Oakland is a vibrant, family-friendly, diverse city full of culture and hidden nature gems, making it an excellent urban escape for a day or weekend of exploring with kids. 

Less crowded than its famous neighbor of San Francisco, Oakland is packed with beautiful hikes, kid-friendly museums, and over-the-top ice cream sundaes, making it worthy of a destination on its own. Keep reading below for the best things to do in Oakland with kids. 

Seek more adventure with the top day trips from San Francisco, and the best urban hikes for families in the Bay Area. Pack up the car and hit the road with the help of our Weekend Getaway and Day Trips Guide for San Francisco.  

If you're always on the lookout for those hidden-gem vacation destinations, here’s your PSA to put Belize on your family travel bucket list before the masses discover it.

Whether you love an all-inclusive Caribbean beach resort or like to stay active with lots of activities, cultural experiences, and natural wonders to explore, Belize offers a unique blend of the Caribbean and Central American cultures. That makes it a fascinating destination for families looking for a bit of everything, from beaches and reefs to jungles and ancient Mayan ruins.

The fact that English is the official language makes Belize a particularly convenient destination for English-speaking travelers, without sacrificing its exotic allure.

With a native Belizean (and dad) from Travel Belize as my guide, I was able to get the real inside scoop on the best things to do in Belize—plus some great kid-friendly resorts for families—to help you plan an amazing trip to Belize for your next family vacation. Read on for our Belize family travel guide, then see our Guide to the Best Caribbean Family Travel for even more warm and sunny family vacation ideas.

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College sports in Connecticut—football, basketball, hockey, and more—are almost always in season. College sports provide a family fun outing with tons of entertainment, kid-friendly snacks, and photo opportunities with mascots. Many of our picks are indoors—perfect for family entertainment in any weather. Plus, Connecticut's college sports events are very affordable. And some Connecticut colleges offer a kids sports club with tons of perks, from free admission to meeting players. Whether it is Division I, II, or III, here is our list of Connecticut college sports to watch with kids from the crowd.

Kids love cheering on the home team, wearing college colors, and trying to get on the Jumbotron. If watching a sport live sparks interest in athletics, check out Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones for Connecticut Kids. 

New Jersey is teeming with beautiful waterfalls, and many of them are accessible via an easy hike or walk. From the roaring Paterson Great Falls—the second-most-powerful waterfall east of the Mississippi—to the charming Hemlock Falls in the South Mountain Reservation, we've rounded up a handful of waterfall hikes in northern NJ that you can tackle with even the littlest trekkers. 

Waterfall hikes are great for goal-oriented kids and anyone who needs a reminder that sometimes the best adventures are in our own backyards. Read on for our picks.

Be sure to check out our article on great day trips to NJ state forests and more in our Guide to New Jersey Playgrounds & Parks. 

Topgolf Atlanta, GA, with three locations in the metro region, is an awesome sports complex that features electronically tracked, microchipped golf balls, which visitors aim and hit at giant outfield targets, in a variety of available games. In fact, Topgolf's popularity is so widespread, it is an official medaled event for the 2024 Special Olympics!

Topgolf is not mini golf, traditional golf, or a boring driving range; it offers an exciting experience for people of all ages and skill levels. Families love coming to Topgolf Atlanta, GA to engage in friendly competition with a variety of fun golf games. Add the Topgolf menu of delicious food beverages, as well as comfy seating in your own climate-controlled bay, and you’ve scored a hole-in-one for the perfect family outing!

New Hampshire's Story Land is ideal for families with small children. Amuseument parks are a big thrill for kids; but for younger ones, they can gat a little intense too. Nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Story Land was created more than 60 years ago to simulate a storybook village where the characters have come to life. It's grown to include more than 30 rides (including the "Roar-O-Saurus" roller coaster) and splashy stage shows with fairy-taler characters.

Story Land maintains a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere geared to kids 2 to 12 years old, appealing to preschoolers but offering plenty for the grade-school kiddos. The park is only 2.5 hours from Boston (take that, Disney!), and Story Land tickets are a fraction of the admission price of most amusement parks. Read on for tips on a Story Land trip...with a little planning, it's possible you'll be just as enchanted as the kids.

When it comes to the best desserts in NYC, we couldn't help but wonder: Are they just eye candy? We headed out with a gaggle of kids to test the best, most amazingly outrageous desserts in New York City to discover which lived up to the hype. Below is the crème de la crème of over-the-top treats and desserts in NYC.

These delicious NYC desserts are all perfect for a special outing with kids or some bonding time. So get ready to wow your kids with the most awesome sweets in NYC.

Find more of our top NYC eats in our Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide, which includes everything from our picks for the best pizza in NYC to the most iconic, must-visit NYC restaurants, and more.