Plopped in the middle of the hubbub on 3rd and Fairfax, touching toes with The Grove and its infamous dancing fountain, trendy shops, and celeb sightings, sits the Original Farmers Market with its unassuming mint-colored chairs, multicolored Formica tabletops, and rows and rows of glorious vendor stalls. You can eat your way around the world within the space of these stalls—each one with a story behind it. It’s a perfect spot for people watching and sampling a smorgasbord of enticing treats. It's a trip to the past, a respite from the heat, and an LA icon.

I can't get enough of the Original Farmers Market, and here I'll give you tips and tricks to blending in like a local (not a contestant on The Price is Right, which films nearby), and if you are a local, to finding the coolest hidden spots here you didn't even know about. Read on for the scoop on one of the top attractions in Los Angeles for kids and families.

A visit to Orlando is not complete without a trip to WonderWorks, part of the International Drive entertainment district. When traveling along I-Drive, you can’t miss the iconic upside-down building that houses WonderWorks, an indoor attraction with three floors of "edu-tainment" (part science center, part amusement park)! Experience hurricane-force winds, lie on a bed of nails, brave an astronaut training challenge, and over 100 more hands-on exhibits and displays. Read below for all you need to know to visit WonderWorks with kids!

Fishing is a fun way for families to spend time together outdoors, and there is no shortage of kid-friendly fishing lakes near DC. There are also plenty of other places to go fishing near DC along the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, in parks, and more. There are so many fishing spots, in fact, that it was tough narrowing this list down to the ones you'll see below.

Grab your fishing poles, hooks, and tackle boxes and head to one of these 12 fishing lakes near DC and other family-friendly places to go fishing. These fishing spots in DC, Maryland, and Virginia are some of the top places for families to try their hand at snagging a big one.

For more outdoor family fun, check out our Outdoor Activities Guide for DC Kids. 

Atlanta and Coke: They just go together. If you haven't visited World of Coca-Cola with kids yet, it's time to pay tribute to the best known beverage in the world. The popular attraction first came to Atlanta in 1990 as part of Underground Atlanta but later moved to its current location downtown. In fact, it was The Coca-Cola Company that acquired the land and designated sections of it for the Georgia Aquarium and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, all part of an effort to revitalize downtown Atlanta. Now when visitors approach the plaza where World of Coke stands, they are within walking distance to several Atlanta attractions like Centennial Olympic Park and the Children's Museum of Atlanta. 

When we visited World of Coca-Cola recently, we saw all types of families —those with babies in strollers to families with teens and everything in between. The Coke museum is structured into seven areas, and the tour is a good mix of guided and not-so-guided. See below for more details on each section and don't miss our know-before-you go tips. Plus, you can save money on admission with a Go City - Atlanta sightseeing pass!  

Looking for the top fishing spots in the Hudson Valley? We've got you covered. 

Few family-friendly activities are more relaxing than fishing, which involves spending a day basking in the sunlight and communing with nature. And the Hudson Valley is the perfect environment for fishing, with dozens of lakes, streams, ponds, and other freshwater bodies. 

Naturally, if you’re bringing the kids along on your fishing expedition, you’ll want to make sure there are plenty of other activities nearby to help keep them occupied–especially when you hear the inevitable, “I’m bored”. Read on for the top family-friendly locations for fishing in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley. 

If your kids love being outside, check out our rundown on 10 destination parks for Westchester families, and find ideas for other outdoorsy adventures in our Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in Westchester.

Fishing destinations on Long Island offer a fun outdoor family activity with deep roots in Long Island's maritime history and culture. Surrounded by the sea, kids on Long Island can drop a line at several beaches, local piers, from the deck of a boat, and parks. We've rounded up a few of our favorite family-friendly fishing venues where kids can test their skills and perhaps hook the catch of the day.

Looking for more seaside enjoyment? Make sure to visit these stunning Long Island lighthouses or Long Island boardwalks that are ideal for a family stroll.

Adventure Aquarium is a captivating day-trip destination that will engage and educate family members young and old. 

Camden's world-class aquarium showcases a huge collection of underwater life—more than 8,500 aquatic species—plus hippos, penguins, and an assortment of amphibians, birds, and reptiles. Also: sharks. Lots of sharks. Adventure Aquarium houses the largest collection of sharks on the East Coast, and it features the only great hammerhead on exhibit in the U.S.

In short, the kids will be awed. You'll be transported. Everyone leaves a little refreshed. 

Read on to learn more about some of Adventure Aquarium's most impressive attractions and several ways to get up close and personal with sea creatures. And, if your visit to Adventure Aquarium happens to spark a new interest in life under the sea, check out our rundown of the best aquariums for your next family vacation. For trip ideas further afield, read our comprehensive Family Travel Guide. 

Ever wish you could go up, up, and away in a hot air balloon in New Jersey? Or maybe just watch a hot air balloon float across the horizon with your feet planted firmly on the ground? In some parts of New Jersey, ballooning is part of the local culture, with local hot air balloon festivals and opportunities to soar high above the treetops as you take the trip of your life.

We've rounded up a few vendors offering hot air balloon cruises in New Jersey as well as some popular hot air balloon festivals—including the uber-popular, long-running NJ Lottery Festival of Ballooning—where you can catch a glimpse of a hot air balloon-filled sky. A hot air balloon festival makes a great day trip and a ride—while pricey—is an unforgettable splurge to celebrate your kid's next milestone birthday.