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Planning the perfect vacation can be challenging, regardless of who you're traveling with, be it a partner, a group of friends or your entire family. Finding destinations that cater to everyoneâs unique interests often takes a significant amount of time, and it's only one piece of the puzzle since you still need to book hotels, activities and dining reservations. So, why not simplify the process and book an all-inclusive resort? For many, these properties are a no-brainer since they bundle activities, lodging, food and drinks into one flat rate. And while it may seem like a hefty upfront cost, knowing everything is covered means you can breathe a sigh of relief. Plus, many activities are offered right on-site, and if not, the property will arrange everything for you, allowing you to truly unwind.
Whether you're seeking a Western-inspired adventure in Montana, a food-forward getaway in the mountains or a relaxing beach retreat in Florida, the best all-inclusive resorts in the U.S. cater to every type of traveler. Here are a few of our favorites.
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The magic of a great family resort is that your only responsibility is to have fun. No meal prep, organizing activities or mapping out the dayâthese family resorts in New York and beyond do the heavy lifting for you. From the moment you arrive, itâs all about kicking back and making the most of your time together.
Here you'll find outdoor adventures like zip-lining and lake kayaking, rainy-day lifesavers like game rooms and indoor pools and special programming for kids of every age. Whether your crew loves nature trails, treasure hunts or late-night sâmores by the fire, thereâs something to keep everyone happy. From rustic-chic lodges to modern multi-room suites, these spots make traveling with kids easy. There are a variety of dining options to keep everyone satisfied. Plus, many spots offer babysitting services or structured kids' clubs, giving grownups a chance to relax.
Whether you're looking for a quick weekend getaway or an extended escape from the city grind, these NYC-area family resorts hit the sweet spot between hassle-free and unforgettable.
Where do New York families go when temperatures rise? While you can always pack up the car and head to a water park, thereâs actually no need to leave the city. NYC has plenty of splash-worthy playgrounds in neighborhoods across the five boroughs. These local water playgrounds are built for heatwaves. They're packed with jets, fountains and sprays for hours of entertainment and sweet relief. Whether you're wrapping up a bike ride, a park adventure or just need a break from the sweltering heat, these spots are a no-brainer for summer fun. Bonus: Theyâre all a short walk or subway ride from an ice cream shop, so you can end the day with a cold, creamy treat.
When rising temps turn the city into an oven but the kids are bouncing off the walls, itâs time to trade pavement for pool time. Sure, berry-picking and scenic hikes have their charm, but nothing cools you down faster than a day at a water park near NYC.
Whether you're chasing adrenaline or just want to float your worries away, these water parks deliver the goodsâthink high-speed slides, lazy rivers, splash zones and wave pools. Some are massive, others perfect for younger kids, but all of them offer a break from the grind and a solid way to soak up summer. Ready for a day tripâor a full weekend splash fest? These spots are worth the drive.
One of the best ways to spend a summer day? That would be heading to a local farm to pick your own fruit (and eat it on the spot). Come June, it's time to start thinking about cherry picking in New York. There are great farms just a short drive from the city in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Most spots go beyond cherriesâyouâll find hayrides, farm markets and even petting zoosâoffering plenty of activities or a full day out. Itâs an easy, fun family day trip, and you'll come home with a load of sweet, delicious cherries to snack on or turn into delightful, homemade treats. If you canât get enough fresh-picked fruit, strawberry and blueberry picking season are right around the corner too.
When is cherry picking season in New York?
Cherries tend to ripen in late June or early July in the New York area, but because mother nature is in charge, be sure to call ahead and check farm websites to make sure the cherries are ready to pick. Cherries are at their best for a brief window, so mark your calendars and make plans to head out when the sweetest, ripest cherries are ready.
For adults, Thanksgiving is a day of stress. If youâre hosting, thereâs the pressure of pulling off a high-stakes feast and the annoyance of forcing conversation with the relatives you spend the rest of the year avoiding. But for kids, it rules quite hard. No school, no real obligations, a televised parade in the morning and an all-you-can-eat home-cooked buffet at night. Whatâs not to love?
In between the aforementioned parade and the annual stuffing of the face, though, thereâs typically a lot of downtime. Why not fill those hours with a movie or three? Sure, the canon of Thanksgiving movies is not nearly as bountiful as Christmas movies, but these 12 should keep the wee ones distracted as you rush to get the turkey carved and drown out Uncle Jimmyâs rantings.
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As any parent will tell you, kids shows arenât just for kids. At least, the good ones arenât. Any childrenâs programming worth plopping your wee ones down in front of recognises that thereâs going to be adults in the room, too, and adjusts accordingly. Thatâs not to say they have to entertain the oldies necessarily, but they do need to convince us that theyâre not rotting the developing brains of the target demographic. They need to educate, or teach important life lessons, or inspire creativity â or at the very least not just rely on fast movement and fart noises to keep their attention. These 37 hit the spot in one way or another.
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Midwestern hospitality reaches new heights at this impressive urban hotel along the Mississippi River. St. Louisâ iconic Gateway Arch has never looked better than from the contemporary guest rooms and suites, outfitted with spacious, marble baths and floor-to-ceiling windows. Kick back on the eighth floor Sky Terrace, where youâll find an expansive outdoor pool, chic cabanas and sweeping city views. The 12,000-square-foot spa offers relaxing massages, facials and other treatments, while Cielo bar and restaurant provides cooking classes allowing visitors to learn about the art of authentic Italian food. The concierge can help to arrange off-site activities from tickets to a Cardinals game to an outing at the LumiĂšre Place Casino. From $250 per night
Rosewood Hotelâs flagship property in the heart of Dallas was home to a cotton magnate in 1925 before opening as a hotel decades later in 1981. The 16th century Italian Renaissanceâstyle structure welcomes visitors to its 143 rooms and suites with thoughtful touches like hand-written notes and complimentary refreshments. Carefully preserved historical details and greenery throughout the scenic grounds make it easy to forget about the uptown location, which draws celebrities, artists and other socialites year-round. The Mansion Restaurant is renowned for its contemporary American cuisine, which is made with ingredients from local ranchers and purveyors and rivals the fare served at restaurants across the state. Venture out to the lantern-lit terrace to dine fireside and sample the Mansion Barâs extensive cocktail list, including the signature gin and tonic, mixed with house-made tonic. From $330 per night
Once a center for conversations surrounding literature, art, science and politics, this historic apartment-hotel remains an important landmark of the D.C. area. John Hay, Abraham Lincolnâs personal secretary, and Henry Adams, historian and Harvard professor, once resided on the grounds where the current Italian Renaissanceâstyle structure was later built in 1928. Now 145 exquisitely detailed rooms overlooking Lafayette Square allow visitors to reside across the street from POTUS during their stay. Dine on upscale American cuisine at The Lafayette, then grab a cocktail and rub shoulders with big political players at Off The Record. If you need to work off your indulgences, hit up the fully equipped fitness facility or take to the streets of D.C. on one of the hotelâs complimentary bicycles for a self-guided tour of the areaâs popular sites. From $329
Getting scared is a big part of the fun of Halloweenâbut parents shouldn't have to be frightened about their youngster's safety when they head out to trick-or-treat. Kids who have food allergies need to be extra cautious before they chow down on their candy haul, and a nationwide campaign called the Teal Pumpkin Project is trying to ensure a sweet and safe Halloween for kids everywhere.
To provide options to those who can't enjoy certain sweets due to food allergies, families are urged to stock up on non-food items to drop in kids' treat bags. Those participating should put a teal painted pumpkin out front alongside their jack-o'-lanterns to alert little ghouls and goblins passing by. Don't have a pumpkin? Food Allergy Research & Educate (FARE), the nonprofit leading the project, has printable signs available for use. Get fun non-food treat ideas and pledge to participate online at tealpumpkinproject.org, then make sure to hit up these free Halloween events in NYC!
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Say it ain't so! Could it really be time to send the kids back to school already? Though some youngsters look forward to picking out new school supplies and getting back to the books, most kids (and parents, too!) dread the end of summer. In the video below, four-year-old Andrew is interviewed by a news station on his first day of pre-K, and he seems excited to head to class...at first. As the reporter questions him, he goes from smiley to distraught in a matter of seconds. We feel you, Andrew!Â
Watch the adorable video and share it if you've got the first-day jitters too! Don't worry, there are still a few more weeks packed with fairs and festivals to round out a fantastic summer.
We've all had clothing envy when it comes to celebrities, and now the stars are even turning their kids into little fashionistas! The good news is, you can dress your tot to the nines tooâwithout breaking the bank. Swedish-based children's clothing line, Livly, recently set up shop in a gorgeous Tribeca storefront, displaying their cute and comfy styles. The clothes are made with organic, Peruvian Pima Cotton, and you can get everything from casual pajamas and cotton T-shirts to tailored jackets and sweet party dresses for reasonable prices under $200. Celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Alba, Miranda Kerr and Neil Patrick Harris are already fans of the brandâwho knows, maybe you'll even spot them when you drop by the 1,500-square-foot space!
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Stop in to browse the adorable getups at the NYC flagship store (the only one in the US so far), located at 108 Reade Stâthere's even a little play space in the store to entertain the little ones while you shop! While you're in the area, visit other kids clothing stores like Jacadi and Gymboreeâwith so much to offer, Tribeca could soon become one of the best New York City neighborhoods for families. Need some kicks to go with the new outfit? Check out the best kids' shoe stores in NYC.
Most of us were raised on kidsâ movies depicting the love stories of handsome princes and beautiful princessesâCinderella and Prince Charming, Sleeping Beauty and Prince Phillipâbut times have changed since then. Frozen fanatics are now pleading for Queen Elsa to have a girlfriend in the sequel, and it seems that, more than ever, thereâs a need for LGBT representation in animated flicks. Luckily, thereâs a heartfelt fairytale with a different kind of heroine to answer the call!
Rosaline, a brand-new animated short on Hulu, tells the story of a brave girl who ventures through the woods on the way to her sweetheart. But Rosaline doesnât face a tricky witch and a hungry wolf in pursuit of a princeâanother young lady has stolen her heart!
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Written by best-selling childrenâs author, Daniel Errico (who also wrote the storybook and Hulu series The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived), Rosaline features the familiar voice of Teri Polo (Meet the Parents, The Fosters) as narratorâan actor also known for her advocacy for equality.
The film might help youngsters to better understand their identity or even spark family discussion of LGBT issues, so check out the video below (and on Hulu) for a first look at the adorable short. Itâs the perfect flick to hold you over while we wait for Disneyâs first lesbian princess to come along!
The BAMkids Film Festival is a hot-ticket event that draws young cinephiles to Brooklyn each year, and weâve got a sneak peek of the 2016 lineup! The 18th annual fest returns over the weekend of Feb 27â28, screening 71 films from 25 different countries. Get ready to see animated and live-action feature films as well as themed collections of shortsâmany even include dialogue in foreign languages to stimulate your little oneâs noggin. Check out some highlights to look forward to below, and hold yourself over until then with our list of the 50 best kids movies and the best family movies on Netflix.
Grab tickets early for feature flicks like The Secret Society of Souptownâa quirky story about four brave kids who use their hide-and-seek skills to help save their city. It's perfect for kids ages 8 and up and will definitely remind moms and dads of Little Rascals with a mysterious twist.
Don't miss Miffy the Movie, an adorable animated movie starring the lovable rabbit from Dutch author Dick Bruna's baby books. Youngsters ages 4â7 will love the interactive aspects as they follow Miffy and her friends on a fun-filled treasure hunt through colorful landscapes.
Northwest Film Forum curated several themed series of shorts with motifs such as "Magic Potion" and "Imagine That!" There's something for every age, from mini animal adventures to make-believe worlds to secrets and spells.
Make sure to check out more shorts, pulled together by TIFF Kids International Film Festival! Tiny tots age
Finding Nemo is high up on our list of the 50 best kids' movies to watch as a family, and we've been waiting patiently for a sequel since its release. Good newsâthe wait is almost over! Pixar finally released a trailer for Finding Dory, a follow-up focusing on our favorite forgetful fish, voiced by Ellen Degeneres. Marlin, Nemo and more lovable sea creatures will swim back onto the big screen on June 17, 2017 to dive further into Dory's history, including the story of where she came from and who her family is. Watch the trailer below for a sneak peek and get ready for the film to hit theaters this summer. Until then, keep busy by watching the best family movies on Netflix and seeing real fish at the New York Aquariumâand don't forget to just keep swimming!
Spring is taking a bit longer than usual to arrive this year, but in our opinion, it's never too chilly for ice cream! Ben & Jerryâs is bringing everyone a weekday pick-me-up by doling out free scoops of their wacky flavors on April 12 from noon to 8pm. We know from our ice cream taste test that kids love the stuff, but there's no reason moms and dads can't grab a free scoop, too!
Head to the location nearest you to claim your treatâparticipating shops in NYC include Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Upper West Side (104th and Broadway), Penn Station, the Jamaica Multiplex, Concourse Plaza Multiplex in the Bronx and even JFK Airport. And if Phish Food isn't your favorite, you can always hit up the best ice cream shops in NYC to try other inventive flavors, then keep the day cheap by hitting up these 50 free things to do with kids in the city.
Say it ain't so! After waving farewell to F.A.O. Schwarz last summer, New Yorkers now must say goodbye to another beloved NYC toy storeâToys "R" Us Times Square. A visit to the glitzy, three-story location is on our list of 101 things to do with kids in NYC, so make sure to stop by before the store closes its doors on Dec 30, 2015.
Though other Toys "R" Us locations will remain in the city, this one is outfitted with a way-cool, 60-foot ferris wheel that kids adore. Make a final trip this month to take one last spin and, of course, pick up some holiday gifts for kids. Luckily, once the behemoth store is gone, you'll still have these fantastic toy stores in NYC to peruse.
The latest and greatest holiday gifts for kids have changed a ton over the years, which has a lot to do with the evolution of toys. This way-cool video, created by Mode, reminds us which toys were coveted during each decade, from 1910 through the present. Some old-school playthings like marbles lost their luster as time passed, but a few are still childhood favorites decades laterâI mean, who doesnât still love a Slinky?
Check out the video below to revisit beloved toys like Tinkertoy, Etch A Sketch, Beanie Babies and beyond. All the nostalgia will have you running to the best toy stores in NYCâdonât forget to stop by Toys âRâ Us Times Square before it closes at the end of the month!
Apparently delivering all those iPads and PlayStations each year got Santa Claus thinking about ways to become more tech-savvy! Instead of writing out and mailing their Christmas wish lists, kids can get in touch with the big guy via text this holiday season. Zipwhip, a Seattle-based text messaging provider, hooked him up with a toll-free phone number so youngsters can get their requests to the North Pole at lightning speed (with help from Mom and Dad, of course).Â
Are your kids ready to send their list? Shoot a text to the Wish List Texting Line at 844-YO-SANTA (844-967-2682), and even include a picture of a Rudolph drawing to help him decorate his North Pole call center! Santa can receive up to 1,000 texts per second, so kids all over the world will be able to reach him. Make sure to keep the phone on hand to see Santa's responseâthe kids will receive a confirmation text with a link to a video message from Kris Kringle himself. What a fun way to kick off Christmas for kids! For more ways to get in the spirit, check out our favorite Christmas books and Christmas movies for kids.
If your little ones love listening in at story time events, they'll flip for the chance to attend this extra-special gathering with Elmo and his friends from Sesame Street! In celebration of new episodes of the iconic series coming to HBO in January, the furry gang will stop by the New York Public Library to put on a super story time and live performance for families. Youngsters will also have the chance to join the new Everyday Heroes Club, which just requires small acts of kindness to become a member.
To reserve a spot at story time, call 866-717-6106, then head to the Celeste Bartos Forum in NYPL's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on December 8 to visit with the friendly characters from 1â2pm. Make sure to tune in to HBO to see exclusive 30-minute episodes starting January 16 (at 9am), and keep an eye out for changes including new themes, fresh opening and closing songs, an updated set and a brand-new castmember named Nina! To keep the tots occupied until then, check out more family-friendly programming from HBO Kids and tune into some of the best kids' shows on TV.
With so many amazing after-school programs on offer in this city, it can be difficult for your youngster to choose just one or two. Luckily, a way-cool, Brooklyn-based startup makes it so they don't have to! The Kid's Passport is virtually ClassPass for kids, allowing families to try out all types of classes (not just at the gym!) in their neighborhood when they pay a flat membership fee. For $99 per month, kids can get in on five classes, ranging from tennis and soccer lessons to theater workshops or music classesâthere are even some Mommy and Me classes for parents who want to participate with their little ones. Families can sign up multiple children under one account, so siblings and friends can give it a try, too!
Sign-up is easy through the online schedule, which provides information on the class time and location, appropriate age range and what activities or themes to expect. Parents can register their kids as far as two weeks in advance and if you need to cancel, just make sure to do so at least an hour before class time. Though most Kid's Passport classes are currently offered in Brooklyn (Park Slope, Dumbo, Fort Greene, and everywhere in between) you can find classes at a few Manhattan venues on the schedule. Some of our favorite local learning centers, including Baby DJ School, Carmelo the Science Fellow and Super Soccer Stars are offering classes through the system alreadyâyour kiddos will have an endless supply of indoor activities to keep them busy all winter!