As much as we all love family getaways, the packing, planning and even the 24/7 togetherness can be a tad stressful. The action-packed holiday season only adds to that stress for many of us. Take time to unwind and spoil your family (and yourself!) on your next winter weekend vacation from New York City at one of these family-friendly resorts that feature top-notch spas.

We focused on Northeast resorts that are far enough away from the city to feel like you've actually "gotten away," but not so far that the length of travel makes your getaway feel like a chore. Read on for our picks that make shedding tension effortless while offering plenty of distractions for kids, too.

For more options check out our frequently updated Event Calendar and Holiday Guide for all sorts of fun.  Have a great week!

Sunday marks the first night of Hanukkah and there's no shortage of ways to celebrate the Festival of Lights in New York City this week. Take to the ice for Chanukah on Ice, check out olive pressing workshops for families or view the nightly lightings of World's Largest Menorahs in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Other highlights for the week of December 7-11 include the opening night of Dance Patrelle's Yorkville Nutcracker, a music-filled Christmas tree lighting in Greenwich Village and a FREE screening of Return of the Jedi.

Looking for fun ways to get in the holiday spirit? If you haven't gotten your Christmas tree street-side yet, how about a day trip to a local tree farm to cut your own? Or perhaps a cozy Polar Express Santa train ride with the kids. If you're already feeling a touch of holiday overload, the science spectacular that has nothing to do with the season, That Physics Show, is in town.

Find more family activities in our Event Calendar, Holiday Fun Guide and newly minted December GoList.

Our best wishes for a happy Hanukkah!

From awesome old-fashioned ice cream shops to great places for skating, fishing, and family hikes, plenty of family-friendly activities await in New London County. Whether you play at the children's museum, interact with beluga whales at Mystic Aquarium, relax on sandy beaches, or pitch a tent and roast marshmallows under the stars, no matter where you end up, at least 25 family-friendly adventures await. Beautiful year-round, this area of the state is especially lovely during the summer and fall.

As the holidays are in full swing, one can become consumed with the every growing 'to-do' list. Take a break from shopping, baking, and decorating to engage your children in some of the many activities that fill our Events Calendar.

Take the kids to see Family Stage's Cinderella performance at Augustus Lutheran Church. Visit the Michener Museum for its annual Holiday Open House. Explore the Academy of Natural Sciences during its Tiny Tots session. Enjoy a family concert and menorah lighting at The Glazier Jewish Center. Or, register for Cookie Time with Santa at Longwood Gardens.

Read on to see our top weekday picks. And, don't forget to browse through our December GO List to plan out the rest of the month's activities... so, put away the strands of tangled holiday lights to get out and enjoy some fun!

Snow isn’t that fun when you have to drive in it! It sure is more entertaining when you can enjoy it in other ways! This winter, instead of traveling far away for a family ski trip, we stayed local and enjoyed the slopes of Connecticut’s very own Mount Southington in Hartford County. It’s a perfect spot conveniently located right off highway 84 in the rural hills of Plantsville/Southington. A popular destination for both skiers and boarders, they have fourteen trails, ranging from bunny slope to black diamonds. The resort has something for every level of skier. They have a great variety of terrain including a terrain park. We've reviewed five other Connecticut Ski Resorts as well as many more ski resorts in our Ski and Snow Sports Guide.

Savvy parents know that introducing children to other languages and a variety of cultures at an early age can pay off in a number of ways, especially in a diverse city like New York City—and music makes for a fun entry point for young kids. 

Spanish, of course, is the country and the city's second most spoken language, so we tracked down some of NYC's most popular kid sing-alongs and language arts programs en Españ​ol. We selected a handful of options that are especially engaging for toddlers and preschoolers who are at the early stages of testing out language. Of course, you can find more formal dual-language/immersion programs for children of all ages in NYC if you are looking for a more rigorous approach.

With the DIY boom underway, kids are rolling up their sleeves and tackling craft projects and creative activities more and more. And what better time to make something special than the holiday season? Check out this list of holiday themed projects, crafts and activities across Long Island that are sure to deck your halls. For more holiday fun, view our Holiday Activity Guide.