Westchester

19 Free Things To Do Indoors in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Indoor Places to Play on Cold and Rainy Days

Kids can peek into the marine life in the aquariums at the Marine Education Center in Mamaroneck. Photo by Susan Miele

These free indoor places to play are a salve for those bad weather days when you don't want to be stuck inside with the kids waiting to hear the dreaded (and inevitable), “I’m bored.” Westchester and the Hudson Valley offer a wide variety of fun, free things to do at local museums, malls, marine sanctuaries, and more to keep kids and parents entertained and engaged.

With that in mind, here are the best free indoor places to play in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Find more free fun in our Guide to Free, Fun Things To Do with Westchester and Hudson Valley Kids.

MLK Weekend 2024 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do

Celebrate MLK weekend with free, interactive workshops and enriching service projects honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for MLK Weekend.

The long holiday weekend is upon us and packed with fun, including a Paw Patrol chocolate and craft workshop at Shake It Off in Scarsdale and a snowman craft and cookie party at the Hudson Highlands Nature Center in Cornwall. On Monday, honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at the annual Singing Parade in Beacon or volunteer during the MLK National Day of Service at multiple locations throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

50 Free Things To Do with Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Roam the the cedar walk and gardens at Caramoor for a free, fun outing. Photo by Gabe Palacio

Our favorite price is free. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 50 free things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with kids. From outdoor adventures and museum access to STEM fun and seasonal excursions, we’ve combed the area and our calendar to give you plenty of options for free family-friendly outings. Be sure to bookmark this for year-round reference—your family will never be bored (or broke) again!

Keep tabs on our Westchester and Hudson Valley Family Activity Calendar, which is always loaded with free (and low-cost) activities for all ages, and check out our Local Guide to Free Fun Things To Do.

Best Sledding Hills in the Hudson Valley

Catch some air on one of the many sledding hills in the Hudson Valley. Photo by Jeremy McKnight on Unsplash.

The Hudson Valley's sledding hills take on an aura of magic when the first blanket of snow covers the ground. What better way to enjoy it than by getting the kids out of the house for some fresh air and family fun at one of the many sledding hills in the Hudson Valley?

We have pulled together this list of the best sledding hills in the Hudson Valley, plus some tips on how to stay warm and dry and, of course, where to go for hot chocolate afterward.

If you're looking for more seasonal fun, we've got the skinny on sledding in Westchester County, winter hikes in the Hudson Valley, and outdoor ice skating region-wide.

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks and Skating Ponds near Westchester

Play hockey or twirl on the ice at Sal J. Prezioso Mountain Lakes Park in North Salem.

Westchester is home to a host of outdoor ice skating rinks. And what these ice skating rinks—ranging from outdoor ice skating rinks to ice skating on local ponds—lack in upscale amenities, they make up for in old-school charm. In most cases, you'll need your own pair of skates to glide across these ice skating rinks in Westchester, plus below-freezing temperatures to ensure it's safe to set foot on the county's frozen ponds.

If you just can't wait for the ice to freeze, consider a visit to one of NYC's outdoor ice skating rinks, and find plenty more seasonal fun in our Winter Fun Guide.

Best Fun Free Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with Kids January 2024

Visit the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum after hours to explore its Family Free Nights. Photo courtesy of the museum

Looking for FREE things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this January? Read on for dozens of great options.

As spectacular as the holidays are in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, all of the celebrations can take a toll on the family budget. So we've rounded up tons of free activities in January, ranging from live animal programs at the Pound Ridge Library to toddler-friendly nature treks at the Sheldrake Environmental Center, and even a free magic show at the FASNY Museum of Firefighting. January is also the start of the maple-sugaring season in the area, and you can kick it off with a Muscoot Farm backyard sugaring workshop.

New Year's Eve Weekend 2023 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do

Ring in 2024 at the White Plains New Year's Eve Family Spectacular with fireworks and tons of fun. Photo courtesy of the event

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this New Year's Eve weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Kids can party all New Year's weekend at these family-friendly celebrations, including a New Year's bubble party, New Year's Eve at the Westchester Children's Museum, and an early New Year's Eve party for families at Dave & Busters. And whether you are ready to get your snow shoes out for a winter hike or just want to enjoy some hot chocolate with amazing Hudson Valley views, we've got your first day hikes covered.

New Year's Eve Fireworks, Balloon Drops, and Other Hudson Valley Celebrations for Kids

Celebrate New Year's Eve in daylight hours at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

Looking for kid-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations Westchester and the Hudson Valley? Look no further because we have rounded up an assortment of family-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations in the area, many are FREE and end at a reasonable hour.

Our picks for family-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations include a New Year's Eve balloon drop at Hyde Park's Roller Magic and New Year's Eve fireworks at Hunter Mountain. Kids can also celebrate New Year's Eve at the Westchester Children's Museum or enjoy a New Year's holiday bubble party at the West Nyack Free Library.

For more fun, bookmark our guide to Christmas vacation activities in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, and keep close tabs on our Family Activities Calendar for more fun things to do. Happy New Year!

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