13 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC

Enjoy a  wild visit to the Philadelphia Zoo during a weekend getaway to the City of Brotherly Love. Photo courtesy of the zoo

New York City is unlike any other place in the world, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Still, it's great to take a break and skip town for a weekend with the family. If you're looking for family-friendly weekend getaways near NYC, you don't have to travel far to feel like you're a world away.

We've rounded up a baker's dozen of our favorite kid-friendly destinations for city families—all within 3 hours of NYC. If you're looking for other comprehensive guides to weekend getaways near NYC, check out our definitive list of the Hudson Valley's top attractions, our exhaustive survey of family-friendly options in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and our directory of some of New York State's top attractions for families. 

Scotch Plains, New Jersey: 10 Things To Do With Kids in This Charming Garden State Town

Ponderosa Park is the destination on hot summer days in Scotch Plains, NJ. Photo courtesy of the park

If you’re looking for a small town full of energy and neighborhood pride, Scotch Plains in Union County fits the bill. Scotch Plains is a family-oriented community with a downtown anchored by a village green, year-round community activities, an abundance of playgrounds, and a mini-golf course.

The town is located off Routes 22 and 78 and accessible from NJ Transit trains at the Fanwood station or via bus lines. Thanks to its walkable downtown, there are tons of family-friendly things to do in Scotch Plains, so now's the time to plan a day trip to this lovely enclave.

Best Baby Shops in NYC: 12 Stylish Stores for Tiny Tots

Healthynest offers Healthybaby products to new moms, and plenty of entertainment, programming, and more in its Soho baby shop.

Babies come with a lot of stuff, don't they? From tiny cribs to fit in a nook of your city apartment and compact strollers light enough to schlep up subway steps to the trendiest mini streetwear for your budding fashionista, there's no shortage of essentials needed for your little ones. Now the question is, where are the best baby shops in NYC to find everything you need?

Over the last year, our life has been flipped upside down most amazingly with the arrival of our daughter. But goodness, after raising 17 and 11-year-old boys, shopping for a baby girl feels like we're completely starting from scratch. From the mom-and-pop shops with unique finds to the big box baby stores that carry the necessities, NYC is filled with great baby shops places to load up on everything you'll need for life from the newborn stage to toddlers and beyond. These local baby stores cater to families and offer finds that are not only functional but cater to your family's style. Find more great resources for little New Yorkers in our NYC Baby Guide and bookmark this baby bucket list for 20 must-do's before your little one turns 1.

Where to See Free and Cheap Movies in New York City With Kids

A day at the movies doesn't have to cost a whole pay check at these local theaters offering free and cheap flicks. Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko

A trip to the movies is always a good bet for family-friendly fun, but before you go into hock taking the kids to the local theater for a first-run blockbuster, consider this: There are FREE and cheap movies playing in New York City all year long. You just need to know where to find them—and we do.

We've found a handful of local spots where you can find FREE or low-cost movies in New York City, which should provide enough big-screen entertainment to tide you over until the return of the Parks Department's FREE summer movie series.

Best Summer Camps on Long Island for Teens and Tweens

Quinipet Camp offers both day camp and sleepaway camp options in a scenic, Long Island Sound location. Photo courtesy of the center

Long Island families are blessed to be surrounded by great options for summer camps, but when kids outgrow the local summer day camp, finding the perfect summer camp program can prove challenging. We've done the legwork for you, though, and found 15 summer camps on Long Island catering to teens and tweens. These summer camps keep big kids' interests at heart and their inventive programming is practically guaranteed to get your teens and tweens out the door daily, no nagging necessary.

For more summer camps in Long Island, including picks for everything from preschool summer camps on Long Island, to our top picks for summer camps in Suffolk County and Nassau County's best summer camps, be sure to bookmark our Long Island Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

Find an Amazing Petting Zoo near NYC Where Kids Can Meet the Animals

Meet Minnie, the lovable chinchilla who shares whisker kisses at The Art Farm on the Upper East Side. Photo by Jody Mercier

We're so fortunate to live in a city that offers an incredible array of activities for kids, but sometimes I fret over the disconnect from nature. I want my kids to be as comfortable in the country as they are in the urban jungle, so we're always looking for ways to get out of our comfort zone. Enter these petting zoos near NYC where you can meet some furry friends.

While we love heading to the local NYC zoos and aquarium, and even get hands-on at their mini petting zoos, there's something particularly special about enjoying animals in an authentic farm setting, so without further ado, here's where to find an amazing petting zoo near NYC for serious face time with adorable animals. Get ready to load up the family for a day of donkey petting, goat bottle-feedings, and sheep shearing.

Find more farm fun for any season on our Pick-Your-Own Guide to Farms Near New York City.

Family-Friendly Boston Breweries and Beer Gardens

Remnant Brewery at Bow Market provides a family-friendly space, Photo courtesy of Merritt Chase.

Boston breweries are a part of the city's landscape; the Sam Adams Brewery in Jamaica Plain has attracted tourists and locals for decades. Boston has seen an absolute boom in beer gardens (or biergartens) in the last few years. Craft brewing has flourished as well. Luckily for anyone with kids, many of these establishments are welcoming to families. If you like to sip a craft brew outside, these are the places to go with little ones in tow: Many have live music, lawn games, and great views. From the heart of the city to the suburbs, there’s likely a beer garden near you that's open from summer through fall. Sip—and play!

Check out our guide to 10+ Boston-Area Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free for more locations to step out with the family. Be sure to explore our list of 15 Boston-Area Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While You Eat (and Relax). And our guide to Easy Recipes for Kids provides some wonderful ideas for those nights you stay in.

Top 10 Best Hotdogs in Chicago to Try with Kids

When it comes to hotdogs, the infamous Chicago-dog is a classic. The key to a great Chicago hotdog is arguably the toppings. A true Chicago hotdog comes complete with sport peppers, tomatoes, pickles, celery salt, onions, relish, and mustard on a poppy seed bun. You’ll notice the Chicago dog does not include ketchup. Some famous Chicago hotdog stands don’t even serve ketchup as an option. 

If you’re looking for the best Chicago hotdogs in the city, we’ve got you covered. From the North side to the South side, we’ve rounded up the most famous hotdog stands and restaurants in Chicago. Grab the kids and get the hotdog crawl started (with or without ketchup, it's up to you). And for more dining recommendations, check out our Kid-Friendly Chicago Restaurant Guide.

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