Visiting Titanic: The Exhibition at National Harbor Near DC with Kids

Kids will enjoy touching a real iceberg. Brrr!

It's been over 100 years since the Titanic sank and 25 years since James Cameron's movie Titanic premiered, and people continue to be fascinated by arguably the most famous shipwreck of all time. Now DC-area residents can learn more about the doomed ship at Titanic: The Exhibition, open in National Harbor through May 12, 2024.

At Titanic: The Exhibition, visitors can experience what it was like to be a passenger on that fateful day through an audio tour that includes historical details from one of the world's Titanic experts, Claes-Göran Wetterholm. A visit will have you remembering details from the movie, confirming indeed how accurate it was in depicting the ship and the timeline of its sinking.

I recently had the opportunity to visit Titanic: The Exhibition and enjoyed the deep dive (couldn't resist) into the facts and stories surrounding the Titanic. Read on for some interesting tidbits I learned, as well as insider tips for planning your visit. Then check out our guide to visiting National Harbor with kids to make a day of it at this waterfront entertainment destination.

20 Things To Do in Downtown Houston With Kids

John P. McGovern's state-of-the art playground is perfect for both younger and older children. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green.

Finding things to do in downtown Houston with kids can seem daunting. After all, Houston is the fourth largest city in the country. That's why we've come up with a list of our favorite things to do with kids in downtown Houston—from the fun at Discovery Green to delicious local eateries. We think you'll love these activities, too!

Houston is a sprawling city, with fun kid activities in every corner. If you're interested in exploring more great neighborhoods, check out the neighborhood guides in our Visitors Guide, and our 100 Things To Do in Houston Before Kids Grow Up article.

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Philly for Kids and Families

Skate and enjoy Winterfest at the Blue Cross RiverRink. Photo courtesy of the Delaware River Waterfront

Lace up those skates and enjoy the fresh air at these ice skating rinks near Philly. Of all the fun activities the holiday season brings, ice skating is at the top of the list. Bundling up in hats and scarves and warming up with cider or hot chocolate after a spin on the ice at a local ice skating rink in Philadelphia is sure to please kids young and old. There are several temporary festive outdoor ice skating rinks in Philadelphia and in the Philadelphia suburbs, providing unique settings for this winter activity. Many Pennsylvania state parks also offer ice skating when the conditions are right. 

For more ways to enjoy everything this season has to offer, check out our list of Polar Express and Christmas Train Rides and our Philadelphia Holiday Guide, filled with the best Christmas events and activities, as well as events for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and more.

Holiday Craft Fairs and Christmas Markets in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Enjoy a sweet treat at the Chocolate Expo in Newburgh. Photo courtesy of the expo

Holiday craft fairs and Christmas markets in Westchester and the Hudson Valley are a fun way to shop for seasonal gifts, offering handmade and one-of-a-kind items not found in most stores. Booths are often staffed by the maker, allowing insight into the creative process, and many benefit a charitable cause.

We've rounded up some of the wonderful holiday fairs in the region that are well worth visiting this November and December. Just be sure to include a purchase for yourself in the budget!

Looking for more ways to enjoy the holiday season? You can find plenty more holiday happenings in our Holiday Guide and constantly updated activities calendar.

Best Museums for Kids on Long Island

Enjoy the engaging exhibits at the Long Island Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of LICM

Long Island is home to a host of museums that cater to a younger crowd, giving you many fun ways to introduce your kids to culture. In fact, many of the institutions we've rounded up below offer hands-on, interactive activities that can be enjoyed by children of all ages.

From air and space to science and trains, these spots offer special exhibits and programs to keep children engaged, entertained, and educated. So why not visit? In the meantime, check out our Guide to Museums and the Arts on Long Island.

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Los Angeles for Kids and Families

Ice skate and ride the Ferris wheel at Irvine Spectrum Center. Photo by Allen Ling

Outdoor ice skating rinks in sunny Los Angeles? Oh, I happen to know about a few! One thing Angelenos love doing during the winter months is pretending that it’s winter, and the most fun way to do it is by turning parking lots and other open spaces into outdoor ice skating rinks for the holidays. 

Whether your family is trying ice skating for the first time or you've got budding figure skaters and hockey players looking for a change of scenery, nothing says Southern California quite like the sight of kids and families in tank tops and mittens figure skating in the sunshine. From Downtown Los Angeles to the beaches of Santa Monica, keep reading below for where to find the best cool-yet-sunny ice skating rinks in Los Angeles and Orange County. 

For more holiday fun, from Polar Express train rides to nutcracker performances in LA, check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2023: Where to Watch, What's New

Classics, like Tom Turkey, and newbies alike take flight in the 97th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2023.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade celebrates its 97th anniversary this November, taking over the streets of Manhattan on Thursday, November 23, 2023, exhilarating the city with its boisterous marching bands, extravagant floats, and giant balloon characters. In 2023, the parade steps off at 8:30am—half an hour earlier than usual.

If you're planning to attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with kids (and millions of others!), read on for the most up-to-date information on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route, best viewing locations, and other highlights. Looking for where to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2023 on TV instead? Read on for that, too. You'll find more holiday inspiration in our Thanksgiving Fun Guide for NYC Families.

Enthusiastic paradegoers know the family fun actually begins the day before as the trademark giant balloons receive their annual helium injections—in fact, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon inflation is even included in our list of 100 things to do with your kids in NYC before they grow up. Check out our in-depth Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade inflation post for an overview of the Wednesday night festivities.

50 Thanksgiving Crafts, Games, and Activities for Kids and Families

Make an easy and adorable pine cone turkey. Photo courtesy of  the website Live Craft Eat

While the turkey is in the oven, you can set up a few of these easy Thanksgiving crafts for kids, including some place cards that will keep squabbling siblings from sitting too close. We've also got Thanksgiving games for everyone to play together, and Thanksgiving cookies that will tide kids over until the feast is ready. Because while Thanksgiving is all about spending time with family, sometimes you need to channel that togetherness time to keep everyone happy!

From traditional Thanksgiving crafts for kids like handprint turkeys to a Great Yam Race for the whole fam, stuff a little fun into your family dinner this year with these Thanksgiving crafts and games.

For more Thanksgiving fun from Thanksgiving jokes for kids to when and how to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, check out our Thanksgiving Activities Guide for Families.

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