Jody Mercier

Jody Mercier always dreamed of being a mom, and she's raised three wonderful kids in New York City. Since that job only pays in hugs, she’s spent her career as a journalist covering health, fitness, sports, and parenting for Sports Illustrated, espnW, and Mommy Poppins. Follow her family’s adventures on Instagram @momtakesmanhattan or reach her at jody@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Jody

NYC Hotels with Rooftop Pools for Your Next Family Staycation

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 07/15/2022 - 4:41pm

The Margaritaville Hotel boasts a tropical feel at its rooftop pool right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.

Imagine a swim in a rooftop pool with a side of skyline views—there's arguably no more scenic spot for a rooftop pool than NYC. Whether you're a New Yorker looking to book a staycation or a visitor on the hunt for a family-friendly hotel in New York City, consider booking one of these hotels with rooftop pools—some of these cool hotel pools even offer day passes.

We've found eight family-friendly hotels with rooftop pools, plus one beachfront haunt, just waiting to welcome you for a cooling dip. If your travels take you further afield, consider a stay at one of these resorts with cool hotel pools in New York state.

Find the Perfect Catskills or Hudson Valley Brewery to Visit with Kids

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 07/15/2022 - 11:45am

The Peekskill Brewery offers brews for the adults, with kid-friendly fare like hand-cut fries and wood-fired pizzas.

With the dog days of summer upon us, parents may be dreaming of a cold brew—but where can you indulge alongside your kids? A family-friendly Hudson Valley brewery might be the answer. At these local taprooms and brewhouses, parents can enjoy locally brewed beers alongside kid-friendly perks like food truck fare, lawn games, and even enjoy some facetime with furry friends.

We've found 12 local breweries to visit in the Hudson Valley or nearby Catskills regions. If that's too far to travel today, consider supporting one of these local beer gardens or switch gears and visit a family-friendly vineyard or cider house nearby. Wherever your day takes you, cheers to a day of family fun.

Bluebird Sunapee Reinvents the Roadside Motel

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 07/14/2022 - 3:30pm

Bluebird Sunapee aims provide its guests with an experience that goes beyond cozy rooms and a place to lay their heads at night. Photo courtesy of the Bluebird Sunapee

Family road trips can be a great adventure—and also a pounding headache with antsy kids in the backseat—but the newly opened Bluebird Sunapee aims to reinvigorate the family road trip by offering a well-appointed, boutique, roadside motel with welcoming service and upscale amenities waiting to greet you when you put the family car in park.

The innovative new Bluebird Sunapee, in Newbury, New Hampshire, is located steps from the banks of the beautiful Lake Sunapee and within a stone's throw of the Mount Sunapee Ski Resort, making it a perfect jumping-off point for all-seasons adventure. Its proximity to major East Coast cities—1 1/2 hours from Boston, and 4 1/2 hours from NYC—makes it an epic road trip destination for families anxious to explore the great outdoors.

So, load up the kids, brush up on your road trip games, and pack some essentials, then hit the road. Bluebird Sunapee awaits.

Best Family Resorts with Water Parks: All-Inclusive Family Resorts and More

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sat, 07/09/2022 - 11:23am

Timber Ridge Lodge in Geneva, Wisconsin features both an indoor water park and outdoor pools.

When it comes time to book your next visit to a family resort, consider a trip to one of these great resorts with water parks. At these family resorts, the hotel can be the destination—not just a place to lay your head—thanks to larger-than-life water slides for thrill-seekers; kid-friendly, water-drenched playgrounds for tots; and lazy rivers to float on when you need a bit of relaxation yourself.

Read on for 29 family resorts with water parks. Our picks include both indoor water parks for all-seasons fun and outdoor water parks to visit this summer. They span the US from the Northeast to Hawaii and everywhere in between. We've even thrown in a few all-inclusive family resorts and Caribbean resorts with water parks as a bonus.

Looking for more family resorts with water parks? Bookmark this list of hotels with outdoor water parks or our picks for the best Orlando hotels with water parks, plus our Guide to Theme Parks and Water Parks for local options closer to home.

10 Museum Exhibits and Immersive Pop-Ups to See this Summer in NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Fri, 06/24/2022 - 9:06am

Looks can be deceiving at Arcadia Earth, where this sparkling kaleidoscope of colors is, in fact, a collection of plastic waste and a lesson in environmental conservation.

New York City kids are lucky to live in the shadow of some of the world-class museums and cultural institutions, and summer's arrival brings with it a spate of new (or nearly new) museum exhibits and exciting pop-ups that are perfect outings on days when you need to mix up your usual summer routine of hitting the swimming pool or splash pad.

We've found 10 museum exhibits, interactive pop-ups, and immersive installations worth your time this summer, ranging from Disney-inspired magic at CAMP to an activist-inspired look at Title IX at the New-York Historical Society. No matter your children's ages, here's where to find some cool culture this summer. Be sure to bookmark our Museums, Galleries, and Exhibit Guide to NYC for more picks and tips like when you can visit these top institutions for FREE.

Legoland New York Hotel Extends the Bricktastic Fun Past Bedtime

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 06/23/2022 - 4:14pm

It's kid-friendly fun at first sight when you visit the Legoland New York Hotel, just steps away from the theme park.

If you're looking for a family-friendly getaway near NYC, it's hard to beat a trip to the brick-built wonderland that is Legoland New York, and if you really want to up the ante on family fun, consider pairing your theme park visit with an overnight at the kid-centered Legoland NY Hotel.

From the moment you step in the door of the Legoland NY Hotel, it's clear kids are in for a treat, and there are enough grown-up touches to ensure adults are happy, too. Read on for our review of our overnight at the property and find more family-friendly escapes in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

The DiscOasis in Central Park Brings Funky Summer Fun to NYC

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Tue, 06/21/2022 - 5:14pm

Glide to old-school beats at The DiscOasis in Central Park this summer.

Roller fever is taking the city by storm this summer and nowhere is that more evident than at the newly opened DiscOasis in Central Park. Located at the revitalized Wollman Rink, The DiscOasis offers plenty of old-school fun with an interactive, immersive experience that marries roller skating with a funky soundtrack, a garden of disco balls, shimmering lights, and plenty of epic people-watching.

Want to share this roller disco fever with your kids? Read on for our review of visiting The DiscOasis with kids, and learn how to score deeply discounted tickets to this family-friendly event that's lighting up Central Park through Saturday, October 1.

London With Kids: 60+ Best Things To Do in London on a UK Family Vacation

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Sat, 06/18/2022 - 1:07pm

This isn't London Bridge, and it's not falling down!

If you're considering an international family vacation, a visit to London is the perfect place to start. A world-class city that marries centuries-old history with contemporary culture, there are plenty of family-friendly things to do in London. The fact that there's no language barrier to deal with makes visitors feel at ease as soon as they set foot in the city.

Whether you want to visit London for its new history (hello, Harry Potter studio tour!) or you're more interested in snapping a photo of the crown jewels at the Tower of London, here are 60+ fun things to do in London during a family vacation.

If you're looking for more international destinations for your next family vacation, bookmark our European Travel Guide for Families.

Jody Mercier

Latest posts by Jody

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