Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer, is fast approaching. While there are certainly plenty of ways to enjoy one last blast of summer right here in NYC, the three-day weekend is the perfect time for a quick family getaway before school starts.

Whether you're looking for a spectacular day trip or a multiday break, our tri-state area sites in New Jersey, Long Island, Connecticut and recently launched Westchester County have been covering the best things to do and places to go in their respective locales all season. In just one click, you can find out everything you want to know about visiting the Poconos, the Jersey Shore and other family hot spots with kids. We're highlighting six awesome areas for a Labor Day getaway, all within comfortable commuting distance of New York City. For even more family travel inspiration, check out our NYC Day Trips Guide, which includes a post about car-free Labor Day getaways, and our Travel site, which has a roundup of Labor Day weekend vacation deals.

Labor Day weekend approaches, and that means that if the kids are not already back to school, they're about to be. Traditionally Labor Day is the last hurrah of summer, but frequently by the time it arrives we moms are all hurrahed out. If you haven't made a plan yet or just can't face hitting the airport with half a million other summer junkies, we can think of a few places close to home that are an easy drive for an overnight, or even a day trip - letting you enjoy the day without the labor!

Interested in a great day trip? It may seem strange, to those who don't know about Miss Florence Griswold, that the home, gardens and grounds of this woman's home in Old Lyme, CT has gained such notoriety and attracts thousands of visitors each year from all over the world.  But, just take a quick visit to the Florence Griswold Museum, and a brief tour by any of the museum docents, and you'll soon discover why this hidden gem plays such a huge role in the history of art in the US.

Summer is coming to an end and as we reach the final days we’re all scurrying to squeeze in some last minute fun experiences. There are many back to school activities and great shopping opportunities to help celebrate the return. Here is a list of ideas to help you finish the summer and welcome in the school days.

Even though we have a few weeks of summer break left in NYC, the back-to-school season is in full swing in many other parts of the country. That's why we're launching our big back-to-school giveaway next week. Starting on Wednesday, August 28, you can enter to win a bunch of awesome prizes including two Schwinn kids' bikes, $150 worth of personalized school supplies from My Chronicle Books, a Disney Junior package that includes bedding and a backpack, and more. Bookmark the page or keep an eye on your inbox next week. We'll be sending out an email when the giveaway launches.

Meanwhile, for New York City public school students, there are two more weeks and three full weekends (including a holiday one!) before the first day. Time to full up your calendar with free and fun things to do in NYC and beyond. We've got day trip suggestions, a list of New York State county fairs, Labor Day weekend getaway deals, house-swapping info or, if you're stuck working, a roundup of day camps running the last two weeks of summer break. Plus our regional sites have all kinds of cool out-of-town activity ideas like scenic cruises or zip-lining in New Jersey, mini-golf on Long Island (sure we have a bunch of courses in NYC but the ones on the isle are much more elaborate) and kid-friendly hiking in Westchester.

Here's what else we covered on the NYC site this week:

Here's what we do: we give. We give and give and then give some more. We're givers. Day in, day out, we give you our best. We find fun things for you to do. Free things. Cute things. Super things. Disney things. Dancey things. We find the most thank-you-mommy-for-bringing-me-here activities for you and yours because we're like that. We want you to be happy.

But every so often we want to go even further in our giving. We think about you guys and what you've got going on and we ask ourselves, "Selves?  How can we help these folk? How can we make their lives just that much brighter?" Now, for example. You're all wrapped in up Back-to-School-a-rama, and we'd like to help. By giving. Actual stuff. Stuff like, oh, I don't know, two Schwinn Kids' Bikes, $150 worth of personalized school supplies from My Chronical Books, a Disney Junior package that includes Disney bedding and a backpack, $100 off at Famous Footwear, and a year's supply of French Toast School Uniforms. That kind of stuff. Awesome stuff.

Want to know how to get your hands on this booty? And while you're at it, want the scoop on getting a discount for the upcoming show that's so out of this world that it's over the rainbow?  We'd be glad to give it to you. Just keep reading for the 411, and for some of our favorite picks for this weekend as well...

School may be just around the corner - or even already started, for some - but there’s still plenty for families to do as they savor the last glorious days of August, from Saint Anthony’s Feast in Little Italy to the final weekend of the Marshfield Fair. Our list of best bets for the weekend follows, and be sure to check our Event Calendar for more activities.

Also this week, Tara discovers a hidden gem; read about her visit to the Southwick Zoo. And we have 10 great places in and around Boston that make easy hikes for preschoolers, thanks to our friends at the Appalachian Mountain Club Kids Outdoor Boston.

Plus, meet one of our favorite kindie musicians, Alastair Moock, and read about his family's extraordinary story in our newest Poppins Parents post.

Finally, to help welcome in the new school year, get ready for Swagapalooza - our Back to School Giveaway that’s loaded with great prizes, like two Schwinn kids’ bikes, $150 worth of personalized school supplies from My Chronicle Books, A Disney Junior package that includes Disney bedding and a backpack, $100 off at Famous Footwear, and a year’s supply of French Toast school uniforms. The giveaway begins August 28.

Enjoy!

Local mom and “Outdoors with Kids Boston” guidebook author, Kim Foley MacKinnon, shares her best family outing tips and picks with you as part of our guest blog series with the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Kids Outdoors Boston free online community.

If you want to instill a love of hiking in your preschooler, make your trips truly enjoyable for everyone. Start off slow and easy, with hikes that have quick payoffs, such as waterfalls, ponds, bridges, boulders or trees to climb, chances to encounter animals (like at farms), and even playgrounds.

As your young hikers get more comfortable, introduce longer hikes, with goals like how long you hike for or how many miles you go. Get your kids involved in the whole adventure from the start, from choosing where to go to helping plan the route. Even if your kids can’t read a map yet, they will love having one anyway, as well as being in charge of their own gear. Get them an appropriately-sized backpack and have them at least carry their own water bottle and snack. They’ll feel empowered, and you’ll be ready to go!