When the city's subway system was deemed only for essential trips during the pandemic, many New Yorkers turned to their two-wheeled companions and hit the bicycle paths in record numbers. Whether your family is one of them, or you're itching to enjoy the sunny spring and summer days ahead in a new way, New York City is home to miles of bike paths, and more are added seemingly every day as NYC becomes a more cycling-friendly city.

Knowing you might not want to set the kids loose on city streets, we've rounded up the best bike paths for New York City families to explore on two wheels—or with scooters, skateboards, and rollerblades, too. Many of these bike paths come with a little bonus fun, from nearby playgrounds to kid-friendly eats and even a sprinkler to romp through.

Find more fun city adventures in our Guide to Outdoor Fun.

There is no shortage of well-curated nature centers in Connecticut, but the Stamford Museum & Nature Center ranks among our favorites.

Celebrating its 85th year, this magical 118-acre campus is built on the four tenets of agriculture, environmental education, astronomy, and art. It houses a diverse array of exhibition and educational spaces indoors and out to fulfill its mission of inspiring creativity, discovery, and environmental stewardship.

Read on for our favorite things to do at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center and find more family-friendly outings in our Weekend Trips Guide.

As spring weather arrives in DC, families are no doubt eager to enjoy the fresh air and let their kids play outside. Parks and playgrounds are great gathering spots for neighbors, and these parks and playgrounds in the DC area all received upgrades in 2020 or will be upgraded by early 2021.

From splash pads to street hockey courts to fun, new playground equipment, these parks have lots of new features for your kids to enjoy. If you're looking for more spring fun in DC, see our rundowns of the best mini-golf courses and family-friendly campgrounds in the area. 

As you seek out fun and educational activities for your family, consider one of the Philadelphia area's little-known gems: Newlin Grist Mill, a 160-acre park in Glen Mills that combines opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploring history and the environment. Whether you're interested in hiking the eight miles of nature trails or learning about Colonial Pennsylvania, you can craft an excursion for anywhere from an hour to an afternoon for everyone from toddlers through adults.

It's an ideal addition to our Spring Fun Guide and yet another thing we are excited to do with kids this spring.   

I’ve always loved hiking, so not long after having my first baby I was hitting the trails around Boston, carrier and all. It was even more exciting when my kids were sure-footed enough to go hiking with me and my husband. Whether you have little kids or big ones, there are plenty of fun and scenic trails throughout the Boston area to enjoy. These one-mile-or-less trails are great spots for walking with toddlers and preschoolers, but these 12 parks and reservations near Boston are tops for longer family hikes.

For more ways to get the family out into the fresh air check out our full Outdoor Fun Guide, and as always, keep tabs on our Boston events calendar for all the happenings in and around the city.

Does your animal-crazed kid want a critter-themed birthday party? While you could just take everyone to the zoo or aquarium, it might be easier (and more fun) to have the party at home this year. This way, you can have a larger socially distanced party outside, or keep it intimate—with more one-on-one animal time, kids won't miss having a huge party. Plus, when the party's at your place, there are no extra fees for staying late and no public restrooms to contend with.

The best part is that having adorable animals show up at their very own house will surprise and delight your little animal lover. These are our favorite businesses that offer a variety of animals and party experiences and are happy to bring the party to you.

Located just a few miles north of the Bronx border, Untermyer Gardens in Yonkers is a sprawling, scenic urban oasis that can be enjoyed by the whole family year-round.

Living as close to the park as we do, I would take my children there at least once a week, and they always enjoyed a trip to the “fountains park,” as they called it. They loved running around the Walled Garden, with its beautiful flowers and pools filled with goldfish, climbing up to the Temple of Love for a spectacular view of the Hudson River, or just hiking the many trails which crisscross the grounds.

Read on for five reasons to love this natural gem and find more ways to enjoy the great outdoors with Westchester kids in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds.

Whether you're a serious cyclist or a toddler on training wheels, riding a bike is an activity to enjoy with the whole family. Just like President John F. Kennedy famously said, "Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."

Luckily, the Atlanta area is filled with designated bike paths that incorporate our city's beautiful trees. We scoped out the best ones for families--flat, fun and doable for all ages (restrooms required). These trails are a perfect addition to our outdoors guide. After a ride, why not pay a visit to one of these Atlanta destination playgrounds?