Located just 90 miles from Chicago, Starved Rock State Park is there for when Chicago families need to get away from school and screen time and head to the great outdoors for the weekend.  The state park is one of several just a 90-minute drive southwest of Chicago, but once you leave the area officially considered the suburbs, you may feel like you're in a different world.

In addition to the wealth of hiking, there are unique places to stay and interesting restaurants to keep our kids entertained for a weekend trip. We also love that we can plan a vacation here at the spur of the moment. Each time we've gone, we have found lodging with less than two weeks notice.

Here's what our family likes to do at and around Starved Rock State Park. For more outdoor family fun, check out our State Parks Near Chicago to Hike, Camp, and Swim with Kids.

The Brooklyn Museum is one of the world's premier art museums, yet often overlooked for its more famous Manhattan neighbor, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. But, the Brooklyn Museum is truly worth a visit, whether you're a local or just visiting. Home to an eclectic permanent collection and a rotation of buzzy, crowd-pleasing special exhibitions, the Brooklyn Museum is located in a beautiful Beaux-Arts building right off of family-friendly Prospect Park and definitely worth visiting with kids. Its calendar is packed with kid-friendly programming and family events. We've got tips about the best exhibits to see, things to do, and places to eat during your visit to the Brooklyn Museum with kids.

We've got all our picks for the best museums to visit with kids in NYC and more tips for NYC's top culture spots in our Guide to Family-Friendly Museums in NYC.

Extreme sports and activities for older kids and teens provide action-packed fun and avoid screen time! From go-karts and zip lining to axe throwing and paintball, we've gathered exciting options for every type of thrill-seeker in Orlando.

Check out the best extreme sports and activities for kids in Orlando. And just a helpful tip: Much to the dismay of Croc-wearing kiddos the world over, most of these activities require closed-toe shoes, so be prepared to wear sneakers or bring them along.

The Atlanta BeltLine is some miraculous combination of exercise trail, tourist attraction, path to historical and environmental exploration, public art gallery, cultural site, and so much more. It is Atlanta's aorta, pumping life throughout the city and connecting various intown neighborhoods together.

This 22-mile loop is a fantastic place to bring your kids and discover what makes the Atlanta BeltLine and the people and places of Atlanta so special. This multipurpose trail hosts wonderful attractions along the way, perfect for kids to discover nature, stop by a playground or skate park, admire art, grab a meal or stop in a shop, and just get out of the house. 

Miniature golf is one of those summertime activities that entertains the whole family. A putter, a brightly colored ball, and the possibility that your three year old will get a hole-in-one, and everyone is bound to have some fun. Although there aren't as many mini golf courses around here as at the shore, there are a few great spots in the area to grab a putter and try your skills.

Looking for more fun things to do with little ones? Check out these Top 21 Things To Do with Preschoolers in Philly or check out our 100 Things To Do in Philly With Kids Before They Grow Up.

DC LEGO lovers have a big reason to celebrate: The new LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC officially opened to the public on August 14, 2023 at Springfield Town Center in Springfield, Virginia. The 32,000-square-foot indoor attraction features 12 immersive zones, including a Mini World made with over 1.5 million bricks, a train ride, a 4D Cinema, DUPLO Park for the youngest builders, and so much more. There are also LEGO character appearances and plenty of opportunities for creative building.

I had the chance to visit LEGO Discovery Center Washington, DC with my 12-year-old twin sons and my 8-year-old daughter. We had an absolute blast, and we can't wait to return!

Read on for my review of LEGO Discovery Center, including tips and tricks on how to maximize your family's visit. Then visit our Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces for even more indoor fun for DC-area kids.

The Funplex in East Hanover lives up to the "fun" in its name. The huge complex–which has a second location in Mount Laurel–has tons of activity options, whether your family wants to try the go-karts, bowling, laser tag, arcade games, or warrior course.

But the best-kept secret might be the outdoor water park, with splash areas and slides for the whole family to enjoy–plus lots of spots to kick back and relax. 

Check out our story on great amusement parks for NJ toddlers and much more in our Guide to New Jersey Amusement Parks and Water Parks.