Boston is known for many things. Our great sports teams. Fantastic attractions that bring visitors from all over the world. And the city’s storied history (who else can claim a molasses flood or the largest art heist in the world?). So we thought it would be fun to gather up the city’s popular places, people and historically significant spots and turn them into a list of Boston baby names for a little fun and inspiration. Whether you’re expecting, or you just want to see how your kiddo’s name stacks up, these Boston-themed baby names are all the inspiration you need. Read on to find out just how “Boston” your kiddo really is.
A powerful woman in American history, Abigail Adams was one of the founders of the United States, bearing the designations of second First Lady and first Second Lady. She is well known for her numerous letters to her husband John Adams that are filled with complex, political discussions.
Amelia
While the first woman to fly across the Atlantic originally hails from Kansas, Amelia Earhart moved to Medford, MA with her mother and sister following her mother's divorce. Amelia makes a powerful middle or first name that definitely stands the test of time.
Beacon
Boston parents have a number of street names that work well as baby names, with Beacon topping the list. You could even go for Bea as a girl's name.
Benjamin or Franklin
One of the founding fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston in 1706. A scientist and inventor, Franklin is most known for his discoveries relating to electricity.
Brockton
A suburb of Boston, Brockton makes a strong first or middle name, with Brock as a nickname.
Brookline
We love this name for a girl as it differs from the more popular Brooklyn. It pays homage to this neighborhood just a few T stops past Kenmore Square.
This one's for you, Patriots fans. Quarterback Tom Brady has made the names Thomas and Brady popular among fans in recent years. We'll have to wait and see if his recent split from the team will change that trend.
Bruin
Another for the sports fans out there, Bruin pays homage to the hometown hockey team and makes a good middle name (or dog name, for that matter).
Cambridge/Cam
We love the name Cambridge for a girl with Cam as the nickname. This name conveys a brilliant sophistication of the college town that is home to Harvard, with a double meaning for sports fan, acknowledging Boston Bruins president Cam Neely.
Celt
Boston is steeped in Irish history and this name (pronounced "Kelt") is the ultimate. Bonus: it doubles as a Boston Celtics reference.
Charles
The Charles River is an 80-mile river that meets the Atlantic Ocean in Boston and Charles (or Charlie) are classic names we love.
Chelsea
Named for a neighborhood in London, this working class city just north of Boston is bordered on three sides by water.
Clara Barton (born Clarissa Harlowe Barton) was a pioneering American nurse who founded the American Red Cross and was born in North Oxford, MA. Barton is noteworthy for doing humanitarian work and civil rights advocacy at a time before women had the right to vote.
Conan
Irish Catholic comedian Conan O'Brien hails from Brookline, MA where he attended school through high school, followed by nearby Harvard University.
Copley
Copley Square, named for painter John Singleton Copley, is a public square in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. This Boston baby name would be great for either a boy or a girl.
Dorothea
Name your child after 19th century activist Dorothea Dix who lived in Boston with her grandmother for much of her childhood. She drastically changed the medical field and championed causes for both the mentally ill and indigenous populations.
Duncan/Dunkin
Only the most die hard fans would choose the more unique spelling of this name, which pays homage to the coffee company that got its start in 1950 in Quincy, MA.
Fenway
While this name may be more popular for pups than children, Boston Red Sox fans are a dedicated bunch and have been known to give this Boston baby name as a middle name to their human children. Plus, naming your kid "Green Monster" is out of the question, right?
Isabella Stewart Gardner was a long-standing American art collector, philanthropist and patron of the arts who founded the museum with her name in the early 1900s.
Jasmine
Parents raised in the '80s will know why this name is on our list. Anyone who watched the Cosby Show spinoff, A Different World, is hip to Boston-born actress Jasmine Guy, who played the part of Whitley Gilbert.
John, Jack or Kennedy
It's no surprise to see these popular names around Boston as the Kennedy family has a long history in Massachusetts.
Jordan
This '80s-throwback name is popular for both boys and girls, especially for fans of the boy band New Kids on the Block that hails from Dorchester, MA.
Logan
You don't have to be an aviation geek to name your offspring after Boston's seaside airport.
Lois
Maybe you and the kids have seen the works of this respected artist gracing the walls of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts or at the National Center for Afro-American Artists (NCAAA) in Boston. Born in 1905, Lois Mailou Jones' successful career spanned continents and decades.
In 1847, Lucy Stone of West Brookfield, MA graduated from Oberlin and became the first Massachusetts woman to receive a college degree. She spoke out for women's rights and against slavery at a time when women were discouraged and prevented from public speaking.
Mary (or Eliza)
It's no secret that there are tons of Catholic families raising kids in Boston, so this name may seem obvious to include. But we're giving it a second look as a way to honor the work of Mary Elize Mahoney, the first African-American nurse to work in our country's hospitals. She worked for 15 years, while she waited to be let into nursing school, and was only one of four students (out of 43) who actually graduated.
Quincy
We love this name for either a boy or a girl and it has long-standing Massachusetts roots with Quincy, MA being known as the "birthplace of presidents." Both John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams were born there. When the town split from Braintree, it was named Quincy after Colonel John Quincy, maternal grandfather of Abigail Adams and after whom John Quincy Adams was also named
Revere
Prominent Boston silversmith Paul Revere is best known for his midnight ride to alert the colonial militia in April 1775 to the approach of British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord. The town of Revere, MA was named after him in 1871.
Skylar
Do you really know anything about Boston if you haven't seen Good Will Hunting? We think not. The name Skylar was made popular after Minnie Driver played a character with this name in the movie that was written by Cambridge, MA friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
Tremont
This prominent street in Boston takes you along the Boston Common, through Boston's Theater District and across the Massachusetts Turnpike (affectionately know as the "Mass Pike"). We love it as a boy's name.
Trinity
Trinity Church is located in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston and was founded in 1733.
So you’ve done our 100 Things to Do around Seattle and perhaps you’ve even checked off every must-do with visiting grandparents. If you’re jonesing for a new type of excursion, or you’ve got visitors who can’t wait to get the nitty gritty on what the Emerald City has to offer, check out our list of Seattle hidden gems that only those in-the-know are privy to—some spots are so secret you might not even know they existed!
E. Highland & Harrison St. Beaches
Did you know our area has over 200 miles of shoreline? When that sun comes out, locals love nothing more than to bask in the brightness at their favorite community beach. This also means some get downright crowded. But, lucky for us, there are still some hidden beach treasures out there where you can avoid the bustle. Two secret beaches to put on your radar? One is at E. Highland Dr. and 42nd Ave. East, north of the Seattle Tennis Club, and the other is a little further south, above Denny Blaine Park, on 39th Ave. E. and E. Harrison St. These low-key, community-improved public beaches sit at the edge of Lake Washington and offer beautiful views and a serene place to take in the lake life. East Highland secret beach has a pebble beach, log seating and lots of trees for shade (plus a couple of parking spots). The Harrison Street beach offers a sand beach, plus a place to wade, have a picnic or watch the sun go down. For more covert street-end beaches to explore, check out this interactive map here. There are actually around 150 secret beaches just waiting to be discovered!
Highland Beach
E. Highland Dr. & 42nd Ave E.
Seattle, WA
Harrison Beach
E. Harrison St. & 39th Ave. E.
Seattle, WA
Online: seattle.gov
The Alligator Tree
Well, if this local spot doesn’t sound intriguing, we don’t know what does! Schmitz Park Preserve is a quaint, just over 50-acre park located in West Seattle that offers an old growth forest filled with walking paths, hiking and nature galore. Sure, it sounds like many of the parks in our area, but the hidden gem in this preserve is the Alligator Tree—a fallen tree cut and painted to resemble a huge, you guessed it, alligator! It’s perfect for a photo op (stick that head inside like Captain Hook!)
This artistic little shopping area is something you won’t want to pass by. Built in 2010 and nestled among the industrial atmosphere of Georgetown, this teeny retail oasis is home to vintage travel trailers that house independent shops filled with local artsy items. Here you'll find eclectic goodies such as planters, jewelry, ceramics, art, vintage clothing, vinyl records and home decor. And come hungry! The super scrumptious Lowrider Baking Company has mouth-watering homemade cookies for purchase. The Trailer Park Mall is a peculiar, yet totally adorable, spot you’ll be glad you stumbled upon.
This place is downright poetic. This darling garden, located in front of the Fine Arts Building at Seattle University, is a living tribute to the many references made to herbs, flowers and plants within Shakespeare’s most famous works. Swing by to see the beauty of lavender, rosemary, thyme, roses and lilies when they're in bloom. It's the perfect secret garden to take in some rays and the words of the Bard, where we know parting will be such sweet sorrow.
Have you ever heard of a "spite house?" This quirky term refers to a home that is constructed for the sole purpose of irritating one’s neighbors. And guess who has one? Yep, Seattle has its very own—the Montlake Spite House. Built in 1925, this odd, tiny home is shaped like a pie. The front is about 15-feet wide and it tapers to a mere 55 inches in the back! While we know when it was built, the story behind its construction varies. One local legend says that the landowner built it after being insulted by a low ball offer for his land from his next door neighbor. But it’s also been circulated that it was built by a vengeful divorcee who was awarded the small front yard of the home she once shared with her ex. Story has it she built a house on her tiny parcel out of, you called it, spite. Plan a visit to check out this skinny, iconic domicile for yourself.
2022 24th Ave. E. Seattle
Wedgwood Duck House
This hidden gem will quack you up! Head to the Wedgwood neighborhood to visit the abode locally known as the Wedgwood Duck House. Approximately every month, the owners of the house, Robert and LaFaye, arrange rubber duckies in the most elaborate formations in their yard. The kiddos will surely get a chick...errr...kick out of their fabulous designs. What started as one lone duck Easter decoration has now hatched into more than a thousand duck donations from all over the world that this imaginative couple uses to build the most creative designs. Psst…while you’re in the area, you might as well stop by the Wedgwood Rock, too. It is a 19-foot, 700-ton, 14,000-year-old gneiss rock in Ravenna that was left over by glacial drift during the last ice age. Go check that huge sucker out, and have a picnic while you’re there, too!
Wedgwood Duck House West of 35th at 82nd St. Seattle Online: Facebook
Wedgwood Rock 7200 28th Ave. N.E. (at the intersection of N.E. 72nd St.) Seattle Online: Facebook
Another West Seattle hidden gem! Located in the High Point neighborhood, inside the Commons Park P-Patch, make a beeline to the West Seattle Bee Garden, an educational spot where you can have a close encounter with your favorite honey makers. The bees are viewed in their natural habitat from behind clear plexiglass walls of an adorable enclosure. Take a self-guided tour of the garden, and don’t forget to read the posted signs to learn a few new tidbits about these little stingers while you are there.
This 40-story building in the middle of downtown Seattle hardly seems to be a 'hidden' towny treasure, but it’s the seventh floor rooftop that sets this building apart from the surrounding high rises. On this clandestine rooftop sits a secret public garden! This low-key, yet lush retreat is perfect for checking out the views of downtown and taking a gander at Puget Sound. If you and your fam are in the area, it’s a great insider spot to relax and soak in the jewels of the city.
Ah, just when you thought the days of traveling by train and eating in a dining car have been rendered archaic, in comes a little-known Seattle fave you and your little engineers will go loco-motive over. Located just south of downtown is the Orient Express Restaurant. This unique eatery is housed in seven railroad cars, including one car that was the private travel car of President Franklin D. Roosevelt during his presidential campaign of 1944. OG fixtures, décor and photographs still fill the restaurant, so it provides a fun slice of history as well. The cuisine certainly adds to the unusual charm, too. They serve up Chinese and Thai dishes, because what else would you serve in an old-timey train car? It’s definitely a legit Seattle original.
Fondly known as the Up house, the Edith Macefield House in Ballard has quite the legendary story. Homeowner Edith Macefield, who was already in her 80s, refused to sell her farmhouse when commercial developers where building up the area. They wanted to buy her land, but spunky ole Edith refused the hefty million-dollar offer. She has since passed, but the house remains. Her whimsical, 100-year-old home still sits wedged between the looming, modern buildings that were built around her. When you visit this amazing piece of Seattle nostalgia, bring a balloon. Many people leave them on the fence in honor of the Pixar film.
You could come to Ballard Corners Park for the walking path, the abstract jungle gym, the rain garden or the interpretive park entryway, but the real funky jewel of this pocket park is the stone living room. Built as an homage to a corner book store, this concrete couch and loveseat set is perfect for the kiddos to climb all over and it looks super cute to boot. Bet you never knew you would be encouraging your Littles to jump on the furniture, did you?
Whether you are visiting from across the country or playing tourist on staycation, seeing all the sites in San Francisco with kidsrequires a lot of planning. Enter…the Big Bus Hop on Hop off buses. There is a lot to cover in seven or 14 hours (if you do the two day option) so take our family friendly (and sometimes free) recommendations for each bus stop and plan to get hopping!
Photo: Fisherman’s Wharf
Stop 1: Fisherman’s Wharf
With 16 bus stops, it makes sense to start your tour with the first bus of the day that leaves from Fisherman’s Wharf at 10 a.m. Metered parking is as low as $.50 per hour in some spots with multiple nearby parking garages and you can also take Muni to get to the first stop. While much of the Wharf is closed until 10 a.m. or 11 a.m., the views of the Bay and the early morning energy of the wharf are lovely and families can easily spend a full day here. Hyde Pier (opens at 9:30 a.m.) has amazing food with a view and Ghirardelli Square‘s beautiful rainbow stairs are the perfect place to enjoy fantastic ice cream sundaes. Aquatic Park has a lovely beach that is mostly blocked from the wind making it ideal for little ones to wade in and Umbrella Alley offers up gorgeous murals perfect for fun creative photos. Tucked away and often overlooked by tourists, Musée Mécanique is across from the bus stop and with its antique and vintage arcade coin operated games, is truly a unique SF experience.
Strolling the Italian shops on Columbus Ave and the alleys of Chinatown in one bus stop is a beautiful testimony to the diversity that built San Francisco. A visit theFortune Cookie Factory is a must for curious kids along with a stop at Willie Woo Woo Playground, one of the most beautiful and unique playgrounds in the city. For a more typical tourist option climb the hill to Coit Tower for a beautiful view of the city. Head downstairs at City Lights for diverse children’s books while experiencing some of San Francisco’s Beat Poet history.
You can’t go wrong with any of the Chinese or Italian spots in this part of town. However, if you are looking for something differentThe Red Window is an adorable Spanish restaurant serving to-go options. Picnic in picturesque Washington Square park and don’t forget to grab a coffee from Caffe Trieste, a fixture of the North Beach neighborhood for over 50 years.
Photo: Sarah Montoya
Stop 3: Embarcadero Center
Big Bus labels this bus stop as the Exploratorium but note that the museum is an 11 minute walk from the stop and best enjoyed as a full day visit to experience its many rooms and exhibits. Food trucks are a significant part of San Francisco food culture so head over toOff The Grid at Vallejo and Front on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Kids will enjoy nearby Sue Bierman Park which has a lovely playground for kids.
This stop is close enough to the Ferry Building stop that it is also an easy stop to skip without fear that you are missing out.
Photo: Kate Loweth
Stop 4: Ferry Building
The Ferry Building is one of the most beautiful landmarks in San Francisco. The plaza hosts a beautiful and educational farmers market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with food demonstrations, organic tastes and treats along with fascinating people watching. Even on non-market days the building has some of the best restaurants in the city and amazing views. You can read a more complete list of suggestions here.
If you are looking for a unique photo opportunity go on a short walk to Rincon Park to see Cupids Bow with a view of the Bay Bridge.
Photo: Sarah Montoya
Stop 5: Union Square
Union Square is an iconic stop for any visit to San Francisco. It is absolutely magical at Christmas but worth stopping here year round. The square is lined with gorgeous high end shops which aren’t the most kid friendly experiences and can be found in most major cities.
It is fun to experience the hustle and glamor of this part of the city, but with kids you will find more joy on a short walk to Yerba Buena Gardens and the Children’s Creativity Museum and Carousel. The Carousel is only $5 per ride and both are located in the same area as the SFMOMA. The SFMOMA is great with kids and worth taking time to enjoy.
Insider’s tip: If you want an excuse to go inside but you don’t want to commit to tickets, Diego Rivera’s Last Mural is free-to-see in the lobby until summer 2023.
Stop 6: Redemption Canter/Hilton Hotel
With 16 stops some stops are worth skipping and this is one.
Photo: Sarah Montoya
Stop 7: Civic Center
San Francisco’s City Hall is gorgeous and worth a quick visit just to see the beautiful architecture and maybe catch a glimpse of a beautiful couple celebrating their big day.The Helen Diller Civic Center Playground is fun and the photos will be beautiful with City Hall in the background. The Asian Art Museum is right there and with a short walk you can visit the Symphony Hall, War Memorial Opera House and Herbst Theatre. If you have time to visit the museum, the collection at the Asian Art Museum is stunning and one of a kind, but it is worth setting aside a longer portion of time.
All of the buildings on this stop also have beautiful exterior architecture and can be enjoyed from a distance on the bus if you are feeling rushed.
Stop 8: Alamo Square
The iconic Painted Ladies make the perfect postcard photo with views of the city in the background. This park also has a great playground and views of San Francisco’s City Hall. You can also experience some of San Francisco’s famous public murals lining the sidewalk. If you are there on a Friday or Saturday you can grab amazing local coffee from Lady Falcon, a San Francisco mom owned business.
It is difficult to get a picture of the Painted Ladies from a moving bus, but if seeing the Painted Ladies is enough, this is another stop that can be enjoyed from the bus.
The Haight Ashbury is a great neighborhood to get a feel of San Francisco’s hippy history.
If you have older kids who love to thrift or are dying for tie dye, hop off here and spend a moment window shopping, grab a snack at Haight Street Market or Ritual Coffee and check out the world’s largest independent records store Ameba, if you want a sit down meal Pork Store or ChaChaCha has you covered; however, if you are with younger kids or you just feel like there is too much on the itinerary the neighborhood can be enjoyed from the comfort of the bus.
The Panhandle Playground is recently renovated and is mostly frequented by locals making it a beautiful way to escape the crowds and take a breather under the trees.
Photo: Sarah Montoya
Stop 10: Golden Gate Park
Note this bus stop is only available Monday-Saturday and with so much to do you could easily spend a full day at Golden Gate Park.The Japanese Tea Garden is small enough for a short visit while The De Young (viewing tower and sculpture garden are free) and The Academy of Sciences require a few hours to fully enjoy.
Sneak away to the hidden Blue Playground tucked away through a tunnel out of the Music Concourse for a break from the crowds. Standing 150 feet tall, a 12 minute ride on the The SkyStar Wheel is unique way to see the city with the kids, but you will need to plan ahead to purchase tickets and plan to wait in a long line.
For a longer visit at this location walk to Stow Lake to visit the Pagoda and Waterfall. The Rose garden is a longer walk away and further away you can see the Conservatory of Flowers, but they are in opposite directions from each other so you may need to choose one depending on how much time you intend to spend in the park.
Driving across the Golden Gate Bridge is the best part of this bus stop. The vista point is beautiful and worth a visit if your kids are up for the walk. Family photos with the city in the background are a tourist’s dream, but if you are concerned about convincing kids to walk and keeping them safe on a windy, crowded hill you will still have a fantastic experience if you simply ride the bus across the bridge and back.
The Palace of Fine Arts is one of the most beautiful and unique landmarks of San Francisco. Built for the World’s Fair after the 1908 earthquake to show the world that San Francisco was rebuilding, photos of this location are always beyond comparison.
Stop 13: Marina Cow Hollow
This stop is great for a more local experience—Lucca’s Delicatessen is a classic San Francisco spot for sandwiches. The Marina Library and playground are lovely. However, if you are on this bus tour with the goal of checking off major tourist destinations, the stops before and after this one are much more significant for seeing the beauty of San Francisco.
Photo: Christine Lai
Stop 14: Lombard Street
Although not actually the crookedest street in the world, let alone San Francisco, the famous winding Lombard street should be on every visitor’s to-do list. The gardens surrounding the twisting road are gorgeous making it an easy spot for beautiful photos. It’s worth it to walk down to the bottom to get photos of the turns from the base and with nearly 2 million people coming to this spot each year, plan on this bus stop taking more time than you expect.
Within a short walk is one of the newest and largest parks and playgrounds in San Francisco. The former site of one of San Francisco’s oldest reservoirs, Francisco Park boasts amazing views, a large open field, brand new picnic tables, public restrooms and a playground with a toddler area and a big kid (up to 12) area.
Stop 15: Pier 35
This pier is primarily used for boarding Alcatraz tour boats. The pier also hosts special events throughout the year. If you haven’t booked a cruise in advance this is probably a good stop to skip.
Photo: Sarah Montoya
Stop 16: Pier 39
There is so much to do here that you could spend a full day here. Pier 39 is most famous for the sea lions (note the sea lions leave from mid-May to late July). Trish’s Mini Donuts opens early and kids will love watching them make their donuts so be sure to grab a half dozen to start your day. The pier itself is full of shopping, dining, a carousel and street performances. A meal at any of the restaurants here will boast a view but be prepared to wait for a table.
Pier 41 just next door offers a respite from the crowds. Walk to the end for a beautiful view.
There is so much to see and do in San Francisco. With good food, entertainment, and playgrounds available at nearly every stop everyone in the family is guaranteed to enjoy the bus tour.
Editor’s Note: As of press time, all the information in this story was accurate. But, as we know, things with COVID-19 can change rapidly. Please be sure to check directly with the camps concerning cancellation and refund policies or any changes to programming prior to registering.
With the current temps it seems unnatural to even think about summer camp signup. But, not unlike holiday decorations popping up months in advance, the camp chatter starts earlier and earlier each year. Some camps began registrations already and while you’re not too late to the game, it’s definitely time to start doing your research. From a focus on films to learning new sports, read on to find a few picks for camps to sign up for now.
Morton Arboretum
Morton Arboretum, credit Maria Chambers
Kids get totally immersed in nature and outdoor adventures with more than 100 camps planned among 1,700 acres of trees. The Arboretum's woodlands, ponds and prairie become one big classroom where campers learn about the natural world through science experiments, STEM, art and creative play.
Avid4 Adventure is new to Chicago, but they've been hosting camps in Colorado and California for years that focus on building confidence, decision-making skills and cultivating a sense of adventure in the outdoors.
Their two-week Adventure Camp takes kids in grades 2-7 to local settings for thrilling outdoor experiences like mountain biking, hiking, canoeing and kayaking, or SUP. When younger kids first attend camp, the focus is on getting comfortable with new activities. As they get older, the attention is shifted to teamwork and deepening technical competence.
SUP Camp allows kids to get out on the water where they can experience the fun of paddling while developing balance. Trained instructors teach campers basic strokes, rescue techniques and water safety.
Explorer Camp gets kids in grades K-1 outside hiking, paddling, learning solid biking skills and engaging in creative pursuits like yoga, art and music.
Dates: Adventure & Explorer Camps; (4) 2-week sessions, Jun. 6-Aug. 5; SUP Camp, (5) 1-week sessions Ages: Grades K-7 Christ Church of Lake Forest, 100 N. Waukegan Rd., Lake Forest Online:avid4.com
Hi-Five Sports Camp
Hi-Five Sports Camp Chicago
Top priority for this camp that's a dream come true for active kids is FUN! It's a total bonus the programming keeps your child active, healthy, smiling—and perhaps ready for early bedtimes from happy exhaustion. Hi-Five Sports Camp Chicago is about so much more than winning or losing, it's about teamwork, playing hard and fair, making new friends and learning the power of camaraderie. The staff is filled with professional coaches, high school and college athletes, as well as experienced P.E. teachers who are ready to guide kids through a positive, self-esteem building experience.
Dates: West Loop camps running Jun. 20-Aug. 12 Ages: Grades Pre-K-9 City-based camps hosted at either Chicago Hope Field/Quest Multisport or Whitney Young Magnet HS. Locations also in Naperville, Northbrook, St. Charles, & Mt. Prospect Online:hifivesportsclubschicago.com
In the meantime: Schedule a Hi-Five "Housecall". You gather 3-10 kids for 1-2 hours at a location of your choosing, and Hi-Five handles the planning and supplies the equipment. Also, check their website for day-off camps throughout the school year.
FAME Center
FAME Center Fine Arts Summer Camp offers two-week sessions of full-day, in-person camp. Each session explores a different theme culminating in a special celebration on the final Friday. Campers participate in 4, one-hour music, visual art or theater classes facilitated by FAME Center teaching staff. On Fridays, kids are treated to a Fine Arts Masterclass with local Chicago artists. Alongside fine arts classes, campers fill the rest of their days with fun, creative group activities, playing games and spending time outdoors.
Dates: (3) 2-week sessions, Jun. 20-Aug. 5 Ages: 6-12 Willow Creek Community Church, 1347 S. State St., Dearborn Park Online:famecenter.org
Chicago Botanic Garden
Chicago Botanic Garden
No way kids will suffer from summer break boredom at Chicago Botanic's camp. They'll be one with nature exploring a range of themes including science, nature, art, ecology and cooking. Each day offers a different adventure.
In the meantime: The Chicago Botanic garden grounds are open for Chicagoans to enjoy. Please register for a timeslot prior to visiting. Check their website for day-off camps throughout the year.
Camp Galileo
Camp Galileo
This camp is really the perfect combination of learning and fun with weekly themes like Dinosaur Dig, Amusement Park Adventure, Castle Quest and Counselor in Training. Camp Galileo presents art, science and outdoor activities on a daily basis. They can provide before and aftercare if you need to extend the day.
Dates: Jun. 20- Aug. 12 (dates vary by location) Ages: Grades Pre-K-10 (grades vary by location) Camps offered in West Loop, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Lincoln Square, Evanston, LaGrange, Winnetka, Deerfield & Arlington Heights Online: galileo-camps.com
The Kids' Table
The Kids' Table
The Kids' Table offers hands-on cooking fun all summer! Guided by chef instructors, kids get to chop, grate and roll their way to different delicious dishes each day. Registration is all week-by-week, so kids can join for as many weeks as they'd like. Best of all, these camps will inspire your kiddo to play a more active role in the kitchen (even cleanup!).
Dates: Camps running Jun. 6-Sept. 2 Ages: Full-day, ages 5-10; Half-day, ages 11-14 2337 W. North Ave., Wicker Park Online: kids-table.com
Where “playing like a girl” is a form of praise, this specialized camp is focused on empowering girls in a positive and spirited environment. This camp is well-known amongst parents as being a confidence booster for daughters and is a great way to introduce new sports in fun and exciting ways. They offer basketball, softball, soccer, tennis, volleyball and lacrosse, just to name a few.
Game on Sports Camp is also launching a sports camp for boys this summer in Glencoe. They believe adding programming for boys allows them to make an impact on all kids to ensure they show respect for each other on and off the field and empower all to speak up and stand up for themselves.
Located at Naper Settlement, a 12-acre living history museum in Naperville, Camp Naper offers kids the opportunity to explore, create and imagine. Each week offers a different theme and adventure to embark on.
Steve & Kate Camp is perfect for the camper that needs a flexible schedule, pick a day, a week or a month. S&K really lets kids just be kids. Your camper can sing, bake, sew, make a movie, dance or even code their own computer game in one of the several studios scattered throughout. Want to get outside? Jump in on a constant game of hockey, basketball or soccer likely happening all day long. Need some fuel? They provide daily lunch options from a variety of local restaurants and caterers. Sounds amazing — can parents sign up?
Dates: Weeklong camps, Jun. 20-Aug. 19 Ages: 4-12 Locations in Lincoln Park, Lakeview & West Loop Online:steveandkatescamp.com
Bubbles Academy
Bubbles Academy
Bubbles Academy's has a year-round preschool program that offers a summer semester for kids ages 2.5-5. The best thing about this arts-integrated preschool format is its flexibility—you can choose to send your child 2, 3 or 5 days a week. Bubbles Academy’s educational philosophy of arts-integration combines content and skills taken from arts practices including dance, music, theatre and visual arts, with developmentally appropriate, early childhood learning standards and socio-emotional skills.
They will also host an in-person STEAM-focused summer camp for kids going into grades 1-2. Campers will run, play, create and get messy while they explore the interdisciplinary magic in science, tech, engineering, art and math.
Dates: Jun. 7-Aug. 27 (for camps & pre-school) Ages: 2.5-5 for preschool; Grades 1-2 for summer camp 2184 N. Elston, Bucktown Online:bubblesacademy.com
Much like the kind of summer camps you see in the movies, Banner has it all. There’s a 3 to 1 camper to counselor ratio, which gives your little ones access to extra special attention while participating in all the activities they could ever ask for. Banner offers swimming, yoga, a climbing wall, arts, fishing, archery, dune buggies. . . you name it, they have it. While Banner Day Camp is in Lake Forest, they do offer supervised round trip bus service for city dwellers.
Kids will have an unforgettable experience climbing, rappelling, slacklining, ziplining, conducting search and rescue and exercising their creativity with arts and crafts. Each day of the week-long program offers a new fun theme. Summer camp registration is 20% off through Mar. 31.
During Conservation Camp, Lincoln Park Zoo educators will lead campers through a variety of activities that explore the fun and fascinating world of animals. Each day, campers will participate in movement activities, games, and crafts. They will get to see animals at the zoo and meet zoo scientists doing important conservation work.
Dates: Week-long camps, Jun. 21-Aug. 27 (currently a waitlist) Ages: Grades pre-K-4 2001 N. Clark St., Lincoln Park Online: lpzoo.org
In the meantime: Visit the zoo anytime in person!
Facets
Facets
Don’t let the venue fool you, this camp is much more than sitting around watching movies all day. Campers will get an intro into the art of film with a mix of offerings like editing, animation, intro to filmmaking and camper-favorite Film 101, which combines film criticism with basic filmmaking skills. They have both in-person and virtual camps and have expanded their offerings to include a broader range of ages.
Dates: Camps running Jun. 27-Aug. 12 Ages: 8-17 1517 W. Fullerton Ave., Lincoln Park Online:facets.org
In the meantime: Kids can stream age-appropriate film shorts via Facets Kids.
Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium is happy to welcome kids to Camp Shedd: Summer Splash, where campers enjoy five straight days of aquatic exploration. Kids will dive into various habitats and ecosystems, come eye-to-eye with incredible animals and participate in hands-on science activities that uncover some truly remarkable animal behaviors and adaptations.
Dates: Weeklong camps Jun. 20-Aug. 5 Ages: Grades K-5 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr., Museum Campus Online:sheddaquarium.org
Shedd's Summer Road trip camp explores the wonders of the Great Lakes. Using the Aquarium as home base, campers will set out on a new adventure every day full of outdoor activities, environmental investigations and unexpected discoveries that will spark compassion, curiosity and conservation for the aquatic world. The week will end with an overnight stay at the aquarium.
Dates: Weeklong camps Jul. 11-16 & Aug. 8-13 Ages: Grades 6-8 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr., Museum Campus Online:sheddaquarium.org
In the meantime: Keep up-to-date on the daily lives of the aquarium’s animals on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, create learning experiences for early learners through their Sea Curious YouTubeseries, check out live viewsfrom the Underwater Beauty special exhibit and dive deep with 360-video viewsto Keep Sharks Swimming.
Lookingglass Theatre Company
Lookingglass Theatre Company
Lookingglass Theatre Company creates performance magic in a 4-week immersive experience in theatre, movement, music and art. Young artists will receive training from professionals in the core values of Lookingglass Theatre: collaboration, transformation and invention. Campers will create and perform an original piece of theatre.
Dates: Jun. 27-Jul. 22 Ages: Entering grades 3-8 Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St., Woodlawn Online:lookingglasstheatre.org
In the meantime: Take a circus-infused trip down the rabbit hole with Lookingglass Alice, Apr. 30-Jul. 31. This signature production has toured the country, enchanting audiences of all ages, painted each time with a fresh coat of magic.
Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club hosts summer camps at various Chicagoland locations, making their camps convenient no matter where you live. These camps offer mini soccer fans the opportunity to learn from professional and experienced staff, regardless of their soccer ability.
Raven Theatre's Take Flight Summer Camp features training sessions in theatre arts. This camp is great for beginners looking to learn the basics of performance or more advanced actors looking to hone their skills. Raven's team of teaching artists will help kids feel the confidence to contribute to the artistic process and the courage to try something new.
Dates: Jul. 5-15 & Jul. 18-29 Ages: 6-14 6157 N. Clark St., Edgewater Online:raventheatre.com
Instituto Cervantes of Chicago
Daily lesson plans are created for campers to achieve linguistic, cultural and educational goals. Children will have the unique opportunity to learn Spanish in a playful and enriching environment through total immersion of language while highlighting each student’s creativity and capacity to learn with projects, songs and activities.
Dates: Week-long camps offered Jun. 27-Sep. 2 Ages: 4-15 31 W. Ohio, Near North Side Online:chicago.cervantes.es
Old Town School of Folk Music
The Old Town School of Folk Music’s mission is to create a summer experience where campers develop new skills, build friendships and have the freedom to explore their creativity. They’ll spend their days thinking independently, collaborating with peers and discovering their place in the arts. In-person Summer Mini-Camps have themes like percussion, characters & storytelling, dance, guitar, make believe, sketch comedy, singing and more.
Dates: Week-long camps available Jun.-Aug. Ages: 5-12 4545 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Square Online: oldtownschool.org
In the meantime: Sign up for ongoing classes, ages 0-4 love the Wiggleworms programming. Many of their classes are now offered online, so you don't need to miss a beat with your kid's musical education.
PLANNING IN PROGRESS
Pedalheads Bike Camp
Pedalheads
Want your kids to know the joy of bombing around on a bike all summer? Pedalheads Bike Camps can get your kids up and riding in one week! The camps are held at various locations throughout Chicago and teach your kids all the basics of balance and road rules to make sure they're riding with confidence.
Dates: Week-long camps scheduled Jul. & Aug., dates for camps & sign-ups are TBD Ages: 2 & up 12 locations throughout Chicagoland Online:pedalheads.com/bike/illinois
Looking for some fun and stimulating things to do with the kids this spring? There’s a lot to explore at the city’s museums as we emerge from quasi-hibernation. We’ve rounded up our favorites here, including shows just for little ones, the return of The Orchid Show, works by Andy Warhol and an immersive, out-of-this world experience at one of NYC’s newest art spaces.
Wobbly World & Paw Patrol: Adventure Play at the Liberty Science Center
Liberty Science Center
There's a new space for kids five and under that all of you are going to love. Wobbly World is a bright, inviting, slightly off-kilter wonderland, where young children are invited to explore balance, motion, and cause and effect. Highlights include a giant Body Mobile: part carousel, part Calder-style mobile, and powered by play. As young guests hop on colorful seats and surfaces that dangle from the 14-foot-tall center column, they balance, spin, and bring the whole structure to life. The Balancescape, a fanciful landscape of hills and ledges helps kids explore balance and agility, and a whimsical collection of oversized blocks invite grabbing, sorting, stacking and more LSC collaborated with renowned toy designer Cas Holman on this new exhibition.
Also on view: Paw Patrol, through May 1.
Tickets: $27.99/adults, $22.99/children 2-12 (these are advanced ticket prices, at the door is $2 more.) Liberty Science Center Liberty State Park 222 Jersey City Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 201- 200-1000 Online: lsc.org
The Orchid Show: Jeff Leatham’s Kaleidoscope
NYBG/ Marlon Co
Needing a hit of floral beauty to fend off the winter blues? Head to the New York Botanic Garden to see the dazzling floral creations of Jeff Leatham, famed artistic director of the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris and floral designer to the stars. Marking the return of The Orchid Show for the 19th year Leatham's bold and colorful living installations and designs transform the historic Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. See stunning orchid towers of orange, yellow, and green, undulating fields of white, and overhead plumes of purple, together with artistic embellishments and a kaleidoscopic tunnel of lights, will enthrall visitors.
Originally debuted in 2020, The Orchid Show: Jeff Leatham’s Kaleidoscope was on track to be NYBG’s most popular Orchid Show yet. Now's your chance to catch it!
February 26 -May 1 Tickets: $30/adults; $28/students & seniors; 2-12/$15, 2 and under/free Enid A. Haupt Conservatory The New York Botanical Garden 2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx 718-817-8700 Online: nybg.org
In America: An Anthology of Fashion
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met's Costume Institute unveils part two of its show dedicated to American fashion, In America: An Anthology of Fashion in May. (Part one, In America: A Lexicon of Fashion remains on view through September 5.) The new exhibition will feature approximately 100 examples of men’s and women’s dress dating from the 19th to the mid-late 20th century. The garments will be presented in The Met's American Wing period rooms, or historical interiors, which encapsulate a curated survey of more than a century of American domestic life and reveal a variety of stories—from the personal to the political, the stylistic to the cultural, and the aesthetic to the ideological.
As part of the show, eight film directors will create fictional cinematic vignettes, or “freeze frames,” within each room, imparting new perspectives on American fashion and highlighting the directors’ singular aesthetics. Directors participating include Martin Scorsese, Chloé Zhao, Regina King, Tom Ford and Sophia Coppola.
Opens May 2 1000 Fifth Ave. Upper East Side 212-535-7710 Online: metmuseum.org
Tomás Saraceno: Particular Matter(s)
Nicholas Knight
We kind of doubt you've ever seen anything quite like this. Tomás Saraceno: Particular Matter(s) is described as "a large-scale exhibition and sensory experience with spiderwebs, air, and the cosmic web." Staged at the Hudson Yards art and gallery space The Shed, the exhibit features an expansive gallery exhibition as well as a newly commissioned sensory experience, Free the Air: How to hear the universe in a spider/web, a 95-foot-diameter installation in The Shed’s soaring McCourt space. You get to choose which part or parts of the exhibit you'd like to experience, with ticket prices adjusted accordingly. Note that you must be age 8 or older to experience Free the Air, and that it involves walking on a metal web—either 12- or 40-feet in the air, in low light with haze effects. Sound too much? You can get tickets for just the Gallery portion, but note that that can be very low light in places as well. This is the largest exhibition of Saraceno's work in the U.S. to date. Tickets are timed, released in batches, and must be booked in advance.
Feb. 11-April 17 Tickets: Gallery only: $12/adults; free/18 and under; Free the Air: $35/adults; $12/ages 8-18 545 W. 30th Hudson Yards 718-941-1424 Online: theshed.org
Sharks at the American Museum of Natural History
AMNH
See these creatures like you never have before: up close and personal. (And really big!) Sharks features 30 life-size models that range from 33 feet to the size of the palm of your hand. Your kids will learn about their evolutionary history, anatomy, habitats, diets, and how to keep them safe for future generations to study and enjoy.
Through August 14, 2022
Tickets: (includes general admission plus one special exhibit) $28/adults, $16.50/children, $22.50/seniors & students, free/2 and under American Museum of Natural History 200 Central Park West 212-769-5100 Online: amnh.org
Wings Over Water at AMNH
Wings Over Water Crew
On the big (very big) screen at AMNH is Wings Over Water is a new giant-screen film epic that follows the journeys of three amazing bird families. See extraordinary footage of the fascinating behaviors of Sandhill Crane, the Yellow Warbler, and the Mallard Duck as they defy all odds and soar across mountains, deserts, cities, and forests, heading home to raise their young. Award-winning actor Michael Keaton narrates the film.
Tickets: (includes general admission plus one special exhibit) $28/adults, $16.50/children, $22.50/seniors & students, free/2 and under American Museum of Natural History 200 Central Park West Upper West Side 212-769-5100 Online: amnh.org
African/American: Making the Nation’s Table at Museum of Food and Drink
MOFAD
The Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) presents African/American: Making the Nation’s Table. Displayed within the newly-constructed home of partner The Africa Center at Aliko Dangote Hall, this first-of-its-kind exhibition celebrates the countless contributions of Black chefs, farmers, and food and drink producers who have laid the foundation for American food culture. Highlights include the Legacy Quilt, which depicts, a selection of hundreds of stories; those who wish can contribute their own stories via an online interactive component. Also on display is the Ebony Magazine Test Kitchen—saved from wreckage thanks to preservationists Landmarks Illinois and accessible to the public for the first time in history. Described by The Chicago Tribune as “the most distinctive test kitchen ever created,” it was the site where recipes from Ebony food editors created dishes such as oyster gumbo to sweet potato pudding. The multisensory experience features a soundtrack curated by musician, farmer and chef Kelis, and video interviews with former Ebony food editors.
It's a great time to visit The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, as it's celebrating 40 years in 2022. February also brings Kids Week (Feb. 19-26), The Museum’s annual fun-filled festival of daily activities in which kids of all ages can explore space, science, technology and the arts. Also in February: NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover and Ingenuity Helicopter models are on display in the Space Shuttle Pavilion.
Climb aboard this real aircraft carrier parked on the west side in Midtown and explore its interior, then check out the supersonic airliner Concorde, the space shuttle Enterprise, and Growler, the only American diesel-powered guided missile submarine open to the public. The Museum’s renowned collection also features 28 historic aircraft, such as a Lockheed A-12, the world’s fastest military jet and spy plane; a WWII-era Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber, and a soon to be unveiled Douglas F4D Skyray that flew off of Intrepid.
To get even more out of your visit, use the museum's Interactive Mobile Guide, which allows guests to scan QR codes on exhibits for more info. Entrance is by timed tickets—buy them here—and the museum is now open seven days a week, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tickets: $33/adults; $31/seniors, $24/ages 5-12 Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Pier 86 West 46th St. & 12th Ave. Midtown Manhattan 212-245-0072 Online: intrepidmuseum.org
The Happiness Experiment at the New York Hall of Science
This exhibit was open for just seven weeks before Hurricane Ida caused serious damage causing NYSCI to close. As of February 19 (after some major cleanup), the museum, and The Happiness Experiment is open again! The exhibit helps children (and grownups) learn how happiness is translated from the external world into their minds and out of their personalities through neuroscience. Visitors will learn good habits on maintaining happiness—and how to interact with others when feeling out of sorts. The show also stresses that happiness is just one emotion that we experience and that it’s ok to not be happy all of the time. What's important is to learn how to verbalize hurt, disappointment or sadness, while also respecting others.
Open Fri., 2-5 p.m., Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tickets: $25/adult. $20/children New York Hall of Science 47-01 111th St., Queens 718-699-0005 Online: nysci.org
Andy Warhol: Revelation
This show presents Andy Warhol in a less familiar light than many are used to, looking at his Byzantine Catholic upbringing, and its profound impact on his life and work. From iconic portraits of celebrities to appropriated Renaissance masterpieces, Warhol played with styles and symbolism from Catholic art history, carefully reframing them within the context of Pop art and culture. Throughout his life, Warhol retained some of his Catholic rituals, while also unapologetically living as an out gay man. Among the more than 100 objects on view are rare source materials and newly discovered items that provide a fresh and intimate look at Warhol's creative process, as well as major paintings from his epic Last Supper series (1986), the experimental film The Chelsea Girls (1966). Advance ticket purchase required for timed entry.
Closed Mon. & Tues. Through June 19 The Brooklyn Museum 200 Eastern Pkwy Crown Heights 718-638-5000 Online: brooklynmuseum.org
NYPL
The largest branch of the New York Public Library has opened a new and exciting permanent exhibit called, Treasures: The Polonsky Exhibit. Here you will find 250 pieces from historical artifacts to pop culture. Some of the items on display include thousands-year-old Iraqi cuneiform tablets, the stuffed animals owned by the real-life Christopher Robbin that inspired the children’s book, “Winnie the Pooh,” the Declaration of Independence with John Hancock’s famous signature, and so much more. The collection is expansive and includes at least a few things that will blow the kids' (and your) mind! Bring headphones to listen to the Audio Guide!
*Tickets are free, but you must reserve a timed-entry ticket in advance. Masks are required.
Permanent exhibit Tickets: Free, registration required NYPL: Stephen Schwartzman Building 476 Fifth Ave. Midtown 917-275-6975 Online: nypl.org
See It Before It Goes!
Greater New York at MoMA: PS1
PS1 is the contemporary art annex of the famous MoMA and lives inside a former elementary school. Navigating the staircase is sure to be familiar for children and adults alike. Greater New York, focuses specifically on the art history of New York City. Featuring 47 artists whose works reflect their community and what New York means to them, this exhibit reflects the city as it emerges from a shut-down which left institutions with a very uncertain future. With a range of mediums and bright colors, this exhibit is a treat for the eyes.
Through April 18, 2022 Closed Tues. & Wed. 22-25 Jackson Ave. Long Island City Queens 718-784-2084 Online: moma.org
Puppets of New York at the Museum of the City of New York
Asya Gorovits/MCNY
The puppets take Manhattan at the Museum of the City of New York's latest exhibit. This delightful show explores the history of puppetry in New York City which dates back to the 1800s, with a look at the different kinds of puppets, from sock to shadow to rod. Familiar favorites on view include Howdy Doody, Oscar the Grouch and Lambchop & Friends, as well as lesser-known characters like the giant head of salsa legend, Hector Lavoe and the John Cusack string puppet from Being John Malkovich.
On view through April 2022 Tickets: $20/adults, Free/20 and under Museum of the City of New York 1220 Fifth Ave. East Harlem 212-534-1672 Online: mcny.org
This popular kids museum is currently open on weekends, select holidays, and Thursdays from 2-5 p.m., when entry is pay what you wish. (You still need to make a reservation.) Popular longstanding exhibits include World Brooklyn, Neighborhood Nature, Totally Tots, Collections Central and The Nest. Admission includes access to the ColorLab art studio, where families have the opportunity to explore printmaking, collage and sculpture projects inspired by artists such as Elizabeth Catlett, Richard Hunt, Faith Ringgold and Kehinde Wiley, among others. You must make a timed reservation for a three-hour visit. Do that here.
Visiting for a limited time is A-MAZE-D, a maze created from corrugated cardboard boxes that transforms the museum's second-floor Exhibit Gallery into a twisting and turning adventure made up of winding corridors and tunnels. It's a full-body experience for visitors of all ages, with special areas designated for the smallest visitors. A painted cityscape sets the backdrop for the built environment, with visitors seeing NYC landmarks at every turn. The exhibit is created in partnership with artist and puzzlemaker Dave Phillips.
Sat. & Sun. and select holidays.; Thursdays, 2-5 p.m., pay what you wish Tickets: $13 145 Brooklyn Ave. Crown Heights 718-735-4400 Online: brooklynkids.org
Mandala Lab at the Rubin Museum
Rubin Museum
Unlike other museums, this exhibit is meant to turn the focus on the viewer. It guides visitors through meditative practices and encourages them to dig deep and get in touch with their emotions. The exhibit provides activities to teach one how to channel any negative feelings through positive outlets in order to encourage personal growth and wisdom. Mandalas are meant to provide a point of focus so one can free themselves of the thoughts of daily life. There are also meditation rooms and spiritual gongs partly submerged in water to help center the mind. Advance reservation is required.
Tickets: $19/adults; $14/students; free/kids 12 and under, and Fridays, 6-10 p.m. Closed, Mon.-Wed. 150 W. 17th St. Chelsea 212-620-5000 Online: rubinmuseum.org
ONGOING
The Halls of Gems and Minerals at the American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History is a favorite of both kids and adults, and one of the museum's most popular and beloved spaces, the Hall of Gems has been completely redesigned and reinstalled, and is now the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals.
The 11,000-square-foot hall showcases one of the greatest collections of its kind. Dazzling gems on view include the legendary 563-carat Star of India sapphire, the 632-carat Patricia Emerald, and the 110-carat diamond Organdie necklace designed by Michelle Ong for Carnet. Plus new specimens including a pair of towering, sparkling amethyst geodes that are among the world’s largest on display, a slice of a 35-million-year-old metasequoia—a petrified dawn redwood from the Cascade Mountains—the 9-pound almandine Subway Garnet discovered under Manhattan’s 35th Street in 1885, and the Tarugo, a 3-foot-tall cranberry-colored elbaite tourmaline that is one of the largest intact mineral crystal clusters ever found. Wow! Maybe the best news of all? It's included in the General Admission price to the museum, and is on permanent view!
American Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street Upper West Side 212-769-5100 Online: amnh.org
The New York Transit Museum
New York City Transit Museum
Set in an actual decommissioned train station with a functioning platform, you’ll see trains and turn-styles of bygone eras and unlike other museums, the NYTM encourages their young visitors to not only touch, but also to play. With several vintage train cars and buses, your child can get in the driver’s seat and be the conductor or choose to enjoy the ride through many decades!
New York Transit Museum Tickets: $10/adults, $5/children & seniors 99 Schermerhorn St. 718-694-1600 Online: nytransitmuseum.org
The Jim Henson Exhibition
The Muppets Studio LLC
This incredible retrospective of master puppeteer and creator Jim Henson at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens is open again after a long Covid-19 pause. (The Museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.)
Museum of the Moving Image 36-01 35th Ave. Astoria 718-777-6888 Online: movingimage.us
Children's Museum of Manhattan
CMOM
The Children's Museum of Manhattan is open with lots of safety precautions in place to keep everyone healthy, including routine sanitizing, temperature checks, reduced capacity, masks and social distancing.
Visits to the museum are capped at two hours, and must be booked in advance. During that time, your family can explore all the exhibits at the museum, and take part in educator-led activities such as storytime, an art scavenger hunt, themed art projects and music and dance-time.
The museum is open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wednesday - Sunday.
Tickets: $15/kids and adults; $12/seniors, free/infants and members Children’s Museum of Manhattan 212 W. 83rd St. Upper West Side 212-721-1223 Online: www.cmom.org
The Museum of Ice Cream
Museum of Ice Cream NYC
Yes, the Museum of Ice Cream is open! An immersive walk-through experience dedicated to the sweet treat, the MOIC opened a permanent NYC flagship in December of 2019, but shut down in March. It's back, and COVID-19 precautions are in place, and include a new ventilation system, mask and glove requirements, deep cleanings at the beginning and end of every day, cleaning surfaces following any touching by visitors, capacity reduction, etc. You can read all safety measures here.
If you missed your chance to visit this shrine to slime when it opened last year, you have another chance. It's slightly altered (people play with their own slimes, not a collective vat, as was done previously), and you get to take slime home. Expect artisanal, scented slime, interactive activities, a massive DIY slime bar, slime experiments, an immersive ASMR tunnel, a lake of slime to walk on, and more. Advanced tickets are timed, masks are required, staff is in masks and gloves, and capacity is reduced. Dress in your get messy clothes and prepare to open your wallet: it's $39 a ticket. A percentage of sales goes to mental health charities.
Created in Zagreb, Croatia (with additional outposts in Vienna, Kuala Lumpur, and beyond) the museum is both educational and a spot for fun photo ops. Visitors can explore more than 70 elements and experiences that include "illusionistic rooms", optical illusions, and puzzles. Every "piece" in the museum is accompanied by a clear and concise explanation of what is causing or creating the illusion; mathematical, biological, and psychological concepts are all touched upon, as are perception, vision, and how the human brain works. This museum is an outstanding (and very fun) way to engage kids with complex scientific principles, and help them understand through experience. The well-curated gift shop allows you to take home some of the brain-bending fun.
The American Kennel Club celebrates humans' best friend with its Museum of the Dog on Park Avenue. (Previously located in St. Louis, the museum is now housed in the same building as the AKC.) Expect fine art such as paintings and sculptures dedicated to dogs big and small, as well as tributes created using modern technology. Ticketing is by advanced reservation, and masks are required. The museum is closed Mondays.
Tickets: $15/adults; $5/kids 12 and under, $10/seniors 65 and older 101 Park Ave. Upper East Side 212-696-8360 Online: museumofthedog.org
Chicago has a rich roller skating history rooted in the James Brown “JB” style, known for elaborate footwork. It’s also the birthplace of roller derby. While rinks are few and far between, you can still get your glide on at select retro-fun spots that have stood the test of time. Introduce your kids to this slick part of Chicago’s history and impress them with your 8-wheeled dance moves at these local hangouts.
Roll into Glenwood and you can easily transport yourself to the 80s, skating with hair scrunchied in a crimped high pony, jeans perfectly pegged and the smell of Electric Youth wafting behind you. Spritz the family with Aqua Net and take a few turns around the rink.
You’ll dig the polished hardwood floor and colored lights gleaming overhead. It sets the scene for open family skate on Wed. 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Sat., 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.-11 p.m. and Sun. 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. If you have first-timers in your group, lessons are offered for all ages, Sat., 10:30 a.m.-noon.
MLK Skating is a city icon and a popular destination for birthday parties and school field trips. It's just one part of the Chicago Park District’s Dr. Martin Luther King Park and Entertainment Area opened by Mayor Daley in 2003. The rink is open for all ages Tues.-Sun., with Glow skating every Saturday. Once you’ve gotten your fill of skating, you can swap your wheels for bowling shoes or hit the arcade for gaming.
Music, games and pizza, pizza, pizza make for good old-fashioned fun at this west suburban hotspot. Glide your way around the rink to sounds of the top 40 every Sat. and Sun., 1 p.m.-4 p.m. This family-friendly skate intersperses freestyle skating with the hokey pokey, backward skating, races and buddy skating, where two or three people are encouraged to hold hands and do their best to not pull each other to the floor. Beginners can take lessons every Sat., noon-1 p.m.
Family-owned Lombard Roller Rink offers a clean, friendly environment to introduce kids to skating. Families are invited to take a spin, Fri.-Sun, and classes are offered for kids every Sat., noon-12:45 p.m. They also offer an artistic skating club that competes in several disciplines and at all levels.
The Rink was first opened in 1974 by then-husband and wife duo Carmen Clark and Nate Simpson. The idea was born from a desire to bring entertainment options a little closer to home, as they were always driving to the suburbs for a family night out. Although it has recently changed ownership, the new owners, Ramona and Curtis, are committed to keeping this Chatham neighborhood staple as it's always been. A place that's boiling over with positive energy and a focus on community building. Note: due to planned renovations along with vandalism in November, The Rink is closed with a re-grand opening planned for March.
Located just outside Chicago in Summit, Fleetwood is celebrating nearly 65 years of showing families a good time. Slide-in for open skate on Wed. and Fri.-Sun. Wobbly skaters can beef up their skills with lessons, Sat., noon-1 p.m. Kids who take lessons can skate for half-price, Sat., 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Coachlite has open skate Fri.-Sun. and discounted sessions on Wed. You can also book Dart Dasher Nerf where kids engage in nerf gun wars while a light show and music play in the background. These 2-hour private sessions that include pizza and game referees are a great high-energy birthday party idea.
Tinley Park Roller Rink believes the fastest path to happiness is found on skates. Who are we to disagree? Visit them for family skates on Sat., Sun. and Wed. They also typically open on school holidays, so follow them on Facebook to stay up-to-date on schedule changes.
17658 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park; Online: tinleyrink.com
Maggie Daley Park
Infuse a bit of fresh air into your skate session at Maggie Daley's Skating Ribbon. The outdoor ribbon is open Apr. 30-Sep. 26 for rollerblading and mico-scootering. Rentals are available for both. Open skate times vary depending on the month, so check the website before making a plan to visit.
This place is great for families with young kids because it's designed for ages 14 & under. Skate sessions are held Tues., Wed. and Fri.-Sun. Plan a family date night on Wed. when the price of admission also gets you all-you-can-eat pizza. For a budget-friendly option, go on Tues. when admission is just $2.
Lynwood Sport Center has a cinematic history as the rink was featured in the movie Roll Bounce released in 2005. The best time for families to check out this sweet rink is Sat., Sun. and Tues. On Tues., order a large pizza, a pitcher of soda and your skate rentals for up to 4 people for $38.
Turn skating into a date-night (or day) opportunity with Chicago Athletic Association hotel's pop-up skate events. On select weekends, they host skate programming on the historic Stagg Court. Afterward, visit the Fine Arts Display Case on the 2nd floor to catch a glimpse of the hotel's vintage skates. Keep an eye on their website and Instagram for future announcements.
Spring Break is almost here! Tired of staring at the same four walls? Us too! And you don’t need deep pockets for some big fun. We’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite budget-friendly destinations across the country so your family can get out and make memories—all without splurging!
In the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle offers endless opportunities for adventure, wonder and exploration for the entire family. Amaze your kids with views from the Space Needle or hear them squeal in excitement as the fish fly at Pike Place Market. Be sure to check out the Seattle Children’s Museum and the Frank Gehry-designed Museum of Pop Culture—both make learning more fun than ever.
2. Boston, Massachusetts
Even if you’re not a history buff, you'll enjoy this: Boston's iconic 2.5 mile Freedom Trail connects 16 nationally significant historic sites that will leave you in awe. The Freedom Trail is a unique collection of museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution and beyond.
And don't miss The New England Aquarium,which houses over 2000 aquatic creatures of all kinds! It's located on Boston’s stunning Waterfront and super close to other attractions like Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.
3. Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Nestled in beautiful Bucks County, Langhorne has loads to offer families—did you know it’s the home of the iconic, one-and-only Sesame Place?! If you have young kids, a visit there is a must. There’s also plenty of free stuff to do outdoors. Head to Playwicki Parkand "monkey around" at the playground, take a hike through the nature trails, play ball at one of the sports fields or try your hand at fishing in the Neshaminy Creek. Take a stroll through Washington Crossing Historic Park, offering more than 500 acres of American history, natural beauty and family fun.
4. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville’s vibe is both cool and welcoming—a perfect spot for families with tweens and teens. Spend a day hiking in Pisgah National Forest or hit the Pinball Museum and play any of their 70 games all day for just $15 a person. Into history and shopping? Visit American’s first indoor mall, Grove Arcade. Shop for local treasures and grab a bite on “Restaurant Row” where you’ll find lots of variety from casual to upscale.
Anyone who goes to Nashville knows that hitting Broadway’s honky tonks is a tourist rite of passage. But what you might not know is that kids can hang out, too. All of the honky tonks have live music throughout the day—when it's significantly less crowded—and nearly all of them allow kids before 6 p.m.
The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is a can't-miss attraction when you're visiting the area with kids. But the real gem is the Nashville Zoo’s HCA Healthcare Veterinary Clinic, a state-of-the-art animal hospital with a very special feature. Guests of the zoo can visit the viewing area where they can watch animal procedures, a view enhanced by in-operating room cameras.
6. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Do you get excited about treasure hunts? Then don’t miss Bluefoot Pirate Adventure. Join this fun and interactive pirate cruise where families can have fun chasing a pirates’ treasure hunt in the waterway. Enjoy more outdoor adventures at Sawgrass Recreation Park or take an airboat ride through the Florida Everglades for an alligator sighting. You can spot several animals, like wolves, leopards, snakes and even a Florida black panther in the animal park.
Be sure to visit The Flamingo Gardens which are home to not only flamingos but houses more than 3,000 species of plants, trees and wildlife. It's a great place for family fun as you explore the various collections and sanctuaries.
7. Moab, Utah
A natural wonder, Moab is surrounded by some of the most stunning red rock landscapes on Earth. Arches National Park contains the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches. There are easy trails providing opportunities for kids to get out of the car and explore the arches up close. There are also short, kid-friendly trails to hike and explore!
When you've had your fill of adventure, Moab’s perfect climate has made it a magnet for year-round outdoor events and festivals, and the downtown business district boasts a great collection of restaurants, microbreweries, shops and galleries.
8. Houston, Texas
The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston packs in over 6,000 years of history in its 64,000-plus pieces of art from 6 continents. View world-renowned artwork like Monet’s Water Lilies, Glieze’s La Femme and sculptures and paintings from the Roman period. Taking the 45-minute tour is the best way to cover all the highlights.
Old MacDonald’s Farm is an activity center featuring a range of fun things to do, from mini-train rides to pumpkin patches to swimming pools to a petting zoo.Pet a range of animals including cows, sheep, emus and llamas. In addition to playgrounds and pony rides, there are slides for the young ones and a volleyball area for older kids.
9. Portland, Oregon
Portlanders are super proud of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry—and for good reason! OMSI is one of the largest science museums in the country, and kids love learning through play here.
Washington Park is a highlight in Portland, for sure. With over 145 acres, this green space was designed by the same landscape architects who designed NYC's famed Central Park. Be sure not to miss its International Rose Test Garden. More than 10,000 individual rose bushes bloom yearly, representing over 610 different rose varieties. This garden is truly a delight and smells simply magnificent! Bonus: It's free to visit.
10. Scottsdale, Arizona
This Southwestern city has a lot to offer beyond cute cacti! Butterfly Wonderland delights visitors with its display of living fluttering beauties in America’s largest butterfly conservatory. In addition to butterflies and moths, your family can view other insects plus reptiles, amphibians, honeybees and tropical fish on display.
Saddle up for fun at MacDonald’s Ranch. This horse stable offers guided trail rides and stagecoach tours through the desert. You can even book a desert cookout along with a hayride, stagecoach tour or horseback adventure for a truly memorable experience.
If your family is looking for a hands-on way to celebrate Black History month in Boston, why not head out in search of important landmarks, monuments and museums. From the early days of slavery to exhibits that showcase the contributions of Black Americans, kids will learn lots while exploring and playing.
Boston Black: A City Connects
@Gus Freedman
Because kids learn through play, bring your curious cuties to the Boston Children’s Museum to experience the rich and diverse Black communities that call Boston home. The concepts of race, ethnicity, identity and community are the backdrop of this hands-on exhibit where kids can help decorate a float for an Afro-Caribbean celebration or dance like no one’s watching at Café Sodade. What a great way for kids to learn about the neighborhoods and cultures that surround them everyday.
Linked by the 1.5 mile Black Heritage Trail, you’ll find about two dozen sites on the north face of Beacon Hill that encompass the most pre-Civil War Black-owned historic buildings (think: homes, businesses, schools and churches) in the U.S. Families can take a self-guided tour of the area any time of year or wait for ranger-led group tours to return this spring. Remember to pull out the scavenger hunt and work to earn a junior ranger badge when you walk it with the kids.
Good to know: One of the most recognizable monuments here is the 54th Regiment & Robert Gould Shaw Memorial on the northeast corner of Boston Common that honors one of the first African American regiments of the Civil War.
Another important building you’ll see along the Black Heritage Trail is the Museum of African American History. It’s hard to miss its “African Meeting House” sign hung out front. Walk through its doors to see authentic representations of 18th and 19th century life for African Americans in its exhibits, programs and educational activities. Tickets are required.
Good to know: The next time you’re on Nantucket, visit the museum’s campus there to learn about a thriving 19th century African American community on the island.
While it’s the oldest public park in the country, Boston Common is also the end point of Dr. Martin Luther King’s 1965 Civil Rights March (the first in the Northeast) that started in Roxbury. More than 20,000 people marched down Columbus Avenue on that day.
A tribute to three phenomenal women who called Boston home, this memorial is located on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Take time to read about literary prodigy Phillis Wheatley. Wheatley was born in West Africa and sold into slavery, and her book, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, was the first to be published by an African in America.
Commonwealth Avenue Mall 484 Commonwealth Ave. Boston, MA Online:boston.gov
Local Parks & Playgrounds
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Because our kids always need room to roam and swings to swing on, a couple of city playgrounds have made our list. Add a history lesson to your next park playdate when you visit Malcolm X Park, named after the prominent human rights leader and activist. Or bring your tots to climb and slide on the equipment at James H Roberts Memorial Playground. Roberts was a community leader and WWII veteran who spent nearly 30 years at the State Treasury Department.
Malcolm X Park 150 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Boston, MA
James H. Roberts Memorial Playground 112 Hooker St. Boston, MA
Because we love all things kids, we’re crushing hard on these colorful murals by local muralist and dad, Rob “ProBlak” Gibbs. This visual artist and organizer sees his graffiti art as a way to “document and pay homage to underserved communities.” We’re looking forward to his next big public installation—it’ll be coming to The Greenway mural at Dewey Square in May of this year.
Black history is all around you at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, whether you’re wandering the Africa collection, marveling at the Robert Owen Lehman Collection of art from West Africa in the Benin Kingdom Gallery or admiring the contemporary art of Lauren Halsey’s The Banner Project. Parent bonus? Kids 6 and under are always free.
Hours: Thu.-Mon., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Avenue of the Arts 465 Huntington Ave. Boston, MA Online:www.mfa.org
National Center for Afro American Artists
Another great spot for art is the National Center for Afro American Artists in Roxbury. Explore artists of the African diaspora at its galleries housed in the historic Abbotsford Estate. The NCAAA is also home to the Black Nativity (written by Langston Hughes), a cherished seasonal tradition.
Take a walk through time at the historic Royall House and Slave Quarters in Medford. Once home to the largest slave-owning family and the enslaved Africans who lived there, families can tour both buildings. The Colonial mansion hosted many famous historical figures like George Washington, while the slave quarters are believed to be "the only surviving freestanding slave quarters in the Northeast." There is a fee to tour the mansion, but visitors can explore the slave quarters for free, where they'll see exhibits that include materials unearthed on-site in the early 2000s.
Explore one of DC’s many historically Black neighborhoods and Black historic sites and landmarks in celebration of Black History Month this February. From reflecting on the Civil Rights movement on the National Mall to getting a hands-on education about Black Civil War regiments at the African American Civil War Museum, we’ve rounded up some of the most notable sites and some off-the-beaten path locations to help guide you when exploring Black history here in DC.
Home of the Bison, this historically Black university sits on the edge of the U St. corridor (see below) in DC's Shaw neighborhood. Famous graduates includes our first Black, first Asian and first woman Vice President Kamala Harris, the Supreme Court's first Black justice Thurgood Marshall, author Toni Morrison, the first Black mayor of NYC David Dinkins and more. The university's library, Founders Library, is listed on the national registry of historic places; it's bell tower can be seen prominently beyond campus.
Editor's Note: Founder's Library is temporarily closed to the public.
This memorial depicting one of the first Black Union regiments formed during the Civil War is on permanent display in the National Gallery of Art. The bronze work of art depicts Colonel Robert Gould Shaw parading to the Boston docks before departing for South Carolina with his troop. When you visit, be sure to check out this National Park Service guide that shares the 1,500 names of the men who served this regiment.
Constitution Ave. NW, Between 3 & 9th St. National Mall Online:nga.gov
Stretching two blocks on 16th St. (south of K St.), the Black Lives Matter Plaza feature a boldly painted yellow mural in all caps declaring: Black Lives Matter. The Plaza along with a street sign bearing the same name, were dedicated on June 5, 2020 (the birthday of Breonna Taylor). Originally used as grounds for demonstrations due to the close proximity to the White House, in Oct. of 2021 it became a permanent installation and remains a pedestrian-friendly walkway where people often come to photograph the 50 ft. letters.
Starting at K & 16 St. Downtown DC
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
Frederick Douglas National Historic Site
It took two generations to establish and restore this spot as a National Historic Site. Cedar Hill, the Southeast DC home where escaped slave turned preeminent orator and scholar,Frederick Douglass, lived his final years. Now serving as an educational center, Cedar Hill runs tours, and sponsors family-friendly events throughout the year, including Douglass’s birthday celebration.
Insider Tip: You can tour this property from the comfort of your home here.
1411 W St., SE Anacostia 202-426-5961 Online: nps.gov
The U St. corridor was once known as the Black Broadway district. Flanked by Howard Theatre on the east end and 14th St. on the west, this neighborhood was DC's cultural epicenter from the early 1900s to the mid '60s. Explore this cultural stomping ground by starting at Howard Theatre, the iconic stage where legends like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday and Nat King Cole got their start and heading northwest and pass the Bohemian Caverns (a former speakeasy hidden by a first floor pharmacy where Duke Ellington was a frequent performer), and continue west to historic Lincoln Theatre; don't forget to stop in near-by DC landmark Ben's Chili Bowl, a black-owned
Pay tribute to the iconic abolitionists Mary and Emily Edmonson. The bronze memorial at 1701 Duke St. in Alexandria (directly across the street from Whole Foods) sits steps away from the former the Bruin's Jail where the sisters, then 15 and 13, were held after they tried to escape the clutches of slavery on a New Jersey-bound schooner, The Pearl. The sisters were later freed by their father (with the help of a abolitionist and minister Henry Ward Beecher) when he paid $2,250 for their emancipation. Bruin's Jail is now an office building, but you can read the historical plague in front of it at 1707 Duke Street.
To honor the most powerful voice of the Civil Rights movement, this memorial has 15 quotes etched in granite to inspire the next generation. From "Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope" on the Martin Luther King Jr. statue to "True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice" on the north wall, these inscriptions etched in granite offer a chance for families to collectively reflect on some of Martin Luther King Jr's most moving words.
Take a ten minute walk from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and you will reach the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his most famous speech, "I Have a Dream." Step into history; eighteen steps from the top of the memorial is an inspiration dedicated to the very spot Martin Luther King Jr. stood when he addressed the crowd of 250,000 on the National Mall.
Editor's Tip: Take part in history! Download the "I Have a Dream" speech from PBS and listen to it as you stand in the very spot it was delivered. You'll also find educational lessons to do at home on the PBS site.
2 Lincoln Memorial Cir. NW National Mall Online:nps.gov/linc/
This church is the oldest Black church in Washington, DC. Once a slave and tobacco trading site in the early 1800s, it became a church in 1816 and later a station on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. It is believed a vault on the Burial Grounds was used to hide enslaved people as they made their way north. You can learn more about the church's history as well as the original Black citizens of Georgetown at the church's Heritage Center (2906 O Street). To note: tours are by appointment only. Other near-by points of interest on Georgetown's African American Heritage Trail include Rose Park Recreation Center, the John H. Fleet residence, the Emma V. Brown residence, and more.
1334 29th St. NW Georgetown 202-234-0148 Online:mtzionumcdc.org
National Museum of African-American History and Culture
National Museum of African-American History and Culture
The stunning building, inspired by Yoruba art and filigree ironwork, is filled with presentations and artifacts that give visitors a glimpse at all aspects—the good and the gut-wrenching—of the African American experience. It’s a must-visit for the entire family. See our in-depth guide here.
Editor's Note: This museum is closed on Mon.-Tues. Get your timed entry pass here.
1400 Constitution Ave. NW National Mall Online:nmaahc.si.edu
For a peek at the first DC statue to honor both a woman and an African-American, head to Lincoln Park to visit the Mary McLeod Bethune memorial (erected in 1974). Bethune is remembered as a civil rights leader, a suffragist and the first African-American woman to head a Federal agency. She may be best known for her contributions to education; she founded the Bethune-Cookman University, which is today’s only historically Black college to have been founded by a woman. What better way to celebrate Bethune’s passion for education than with the game I Spy with sight words. Come prepared with flashcards for the following words, which can all be found in the statue's inscription: LOVE, HOPE, EDUCATION, RESPECT, FAITH, and DIGNITY.
"Spirit of Freedom,' which sits at the corner of Vermont Avenue and 10th Street, honors the 209,145 Black soldiers and officers who served under the Bureau of United States Colored Troops in the fight to free enslaved Black Americans. Across the street, you'll find the African-American Civil War Museum. Tours of the actual museum are by appointment only; this living museum has a number of must-book programs that bring history to life through re-enactments, including the one-hour, award-winning School of the Soldierprogram for elementary and middle schoolers.
Richmond is steeped in important Black history and here are just a few of the ways you can experience it with your kids.
Visit the home of Maggie Lena Walker, a newspaper editor, bank president and champion of civil rights for African Americans and women. Join a tour of her home and an exhibit hall, watch a short film about her life and walk in the footsteps of a great activist of the early 20th century. There's also a Maggie L. Walker Memorial Plaza.
The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia celebrates the rich culture and history African Americans people in Virginia and has permanent exhibits that explore Jim Crow, Reconstruction, Emancipation and more.
You can also explore Richmond’s monuments: Virginia Civil Rights Memorial on the Capitol grounds, Slavery Reconciliation Statue, Henry Box Brown, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson monument and the Arthur Ashe monument on Monument Ave. There's also a self-guided Richmond Slave Trail: Walk along and discover seventeen different markers that display the somber truth about slavery in Richmond.
At the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts entrance along historic Arthur Ashe boulevard, you'll find Rumors of War, a powerful sculpture by Black artist Kehinde Wiley’s. You'll also currently find the the Marcus-David Peter Circle (Robert E. Lee Monument) where artist Dustin Klein's light projections on the statue of Robert E. Lee include images and videos of Black citizens who are victims of police brutality, including Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, as well as projects of iconic Black leaders like Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Billie Holiday, and Malcom X.
There’s no better time to hit the trails than today! During this rainy winter, your crew is in for stunning greenery, soft trails and fresh brisk air. Scroll down to find out which hiking trails offer gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean, dramatic mountain ranges, raised creeks, city skylines and if you’re lucky—migrating whales. Soak in the views, splash in a few puddles and don’t forget your camera!
via Nicole Findlay
San Francisco
Lands End We love Lands End any time of year, but it's particularly beautiful (and less crowded) in the winter months. Park in the lots by the visitor's center and explore the nearby trails or head down the staircase towards Sutro Baths. The majority of the Lands End Trail is stroller friendly although there are a few offshoots to spots like the labyrinth that are not. Length: 3.4 mile loop
Glen Canyon Park Dramatic rock formations, staircases, Islais Creek and dirt trails sandwiched between Eucalyptus trees—Glen Canyon offers a 1.8 mile loop enjoyable for the entire family.
Golden Gate Park (Stow Lake and Strawberry Hill) Take an easy paved stroll around the lake or cross one of the two bridges and explore the dirt path encircling the foot of Strawberry Hill. Walk past Huntington Waterfalls and take a break in the Golden Gate Pavilion. Pick a staircase to climb. Meander your way to the top of Strawberry Hill for beautiful views of San Francisco, the Marin Headlands and the Golden Gate Bridge. When you've walked enough, check out the snack bar for coffee and baked goods (or a burger and a beer!). And if someone in the family isn't in the mood for a hike, rent a paddle boat and cycle the waterways!
Shell Ridge Open Space (Walnut Creek) Explore one of 6 easy trails ideal for the entire family or challenge your older kiddos to something a little more strenuous. With over 1,420 acres to explore and elevation options ranging from 183 to 1,548 feet, the lower flanks of Mount Diablo has something for everyone.
Sibley Volcano Park (Oakland) Did you know the Bay Area had a volcano? Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, home to many beautiful trails, is also home to the Bay Area's very own volcano! This volcano, Round Top, is about 10 million years old and is the source of all the volcanic rock in the park. While there are lots of trails to choose from, try the Round Top, Volcanic and Skyline Trail Loop for panoramic views and volcanic rock lined trails.
Lafayette Reservoir Loop (Lafayette) This 3 mile easy loop around the reservoir will delight all ages. And on Tuesday & Thursday afternoon (noon until closing) and Sunday mornings (opening to 11am), kids (and adults!) can ride scooters, rollerblades or roller skates on the paved Lakeside Trail.
Tilden Regional Park (Berkeley) Nestled in Tilden Regional Park, the beautiful one-mile Wildcat Gorge and Lake Anza loop around Lake Anza is perfect for exploring, bird watching and fishing. Be careful though— this trail is rocky in parts and can be muddy after a rainfall.
Mary Bowerman (Mount Diablo) For a view like no other, head over to Mount Diablo, just a short drive from Concord. Head up the mountain to the tippy top to check out the visitors center and learn all about the area's Native American history. The word on the street is that if you visit Mount Diablo the day after a winter rain storm you'll be able to see for hundreds of miles. Typical days offer a still-remarkable bird's-eye view above the clouds. Length: 0.8 mile
Ridge Top Loop (Mount Diablo) This is another fun option that's a little longer. Great views of Walnut Creek and Concord from the top. Length: 2.8 miles
Redwood Regional Park (Oakland) The ladybugs arrive every fall at Redwood Regional Park and it's a great hike for the kids. Follow the map to the Skyline Gate Staging Area parking lot abd take the Stream Trail about 1.5 miles just past Prince Trail junction and you’ll see a sign on the right. Ladybugs are all there, usually through February. Length: 3.0 miles
Kate Loweth
Penisula/South Bay
Mori Point Loop (Pacifica) We love this spot in the winter when you can look for migrating gray whales offshore. Bonus: most of these trails are stroller-friendly. Some are inclined and bumpy but worth the awesome ocean views. Keep your eyes open for blooming wild flowers, San Francisco Garter snakes and California red-legged frogs. The accessible trail off of Old Mori Rd. has restrooms nearby. Dress in layers as it gets pretty windy. Length: 2.5 miles
Stanford Dish (Palo Alto) Have you ever seen the famed satellite dish from 280? This gorgeous hike through rolling green hills gets you near it. Park at Junipero Serra Blvd. and Stanford Ave. to start the paved trail. This loop is fully exposed and at times can be really steep. The best time to visit is on the weekdays as the trail gets busy on the weekends. Use the bathroom before you go and carry your water as there are no facilities on site. Length: 3.7 miles
Fremont Older (Saratoga) This hundreds-of-acres large preserve includes miles of wide, pleasant trails. Enter the park gate at Prospect Road for a view of Silicon Valley, or take the Seven Springs Loop to enjoy the oak groves and search for lizards in the meadow. This trail can be hilly and is popular with bicyclists.
Amanda Findlay
Buzzards Roost (Big Sur) If you find yourself a little further down the coast, check out the many gorgeous hiking trails in Big Sur like this 2.6 mile loop. Plenty of redwood trees, mountain views, a river and as a reward for the incline—a spectacular view at the top that is especially glorious at sunset. Tip: travel clockwise to make the trip less steep.
Nicole Findlay
Marin
Batteries Loop (Marin Headlands) This one-mile loop shows you some history of the area with several Civil War-era batteries that are fun to explore. If you wish, you can walk down the stairs to Rodeo Beach on the water's edge below to add on to your hike. Length: 1 mile
Tomales Bay (Tomales) We love this option for a winter hike as you start off at a parking lot with plenty of spaces. If you make it all the way to end, you'll be in the marshy part of Tomales Bay Ecological reserve, a cool place to visit any time of year. Kids will love seeing the cows grazing nearby. Length: 2.5 miles
Tennessee Valley (near Mill Valley) Start at the parking lot near the horse stables then travel down the paved path until you meet the dirt trail. The trail curves along the valley floor and the mountains on either side are that much more colorful in winter. This out and back trail ends at a rocky beach—perfect for a picnic if you happen to be there on a sunny day. For older kids, hike the staircase to the left of the beach to reach the top of the cliffs for breathtaking views up and down the coast!
Phoenix Lake (Ross) Start from the main parking lot at Lagunitas Road. With lots of twists and turns, bridges and gorgeous views, this 2.8 mile loop is entertaining as it is beautiful and will NOT disappoint!
