With the long weekend coming up (and hopefully more to come throughout the summer), we thought it’d be a great time to roll out a list of fun weekend excursions for families!
Greene County, NY: Just two hours from the city, the Great Northern Catskills of Greene County offer swimming, boating, hiking, camping, and cycling, not to mention golf, spas, shopping, wine tastings, a riverside farmer’s market and a water park. For more info, visit greenetourism.com.
Hartford, CT: There’s plenty to keep you busy in this family-friendly capital city. Take part in an artmaking workshop during a Free Family Saturday at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum, America’s oldest public art museum. Then swing by Mark Twain’s house to learn about the life and times of the celebrated, all-American author. Finally, don’t forget to stop by the new Connecticut Science Center, where you can build your own robot, learn about lasers, explore blackholes and much more.
Woodloch, Hawley, PA: Nestled in the Pocono Mountains, this all-inclusive, family-friendly destination resort offers a full schedule of outdoor activities and entertainment–plus an 18-hole golf course and a spa.
Great Wolf Lodge, Pocono Mountains, PA: With a water park, a fitness center, a four-story interactive treehouse and an ice cream spa, this isn’t your average resort!
Pennsylvania’s Amusement Parks: Make it one amusing weekend by hitting up two-or even all three—of Pennsylvania’s kid-pleasing parks: Hershey Park (a real-life candy land!), Sesame Place (meet your favorite characters at the Rock Around the Block Parade!), and Dutch Wonderland (the one and only “kingdom for kids”!).
Cape Cod, MA: Enjoy the pristine beaches, go whale watching, take a tour of the Cape Cod Chip Factory and catch a flick at the Wellfleet Drive-In Theater. For a place to stay, try the Cape Codder Resort, or rent a cozy beachside cottage!
Boston, MA: Walk the Freedom Trail, enjoy a canoli from Mike’s Pastry, and visit the New England Aquarium. Stay at the Copley Square Hotel and take a turn walking the hotel’s famous resident black labrador, Katie, around the square!
Stockbridge, MA: Relax among sweet-scented Berkshires in lovely Stockbridge, MA, where you can hike the Beartown State Forest, visit the Norman Rockwell Museum, and enjoy a jazz performance at the popular Tanglewood Summer Music Festival. For a place to stay, try the quaint and cozy Brook Farm Inn.
Smugglers Notch Resort, VT: A top-notch ski destination in winter, Smuggler’s Notch transforms itself into a mountainside summer oasis boasting eight pools, four waterslides, two hot tubs, splash pools, a giant water trampoline, tons of scheduled activities and more!
Bar Harbor, ME: Head to beautiful Bar Harbor and spend the weekend exploring Acadia National Park—you can go hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, tidepooling, whale watching and more! For a place to stay, pitch a tent or rent a cabin at Bar Harbor’s KOA Campground—amenities include a swimming pool, kayak and bike rentals and even an outdoor cinema.
White Mountains, NH: A picturesque getaway for families who want to get in touch with nature the White Mountains boast tons of activities and attractions for families, like hiking paths, golf courses, lakeside beaches and swimming streams, horseback riding and more. For history-loving parents, there are also historic inns, quaint towns and untouched villages to explore. Visit whitemountains.com, which offers great hotel deals, activity packages, special events and travel tips.
Cape May, NJ: Known for its miles of beautiful beaches, spectacular views of bird migration, Victorian architecture and rich history (the city is known as the country’s oldest seaside resort and was declared a historic landmark in 1976) a weekend escape to Cape May provides the perfect balance of relaxation for adults and learning and play for kids. Capemay.com is a helpful resource, and provides ideas for accommodations, activities and dining.
Narragansett, RI: The population at this Rhode Island beach town surges in the summer, as visitors flock to its many beaches and summer recreation. Home to four of the state’s most popular beaches, Narragansett also offers visitors golfing, boating and a quaint fishing village.
Bethany Beach, DE: This quaint beach town is a favorite getaway for many city families.
Stroll the boardwalk and catch a performance at the Bandstand (there’s even a children’s theater!). For a place to stay, try the Sea Colony Resort, which offers beachfront condos with great ocean views.
Washington, D.C.: It’s the ultimate education vacation! Visit the Smithsonian, the National Museum of American History, Ford’s Theatre, the Washington Monument, The Capitol Building and, of course, The White House. If there’s time, stop by the International Spy Museum and the Newseum. For a place to stay, try the elegant and comfortable Madison Hotel.
Colonial Williamsburg, VA: In addition to all the famous reenactments, family travel writer Sam Chapnick recommends letting your kids have fun donning period costumes; apprenticing themselves to a local blacksmith, printer or tailor; brickmaking and more. For a place to stay, try the Williamsburg Lodge.
Outer Banks, NC: The Outer Banks are a great beach destination for New York families—the islands are reachable by car, and only take about half a day to get there from most East Coast cities. The Outer Banks boast the tallest lighthouse in the country, new outdoor activities like hang gliding and kiteboarding, and tons of original and locally owned restaurants. Outerbanks.org will help you find the perfect accommodations.
Charleston, SC: This South Carolina beach town has something for everyone, from miles of beaches to golf courses to beautifully preserved architecture and monumental battleships and aircraft carriers. Charleston is home to the site of the first shot fired in the Civil War, a famous aquarium, a naval and maritime museum, and much more.
St. Simons Island, GA: Home to charter fishing, dozens of paved bike trails, three golf courses and a famous beach, this Georgia town is an idyllic family retreat. St. Simons Island also has a vibrant and diverse history that is still present today, as it was home to significant Revolutionary War battles, was once claimed as part of Spanish Florida, and houses the Fort Frederica National Monument.
St. George Island, FL: An island along Florida’s “Forgotten Coast” (nicknamed when a tourism company forgot to include this sleepy strip of the Florida coastline), St. George Island is divided into three regions: a state park, a public strip of restaurants, hotels and homes, and an exclusive and gated housing community. Known for being quiet and tranquil, this island is a perfect escape from the bustle of the city. Check out apalachiaolabay.org for more information.
Daytona Beach, FL: Christened “The World’s Most Famous Beach,” this breezy Florida beach town welcomes eight million visitors a year. Internationally known for its frequent motorsport events (like the Daytona 500), Daytona Beach also boasts numerous golf courses and miles of pristine white sand beaches.
