Jody Mercier

Jody Mercier always dreamed of being a mom, and she's raised three wonderful kids in New York City. Since that job only pays in hugs, she’s spent her career as a journalist covering health, fitness, sports, and parenting for Sports Illustrated, espnW, and Mommy Poppins. Follow her family’s adventures on Instagram @momtakesmanhattan or reach her at jody@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Jody

Best Family Resorts with Water Parks: All-Inclusive Family Resorts and More

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sat, 07/09/2022 - 11:23am

Timber Ridge Lodge in Geneva, Wisconsin features both an indoor water park and outdoor pools.

When it comes time to book your next visit to a family resort, consider a trip to one of these great resorts with water parks. At these family resorts, the hotel can be the destination—not just a place to lay your head—thanks to larger-than-life water slides for thrill-seekers; kid-friendly, water-drenched playgrounds for tots; and lazy rivers to float on when you need a bit of relaxation yourself.

Read on for 29 family resorts with water parks. Our picks include both indoor water parks for all-seasons fun and outdoor water parks to visit this summer. They span the US from the Northeast to Hawaii and everywhere in between. We've even thrown in a few all-inclusive family resorts and Caribbean resorts with water parks as a bonus.

Looking for more family resorts with water parks? Bookmark this list of hotels with outdoor water parks or our picks for the best Orlando hotels with water parks, plus our Guide to Theme Parks and Water Parks for local options closer to home.

10 Museum Exhibits and Immersive Pop-Ups to See this Summer in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 06/24/2022 - 9:06am

Looks can be deceiving at Arcadia Earth, where this sparkling kaleidoscope of colors is, in fact, a collection of plastic waste and a lesson in environmental conservation.

New York City kids are lucky to live in the shadow of some of the world-class museums and cultural institutions, and summer's arrival brings with it a spate of new (or nearly new) museum exhibits and exciting pop-ups that are perfect outings on days when you need to mix up your usual summer routine of hitting the swimming pool or splash pad.

We've found 10 museum exhibits, interactive pop-ups, and immersive installations worth your time this summer, ranging from Disney-inspired magic at CAMP to an activist-inspired look at Title IX at the New-York Historical Society. No matter your children's ages, here's where to find some cool culture this summer. Be sure to bookmark our Museums, Galleries, and Exhibit Guide to NYC for more picks and tips like when you can visit these top institutions for FREE.

Legoland New York Hotel Extends the Bricktastic Fun Past Bedtime

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 06/23/2022 - 4:14pm

It's kid-friendly fun at first sight when you visit the Legoland New York Hotel, just steps away from the theme park.

If you're looking for a family-friendly getaway near NYC, it's hard to beat a trip to the brick-built wonderland that is Legoland New York, and if you really want to up the ante on family fun, consider pairing your theme park visit with an overnight at the kid-centered Legoland NY Hotel.

From the moment you step in the door of the Legoland NY Hotel, it's clear kids are in for a treat, and there are enough grown-up touches to ensure adults are happy, too. Read on for our review of our overnight at the property and find more family-friendly escapes in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

The DiscOasis in Central Park Brings Funky Summer Fun to NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 06/21/2022 - 5:14pm

Glide to old-school beats at The DiscOasis in Central Park this summer.

Roller fever is taking the city by storm this summer and nowhere is that more evident than at the newly opened DiscOasis in Central Park. Located at the revitalized Wollman Rink, The DiscOasis offers plenty of old-school fun with an interactive, immersive experience that marries roller skating with a funky soundtrack, a garden of disco balls, shimmering lights, and plenty of epic people-watching.

Want to share this roller disco fever with your kids? Read on for our review of visiting The DiscOasis with kids, and learn how to score deeply discounted tickets to this family-friendly event that's lighting up Central Park through Saturday, October 1.

London With Kids: 60+ Best Things To Do in London on a UK Family Vacation

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sat, 06/18/2022 - 1:07pm

This isn't London Bridge, and it's not falling down!

If you're considering an international family vacation, a visit to London is the perfect place to start. A world-class city that marries centuries-old history with contemporary culture, there are plenty of family-friendly things to do in London. The fact that there's no language barrier to deal with makes visitors feel at ease as soon as they set foot in the city.

Whether you want to visit London for its new history (hello, Harry Potter studio tour!) or you're more interested in snapping a photo of the crown jewels at the Tower of London, here are 60+ fun things to do in London during a family vacation.

If you're looking for more international destinations for your next family vacation, bookmark our European Travel Guide for Families.

The Best Trampoline Parks in NYC and Nearby for Kids of All Ages

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 05/09/2022 - 4:56pm

Battle your friends at Rockin' Jump Trampoline Park. Located in Yonkers, its one of our top picks for a fun trampoline park near NYC.

If you've got active kids and hop-happy toddlers to entertain, nothing cures the bad-weather blues like a trip to a trampoline park or an indoor bounce inflatable park.

NYC is home to several high-flying trampoline parks, where fun includes trampolines, long bouncy slides, tunnels, and obstacle courses. Best of all each trampoline park near NYC included in our list hosts regular open-bounce sessions, so your kids can jump all they want for one low price. Find more ideas for indoor activities in our Top Indoor Play Spaces and Fun Zones Guide.

Visiting the New York Aquarium With Kids: Top Things To Do and See

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Mon, 04/25/2022 - 4:01pm

Wave hello to Bruiser, the talented sea lion and star of the Aquatheater show at the New York Aquarium.

A day at the beach doesn't have to leave you water-logged or sandy-soled if you plan to spend it at the waterfront New York Aquarium in Brooklyn. The 14-acre park on the action-packed Coney Island boardwalk is home to more than 500 species and is the oldest, continually operating aquarium in the United States, having opened its doors at Lower Manhattan's Castle Clinton in 1896.

Read on for our favorite things to do and see at the New York Aquarium with kids, and find more fun destinations for an animal encounter in this post on the best zoos and aquariums in New York City.

Family-Friendly Spa Resorts Near NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 04/22/2022 - 2:15pm

You don't have to stray far to find a family-friendly spa resort near NYC. Mohonk Mountain house offers a beautiful, serene lakeside location and full spa menu for adults in New Paltz.

We're always on the lookout for a family-friendly resort where kid-friendly fun takes center stage, but sometimes mom and dad need something a little extra from a weekend getaway. Enter these family-friendly spa resorts near NYC. At these local spa resorts, you'll find plenty of kid comforts, family-friendly hotel rooms, and parent-friendly perks that range from couples massages to facials and meditation classes CBD pedicures, and more indulgent treatments.

It turns out you can have it all—a fun escape for kids combined with a relaxing spa experience for parents. Treat yourself at these spa resorts in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, and consider it a mini-vacation from your vacation.

Find more fun, family-friendly getaways near NYC in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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