When my Army-officer husband got stationed in Colorado Springs, I wasn't sure how to feel about it at first. I grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and Colorado Springs seemed painfully small and slow-paced to this New York City girl. But I quickly fell in love with the city's majestic mountains, gorgeous hiking trails, historic western neighborhoods, and laid-back vibe.

When our twin boys were born, we discovered that there are also a ton of things to do in Colorado Springs with kids, including amazing parks and playgrounds, a Christmas-themed amusement park, and one of the best zoos in the US. Now that the boys are older and we also have a daughter, we can't wait to go back and experience Colorado Springs again with them.

Here are the 35 best things to do in Colorado Springs with kids, from outdoor adventures and must-visit museums to kid-friendly Colorado Springs hotels and restaurants. For more Colorado family vacation ideas, check out our list of things to do in Denver with kids (other than hiking) and our visitors' guide to Boulder and the Rocky Mountains.

Budget weekend getaways from Chicago mean that your family vacations aren't limited to longer school breaks. Chicago is home to some world-class tourist destinations, but it’s also within a short drive to even more sights, museums, sports teams, and nature adventures. If you’re looking for a quick and budget-friendly weekend getaway near Chicago, this round-up is for you. We have staycation and road trip ideas in nearby areas that don’t require thousands of dollars worth of plane tickets or passports.

For more budget-friendly travel ideas for Chicago families, check out our guide to tent camping near Chicago and our Midwest Travel Guide.

The nice thing about budget weekend getaways from Houston (besides saving money, of course) is that there are plenty of options for family fun any weekend of the year. No need to wait for spring or summer break. However, trips away from home can add up in cost - but getting away from it all doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Fortunately, plenty of budget-friendly weekend getaways from Houston offer fun and exciting activities for families. We’ve compiled a list of ideas for budget-friendly family weekend getaways from Houston nearby and far.

Museum sleepovers were all the rage before the pandemic and are making a comeback in NYC. And while a night chaperoning a group of small night owls might not rank high on your to-do list, kids will get a big kick out of sleeping over at one of their favorite cultural institutions. From the Bronx Zoo to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum to the Sharks! exhibit at Coney Island, there's a museum sleepover to fit every kid's interests. And you'll earn some serious cool parent cred—some of these overnight adventures are so extravagant, they landed on our list of NYC splurges worth doing at least once.

For train-riding New York City kids, it's hard not to develop a love of locomotives, and if you've got a train-obsessed kid on your hands, there are plenty of train museums, train shows, and train rides to enjoy near NYC to foster that love of riding the rails.

These train-centric outings range from the obvious—hello, New York Transit Museum—to the adventurous like regional rail trials. No matter where you go, it's all aboard for an outing sure to impress your little rail enthusiast.

Budget weekend getaways for Orlando families are great ways to enjoy the beauty of Florida while saving money. There are fantastic Florida cities perfect for weekend trips from Orlando that feature great weather and lots of family activities. We've focused on budget-friendly, weekend destinations located near Orlando for families to have an awesome time without breaking the bank! 

Budget weekend getaways for Boston families are great for maximizing fun with minimal expense. From hiking in nature preserves in the Berkshires to days at the beach on Cape Cod, Boston families can fill a weekend trip with all kinds of fun. With low-prices (and even free days), Greater Boston's top attractions can be enjoyed on any budget. That goes for the historic sights in Boston to the museums of Springfield. Check out our tips for trips that won't blow the family budget, and see our top picks for budget weekend getaways.

For more great budget friendly activities, see our guide to Free Museums Near Boston To Visit with Kids.

Budget weekend getaways for Connecticut families can maximize fun with minimal expense. From hiking in nature preserves to days at the beach, Connecticut families can fill a weekend trip with all kinds of fun. With low-prices (and even free days), Connecticut's top attractions can be enjoyed on any budget. Check out our tips for trips that won't blow the family budget, and our top picks for budget weekend getaways.

For more great budget friendly activities, see our guide to Free Museum Days in Connecticut To Visit with Kids.