MLK Weekend 2024 in Orlando: 19 Best Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Charlotte B on

Learn about civil rights and have fun at downtown Orlando's Martin Luther King Jr. parade and performances. Photo courtesy of City of Orlando

Looking for the best things to do in Orlando this Martin Luther King Jr. weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Here's the scoop on the best family events in Orlando and the surrounding area this MLK weekend! Enjoy tributes to the civil rights icon in downtown Orlando, Kissimmee, and Eatonville on Saturday; Winter Park on Sunday and Monday; and Ocoee, Oviedo, and Winter Garden on Monday. It's the last weekend to enjoy the lights at the Asian Lantern Festival, and the first weekend to kick off Epcot International Festival of the Arts. There's also a wee bit of Scottish culture at the Central Florida Scottish Highland Games in Winter Springs, and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents The Greatest Show On Earth taking place all weekend long at the Kia Center.

MLK Weekend 2024 in Los Angeles: 17 Best Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Toby B on

Celebrate the life of MLK at the MLK Kingdom Parade. Photo courtesy of Metro Los Angeles via Flickr

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles during MLK weekend? Here are some events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is 'What are you doing for others?'" Families can answer that question by participating in the National MLK Day of Service this weekend. A day spent giving back is just one way to honor Dr. King's memory, and LA Works will have an MLK National Day of Service event. More annual traditions returning to LA this year are Long Beach's MLK Peace and Unity Parade Celebration and the Kingdom Day Parade along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Exposition Park. 

MLK Weekend 2024 in San Francisco: 18 Best Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Sandra Lee on

Take the NorCalMLK Celebration Train into SF for the MLK tributes and events. Photo by Pax Ahimsa Gethen, via Flickr. (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area during MLK weekend? Add these family-friendly events to your list for the long weekend. 

2024 may have just started, but it's already time for a long holiday weekend. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day takes place this Monday, and the Bay Area has a variety of events to choose from that will honor the trailblazing activist. Bring the kids to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service at the African Diaspora or the MLK2024 Music Festival at Yerba Buenas Gardens to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. and learn some history outside the classroom. Both happen to be free events in San Francisco. 

Don't let the (still) forecasted rain dampen your weekend plans. Cheer on the Harlem Globetrotters and enjoy some entertaining basketball indoors as they take on everything from trick shots to long jump shots in Oakland, San Jose, and San Francisco this weekend. 

Note that some outdoor events are announcing cancellations due to the forecasted rain this weekend, so be sure to check the event website before attending. 

MLK Weekend 2024 in Philly: AAMP, Please Touch, Constitution Center, and More Things to Do

Submitted by Nicole O'Donnell on

Celebrate MLK weekend with free interactive workshops and enriching service projects honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Looking for the best things to do in Philly this MLK Jr. weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

Philly kids may have an extra day off from school. But, this day off means more than just 'no homework.' Recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with one of the many opportunities to celebrate his legacy by visiting museums, attending service events, or doing some arts and crafts. 

After observing the holiday, don’t forget to check out our Best Free and Fun Things to Do in Philly this January or 12 Winter Festivals for Philly Families to help beat the winter blues. Whatever you do, make the most of the long weekend ahead.

MLK Weekend 2024 in New Jersey: Top Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

Celebrate MLK weekend in New Jersey with free interactive workshops and enriching service projects honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this long weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.

The first long weekend of 2024 kicks off with a celebration on ice and concludes with an important day of service and legacy. Disney stars glide through town this weekend with Disney on Ice: Find Your Hero. Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and there are service opportunities for all ages in Scotch Plains, Princeton, and Summit, among others.

Find more cold-weather activities for the long weekend in our Winter Fun Guide and our packed Family Activity Calendar.

17 Best Family-Friendly Restaurants near Times Square

Submitted by Rosalind Muggeridge on

Escape the crowds of Times Square for a communal meal at Gotham West Market. Photo by Daniel Krieger

Finding a family-friendly Times Square restaurant that doesn't belong in a mall might be more difficult than navigating the costumed-character-crammed sidewalks of the area with a stroller. The Applebee's and Olive Garden might leave you feeling as if you're in the 'burbs, not the crossroads of the world.

But just as there are things to do with kids in Times Square beyond the tourist attractions, there are also a variety of off-the-beaten-track, family-friendly eateries that serve tasty cuisine reflecting our melting pot of a city.

So, whether you're heading to a kid-friendly Broadway show, or exploring some other enclave in the neighborhood, here are our top picks for family-friendly restaurants in Times Square.

Visiting NASA Space Center Houston with Kids: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Submitted by Sarah Banks on

Check out the Apollo 17 command module, which was used on the last crewed mission to the moon. Photo courtesy of NASA Space Center Houston.

You don’t need to be a budding astronaut to enjoy a day out at NASA Space Center Houston. Kids love the tram rides and interactive exhibits that provide visitors with a glimpse into the history, present, and future of space exploration. With over a million visitors a year, NASA Houston includes the control room of the first Moon landing and exciting developments around upcoming missions to the Moon and Mars.

NASA Houston is huge, with frequent updates, and with so much to see it can be a bit overwhelming. However, we are regular visitors, and our guide will help you make the most of your visit so the whole family has a great time.

Read lots more about Houston-area cultural institutions in our Guide to Children's Museums and Exhibits in Houston. 

Family-Friendly Spots to Snowboard and Ski in New Jersey

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on

Ski at Mountain Creek in Vernon for resort-style amenities without the crowds.

Awesome ski resorts in and near New Jersey might just give your kids a lifelong love of winter sports–and the ones listed below will maximize your family's time on the mountain while minimizing time in the car.

If you're looking for winter fun that's a bit less strenuous, snow tubing might be just the thing, and for even more outdoor options, check out our Ski & Snow Guide for New Jersey Families.

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