Marisa Iallonardo

Latest posts by Marisa Iallonardo

Spectacular Neighborhood Christmas Lights and Holiday Light Displays in the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Fri, 11/22/2024 - 10:19am

Peace, Love & Lights at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts features lots of groovy displays. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar

Christmas light displays are shining brightly in the area, and we’ve found some great ones for you to check out in the Lower Hudson Valley. The displays range from individually decorated houses—including one with more than a half million lights—to a drive-thru Christmas wonderland.

We've got plenty more holiday light displays for you to consider in our roundup of the brightest drive-thru installations in the tri-state area.

For more holiday fun, be sure to check our Holiday Fun Guide and Family Activity Calendar.

Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Westchester

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Sun, 11/17/2024 - 8:46am

The Keeler Christmas light display in Putnam Valley features nearly 1 million lights.

Families all over Westchester deck their houses with Christmas lights, but certain special houses merit a visit all their own.

We’ve rounded up several of our favorite local Christmas light displays for 2024, perfect for getting your crew into the holiday spirit. While most of these displays are of the homegrown variety, you can find plenty of spectacular professional displays in the tristate area, too.

If you're looking for even more holiday happenings, check out our Westchester Holiday Fun Guide to hear about all the fun as soon as we do.

Mountain Creek Waterpark is Worth a Summer Visit with Rides, Slides, and More Family Fun

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Fri, 08/02/2024 - 11:07am

Mountain Creek's outdoor water park offers action-packed fun during the summer.

If visiting an outdoor water park is on your summer bucket list, Mountain Creek Waterpark in Vernon, NJ, is a great option for a day trip or an overnight.

On a recent summer Saturday, my family and I visited the park and had a blast, with plenty for my 9-year-old and 6-year-old to do separately and together. Here’s a closer look at how we spent the day, plus what to know as you plan your visit.

For even more theme park fun, check out our Guide to Theme Parks in the region.

Family-Friendly Beer Gardens in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Sun, 06/23/2024 - 6:09am

Mill House Brewing Company offers a warm, historic, and visually appealing setting. Photo by Shot by Kimberly

Beer gardens may not seem like the first place you’d take little ones, but with kid-friendly food and even games and toys, it can be a great spot to spend a sunny afternoon in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

If you're searching for some other family-friendly fare this season, bookmark this list of kid-friendly outdoor dining spots.

Best Play Cafes in Westchester with Perks for Kids and Parents

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Fri, 06/21/2024 - 10:21am

Kids can have fun at the Play Place in Elmsford while adults enjoy the cafe.

Play cafes in Westchester offer something for both you and the kids: Kids can have some fun while you enjoy coffee or a bite to eat. Check out our roundup below of great options that will satisfy you and your kiddos.

Looking for even more places to take the whole family? Check out our kid-friendly restaurant guide.

Gorgeous Glamping near NYC for Your Next Family Getaway

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Thu, 06/20/2024 - 4:02pm

Bellfire's glamping resort in the Catskills offers creature comforts like a grill, fire pit, and even a sauna.

If you want to sleep in the great outdoors, but not necessarily on the ground, consider these resorts for glamping near NYC. This elevated form of camping provides hotel-style perks, plus the kitsch appeal of camping.

Think of glamping as an upgraded version of traditional camping, typically with a larger, canvas tent already set up, often with beds, mattresses, and other creature comforts like picnic tables and grills built into your campsite. Most of these destinations for glamping near New York City are open between May and October and can include everything from bathrooms with running water to hotel-quality linens, kitchens, electricity, and even air conditioning.

These glamping spots in New Jersey, upstate New York, and the Poconos are also packed with family-friendly extras, including pools, playgrounds, hayrides, mini golf, giraffe encounters, movie nights, and we even found one glamping site that's home to a ropes course. Most also host tons of nature activities, like biking, fishing, and even face time with farm animals. Some offer hotel-level features, like on-site restaurants. Read on for our full list of where to go glamping near New York City, and find more ideas for a family-friendly getaway in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

40 Best Things To Do in the Catskills with Kids

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Fri, 05/24/2024 - 11:06am

Romp through the woods in the beautiful Catskills. Photo by Deborah Dadlani

When you're up for a road trip, New York's Catskills offer a slew of great things to do for families. Whether you have young kids or tweens and teens—or all of the above!—you can enjoy hiking, camping, river rafting, and more.

Let’s start with the basics: Where are the Catskills? Covering 600,000 acres and encompassing most of Ulster, Sullivan, Delaware, Greene, and Schoharie counties, the Catskills are rich in natural beauty and historical significance. You'll find family-friendly skiing and picturesque resorts—including the sprawling Kartrite Resort—as well as charming small towns, like Saugerties, Woodstock, Phoenicia, Tannersville, and Delhi.

Most destinations are about a 2- to 3-hour drive from the New York metro area. Here’s a look at the 40 best things to do in the Catskills with the kids, no matter your family’s interests.

Looking for even more places to visit in your area and beyond? Check out our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

Best Splash Pads and Water Playgrounds in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Sun, 05/19/2024 - 10:11am

Tibbets Brook Park's swimming complex includes a splash pad complete with cool jets and sprinklers.

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 Wappingers Falls, including some that offer FREE entry.

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.

Latest posts by Marisa Iallonardo

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