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Center for the Performing Arts at Rhinebeck - 11:00 AM Pick
Center for the Performing Arts at Rhinebeck - 11:00 AM Pick
Play Haven - 10:00 AM
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29 Things To Do on a Rainy Day Indoors in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
When Mother Nature shuts down your favorite local playground, this list of indoor activities in Westchester and the Hudson Valley keeps kids active and engaged while getting the whole family out of the house.
We've listed our 29 top indoor activities below, though we've got countless more picks on our list of the best indoor play spaces in Westchester and in our Guide to Museums for Westchester and Hudson Valley families.
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Best Indoor Activities for Rainy Days in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
1. Mark Your Calendar
First things first: Consult the Mommy Poppins Family Activity Calendar for our favorite activities for every day of the year. It's continually updated with fresh finds.
Cultivate an appreciation for modern art at Dia Beacon. Photo by Diana Kim
2. Visit Dia Beacon
Foster appreciation of contemporary art at Dia Beacon.
3. Go Bowling
Score a strike with a family outing to a nearby bowling alley.
4. Shop for Children’s Clothes and Gear
Pack an umbrella and go bargain-hunting at the Woodbury Common outlets.
5. Gawk at a Mansion
Tour one of the many historic mansions that dot the Hudson River, such as Frederic Church’s Olana.
RELATED: 100 Things To Do in Westchester with Kids Before They Grow Up
Shake off boredom at Rockin' Jump. Photo courtesy of the center
6. Indoor Sports Centers
Get your kicks in at one of these top indoor action centers.
7. Get Your STEM Fix
Summon your child's inner engineer, artist, or scientist at the Westchester Children's Museum. Be on the lookout for various events included in museum admission.
8. Shop at a Local Bookstore
Shop for books at The Village Bookstore in Pleasantville—or one of the other many book stores in the area.
9. Explore an Escape Room
Test your wits at one of these local escape rooms.
10. Play Putt-Putt
Play a game of indoor mini-golf at these local putt-putt courses near NYC.
11. Mamaroneck's Marine Education Center
Explore the touch tank and other exhibits at the Marine Education Center, where admission is FREE, and you can visit from April-November.
12. Go Ice Skating
Take a spin around an indoor ice skating rink—it's not just for winter!
13. Explore a Local Museum
Skip NYC in favor of visiting one of these local museums for kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.
14. Visit American Dream
Cross the river to check out the multidimensional American Dream Mall, which offers a slew of great indoor attractions, including a ski resort, water park, and theme park—all indoors!
Put your foot on the pedal at Grand Prix New York. Photo courtesy of the venue
15. Go Racing
Head to Grand Prix New York for go-karts, arcade games, pool, and more.
16. Slip and Slide
Swap the rain for a splash in an indoor water park in the Hudson Valley or nearby.
17. Visit the Hudson River Museum
Journey to the stars at the Hudson River Museum's planetarium, tour the historic Glenview mansion, and don’t miss the Red Grooms “bookstore.” There are numerous exhibits of interest and family activities are offered year-round.
18. See the Work of Famous Artists
View the stained-glass windows created by Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall at Union Church of Pocantico Hills.
RELATED: Sports Centers and Fun Zones for Westchester Kids
Get airborne at iFly. Photo courtesy of iFLy
19. Skydive at iFly
“Drop” in for indoor skydiving at iFly.
20. FASNY Museum of Firefighting
Explore the vast collection of cool artifacts and interactive exhibits at the FASNY Museum of Firefighting.
21. Do Arts and Crafts
Drop in to any of these art studios in Westchester to create a new masterpiece.
22. Build Your Own Sundae
Drop into one of these fro-yo bars and choose your own toppings.
23. D.I.Y. Slime
Leave the slime-making to a professional and visit D.I.Y. Slime in Larchmont, which has drop-in hours and tons of fun add-ins for the sticky stuff.
24. Go Rock Climbing
Climb somebody else’s walls at these indoor rock-climbing spots.
25. Visit a Local Library
Get to know your library branch’s special offerings. Some loan “discovery backpacks,” scrapbooking kits, baking pans, and musical instruments. Others let you borrow a museum pass for FREE or discounted admission. Even a day spent at your local branch to explore its children’s and teen rooms is a day well spent.
26. Swim Indoors
Snag a day pass to access an indoor swimming pool.
27. Explore a Ropes Course
Navigate an indoor ropes course—including Hapik at Ridge Hill in Yonkers and the Palisades Adventure Climb.
28. Catch a Train
Hop on MetroNorth and make the activity-packed Grand Central Terminal your destination.
29. Chill at Home
Can’t get out? We’ve got ideas for stay-at-home rainy days, too!
This post has been updated for 2023.
