Perched on a small hill above the Hudson River, Peekskill is a cozy, eclectic city with a rich history. Named for the early 1600s Dutch fur trader, Jan Peeck, Peekskill has played an important role in nearly every era of American history, from the Revolutionary War to the Underground Railroad to the Civil Rights movement. It was even the landing site of a famous, 23-pound Peekskill Meteor that crashed into a car in October 1992! Today, it is a bustling mix of new restaurateurs, artists, young families, long-time residents and weekend visitors.

We've mentioned Peekskill in our coverage of the Rivertowns. However, this month we're taking a closer look at this up-and-coming city, starting with our list of the top 25 things to do in Peekskill with kids.

We recently told you about the season's new museum exhibits. However, you can check out amazing art in NYC's public plazas and parks, too. Spring means a whole new crop of incredible public art displays and this season's roundup is particularly impressive.

Madison Square Park is currently installing a canopy of gold-hued mirrors in its treeline; meanwhile, Brooklyn Bridge Park is set to host 18 pieces of interactive art, and an enormous plant-filled pyramid will soon sprout up along the East River in Socrates Sculpture Park. Bonus: all of these exhibits are in public places so they can be enjoyed for FREE. Read on for nine must-see public art installations debuting in New York City this spring.

Superficially, Morningside Heights hasn't changed much since I was growing up nearby in the '70s and '80s. Sandwiched between the Upper West Side and Harlem, the neighborhood is still dominated by Columbia University and its students, as well as college kids from the many other schools in the area (hence the neighborhood nickname "Academic Acropolis"). Meanwhile, the gorgeous, neo-Gothic Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine and Riverside Church attract worshipers and tourists in equal measure.

Although the area's architecture may be the same, its businesses and vibe are completely different. While some old-school eateries like Tom's diner and the Hungarian Pastry Shop have survived, there seem to be sleek new restaurants on every corner with farm-to-table menus, and most of the ma-and-pa stores of yesteryear have been replaced by chain banks, bars or fast food dining. These days, families almost seem to outnumber undergraduates, as they take advantage of the area's two major, amenity-filled green spaces, Riverside Park and Morningside Park, and large prewar apartments.

Throughout April, we'll be writing about the best places for families to see, eat, play and experience in Morningside Heights. For the purposes of our posts, our geographical boundaries are 106th to 125th Streets between the Hudson River and Columbus Avenue/Morningside Drive. We kick off our coverage with the top 25 things to do in Morningside Heights with kids.

Spring has sprung, and we're anxious to discover new life outdoors. This easy-to-make bird feeder is perfect for toddlers and little ones. They can practice their dexterity by stringing the cereal onto the pipe cleaner, and then the fun really starts. Sit by the window to see who comes to nosh on your bird feeder, and watch nature put on a show.