Let’s be honest… by mid-July, summer starts to feel like a blur of sunscreen, endlessly packing and repacking bags, and asking your kids (again) to please stop leaving wet towels everywhere.
If you’re looking to escape the backyard chaos and find something that feels a little more fun-for-everyone, we’ve got you.
These are 17 fun places to go in the summer that are worth packing the car for… fun, flexible, and full of that magic summer energy childhoods are made of.
Just Add Water:
Splashy Summer Fun for Every Age
If you’ve got a swimsuit, a towel, and a free afternoon… these spots deliver.
Think lakeside paddling, floating obstacle courses, and water parks that keep big kids busy and little ones happy.
Enchanted Forest Water Safari
Old Forge, NY
Heated water rides, big energy, and cooler mountain air.
Enchanted Forest Water Safari in Old Forge, NY is the state’s largest water theme park, tucked into the Adirondack woods with over 50 rides, including 32 heated water rides, plus classic amusement park fun.
From jungle-tube rafting through a simulated Amazon to thrill slides like Killermanjaro’s Revenge, it’s a full-day splashfest that might just turn into a weekend in the Adirondacks.
• Open daily late June through Labor Day; tickets around ~$45 adults, ~$39 kids
• Splash Cash wristbands and cabanas available
• Inland rides, circus shows, mini-trains, and more
• Easy to pair with a stay at Water’s Edge Inn or Old Forge Campground
Wicked Waves & Cape Cod Inflatable Park
West Yarmouth, MA
Big slides, bold colors, and zero chance of boredom.
Wicked Waves on Cape Cod is the kind of fun summer spot that works for every kid in the car.
There’s a lazy river for drifters, a surf simulator for thrill seekers, and a giant dry inflatable zone for the ones who never stop moving.
Add a wave pool, mini-golf, and a swim-up bar (yep, for you), and it’s a rare win for all ages.
• Best for mixed ages… toddlers to teens all find their zone
• Swim-up bar, shaded seating, and mini-golf onsite
• Combo passes available; tickets start around $30
• Open daily in summer; weekdays tend to be quieter
Lake Morey Resort
Fairlee, VT
Day passes that feel like full-on summer vacation.
Lake Morey Resort is one of those fun places to go in the summer that feels like a vacation, even if you’re just there for the day.
A day pass gets you access to the sandy beach, a heated pool (with towel service!), kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and all the lawn games your kids can fit between swims.
There’s a playground for little ones and a 5-mile paved trail that’s made for scooters, strollers, or a long walk with lake views.
• Day pass is $46 for adults, $22 for kids
• Includes pool, beach, non-motorized boats + lawn games
• Pontoon and ski boats available to rent ($100–$300)
• 5-mile paved lake loop with beautiful views
• Overnight guests get all of this included with their stay
If your Lake Morey trip needs a little local flavor, this list of Quirky Vermont Summer Festivals has just the thing.
Brownstone Adventure Sports Park
Portland, CT
Quarry swimming just got a serious upgrade.
Brownstone Adventure Sports Park in Portland, CT is what happens when your kids age out of splash pads and start asking for more.
Built into a flooded quarry, it’s a floating water park filled with climbing walls, giant inflatables, cliff jumps, ziplines, and all the summer energy of a movie montage.
Best for kids 7+ who are strong swimmers, but there are shallow areas and lounge spots if you’re not all-in on adrenaline.
• Life jackets required (and provided)
• Open daily in summer; day passes start at $40
• Good for mixed ages… younger kids can wade, older ones can go wild
Where to Go When It’s Just
Too Hot Out
Because not every summer memory needs to be made in 90-degree weather.
These picks keep it cool… literally and figuratively.
The Strong National Museum of Play
Rochester, NY
The kind of place you wish existed when you were little.
The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, NY is one of those fun places to go in the summer when it’s too hot to function and you’d rather not lose another battle over sunscreen.
Inside one of the biggest museums in the country, you’ll find an air-conditioned wonderland where kids can build with LEGOs, run their own mini Wegmans, step into vintage video games, and explore every inch of a museum made entirely for them.
It’s best for ages 2–10, but honestly? You’ll wish you had this place growing up.
• Packed with hands-on exhibits that spark creativity
• Plan to stay several hours… this one’s worth it
• Open daily; tickets around $20 for ages 2+
If you’re already dreaming about your next escape, these Upstate New York Getaway spots are packed with family-friendly things to do year-round.
Montshire Museum of Science
Norwich, VT
Hands-on science + water play = summer parenting win.
Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, VT is a hands-on science museum that feels more like a 100-acre adventure lab.
Inside, kids can launch giant bubbles, build with gears, and explore over 150 interactive exhibits that invite them to touch everything.
In summer, the real magic is outside in the 3-acre Science Park, where 250 feet of water channels and fountains turn a hot day into an open-air physics lesson… no pool required.
• Best for ages 3–10, but engaging for all curious kids
• Indoor exhibits + outdoor water play zone
• Water features run mid-May through early October
• Tickets around $16 adults, $13 kids (ages 2–17)
Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park
Centre Hall, PA
Underground boat rides:.. surprisingly cool in more ways than one.
Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park in Centre Hall, PA is home to the only all-water cavern tour in the U.S… and yes, it’s just as cool as it sounds.
On a hot day, there’s nothing better than floating through a mile-long limestone cave, bundled in a sweatshirt while your guide points out formations like The Statue of Liberty and The Upside Down Ice Cream Cone.
Afterward, climb back outside for a guided wildlife tour through 1,600 acres, where you’ll spot elk, bison, and wolves on a breezy open-air bus.
• Best for ages 5+ (life jackets required for kids)
• Boat tours last about 45–50 minutes
• Combo tickets available for cave + wildlife + maze
• Open daily in summer; cave tickets around $25 adults, $17 kids
• Plan for 2–3 hours if doing both tours
Looking for more summer fun in PA?
Head to Lancaster and check out Cherry Crest Adventure Farm for an unforgettable summer day on the farm.
Turkey Hill Experience
Columbia, PA
Unlimited ice cream samples, hands-on exhibits, and no sunscreen required.
Turkey Hill Experience in Columbia, PA is part factory fun, part frozen fantasy, and totally worth the detour.
Kids can milk a mechanical cow, design their own ice cream carton, star in a commercial, and enjoy unlimited samples of Turkey Hill’s ice cream and iced tea… yes, unlimited.
If you want to take it up a notch, book the Taste Lab, where you’ll mix and churn your very own flavor from scratch. It’s cool, hands-on, and keeps everyone happily sugared-up.
• Unlimited samples of ice cream + iced tea included
• Taste Lab is ~$9 extra, reserve ahead, it fills up
• Best for ages 4–12, but teens and grown-ups aren’t complaining
• Easy stop just off Route 30 with free parking
Outdoors, But Make It Family-Friendly
You don’t need a full-day hike or a wilderness survival kit to enjoy the outdoors.
These are the spots that feel adventurous, but still have parking, bathrooms, and something your kids will actually want to do.
Walkway Over the Hudson
Poughkeepsie, NY
Bikes, strollers, and breezy river views for the win.
Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie, NY is one of those summer spots that makes it easy to get outside and moving… without packing a million bags.
This mile-long bridge sits 212 feet above the Hudson River, with panoramic views and a smooth, paved path that’s perfect for bikes, scooters, and strollers alike.
It’s a short, scenic ride or walk with just enough breeze to make a warm day feel refreshing.
Pair it with a stop at Upper Landing Park or lunch nearby, and you’ve got yourself a low-key win.
• Flat path just over a mile each way
• Great for bikes, scooters, strollers, and leashed dogs
• Connects to riverfront parks and the Rail Trail
• Free to visit with multiple parking lots nearby
Flume Gorge
Lincoln, NH
This is what a storybook hike looks like in real life.
Flume Gorge in Lincoln, NH is one of those summer trails that makes hiking with kids feel like a real adventure.
This 2-mile loop winds past rushing waterfalls, a covered bridge, narrow boardwalks, and towering granite walls that rise 90 feet above the trail.
It’s the kind of walk that feels big, but stays totally doable… especially with snack stops and a few wow moments along the way.
Wear shoes with a good grip, since parts of the trail can be wet and slippery.
• Allow 1.5–2 hours; not fully stroller-friendly
• Best for ages 4+ (younger if carried in a pack)
• Open daily late May through October
• Advance reservations recommended; tickets ~$18 adults, ~$16 kids
Clover Brooke Farms
Hyde Park, NY
Hiking is better when your trail buddy is fluffy and slightly stubborn.
Alpaca Hikes
Clover Brooke Farm in Hyde Park, NY is not your average summer walk.
It’s a llama- or alpaca-led hike through scenic trails, complete with plenty of photo ops and a farm full of friendly animals waiting back at the barn.
Each family member gets their own leashed trail buddy, and plenty of chances to meet the goats, sheep, and other resident characters.
It’s quirky, calm, and just the right kind of memorable.
• Guided hikes last about 45 minutes
• Kids 5+ can lead their own alpaca (younger kids can tag along)
• Add-ons include goat yoga, farm tours, and picnic options
• Open spring through fall; reservations required
The Wild Center
Tupper Lake, NY
Elevated in all the best ways.
The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, NY is peak summer magic in the Adirondacks.
Families wander across treetop bridges, watch playful river otters, and explore hands-on science exhibits that sneak in learning without slowing anyone down.
The highlight is the Wild Walk, an elevated trail of nets, towers, and lookout points that turns even the most indoorsy kid into an adventurer.
It’s part museum, part outdoor playground, and fully worth the detour.
• Admission includes Wild Walk, nature trails, and indoor exhibits
• Best for ages 4–12, but fun for all
• Open daily in summer; timed-entry tickets recommended
• Tickets around $23 for adults, $13 for kids
• Picnic spots and a café onsite for lunch with a view
Short Season, Big Fun:
Limited-Time Summer Stops
These seasonal stars are what summer dreams are made of… open just long enough to feel special and just short enough to make you want to drop everything and go.
Pirate Voyages
Ocean City, NJ
Eye patches, water cannons, and full pirate energy.
Pirate Voyages in Ocean City, NJ is more than a summer boat ride… It’s a costumed, cannon-blasting, treasure-hunting adventure made for kids with big imaginations and loud “Arrrs.”
The crew stays in character the whole time as kids steer the ship, fire water cannons, and chase down clues in a live-action pirate quest.
It’s over-the-top in the best possible way, and exactly the kind of thing they’ll talk about all summer.
• Best for ages 3–10
• 1-hour cruises run daily in summer; book ahead
• Includes face paint, treasure maps, and water cannon battles
• Walkable from Ocean City’s boardwalk; parking nearby
Want to keep the summer energy going?
Lucy the Elephant is just up the road, and she’s not the only thing worth stopping for.
Summer Drive-In Movies
Bring the snacks, wear the pajamas... this is summer nostalgia irl.
Summer Drive-In Movies
There’s something timeless about kids in pajamas, fireflies in the air, and a movie screen lighting up the night.
These drive-ins deliver peak summer nostalgia… double features, snack bar runs, and space to stretch out under the stars.
Wellfleet Drive-In — Wellfleet, MA — wellfleetcinemas.com
Four Brothers Drive-In — Amenia, NY — playeatdrink.com
Warwick Drive-In — Warwick, NY — warwickdrivein.com
• Most are open Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends
• Arrive early to snag a good spot
• Some offer playgrounds or food trucks before the show
Lake Compounce
Bristol, CT
The country’s oldest amusement park still delivers serious summer fun.
Lake Compounce in Bristol, CT is one of those fun places to go in the summer that delivers on all fronts.
As the oldest amusement park in the country, it blends classic rides, a full water park, and a dash of nostalgia into one easy, high-energy day.
From gentle kiddie rides to big thrill coasters, there’s something for every age.
Your admission includes access to Crocodile Cove, with slides, splash zones, and a lazy river when it’s time to cool off.
• Great mix of rides for toddlers, big kids, and thrill seekers
• Afternoon discounts and multi-day passes are available
• Open daily in summer; check calendar for themed events and shows
Where to Find Fun Places to Go in the Summer
You don’t need a jam-packed itinerary to make summer count…you just need a handful of places worth getting in the car for.
These fun places to go in the summer hit that sweet spot between low-lift and high-reward, with stops that work just as well for a spontaneous Saturday as they do for a full weekend away.
Want even more ideas?
Our TLJ travel maps have over 1200 parent-approved picks across the Northeast, from nature walks with payoff to spots that make siblings forget they’re fighting.
Happy travels…
