Texas swimming lakes and summertime go together like toddlers and trucks — it's a sure-bet combo. While we love a day out at a fun water park, there is just something special about relaxing on the banks of your favorite man-made lakes - if you aren't a native Texan, don't judge us for this; we live in a mostly flat state - or riding the waves on a jet ski or tube. As a native Houstonian, I've spent at least one summer at these spots around the Lone Star State because they are beautiful and full of things for kids and adults to do.

For more water fun with extra sand, check out our Best Beaches in Texas.

Families who pine for old neighborhood joints take note: NYC is still home to a collection of old-fashioned soda fountains, where hopping on a barstool is akin to climbing aboard a time travel machine. These classic New York City soda fountains serve up plenty of fun alongside soda fountain treats like towering ice cream sundaes, creamy milkshakes and malts, and even a classic egg cream.

The next time you want to give your kids a sweet treat with a side of nostalgia, consider visiting one of these soda fountains in NYC, which range from Carroll Gardens' Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain to the Lexington Candy Shop on the Upper East Side. No matter where you are from Brooklyn to Queens, Manhattan to Brooklyn, and even on Staten Island, we've found a soda fountain in NYC near you.

Find more kid-friendly eats and treats in our NYC Restaurant Guide for Families.

To catch a movie, toss an axe, have an immersive art experience, and see a live wrestling match, you'd usually have to visit separate venues on different days. However, at Axe & Smash in Mattituck–a new smash painting and axe-throwing attraction nestled within Mattituck Cinemas building complex–you could conceivably do all those things during one visit. 

Whether it's a family outing, a birthday gathering, or a date night, Axe & Smash caters to all.

Find more fun places for the family to play together, including the best bowling alleys on Long Island, in our Guide to Sports Centers and Fun Zones for LI Families.

The Museum of Illusions Atlanta confuses the human mind with its never-ending brain twisters, visual oddities, and baffling (yet hysterical) photo opportunities. Up is down, black is white, right is left, and every other mind-altering direction goes at the Museum of Illusions Atlanta. Kids will LOVE the new museum, which opened this weekend at Atlantic Station, for its hands-on approach of upending everything you see in the world.

Fall down the rabbit hole of this topsy-turvy Wonderland to take a whole new look at the world of through the Museum of Illusions Atlanta!

Day trips from the Bay Area are just a quick drive away from so many things to do with kids, with attractions that bring tourists from all over the country to see. Lucky for us, they are all in our backyard, without the need to book a flight. 

We’ve got the best day trips from San Francisco with kids, all within driving distance, for a day out of the ordinary. From beaches to redwoods, amusement parks to wine country, we’ve got a day trip for every kind of family.

Turn an afternoon of hiking into a day trip with these family-friendly urban hikes in San Francisco. Looking to extend a day trip to a weekend? Get inspired by our Weekend Getaway and Day Trips for San Francisco Guide.  

Nicknamed the "City by the Sea," the eclectic enclave of Long Beach, NY, offers visitors a rare combination of energy and relaxation.

One of only two cities in Nassau County, Long Beach has an ocean vibe generally reserved for vacation communities. And yet Long Beach is less than an hour from Manhattan and 15 minutes from Jones Beach State Park. It is accessible by car via the Meadowbrook State Parkway or the Long Island Rail Road, whose Long Beach station is in the heart of the city.

In summer, the population of Long Beach swells with beachgoers, surfers, sightseers, and fans of the city’s famous boardwalk. So pack up the kids, bring your beach gear, and work up a healthy appetite—there are plenty of family-friendly restaurants in the city—as you take in all this Nassau County gem has to offer.