if your family prefers, Catalina Island is reachable by an hour-long boat ride (or slightly longer, depending on the port you depart) from Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point. 

There are endless activities for kids on Catalina Island, from glass-bottom boat tours to bison expeditions and just playing in the sand at the beach. Plenty of entertainment and activities will keep little ones and grown-ups happy for a day or a weekend trip on Catalina Island. 

When departing from Long Beach, check out these things to do in Long Beach with kids. If islands are your thing, drive up the coast to explore Channel Islands National Park with the family, and plan your next adventure with our Weekend Getaway Guide and Day Trips for Los Angeles Families. 

Best Family Resorts That Will Sell Out for the Holidays - So, Book Now!

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Create cherished holiday memories at the Hotel del Coronado. Photo courtesy of the hotel

As the saying goes, there's no place like home for the holidays. But we say home is wherever your family is. And if your family is looking to get away this holiday season, book your trip now—some of the best family resorts are booking up quickly!

We've rounded up a dozen great family resorts to spend the holidays at with the whole gang. Some of these family resorts go above and beyond with holiday decorations and activities, making your family feel like they're in a Hallmark Christmas movie. Others are near destinations that do it up for the holidays, including Disneyland and Disney World.

Prefer to spend the holidays in paradise? We've also included some of our favorite all-inclusive resorts and other hotels in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii. These family resorts, along with others on our list of warm and sunny family vacation spots, provide a welcome respite from Jack Frost nipping at your nose.

See our Family Resorts and Hotels Guide for more great places to spend the holidays with your family.

Not-So-Scary Halloween Activities and Toddler Events in Boston

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Greater Boston's zoos are a hit with preschoolers for some not-so-scary Halloween fun! Photo courtesy of the Franklin Park Zoo

Looking for some not-so-scary Halloween events in Boston for toddlers and preschoolers? For little kids, Halloween is usually more about the treats than the tricks. The excitement is in getting dressed up for a costume parade, making decorations, and hitting the trick-or-treat trail with a pillowcase or pumpkin bucket in hand.

For fun, not-so-scary Halloween happenings in and around Boston this month, read on. We've rounded up some of 2023's best Halloween activities for families with young children. While older brothers and sisters may want to be spooked (or even scared silly), these activities are for kids and families who just want the Halloween festivities to be sweet.

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