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2025 Ultimate Guide to Westchester and Hudson Valley Splash Pads and Water Playgrounds
Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on
While Westchester and the Hudson Valley boast wonderful local pools and swimming lakes, local splash pads are also an easy way for kids to cool off in the summer. The setting is especially fun for younger kids, who can run through the sprinklers and water jets, no swim vest required.
We’ve rounded up the best splash pads and sprinkler parks to check out in the region, from Yonkers to the Catskills, including some that offer FREE entry. We have even included some that are inside theme parks, including the Legoland New York Water Playground, that are worth the day trip.
Find more outdoor adventures in our Guide to Parks and Playgrounds, and bookmark our Ultimate Westchester and Hudson Valley Kids Summer Vacation Guide for tips all season long.
26 Great Summer Festivals and Fairs in Westchester in 2025
Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on
Summer fairs and festivals in Westchester offer a ton of ways to party al fresco from June through August. Westchester's staged outdoor entertainment options include picnic-blanket music festivals and cultural-heritage feasts.
Kick off the summer festivities at the Westchester Annual Strawberry Festival in Chappaqua, featuring live music, a petting zoo, and the famous strawberry shortcake. Other stand-out events include the return of the Sleepy Hollow Mermaid Festival and a 4th of July celebration at Mamaroneck's Fireworks Spectacular and Fireman's Carnival in Harbor Island Park.
Families can also celebrate Pride Month at multiple kid-friendly celebrations, including Hastings-on-Hudson Friday Night Pride, which features a parade, concert, and tons of kids' activities, such as a giant rainbow slide and face painting.
Best Swimming Lakes in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for Families in 2025
Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on
Swimming lakes in Westchester and the Hudson Valley are ideal destinations for cooling off in the great outdoors. While you'll only find a few local swimming lakes and rivers in Westchester County, the greater Hudson Valley region offers plenty of places for freshwater swimming.
Here, we've rounded up several lakes and rivers perfect for swimming with kids this summer.
Looking for even more fun in the sun? Check out our Summer Fun Guide for Westchester and the Hudson Valley, which includes our story on the best beaches in the region.
Mother's Day Weekend 2025 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do with Kids
Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on
Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this Mother's Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.
Indulge mom's sweet tooth at the Hudson Valley Cupcake Festival or check out the Dutch festivities and loads of blooms at the Albany Tulip Festival. Pirate-loving families can don their best costumes and join the sword-fighting and mischief-making at the Hudson Valley Pirate Festival.
Consider this a friendly reminder to book your reservations for Mother's Day brunch ASAP if you haven't already. Still shopping? We've got tons of last-minute ideas for Mother's Day gifts moms actually want.
Best Strawberry Picking and Strawberry Festivals in the Hudson Valley
Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on
Strawberries from the supermarket or farmer's market are tasty, but going strawberry picking in the Hudson Valley is a springtime experience worth savoring with your family. Fortunately, plenty of farms for strawberry picking in the Hudson Valley offer not only strawberry picking but also other attractions that round out a visit.
Read on for our favorite local farms for strawberry picking in the Hudson Valley, and check out our Guide to Pick-Your-Own Farms in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, which includes our story on the region's best vineyards.
20 Things To Do on Mother's Day 2025 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Submitted by Susan Miele on
Mother's Day is easy to celebrate in Westchester and the Hudson Valley given the region's natural beauty and great cultural offerings. Whether you're looking to take in a show or want to get outside and enjoy the beautiful spring weather, we've rounded up 20 things to do on mom's special day.
If you're looking for meal ideas, check out our roundup of the best Mother's Day brunch spots in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, and we make shopping easy, too, with our picks for 50 things moms really want for Mother's Day!
No matter where the holiday takes you, happy Mother's Day from the team at Mommy Poppins!
Best Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley May 2025 with Kids
Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on
From Mother's Day to Memorial Day, we've rounded up fun things to do all month long in Westchester and the Hudson Valley!
This May, enjoy treasure hunting, sword-fighting demonstrations, mermaids, and more at the annual Hudson Valley Pirate Festival at the Ulster County Fairgrounds. Or, check out an outdoor celebration of the Holi Festival of Colors in Hawthorne's Broadway Field Park, featuring bounce houses, Bollywood dancing, color throwing, and more.
Kids of all ages are invited to don their best fairy wings and join the annual Fairy House Hunt in the Garden at Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie's Locust Grove Estate every weekend in May.
These are just a few of our favorite things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this May—we're adding more events to the Westchester Events Calendar every day.
Sleep in a Lighthouse and More Hudson Valley Family Resorts and Hotels
Submitted by Allison Tibaldi on
The Hudson Valley is an easy weekend getaway for those in the New York City vicinity, especially from Westchester—and it boasts a variety of unique, family-friendly resorts and hotels, from an all-inclusive dude ranch to a lighthouse and even a working farm.
We've rounded up 15 family-friendly hotels for a range of budgets in Hudson Valley towns that are filled with history, charm, and natural beauty, including Hyde Park, New Paltz, Hudson, Saugerties, and Rhinebeck.
Read on for our picks, and find more family-friendly getaways in our Local Kids' Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.
