Skip to content

Cool Mom Picks

Curated picks for modern family life

Where’s the fun? Goby knows.

I’m a somewhat nervous traveler, but unlike most of our kind, it’s not the flying I hate. More like I need to know exactly what we’re doing when. My husband, on the other hand, is happy to just plan “camping” and “figure it out when we get there.” Ack. Thanks…

BY

Mir

·

I’m a somewhat nervous traveler, but unlike most of our kind, it’s not the flying I hate. More like I need to know exactly what we’re doing when. My husband, on the other hand, is happy to just plan “camping” and “figure it out when we get there.” Ack.

Thanks to goby, a new online search engine dedicated to activity planning, I can now just smile with him, agree, and then turn to my laptop.

Input your location, dates, and what sort of fun you want and Goby hooks you up with all the available activities, plus links to the details. For example, in NYC alone, there are 108 family friendly activities listed over the next 7 days, aggregated from sites like museums, gocitykids, and grandparents.com. And on that rare occasion when it’s not a family affair, I can still use goby to find a place to eat, a place to sleep, and activities that don’t require cautioning, Let’s use our indoor voices.

Heck, I even put in our hometown and found a few new places to check out. This site is a lazy travel planner’s dream come true. -Mir

Check out the goby search engine to find just about anything, anywhere, to plan your next day out.

Congratulations to lucky winner Carla B, who’ll plan an outing (and pay for it too) with the help of Goby!

, , , , ,

81 responses to “Where’s the fun? Goby knows.”

  1. Erin

    I didn’t realize that Disney on Ice would be going to Pensacola (which is like 40 minutes from here). It’s not really my thing, but I’m surprised I haven’t seen a bunch of ads for it!

    Reply
  2. Nicole

    We are going to the Coney Island Aquarium this weekend for the first time. I used Goby to find 4 resteraunts in the area to choose from. YAY!

    Reply
  3. Jaclyn

    How cool is this?! I can’t tell you how many times I’m stuck looking for a way to “kill time” somewhere in between children’s activities, when it’s too far to go home between….I can already tell goby is going to be my new hero!

    Reply
  4. Melanie

    There is a production of The Reluctant Dragon at one of the local theaters. Sounds adorable.

    Reply
  5. Betsy

    Wow! This is a great one. I can’t wait to try it. Wish I had known about it last weekend when my son was on school break!

    Reply
  6. Kathy

    I found out there is a butterfly festival in my backyard next weekend!! Butterflies, here we come!

    Reply
  7. israel y

    I had a lot of fun searching through all the places to eat. I like how the food and drink category has so many very specific sub-categories. and i found an ice cream place close to us that we will have to check out! I would note though that many of the restaurants in their kosher section are not actually kosher nor do those restaurants claim to be but rather are kosher-style or Jewish-style.

    Reply
  8. CindiS

    I am wondering where the photo from this post was taken. THAT place looks like tons of fun for my wild boys.

    Reply
  9. Traci

    I found a preschool program at the nature center in Madison that my little boy will love. Bookmarked the site… thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  10. Catherine

    Sesame Street Presents: The Body at the Buffalo Science Museum–I saw an advertisement for this long ago, but had forgotten it was here. What a great site! I will use it every weekend. Thanks!

    Reply
  11. Jen

    I found an indoor amusement park in our area especially for kids my kids’ age! How fun and a great idea since we are heading into the hot season in the southwest!

    Reply
  12. Leslie

    I found a few waterparks in my area that I’d kind of forgotten about, and a great amusement park just for small kids (under 50 inches) in the Cleveland area, perfect for when I visit my friend with twin toddlers!

    Reply
  13. jennie

    ohh…roller derby! didn’t know we had a team in my area!

    Reply
  14. Nicole

    A band called Betty Does is going to be performing this weekend!

    Reply
  15. Nichole

    Wow, I’ve never heard of Goby before. The search engine is easy to use and I found out about the animal grossology exhibit at the virginia air and space center in my city. https://www.vasc.org/exhibits/animalgrossology.html

    Bonus: we are moving to Alaska this summer and I’m going to search for fun things to do while in Anchorage! Thanks for sharing, ladies!

    Reply
  16. BettyC

    I found out about La Playa in the San Diego area.
    Thanks for the info about Goby!

    Reply
  17. Jodi

    I had no idea there were so many historical sites so close by! I’m going to definitely check some of them out this spring!

    Reply
  18. caly

    think it’s so cool and fast! While on the site I just saw and am intersted in Moon Shot – JFK and Space Exploration which starts today and goes through the end of MAY! 🙂

    hope to win 😉

    Reply
  19. Cyndi Boyd

    Cool! I didn’t know that The New Children’s Museum in San Diego grants free admission on the second Sunday of each month, sponsored by Target. .

    Reply
  20. Shannon

    I found a cool state park I didn’t know about that is good for bike riding!

    Reply
  21. Aimee Mussman

    I found out that the children’s museum I work for doesn’t show up on their searches. I’m glad I discovered this, because now I can try to figure out how to change this.

    Reply
  22. Emily

    I had NO idea that the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International was in Atlanta!

    Reply
  23. rcpwjr

    Fill up at Hells Kitchen, then burn it off at the Minnesota Children’s Museum.

    Reply
  24. Jennifer

    I found a bunch of great things to do with my 15 m.o. in Washington DC for our family road trip next week. Thanks for the link!

    Reply
  25. Trisha

    Being a new Mom of Twin Girls born 1/30/2010, and a 6 year old little princess……I found this quite helpful…..We are headed to a storytime this afternoon at a local borders…..hopefully the babies will sleep!!
    😉

    Reply
  26. Katie

    How awesome! Wish I had known about this at the beginning of our Spring Break Staycation. Will keep Goby.com bookmarked for the summer!

    Reply
  27. Dawn Gartin

    COOL – thanks for sharing. LOVE the iPhone app capability!

    Reply
  28. baby_H

    This new search engine is so cool. Now we’re have ideas of what to do and where to go on our weekends!

    Reply
  29. Neelam

    I found Children’s Fairyland close to where I live which I wasn’t aware of at all and would be perfect to take my daughter.

    Reply
  30. Amy Weller

    Not to sure that Dover Downs Casino should be considered Family Fun! But did see some great museums that we have never been to will have to check it out this summer!

    Reply
  31. Janet

    Cool site! I’m impressed by all the listings. Would like to see the Tim Burton exhibit in NYC.

    Reply
  32. Marci

    The Leavenworth Ale Fest is coming up on 4/17. I had no idea. GREAT website!

    Reply
  33. Amy

    The African Children’s choir is coming to town! I saw them before and they are wonderful!!!

    Reply
  34. Patti Reis

    The best thing I found in my area that I didn’t know about is something that has not opened yet — the upcoming Science Discovery Center that will be opening in my new home town. I’m very excited about this! I felt a center like this was the one thing that was lacking in the area, and this looks like it will be big: it’s meant to serve a three-county region. Hooray! Can’t wait. Great site.

    Reply
  35. AndreaG

    Sadly, the area I live in doesn’t have much and I already knew about everything that I found on Goby. I decided, instead, to check out Tulsa, OK. It is only a few hrs from us and we have been wanting to go there on an overnight trip. I discovered there is a zoo AND an aquarium! My kids are bigtime animal lovers. They would love this!

    Reply
  36. laura schlue

    How to Look Like a Wine Snob in Under Three Hours
    looks fun, entertaining, and educational! Will make me feel like I know what I am talking about instead of just talking… not that I would do that 😉
    cool search engine

    Reply
  37. abbeyviolet

    A lot of the things seem to be things I already know about (maybe I’m just on top of things?) However, the Red Dirt Emporium does look interesting.

    Reply
  38. DKK

    I didn’t know Planet Fun was an indoor amusement park (Greenbelt, MD). I thought it was a toy store! Now I really have to check it out!

    Reply
  39. Wenlei

    Fun! Didn’t know there was a robotics museum in the next town over from us in Cali!

    Reply
  40. Neelam

    I found Children’s Fairyland close to where we live which I wasn’t aware of at all. My daughter would love to go there.

    Reply
  41. Kristie

    I didn’t know about the Mystic Mountain Adventure miniature golf in our area-I’ll definitely be checking that out with the kiddos! 🙂

    Reply
  42. Shelley

    I am amazed at all the haunted houses, mills, etc around here.

    Reply
  43. Angela Wyatt

    I couldn’t believe how many Family Events there were to do in my area on Goby. I punched in Family/kid Events – (CA) Indland Empire – then Anytime, and it gave us plenty of options for the weekend. I usually pick up the FREE Family Fun magazine for ideas, but many of these events were not in there, so we would have missed out.
    I am very excited about this new site… Thanks Cool Moms for sharing! I also hope we have the oppt. to enjoy $50 to attend one of these outings. : )

    Reply
  44. Brenna

    I didn’t realize there was an Earth Day Celebration at The Oregon Garden next weekend. What a great tool!

    Reply
  45. Lisa

    I found out about the Orchids: A Cultural Odyssey exhibit @ The United States Botanic Garden in DC!

    Reply
  46. Dana

    cave tours right here in Richmond, VA! Can’t wait to check them out.

    Reply
  47. Casey

    We found a cool hands on art museum Artquest for the kids near us! Thank you for introducing us to this site.

    Reply
  48. Cindi

    How fun! I found out that there are actually 19
    bed and breakfasts in our area. Whoo-Hoo.
    Love it…..Thanks, Cindi

    Reply
  49. laura schlue

    How to Look Like a Wine Snob in Under Three Hours
    looks fun, entertaining, and educational! Will make me feel like I know what I am talking about instead of just talking… not that I would do that 😉
    cool search engine

    Reply
  50. Stephanie V.

    shutters on the beach in santa monica, ca — spa for me, beach for daddy and kids, food for everyone!
    tvollowitz at aol dot com

    Reply
  51. Deanna Hernandez-Arza

    Liberty Science center is a great idea

    Reply
  52. Jonathan

    I found both a planetarium and the Inventors Hall of Fame within 20 minutes of our home in Akron.

    Reply
  53. yday

    I never heard of the Oakland Western Aerospace Musuem.

    Reply
  54. Amy H

    I didn’t know there was going to be an Elvis exhibit in DC- One Life: Echoes of Elvis at the National Portrait Gallery.

    Reply
  55. Kim

    I had no idea a local gym offered toddler time drop-in for only $3….sure beats those coffee shop playground prices and now I know what I’m doing next Tuesday!

    Reply
  56. Carla B.

    Didn’t know Ballet Hispano was coming to Chapel Hill- my parents will be visiting- maybe a datenight for us?

    Reply
  57. Nichol, Chesapeak VA

    I found out thru Goby that Maurice Sendaks Where the Wild things are exhibition is here at an art center close to where we live! I cant wait to take my girls!

    Reply
  58. Kimberly

    I had sen the signs for the American Tobacco Trail but it was nice to get the scoop on Goby. I am definitely a planner so this site is a new favorite!

    Reply
  59. Sarah

    The Lipizzaner Stallions will be in Columbus this weekend. My son would love to see these beautiful horses!

    Reply
  60. Rachel

    One of the colleges near me has a great, kid-friendly planetarium show that looks great!

    Reply
  61. lise

    just found out this weekend there’s a fine arts and crafts festival in a neighborhood nearby where we live. this site is pretty cool.

    Reply
  62. melissa

    Kraft Matinee series: The Firebird – the chicago symphony orchestra and joffrey ballet dancers!

    Reply
  63. Amy

    We live in philadelphia, and I just saw “How I Became a Pirate” is playing at a local theatre! My son LOVES that book! Thanks!
    ps. love Cool Mom Picks too! 🙂

    Reply
  64. Megan

    I discovered we have a Dia de los Ninos festival approaching here in Phoenix in two weeks – conveniently when we have family visiting! I also learned there is a local plush animal factory – Stuffington Bear Factory – that offers free tours. Loads of useful information on Goby – Thanks!

    Reply
  65. kelli

    Cool! Movie Nights in San Francisco parks this summer!

    Reply
  66. Joy Hequibal

    This is cool! I just learned about Cruisin’ the Fossil Freeway in my area and I’m so excited! 😉

    Reply
  67. Diana (Ladybug Limited)

    Wow! I didn’t think there would be much, being that I live in a town of 50,000 in Oregon, but since we only moved here 2 years ago, this is a great resource for having lots of local stuff in one stop. Guess I’ll have to try out the Scandinavian festival in Junction City in August 🙂

    Reply
  68. SANDY

    found alot of free activities locally- and some I did not know existed

    Reply
  69. Rose

    it’s unusually warm in san francisco so the 206 ice cream places you listed in the city will definitely come in handy 🙂

    Reply
  70. Jill

    I found out about children’s museums in Green Bay. Very excited to use this as we’ve only lived in the area for 2 years. Hooray!

    Reply
  71. bikey mama carie

    There are mountain bike trails and bike trails near my mom!
    Great things to do together when we visit this summer.
    ride on,
    Carie

    Reply
  72. cj

    interesting! still need to get to the farmer’s market.

    Reply
  73. trixx

    I found the Tim Burton exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art!

    Reply
  74. Colbi Marks

    Trying to find something besides the regular theme parks for my husband and step son to do while in San Antonio, TX and found The Ultimate Mirror Maze Challenge! Not only is it $10 a person for all day pass, but different.

    Reply
  75. AliceH

    I had no idea that two lakes are pretty close to me – Longview Lake and Smithville Lake (near Kansas City, MO). Great site!

    Reply
  76. Michelle Rosborough

    High-tech Adventure Hunt In Los Angeles this weekend

    Reply
  77. CC

    Cool, I’m always looking on Friday night for something to do over the weekend – this site is a time saver – definitely bookmarked. Just found the Glen Park Festival coming up on the 24th in SF on the family calendar!

    Reply
  78. mari beal

    Rooftop Segway Obstacle Course at the Tech Museum in SJ – how COOL!!

    Reply
  79. Katie

    I learned that Sauer’s Castle (a haunted house) is just a few miles from where I live!

    Reply
  80. Julio Workinger

    Poulter & Westwood, two Brits at the top of the leaderboard. Can’t be bad

    Reply
  81. MARCIA LOPEZ

    It’s very nice to have a site just for fun. Parents,like myself; know how hard it is to find a place where you and your children can have fun together. I was’nt sure if i could afford some of the events that are posted on regular sites now i can have fun with my children within my budget range Thank you

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Shop Related Gift Guides

Expertly tested, editor-approved picks.

View All (opens in new tab)
Wooden toys flatlay

Heirloom Wooden Toys

Shop Guide (opens in new tab)
Skincare products flatlay

The Self-Care Edit

Shop Guide (opens in new tab)
Mom and child reading

The New Mama Edit

Shop Guide (opens in new tab)