Katherine Dhurandhar

Latest posts by Katherine

Sedona with Kids: Best Things To Do in Sedona, Arizona

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Sat, 05/20/2023 - 12:00pm

Take a short but challenging hike to Cathedral Rock for gorgeous views.

With its magical, red-rock landscape and plethora of outdoor activities, Sedona, AZ is a great destination for your next family vacation. Whether you want to explore the art and history of this rich cultural area, catch thrills in a backcountry Jeep or ATV tour, or get up-close and personal with nature on one of the many hiking trails, there is something for everyone in Sedona.

Sedona is often called the gateway to northern Arizona because of its central location among some of the most iconic attractions in the American Southwest, including the Grand Canyon. We were able to visit Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and the Petrified Forest in one overnight trip from Sedona, but these are also doable as day trips.

Here are 32 things to do in Sedona with kids, including family-friendly Sedona hotels and restaurants. Check out our Western US Family Travel Guide for more adventures out west, including our visitors' guides to Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Colorado Springs.

St. Patrick's Day Weekend 2023 in Westchester: Best Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Wed, 03/15/2023 - 11:30am

Kids 8 and under can run for the gold in the Rainbow Dash in Montgomery. Photo courtesy of the Village of Montgomery

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this St. Patrick's Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

St. Patrick's Day weekend wouldn't be complete without Irish celebrations, and our picks for the best things to do include a St. Patrick's Day Parade and an Irish festival to kick off the weekend. Other family-friendly events this weekend include multiple maple sugaring outings, live animal programs, and the final weekend of Flip Circus.

Don't miss our roundup of FREE things to do in March in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, our picks for spring day trips for families, and ideas for family weekend getaways in the area.

Best Summer Camps in the Hudson Valley, NY

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Sun, 03/12/2023 - 10:28am

Camp Ramaquois is one of many standout summer camps in the Hudson Valley. Photo courtesy of the camp

The Hudson Valley's mountainous landscapes, natural swimming lakes, and open spaces make it the ideal location for kids' summer camps. Whether you are looking for a traditional summer day camp for your preschooler, sleepaway camp for your kid, or an adventure camp for your teen, we've found the best camps throughout the Hudson Valley. Our picks in the Hudson Valley include sports and STEM camps, a special needs summer camp, and even a summer wolf camp for kids.

For more summer camps in the Hudson Valley, including affordable summer camps, dance summer camps, and sports camps, be sure to bookmark our Westchester Summer Camp Guide and our Camp Directory, where you can search for summer camps by type, age, and town.

Free in February: 30 Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 02/03/2023 - 7:13am

The Revelators dance troupe performs at the Yonkers Riverfront Library in celebration of Black History Month. Photo courtesy of the library

Looking for FREE things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this February? Read on for dozens of great options.

No need to be stuck in the house this February, as we have found tons of great FREE things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley! Although it may be the shortest month, February is chock-full of holidays and cultural celebrations, including for Lunar New Year, Black History Month, and Valentine's Day. Our list also includes FREE things to do over the winter holiday break, including STEM workshops and an indoor sidewalk chalk party.

Read on for more of our top FREE event picks in February, and don't forget to eyeball our just-released Best of February List, which includes our top picks all month long. You can always find more freebies in our Guide to Free Things To Do in Westchester with Kids and our rundown of 50 Free Things To Do with Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

Note that some events listed below may require advance registration. Click through to the listings for details.

3 Days in the Hudson Valley with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 01/27/2023 - 6:33pm

Hang out Lego friends at Legoland New York. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

New York's Hudson Valley was recently named by National Geographic Traveler as one of the top 20 must-see destinations in the world and those of us lucky enough to live here know that is a prime destination for a family trip. Its picturesque hills offer stunning views and numerous activities for all seasons, from hiking and waterfall hopping in the summer to skiing and snowtubing in the winter.

To give you the best bang for your buck, we're giving you a local's perspective on the best things to do in the Hudson Valley. You probably can't do all of these activities in three days (kids could probably spend the entire trip at Legoland), but we have included plenty of options so you can take your pick.

For more family-friendly fun, check out our roundups of Things To Do with Kids in the Hudson Valley, Best Hudson Valley Sledding Hills, and Easy Hikes in the Hudson Valley.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

Best of January: 18 Top Things To Do in Westchester with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 12/30/2022 - 6:52am

Teatown Lake Reservation holds winter workshops for kids and families. Photo courtesy of the reservation

From New Year's Day to MLK weekend and Lunar New Year, January is a great time for indoor and outdoor activities. Don’t miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this month.

January offers tons of opportunities for spectacular family fun. Outdoorsy families can kick off the year with a first day hike, and there are plenty of other ways to get out in nature this month, including a workshop on how to make maple syrup in your backyard.

If the frigid temperatures have you hiding indoors, there are loads of great things to do at local libraries and museums, including celebrating the Lunar New Year, enjoying live animal shows, or even learning about the shape of snow on other planets.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

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The Surprisingly Affordable Way to Fly Semi Private with Your Family

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Thu, 12/22/2022 - 12:00pm

Hop-on jet service JSX offers the perks of flying private, but at prices that are comparable to regular commercial travel.

If the hassle of air travel is keeping you from booking that beach vacation or has you dreading a trip to visit Grandma and Grandpa, hear me out. Hop-on jet service JSX may be the answer to parenting prayers, offering the perks of flying private, but at prices that are comparable to regular commercial travel.

As someone with a lot of far-away family, I've done my fair share of flying since my son was born, and I've never seen it done quite like this. With private crowd-free airports, quick contact-less check-in, and planeside luggage retrieval, imagine flying without wrestling your shoes off at security or waiting an hour at baggage claim with squirmy little ones. Add family-friendly amenities and non-stop flights from Westchester to Orlando and Miami, flying semi-private with JSX is amazingly easy, even with kids, and bags, and even pets, in tow.

I'm here to give you the inside scoop on this life-changing option for air travel, from a full list of perks to ticket pricing, and all your other questions about flying with JSX.

Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience Transforms FDR State Park Into Magical Walk-Through

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Wed, 11/02/2022 - 10:51am

The Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience has transformed FDR State Park into a magical walk-through.

Wands at the ready everyone: The forested trails of FDR State Park in Yorktown Heights have transformed into the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience. If you dare enter, you'll encounter characters, creatures, and favorite scenes from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series. Utilizing a magical combination of spectacular lighting and sound effects, this walk-through experience transports visitors to the Wizarding World and even allows guests to conjure a little magic of their own.

Read on for our full review, and be sure to book your tickets to the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience soon, as it's only in town for a limited time!