MLK weekend getaways and day trips for families
The Netflix House in King of Prussia, Penn., transforms binge-watching into a hands-on adventure. Credit: Netflix/Kat Kendon
New attractions are giving families a fresh reason to travel this Martin Luther King Jr. Day. With an extra day off on Monday, it’s the perfect time to test-drive a quick getaway close to home.
These five family-friendly day trips and short escapes highlight destinations rolling out experiences for the holiday weekend, from immersive exhibits to winter light-walks and interactive play spaces.
Budget meter: $ = under $25 per person | $$ = $25-$50 per person | $$$ = $50 plus per person
Dopamine Land
504 Garden State Plaza Blvd., Paramus, New Jersey
Dopamine Land in New Jersey is a multisensory experience that combines media, technology and play in one place. Credit: Fever
- Best for ages: 5 and up
- Budget: $
- Driving distance from Melville: 1 hour
- Cost: Tickets $16.80; $12.80 ages 3-14; family bundle $13.60 per ticket; dopaminelandexperience.com
Dopamine Land feels like walking inside a mood-boosting art playground. The multisensory experience blends color, light, scent and sound into a series of playful rooms designed to awaken your inner child. Families can wander through calming spaces like Sunset Lagoon; scribble notes to their younger selves in Scribblescape; unleash energy in a pillow-fight room or relax in an oxygen-infused aroma lounge. It’s interactive without being overwhelming, making it a fun fit for mixed ages.
Nearby ideas: Browse Garden State Plaza for lunch or dessert or head to Van Saun County Park for playgrounds and a small zoo.
Bluey x CAMP: Bluey’s House
110 Fifth Ave., Manhattan
Meet Bluey and Bingo at Bluey x CAMP on Fifth Avenue. Credit: CAMP
- Best for ages: 2 to 7
- Budget: $$
- Driving distance from Melville: 1 hour
- Tickets: $39 per person; slime add-on $18; crafts $20; 917-997-0439, camp.com/locations/fifth-ave-nyc
This immersive adventure drops families straight into a real-life episode of the Disney+ series "Bluey." After stepping through CAMP’s Magic Door, kids explore a full-scale recreation of Bluey’s house, play familiar games like Keepy Uppy and Grannies, watch a short custom animation and end with a meet-and-greet photo moment. Optional slime-making and craft add-ons extend the experience and double as take-home keepsakes. The 50-minute runtime makes it easy to pair with lunch, shopping or sightseeing nearby.
Nearby ideas: Walk Madison Square Park, browse kid-friendly shops in the Flatiron District or add a museum stop before heading home.
Liberty Science Center
222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City, New Jersey
- Best for ages: 4 and up
- Budget: $$
- Driving distance from Melville: 1 to 1½ hours
- Tickets: General admission varies by age (typically mid-$20s adults; lower for children); 201-200-1000, lsc.org
Liberty Science Center offers a full day of hands-on discovery. A newly expanded Touch Tank introduces local marine species while connecting them to real-world climate impacts. Seasonal programming adds live mushing demonstrations with sled dogs, while popular exhibits include SUE: The T-rex Experience and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Interactive stations, live demos and the massive planetarium keep kids moving and curious even during winter.
Nearby ideas: Walk Liberty State Park for skyline views, explore Hoboken’s waterfront or ferry toward Ellis Island for an extended outing.
Netflix House
180 N. Gulph Rd., King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Fans of the "Wednesday" series can play carnival games at Netflix House Philadelphia. Credit: Netflix/Kat Kendon
- Best for ages: 8 and up
- Budget: $$-$$$ (depends on experiences chosen)
- Driving distance from Melville: 2.5 to 3 hours
- Tickets: Free to explore; mini golf from $15; VR from $25; immersive experiences $45-$49; 610-510-7248, netflix.com
Netflix House turns binge-watching into full-body participation. Families can tackle escape-room quests inspired by "One Piece," a Japanese manga series, compete in Wednesday-themed carnival games, play story-driven mini golf tied to shows like "Stranger Things" and "Floor Is Lava," or dive into immersive VR worlds. There’s also a theater for screenings and fan events, plus a themed restaurant and shop for browsing between activities. Because it’s pay-as-you-go, families can scale the visit from a quick outing to a full afternoon of play.
Nearby ideas: Explore the King of Prussia Mall, walk the trails at Valley Forge National Historical Park or grab dinner in nearby Wayne or Conshohocken.
Wild Lights at The Wild Center
45 Museum Dr., Tupper Lake, New York
During Wild Lights at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, thousands of lights transform the campus into a twinkling, family-friendly experience. Credit: The Wild Center
- Best for ages: 6 and up
- Budget: $-$$ (plus lodging if overnight)
- Driving distance from Melville: 5 to 6 hours
- Tickets: Wild Lights $12, $7 ages 5-17; daytime Wild Center admission $26, $14 ages 5-17; 518-359-7800, wildcenter.org
Wild Lights turns the Adirondack forest into a glowing nighttime playground. Families wander elevated walkways, climb into oversized nests, explore illuminated art structures and follow light-wrapped forest trails paired with immersive soundscapes. Indoors, hands-on exhibits and live animal encounters offer warm-up breaks between outdoor exploration. The experience feels equal parts nature hike and art installation, making it a memorable winter escape for adventurous families. For an overnight stay, Hotel Saranac (100 Main St., Saranac Lake, 518-891-6900, hotelsaranac.com) offers a laid-back luxury stay nearby between $100-200 that weekend.
Nearby ideas: Snowshoe local trails, explore Saranac Lake’s shops and cafes, or pair the visit with daytime museum exhibits and scenic winter drives.
