One of the sweetest parts of summer is an outing to a local ice cream shop. Whether you're cooling down with a shake or lounging on a bench and licking a cone, these frozen treats are hard to pass up.

Westchester has its fair share of independent ice cream parlors. We've rounded up several of our favorites below so that families can get in their "last licks" of the summer. Whether you prefer to keep things simple with traditional treats or get excited about inventive confections like donut ice-cream sandwiches, we've got the goods.

Check out our story on Westchester and the Hudson Valley's most epic desserts and more foodie inspo in our Westchester & Hudson Valley Family Restaurant Guide. 

Looking for fun and safe ways for teens and tweens to enjoy Long Island after dark? Whether they're into escape rooms, live music, late-night museums, or giving back through volunteer work, there are plenty of exciting evening activities that allow teens to have a great time while giving parents peace of mind.

Read on for all our after-hours adventures for teens on Long Island, and be sure to check out our story on 17 things to do on Long Island with teens and much more in our Tweens & Teens Guide to Long Island. 

A trip to Laurel Acres Park in Mount Laurel is sure to be an adventure for you and your family. You can plan a pick-up sand volleyball game, zipline, ride the swing carousel, visit three different playgrounds, fish, hike, or roll–or sled–down the giant hill. 

In addition to all the built-in activities, the park hosts family events throughout the summer, so there is always plenty to do for multiple hours or over multiple trips. 

Read on for a list of things to do on your family’s day trip to Laurel Acres Park! And, if you are going to be in South Jersey, check out our lists of Family-Friendly Hikes in South Jersey and Destination Playgrounds in South Jersey.

New York City teens are so fortunate to have the city at their fingertips. While NYC teens want to go out and enjoy the nightlife, parents want to ensure the NYC teen activities they're engaging in are safe. For parents with teens looking for things to do after hours, we've rounded up a great list of NYC teen activities that are fun, safe, and affordable.

After dark, the city is full of teen activities from teen nights at local museums to reduced-fare Broadway shows, thrilling escape rooms, game nights, and sporting events. These activities are all teen-approved and cover a wide range of interests and passions.

Find more things to do in NYC with teens in our NYC Teens Guide to Fun Things To Do, and bookmark this list of anytime teen-friendly activities in NYC.

As my 14-year-old twins have gotten older, they and their friends have been wanting to spend more time together in the evenings and at night. But sometimes they get bored of being at each other's houses, and let's be honest—us parents don't always want a bunch of teenagers hanging around at night. However, we also don't want to worry too much about their safety when they go out after dark.

Luckily, there are many safe places in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia where teens can hang out and have fun with their friends. Some of them, like rec centers and malls, are free or cheap. Others will require your teen to spend some part-time job or birthday money, or to beg you for some cash (and can you really put a price on a few hours of peace and quiet?).

Here are 15 safe and fun teen nighttime activities in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Find more ways to entertain the big kids in your life in our Teen and Tween Activities Guide!

Kids' parties evoke images of indoor gyms, party games, and cake. But what to do when your kid is no longer little? Teens want to have fun, too, and these birthday party places near Philadelphia will help you celebrate in an age-appropriate way. For more birthday party ideas for teens, tweens, or the tiniest party-goers, check out our guide to 30+ Indoor Kids' Birthday Party Places Near Philly. 

Explore the best of the Inner Cape with a visit to Falmouth and Woods Hole!

Looking for a fun, scenic, and kid-friendly bike ride in Los Angeles? The Strand—also known as the Marvin Braude Bike Trail—is a coastal gem perfect for families.  

As much as Los Angeles is consistently making improvements, the bicycling infrastructure in Los Angeles leaves quite a bit to be desired. This is doubly true for families who want to ride in the city with their kids. While it may not be advisable to take an epic 10-mile bike trip down Venice Boulevard (even if it does technically have bike lanes), there are several off-street bike paths throughout the metro. The crown jewel? The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, better known by locals as The Strand. 

While you're biking The Strand, you'll pass by the Santa Monica Pier, and many LA beaches for kids and families. For more essential things to do in LA, check out our Los Angeles Visitors' Guide for Families.