Cozy up indoors or enjoy the pleasant weather outside with these autumnal activities ideal for families.

After the sticky heat of summer, the crisp air and hygge-inspired ambiance of fall are a relief to many across the US. Sure, the kids are back in school (hallelujah!), but you can still make the most of the season before the chill of winter sets in. With a few long weekends scattered between September and Thanksgiving, fall is an excellent time for a kid-friendly city break close to home or a longer, farther-flung vacation if family schedules allow.

From seasonal wildlife viewing to new shows on Broadway to everyone’s fall favorite, leaf peeping, these 11 kid-friendly fall activities in the US are sure to appeal to every member of the family.

1. Get down with the monsters at LEGOLAND® California

Celebrate every kid’s favorite fall holiday with Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND® California. Not-so-scary shows (suitable for little ones), trick-or-treat candy, and fun LEGO® monster characters add a Halloween vibe to this year-round theme park. Brick-or-Treat runs on select weekends from mid-September until late October, so there’s plenty of time to make it to Carlsbad outside of Halloween itself.

2. Give your kids the fright of their lives in New Orleans, Louisiana

While Halloween is the one time of year parents have free reign to scare their children silly, you can keep things PG on a family-friendly ghost tour of the French Quarter in New Orleans. See the historical sights, admire the beautiful architecture, and learn more about the city’s spooky past in a way that the whole family can enjoy—without the fear of nightmares.

3. Catch a show on Broadway in New York City

A host of new shows open on Broadway in October and November, so fall is the perfect time to make a trip to the Big Apple to see the latest family-friendly shows. These seasonal releases run alongside long-running musicals that are on throughout the year (such as Aladdin), so your family can surely find something to suit everyone’s preferences.

4. Hang with the T-rex at New York’s American Museum of Natural History

Looking for a family-friendly activity in New York City before your Broadway show at night? Head to the American Museum of Natural History, an already kid-friendly favorite in NYC, with a pre-booked admission ticket and explore at your own pace. Kids of all ages will love exploring the millions of years of history and culture on display in these hallowed halls.

5. Search for manatees in the Everglades in Florida

Florida is the perfect fall vacation destination thanks to its warm climate, and late autumn is an especially good time to go to spot manatees. Mana-what? As many a wildlife-loving kid will tell you, manatees are also known as sea cows: think, walrus-meets-seal. See for yourself on a boat tour of the Everglades.

6. Skip the lines at Universal Studios Hollywood™ in California

Los Angeles is the ultimate fall city break destination for families, thanks to its warm climate and excess of kid-friendly attractions. Save time with skip-the-line entry to Universal Studios Hollywood™ to make sure nobody gets cranky waiting to go in (here’s looking at you, kids). Once you’ve made it inside, spend the day exploring the rides, shows, and themed areas of the movie-centric park.

7. Hike the trails of Yosemite, California

Avoid the scorching summer temperatures at Yosemite National Park by visiting in the fall instead. Conditions are much more comfortable for family hikes, and you can choose to trek in the Yosemite Valley or the High Country, depending on your family’s abilities. Taking a family-friendly guided private hike is the best way to ensure you all stay safe.

8. Admire migrating humpback whales in Hawaii

Autumn tends to be the shoulder season for travel to Hawaii, which is ideal if you’re looking for a more affordable fall family vacation. The season also heralds the return of migrating humpback whales, which make their first appearance off Oahu in October. Kids will love getting a glimpse of these majestic creatures on a boat tour.

9. Go leaf peeping in Massachusetts, New England

Does fall even happen if you don’t witness the flaming orange foliage and fluttering leaves that give the season its name? While parents will enjoy the ever-changing autumnal hues, kids will love frolicking in the piles of fallen leaves. The Northeastern US is among the best places in the country to go leaf peeping. Consider seeing the colors from the Boston Harbor with a New England fall foliage cruise.

10. Settle the eternal pizza debate in Chicago, Illinois

While Chicago might not actually be the windiest city in the US (that would be Boston), the metropolis known as the Windy City can nevertheless get a bit chilly in the fall. Warm your family’s bellies by eating your way around the city’s best pizza joints. Sample Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza and make your kids the ultimate judges: Who does pizza better, Chicago or New York?

11. Ride a dog sled on a glacier in Anchorage, Alaska

Don’t wait for winter to officially roll around to enjoy some snowy adventures. Make the most of autumn at Alaska’s northern latitudes by taking a helicopter across Anchorage and riding a dogsled across a glacier. Don’t forget to look out for moose and mountain goats along the way.