Playland, Dixon

Out on the high seas, pirates never come upon a 1950s-style diner where they can take a break from buccaneering, but at Playland, youngsters pretend-searching for lost treasure in Pirate's Cove can. The cove and diner are two of Playland's themed play areas; at others, kids don princess regalia or shop for pretend-food at the market. Each of the whimsical settings act as a stage for littluns to play out scenes concocted in their outsized imaginations, all the while building social skills and cognitive abilities.

While children play, parents can boost their energy with a caffeinated drink from the espresso bar or relax with a magazine in the lounge. A separate laptop workstation allows adults to get some work done. Playland even houses a used clothing store that stocks gently used children's and maternity clothing.