North Salem with Kids: 25 Things To Do for Westchester Families
North Salem may be the only Westchester County town where the equine population actually outpaces the human population. Rural in character but still with its own MetroNorth stop, this sleepy New York City suburb is the place to go for horse shows, small farms, natural beauty, great restaurants and a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of some of Westchester’s busier cities.
In July we will be taking a closer look at North Salem and all it has to offer residents and visitors alike. Established as a rural farming community nearly 50 years before the Revolutionary War, North Salem is made up of several separate hamlets—North Salem, Croton Falls, Grants Corner, Salem Center, Twin Lakes Village and Purdy. Interestingly, one of North Salem’s largest claims to fame doesn’t actually exist. Fans of the Marvel comic book heroes X-Men will know that both Xaviers’s Institute for Higher Learning and Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters are located in Salem Center.
Read on for our top picks of places to visit, things to see and what to do with kids in North Salem. And be sure to check out our Summer Activity Guide and SUMMER OF PLAY series for more fun things to do with kids this summer.
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- Camp out for the night at Mountain Lakes Park.
- Try to ring the old fire bell at the Croton Falls Fire Department.
- Step back in time at the Putnam County National Bank
- Grab dinner-to-go at Who's Cooking
- Toe the line on the balance beam at Joe Bohrdrum Field Park
- Turn little ones loose at the mostly fenced-in Voluenteers Park.
- Walk among the flowers at the Japanese Stroll Garden.
- Bring your pets for the annual interfaith Blessings of the Animals at The Hammond Museum.
- Enjoy story-time at the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library.
- Visit the gravity-defying 60 ton Balanced Rock.
- Join Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard’s CSA program- or visit the country store and choose your own farm fresh meats, fruits, veggies and dairy products.
- Eat locally at Purdy’s Farmer and the Fish.
- Learn to ride a horse at Summit Farm.
- Fill up on berries at the yearly Strawberry Festival at the North Salem Historical Society.
- Catch a show or take a class at The Schoolhouse Theater.
- Shop for unique gifts and accessories at the Union Hall General Store.
- Pick your own pumpkins and apples at Outhouse Orchards.
- Attend a horse show at Old Salem Farm.
- Celebrate winter, spring, summer and fall with plants and decorations from Northern Bates Farm.
- Learn about instruments and the sounds they make at Music Together.
- Twirl on your toes at CaleCo Ballet Studio.
- Get outdoors on the old racetrack at Baxter Preserve.
- Explore some of the area’s most beautiful gardens during The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program.
- Send away for a New York City Public Access Permit and go fishing in the Titicus Reservoir.
- Get a babysitter and go for a grown-ups-only dinner at 121. Can’t find a sitter? Visit their quick-service gourmet shop across the street, 121Kitchen.
Places featured in this article:
Joe Bohredrum Park
Voluenteers Park
North Salem Historical Society