Top Things To Do This Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with Kids

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Check out the train show at at Hudson Park Children's Greenhouse. Photo via Hudson Park Children's Greenhouse's Facebook page

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are our editors' picks for the best family-friendly events and activities!

Editor's note: Given this weekend's impending winter storm, please click through to each event's site to confirm they are still happening before you head out the door!
Winter-loving families can celebrate the ice harvest with live ice sculpting demonstrations, igloos, campfires, and more this weekend at the Knickerbocker Ice Festival in scenic Rockland Lake State Park. Or, if you prefer to enjoy winter indoors, where it's warm, check out Shake it Off's Frostival, with bouncing, interactive music, and a visit from Olaf.

Families are also invited to enjoy a free play session at the grand opening of Cloudbound, a brand-new indoor play space for babies and toddlers in New Rochelle.

Taylor Swift Experience, Sunday Science and More Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend

Jaime Sumersille's picture Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on

Take your little Swiftie to Fearless: The Taylor Swift Experience at The Suffolk. Photo courtesy of The Suffolk

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

Editor's note: Given this weekend's impending winter storm, please click through to each event's site to confirm they are still happening before you head out the door!
Long Island families, get ready to sing your hearts out with a pair of events this weekend. The Winter Movie Sing-Along series at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center offers a musical twist on a classic film experience that's perfect for all ages. On the East End, Fearless: The Taylor Swift Experience promises an upbeat, high-energy tribute that’ll have everyone belting out their favorite anthems. Or, get curious and creative during a Science Spa event at CSTL, where kids can explore cool experiments and hands-on fun that feels more like play than class.

Find all that and more top picks for the weekend ahead below!

Monster Jam, Soup Tasting, and More Things To Do this Weekend in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on

Monster Jam will be crushing it at the Prudential Center. Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment

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

Editor's note: Given this weekend's impending winter storm, please click through to each event's site to confirm they are still happening before you head out the door!
This last full weekend of January will please your palate with some delicious options, including a variety of sweets and children's activities at Dessertopia in Morritown, and a yummy soup sampling at Alstede Farms' Free Soup Tasting Weekend.

Plus, massive trucks take the stage at the action-packed Monster Jam at Prudential Center. 

Read on for all our top picks for the weekend ahead!

MoMath Fest, Brooklyn Museum Teen Night, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend

Drew Kristofik's picture Submitted by Drew Kristofik on

Tackle hands-on math problems during MoMath's Winter Math Festival, which kicks off this week. Photo courtesy of MoMath

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Editor's note: Given this weekend's impending winter storm, please click through to each event's site to confirm they are still happening before you head out the door!
January is shutting down with a blast of arctic air, but the last full weekend of the month in NYC offers lots of enticing activities to lure families out to play. Take the kids to the New York Boat Show and fantasize about life on the high seas, build something special at the KoKo NYC Makers Workshop, or make puppets at the Museum of the Moving Image's Open Worlds.

Keep reading for all our top picks for the weekend ahead, plus enjoy this sneak peek for next weekend, when Mommy Poppins hosts our FREE Winter Festival and Camp Fair on Sunday, February 1, at Atlantic Terminal—register today so we can save you a spot!

Top Cozy Resorts near NYC Perfect for Kids and Winter Fun

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Crystal Springs Resort offers tropical vibes indoors with plenty of seasonal fun outside, too. Photo courtesy of Crystal Springs Resort

Winter can be a magical season with holiday activities, frost-dusted landscapes, snowy activities, and relaxing fireside with a cup of hot cocoa. Families seeking a winter getaway with kids that's relatively close to NYC have lots of options. We've rounded up the 14 best winter retreats and resorts that are 4 hours or less from Midtown Manhattan by car.

For each winter getaway, we've highlighted why families love to go during the winter, kid-friendly amenities, and types of winter activities each resort or destination offers. From ski resorts in the Hudson Valley to all-inclusive winter resorts in the Poconos, you're sure to find the perfect winter getaway for your family.

If you're looking specifically for ski resorts near NYC, check out our guide to the best family-friendly ski areas near NYC and our comprehensive Guide to Skiing and Snow Sports, which offers more options in the tri-state area, New England, and even California. And, don't forget to check our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for all the information, tips, and advice you need when it's time to plan your family's next trip—no matter the season.

Our Sneak Peek at Elephant Valley (Spoiler: Kids Will Be Obsessed)

Submitted by Meghan Rose on

Welcome to Elephant Valley at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park!

I got to take a sneak peek at the new Elephant Valley at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and I can sum it up in one word: WOW. I took my daughter with me to check it out, as she adores animals but has refused to visit zoos since she was a little girl. She hates seeing animals locked up in small enclosures. I do too. But, in keeping with the whole ethos of the San Diego Safari Park, the Elephant Valley is more of a biological preserve and conservation area than it is a traditional zoo. We were both so impressed—and thrilled!

It’s almost 13 acres of wandering, playful elephants. It’s educational, beautiful, and thoughtful—taking into account the needs and comfort of both elephants and humans. Here’s the scoop on the new Elephant Valley, including when it opens, what ages this is best for, and how much tickets cost.

For another animal adventure near San Diego, check out my visit to the Oasis Camel Dairy. For complete San Diego coverage, don't miss our San Diego Family Travel Guide.

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