Susan Miele

Latest posts by Susan

A Dozen New Dessert Spots for Westchester Families

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 08/12/2018 - 11:00am

Sweet news: a host of new sweet spots have opened in Westchester recently, and we’ve rounded them up below. (We also conducted a few taste tests—strictly in the interest of research, of course.)

Our list includes several new ice-cream parlors, three spots for trendy Thai rolled ice cream, and a few eateries offering acai bowls, juices, and smoothies. There’s also new fro-yo, as well as a new bakery that hosts classes and parties.

Read on to get the skinny on these dessert destinations—and be sure you’re signed up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook to stay in the know about news (and more) of interest to Westchester families!

New Treetop Adventure Park Opens in Purchase, New York

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 07/12/2018 - 1:30pm

Recently, we told you about a new indoor trampoline park for active families. Another new venue for those on the move is Boundless Adventures, a treetop adventure complex in Purchase that offers assorted aerial feats for varying levels of ability—and bravery. Read on to learn more about how your family can harness up and rise to the challenge.

Want to stay in the know about grand openings and other happenings? Sign up for our newsletters! Our Event Calendar can also help keep you informed about special events and other fun for thrill seekers.

Bounce Off the Walls at New Launch Trampoline Park in West Nyack

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 06/28/2018 - 11:00am

It seems like yesterday we announced to readers the opening of Rockin’ Jump, the indoor trampoline park, at Ridge Hill. Now there’s a new trampoline kid on the block: Launch Trampoline Park.

Located in Rockland County’s West Nyack, Launch Trampoline Park opened in June 2018 and is gearing up for a Grand Opening event. Bearing much resemblance to Rockin’ Jump, Launch Trampoline Park offers extreme dodgeball, one-on-one basketball, a battle beam, dunk basketball, a warrior ninja course, more than 15,000 square feet of open-jump trampoline space, an arcade with redemption, and a cafe. Read on for more details about this new facility for Westchester and Hudson Valley kids.

Looking for more places to have fun while burning off energy? Consult our guide to indoor play spaces in Westchester. Also stay abreast of new openings, special events, and more by signing up for our newsletters and following us on Facebook!

50+ Free Things To Do This Summer for Westchester and Hudson Valley Families

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sat, 06/23/2018 - 12:00pm

Summer is here, and while the end of school can be a relief, the new challenge is to keep the kids busy seven days a week! But filling those long days can get pricey—fast. Fear not: We’ve been hard at work identifying tons of FREE things to do with the kids that will keep them entertained all summer long—and we're not just talking about crafts. We found multi-cultural festivals, admission-free days, magic shows, outdoor yoga, astronomy nights, animal encounters, historical sites, and loads more.

Read on for 50+ of our favorites below, but also note that our Event Calendar is your BFF all season, because we keep adding to that frequently, so it’s always worth a gander. Want more that’s FREE? Bookmark our guide to year-round FREE things to do and sign up for our newsletters.

July 4th Fireworks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 06/17/2018 - 2:00pm

Independence Day means summer fun, barbecues, and, of course, stunning pyrotechnics. We’ve identified fireworks displays over the course of an entire week (the benefit of Independence Day falling on a Wednesday!) along with lots of added attractions—a carnival, a fair, concerts, sports, bouncy houses, a parade, and other perks.

If you’re feeling adventurous, the famous Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular is best visited strategically, and we have the best spots to watch with your family; there’s also a show-stopping fireworks display that’s less frenetic over the bridge in Jersey City, which also features a full agenda of fun.

Be sure to keep tabs on our Event Calendar, and sign up for our newsletters to stay on top of our frequent updates and announcements!

Father's Day Weekend: Big Bounce, Clearwater Fest, Children's Day

Submitted by Susan Miele on Wed, 06/13/2018 - 12:00pm

It’s time for Dad’s special day, and we’ve combed Westchester and the Hudson Valley to find the best ways for families to honor the important men in their lives. Sure, a nice dinner or sporting event is often the just-right excursion, but in case you’re looking for something more, we’ve got lots to choose from.

The big headliner of the weekend is the Clearwater Great Hudson River Revival, a two-day outdoor event celebrating environmental protection on a grand scale with a vast and impressive lineup of music, exhibitions, assorted entertainment, an instrument “petting zoo,” wholesome food, and more. This is just one of several summer festivals taking place this weekend; others include the Yonkers Ukrainian Heritage Festival.

Another musical highlight is Caramoor's Family Concert, when the illustrious venue presents a performance tailored to younger audiences. Fans of inflatables, this one’s for you: The Big Bounce America is bringing 20,000 square feet of jumpy fun to the Hudson Valley, including assorted variations on the bouncy theme. There also are a couple of kid-focused historical events this weekend, including Family Fun Day at the Piermont Railroad Station Museum, which offers particular appeal for young fans of locomotives.

Read on for all of our top picks, and check out our Event Calendar for even more options to choose from. Our June GoList can help you plan the remainder of the month, and signing up for our FREE weekly newsletters keeps you in the know!

Have a very happy Father’s Day!

Summer Festivals and Fairs in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 06/03/2018 - 12:00pm

Summer has arrived, and although the season holds promise in many ways, one of our favorite features is the abundance of family-friendly summer festivals and fairs. We’ve rounded up 15 of our favorites in Westchester and the Hudson Valley—from strawberry festivals to county fairs—all of which include fun activities for kids. Although plans were still being finalized for some of this season’s festivities, we’ll be sure to keep this roster updated as summer progresses.

Looking for even more family-friendly activities? Consult our Event Calendar and sign up for our FREE newsletters!

Memorial Day Weekend in Westchester: Circus, Playland, Beaches

Submitted by Susan Miele on Wed, 05/23/2018 - 10:00am

For those of you staying in Westchester for Memorial Day weekend, there's no shortage of events worth attending, both here and in the Hudson Valley.

Many towns and villages throughout the county celebrate the occasion with parades and ceremonies. Standouts include the Memorial Day Races & Fair, with fun festivities rounding out the occasion.

The three-day weekend is also a great time for animal encounters, with the Memorial Day Dog Parade & Show leading the pack. A couple of the many seasonal festivals we previously told you about also take place this weekend, and there’s a performance by the The Zerbini Family Circus.

And, while all of the above are annual affairs, this Saturday is the only chance we’ll have to celebrate Playland's 90th Birthday, and loads of perks are planned for the occasion. While there, head next door (or to Croton or New Rochelle), when Westchester beaches open for the season.

So let everyone else deal with the traffic and hassle of heading out of town; there’s plenty to do right here at home! Read on to see all of our top weekend picks, and consult our Event Calendar for even more options.

Susan Miele

Susan Miele

Latest posts by Susan

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