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What are Some of the Best Indoor Wintertime Activities in the Hudson Valley?

One of the best things about winter is humans’ power to avoid it entirely. Winter in the Hudson Valley can be an excellent time to visit museums, historic houses, or enjoy family-friendly activities like funky movie theaters and family arcades.

1. New York State Museum – Albany

Why We Love It in Winter: The New York State Museum is a place where history and landscape come together to present a portrait of our corner of the world. The locally focused exhibitions will help you appreciate our area, even when it's actively trying to give you frostbite.
Best For Ages: Kids, teens, and adults
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
What Kids Actually Enjoyed: Life-size models and mastodon fossils
Parent Insider Tip: Albany is far north, so make a day of it with restaurants and shopping.
Skip If: Too far north!

When it's not too cold and snowy, Olana hosts great walking tours on the property. Photo by Diana Kim

2. Olana – Hudson

Why We Love It in Winter: Any historic house tour is a cozy, enriching option for an indoor winter activity. Olana stands out with its seasonal programming and its picturesque grounds.
Best For Ages: Kids, teens, and adults
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor and outdoor
What Kids Actually Enjoyed: Family tours especially designed for children, with activities and more.
Parent Insider Tip: You might consider a kid-guided tour around the grounds instead.
Skip If: Your kid’s eyes tend to glaze over when adults talk too much, or if they are volume-challenged.

3. Happy Valley Arcade – Beacon

Why We Love It in Winter: Video game time doesn’t have to mean solo time. Happy Valley Arcade offers vintage arcade classics perfect for curious kids and nostalgic parents to enjoy together.
Best For Ages: Kids, teens, and adults
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
What Kids Actually Enjoyed: Video games and fried food.
Parent Insider Tip: Happy Valley has a great selection of beers and cocktails for parents.
Skip If: Your kids roll their eyes at the words “vintage” or “nostalgia.”

4. Story Screen – Hudson

Why We Love It in Winter: Movie theaters are warm, and Story Screen in Hudson has a great selection of kids' movies that won’t send adults’ eyes rolling.
Best For Ages: Kids, teens, and adults
Indoor or Outdoor: Indoor
What Kids Actually Enjoyed: Movies, popcorn, and even another handful of vintage arcade games.
Parent Insider Tip: And another bar!

What are Some of the Best Outdoor Wintertime Activities in the Hudson Valley?

There’s more to do in the winter than just get away from it, of course. Our area boasts four uniquely beautiful seasons, and winter is a crucial part of the picture. Snowshoeing, skiing, and skating are good standbys, but a frozen waterfall or a peaceful historical cemetery walk are unique options.

5. Sterling – Tuxedo

Why We Love It in Winter: Excellent trails for snowshoeing. Or even just a nice winter walk. Sterling Forest is big enough to fit anyone's Hudson Valley winter itinerary.
Best For Ages: Any
Indoor or Outdoor: Outdoor
What Kids Actually Enjoyed: Catching a glimpse of one of the many species that call Sterling home.
Parent Insider Tip: There is a convenient indoor nature center if anyone needs to warm up.

Fahnestock State Park makes for a very picturesque day of winter activities. Photo courtesy of New York State Parks

6. Fahnestock Winter Park – Carmel

Why We Love It in Winter: Really lean in to winter at Fahenstock Winter Park, which has showshoe rentals as well as ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
Best For Ages: Any
Indoor or Outdoor: Outdoor
What Kids Actually Enjoyed: Sledding, tube rentals
Parent Insider Tip: The park is organized into trails and slopes of varying difficulty, so pick what your kids can handle.

7. Stuyvesant Falls – Stuyvesant

Why We Love It in Winter: Nothing says winter like ice, and there’s no ice like ice that has frozen mid-fall. Stuyvesant Falls has the benefit of being located in a town, so no hiking is required.
Best For Ages: Any
Indoor or Outdoor: Outdoor
Parent Insider Tip: Any frozen waterfall will do, and there are lots to choose from.

8. Sleepy Hollow Cemetery – Sleepy Hollow

Why We Love It in Winter: A winter cemetery walk is for reflective types who want some serious peace and quiet. Sleepy Hollow Cemetery includes some picturesque walks and monuments that really stand out in the snow.
Best For Ages: Older kids and teens
Indoor or Outdoor: Outdoor
What Kids Actually Enjoyed: Some kids really do like quiet, or so I’ve heard.
Parent Insider Tip: Make sure to pick up a cemetery guide at the office to direct your tour.
Skip If: Obviously, a cemetery can be a bit creepy for impressionable kids.