Autumn is in full swing as we settle into October, and there are tons of ways to enjoy the marginally cooler weather, from fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and other family-friendly seasonal activities. I saw multiple billboards around Houston for Apple Fest debuting this month, and I decided my son and I would attend its opening day after realizing one of the festival's locations is a short drive from our home in Katy.

Summer vacation gets all the attention, but in New England, fall can be an even better time to get away. Leaves are changing colors and the air is cool and crisp, making outdoor activities a must. To help with your fall getaway planning, we’ve compiled a list of 15 family-friendly destinations in New England that we love. They’re all kid-tested and parent-approved, so you’re sure to have fun and make memories that will last a lifetime.

When my husband and I finally settled into our new neighborhood in Maplewood, one of the first questions we asked the locals was: “Are there any playgrounds nearby?” Luckily for us – and for our toddler – there are a myriad of playground options all within a 15-minute-or-less drive from most points in South Orange or Maplewood (known among locals as SOMA). There really is something for everyone. We’ve even got some tips on which playgrounds to hit at different times of the week – and which to try depending on the weather forecast. Read on!

I first learned about Good Day Play Cafe in Bayside, Queens from three friends who raved after its June 2016 opening. They had me at Stumptown coffee and cold brew, but after hearing about the Hinoki cypress wood cube sensory pit and indoor play area, I knew I had to check it out with my kids, ages 6, 4, and 9 months. The thoughtfully designed space features an engaging and unique play area and a cafe serving delicious eats, making it an ideal destination for families with young kids.

Fans of the Disney Junior television show Octonauts can now look beyond the small screen to find Captain Barnacles and his crew of deep-sea explorers. Debuting across the country, Octonauts Live! brings the TV show’s characters to the stage, encouraging kids and their parents to follow the Octonauts' motto: Explore! Rescue! Protect!

The New-York Historical Society's new exhibit, The Battle of Brooklyn, focuses on one of the earliest, largest, and closest-to-home battles of the Revolutionary War. Though not specifically designed with kids in mind, this exhibit offers a behind-the-scenes look at the American Revolution, with remnants of history still seen in today's Brooklyn. Older school-aged kids will enjoy exploring this immersive installation of the not-so-legendary skirmish that took place shortly after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Terror Behind the Walls is rated one of the best haunted attractions in the country, in part because of its authentic location, inside the Eastern State Penitentiary, a former prison which is now a historical site. But does the hype live up to the experience, and, more importantly, is this an experience that kids will enjoy? Here's what you need to know to decide if the kids are ready for this attraction.

Oh, those two wonderful words: no homework. The rare days when those words are uttered, children can play outside, and adults can plan satisfying family time. Wouldn't it be great if our kids' schools supported that sort of routine every day? If evenings could be spent reading together, playing games as a family, or even taking advantage of free museum nights instead of hovering over a pile of worksheets due tomorrow?

That’s where The Country School comes in— a progressive, project-based school in Valley Village that prioritizes the whole child and his or her creativity, compassion, and emotional intelligence. The mission of the school is to provide kids from preschool through eighth grade with a warm environment where they can approach learning in their own way. Instead of focusing on pop quizzes and worksheets, kids might be planting trees, making their own movies, creating maps, or learning to play instruments. The idea is that kids should be excited to tell their parents what they did at school that day.