Catskills

10 Great Family Campgrounds in and Near Westchester

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Fri, 05/24/2019 - 10:00am

If camping is on your summer bucket list, you’re in luck: There are lots of campsites both in and around Westchester and the Hudson Valley, which means you’ll never be at a shortage for places to pitch your tent for a few nights.

Next time you’re ready to pack up your sleeping bag and s’mores provisions, consider staying at one of these area campgrounds, some of which offer even more fun activities for kids, like playgrounds and beaches.

Prefer something a little different? Check out these alternative camping ideas—and our entire summer activity guide!

Family Weekend Getaway: River Rafting with Kids in the Catskills

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Mon, 08/28/2017 - 10:00am

I've wanted to take my kids river rafting since my teenage son was a toddler, yet we never managed to get around to it—until this summer. After spending a wonderful day on the Delaware River in the Sullivan Catskills, my only regret is that we didn't go sooner.

With three kids ranging from 8 to 13, finding an outing we can all enjoy is sometimes a challenge. River rafting hit the mark beautifully, providing a completely unplugged experience that's fun for all ages. Plus, clocking in at just under two hours from New York City (and even less for Westchester residents), rafting in the Catskills is an easy day trip or a quick weekend getaway. We opted to make a weekend out of it, so we've got the scoop on where to go rafting and what to expect, plus where to stay overnight.

For more weekend getaway ideas, consult our Day Trips & Getaways Guide and sign up for our newsletters.

Camping in New York Just Got 100% More Awesome with Tentrr

Submitted by Anna Fader on Tue, 07/18/2017 - 7:05am

Camping seems like such a nice idea. You connect with nature—just you and your family or friends in the woods. But the reality isn’t always as splendid. Gathering all the gear needed and packing everything and everyone into the car, or arriving at a trampled campground that's often just a few feet of dirt and some brush separating you from a band of beer-drinking bros, and you lose some of the romance. That's why we were excited to stumble upon a new way to reconnect with nature, especially for NYC or city families who don’t have room to store lots of equipment between trips.

A new website, Tentrr, connects private camp sites and campers, like an Airbnb for the Great Outdoors. While your host may leave you cookies or something extra to make you feel welcome, the best part of our stay was the total seclusion. The sites are on private land, so it really will be just you, the trees, and some woodland creatures.

Deal Alert! Mommy Poppins readers can save 20% off Tentrr. Visit our deals page to see all current offers for Mommy Poppins readers.

Cute Catskills Getaway: 13 Things To Do in Sullivan County with Kids

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Tue, 02/28/2017 - 10:00am

As the temperatures warm up and we shake those winter blues away for good, many of us are itching to plan travel and explore new destinations. Sullivan County, located about 90 minutes from White Plains and two hours from Midtown Manhattan, is an easy weekend getaway that's rife with natural beauty, quaint little towns and oh-so-much family fun. Regardless of the season, there are year-round kid-friendly activities in this rustic Catskills area if you know where to find them.

Once best known as a popular vacation area for NYC-ers escaping the city in the summer, Sullivan is also the location of the 1969 Woodstock Festival, and hippies (and hipsters) still make the pilgrimage to the hollowed grounds in Bethel. We've rounded up a baker's dozen of some of our favorite things to do with kids in the area, whether there's snow on the ground or you're looking to swim.

Looking for more family-friendly destinations? Consult our Travel Guide and sign up for our newsletters!

Day Trips: 5 Family-Friendly Destinations Close to Westchester

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Fri, 07/31/2015 - 8:00am

Westchester is full of wonderful things to do, from fantastic county pools to family-friendly museums and so much more. Even so, summer time lends itself to family outings and many use lazy summer days to escape for a day and take in the sights of a nearby town. With New York City to our South, Connecticut to our East, Rockland County to our West and the more rural counties of Dutchess and Ulster to our North, it is easy to hop in the car (or on a bus or a train or even in a boat!) and find whole new towns to explore. Using central Westchester as our starting point, we've rounded up 5 great small-town destinations—all of which are under 2 hours away!

The Best Places to Go Stargazing in New York City

Submitted by charlotte on Mon, 08/17/2009 - 8:41am

On any given night, it can be hard to find a visible star, let alone a constellation, here in the City. With all of the ambient light, you might think it's near impossible to do any star gazing at all. But even with the neon signs and lights, there are amateur astronomy clubs that gather weekly and find wonders in the nighttime skies, not to mention the university observatories that are open to the public.

French Woods Performing Arts Camp

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 10:30am

French Woods is located on a private lake in the western Catskill mountains of New York State near the Delaware river and the Pennsylvania Border, approximately two and a half hours from New York City between Monticello and Binghamton.

We offer summer camp programs in dance, theater, music, circus, magic, visual arts, sports, and horseback riding. Each child, works with our staff to design his or her own unique summer experience. Campers are able to focus on one particular area of interest, or they may choose to select a variety of activities. We are at the same time, a theater camp, an art camp, a dance camp, a circus camp, a horseback riding camp, a sports camp, a magic camp, and a traditional camp, with world class programs that each child can choose a-la-cart.

For more great camp ideas, check out our Summer Camp Guide!