There's more to the Jersey Shore than rides, salt water taffy, and (let's face it) crowds. Island Beach State Park (IBSP) may well be one of NJ most beautiful and unique beaches, drawing thousands of nature enthusiasts every year.

Though you'd get to Island Beach from the same Garden State Parkway exit as Seaside Heights, the two beaches are worlds apart. Ten-mile long Island Beach is situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay and is one of the last few undeveloped barrier beaches on the North Atlantic Coast. From hiking to bike riding, and, of course, swimming, here are some things outdoorsy families will love about Island Beach.

Putt-putt lovers take note: A brand new, 18-hole mini golf course on Governors Island is set to debut Saturday, June 23, just in time for the Figment Art Festival this weekend.

Brought to life by the folks behind Adventures at Governors Island (which also introduced a zip line and climbing wall to Governors), the new miniature golf course is located on the island's western shore, with breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor beyond.

Situated on 26 acres in the quiet northern 'burbs, Stone Zoo is beloved by many as the smaller, simpler counterpart to the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston. But recently, Stone Zoo has been busy setting itself apart—with a modern new entrance, and now, an innovative exhibit celebrating the exotic, colorful creatures that live as our neighbors to the south. Caribbean Coast will be a permanent fixture in Stoneham, and, as my kids and I recently discovered, a big reason to make the trip.

From the quiet, tree-lined brownstone streets to the bustling business districts along Fulton Street and Nostrand Avenues, Bedford-Stuyvesant has something for everyone. Young families in NYC are discovering Bedford-Stuyvesant as one of the best corners of Brooklyn to settle, drawn by its rich cultural history, beautiful architecture, and close-knit community.

Bedford-Stuyvesant is bordered by Flushing Avenue to the north, Atlantic Avenue to the south, Classon Avenue on the west, and Broadway on the east. Most of the neighborhood is easily accessible by the A and C trains, along with several bus lines. But one of the best ways to experience Bed-Stuy, as it is affectionately known, is on foot. You can find yourself in Bed-Stuy with just a short walk from nearby Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, or Williamsburg. And once you have a chance to experience the sights and sounds of this vibrant community, you may never want to leave.

Even as gentrification brings new real estate developments, coffee shops, and wine bars to the neighborhood, Bed-Stuy is committed to maintaining its unique neighborhood identity. From creative classes to free activities to family restaurants, here are some of the best things to do in Bed-Stuy with kids.

Google, let's play mini golf! The Google Mini Golf pop-up coming to Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica finds a cool way to demonstrate Google Home products: with a voice and putter activated mini golf game.  

Brooklyn Bridge Park is getting a new, outdoor public pool—eventually. After years of the public enjoying what was supposed to be a temporary pop-up pool in Brooklyn Bridge Park, the park has launched a fundraising campaign to fund the construction and operation of a permanent pool.

While the new pool won't be in the same spot as the pop-up pool, swimmers will still enjoy Manhattan skyline views from its location in Squibb Park, a portion of Brooklyn Bridge Park just above Pier 1 that sits in Brooklyn Heights at the entrance to the bouncy Squibb Bridge, which connects the promenade to the park. The construction of the new pool is expected to cost between $10-$15 million, according to park organizers. Admission will be FREE, as with the current pool.

Fans of the current pop-up pool may be wondering what this means for swimming in Brooklyn Bridge Park while the new pool is being constructed. The news is mixed.

The Griffith Observatory is competing with some pretty amazing SoCal tourist destinations to earn a place on your itinerary. There are so many great spots to visit with kids in the LA area that we can't say we blame you if stargazing doesn't top the list. But the famous Griffith Park Observatory is one iconic LA landmark you shouldn't overlook.

The most-visited public observatory in the world, Griffith is also a familiar sight from the many films in which it has (ahem) guest starred. If you or anyone in your family loves space exploration, stargazing, science, or even hiking it's a must-go. Here are 10 reasons why you should make time for the Griffith Observatory the next time you visit Los Angeles with kids.

Looking for a serene spot to connect with nature that's large enough to take your entire extended family? Look no further than Challenger Seven Memorial Park in Webster. Known for it's miles of winding trails, lush green spaces, stellar playground equipment, and plenty of picnic tables and pavilions, this park is a hot spot for family fun.