Celebrate the life, legacy, and leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with your kids
MLK Day is right around the corner. If you’re looking for ways to honor and serve on January 16, there’s no better place to explore Dr. King’s legacy than in his birthplace—Atlanta. With school officially canceled for this important holiday, your family can explore our city’s important Civil Rights landmarks, engage in activities and educational experiences at the city’s museums, and find ways to be of service. Let’s remember to make this a day on, as we continue to work toward Dr. King’s dream of an equitable and just world.
The King Center is a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy all year long. Their mission is to empower people to create an equitable and peaceful world through youth work, service projects, and more. To commemorate MLK Day, The King Center hosts a 10-day observance, starting January 16 with a kick off reception at Freedom Hall Atrium. They'll also host a Community Service Project that families can easily participate in. Simply drop off needed items (like socks, coats, blankets, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and more) at the King Center Freedom Hall Plaza on January 16, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
After visiting The King Center, explore other monuments and historically important places at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. What better way to honor Dr. King than to head to where it all started? Families can tour King's birth home, where he spent his first 12 years, Mondays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Visitor Center, Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, and Freedom Hall are also all on the campus, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays. All sites are free to the public.
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights believes in justice and dignity for all and the power of people to make this idea real. They inspire visitors with immersive exhibitions, dynamic events and conversations, plus engagement and education/training programs. The Center's King Day program starts a bit early, on January 12 and runs through MLK Day (Jan. 16). It includes interactive storytimes, artist talk backs, spoken word performances, and more.
The early start for this year's event coincides with the opening of National Center for Civil & Human Rights' new King exhibit, Now is the Time. Focused on King's March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom and its 60th anniversary. The exhibit runs through Juneteenth (Jun. 19) of this year.
National Center for Civil & Human Rights 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. NW Atlanta Online:civilandhumanrights.org
Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday with the Children's Museum of Atlanta and explore his life and legacy on the Stage, at the Science Bar, and in the Art Studio. This year's celebration will include seed planting at the Tree of Change with guest artist, Martell Belle. Kids can also share ways they can help shape a world Dr. King would be proud of on the Dream Collaborative Mural.
Although this isn't a traditional MLK Day celebration, it should be an exciting and inspiring one for kids, in a different way. The State Farm Arena is where you can watch HBCU Culture's Battle of the Bands. Doors open at 4 p.m. and performers will include Jackson State University, Miles College, Alabama A & M, and more.
State Farm Arena 1 State Farm Dr. Atlanta Online:hbcuculture.com
Atlanta History Center Celebration
Bring the kids to the Atlanta History Center to experience hands-on activities on MLK Day, Atlanta families. Civil-rights themed trivia, crafts, performances, and a chance to simulate a Freedom Rider experience on an authentic Greyhound Bus will keep the kids engaged and learning during the visit. This event is free, and registration is recommended.
Swing by the Embry Hills Library to pick up a free Martin Luther King, Jr. craft kit (while supplies last) on January 14. Spend time with the kids putting the kit together and talking about the work of Dr. King.
Experience the national parks for free on Jan. 16 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Day, including these Georgia parks that normally charge an entrance fee: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Fort Pulaski National Monument, and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Get the scoop on some of Georgia's best national parks for families with our Tinybeans Guide.
Participate in MLK Jr. Day of Service
Throughout January 2023, thousands of Atlantans will celebrate and honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—taking the day ON. Help build Dr. King’s Beloved Community and get involved in one of the many service events hosted by Hands On Atlanta. There are so many places to volunteer, starting January 11.
Celebrate Martin Luther King Day in the spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood with fellowship and fitness. This 5K walk/run will take place entirely on New Peachtree Road, with a 3.1-mile drumline all along the race course. The party starts at 9 a.m. and the course is fast and flat. Let Freedom Run!
First Baptist Church of Doraville 5935 New Peachtree Rd. Doravill, GA Online:mlkday5k.com
You don’t need a docent to guide you through the Atlanta street art scene, which now boasts over 1000 murals (though you could learn a lot on one of these walking tours). Just hop on a bike, a skateboard, or lace up your sneaks to check out artwork that is as inspiring as it is Insta-worthy. And, to celebrate Atlanta’s growing muralist community, the ATL1000 awareness campaign has big things planned, including a mural painting workshop for kids! Keep reading for our favorite murals around town, below.
This Lela Brunet masterpiece stretches out across several walls of a Buckhead parking deck. If you're looking for a vibrant background with "Atlanta" clearly repeated throughout, this is your spot. One thing to note, however, is that each wall is only about 3-feet high. If you're hoping for a massive backdrop, look elsewhere, but this would be a great backdrop for a younger child or crawler to pose in front of.
Tiny Doors ATL is an Atlanta-based art project that installs 7-inch door sculptures by artist Karen Anderson Singer in neighborhoods or at institutions. Door #658 (it's 658 times the size of a traditional tiny door) is located on the Eastside Beltline Trail, and is so big that it will make YOU feel tiny!
Find it: At the Edge OTB (behind the giant bull), 670 DeKalb Ave. SE
This 70-foot mural of the late Rep. John Lewis is located on the east side of the current Renaissance Walk building. Lewis was a politician and civil rights leader who served as the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district. Located in an area of downtown with much historical significance, you'll be walking in Lewis' footsteps if you go to pay this mural a visit. The Butler Street YMCA building, where civil rights leaders met in the 1960s, is directly south of this mural, and dozens of historical churches and businesses surround it in the Sweet Auburn Historic District.
Moms, grab your coffee and head on over to this mural in Castleberry Hill—an historic neighborhood known for its industrial-to-arts vibe—to snap a picture of yourself in your natural environment: wings up. While you're at it, put the Castleberry Hill Art Stroll (every 2nd Friday) on your agenda. You'll visit fascinating and diverse galleries and get a taste of this little corner of Atlanta!
Find It: 217 Walker St. SW
Painted on the side of Atlanta's famous "Disco Kroger" (it used to be a swinging night club called Limelight Disco, where Andy Warhol purportedly hung out in the 80's), this depiction of the building's former glory days by Yoyo Ferro is actually quite glorious, itself.
Another Castleberry Hill mural, this one pretty much sums it up. And in the family, there couldn't be a better spot than this one to snap a photo of your kiddos getting along.
This is one of two murals in Decatur painted by @thekillamari for @livingwallsatl as part of the Laura Patricia Calle Grant, which accepts proposals for a public art project that informs and promotes awareness on social equality, feminism, immigrtants' rights, LGBTQ rights, and cultural diversity. The colors chosen for this mural are inspired by the Pan-Sexual pride flag.
Lela Brunet is an Atlanta artisit known for depicting contrast between a female form and colorful patterns. This particular mural joins those in @outerspaceproject—a week-long event of art, murals, live music, action sports in the ATL—along the #path400 trail in Buckhead.
We love the merry marigolds of this mural that's painted on the side of a shipping container. Find it near the chicken coop area of the Berea Mennonite farm on Bouldercrest in East Atlanta. The small urban church has multiple acres under cultivation and grows over 70 different organic vegetables on the east edge of Atlanta, and sells its food at local farmers’ markets. It also provides a first fruits tithe to the community, distributed through a free clinic.
In Grant Park, you'll find this cheerful mural called "Vaso de Flores" by artist Yoyo Ferro @yoyoferro. Big, bright, and bold (also very near The Beacon, in case you're shopping or dining nearby), we could all use a vase of flowers this year.
Find It: In the vicinity of 1039 Grant St. SE
Located in Buckhead, this mural by Thomas Turner is called "Moon Seeker." It's dedicated to Henry Aaron, legendary MLB right fielder and current SVP of the Atlanta Braves. He was also known as the man boxing legend Muhammad Ali called “The only man I idolize more than myself."
Easter egg hunts are back! And so are other kid-friendly Easter activities and event that will put an extra bounce in your Easter weekend. Let’s just say your kids will be egg-cited to try their hands at LEGO bunny building and bunny hutch decorating after they’ve found all the eggs around town. Here’s where to celebrate Easter in Seattle.
Seattle-Area Easter Egg Hunts
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Get ready! Seattle Parks and Recreation is hosting Easter egg hunts at local community centers in 2022. Always an easy option, these free outdoor romps are great for kids. You bring the basket, they "hide" hundreds of eggs for kids to find. Most of the hunts are geared toward kids ages 3-11, but there are a couple of options for teens and a sweet tot egg hunt for kids ages 1-3 at Green Lake this year. Our advice? Get there with plenty of time to spare. These events start on time and eggs are gathered faster than you can say "hop to it." Here's where you'll find all the action in 2022:
Hide & Peep Egg Hunt Play hide & peep with your little eggs at this egg hunt that lets kids search throughout the mall for hidden treat. Check in at our Easter Bunny set, located next to Nordstrom Rack for your free wrist band and bag. Then, walk around the mall to find the 12 retailers with large Easter Egg decals in their windows to collect your eggs. Tickets are recommended but not required. Sat., Apr. 9. Ages 3-11. Free. Auburn. Event details.
Farm Egg Hunt Friends and supporters of Muddy Pug Farm & Sanctuary are welcome for a morning of fun, family games, egg hunts and the opportunity to meet the wonderful farm sanctuary residents. Every dollar of ticket sales will go directly to the care of the rescued cows, sheep, goats, ducks and bunnies that call The Muddy Pug home. Tickets are required for this event. Sat., Apr. 9. All ages. $15-$75. Maple Valley. Event details.
Spring Egg-stravaganza Celebrate spring at this egg-themed workshop at Kelsey creek farm. Kids and their grown-up will collect eggs from the chicken coops and compare the eggs that chickens and ducks lay. After they've learned a little, kids can pet a bunny and enjoy a rabbit-themed story time before heading out on an egg hunt. Sun., Apr. 10, Ages 4-8. $25/Resident; $30/Non-resident. Bellevue. Event details.
Bunny Hop Egg Hunt Bring a basket and celebrate spring as Snoqualmie's annual egg hunt returns. Kids can plan on a festive spring morning of candy-filled egg hunting at this event. Just be sure to arrive on time (or a better yet, early), as the eggs go fast. Or choose to check out why Downtown Is Hopping for a slower paced egg hunt that includes pictures with the Easter bunny. Sat., Apr. 16. Ages 1-2. Free. Snoqualmie. Event details.
Beer Garden Easter Egg Hunt Ounces Taproom's popular Beer Garden Egg Hunt for kids under 10 is back for 2022. Please arrive by 3 p.m. for your kids to participate. Stable food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank is encouraged. Sat., Apr. 16, Ages 10 & under. Free. West Seattle. Event details.
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Visit the Bunny Patch Bring the kids to Thomasson Farm to visit their annual Bunny Patch. With your ticket, kids can enjoy playground activities like tractor train rides and laser tag, an on-going Easter egg hunt and pictures with the Easter Bunny himself. As any good farm visit should, this one also includes visiting with farm animals and walking the fairy tail trail. Tickets required. Apr. 8-10 & 15 and 16. All ages. $10-$12. Enumclaw. Event details.
Easter Egg Hunt & Bunny Photos Not only will your kids get to ooh and ahh over the recently arrived baby chicks at The Grange, but they'll also get to hunt for Easter eggs. You bring the basket and your fastest bunny shoes; they'll set out eggs and give kids the chance to take photos with the Easter Bunny, too. Please register for this event in advance. Sat., Apr. 16. All ages. Free. Issaquah. Event details.
Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt Families will be glad to hear this in-person event is returning for 2022. It will include an egg hunt, Easter bunny photo booth, balloon twisters, fun activities, games and more. Please remember to bring a canned food donation for The Mill Creek Community Food Bank and a basket or bag for collecting eggs. Sat., Apr. 16. All ages. Free. Mill Creek. Event details.
Egg Scramble Ready for a fun twist on the traditional Egg Hunt? Try this one that includes crafts, a face painter, balloon artists, goodie bags Easter Bunny and an egg hunt. Puget Sound Fire will also be on site, supporting the event with goodies and fire engine tours. Sat., Apr. 16. All ages. Free. SeaTac. Event details.
Egg Hunt at Kent Station Bring your bunnies to Kent Station for two different egg hunts. Kids up to age six can hop in line on the grassy area in front of Coldstone before they get to hunt for 6 eggs (we want to make sure there's enough for everyone). Kids ages 6-12 have a mystery to solve. They’ll get an egg and then follow clues around Kent station to earn a prize. Sat., Apr. 16. All ages. Free. Kent. Event details.
Bunnies & Sundaes Nutty Squirrel Gelato is where you'll find this kid-approved Easter event that combines cuddly little bunnies and uniquely crafted Easter sundaes. Each ticket holder will get 10 minutes to hang with the bunnies and a double-scoop gelato sundae with robin's egg candies, marshmallow Peeps and cookie crumbles. This event will be followed by a community Easter egg hunt. Sun., Apr. 17. All ages. $12. Magnolia. Event details.
Other Totally Hoppin’ Easter Activities
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Steam Train Eggspress Bring the family and celebrate spring and the Easter season with an excursion through the Chehalis River Valley. Candy-filled eggs will be hidden by the Easter Bunny while you enjoy your ride. Then, once you reach your destination, kids can get out and start the hunt. They'll be broken up by age groups so everyone can find at least a few eggs. Bring your own basket, please. Tickets required. Apr. 9 & 16. $17/person; Free for kids 2 & under. All ages. Chehalis. Event details.
Meet the Easter Bunny The Easter Bunny is back at Bellevue Square. Hop on over to take a stroll through the flower patch to meet the Easter Bunny. Then smile pretty, it’s time to have your photo taken with him. After the kids visit, they’ll receive a free coloring tote with surprises inside, while supplies last. April 8-16. $35. All ages. Bellevue. Event details.
Easter Bunny Photos Hop on down to Southcenter Mall to have your little bunnies get their picture taken with the Easter Bunny. You'll find the Bunny and a new set outside Macy's on the main floor. Reservations are encouraged and walk-up appointments are available as space permits. There is a sensory friendly photo session scheduled for April 3, from 9:30-11 a.m. Apr. 1-16. All ages. Tukwila. Event details.
Auburn's Peter Cotton Trail Grab your peeps and hop around Auburn's parks and trails in search of the elusive bunny, who'll be hidden in various locations around Auburn. Find ten bunnies, have a chance to win awesome prizes and have a blast doing it. This will be a hippity-hoppity, fun and safe event for people of all ages and ability levels. Apr. 16-18. All ages. Free. Auburn. Event details.
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LEGO Easter Bunny Workshop Join Play-Well TEKnologies for a LEGO Easter Bunny workshop. Kids will have the opportunity to engineer and build their own hopping Easter Bunny, then use their creativity and imagination to deliver Easter eggs and other goodies, all with the guidance of egg-cellent Play-Well instructors. Registration is required. Sat., Apr. 9. $40. Ages. 5-10. Mill Creek. Event details.
Bunny Hutch Decorating Class We love this baking class that puts an Easter spin on gingerbread houses when kids make and decorating a sweet retreat for the Easter Bunny. Made of cookies, this bunny hutch will make the perfect centerpiece to your Easter celebration. Kids will also make a treat in class to enjoy. Registration required. Sun., Apr. 10. $75. Ages. 4-7. Seattle & Kirkland. Event details.
Easter Parade The 40th Annual Snohomish Easter Parade and Bonnet Contest is back. Celebrate the return of this beloved community event when you line the streets of Historic Downtown Snohomish to see the floats, bands and bunny-clad groups pass by. Sat., Apr. 16. Free. All ages. Snohomish. Event details.
Celebrate Black History, Atlanta families, when you explore the city’s Civil Rights sites, landmarks, and museums
In Atlanta, we walk in the footsteps of Civil Rights leaders during Black History Month and every month. No matter what month it is, take the opportunity to honor and acknowledge Black contributions by taking a closer look at some of Atlanta’s (and our nation’s) most important historical sites—many of which we probably pass in carpool every day. Brush up on Black history with a Black history tour or history lesson, and see our city through entirely new eyes.
Black History Museums in Atlanta
Visit the Apex Museum
The Atlanta Black History Museum in the Sweet Auburn Historic District is packed with knowledge of the Black experience from Africa to America. While the museum focuses a great deal on slavery, it also takes a deep dive into African culture, Black inventors, and Black leaders. Exhibits span from “Africa the Untold Story,” where visitors can learn about the African continent over the past 6,000 years, to “Sweet Auburn Street Pride,” which helps visitors experience a more localized history of Black life in Atlanta.
What do you know about the Civil Rights Movement? Learn something new about the people from the past—famous and not-so-famous—who played a part in the movement. The Visitor Center, Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, and Freedom Hall are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. The Birth Home is open for limited ranger-led tours. Fire Station No. 6 is staffed by park volunteers and is open when volunteers are available. All sites are free to the public.
During the 1920s, Auburn Avenue became the commercial center of Black Atlanta. The phrase "Sweet Auburn" was coined by businessman and civil rights activist John Wesley Dobbs, the Unofficial Mayor of Sweet Auburn, and the maternal grandfather of Atlanta's first Black mayor, Maynard Jackson. Today, the avenue is home to the Sweet Auburn Springfest, the Caribbean Festival & Parade, and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade. Here's the best way to spend a day in the Sweet Auburn Historic District: on a regular day, you'll find historical sites on every corner, small and large museums, and plenty of good places to grab lunch.
Begin your tour of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center by following the Civil Rights Walk of Fame, past the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, and proceed to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site Visitor Center, where you can reserve a ticket for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth home. Proceed east on Auburn to enter the King Center’s outdoor campus where you can view the crypt of Dr. and Mrs. King, the Eternal Flame, the Freedom Walkway, and the Reflecting Pool. Walk eastward along the pool to Freedom Hall, where you can learn more about Dr. King, Mrs. King, and The King Center through immersive exhibits.
Visit The National Center for Civil & Human Rights
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights believes in justice and dignity for all, and the power of people to make this idea real. They inspire visitors with immersive exhibitions, dynamic events and conversations, and engagement and education/training programs. Be sure to download their “Across Generations” intergenerational conversation starter for you to use on your visit.
Morehouse College, founded in 1867, is a historically Black, private liberal arts college for men. One of the college’s most distinguished alumni is Martin Luther King, Jr., who graduated in 1948. Inside The Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel you'll find a Hall of Honor, with 158 oil portraits of world leaders in the civil and human rights movement, and a bust of Mahatma Gandhi. Outside, you'll find a bronze statue of Dr. King, and the burial crypt and towering obelisk for Dr. Howard Washington Thurman.
At the former site of Yates & Milton Drug Store, which is now the Student Center on the campus of Clark Atlanta University, you can find a Georgia Historical Society marker that tells the story of the Atlanta Student Movement, which began when three Morehouse College students—Lonnie King, Joseph Pierce, and Julian Bond—formed the Committee on the Appeal for Human Rights and involved all the historically Black institutions of the Atlanta University Center (AUC). AUC students conducted sit-ins at segregated lunch counters throughout Atlanta, movie theaters, parks, and the Georgia State Capitol. When the students targeted the Magnolia Room at Rich's Department Store in downtown Atlanta, Martin Luther King, Jr. and his brother A.D. King joined them and were arrested with 77 student demonstrators. Protests continued over the next year until desegregation was achieved.
Corner of James P. Brawley Dr. SW & Atlanta Student Movement Blvd. Atlanta
greg keelen via unsplash
Rep. John Lewis Mural
This 70-foot mural of the late Rep. John Lewis is located on the east side of the current Renaissance Walk building. Lewis was a politician and civil rights leader who served as the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district. Located in an area downtown with much historical significance, you'll be walking in Lewis' footsteps if you go to pay this mural a visit. The Butler Street YMCA building, where civil rights leaders met in the 1960s, is directly south of this mural, and dozens of historical churches and businesses surround it in the Sweet Auburn Historic District.
219 Auburn Ave. N.E. Atlanta
Atlanta History Center
The exhibit Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow at the Atlanta History Center explores the Black struggle for full citizenship and racial equality that unfolded in the 50 years following the Civil War. It was created by the New York Historical Society in collaboration with the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and has a particular focus on local stories and artifacts. After checking out this virtual exhibit, pay a visit to the Smith Family Farm on the grounds of the Atlanta History Center, then to the Swan House to imagine these historic sites through the eyes of Black people during the time of their full operation.
Each Sunday, visitors from around the globe join church members at the historic church where Dr. Martin Luther King served as Pastor—in person at Ebenezer or via Ebenezer Everywhere—to experience Ebenezer’s history. The doors are open to all, and in addition to visiting the original church, you should be sure to check out the Visitor's Center, the nearby King Center, Birth Home, World Peace Rose Garden, and Behold Monument.
African American Burial Grounds Tour at Oakland Cemetery
Throughout February, Historic Oakland Foundation hosts guided walking tours of Oakland Cemetery’s historic African American Burial Grounds, with stops at the final resting places of a few Atlanta pioneers, including Carrie Steele Logan, founder of Atlanta’s first orphanage for African American children; William Finch, one of Atlanta’s first African American city councilmen; Bishop Wesley John Gaines and Julia A. Gaines, pastor and First Lady of Big Bethel A.M.E. Church; and Maynard Jackson, Atlanta’s first African American mayor.
Civil Bikes brings a fresh perspective to Civil Rights. Explore Atlanta's history and human rights issues on a guided bike tour that takes you to places that make Atlanta unique. Check out an upcoming schedule of Atlanta walking and bike tours of greater Atlanta, Georgia's storied Sweet Auburn, and historic West End neighborhoods. All tours are family-friendly and can accommodate any level of cyclists (or walkers!). Once you register for your Civil Bikes walking or bike tour, you will receive an email with details on where and when to meet, where to park, what to bring, and more.
The Atlanta Black History Tour follows the trail of Atlanta’s Black history while illuminating black life and achievement in the city from pre-Civil War to the present day. Unlike bike or walking tours, the Atlanta Black History Tour allows you to relax in a comfortable motorcoach as you tour the historical landmarks of Atlanta. The tour showcases Atlanta’s Black neighborhoods and highlights the homes of its leading citizens.
In Savannah, you'll find The Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum, which chronicles the civil rights struggle of Georgia's oldest Black community from slavery to the present.
Head to coastal Sapelo Island to experience African-influenced Gullah-Geechee culture. It's open for tours throughout the year.
Classic play has had a big year and one category that’s been taking off with families spending more time at home is an old favorite: ride-on toys. The 6-volt NCAA College Mascots ride-on assortment from Dynacraft brings famous mascots from the University of Georgia, University of Alabama, Auburn University, University of Arkansas, Louisiana State University, and Clemson University from the sidelines to the sidewalk just in time for the holidays. Kids ages 3 and up can rock the neighborhood at a maximum speed of 2.5 mph activated by an easy-to-operate foot pedal. Each ride-on comes with a special “team bus” where the mascot lives for charging in between playtime.
The Toy Insider is the go-to source for product information and the latest news about children's toys, tech, and entertainment. Its team of toy experts publishes two annual gift guides—one for summer and one for holiday—and reviews toys 365 days a year on thetoyinsider.com, a trusted resource for parents.
If you are looking for a way to get the kids outside this weekend and get some exercise at the same time, we’ve got the list for you. Our friends over at AllTrails sent us their 10 favorite hikes for kids that will take you all over the city and beyond. Spend the day hiking through the Boston Public Garden and then head over to Quincy where your hike will give you both gorgeous views of the Boston skyline and a history lesson to go along with it. Where will your adventures take you today?
1. Lost Emerald Necklace Loop Trail
Maksim Pisconov/AllTrails
Lost Emerald Necklace Loop Trail is a 1.6 mile moderately-trafficked loop trail located near Boston, Massachusetts that features a river and is good for all skill levels. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Distance: 1.6 miles Difficulty: Easy
2. Belle Isle Marsh
Sergio Saade/AllTrails
Belle Isle Marsh is a 0.6 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Boston, Massachusetts that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Note: the lookout tower has been reported closed due to COVID-19.
Distance: 0.6 miles Difficulty: Easy
3. Mystic River Loop
Aly Humphreys/AllTrails
Mystic River Loop is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Somerville, Massachusetts that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until September.
Distance: 2.3 miles Difficulty: Easy
4. Chestnut Hill Reservoir Trail
David Cronin/AllTrails
Chestnut Hill Reservoir Trail is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This short loop around Chestnut Hill Reservoir offers nice views of Boston College and of Boston skyline. Great for viewing wildlife and birds.
Distance: 1.6 miles Difficulty: Easy
5. Southwest Corridor Path
Jonathan Ellinger/AllTrails
Southwest Corridor Path is a heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Boston, Massachusetts and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail. The Southwest Corridor Park is linear park stretching from the Back Bay to Forest Hills. The park links South End, Back Bay, Roxbury and Jamaica Plain with a street-level, greenway.
Distance: 1.4 miles Difficulty: Easy
6. Public Garden Monument Walking Tour
Boris Seletsky/AllTrails
Public Garden Monument Walking Tour is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Boston, Massachusetts that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Kids will love making stops along the way to check out the monuments and sculptures.
Distance: 1.1 miles Difficulty: Easy
7. Downtown Boston Kids Walk
Tom Bradley/AllTrails
Downtown Boston Kids Walk is a moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Boston, Massachusetts that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Be sure to stop for a photo by the Make Way for Ducklings stautes.
Distance: 1.7 miles Difficulty: Easy
8. Hammond Pond and Webster West
Lina S/AllTrails
Hammond Pond and Webster West is a moderately trafficked loop trail located near Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and snowshoeing and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Distance: 2.6 miles Difficulty: Easy
9. Squantum Point
Dani Mac/AllTrails
Squantum Point is a lightly trafficked loop trail located near Quincy, Massachusetts that offers scenic views and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and nature trips. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This is a beautiful park and beach area for a short hike. Squantum Point has a rich history and its story is told on various granite blocks throughout the park. Views of Thompson Island, the JKF library, the Rainbow Swash and the Boston skyline are plentiful.
Distance: 2.1 miles Difficulty: Easy
10. Mount Auburn Cemetery Trail
Bill Lin/AllTrails
Mount Auburn Cemetery Trail is a 3.3 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Watertown, Massachusetts that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from April until October. This cemetery is considered to be one of the first garden cemeteries in the country. You will find numerous amazing monuments and beautiful grave sights as you walk the myriad of trails or drive the roads.
AllTrails helps connect us to the outdoors and makes getting outside easier and more accessible. Home to the largest collection of hand-curated trail guides, with AllTrails you can search for and navigate trails, parks, and green spaces, or use filters to find your next favorite trail.
History may not be your kids’ favorite subject, but a fun way to help pique their interest is to introduce them to historic sights they can relate to. Lucky for us, Seattle offers a treasure trove of historic things see, do and experience. Scroll down for 10 historical Seattle sites to explore with your kids now.
Pier 57
Pexels
Why It's Historic: Pier 57 doesn’t have any exciting pirate stories to tell, but it is very much a part of Seattle history. Originally known as Pier 6, Pier 57 has gone through a number of owners and names including the John B. Agen Company who owned the pier when it was first built in 1902. By 1909, it was owned by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad and became known as Milwaukee Pier. It was later known as the McCormick Terminal in the mid-1930s when it became the terminal for the McCormick Steamship Line, the Munson McCormick Line and Osaka Shosen Kaisha. In later years, it was used for fish processing and recreational fishing. In 1989, the City of Seattle actually traded Pier 57 for Piers 62 and 63. And today, it's owned by the Griffith family and is better known as Miner’s Landing.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: It’s fun! Today, the pier is home to a variety of fantastic family eateries, shops and popular attractions, including the impressive Seattle Great Wheel, the “flying theater” known as Wings Over Washington, a classic carousel, arcade and more. The Seattle Great Wheel offers one heck of an ah-mazing view of Seattle’s skyscrapers, Puget Sound, Cascade Mountains and Mount Rainier as well as the city’s neighboring islands. The entire trip will take you approximately 20 minutes and will include three full rotations (or sometimes four-depending on where you boarded in the cycle) 17 stories above the ground. Once your feet are safely back on Pier 57, head next door to Wings Over Washington to take a ride on Seattle’s only state-of-the-art flying theater where you can get a bird’s-eye view of Washington’s most scenic attractions.
Pier 57–Miner’s Landing 1301 Alaskan Way Seattle, WA 98101 206-623-8600 minerslanding.com
The Seattle Center & Space Needle
Kristina Moy
Why It’s Historic: The 74 acres known today as the Seattle Center was originally built for the Seattle World’s Fair which was held in 1962. Many of the buildings used for the space-age event known as Century 21 are still standing today, including what is now known as the Pacific Science Center, Key Arena, the International Fountain, the Monorail and the city’s greatest landmark, the Space Needle.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: The views from the Space Needle have always been spectacular, but they got even better with the Needle’s major overhaul which was completed in 2018. Standing 605 feet tall, the top of the Needle is now referred to as Atmos and includes three levels: the 500-foot observation level (with the world’s first revolving glass floor), the 510-foot Ring Level (with less spectacular but still important new restrooms) and the 520-foot observation level (with both indoor and outdoor open-air viewing). Connecting all three is a new grand staircase. The Oculus Stairs are two half-moon shaped staircases built from steel, wood and glass. At the base of the stairs sits the Oculus, a 19 foot by 11 foot glass floor that gives a unique view of the elevators and counterweights.
Space Needle 400 Broad St. Seattle, WA 98109 206-905-2100 Online: spaceneedle.com
Seattle Center 305 Harrison St. Seattle, WA 98109 206-684-7200 Online: seattlecenter.com
Why It’s Historic: Pioneer Square is often called Seattle’s original neighborhood as the founders of city first settled here in 1852. Almost all of the early wooden buildings there burned to the ground during the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. The new stone and brick buildings that replaced them (and built on top of them) have given the neighborhood its distinctive Richardsonian Romanesque look and cobblestone streets. The famous cast iron and glass pergola, found at 1st Avenue and Yesler Way, was built in 1909.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: It only makes sense that the most historic place in the city features a variety of places to learn about history. The Last Resort Fire Department is a museum for firefighter wannabes dedicated to local firefighting heroes and includes a collection of one-of-a-kind antique fire trucks. Bill Spediel’s Underground Tour will take you down to the city that was before the fire to view some of the old buildings with original store fronts. Kids can also pan for gold at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (it's the only national park located in a building) as well as learn about the gold seekers headed for the Klondike. There is so much to see and do here that you might want to plan a family staycation and stay at the neighborhood's Embassy Suites by Hilton.
Why It’s Historic: Joseph Edward Standley first set up his bizarre mix of curiosities and souvenirs on the Seattle waterfront in 1899. Since then, not much has changed except for the store’s location and its contents. This free museum/gift shop is still run by the Standley family.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: Whether it’s Sylvester and Sylvia the mummies or Black Bart the one-armed bandit, the Ye Olde Curiosity Shop lives up to its name. It’s not for everybody, but older kids will especially get a kick out of seeing the amazing flea circus, Chief Seattle’s hat, Mexican jumping beans and some truly wacky oddities. With that said, younger ones (and their parents for that matter) may be not be so keen upon viewing some of the mummies and shrunken heads.
Ye Olde Curiosity Shop 1001 Alaskan Way Seattle, WA 98104 206-682-5844 Online: yeoldecuriosityshop.com
Why It’s Historic: Located in Pioneer Square, the Smith Tower is named after Lyman Cornelius Smith, the founder of the Smith-Corona Typewriter Company, and is one of the oldest skyscrapers in the city. The 38-story building was built in 1914 and if you have older relatives living here, they will tell you that it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. That distinction was short-lived though after the completion of the Kansas City Power and Light building in 1931. However, the Smith Tower was the tallest on the West Coast until 1962 when the Space Needle was built.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: Obviously, the view from the observation deck is amazing, but there is more to see inside including the self-guided, interactive tour called The Legends of Smith Tower. Visitors can immerse themselves into the roaring 1920s and beyond and peek into a time when Seattleites were coming to terms with the early prohibition and technology that would soon transform the city. During the 40-minute tour, you can explore the radio operations that took place in the Smith Tower and learn how they played into the bootlegging operation of Roy Olmstead; learn why the Smith Tower became a popular place for attorneys to set up shop; see how the Smith Tower in-house switchboard connected folks to the outside world; and learn how the original Chinese Room came to be on the 35th floor.
Smith Tower 506 Second Ave. Seattle, WA 98104 206-624-0414 Online: smithtower.com
Why It’s Historic: This museum was first thought of during the 1950s when a group of townspeople would gather for lunch and share stories about the area’s history. That small group then became the White River Valley Historical Society which created a small museum in the town of Thomas. In the 1960s, the museum was moved to Auburn. As the museum grew in popularity and size, its group of aging founders shrank. Eventually, the society asked the city of Auburn to help keep the museum alive and the city responded with a resounding yes!
While It’s Worth Seeing: Today, the White River Valley Museum features a variety of life-like displays that highlight what life was like in the greater Auburn area many years ago. Families are invited to explore the streets of Auburn as they were in the 1920s. Here, you can peek inside the Auburn Depot, hop on aboard a 1924 caboose, wander through a settler’s cabin, try on a hat at Ms. Hall’s Hat Shop, check in at the Tourist Hotel, explore a Japanese American farmhouse and more. The museum is full of artifacts and replicas and “do not touch” signs are a rarity. In fact, kids are encouraged to use all of their senses while exploring.
White River Valley Museum 918 H St. S.E. Auburn, WA 98002 253-288-7433 Online: wrvmuseum.org
Why It’s Historic: The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, aka the Ballard Locks, is located on Salmon Bay in Lake Washington’s Ship Canal near Ballard. The locks were first opened on Independence Day in 1917. Today, more boats pass through it than any other lock in the U.S. It’s a bit difficult to describe how it works and its purpose, but we’ll do our best. Basically, the point of the locks is to keep the fresh water from Lake Washington and Lake Union from getting into the salt water of Puget Sound while allowing boats to pass between the two waterways. Boats move from the water level of the lake to the water level of the Sound (and vice versa) through a series of “elevators” that raise and lower the boats as needed.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: Almost everything to do and see here is free! Kids (and adults) who are fascinated by boats of all shapes and sizes will get a kick getting up close and personal with them. Boats pass through here 24 hours a day. In addition to the locks, there are two floors of interactive displays to explore in the Visitor Center/Museum as well as the Historic Administration Building, a fish ladder that aids in the migration of salmon and the amazing Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Gardens. The locks even present a summer music series that is hard to pass up .
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks 3015 N.W. 54th St. Ballard, WA 98107 206-783-7059 Online: ballardlocks.org
Why It’s Historic: The story goes something like this: In 1889, Jonathan Edward Back, a cabinetmaker, accidentally started a fire by igniting and overturning a glue pot. Soon, 31 blocks of the new wooden Seattle buildings were in flames. Seattle rebuilt its streets and buildings literally on top of the old ones which resulted in the city being built anywhere from 12 feet to 30 feet taller than the original. A number of businesses still had their original ground floor, but with the new design, they became basements. In 1907, the area now known as the “Underground” was condemned. In 1965, a small part of the underground city was restored by Bill Speidel who created the Underground Tour for folks curious to see what was underneath the current streets of Seattle.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: While not a long distance (about three blocks), Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour offers views of the city’s original building’s front doors, storefronts and ladders that were once used to transport people from the underground to the new city streets. The 75-minute tour tells history with a touch of humor. They call it "history with punch lines.” The tour begins at Doc Maynard’s Public House and ends at the Rogues Gallery and the Underground Gift Shop which also includes a few more displays.
Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour 608 1st Ave. Seattle, WA 98104 206-682-4646 Online: undergroundtour.com
Why It’s Historic: Created with a cost of $25,000, the West Point Lighthouse began operation on November 15, 1881 as the first manned light station on Puget Sound, but was the last to become automated in 1985. Unfortunately, the lighthouse was placed right by where Seattle would dump its raw sewage for its first 80 years. Located at Discovery Park, the lighthouse light was illuminated with the aid of a kerosene lamp for 44 years and later operated with Seattle’s electricity in 1926.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: In terms of ice cream sundaes, the lighthouse is the cherry on top of Discovery Park which is known for its paved paths, wide open meadows for picnicking and playing and amazing vistas of the Olympics from the bluffs of Magnolia. It’s looking great for its age thanks to a $600,000 restoration project, undertaken in 2009 and finished in 2011. The walk down to the beach is beautiful, but super steep and not stroller friendly (lots of stairs). If you have very small children unable to make the hike or a disabled parking pass, you can nab one of the few parking spots right down by the beach.
West Point Lighthouse in Discovery Park 3801 Discovery Park Blvd. Seattle, WA 98199 206-386-4236 Online: lighthousefriends.com
Why It’s Historic: Before the creation of the Pike Place Market, local farmers had to sell their wares within a small section of Sixth Avenue and King Street known as The Lots. However, many of the farmers had to sell their produce by consignment to commercial wholesale houses on Western Avenue leaving them with little profit. In 1896, a new Seattle ordinance allowed the city to designate various places as public markets, including what we now know today as Pike Place Market which opened its doors for the first time on August 17, 1907. Today, it’s one of the oldest and continuously operated public farmers markets in the country.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: There is so much to see and do at Pike Place Market besides picking up veggies for dinner. Where else can you experience a free "flying fish show” where fishmongers throw salmon back and forth across the seafood counters? You’ll also find a variety of buskers (musicians, magicians, clowns, singers, jugglers), a Giant Show Museum, the county’s oldest comic book store and the sticky but spectacular Gum Wall. Be sure to check out the Market Magic & Novelty Shop and look for Elvis the Fortune Teller. Need a snack? Stop by the historic Three Girls Bakery who have been baking up treats since 1912 or enjoy a sweet treat with a dose of old-school nostalgia at Shug's Soda Fountain & Ice Cream.
Pike Place Market 1st Ave & Pike St. Seattle, WA 98101 206-602-6420 Online: pikeplacemarket.org
Is there anything more fun than grabbing a blanket (and snacks) on a warm summer night and watching a movie under the stars? For those who love spending time in the great outdoors as much as you love family friendly movies, mark your calendars because there are loadsof local outdoor screenings.
Bethesda Outdoor Movies Enjoy five nights of blockbuster hits at downtown Bethesda’s 15th annual outdoor movie series! Head to the Woodmont Triangle area of Bethesda where they will bring five days of flicks al fresco during the last week of July. Note: This series is best suited for tweens and teens with movies such as 10 Things I Hate About You and Crazy Rich Asians.
Corner of Norfolk & Auburn Aves. (Bethesda, MD) Online: bethesda.org
Whalen Commons Summer Movie Series
Picnic blankets or chairs are recommended for comfortable viewing under the stars at this series. Admission is free and popcorn is available to purchase! Enjoy three nights of blockbuster hits, spread throughout the summer. Faves include Teen Beach Movie and Mary Poppins Returns.
Movies on the Potomac Pack your chairs and head over to National Harbor for some serious family fun. Start by grabbing food to go from one of the harbor’s delicious dining establishments, and meeting friends and family at the Plaza screen for a free movie! Every Sunday at 6 p.m. until October you’ll find all kinds of flicks, from Instant Family to Dumbo.
Cinema Del Rey On the third Saturday of the month through September, head to the Mount Vernon Rec Center where they’re showing a handful of animated movies everyone can enjoy. From Small Foot, to Ralph Breaks The Internet and Incredibles 2, there’s something to please even the pickiest movie goer.
Golden Triangle Cinema Farragut Square is where it’s at Friday nights at sundown from Jun 7-Aug 2. They have current, old school and animated movies showing on the silver screen. Fam faves from A Dog’s Way Home and Mary Poppins Returns to Crazy Rich Asians and Wonder Woman will be in rotation.
NoMa Summer Screen This year’s Who’s Got Game?-themed NoMa Summer Screen features, appropriately enough, a variety of sports related movies. The three month film series starts on June 5 and runs weekly through August 21. The Karate Kid, Bend It Like Beckham and, of course, Rudy are amongst those that will be featured.
Georgetown’s Annual Sunset Cinema Outdoor Movie Series Tuesday nights at sunset from July 10-August 7 are about to be lit. Join the Georgetown Business Improvement District for Georgetown’s Annual Sunset Cinema series, where the 2019 theme is “Out of Office”, and will feature iconic movies about vacations and trips. Arrive early to picnic and to get the best seating. We’re looking forward to Under The Tuscan Sun and Parent Trap.
Canal Park Outdoor Movie Series See your favorite stars beneath the stars at the Capitol Riverfront’sCanal Park Outdoor Movie Series. Catch films every Thursday evening at sundown from June 13 through August 22. Options range from The Goonies to The Little Mermaid.
Rosslyn Cinema Outdoor Movie Festival From Paddington to Casablanca, every Friday this summer, starting June 7, head to Gateway Park. Bring a blanket and a group of friends and enjoy a night under the stars with your favorite movies. Movies start at dusk, but the fun starts at 5 p.m. with games galore. Huge bonus: four legged friends are welcome!
Columbia Pike Movie Nights on Arlington Hill Bring your blankets and pillows to enjoy a movie on the big screen Fridays at 8:30 p.m. The 2019 summer season theme is Heroes & Sheroes. Family friendly screenings include Mulan, Moana and Hidden Figures.
Your bambino doesn’t have to be an actor-in-training to appreciate the theater. Test the theory out this fall when more than half a dozen stages offer show line-ups fit for the littles. From kids-only venues like Glen Echo’s Adventure Theater and Arts on the Horizon in Alexandria, to the venerable Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, this season’s family-friendly fare is kicking it up a notch.
Arts on the Horizon As the first theatre company in the country to focus exclusively on the zero to six age range, Arts on the Horizon emphasizes arts education and shrinks it right down to size with active performances and less dialogue for its young audiences. Last year’s “Blossom’s Rainbow” was a sensation, and returns again to close out the 2015-16 season.
Adventure Theater Get ready for some classics this season at this long-established theater in the round. Known for bringing books to life, this year features a musical based on the children’s story “Caps for Sale,” a Lemony Snicket inspired holiday show about a lump of coal that wants to be an artist, and in store for next summer–“Jumanji”.
The Alden Theater at McClean Community Center Independent kids’ musician and performer, Elska, plays the Alden this November, and is amongst a range of performers both musical and theatrical in this unique and intimate space.
Hylton Center in Manassas
Catch pet owner Emily Elizabeth in a musical about her Big Red Dog, Clifford next Spring, and Ladybug Girl and Bumble Bee Boy, all based on best-selling children’s book series. See also a dozen other performances designated by the Hylton Center as “Family Friendly” throughout the season.
10960 George Mason Cir. (Manassas, Va)
703-993-7759
Online: hyltoncenter.org
Black Rock Center for Performing Arts Don’t miss all-time favorite children’s story Goodnight Moon come to life in May 2016 at this Germantown venue. The calendar is full of variety of other awesome performances, from an Alvin Ailey family show in November followed by an Australian acrobatic ensemble and a holiday musical starring “Fancy Nancy.”
12901 Town Commons Dr. (Germantown, Md)
301-528-2260
Online: blackrockcenter.org
Photo: Imagination Stage via facebook.
Imagination Stage Now in it’s 12th year in downtown Bethesda location, the exclusively-for-kids shows at this venue never fail to impress. The upcoming professional season is no exception with popular books coming to life in front of your nose. Don’t miss: “A Year with Frog and Toad”.
Kennedy Center Performances for Young Audiences Performances for Young Audiences features the National Symphony Orchestra Teddy Bear Concerts designed to warm kiddo to a classical tune like butter on toast. Theatrical options include a collaboration with the U.S. Botanic Garden, a three person musical spin on Moby Dick, and a show called Superman 2050 where a cast of seven take on all props, scenes, sound effects and characters using only their bodies and voices. Yes. Please.
2700 F St., NW
202-467-4600
Online: kennedy-center.org
In case you needed another reason to smash together a chocolate, marshmallow and graham sammie—August 10th was National S’mores Day. No campfire needed to savor the final days of summer’s sweetness with one of these tasty treats.
Sprinkle’s Cupcakes
Only available August 18th through 31st, Sprinkle’s fans demanded “some more” and these delicious cupcakes have returned. You only need to brave the wilds of Lenox’s parking lots to enjoy these this graham cracker-lined Belgian dark chocolate cake filled with bittersweet chocolate ganache and topped with toasted marshmallow frosting.
Sublime Doughnuts
Pop over to this delicious doughnut shop for a dozen and be sure to order up their popular s’more flavor. With chocolate icing, graham cracker crumbs and a marshmallow fluff center, this sweet treat is simply, well, sublime. Click here for our picks for Atlanta’s other best doughnut shops.
That Pie Place
After sampling one of their savory selections, go halfsies and split the s’more pie. Filled with brownies, marshmallows, & graham crackers—this sweet treat is super rich so be sure to share.
Details:6355 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., Sandy Springs, 770-394-4743, thatpieplaceusa.com
High Road
This coveted creamery got its start by chefs for chefs and the culinary pedigree shows. A modest counter tucked inside the Sweet Auburn Curb Market, their spin on s’mores included delicious chunks of graham cracker crumbs embedded in ice cream.
Flip Burger Boutique
Complete with bubbling liquid nitrogen, Flip’s burt marshmallow and Nutella milkshake is sure to wow your small fry and is a perfect accompaniment to their sweet potato tots and “haute dog.”
