New York City is one of the most exciting places to visit for Thanksgiving. You get the city at it’s best. The Macy’s Parade. Colorful Fall leaves (if you’re lucky). A peek at the Christmas season splendor.

With so many options though, what do you do with a long weekend in New York City?

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Before Your Trip

New York City is one of those places you could just wander. There are endless things to see and do and eat. With kids though, I think New York City is a place where you want to have a game plan before you land.

Research

When you are planning a trip to New York City, start with the big things you want to do.

• Are you going to the Macy’s Parade?
• Are you dying to visit one of the awesome museums?
• Are you planning to stay in Manhattan the whole time or are you going to branch out into the other boroughs.

No clue where to start? Begin with this: New York City with Kids or for your first trip you might just want to start with our 10 Must Dos for a first family visit to the city.

Books to Read

Before we head somewhere I like to read a couple of books with my kids and talk with them about some of the cool things we’re going to see. Older kids might also want to help you plan.

12+ Children’s Books about New York City

Packing

The most important thing to remember about visiting New York City is that you will spend innumerable hours walking around outside. You need to have great walking shoes and clothes to keep you comfortable outside.

Make sure to pay attention to the weather before you pack because the weather can vary a lot in November.

In general you will want:

• Comfortable walking shoes or boots
• Warm socks
• Jacket (warmth will depend on weather)
• Hat and Mittens
• Long Sleeved Shirts
• Pants

As a tourist, I also recommend that you carry a slightly less obvious bag (think not oversized backpack) and looking at a map before you leave the house/hotel. GoogleMaps on your phone will tell you how to navigate the city – including trains! Pull up directions, take a screenshot. Then, do your best to memorize your way to the train before you head out and look at your next directions on the train so you know where to go when you get off.

Another thing to consider is that although your phone is super helpful for navigating and that’s much easier than trying to figure out maps on your own, it does drain your battery. However, similar to finding bathrooms, places to charge your phone are elusive. Having a rechargable battery pack is super helpful.

Where to Stay

There is no easy answer to where to stay in New York City. This is especially tricky with kids because hotels tend to be on the small side.

A couple things to keep in mind:

Despite being relatively small in actual size, it can take a while to get anywhere in New York City. I would think about you want to do and then try to find somewhere to stay that is near those things.

I would also make sure that you are no more than a couple of blocks from a subway station. In New York City that isn’t hard to accomplish in most areas, but something to keep in mind. If it’s a train station with more than one train line running through that’s even better. Having trains close will cut down on your travel time.

Thanksgiving Weekend Family Itineary

The options are truly endless. New York City has something for everyone. While we were living in the city I compiled this rather thorough list of the Best of New York City for Kids with tips and tricks and advice along the way.

To help you narrow it all down for a Thanksgiving Weekend, here is what we most recommend:

Day One: Thursday (Thanksgiving)

You will likely arrive on Wednesday at some point. Grab a slice of pizza, explore the neighborhood where you’re staying, or check off something on your personal must-do list. Then get to bed early – Thanksgiving will be a busy day!

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

If you’re visiting NYC for Thanksgiving then it’s likely that going to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is on your list. I’ve done this three times, twice with my kids. It is an awesome experience, but you definitely need to know a few things before you go. READ MORE

Central Park

Central Park has my heart. It’s my absolutely favorite part of NYC and in my opinion it is a must for any trip to New York City.

Try to schedule this for the best weather day of your trip because you will obviously be outside, but it is a nice run around break for the kids after standing and watching the parade.

This is a park that is unfathomable until you actually explore it. The size is staggering. To give you a small kid-friendly taste, here is our guide to the 21 playgrounds in the park. Yes, TWENTY ONE. That wasn’t a typo. Depending on where else you’re going on your trip, popping into the park to visit one of these awesome playgrounds will likely be a welcome and easy play break for your kids.

See a Show

Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall are always a fun Christmas option. You can also see any number of Broadway shows. They are always changing so look on line for what is currently open. The age guidelines are pretty accurate in our experience.

Day 2: Friday

This is Black Friday and Black Friday in New York City is a whole new level of crowded and crazy. We went to Macy’s once on Black Friday for the experience and it certainly was an experience. If you aren’t looking for insane early holiday shopping, then here is what we’d recommend.

Christmas Market

There are Christmas Markets all over Manhattan. We like the one at Union Square because of a few booths we love and it’s proximity to the Strand Bookstore, but there are all good and pretty comparable.

The Bryant Park one has an ice skating rink which I’d avoid skating there on Black Friday but it’s definitely another fun option.

Strand Bookstore or other bookstore options

New York City is full of awesome bookstores. The Strand is one of our favorites. There is a great collection of children’s books for kiddos, but also book of all types and sizes for everyone else as well. Books Are Magic is another amazing shop.

Ice Skating

Ice Skating in New York City is one of those must-do things. There are a lot of options. Rockefeller Center is definitely the most iconic. We skated there once again for the experience and it was cool, but it’s also super pricey and crowded.

Wollman Rink in Central Park is another iconic option. We skated there this year. It is still pricey and crowded, although less pricey and less crowded and the rink is larger. Skating around as the sun set behind the city was a priceless experience.

Day 3: Saturday

One World Trade Center

If you haven’t been to New York City in the past couple of decades, then the 9/11 Memorial should be on your list. It is powerful and free to visit and sits between the 9/11 Museum and One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan.

The One World Trade Center is fine for all ages although your toddler likely won’t be as excited by the view as the adults. If you want to go up in the One World Trade Center then you might want to consider purchasing tickets ahead of time. For more tips you should know before you visit, READ MORE HERE.

On the other hand, the 9/11 Museum is truly fantastic as well, but I would recommend that for 10+ depending on the sensitivity of the child.

There are also other fun things to do in Lower Manhattan while you’re down there. Here are our absolutely favorites: 9 Hours in Lower Manhattan

If you want to visit the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island this would also be a good time to tackle those because you’re relatively close to the ferry.

Sea Glass Carousel

This little carousel in Battery Park definitely an overlooked gem. It is one of the coolest and most unique carousels. This year we went at nighttime and it looked extra cool in the dark, but it’s cool anytime of day. The carousel is near One World Trade Center and the Staten Island Ferry so it’s pretty easy to tuck this into your adventures.

Day 4: Sunday

Sunday might mean that your weekend is coming to an end. Hopefully you still have a full day for adventures in the city because there is still lots to do!

Grand Central Station

Grand Central Station is one of those iconic places. Standing in the center of the main terminal is a spot that just feels alive. I especially love it when it’s decorated for Christmas.

You kids might be less impressed by the splendor of an old building, so here is what you don’t want to miss if you’re visiting with kids.

• Trains! Not just the big ones, although you can see those too. There is also a fun train show in the gift shop. It runs all over the store which delighted my twins when they were younger.
• Whispering Corner. There is a spot around the corner and down the ramp from the main terminal where if you stand on opposite corners from someone and whisper they can hear you on the other side.

Rockefeller Tree and Holiday Windows

The Rockefeller Tree is not lit up for the season until the week following Thanksgiving so if you are in the city longer then hold off on this one until you can see it all aglow. If you have to leave before the lighting however it is worth strolling past, especially because the LEGO store and FAO Schwartz are right in Rockefeller Square.

Across the street you will also find the Holiday window display at Saks. This year it was FROZEN. They are always beautiful displays. If you have time, you should also pop down to the holiday windows at Macy’s in Herald Square which stretch two city blocks.

Insert Museum of Your Choice Here

There are a host of excellent museums in New York City and many are very family friendly. Depending on your family’s interests, spend the afternoon at the Museum of Natural History, Museum of Math, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim, or any of the other awesome museums that sound interesting to your family.

Bonus Day? Brooklyn!

If you have a bonus day then I would definitely spend it in Brooklyn. We loved living in Brooklyn and there are tons of things to do that are often overlooked by tourists. I could write an entire weekend posts about just Brooklyn, but to get you started – if you have a day to spend in Brooklyn, I would:

• If it’s nice outside, visit Brooklyn Bridge Park and eat Pizza across the street
• OR Prospect Park. We loved the family friendly botanic garden inside the park, the playgrounds, and the Farmers’ Market on Saturdays.
• If it’s less nice, I would start at the Transit Museum – don’t miss the subways in the basement – but the Children’s Museum is also fun.

Our Full List of New York City Ideas!

San Diego is a great place for families. The sunny, warm climate means they can be outside all the time. The whole city basically sits on an endless string of beaches. There are fun museums and parks and SeaWorld.

It is full of fun kid friendly things to do. So many we have a whole huge list.

But sometimes you still want to get out of town. You want a change of scenery. You have that urge to hop in the car and go somewhere new.

Or maybe that’s just me? I get that urge.

A lot.

Luckily, there are also some super fun day trips just a reasonable drive away from San Diego. Here are our favorites:

1. Carlsbad Flower Fields

This is super close…maybe even an afternoon trip and it’s only super fun in the Spring. But when the tulips bloom – head North on 5 just a little to adorable Carlsbad to walk in the flower gardens. (LEGOLAND is also a short drive away if you do have a full day).

Read More – 5 Things For Kids to Love at the Carlsbad Flower Fields

2. A New Beach

Sometimes you want a beach day, but you want to go somewhere different. You probably have to be a crazy beach person (that’s me!) to leave San Diego to go to another beach but we have done this several times. Between here and LA are all kinds of adorable towns with beautiful beaches.

Most recently, we went to Crystal Cove State Park just South of LA. The waves were way more intense than anything we’ve experienced down here but it made for good bogey boarding. There are also two restaurants (put your name on the list the moment you arrive!) on the beach.

3. Disneyland

This is kind of an obvious one probably, but a must for this list. Disneyland is easily a doable day trip from San Diego. Of course you can go up for the weekend or week or however long you enjoy Disney – but you can also leave early and get there when it opens and spend a day enjoying Disneyland and Disney California Adventure and then drive back home to your own dear bed.

4. Los Angeles

This is just slightly further – depending on what you want to do in LA – than Disneyland but still doable in a day. We have trekked up to LA for the day several times with our kids.

Our favorite day trip involved the Griffith Observatory, yummy food, and the La Brea Tar Pits. You can read all the details below!

Read More – Los Angeles Day Trip with Kids

5. Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is one of my favorite places. It is otherworldly and so much fun to explore.

Yes, you absolutely can go for longer. We spent a weekend camping there and had a blast. BUT you can also get a good sample of Joshua Tree in a day.

Read More: Our Joshua Tree National Park Day Trip Itinerary

Don’t Have a Full Day?

Check out our 50+ Things To Do right here in San Diego with Kids

Want to go Even Further and Longer?

We HIGHLY recommend driving up to Mt Whitney and Death Valley for a long weekend!

San Francisco is one of those American cities you know about no matter where you grow up. With its Golden Gate Bridge, rich history and quirky things like cable cars and the “painted ladies” made famous in homes across the country, San Francisco is a bit of a fascination.

I visited San Francisco as a child. I have the pictures to prove it. Me at about 3 years old with a hooded sweatshirt, holding a balloon on a steep San Francisco block. If I’m being honest, I don’t remember that trip at all.

Our family visited San Francisco as part of our Portland to San Diego road trip. After visiting the Redwoods National Forest (so amazing!!) we drove south into the city.

Also Read: Family Road Trip from Portland to San Diego

For two days and three nights we explored the city of San Francisco with our almost eight year old twins. I hope they remember at least some of it, but if not I have lots of pictures.

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San Francisco with Kids

Our trip to San Francisco was busy but so much fun. Here were our favorite things to do in San Francisco with kids.

San Francisco: Day One

Twin Peaks was our first stop.

I’ve heard this can be super crowded but early in the morning (bonus of my kids being early risers) there were only a few other cars. There was only one other family on the peak with us who was super nice and offered to take pictures of our family. The view from the Twin Peaks is beautiful on a clear day. We could see downtown San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and beyond to the ocean.

In case you’re curious, the view from both peaks is pretty similar. The one closer to the Golden Gate Bridge is slightly better in my opinion.

Next, we drove to visit the “Painted Ladies”. It’s completely cheesy and touristy but it was on my list.

My kids humored me. They played shadow tag in the park while I took pictures.

Then, we drove to Golden Gate Park. If you’re looking for a comparison, the Golden Gate Park reminded me of Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Golden Gate Park houses some of San Francisco’s museums like De Young Museum and Golden Gate Academy of Sciences much like Balboa Park in San Diego, but it has the green trees, rolling hills feel of Prospect Park.

There we started at the Japanese Tea Garden. We parked in the structure across from the De Young Museum which was a close walk. If you get lucky there is also some nearby street parking but it was already packed by 10 am.

The Japanese Tea Garden was beautiful. We admired the cherry blossom trees, my kids found something to climb – they seem to have radar for such things – and we had a little sweet snack.

They even had a vegan treat for my dairy-allergy kiddo. He had mixed feelings about it but I was happy he got to try something a little out of the ordinary rather than resorting to giving him the animal crackers in my bag. The green tea was delicious.

After our snack, we headed to a playground. It was a decent playground. Nothing new or fancy, but it kept my kids happy.

Then we went to see the Golden Gate Bridge.

There are a lot of places to view the Golden Gate Bridge from and we did them all. We viewed it from the beach, from several parks and walked part of the way across it. The Golden Gate National Recreational Area is incredible. History, beaches, hiking, views – it has it all.

If you have a National Park Passport for your kids you can get it stamped at the Visitor Center near the entrance to the bridge (there are bathrooms there too!)

My best advice is simply to make sure you see it up close. There isn’t a bad view. We loved them all.

San Francisco: Day Two

The following day we started with the Exploratorium.

If your kids like science experiments then this will be their jam. It’s a huge hall of hands on materials to explore. It was a bit pricey and I don’t know that I’d recommend it for kids under 5 but the kids and I had a lot of fun exploring and experimenting.

From there we walked down the street to the Ferry Market. It was full of all kinds of food options – including some Dairy Free options, although not as many as we have come to expect in Southern California.

After lunch we rode a cable car.

This was the highlight of the trip for my kids. You can get day pass on your phone with the ticketing app and show it to the driver.

We rode the cable car to the San Francisco Cable Car Museum. It is free and small, but it has some interesting information about this historic part of San Francisco. My kids love to know the whys and hows in life and this answered a lot of their questions about the cable cars.

Afterwards, we walked a couple blocks up hill – it felt like part of the San Francisco experience to me.

We stopped and played at a small, creative playground nook up the block from the Cable Car Museum. Working in 30 minutes to an hour of playground each day helps keep our kids happy. Even on a day with tons of walking, running around on a playground seems to break it up for them and they complain less about being tired – which is counter intuitive to me but it worked when we lived in New York City too. A friend of mine from Italy has an app called Playground Around the Corner that I often use to help me find a playground when I don’t know the area.

Then we hopped back on the Cable Cars. We rode it down to the sea front and Pier 39. Going downhill was somewhat terrifying….

or exhilarating depending on your point of view I guess. This was my kids’ favorite part of San Francisco. They would have happily stayed on the cable cars all day.

We got off at the end of the line where you can watch them turn around the cable cars. There was a huge line of people waiting to get on there to ride it back up the hill and I was so glad we did it the other way and ended our trip here instead.

Then we wandered along Pier 39 and ate at Boudin SF. It was one of the few places we could find something for my dairy free kiddo.

Pier 39 is highly touristy which isn’t my favorite way to spend time, but my kids enjoyed the carousel and the street performers. If you’re looking for a souvenir there are definitely a plethora of options in this area.

We loved our couple of days in San Francisco. It was a blast for all four of us and we can’t wait to return to explore more and hop back on the cable cars.

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Portland Oregon was not a city I could have told you much about a couple of weeks ago. I could have told you Portland was somewhere in the Pacific Northwest and could have predicted for you that it had a lot of trees. That’s about it.

One of Portland’s motto’s is “help keep Portland weird” and I think that helps describe it for you. Portland is a little odd. It’s pretty with it’s trees and it’s mountains. Downtown has some cute, trendy streets and there is plenty for families to do.

But it’s also a little quirky. Maybe it’s the hipster vibe or the constant threat of rain. I’m not entirely sure, but it’s a unique place to explore. Here’s what we did with our day in Portland.

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A Day in Portland OR

We flew into Portland on a Friday night from San Diego. We landed, ate dinner, drove to the hotel and crashed. The next morning we got up early and spent the whole day exploring. It was truly a great day.

STAY.

We stayed at an Embassy Suites by Hilton south of the city. We like Embassy Suites because of the two room set up that affords us some alone time after the kids are in bed.

This one is located right by the freeway so it was easy to hop on and get downtown. It was also about 10 minutes from Washington Park. There was also a Target and many easy food options within a 5 minute drive of the hotel.

EAT.

• Eat Donuts at Voodoo Doughnut. The downsides; you will wait in a long line, it will probably rain on you for at least part of your wait, and the neighborhood isn’t the greatest. Worth it? I think so. There is a huge selection of donuts and all of the ones we tasted were well above the average donut. As an extra plus – they have a diverse selection of dairy free (or vegan) donuts so our kiddo with food allergies got all kinds of fun, delicious choices.

• Wander and Eat at Portland’s Saturday Market. This we did kind of by accident but it was a pleasant surprise. The market starts about a block from Voodoo Donut and we were looking for some lunch. We found a good variety of food trucks at one end of the market, including plenty of dairy free options. We ended up with Chinese food and Indian food but there were a lot of other things that looked good.

TO DO.

There are a ton of things to do in Portland Oregon with kids, but these are the ones we squeezed in during our full day.

• Visit Powell Bookstore (My favorite part of the trip). This could be a post on it’s own but I’ll just say this: When you read “largest indie bookstore” they do no exaggerate. It is huge. Floors and floors of huge rooms and floor to high ceiling bookshelves full of books. The children’s book section alone was bigger than most bookstores I have visited.

We also happened to be there during Story Time with a visiting author so we got books, browsed so many more books, and then got a signed copy of MARY WEARS WHAT SHE WANTS (Amazing must read new book!!). I think Powell is worth a trip to Portland all on it’s own.

• Hike in Washington Park and then go visit one of the many attractions. There are several trails to pick from in Washington Park. We did the Scenic Overlook Trail that afforded us a nice view of Portland for only a moderately uphill .5 hike.

• Explore the Forestry Discovery Center. Within Washington Park there is also a Children’s Museum, the Oregon Zoo, and plenty of other things to do. We were headed to the Redwood Forest the following day and Forestry seems like a big part of the PNW so that’s why we headed here. I’m glad we did.

Also Read: A Visit to the Redwoods with Kids

Don’t miss the scavenger hunts at the front desk and plan to spend at least an hour. I think we spent closer to two there but that was in part because one of my kids decided about an hour and a half into the visit that they wanted to start a scavenger hunt so we revisited much of the Forestry Museum.

From the giant train engine outside, to the interactive exhibits inside, the Forestry Museum and Discovery Center has a lot of fun things for kids to explore.

I feel like we only got a taste of Portland, but a good one. We had a great day. Lots of yummy food. Lucky weather with only some minor drizzling patches. And a good peek at what Portland has to offer families. Also we drove away with a whole bag of books to read from Powell. Really what more could you ask of a city in just one day?

Also Read: Family Road Trip from Portland to San Diego

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Wisconsin in the Winter?

I’ll admit it isn’t my first choice. Milwaukee in the Summer is my favorite – you can read my full ode to amazing Milwaukee Summer Fun in this post. 

BUT there are a lot of fun things to do in Milwaukee no matter how cold it is outside.

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Winter with Kids
in Milwaukee WI

People who live in the northern states of the US have a certain amount of pride about their hearty ability to withstand cold. Stories there often start with something like “the windchill was negative 20 and we had to walk 5 miles…” 

It has a different feel to it than the Scandinavian belief about there being “No Such Thing as Bad Weather” only bad clothes – but it’s along those lines. 

Winter with kids is hard though.

The loads clothes required. Their limited mobility once you finally get them bundled. That inevitable moment when you finally have everyone all geared up to head outside and someone poops or needs to go potty.

We lived in Minnesota and Wisconsin until our twins were 3 and surviving is definitely the word I would use for how I felt getting through winter. 

However, there are TONS of things – both inside and out – to do in Milwaukee WI with kids in the Winter. These are people that survive Winter after Winter with families, so whether you are visiting or living in Milwaukee, fear not – you can still get out of the house and have fun in the Winter.

10 Top Winter Activities to do with Kids in Milwaukee, WI

Below I’m sharing my favorites so you too can survive those long winter months!

1. Milwaukee Art Museum

If you know anything at all about Milwaukee WI, it’s probably the famous Burke Brise Soleil (or moveable white wings) that soar over the Milwaukee Art Museum. They have become a major landmark in Milwaukee.

If you have never seen the inside of Milwaukee Art Museum you are missing out. Not only is it a gorgeous piece of architecture, but the museum works hard to curate an interesting and diverse collection of art. I was incredibly fortunate to attend an arts elementary school that took us on trips to this art museum 4 times a year starting in Kindergarten. I have no doubt this led to my love of art museums and ability to appreciate different types of arts.

Now the Milwaukee Art Museums is one of my favorite places to visit with my twins when we are in Milwaukee. It is welcoming to families and easy to navigate with children.

Here are some good things to know:

• The Museum’s website offers tips for families 
• There are also various programs for kids and teachers.
• Do NOT miss the kids art space downstairs where there is always a fun art project waiting for them.
• Museum is closed on Mondays except in the summer.
• When attending an art museum with young children, make sure to talk about expectations beforehand. Some ideas about what to discuss include;
  • Talk about what they will see at the art museum. Are you going to see a specific exhibit? Show them some pictures they can look for. Are you going to do a scavenger hunt and look for colors or shapes? Practice this beforehand. Are they going to see a particular artist? Introduce them to the artist.
  • General expectations (using walking feet, quiet voices, looking at the art with our eyes, but no touching)
  • Bring a notebook so they can make sketches or you can write down questions or ideas to talk about later.

2. Ice Skating at Red Arrow

This is kind of a Winter staple. This little rink sits in downtown Milwaukee. Rockefeller it is not – but it is charming (especially with the lights at night) and is MUCH cheaper than NYC.

Helpful hints:

• I recommend coming early in the morning with little kids so you have cleaner, less crowded ice.
• You can rent skates in all sizes and they all loan little penguins to push around the ice if you want to go that route for learners. 
• There is metered street parking on the nearby streets that isn’t too crowded during the week. 
• Avoid the week of Christmas because lots of people are off and it’s more crowded. 
• There is a Starbucks on the premises for coffee and treats when you need to warm up. 

Also Read: 10+ Things to do on Milwaukee’s East Side with Kids

3. Betty Brinn Children’s Museum

My kids adore the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. Their favorite part is the pretend town area with a bus and huge store and construction area and post office and car shop and news room. It’s one of the best I’ve seen of it’s kind. 

If your kids are a little older (at least 5) you might also consider Discovery World Museum across the street. It has more of a science and technology focus but is definitely better for older kids. 

To help you judge; my twins at age 7 enjoy both but we will age out of the Children’s Museum pretty soon. 

4. Milwaukee Public Library – Downtown

The library is one of our go-to cold weather places regardless of what city we are in, but the Milwaukee Public Library has a truly special children’s area.

Go to the downtown main branch where you’ll find the Betty Brinn children’s book area. There is a light house for the little ones to climb up for a view of up high, train table, lego table, and puppet area, not to mention the shelves and shelves of books. Beautiful details and immense selection.

5. Pettit National Ice Center

Don’t want to skate outside in the cold? No worries. The Pettit Center has you covered. 

This is an Olympic sized skating rink – essentially a huge icy loop that surrounds two hockey rinks. The website has more about hours and prices. 

Helpful Hints:

• It is still cold so I’d plan to dress in sweater or lighter jacket and wear mittens. 
• It tends to be loud because it’s a huge open echo-y space. 
• Avoid weekend evenings. It gets crowded with older kids which can be tough with little kids. 
• The ice is high quality. I love that for teaching kids. 

6. Rock Climbing at Adventure Rock

I love rock climbing for getting some physical activity with my kids. It challenges them. It tires them out. And they think it’s great fun.

Read this post for tips & more about our Adventure Rock experience.

7. Trampoline Park

We spent over two hours at the Helium Trampoline Park on our last trip to Milwaukee in the Winter and my kids LOVED it. It is certainly a good way to get out all those cooped up inside wiggles out. 

There is a huge trampoline area but there are also other activities like a ropes course, rock climbing wall and so much more. 

I’d say the two downsides for me are that it is loud which is stressful for one of my kids and that it is kind of expensive. 

8. The Domes

The Mitchell Park Conservatory, aka The Domes, is a delightful place to visit with children. It is high on our list of Wisconsin places to visit in the winter, although it is open year round.

The Conservatory has two permanent exhibits. The desert dome has a range of desert collections. There are cacti, succulents, shrubs, and arid-land bulbs. To be entirely honest, our toddlers were most interested in the rocks and running around (but for me that was completely okay).

The second is the tropical dome. Here there are over 1,200 kinds of tropical plants and birds. Our children were fascinated by the colors, birds, and waterfall. This is our favorite of the two permanent domes and a great starting point for conversations about colors, animals, plants, etc. Older children might enjoy sitting for a while with a notebook and basic art materials.

The third dome rotates. We love to visit during the model train exhibit usually between January-March.

9. Bowling

Bowling is one of Milwaukee’s favorites. Considering how bad I am at bowling I would be embarrassed to tell you how much time I spent at bowling alleys as a youth – but it is a classic Milwaukee activity. 

With lighter balls and a small group (less waiting) and bumpers, I think bowling is completely doable with kids about 4 years old and up. 

We love Bowlero in Wauwatosa, but there are a lot of great bowling alleys all over Milwaukee. 

10. Milwaukee Public Museum

The Milwaukee Public Museum is one of those nostalgic places that anyone who went to elementary school in Milwaukee remembers fondly.

The last time we visited it was with 3 preschoolers and a baby. This is definitely a place that all ages can enjoy.

Helpful Hints:

• Don’t miss The Streets of Old Wisconsin. This has always been my absolute favorite part of the Museum. If you only visit one part of the Museum with your little one, go here. 

• There is a fairly realistic T-Rex in the dinosaur area that my kids found terrifying when they were toddlers. 
• We love the Butterfly exhibit on the lower level. 
• I recommend visiting on a weekday morning. It is uncrowded. We had most of the museum to ourselves.
• It is a LOT of walking. Make sure your child(ren) are well rested and recently fed.
• Don’t feel bad about not seeing everything. Pick a few things you believe will be most interesting and follow their lead.
• There is an IMAX theater also at the museum.

Now obviously there are standard Winter activities like Sledding that I didn’t include below. (If you need a sledding hill recommendation in Milwaukee let me know!) 

There are also some activities, like going to see a play at First Stage, which I absolutely recommend – but didn’t include. This list is more about activities and places for getting out those wiggles. Places your kids can move or engage with something – not just sit and watch activities. 

When my twins are jumping off furniture and I can’t send them to the backyard – this list is the kind of activities that I am looking for in the Winter. I hope they help you too!

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Mt Whitney is the highest point above sea level in the contiguous 48 states, Death Valley is the lowest point below sea level – and they sit about an hour away from each other. If you know me and my husband it won’t surprise you to hear that our response to learning this was; “of course we have to drive up and see both in a weekend.”

The highest point of Mt Whitney is 14,505 feet.

The lowest point of Death Valley is Badwater Basin which sits at 282 below sea level.

As you drive between the two you go up and down and up and down mountains. The altitude is posted every time you go up or down 1000 miles. We found this endlessly entertaining.

Our family’s biggest altitude change was about 8,500 miles above sea level to 282 feet below sea level – which we did in one day. I mean, that’s pretty cool, right?

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A Weekend Trip to Mt Whitney & Death Valley

Our trip was kind of a loop. We drove north east from San Diego to Mt Whitney, spent the night, drove South into Death Valley, camped for a night, and then drove back Southwest to San Diego. Below are the parts we loved and a few things we learned along the way.

Read Also: 5+ Kid Friendly Day Trips from San Diego

TO DO.

I think you could spend a whole week in this area if you really like hiking and camping, but a few days is a good amount of time. The different landscapes are fascinating and offer a good range of hiking and other experiences. Below are our favorites.

Things to do at Mt. Whitney & Lone Pine CA with Kids

MT WHITNEY NATIONAL PARK WEBSITE

Mt Whitney can certainly be a trip of it’s own. Many people hike up to the camp, sleep in a tent for the night and then climb the rest of the way to the summit and back down the next day for a long and exhausting weekend. My husband and his dad actually did the entire thing in one day many years ago for an exceptionally exhausting day.

If you want to climb to the peak you need to apply for a pass ahead of time.

With our seven year olds, we didn’t feel ready to summit a mountain so we just did a day hike. You can hike the first few miles without a pass and that was plenty for us.

We got to see Mt. Whitney. We got to experience the upward climb and learn the term “switchbacks”. We got to hop across a couple of creeks – obviously the best part. And we got to see the beautiful scenery.

I think my favorite part about visiting Mt Whitney was watching the sun set. The sun drops behind the mountains well before actual sunset and it is breathtakingly beautiful.

We stopped at Alabama Hills which lies between Mt. Whitney and Lone Pine (a quick drive from Lone Pine on the way to Mt. Whitney) for sunset. The kids got to climb around on boulders and we watched the sun set and explode across the sky.

Things to do in Death Valley National Park with Kids

I was completely surprised by how much we all loved Death Valley. My daughter described it at the “best trip ever!” and she’s not wrong. It was an awesome weekend.

Heading into the park from Mt. Whitney you will pass a ranger station (stop to pay your entrance fee there!) and then the Mesquite Sand Dunes.

These appear out of nowhere which I found fascinating. Our kids loved running up and down them and trying to sled down the sand dunes. Being Midwesterners, we brought actual sleds but we saw a lot of people having success with boogie boards as well.

You do have to hike up and down a ways out to get to steep enough dunes to sled, so I wouldn’t recommend sledding for kids under 5. Just running around on the sand is fun too – especially after you’ve been in the car for a while. (Our favorite dune sledding experience was in White Sands National Park which I also highly recommend!)

Our next stop was the Ranger Station by Furnace Creek. My twins love getting their National Park Passports stamped and adore the Junior Ranger Program at the parks. This is a free program at the National Parks. Just ask at the Rangers’ desk for a Junior Ranger activity book and they’ll tell you what to do from there.

Also Read: How to Make the Most of Your Fourth Grade National Park Pass

My kids liked learning about the different desert animals. Some Junior Ranger Programs you complete as you’re traveling around the park, but this one you could do just in the little museum at the Ranger Station in Furnace Creek.

Badwater Basin is the lowest point in the continental United States. It is a gorgeous place to watch the sun rise or set.

We watched the sun set here on our first day and it was beautiful. My one regret is that we didn’t get there much before sunset and I would have enjoyed walking out and exploring a little more before it started to get dark.

Golden Canyon was our favorite hike in Death Valley. We did that one first thing the morning before we drove back.

My kids loved the random boulders to climb and we were all fascinated by the different kinds of rocks we saw along the way.

Things I Was Grateful I Remembered to Pack:

• Warm layers. Both Mt Whitney and Death Valley were chilly in November, especially in the evening.
• Hats. We wore sun hats during the day in death valley and winter hats from about 3pm on.
• National Park Passports for stamps at the Sierra Nevada Ranger Station in Lone Pine and at Death Valley.
• Rock Guide. My kids are obsessed with the different kinds of rocks and had all kinds of questions. I remembered shockingly little from college Geology. This book was helpful.
•  Soap and hand sanitizer. The bathrooms weren’t terrible at either, but there was no soap at most.
• Stargazing App. This isn’t something I really packed, but I have a stargazing app called NIGHT SKY on my phone and it was an awesome resource at night in Death Valley. The sky was clearer than I have ever seen and we could see a trillion stars in the sky. Either the app or some sort of stargazing aid is helpful if you don’t know the names on your own.
• Sleds. I was on the fence about packing them but our kids had so much fun sledding on the sand dunes. If you don’t have sleds we saw a boy scout troop with boogie boards sledding as well so that looked like another good option.

STAY.

Mt Whitney/Lone Pine

We left San Diego early on Saturday morning and drove straight to Mt Whitney. By the time we had hiked a little and eaten it was almost time for bed.

We spent one night at the Comfort Inn in Lone Pine, the town at the foothills of Mt Whitney. It wasn’t spectacular, but it was clean, offered free breakfast in the am, and was a perfect location.

Camping in Death Valley

Camping in Death Valley was an awesome experience. I wish we had had enough time to spend another night.

Growing up, I always went camping in the Northern part of Wisconsin which is like spending the night in the untouched North Woods of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Joshua Tree was my first desert experience. It felt a bit foreign to me at first but I loved it! This was our first desert camping experience and it made me appreciate the desert even more. The night sky was amazing.

My kids are avid campers. They have loved everything about it from helping set up the tent, to learning camping skills, to walking to the bathroom with their flashlights from the time they were toddlers.

Read Also: Essential Tips for Camping with Toddlers

Our twins are 7 years old now and they are actually a huge help setting up the campsite. Our tent is awesome, but it can be a bit of a beast to set up. However, with four pairs of hands it was set up quicker than ever.

This is our little desert campsite. The sky at nighttime was incredible! I know I’ve said that a few times now, but really it was probably my favorite part.

Good Things to Know:

• Make sure to reserve your campsite ahead of time! We booked ours about three months in advance and it was already filling up.
• Check the average temperatures before reserving a campsite or planning a trip. In November, the weather was perfect for hiking during the day and sleeping at night, but the desert has huge temperature swings during the year!
• There is a shop with some basics and you can buy wood in Death Valley at the same shop as well.
• We stayed in the tent only part of the Furnace Creek campsite and loved the location. This campsite also has flush toilets but no showers or soap at the sinks.

EAT.

• Pizza Factory in Lone Pine was our one restaurant experience. They made good pizza in front of you and were able to accommodate our son’s dairy allergy with a cheese free pizza covered in toppings.
• The rest of our food was carried in a cooler from home. Sandwiches. Hot dogs and baked beans for the campfire. S’mores supplies, of course. Trail mixes, bars, string cheese, and cereal mixes. You can read more about our favorite camping foods in our Camping Trip to West Virginia.

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The Twin Cities are a second home for our family. My husband and I both went to college in the cities. It’s where we were living when we got married, had babies, and where we brought them home for the first time.

This summer we brought our not-so-little babies back to the Twin Cities to visit dear friends and show them around the place they were born.

Our visit reminded me of all of the amazing things there are to do with kids in the Twin Cities. It is overflowing with family fun. Below are the things we love the most and did with our twins when we visited this year. Even more ideas are at the bottom!

Visiting the Twin Cities

The Twin Cities, in case you’re wondering, are called the “twin” cities because there are two cities (St. Paul and Minneapolis) sitting right next to each other. They are somewhat realistic twins in that they are really not a whole lot alike, but there are some underlying similarities.

STAY.

The Twin Cities is a sprawling urban area. From one end of the suburbs to the other is at least a two hour drive. To decide where you’re going to stay I think you need to start with your to do list. Figure out where you plan to spend most of your time and then book a room accordingly.

We stayed in Bloomington on our last trip which is near the airport, Mall of America, and not a bad drive to either St Paul or Minneapolis. It worked well as a centralized home base for us – but figure out what you’re going to do and where that will take you and go from there.

EAT.

There are all of the things when it comes to food in the Twin Cities. There’s great pizza, good vegan, yummy ice cream, amazing farm to table restaurants, awesome ethnic food, I could go on and on.

We are somewhat limited as a family because of my son’s allergy, but here are the places we ate out while we were in the Twin Cities this summer. I highly recommend them all.

Mall of America

There are a million – well maybe just a hundred – places to eat at the Mall of America. If you want a fun experience I recommend either the American Girl Bistro or the Rainforest Cafe. My kids loved the Rainforest Cafe on our recent trip. It comes complete with moving animals, a rainforest surrounding you, and periodic rainstorms. Truly an experience.

Pizza Luce

This is one of our favorite local chains – especially for dairy allergy food. They have a number of vegan and gluten free options on the menu – including some yummy dessert options so our little guy had choices which always feels amazing. The pizza is also delicious. The Baked Potato is my personal favorite.

ICE CREAM

We were on a bit of a vegan ice cream hunt this summer so we tried several. These three were our favorites. Note: They do all have excellent vegan / dairy free ice cream but they also have regular ice cream as well.

The Pumphouse Creamery

Located near Lake Nokomis, this little shop has a good variety of interesting flavors, including several dairy free options for my kiddo with allergies.

Izzy’s

This was our local ice cream shop when we lived in MN and is my personal favorite. As a bonus it also has several options every day that are Dairy Free and I love their adorable little Izzy cones for kids.

Milkjam Creamery

This spot wins the award for most creative flavors. They also have a host of vegan options for my dairy free kiddo.

Things to do with Kids

Oh my goodness. There are so many things to do with kids in the Twin Cities. This list only cracks the surface, but they are some of our absolute favorites.

1. Lake Harriett

In the land of lakes you have to see at least one while you’re in the Twin Cities. My favorite is Lake Harriett. It is beautiful. It is just far enough around to feel like you had a good walk but not take up your whole day. The band shell has a decent spot for breakfast or lunch. And if you’re with kiddos, there is a playground just up the hill from the band shell that is great for a range of children.

2. Wild Rumpus Children’s Bookshop

This place is magical if you’re a kid. From the moment you arrive and see that kids get to walk through their own specially sized door. Inside you’ll find a chicken and cats roaming and an awesome selection of children’s books from board books to chapter books and everything in between. It is located blocks from Lake Harriett so I like to pair the two.

3. Hyland Park

The Play Area at Hyland Park is truly impressive. It has several different structures of different sizes all in one space. My kids loved the huge climbers which felt like a maze to them and got their imaginations going. I loved the huge umbrellas offering shade from the surprisingly hot summer heat.

4. Mall of America

You could literally spend your entire long weekend at the Mall of America. It has everything – restaurants, an amusement park, an aquarium, attached hotels, and so much more. It certainly is a unique place. I personally think that one day is enough, but that will mean that you have to pick and choose how you spend your time and money. On this trip we went to the Crayola Experience and the SeaLife Aquarium. Next time my kids want to go to the Nickelodean Universe amusement park to go on the rides.

5. Como Zoo

The Minnesota Zoo in Bloomington is definitely the bigger, better zoo – but it also comes with a matching price tag and a lot of walking. If you want to spend a whole day at a great zoo then absolutely make the trip. If you want to spend 2-3 hours at a decent zoo that is FREE, then this is a fun place to go with kids. Don’t miss the polar bear exhibit and walking over the lions. There is also a new seal area opening soon.

6. Minnehaha Falls

I think the Falls are gorgeous. They are an easy walk and if you go during the week it isn’t usually hard to find parking in one of the nearby lots of on the street. It is paid parking, although inexpensive. The walk isn’t hard, but if you want to see the Falls from all angles then it does require some stairs. You can also just walk along the top with a stroller if you prefer to avoid the stairs.

More Family Friendly Places to Explore in Minnesota:

Having lived in the Twin Cities for 11 some years there are a lot more things we have done with kids that didn’t make it onto our list for this visit. This mostly had to do with proximity, friends’ preferences, and weather.

Here are more awesome things we love to do with kids in Minnesota.

7. MN Landscape Arboretum

8. Walker Art Museum

9. Mill City Museum

10. Bakken Museum

11. Minnesota Zoo

12. St Paul Children’s Museum

13. MN Science Museum

14. Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store (down the block from Izzy’s Ice Cream)

15.  Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater

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The East Side of Milwaukee is home for me. I’ve lived in seven cities and five states in my lifetime, but the first 18 years of my life were all spent in one place.

The East Side is a quiet neighborhood nestled along the lakefront just north of Downtown. It benefits from the cool lake breezes in the Summer and the warm lake effect in the Winter.

It is an area with tasty restaurants, pretty parks, and a slow, quiet feel that I love. I’ve spent a lot of time exploring this area, as a kid obviously, but also as an adult with my own kids.

Below are our favorite things to do on the East Side. I hope you’ll pop up the next time you’re in town.

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10+ Things to do on Milwaukee’s East Side

My definition of Milwaukee’s East Side does include part of the lakefront that is technically south of the “East Side”. Growing up on the East Side Lake Michigan was a huge part of my childhood. Below are ideas that stretch from Shorewood to the edge of Downtown within about a mile of the lakefront.

1. Walk in Lake Park

We are huge fans of walks with young kids and Lake Park is one of my favorite places to explore with kids. Whatever the season, put on some weather appropriate gear, grab some binoculars or bags for collecting and head to the park to look for signs of the season. (For more walk ideas for toddlers and preschoolers read this list!)

For a walk, I would park over by the golf course and head south. There is a map on the website to give you a better visual look.

2. Play on a Playground

There are several fun playgrounds on the East Side of Milwaukee.

Lake Park is the newest, most interesting structure in the area. It is great for kids who love to climb.

Riverside has some fun quirky things that my kids love.

There is also a playground by Atwater Beach at Lake and Capitol that is fun and wins for best view.

We also love the one along the lakefront on Lincoln Memorial Drive across the street from Colectivo. Grab a cup of coffee and then hang out while your kiddos play.

3. Urban Ecology Center

The Urban Ecology Center’s mission is to foster “ecological understanding as inspiration for change, neighborhood by neighborhood.” So far they have three locations in Milwaukee. Their site has more information about each location.

We love exploring their East Side Riverside location.

When you walk in you are greeted by this welcoming lobby. It is a warm space with various seating, a fireplace, and tables for sitting and working. There are also helpful volunteers at the front desk that can answer questions, help you find things, and offer information.

Beyond that, I was delighted to uncover several family friendly details tucked into this center. In the lobby there are books and puzzles tucked on a shelf.

There is a room with a variety of native animals, including turtles, snails, fish, and frogs in tanks. It is not overly impressive in design or size, but the exhibits are carefully placed at child’s eye view and our kids enjoyed peering at the different animals.

These river themed slides were a huge hit with our kids. You go up a stair case and briefly outdoors to go down the slides, which I found a little odd, but they found to be completely awesome. Apparently the Urban Ecology Center knows its audience. This is technically a “secret entrance” into the center. Our twins went up and down these slides countless times.

The Riverside Park location is situated on 15 acres of wooded land and riparian habitat along the Milwaukee River. The trails are short and easily adapted to various ages and walk lengths. In the past we have seen deer, a variety of flowers and trees, and birds on walks in the Arboretum.

Also Read: 10 Winter Activities do in Milwaukee with Kids

4. East Side Library

This library was recently updated and it’s beautiful. We always love a visit to the library. My kids could browse the stacks for hours and the stack we bring home borders of ridiculous every week.

The East Side branch has lots of story times and other programs for families so check out their calendar for the up-to-date dates and times.

5. Atwater Beach

The beach? In Wisconsin? Yes! There are a few places to hit the beach on the East Side, but our favorite is Atwater Beach.

The playground at the top is great for older kids (3-7ish) and the view is incredible. If you head down the stairs you will find a large, often uncrowded beach with lovely soft sand.

>> Also Read: A SUMMER WEEKEND IN MILWAUKEE <<

6. Boswell Bookstore

The Boswell Book Company is on Downer Ave on the East Side. It is an awesome independent bookstore with a cozy well-stocked children’s area. I don’t think there is a better place to spend a couple of hours on a cold day, but we love a visit to Boswell anytime of year.

7. Eat Yummy Things on Downer

Downer Ave is kind of Main St on the East Side. There are some little shops and a lot of restaurants.

Pizza Man is one of our personal favorites with kids. They have delicious pizza and pasta.

8. Get Outside by the Lagoon

Towards downtown on Lincoln Memorial Drive, in Veteran’s Park you will find the Lagoon. There are often fun events here like a kite festival and the view of downtown is one of the best, but the lagoon itself is fun with kids.

This is a great spot for watching sailboats, renting boats to try out on the calm lagoon, flying a kite in the open grassy area, ride bikes, and more.

9. Sledding

Winter is a big part of Wisconsin life when you’re a kid and sledding is one of the best parts. Our favorite place to sled on the East Side of Milwaukee is the hill by the tennis courts at Riverside Park.

10. Art Museum

The Art Museum is probably technically Downtown, but to me it was the end of our neighborhood when I was a kid and it’s a fabulous place to visit with kids.

Parking is available across the street and underneath the museum. If you arrive at opening you can watch the famous wings open.

Don’t miss the kid’s art space on the lower level. My kids always love the hands on activities.

And while you’re there, ask for one of the kids activity guides. They change with the new visiting exhibits and they do a great job engaging kids (about age 5 and up) in really exploring one of the exhibits in depth.

11. Climb at Adventure Rock

Adventure Rock is situated on the cusp of the East Side of Milwaukee by North Avenue, which is convenient for anyone on that end of town. (The other location is on the west side of town about a half an hour away).

On the main floor are locker rooms, bathrooms, and a huge climbing room with impressive vaulted ceilings. There is a good mixture of course difficulties and space for climbing. Upstairs is also a long area for bouldering.

For climbing with kids, I like that there are a decent number of auto-belays so adults can take turns supervising and climbing.

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Washington D.C. was one of our favorite family weekend getaways when we were living in New York City. It is packed with museums and history and fun things for families to do together.

Below are some of our favorites.

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A Weekend in Washington D.C.

These are our favorite things to do with kids in Washington DC based on several different trips to the area.

STAY.

My biggest recommendation about picking a spot to stay in D.C. is to stay somewhere on a train line. It is much easier to navigate D.C. on the trains, rather than trying to drive and park. Driving is possible, but we like not having to worry about traffic or parking. If you stay right on a train line you can easily pop around the city on the train.

We have stayed in several spots that have worked well on the train lines in different directions.

EAT.

D.C. has every chain imaginable and although that’s not the must exciting culinary experience, it is comforting with a child with a severe food allergy. Some of our favorites are Shake Shack, Au Bon Pain, and Jimmy Johns.

TO DO.

National Mall.

If this is your first time in Washington D.C. with kids then the National Mall is a must. Stop and see a few monuments – or all of them.

Our favorite are the Lincoln Memorial which is an absolute must for the gorgeous view of the Mall and the Washington Memorial. We also loved the Roosevelt Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial.

If your kids enjoy the National Parks program, they can get their passport stamped at the different memorials. This made seeing the National Monuments a lot more fun for our kids.

National Post Office Museum.

Friends that lived in the D.C. area recommended this to us and I was skeptical but it was SO much fun. We loved the scavenger hunt, collecting stamps, sending a postcard and more. You can see all of my tips and more details in this post I shared on Sunshine Whispers.

National Zoo.

The National Zoological Park (commonly called the National Zoo) is one of the oldest zoos in the country. It was created as part of the Smithsonian Institute and like the rest of the museums in the Smithsonian it is completely free. I find this completely remarkable, especially when you are there and surrounded by the 2,000 animals and miles of walking paths.

The zoo is located inside the DC Metro area and I highly recommend using public transportation. We rode the Metro from our hotel and then walked a couple blocks. It was easy and we didn’t have to deal with finding or paying for parking.

If you are visiting with young children, I recommend a stroller or carrier. It is a large zoo and quite hilly, which can quickly take a toll on little legs. We were grateful to have ours for when they needed breaks.

Much like other larger zoos, I highly recommend looking at the map online before hand and making a plan. If you can spend all day, this isn’t needed, but we were trying to get back to the hotel for the kids to nap. We saw a little over half of the zoo in the morning and then ate lunch at the Mane Grill – one of the restaurants at the zoo. It was your typical attraction food, but varied and they did have Dairy Free options for our kid with allergies.

Our kids loved the zoo. They loved the elephants and the panda bear. They loved the lions and the bird area. They were pretty thrilled with it all.

National Building Museum.

This museum is AWESOME. It is one of the few not-free things we did with the kids in D.C., but it was so much fun. It encourages building and tinkering and engineering and creativity.

From the moment you step in, the architecture grabs you. Our twins were fascinated by the height of the building and by the fountain to one side. As you move around the lobby and into the different areas of the museum, the entire museum delights with thoughtful displays, interactive materials, and a range of creative building, architecture, engineering, and design themed exhibits.

Check out the website for current exhibits. When we went our favorite was their ongoing PLAY. WORK. BUILD. exhibit. You can see a video of it here. We could have spent all day in this one little part. The enormous light table was all kinds of awesome.

There was also a room full of construction materials. Our kids loved the giant over-sized foam blocks and worked so hard at fitting them together. I would recommend starting this space, unless there is a special exhibit you are interested in seeing.

Dulles Air and Space Museum.

Also called the Udvar-Hazy, this place is incredible. We liked the National Air and Space Museum on the Mall, but we all loved this one more. It is a little bit of a drive but worth it.

It is a huge hanger with airplanes and space shuttle. When you arrive, make sure to get the scavenger hunt at the front to keep littles engaged. My twins loved running all over trying to find the planes on the scavenger hunt.

The giant shuttle was their favorite part though.

Find the details on their website.

International Spy Museum.

If you’re in D.C. with some older kids, I highly recommend the International Spy Museum. It is a little pricey but fun if you like mystery, history and intrigue.

There is a well done scavenger hunt at the front for kids. I recommended this one for 7 and up but my six year olds did well and stayed engaged because of the hunt.

Learn more on their website.

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Newport, Rhode Island is a great getaway for families on the East Coast. Last summer we spent a long weekend enjoying the ocean and small town delights and we can’t wait to go back.

We are huge beach fans so that’s where we spent a lot of our time.

Newport had a few kid friendly beach options with bathrooms, lifeguards, and shallow water.

Second Beach.

This was the beach most recommended to us so we started here. We spent most of the our first day here and loved it.

It is a popular beach so I highly recommend getting their early – even on a week day.

Downsides:

*You pretty much have to drive and it isn’t cheap to park.

Upsides:

*The water was much clearer and the beach was clean, which to me made it worth the extra money.

*Decent food options

*Big clean (for beach) bathrooms

Easton’s Beach.

This beach was walking distance from our hotel and right near the Cliff Walk so we actually visited 3 times.

Downsides:

*The main thing about this beach was the abundance of red seaweed. It didn’t seem unclean, just a little odd to be swimming and surrounded seaweed. There were portions of the beach that had less, but it was still something we had to get over.

Upsides:

*Decent sand.

*Food and bathroom options.

*Depending on where you stay – super accessible.

Also Read: 5 Swimming Games for Babies & Toddlers

Newport Beach Hotel and Suites

We stayed across the street from Easton’s Beach at Newport Beach Hotel and Suites. I would highly recommend it for families.

Downsides:

*No meals provided although there was a cocktail hour with a few snacks.

*We had to drive into the main shopping area.

Upsides:

*Our room gave us a two bedroom space which is so nice for traveling with young kids.

*It was walking distance to Easton’s Beach and the Cliff Walk.

*Even though meals weren’t provided at the hotel, there were some restaurants within walking distance that used a 10% discount. We really liked the smoothies at Rhea’s Cafe and the breakfast at Ticket’s Bar and Grill.

*Indoor pool for icky weather days.

Other Things to Do:

*Make sure to spend some time down on Thames Street. There are tons of restaurants, shops, and best of all ice cream.

*Walk down to the docks near Thames Street at see that water, boats, and sunset.

*Hike along the Cliff Walk. I would have loved to do this at sunrise or sunset, but it was still a gorgeous view in the afternoon when we fit it in.

If you’re looking for a calm, relaxing summer getaway this is absolutely perfect.

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