My family and I recently spent a great afternoon at the Silverball Museum Arcade.  Located on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park, New Jersey, it is home to 200 pinball machines and arcade games. No problem if you or your kid becomes addicted to the flashing lights and the sound of the ricocheting metal ball, because unlimited play is included with your admission.  No quarters are needed at this hands-on museum. You can try as many of the machines as you like, as many times as you like.

We’ve kissed the holiday season goodbye.  Whether you stayed home and are craving a getaway, or need a vacation from your vacation, the dark days of January present some bright family vacation ideas.  If your family skis, there are discounts that make this expensive sport more affordable.  New York State has some particularly attractive ski discounts, so this could be the year to give skiing a whirl. Virginia may not seem like a ski destination, but The Homestead in Hot Springs has a cut-rate family ski package. If an urban getaway better suits your family, Washington, D.C. has some steeply discounted rates and dozens of free activities.  Go farther north and spend a few budget-friendly days in Montreal for a soupçon of Gallic flair. If you’ve already had it up to here with the cold and snow, warm weather destinations in Florida and Royal Caribbean cruise itineraries are on sale.  If luck is on your side, you might just win a free trip to Disney for your family of four.

October, with Columbus Day Weekend and Halloween, is a classic time for East Coast families to get out and enjoy the changing colors. Deals are plentiful in favorite fall getaway locations like Vermont, Saratoga, Hershey PA, Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Plymouth and Boston MA and Philadelphia. Farther afield, the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and the beaches of Hawaii beckon with bargains.  If you are craving Caribbean paradise, try your luck by entering a Facebook contest to win a vacation for four to Paradise Island, Bahamas.  Here are some great deals for fall family vacations.