Mommy Poppins

3-Day Itinerary in Hot Springs, VA: The Perfect Winter Getaway with Kids at the Omni Homestead Resort

Stephanie Shipman — 02/13/2026

Hot Springs, Virginia is less than a four-hour drive west of DC proper, but it feels like a world away. Home to what it is named for—a natural warm spring that even families can enjoy—it's a great place to escape to in the winter.

In Hot Springs, families can explore nature preserves and overlooks, take in a concert at the local music center, and enjoy plenty of snow sports like skiing, tubing, and snowboarding. Spring and summer are also popular times to visit, but there is something for everyone to enjoy in the town in the winter.

Read ahead for the perfect winter weekend itinerary in Hot Springs, VA. Then check out our DC Winter Day Trips Guide for more winter family fun.

Hot Springs, Virginia is less than a four-hour drive west of DC proper, but it feels like a world away. Home to what it is named for—a natural Warm Spring that even families can enjoy—it's a great place to escape to in the winter.

Read ahead for the perfect winter weekend itinerary in Hot Springs, VA. Then check out our DC Winter Day Trips Guide for more winter family fun.

Best Halloween Events in Orlando 2026 for Kids and Families: Halloween Festivals, Costume Parties, and More

Charlotte B — 09/18/2026

Halloween events in Orlando are approaching and festivities are gearing up throughout Central Florida. Read on for our top picks for Halloween happenings in and around Orlando.

Halloween events in Orlando are approaching and festivities are gearing up throughout Central Florida. Theme parks, seasonal attractions, local municipalities, and other organizations are hosting all sorts of frightfully-fun Orlando Halloween events. Read on for our top picks for Halloween happenings in and around Orlando. And for even more updates on ghostly gatherings, use our Orlando Halloween Guide!

Must-Do Orlando Halloween Events: At a Glance

Best Halloween Event in Orlando: Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Top Halloween Event for Toddlers and Preschoolers: Peppa's Halloween Party
Awesome Halloween Event for Orlando Teens and Tweens: Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights
Best FREE Halloween Event in Orlando: BOO! on Broadway
Orlando Halloween Event for Outdoor Fun: Gatorland's Gators, Ghosts and Goblins

Best Halloween Events in DC 2026 for Kids and Families: Halloween Festivals, Trunk-or-Treats, and More

Stephanie Shipman — 09/18/2026

Bring on the pumpkins, candy, and costumes—it's time for some spooktacular Halloween events near DC! There are lots of ways to celebrate this festive season in the DC area, from pumpkin patches to ghost tours.

Here are our picks for the top Halloween activities and events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia in 2026. Round up your ghosts and ghouls and head to these Halloween festivals, haunted houses, trick-or-treat events, and more.

Find more spooky—and not-so-spooky—fun in our Halloween Activities Guide for DC Kids. And remember, we are constantly updating our events calendar with more Halloween events and other fun things to do all over the DC area!

My Top 5 Picks, At a Glance

Best Free Halloween Festival: Great Falls Halloween Spooktacular
Can't-Miss Event for Trolley Fanatics: Trolley-ween at National Capital Trolley Museum
Best Halloween Event for Animal Lovers: Boo at the Zoo (at the National Zoo)
Most Unconventional Halloween Event: Boo at the Pool at RCC
Most Iconic Halloween Event: Air & Scare at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

More picks for every age, interest, and neighborhood below...

My Top 5 Picks, At a Glance

Best Free Halloween Festival: Great Falls Halloween Spooktacular
Can't-Miss Event for Trolley Fanatics: Trolley-ween at National Capital Trolley Museum
Best Halloween Event for Animal Lovers: Boo at the Zoo (at the National Zoo)
Most Unconventional Halloween Event: Boo at the Pool at RCC
Most Iconic Halloween Event: Air & Scare at Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

More picks for every age, interest, and neighborhood below...

Best Halloween Events in Chicago 2026 for Kids and Families: Pumpkins, Trick-or-Treating, Parades, and More

Maureen Wilkey — 09/18/2026

Your guide to the best Halloween events near Chicago for kids in 2026.

Looking for the best Halloween events for Chicago kids? Read on for our top picks for the spooky season.

Little ghouls and goblins can get their costumes ready early to enjoy lots of fun Chicago Halloween events leading up to the big day. Even if you choose not to go trick-or-treating, there are plenty of fun Halloween events for Chicago kids.

We've got you covered with 20 awesome kids' Halloween events in Chicago that will get you into the scary spirit. From neighborhood trick-or-treating and parties to parades and pumpkin trails, there's something for everybody this Halloween. Find more must-do events in our Halloween Events and Activities Guide for Chicago Kids.

Top Halloween Events in Chicago, at a Glance

Best Free Event: Lincoln Park Spooktacular
Best for Little Kids: Naperville Halloween Happening
Best for Tweens and Teens: Haunted Halsted Parade
Top Place to See Cool Pumpkins: Night of 1,000 Jack-o-Lanterns
Most Unique Way to Get Candy: Oak Brook Pumpkin Swim

Best Halloween Events in Houston 2026 for Kids and Families: Concerts, Zoo Boo, and More

Rachael Cherry — 09/18/2026

All the best spooky season events in Houston and the suburbs.

Get your trick-or-treat bags ready—these are our top picks for the very best Halloween events in Houston this year. From spooky spectacles to family-friendly frights, Houston is filled with Halloween fun for kids of all ages.

Enjoy classic seasonal favorites like Houston Zoo Boo and the magical Hocus Pocus Pops, or take Halloween to another galaxy with Space Center Houston's Galaxy Frights. Whether you’re after lighthearted fun or just a hint of spooky, there’s something for every ghost and ghoul in the family.

For more Halloween and fall ideas, don't forget to check out our top area pumpkin patches and our Houston Halloween Fun Guide.

Best Houston Halloween Events for Kids (At a Glance)

Best Halloween Event for Animal Lovers: Zoo Boo
Best Halloween Event for Little Kids: Halloween at the BOOseum
Best Halloween Event for Rides: Boo on the Boardwalk
Most Unique Halloween Experience: Galaxy Frights
Best Halloween Concert: Hocus Pocus Pops

Best Halloween Events in NYC 2026 for Kids and Families

Drew Kristofik — 09/18/2026

Halloween is one of the best nights to be a kid in NYC, and our 2026 list of the best Halloween events in New York City includes can't-miss Halloween activities from Manhattan to Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and even some top-notch picks in the 'burbs.

We've rounded up our favorite 2026 Halloween events in NYC for families, including perennial kid-pleasers like BAMBoo!, Boo at the Zoo, and the big Village Halloween Parade.

So, read on for our curated list of the best Halloween events in New York City for kids, and start planning your spooky fun.

Best Halloween Events in NYC, At-a-Glance:

Best For Little Ghouls: Asphalt Screams
Best for Teens: Village Ghost Tours in Historic Richmond Town
Best Place to Creep with the Fishes: Ascarium at the New York Aquarium
Best Place for a Mushroom's Eye View: High Line's Gnome-Topia
Best for Pups on Parade: Great Pupkin Dog Costume Contest

We've rounded up our favorite 2026 Halloween events in NYC for families, including perennial kid-pleasers like BAMBoo!, Boo at the Zoo, and the big Village Halloween Parade.

So, read on for our curated list of the best Halloween events in New York City for kids, and start planning your spooky fun.

Best Halloween Events in NYC, At-a-Glance:

Best For Little Ghouls: Asphalt Screams
Best for Teens: Village Ghost Tours in Historic Richmond Town
Best Place to Creep with the Fishes: Ascarium at the New York Aquarium
Best Place for a Mushroom's Eye View: High Line's Gnome-Topia
Best for Pups on Parade: Great Pupkin Dog Costume Contest

Best Halloween Events in New Jersey 2026 for Kids and Families

Laurie Rein — 09/18/2026

These are the best Halloween activities in New Jersey for kids and families.

Spooktacular news, New Jersey: Halloween 2026 is coming, bringing a slew of family-friendly Halloween events! From over-the-top fun at theme parks like Six Flags Great Adventure's Fright Fest a nd Kids Boo Fest to animal-centric celebrations like Cape May's Boo at the Zoo, here are the best Halloween activities in New Jersey for kids and families.

My Top 5 Events this Month, At-a-Glance:

Most Iconic NJ Halloween Celebration: Six Flags Great Adventure's Fright Fest and Kids Boo Fest
Best Theme Park Fun for Little Ones: Trick-or-Treat Weekends at Storybook Land
Best Small-Town Halloween Event: Addamsfest in Westfield
Appealing to Teens: Forever Forest Halloween Experience
Coolest After-Dark Event: Halloween Light Show at Demarest Farms

Best Halloween Events on Long Island 2026 for Kids and Families

Jaime Sumersille — 09/18/2026

These are the absolute best Halloween events for families on Long Island.

We've rounded up the best Halloween events for kids on Long Island in 2026 to keep everyone entertained with thrills and chills. Whether your brood is in the mood for spooky scarecrows or not-so-scary Spooky Fests, there is plenty of fun to be had this season.

LI's Best Halloween Events, At-a-Glance:

Best Free Halloween Fun: Hicks Nurseries’ Otto the Ghost
Long-Running Halloween Tradition: Scarecrow Competition at the Ward Melville Heritage Organization
Best for Kids, Tweens & Teens: Spooky Fest at the Center for Science Teaching and Learning
Best Outdoor Halloween Adventure: Safari on the Enchanted Forest Trail at Quogue Wildlife Refuge
Most Unique Halloween Experience: Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns at Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

Best Halloween Events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley 2026 for Kids and Families

Maureen Wilkey — 09/18/2026

These are the absolute best Halloween events for families in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

Spooky season is here, and there’s no shortage of great Halloween events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown are prime Halloween destinations due to their pride in being the home of Washington Irving and the setting of his famed "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Throughout the region, haunted attractions abound for the older set, like haunted houses, which often have not-so-scary days for younger kids. Little ones can also delight in friendly fun like Monster Mash-inspired brick-or-treating at Legoland New York.

Meanwhile, the whole family can enjoy Westchester's most celebrated Halloween event, the Great Jack-o'-Lantern Blaze.

Read on for our list of the best Halloween events in Westchester and nearby, and turn to our Halloween Fun Guide to get the most out of this fun season.

Top Halloween Events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, At-a-Glance:

Most Artistic Event: Great Jack-o'-Lantern Blaze
Coolest Historical Happening: Legendary Tours of Washington Irving's Sunnyside
Most Unique: Sleepy Hollow's Paddleboarding Witches Festival
Best for Little Kids: Legoland's Brick-or-Treat
Scariest Halloween Event: Pure Terror Scream Park

Best Halloween Events in Philadelphia 2026 for Kids and Families

Nicole O'Donnell — 09/18/2026

These are the best Halloween events near Philly for kids of all ages and every level of spooky.

Ready for some Halloween fun, Philly families? From trick-or-treating with the animals and riding a Halloween train to exploring haunted houses and enjoying not-so-spooky fall festivities, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the season. We’ve rounded up the best Halloween events near Philly for kids of all ages and every level of spooky.

Philly's Top Halloween Events, At-a-Glance:

Best Not-So-Spooky Fun: The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place
Best Animal Adventure: Philadelphia Zoo's Boo at the Zoo
Best Halloween Train Ride: Trick-or-Treat Train at New Hope Railroad
Best Scary Attraction: Fright Factory
Best Full-Day Halloween Fun: Hersheypark Halloween

Read on for all my favorite family-friendly things to do around Philly this Halloween.

— Nicole and the whole Philadelphia team