I met a fella recently who was stationed with binoculars on the border of East Boston and Winthrop, gazing at the planes lift off from nearby Logan Airport.

“It's beautiful to watch. It's almost mystical,” he told me.

A handful of youngsters also peered at the planes, which, depending on the wind direction, buzzed right overhead with a thunderous roar as they headed to destinations unknown.

If you have kids who are into aircraft, there are some great spots on the North Shore to watch the planes come into and leave the airport. Here are top viewing choices, along with other nearby activities – including the beach, restaurants, and playgrounds – to enjoy:

Prepare for intense jumping at Rockin’ Jump, the indoor play space in Mount Kisco. The 18,000-square-foot facility (located in the same shopping plaza as Grand Prix) boasts high-action activity areas, a food zone, party facilities and more and is well suited for all ages. From ball pits to dodgeball to basketball and more, the abundance of trampolines allows for gravity-defying fun in leaps and bounds! Read on for the inside scoop.

Want to see some art with your kids, but can’t handle the hordes of summer tourists? (Guilty!) Believe that museums make more sense during the frigid winter months? (Also guilty.) Just not able to make your work hours or the kids' naps coordinate with FREE hours at NYC museums? (Hand raised.)

Here’s the solution: check out these seven outdoor art exhibits on display in NYC now. Since they’re located in city parks and other public spaces, they’re FREE! All have art that is interactive (to some degree), educational, and fun for kids. At one exhibit—Swale, a traveling barge with a “floating food forest”—you can even feed your kids healthy food they pick themselves. What could be better? Maybe the fact that you're outside and your children can run around afterward and get tuckered out? (Guilty again.)

The other day, as my email inbox was filling up with back-to-school information and the phone was ringing with reminders of registration deadlines for fall activities, I found myself flipping through summer photos on my phone and reminiscing, and I realized that there was one thing missing. We've had fun days at the beach and musical evenings in various parks, and even some berry picking, but we haven't had that one special adventure, the one big splurge to remember this summer by.

We have a range of interests from animals to water sports to ice cream and even camping, so there are many variables to consider. We'll be making our final decision this week, but here's what's on our short list so far:

What is it about summer that makes even the most uptight parent want to bend the rules a bit? Like healthy dinner rules? How about ice cream for dinner? Go ahead....we won't tell. As temperatures sore to sweltering heights, and we look for new ways to cool down, ice cream has become a must-have. And as luck would have it, our state has some delicious ice cream joints!

Whether you’re looking to dazzle your taste buds with a quirky flavor or go for an old-fashioned milkshake, we've rounded up a list of amazing ice cream shops that will have New Jersey kids and parents celebrating all that is summer.

With fall just around the corner, and the cooler weather that comes with it, families are eager to venture out of their air conditioned homes for crisp air, beautifully changing leaves, and outdoor fun without the mosquitos and humidity. What better way to see the natural beauty of Pennsylvania than a day trip to one of this state's many enchanting waterfalls? We've compiled a list of some of the best waterfalls within a reasonable drive of Philly. Taking into account families with younger kids, all of these waterfalls are easily accessible from the road or with just a short walk on easy-to-navigate trails.

After more than a decade of planning and preparation, the Boston Public Market finally opened in 2015. And it’s been a huge hit ever since. It’s essentially a year-round farmers market where you can also get a great meal from one of the prepared food vendors. The market is a terrific place to take kids for a special treat (think locally made doughnuts or ice cream), an event, a cooking class, or just to explore. Make a day of it by heading to nearby Christopher Columbus Park, which has one of the best playgrounds in Boston.

Blue Waters Resort and Spa in Antigua is not your everyday vacation destination. This luxury spot is perfect for that special-occasion getaway, especially a multigenerational family vacation. With villas that can be configured for 1-6 bedrooms and a staff that makes sure everything goes smoothly, families can plan a truly get-away-from-it-all trip, including all the logistics and interests of a big-family vacation, and feel confident it will be a hit.

Antigua is known for its laid-back and friendly people, bright blue waters and 365 sandy beaches. Blue Waters Resort offers all that, with luxury suites, and service to boot. The staff is as friendly as it gets and bends over backward to make sure you are happy.