Beaches & Waterfront Trips

Beach Days Near Los Angeles Your Family Will Love

Los Angeles has over 75 miles of coastline, but finding a beach that actually works for your family takes more than picking a name off a map. Parking fills by late morning at most popular spots during summer, water temperatures top out near 70°F, and the difference between a great family day and a frustrated […]

48 Hours in Los Angeles With Kids Under Ten

Los Angeles with kids under ten is a different city than the one you see in movies. The key is knowing which parts actually work for young children and which ones eat up your 48 hours with nothing but car time. This plan sticks to three areas where kids can run, touch, ride, and stare—without […]

Sea Kayaking the Malibu Coast Reveals a Side of Los Angeles Few Visitors See

Most visitors see Los Angeles through a windshield. Sea kayaking the Malibu coast swaps the freeway for a paddle, the skyline for sea caves, and the traffic for the sound of water lapping against a hull. This is the LA that exists between the headlines—quiet, wild, and best reached by kayak. Wildlife Beginners Welcome Sunset […]

Secret Islands Near New York City You Can Actually Visit

A handful of New York City’s islands let you feel miles away without a plane ticket — some in under ten minutes by ferry. Day Trip Ferry Required Car-Free Waterfront Dining Historic Forts Birdwatching I’ve taken the girls to nearly every island in the harbor that doesn’t require a permit, and the question I get […]

Where to Go Whale Watching on a Day Trip From New York City

You can see humpback whales from a boat that leaves Manhattan. That sounds like a made-up fact, but it’s true — and it’s the kind of day trip that feels like a real escape without actually escaping far. Day Trip Wildlife Family-Friendly Water Activity Nature I kept hearing about whales in New York Harbor and […]

Swimming With Fish — the Best Aquariums on Day Trips From NYC

Between the shark tunnel at Coney Island and the touch tanks in Norwalk, my kids have spent more time staring at fish than I ever expected — and that’s saying something. Day Trip Family-Friendly Indoor Hands-On Rainy Day Educational There’s something about an aquarium that levels the playing field between a 6-year-old and a 13-year-old. […]

Paddleboarding With Kids Near New York City

Paddleboarding around Manhattan sounds like a sport for fitness-obsessed locals, not for a family dragging a six-year-old along. The free boathouses and calm bays make it one of the most accessible—and thrilling—things we do here every summer. Water Sport Ages 6+ Budget-Friendly NYC Summer Beginner Friendly Every time I tell another parent we’re taking the […]

Historic Lighthouses Near NYC Your Kids Will Actually Love

My kids think lighthouses are just tall towers with a light on top. After a summer visiting four near NYC, Sofia now argues that the best ones come with a boat ride, and Emma counts stairs the way other kids count candy. Day TripStaten Island FerryFire IslandMontaukLittle Red Lighthouse I grew up thinking lighthouses required […]

The Sweetest Small Towns Within Two Hours of NYC

The Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck has been operating as an inn since 1766 — the oldest continuously operating inn in America — and the whole town has that same commitment to doing things at its own pace. Day Trip Hudson Valley New Jersey Shore Train-Accessible Family-Friendly The two-hour drive radius from Manhattan opens up a […]

Why Robert Moses State Park Is the Best Drive-to Beach Near NYC

Field 5 at Robert Moses State Park gets you from the parking lot to the water faster than almost any other beach near the city — and that alone is why so many families default here. Day Trip Fire Island Lifeguarded Swimming Family-Friendly Nature Trail Robert Moses sits on the western tip of Fire Island, […]

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