Hudson Valley Kids Guide

New York City may have the Lego Store in Rockefeller Center, but if your kids are as obsessed with Legos as my eight-year-old son, it's worth taking a trip north to the brand-new Legoland Discovery Center, which opened a few weeks back in nearby Yonkers. When we set out to visit over spring break, I worried that it would just be a glorified Lego Store and not worth the schlep to Westchester's Ridge Hill mall. But I'm happy to report that the Legoland Discovery Center is a super-fun play space that has a lot more to offer than just building ith Legos.

The only Legoland Discovery Center on the entire East Coast, this new family attraction offers hours of indoor fun, including rides, interactive stations and a massive play structure to explore. Your kids don't need to be Lego nuts to enjoy themselves here: Even though there were literally hundreds of thousands of Lego pieces at my son's disposal, he didn't stick one pair of plastic bricks together during our visit. He figured why waste time on something he could do at home when there were so many unique Legoland Discovery Center experiences to try.

Of course as cool as the new Legoland Discovery Center is, there are some important things to know before you go to help you make the most of your visit. So here are my top 15 things to do at Westchester's Legoland Discovery Center as well as my insider tips as a mom who's been there, done that.

While we've written plenty of posts about downhill skiing with NYC kids, we've never covered cross-country skiing. Also known as Nordic skiing, cross-country skiing is a great winter sport for families. Children as young as five can ski alone, and parents can tow tots in a sled or carry them in a backpack while on the trails. You can't do that while swooshing down a mountain!

Cross-country skiing is a fun way for active kids to burn off energy in the colder months and spend time outside. While you use most of the same equipment that you'd need for a day on the slopes—skis, boots, bindings, poles, goggles, helmets and warm clothing—cross-country skiing is nowhere near as dangerous or as expensive as downhill skiing. You won't be at risk for slamming into a tree at full speed, and trail passes usually cost about $20 per person.

After a good snowfall in New York City, you can cross-country ski just about anywhere. I've seen people doing it in parks and even right down the middle of Fifth Avenue before the snow plows cleared the street. But if you're looking to go cross-country skiing in a more scenic (and less bumpy) environment, there are tri-state area destinations that offer many miles of well-groomed trails, as well as amenities like warm lodges where you can sit back, relax, sip on hot cocoa and enjoy a family meal.

Unlike traditional ski resorts, most cross-country trails aren't in the business of making their own snow. So you're going to have to wait for the white stuff before you can get out there. Once that happens, here are six spots where families can enjoy cross-country skiing, most less than a two-hour drive from New York City.

It seems like all the stores have put up their spooky displays and decorations, so we can't deny it any longer: The Halloween season is nigh! And what's All Hallows' Eve without the perfect pumpkin? You could grab one from your local farmers' market, grocery store or one of the three pumpkin patches right here in New York City. But for a more memorable experience, head to the country to a pick-your-own-pumpkin place. Many of these spots offer additional activities for families, like hayrides, bouncy houses and corn mazes so you can turn your hunt into a fun seasonal day trip.

Like our recent roundup of nearby pick-your-own-apple orchards, these 11 pumpkin patches are all about an hour (or less) from midtown Manhattan by car. We even found a few that you can reach via public transportation. One important note: It's imperative that you call ahead to confirm hours, pricing, availability and attractions, otherwise you might find the crop gone or the place closed.