Best Swimming Lakes near Westchester and the Hudson Valley You Need to Discover

Get to Lake Tiorati in Harriman State Park early to beat the crowds. Photo courtesy of New York State Parks

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.

Jones Beach Air Show: Guide to Visiting with Kids

The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels headline the Jones Beach Air Show for the first time since 2004. Photo courtesy of the Blue Angels/via Facebook

The super-popular Bethpage Air Show returns to Jones Beach this Memorial Day weekend, featuring show-stopping aviation acrobatics. Hundreds of thousands of visitors attend this unofficial kick-off to summer, so we've put together the guide below to help make your visit to the Jones Beach Air Show as smooth as possible. 

For other open-air cultural offerings, check out our rundown of the best beaches and pools in the area, and bookmark our comprehensive Guide to Summer Activities.

Awesome Swimming Lakes near New Jersey You Need to Discover

Cool off in Lake Marcia after a hike in High Point State Park. Photo courtesy of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

New Jersey has some of the best swimming lakes in the Northeast, so make a plan to dive into one this summer. From Cheesequake to High Point, most of these lakes are on the grounds of majestic state parks that offer other recreation opportunities, like hiking trails. Some, like Sunrise Lake, are even outfitted with incredible inflatable water parks.

If you're looking for other ways to cool off on hot summer days, check out our rundown of the best NJ pools that offer day passes or our look at the Garden State's top water parks

Swimming Lakes Near Los Angeles You Need to Discover

Go swimming at Malibu Creek State Park. Photo by Meghan Rose

Los Angeles kids grow up swimming at some of the country's most iconic beaches, not to mention an array of flat-out awesome public swimming pools. But wait—there's more! Did you know that there are some wonderful swimming lakes near Los Angeles? And if you're willing to drive a little farther, lake options get even more plentiful. Whether you want to take a dip in a secluded swimming hole or join the masses at a lavish lake resort, here are some of the best spots to take a swim out in nature.

For more places to go swimming in Los Angeles, check out our Guide To Pools and Splash Pads in Los Angeles. Or keep it natural at one of these Surf-Free Beaches Where Toddlers Can Swim!

Disney on Ice, Arts & Literacy Festival, and More Top Things To Do in Los Angeles This Weekend

Celebrate the art of puppetry at The Skirball. Puppet Festival photo by Ben Gibbs, courtesy of the Skirball Cultural Center

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles this weekend? Here are some of our favorite events and activities to add to your list this weekend

No need to search for your Disney favorites: they're skating up a storm in Disney on Ice: Mickey's Search Party. Monterey Park is positively pink with its Cherry Blossom Festival. Plus, there's no hiding from the glow of talent, which is on full display at The Music Center's Very Special Arts Festival Family Day

Best Things To Do with Kids this Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Pet farm animals and enjoy outdoor seasonal fun at the Hurds Farm Apple Blossom Festival in Modena. Photo courtesy of the farm

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.

Spring is in full swing this weekend with family festivals including the Apple Blossom Festival at Hurds Family Farm. Kids will also love interacting with horses at Help a Horse Day at Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue or meeting adoptable dogs and cats at the Family Festival and Adoption Fair at Germonds Park in Nyack. 

Families are also invited to experience A Day of Puppetry at Cornell Creative Arts Center, which features elaborate, interactive shows by local puppet theaters.

Arbor Day, Shark Sleepover, and More Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids

Scale some trees during the weekend-long Arbor Day Festival at Planting Fields Arboretum. Photo courtesy of Planting Fields

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

Celebrate Mother Earth this weekend at great events like the Arbor Day celebration at Planting Fields Arboretum. Or, enjoy an overnight adventure by sleeping with sharks at the Long Island Aquarium

Meanwhile, LEGO fans can check out more than a million bricks on display at the weekend-long Brick Fest Live at Nassau Coliseum.

Keep reading for more of the weekend's best kid-friendly events on Long Island. 

Rutgers Day and More Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey this Weekend

Celebrate Rutgers Day this Saturday with kid-friendly activities and entertainment. Photo courtesy of Rutgers Day via Instagram

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Spring festival season is fully underway this weekend at the annual Rutgers Day, brimming with outdoor activities, entertainment, and more. Plus, get healthy tips at the YMCA's Healthy Kids Day at events in Scotch Plains and Toms River.

Read on for a full rundown of New Jersey's best kid-friendly events this weekend. 

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