Of course all stores, even national chains, vary their hours based on location—so it’s always a good idea to call ahead and check before you run out for those forgotten Peeps. We’ve got this year’s list of all the stores that should be open this Easter, so keep reading.
Here are all the open shops you can still hop to on Easter:
Albertson’s
CVS
Fresh Market
Home Depot
Kroger
Meijer
PetSmart
RiteAid
Safeway
Stop & Shop
Trader Joes
Vons
Walgreens
Walmart
Wegmans
Whole Foods
Here are all the stores that you definitely need to hit before Sunday, because they will be closed:
While these stores will be open in some capacity on Easter Sunday, most will have reduced hours.
Looking to snag the perfect camping spot for summer? Now’s the time to book one of these campgrounds near Portland, Oregon before it’s too late
Camping season is almost here, and you don’t want to wait to reserve your favorite (or new) spots for the warm-weather season. If your family loves to spend late spring, summer and early fall in the great outdoors sleeping under a starry sky, scroll down and check out some of our picks for the most family-friendly places to pitch a tent. Then book your stay, before the openings are all snapped up.
Visit a bit of Oregon’s history all while enjoying the Willamette River’s scenic landscape. Champing was the site of Oregon’s first provisional government formed in 1843. The park features a visitor center, Newell House, and the Pioneer Mothers Log Cabin museum to explore the Oregon pioneer life. The campsite features showers and flush toilets. Bring your bikes. A four-mile bicycle trail winds through meadows and along the river bank.
Located within a non-motorized section of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, this quiet campground has secluded sites and a peaceful vibe. Explore the nearby trails and the scenic dunes as you hike to the beach, or head out to nearby Eel Lake, or Umpqua Lighthouse State Park.
Want to ease the family into tent camping in a safe and beautiful campground? Stub Stewart State Park features a variety of campgrounds that vary from rustic hike-in campsites to deluxe cabins with hot showers and flush toilets. Stub Stewart State Park features 1,800 acres of hills, forest, and streams along with 25 miles of trails. The trails are well-manicured and include signage that help pick the right trails for differing fitness levels. In addition to hiking trails this campground also features 6 miles of cross-country and free-ride mountain bike trails as well as equestrian trails.
KOA, or Kampgrounds of America, has nearly 500 campgrounds across the United States. It has been around since 1962 and has been a household name for many campers over its history. KOA campgrounds feature a variety of different amenities that make it fun for the outdoor enthusiast as well as your pickiest child. The Astoria/ Warrenton/ Seaside campground features a year-round pool, mini golf, hot tub, and more. Sites available include everything from non-electric tent sites to deluxe cabins with full kitchens and private bathrooms. One of the most desired features of a KOA campground is the ability to easily book your next camping trip via the KOA app, website, or by phone. Prices are higher than traditional camp sites but there are the amenities to match it.
The history-rich campground of Fort Steven State Park will please even the pickiest of campers with its wide-selection of available activities including freshwater lake swimming, fishing, canoeing, hiking trails, beach-combing, bicycle trails, and tours of the former military installation. Find a variety of camping options from rustic tent sites to deluxe cabins. The campsite also features flush toilets and hot showers.
Can’t decide whether you want to retreat to the ocean or to the forest? Don’t decide! Beverly State Park’s forest-sheltered campground is just steps away from the ocean. In addition to a great location poised to please any sandcastle-loving kiddos, there is also a children’s playground and hot showers sure to make everyone is happy. This is an incredibly popular campsite and will fill up fast. Plan ahead and make your reservations for this site early.
While the furthest from Portland on this list, Suttle Lake is reachable within a couple hours drive and is worth the trip! The Suttle Lake area features three campgrounds: Blue Bay, Link Creek, and South Shore. The beauty of the Deshutes National Forest can be enjoyed from any of the three campsites along with fishing, hiking, swimming, and more.
Located off Hwy 20 about 10 miles southeast of the Santiam Summit of the Cascades Suttle Lake, OR Online:thesuttlelodge.com
Winter has arrived, which means it’s hot chocolate season. But don’t waste your time sipping an inferior cup: head to a place that serves some of NYC’s best hot chocolate. (There are many!) From classic with oversized marshmallows, to thick and rich or flavored, NYC has a hot chocolate for every kind of kid (and adult). Get cozy this winter at one of our many favorite hot cocoa spots in NYC!
La Maison du Chocolat isn’t cheap, but if you’re up for a slight splurge this French chocolatier is one of the best. The hot chocolate is everything you hope a cup would be: silky, rich and perfectly sweet. The luxurious taste may not be one to get every day, but for a special occasion with your little ones this is sure to satisfy your wildest hot chocolate dreams.
Yes, it's a bit of an oxymoron, but people have been making a pilgrimage to the Upper East Side for Serendipity3's Frrrozen Hot Chocolate for a few decades now. Recently reopened, everything about Serendipity3 is a little extra: the decor (stained-glass lamps, disco balls, puppet of Andy Warhol—a fan—suspended from the ceiling), the menu, giant both literally and figuratively, and the food. Make a reservation before heading over.
225 E. 60th St. Upper East Side 212-838-3531 Online: serendipity3.com
Stellar hot chocolate is just one of the reasons to visit this Soho chocolate shop. It's also famous for its handmade chocolate mice and penguins; see how they make them here. Come back in the summer for a rich and refreshing chocolate frappé.
One of our picks for the best theme restaurants in NYC, Max Brenner is dedicated to all things chocolate, including hot chocolate. (They have a full food menu as well.) Pick from dark, milk, or white hot chocolate, or one of the many flavored options, such as Mexican spicy hot chocolate, Oreo, peanut butter, or the "Italian Thick", melted blocks of chocolate with fresh vanilla cream. You can get all of these to go, but sipping there means you get to experience the signature Max Brenner "hug mug", shown here. Reservations are recommended.
841 Broadway Union Square 646-467-8803 Online: maxbrenner.us
A longtime favorite spot for locals, tourists and film scouts (this place looks like an old school soda fountain and ice cream parlor) Brooklyn Farmacy serves a classic cup of cocoa several ways. Options include oat milk hot chocolate, hot chocolate topped with whipped cream or house-made toasted marshmallow fluff, or the delectable salty caramel hot chocolate. Love it? You can buy a tin of it to bring home and make it yourself. Brooklyn Farmacy is closed Tuesdays.
It's not cheap and it’s not basic, but for a fancy outing with a child with discriminating tastes, SoHo shop MarieBelle is worth a trip. Antique furnishings and sparkling chandeliers complement fine chocolates of all kinds and a hot chocolate the store describes as "thick and decadent." Choose from a menu with variations such as Aztec (an "Oprah's Favorite Thing"), spicy, Tahitian Vanilla, white chocolate and even hot chocolate with natural banana pulp. A refined menu of cafe bites such as quiche, soup and crepes offers light eating options.
MarieBelle 484 Broome St. SoHo 212-925-6999 Online: mariebelle.com
Before he became a television star alongside Nicole Byer on Nailed It! Jacques Torres was (and still is) “Mr. Chocolate." Unhappy with the quality of chocolate that was available to him while working as a pastry chef, Jacques Torres constructed his own factory so he could make chocolate exactly the way he wanted from scratch. Try a cup of Classic, made from real chocolate, not powder. Or if you're more daring, go for the Wicked, with its extra kick of allspice, cinnamon and ground chili peppers. Both varieties are so thick they might be mistaken for milkshakes. Tip: They’ll let you try a little sample before you choose your cup. And FYI, JT also sells a Hot Chocolate Gift Set.
Jacques Torres Chocolate 66 Water St. DUMBO 718-875-1269 Online: mrchocolate.com
285 Amsterdam Upper West Side 212-787-3256 Online: mrchocolate.com
Grand Central Terminal Lexington Passageway 107 East 42nd St. Midtown 929-427-0988 Online: mrchocolate.com
The house-made hot chocolate at Bibble & Sip tastes like something just lifted from your grandmother’s stove. Even the marshmallow floating on top is homemade. This family-run business specializes in gourmet coffee, espresso and pastries, made in the French Confectionery tradition and inspired by Asian flavors. Good to know: the word “bibble” means “to eat indulgently”—so order up some sweet treats with your cocoa and coffee.
Bibble & Sip 253 West 51st St. Midtown West 646-649-5116 Online: bibbleandsip.com
The Chocolate Room is known for all of its outstanding chocolate products, but the Dark Hot Cocoa is our favorite. Made with 61% Belgian chocolate, it is one of the cafe's most popular drinks. Obviously, this is a good choice for chocolate-lovers; pair a cup with the brownie sundae or the chocolate pudding.
One of the loveliest elements of the holiday season, the Christmas tree, can lose its luster pretty quickly once the new year arrives. Good news! The city’s Mulchfest program makes it easy for you to recycle your Christmas tree and do some good for the city’s parks and young trees. Here’s how to get rid of your Christmas tree and do a little green good this year. (Plus: the last day for sanitation tree pickup and recycling!)
Treecycle it: MulchFest2021
NYC Department of Parks & Recreation
MulchFest is back! NYC’s own “TREECYCLE” tradition is taking place from December 26, 2021 to January 9, 2022. Last year the city mulched more than 29,000 trees, and it's pumped to set a new record for 2022!
Bring your tree (free of all decorations, netting and wrapping) and it will be recycled into wood chips to nourish trees and plants on NYC streets and gardens. Drop it off at one of the many Mulchfest locations around the city (there are many in every borough), or bring it on "Chipping Weekend", January 8 and 9, to see your tree reduced to bits live.
Bonus: If your own backyard needs some sprucing up, you can get a free bag of mulch to take home with you after your tree is chipped. (Locations marked with an asterisk have mulch for the taking.)
Spread the Love — and the Mulch! Feel like spreading some of that green love around? You and the kids can volunteer to add that awesome mulch to city trees. (The mulch helps protect young trees, shrubs and garden beds from the winter cold, helps plants retain moisture and provides a nice decorative touch.) Sound like the green, civic activity your family's been seeking? Events are happening in all boroughs on weekends in January. Click here to see locations, dates, and times and to register! (And remember, dress warmly, wear closed-toe shoes and a mask!)
Kick it To the Curb — and Still Recycle It!
Dates for Department of Sanitation Pick-Up Bring your tree down for curbside pick-up by the Department of Sanitation from January 6-15. Trees will be recycled into compost for NYC’s public spaces (parks, gardens, etc.). Be sure to remove all decorations from the tree and do not place the tree in a plastic bag.
Note: trees left curbside with holiday decorations of any kind remaining on them will be collected as garbage. If your metal or plastic imitation tree has worked its last holiday season, dispose of it with your normal recycling and it's off your hands.
Have Someone Else Do the Heavy Lifting — and Still Recycle It!: Removal Services
If you’re unable to physically take your tree down to the curbside or to a MulchFest chipping location or drop-off site, don’t worry. Services like NYC Trees can come to your home, remove the tree, and take it directly to a recycling location for you. Starting at $80 for a four-to-five-foot tree, NYC Trees makes the tree removal process (and clean up!) about as easy as it gets. (If you want them to take off your lights, ornaments, etc. expect to pay more.)
We’ve all gotten used to streaming blockbuster videos at home during the pandemic, especially when it comes to kid flicks. Thankfully, many films are coming to streaming providers earlier than ever, and that includes Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Encanto!
Disney’s newest film just hit theaters on Nov. 24, but you won’t have to wait much longer to view it from the comfort of your own sweatpants home. According to What’s on Disney Plus, the movie is coming to the Disney+ platform on Dec. 24! And while you wait for Friday to come, you can watch a special new featurette about the film right now!
Because the film is exclusively in theaters for 30 days, you won’t have to purchase Premier Access (usually $30) to watch it come Dec. 24. Your regular subscription is all you need!
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto tells the story of the Madrigal family, who live in the mountains of Colombia in a special place called Encanto. The location is home to the family, but also to plenty of magic. Keep scrolling to catch the official trailer.
Mirabel, the only one in her family without magical powers, is on a journey to find her place in the family. Voicing the character, Stephanie Beatriz shares, “Mirabel is a really funny, loving character who also deeply yearns for something more. She’s also not afraid to stand up for what she knows is right—something I love and relate to very much.”
The film features new original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, as well as the voice of Colombian singer and songwriter, Carlos Vives.
––Karly Wood
Feature photo: Walt Disney Animation Studios via YouTube
The only thing better than a snuggly pair of pajamas on a cold winter night is knowing that somewhere a child in need is staying warm too because of your good deed. The Carter’s Pajama Program is back this year to help keep kids across the country stay warm and cozy this winter.
Carter’s is celebrating the 12th year of its partnership with the incredible Pajama Program. Now through Dec. 24, 2021, customers can make a donation in-store at any Carter’s location or online to provide kids everywhere the comfort of new jammies.
The Pajama Program is a national nonprofit organization that promotes and helps to provide a comforting bedtime routine for children in need. In addition to your own contribution, Carter’s its continuing its tradition of donating 100,000 pairs of PJ’s. Since the partnership, the brand has donated over 2 million pajamas!
To make your donation online, simply click the monetary amount you’d like to donate on the checkout page when you place your order.
If you plan to donate in store after picking up your kiddos own jammies, simply let the cashier know upon checkout.
Is it just us or is there a little extra jingle in our steps this holiday season? If you’re feeling festive and are ready to fill your calendar with performances that will make you downright jolly, keep reading for shows in Atlanta to put on your calendar, now.
A Christmas Carol
iStock
The Alliance Theatre’s beloved production A CHRISTMAS CAROL will return to the Coca-Cola Stage this year with an exciting new adaption, including a completely reimagined set design and stunning new costumes. Audiences will be transported to the streets of London to revisit the timeless story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey to redemption, told with beautiful live music and an all-star cast.
On December 4, 5, 11, and 12 before the 2:30 p.m. performances, families are invited to enjoy a fun lobby activity before the performance. There will be a craft-making activity, and a photographer that will take your family's souvenir photo against a set backdrop from the show (souvenir photo is an additional fee).
Show runs Nov. 12-Dec. 24, ticket prices vary by seating
One year past its intended Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre debut, Atlanta Ballet will make its long-anticipated return to the theatre stage to present Yuri Possokhov’s The Nutcracker. Described as “one of the most entertaining [Nutcrackers] out there” by The Washington Post following the Company’s 2019 Washington D.C. debut at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, this innovative production features larger-than-life sets and bold costumes enhanced by striking video projections, created by a world-class creative team that includes Tony Award-winning and -nominated designers.
Aurora Theatre's annual Christmas Canteen, which showcases a medley of festive tunes and vignettes that cover all the Christmas classics, will be held for the first time on the sparkling new 500-seat Grand Stage Theatre of the Lawrenceville Arts Center. This stunning revue is an explosion of Christmas magic brimming with songs, comic sketches and trips down memory lane making The Most Wonderful Time of the Year an unforgettable experience.
Catch the Canteen from Nov. 26-Dec. 23; Tickets start at $25
In this version of Clement C. Moore's classic holiday poem, performed with hand puppets, children will get the real story of that night from a mouse who was an eyewitness to the whole affair. It’s a merry tale with lots of silly twists and turns to entertain and amuse children of all ages. Aurora Children's Theatre creates performances about 45 minutes in length, perfect for the young attention span, and fun for the whole family.
Adapted and directed by Jon Ludwig; this puppet show is based on the classic television special, and has become an Atlanta holiday tradition. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer soars back into town for this faithful adaptation that speaks to the misfit in all of us.
Nov. 10-Jan. 2 on select days. 1404 Spring St. NW Midtown Online:puppet.org
Light up your holidays at The Fox Theatre with Chevy Chase live on stage plus audience Q&A following a screening of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. After the showing of the holiday classic on the big screen, the celebration will continue with actor Chevy Chase (Clark Griswold) sharing stories from his career and the making of his classic movies and legendary television programs.
Nov. 28 at 7 p.m.
660 Peachtree St.
Midtown
Online:foxtheatre.org
This holiday season, the beloved tradition that has captured the hearts of families everywhere returns to the live stage at The Fox Theatre. The Elf on the Shelf: The Musical is the thrilling spectacle of music and dance that transports audiences to the North Pole to glimpse the magical lives of Santa’s Scout Elves.
Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.; tickets start at $29.95
660 Peachtree St.
Midtown
Online:foxtheatre.org
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
iStock
Re-discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage. Originally conceived by the three-time Tony Award-winning director Jack O’Brien, the whimsical world of Whoville features the hit songs “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas.” The Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday classic.
Dec. 7-12; tickets start at $40
660 Peachtree St.
Midtown
Online:foxtheatre.org
Hip Hop Nutcracker
iStock
A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker returns to the stage for its seventh season on tour. This contemporary dance spectacle is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, smashing hip hop dance and Tchaikovksy’s timeless music together into a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event.
Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
660 Peachtree St.
Midtown
Online: foxtheatre.org
The holidays will be here in a flash, so don’t let any time lapse before planning how and where to take your family photos. We’ve polled some of our favorite local photographers for their favorite spots around San Diego to snap family pics and for their pro tips to make your DIY family photos shine in this year’s holiday cards. Read on for where and how to take your snaps.
Location, location, location. Decide if you want a gorgeous canyon, something cool and urban or some warm beach vibes. Either way, you'll want to look for open shade to diffuse the sun. For a beach photo, seek out a structure such as a pier and notice where the shadows fall. With your back toward the sun, stand at the shadow’s edge closest to where it transitions back to the light.
Editing Tip: If you rotate the horizon lines in your photos so it’s level and not crooked, you’ll be amazed how this will elevate your pictures.
Ocean Beach Pier 1850 Ocean Front St., Ocean Beach
Make some magic with the Golden Hour. Shoot an hour before sunset to capture the best lighting and scope out the location before your planned photoshoot. Have everyone sit with their backs facing the sun and make sure your camera is set in a small spot of shade to avoid any lens flare from the sun. Don’t forget your furry friends! This might add some chaos to the mix, but you'll be glad you included everyone in the family.
Pro tip: Bring a large blanket to pick up some extra colors or add neutral textures with a chunky knit or a soft flannel. Make sure it’s large enough for the entire family to sit on; if it’s too small it will make you look smaller in the photo.
Presidio Park 2811 Jackson St., San Diego Online: sandiego.gov
Perk up your pixels with color! Clothing makes the photo. You could have an amazing location but if the clothes don't fit the location, it messes with the photo vibe. Color tones should depend on your background and should be based in greys or browns, but not both. To make it less stressful for mom, who’s usually the organizer, she should plan her outfit first and coordinate other outfits around hers. Think along the lines of complementary colors and not necessarily matching perfectly; and definitely no logos or neons.
Clothing Tip: Drive by or walk around your photo location ahead of time to get a feel for what colors would work well with the surroundings.
Old Poway Park 14134 Midland Rd., Poway 858-668-4576 Online: poway.org
Take the stress out of your photo session by planning ahead by choosing a fun location to explore afterward. A week before you take photos, loosely pick out a few wardrobe colors, look at some poses from other pictures, and schedule it for a time when everyone won’t be rushed. Tell your group it’ll be a 30-minute session so they’ll know what to expect. Let them have fun and go explore the area afterward so this will give them something fun to look forward to.
Time Saving Tip: Invest in a wireless remote control camera timer for as little as $14. This will let you keep taking photos without stopping to go check and see if it turned out. The remote is easy to hide in your hand, especially if that arm is hugging your family.
Spanish Village 1770 Village Pl., Balboa Park 619-233-9050 Online: spanishvillageart.com
Don’t 'shutter' at the thought of a family photo session. If you keep it fun and relaxed that will reflect a wonderful moment in time. If you are relaxed, your children will be too. Be sure to keep your background simple so it doesn’t compete with your family.
Holiday Card Tip: Leave some open space in your composition so you can add a nice “Warmest Wishes” text overlay when it comes time to print your holiday cards.
Portrait perfect! Use your phone’s “portrait mode” to project yourselves while beautifully blurring the background (called Bokeh) and giving your photos more depth. This will dramatically improve your photos and will even rival those of professionals.
Focus Tip: Portrait mode only works if the subjects in the foreground are distanced from the background, so take a few steps forward towards the camera.
Mission San Luis Rey 4050 Mission Ave., Oceanside 760-757-3651 Online: sanluisrey.org
Get candid! My biggest tip with kids is to engage them in a fun activity, instead of trying to pose them. Making cookies in the kitchen, jumping on the bed or blowing bubbles by your front door will give you some genuine smiles. And if that doesn’t get you a cute photo, then tell some silly jokes or make funny noises to get them to laugh.
Candid Tip: Giving unsuspecting hugs and kisses will always put a smile on someone’s face… and makes for some pretty cute candids.
Don’t focus so much on where to take your photos because your front porch is often the perfect place! Aim to photograph the last hour of the day or early morning. If that's not possible, be sure all of you are in a shaded area to avoid funky shadows. Tidy up your setting by sweeping, add some flower pots or a simple door wreath to give some color, but don’t clutter it up or you’ll get lost in it.
Tripod Tip: If you don’t have a tripod, then improvise by grabbing a chair, an overturned bucket and stack books on top until you reach the desired height.
Get a little closer, now don’t be shy. Cozy up close to those you love, this will limit gaps in between people and makes for a better photo. Tell everyone where to stand, where to put their hands and which way to look. Families look more connected and loving if they’re hugging or touching in some way.
Posing Tip: Make sure everyone’s eyes are looking in the same direction or else they’ll all look distracted.
Late fall is the perfect time to go on a hike with the kids, thanks to cooler temperatures and amazing fall foliage to take in. There are plenty of kid-friendly hikes near NYC, with both easy trails and more challenging ones for more experienced or older kids. Check out our favorite day hikes near NYC, all of which are under two hours from the city. Don’t have a car? Try these urban hikes in NYC. Got a baby in tow? We love these NYC stroller-friendly hikes!
If you’d rather spend more time hiking than driving, you can look closer to home: Anthony’s Nose is a short hike up a section of the Appalachian Trail that ends with a view of the Bear Mountain Bridge and a scenic overview of the Hudson River. Be prepared for a bit of legwork, because Anthony has a pretty steep nose. The walk is relatively short distance of about three miles round trip, but it’s a mix of climbs and straight paths. The climbs are more like a staircase thanks to the rocky layout of the inclines, but they can be tough on beginners. If you still have time — and energy! — when you finish the hike, you and the kids can take a walk across the Bear Mountain Bridge, visit the small but free zoo, or ride a carousel. All make a perfect reward for your trek up the trail!
Location: Westchester County, across from Bear Mountain
Difficulty: Moderate to hard Drive time from NYC: 1 hr 20 min More info:hikethehudsonvalley.com
Bring a bit of history into your hike by visiting Arden Point and Glenclyffe. In this relatively easy hike, you and the kids can retrace the footsteps of Revolutionary War general Benedict Arnold as he made his escape in 1780. It's an excellent way to bring history to life for older kids who might be studying this period in American history. The trail also offers some views of the river, but if you've had enough of that there's plenty more to see, like the 1950s railroad track that is still in use today for freight, and a few historic buildings that date back to the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Located under an hour's drive from the city, the NJ Palisades Park offers gorgeous views and scenic routes, as well as about 30 miles of trails of varying difficulty. This means there's a trail for any level of hiker, including small children. We recommend the State Line Lookout trails for their variety in terrain and difficulty. Taking the trails from the Lookout means getting views of the Hudson River and finding some hidden treasures like a tree swing that makes for awesome photo-ops, and the Women's Federation Monument. Before you go, ensure that everyone is wearing hiking shoes (not sneakers or running shoes) -- the terrain can get rocky.
The Muttontown Preserve trail is one of the easiest on our list, with winding but relatively flat trails through 550 acres of fields, woods, and ponds. The trails here are less like hikes and more like nature walks, allowing everyone to take in their surroundings without getting overtired—perfect for little feet and beginners. The trails also take you through a number of estates, as well as the curious remains of the mansion of King Zod, the last Albanian monarch. It is now in ruins, and covered in some colorful graffiti, making for an interesting sight among the trees. The trail markers can leave something to be desired here however, so come equipped with a map, a compass, and/or a GPS or you may end up spending a bit more time here than you meant to!
Sometimes we forget there is nature in our own backyard. If walking through Prospect and Central Park is not exciting enough, take a day trip to Staten Island's Greenbelt Conservancy parks. This foundation oversees 2800 acres of public park—including 30 miles of hiking and walking trails—and consists of High Rock, WIllowbrook, and LaTourette Parks.
All three are hidden pockets of nature and offer hours of leisurely hiking trails through wooded areas, marshes, ponds and other gorgeous landscapes. Both destinations are a perfect starter for the kids due to their location and the ease of the trails. They can wet their little hiking boots here, then move on to the more challenging or lengthier trips.
Location: Staten Island, NY Difficulty: Easy Drive from NYC: 35 mins More info: nycgovparks.org
The hiking at the Eagle Rock Reservation is easy enough for kids to keep up, and without much of a trail to follow you are left to blaze your own path through the woods. But the walking itself is not what will keep the family coming back: hiking here rewards you with an amazing panoramic view of Manhattan. Before you head out on your walk, make sure you pay a visit to the 9/11 memorial.
Location: West Orange, NJ Difficulty: Easy Drive from NYC: 45 min More info:nynjtc.org
Schunemunk Mountain is another fantastic spot to take the kids. The prehistoric beach offers over 25 miles of hiking trails and varied terrain, but it's not suitable for beginners so prepare accordingly. The mountain boasts some spectacular features, like a 3,000 foot pink rock and wild blueberries ripe for picking in late spring and early summer. Some of the (literally) biggest attractions along the mountain trails are the giant megalith boulders at the top of the mountain, but be prepared to do some sweating on your way up — the diverse terrain is beautiful but it can get tough.
Location: Orange County, NY Difficulty: Hard Drive time from NYC: 1 hr 40 min More info:nynjtc.org
It’s 6 o’clock. The kids are melting down and the pantry is bare. All you want is for someone else to cook dinner for a change (and clean up while they’re at it)! Dining out can be a lifesaver but an expensive one with the whole family in tow. We’ve scoured the city for the best “kids eat free” deals and have your week of meals planned for peanuts.
This Georgia staple has been serving breakfast all day for 25 years, and with 14 locations, you're never too far from a solid chicken biscuit or platter of pancakes. You can also enjoy dinnertime riffs on breakfast, such as their award-winning creamy, dreamy shrimp & grits, or go for the gold and order a fried green tomato BLT.
When to Get It: From 4-7 p.m., diners can enjoy one free kid's meal per adult meal purchased.
Johnny Rockets, the nostalgic burger joint famous for its burgers and shakes, is now beefing up (or down, actually) their plant-based options. Customize your burger with sauteed mushrooms, onions, sauces, and cheeses.
When to Get It: From 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée and drink.
3500 Peachtree Rd. in Phipps Plaza, Suite G9 Buckhead 404-233-9867
This neighborhood tavern with locations in Brookhaven, Atlantic Station, Alpharetta, and Dunwoody is a crowd pleaser with everything from edamame hummus to cheese fries. Kids can choose from the kid menu with options like grilled chicken and mashed potatoes, burger or chicken tenders and fries, and macaroni and cheese.
When to Get It: One child under 12 per paying adult eats free for if you are loyalty member Sun.-Thurs. from 5-7 p.m.
Going to Revival is a lot like going to your grandmother's house, but imagine her kitchen was stocked with top-shelf ingredients and some new spices. It's comfort food, only fancier, but not so fancy you don't recognize it for what it is. And what it is is good food. An order of fried chicken and mac and cheese will please any kid or adult, but you could also make a meal of their deviled eggs and fried pickles.
When to Get It: Kids ages 12 and under can enjoy a free kids meal per paying adult, and then it's $5 per additional child.
Feel like eating fine food but in a rush? Head to this option where they fire up the grill upon ordering, the menu is filled with good food and food that's good for you, and your wait isn't longer than what you spend at a fast food restaurant.
When to Get It: Kids eat for 99 cents after 4 p.m.
For tasty, cheap and abundant noodles and stir fries, Doc Chey’s is your spot. Sign up for a Karma Card and you can earn points towards free appetizers and promotions, as well as score you free kid’s meals on weekends. The kid’s menu features Asian-inspired kid favorites like fried rice and lo mein – and includes a fountain drink.
When to Get It: On Sat. & Sun. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Karma Card holders can receive one free kid’s entrée for each adult entrée purchased.
Whether you head here for sushi, hibachi, or just the chefs' table front entertainment, your kids will feel like they're on top of the world. Or at least, on top of the onion volcano.
In addition to these independent or local chain restaurants, several national chains (and these are just a few) have “kids eat free” deals that vary based on location. Check out your nearest location to see what they offer.