Visiting Massanutten Resort and Water Park with Kids

Families will never run out of fun activities at Massanutten Resort. Photo by author Jennifer Swope

Massanutten Resort is well-known among DC families as a winter ski destination, but it actually offers four seasons of family fun. My family was invited to visit Massanutten ahead of its summer-season kickoff to check out activities and experiences that go beyond the ski and tubing hills.

In full disclosure, this was not our first visit to Massanutten Resort. My family has visited during a winter ski season and over a fall long weekend. We had a blast each time.

During this trip, my 13-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son tried nearly every activity available and could not pick just one favorite. That's how much fun they had! Read on for my full review of Massanutten Resort and my tips on how to make the most of a trip there.

Check out our Guide to Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for more great places to visit near DC.

Best Outdoor Water Parks in Los Angeles for Family Fun

Slide on in, the water's fine. Photo courtesy of Legoland Water Park

Water parks provide a wet and wild aquatic adventure on a sweltering Southern California day. Sure, our SoCal beaches are the best, and swimming in a lake is loads of fun, but you won't have to lug any gear across hot sand that stretches forever when going to a water park!

Water parks have wave pools, family raft rides, lazy rivers, and mini slides for little ones, and thrilling slides for teens. Some of our favorite water parks near Los Angeles are smaller parks just for kids (like Buccaneer's Cove), and others are popular theme park extensions (like the Legoland Water Park or the water park at Sesame Place San Diego). There are so many ways to soak in all the fun. 

Start your little ones in the water early with baby and toddler swimming lessons, and test out the waters at free splash pads and water playgrounds in Los Angeles. Plus, dive into more adventures on land and in water in our SoCal Theme and Water Parks Guide.  

Best Amusement Parks on Long Island for Families

Adventureland in Farmingdale has thrilling rides. Photo by Gina Massaro

Amusement parks on Long Island are ready to welcome you and your thrill-seeking family for summer fun. Whether your kids are eager to check out the latest rides and attractions, or you can’t wait to make new memories with your family at the amusement parks you enjoyed as a child, now is the perfect time to make plans to visit these LI theme parks.

Read on for details on how to enjoy our favorite amusement parks on Long Island this summer and for more entertainment inspiration, bookmark our Guide to Amusement Parks and Water Parks Near Long Island.

Great Theme Parks and Amusement Parks Near New Jersey

Six Flag Great Adventure brings big-time thrills and is one of our favorite amusement parks in New Jersey.

A trip to a local amusement park in or near New Jersey is always high on my vacation bucket list, and we're lucky that New Jersey and nearby states offer lots of family-friendly amusement park adventures. 

Whether you're hoping to catch ocean views and sandy beaches at the Jersey Shore's boardwalk amusement parks, like Casino Pier and Castaway Cove, or you are dreaming of high-velocity thrill rides at mega parks like Six Flags Great Adventure, here are the best amusement parks to visit this summer. 

New this year: The groundbreaking Edelman Fossil Park and Museum, which is slated to open in summer 2024. 

Find more wild rides in our Guide to Water and Amusement Parks, and read on for dozens of amusement parks in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania that are perfect for thrill-seekers of all ages.

Best Amusement Parks near NYC for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Jenkinson's Boardwalk in Point Pleasant, NJ, offers a classic summer experience. Photo by Margaret Hargrove

If you're looking for amusement parks for toddlers and preschoolers near NYC, there's no need to seek out the latest scary high-tech roller coasters. For young children, a ride on a carousel’s painted pony, a spin with dad around the bumper car track, and a dripping swirl of frozen custard are the stuff summer memories are made of. 

Happily, several amusement and water parks in or near the New York City metro area offer these kinds of tame attractions. Here's our roundup of theme parks perfect for the pint-sized.

Find more seasonal rides in our Theme and Water Parks Guide for families.

Mother's Day Weekend 2024 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do

Albany's Dutch heritage is celebrated at its annual Tulip Festival with more than 140,000 tulips. Photo courtesy of the festival

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this Mother's Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

Indulge mom's sweet tooth at the Hudson Valley Cupcake Festival or check out the Dutch festivities and loads of blooms at the Albany Tulip Festival. Pirate-loving families can don their best costumes and join the sword-fighting and mischief-making at the Hudson Valley Pirate Festival.

Consider this a friendly reminder to book your reservations for Mother's Day brunch ASAP if you haven't already. Still shopping? We've got tons of last-minute ideas for Mother's Day gifts moms actually want.

Mother's Day Weekend 2024 in New Jersey: Brunches and More Things To Do with Kids

Head to the Shore with mom to walk on the boardwalk or race on the go-karts at Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach. Photo courtesy of Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this Mother's Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

It's all fun and games this Mother's Day weekend as moms score free admission to amusement parks on Sunday, including Casino Pier. Plus, treat Mom to a weekend of food, music, and shopping at Asbury Park Spring Bazaar 2024

Check out our full rundown of Mother's Day events in New Jersey for even more ideas.  

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