While some families fly south for winter break and others head north to ski, there’s no reason why families can’t enjoy a winter “staycation” right here in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.
With numerous tourist attractions, a slew of play spaces, family-friendly restaurants and loads of outdoor romping spots, Westchester has plenty to without the need for air travel or pesky traffic. Below we’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways to spend the week off from school without breaking the bank or packing a suitcase.
Looking for more things to do? Make sure to check out our Event Calendar and follow us on Facebook!
1. Try one of the new indoor sports programs.
2. Bundle up and go for a walk at the (mostly flat) Croton Aqueduct, alone or on a guided hike.
3. Walk, cross-county ski or snowshoe the trails at Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
4. Sign up for a four-day mini-camp to learn the art of animation film-making—free!
5. Take part in the indoor and outdoor activities at the Greenburgh Nature Center.
6. Go ice skating outdoors!
7. Indoor ice skating more appealing? There are plenty of options in Westchester.
8. Burn off some energy at one of the many indoor play places in our area.
9. Bounce the winter blues away at Rockin’ Jump.
10. Or take a short trip to nearby Rockland or Orange County for a new romping spot.
11. Visit the oh-so-family-friendly Westchester Children’s Museum.
12. Check out a star show at the Hudson River Museum.
Kids can interact with the new City Builder exhibit at Legoland Discovery Center. Photo courtesy of the venue.
13. Check out the newest exhibit at Legoland Discovery Center.
14. Paint your own masterpiece.
15. Catch a flick: Alamo Drafthouse goes above and beyond your standard movie popcorn with gourmet fare, and the Jacob Burns Film Center also offers a selection of high-quality, kid-friendly films.
16. Want to take the kids to see live theater? The Tarrytown Music Hall regularly offers family-friendly performances.
17. Join the Royal Hanneford Circus.
18. Savor the maple-sugaring season and learn to tap a tree.
19. Learn to code for free.
20. Didn’t plan ahead? Drop in on one of these anytime play centers.
21. Eat lunch at City Limits Diner, a perennially popular restaurant for good reason – it’s got plenty of classic diner fare, but enough of a modern twist (and lighter fare) to please plenty of palates.
22. Snow on the ground? Go sledding or learn to ski.
23. Find kid-friendly fare at Sakura Garden, which offers a Children’s Hibachi Dinner (as well as special chopsticks for the kids).
24. Take a break at one of the family-friendly coffee houses in the area.
25. Go antiquing and tour “ruins” in kid-friendly Cold Spring.
26. Crack the case at a series of detective workshops.
27. Take in a show and shop and dine in the sweet downtown of Rhinebeck.
The whole family can harness up and climb to new heights! Photo of The Rock Club by the author.
28. Try your hand(s) at rock climbing.
29. Throw your own Winter Olympics party.
30. Hit any of the many family-friendly play spaces, museums, entertainment spots and outdoor attractions in Poughkeepsie.
31. Pretend it’s summer at an indoor water park.
32. Catch a magic show.
33. Tour assorted historic mansions, hit the roller derby and more in Hyde Park.
34. Skip the trip to Chinatown and visit Fantasy Cuisine. Two words: soup dumplings.
35. Celebrate Chinese New Year and the year of the dog.
36. Why wait for summer? Chill out with frozen yogurt…
37. …or warm up with some hot chocolate.
38. Make your own lava lamp.
39. Try an interactive theater workshop.
40. Experience—first-hand—Japanese Taiko drumming.
41. Take a winter farm tour.
42. Put that library card to surprising uses!
That's not all! Also consult our guide to free things to do in February, and check our Event Calendar for a plethora of activities all month. For even more ideas of what to do during your winter staycation, check our Winter Fun Guide.
This originally posted in 2017 and has been updated for 2018.
