Lower Hudson Valley

Where to Go Pumpkin Picking in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Mon, 09/19/2016 - 10:00am

Autumn is in full swing and it's a beautiful time of year to be outdoors! We've told you all about the wonderful fall festivals and where to go apple picking. Now we're turning our attention to the great pumpkins.

We've rounded up our favorite places to go pumpkin picking in the Lower Hudson Valley. Sure, you can buy your pumpkins from the supermarket or your local farmer's market, but if you're looking for a more authentic experience, head to a nearby pumpkin patch!

Looking for more fall activities? Consult our Fall Fun Guide and follow us on Facebook.

Fall Festival Fun in Lower Hudson Valley: Apples, Crafts, Petting Zoos

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Tue, 09/06/2016 - 5:00pm

Leaf peeping, apple picking and cider doughnuts! Yep, autumn is a beautiful, festive time of year in the Hudson Valley, offering plenty of fun seasonal things for kids to do, including hitting up some of the area's best fall events. We recently rounded up our favorite fall festivals in Westchester County, and now we're heading beyond the county lines to highlight even more wonderful kid-friendly fests.

Expect traditional activities like hayrides, pumpkin painting and live entertainment, as well as more elaborate celebrations, such as the 16th-century-themed New York Renaissance Faire. All these festivals make for a fantastic day trip. Looking for more ideas? Sign up for our newsletters.

A Peaceful Trip Back in Time at Boscobel House and Gardens

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Sat, 07/23/2016 - 8:00pm

Overlooking West Point, Constitution Island and the Hudson River, Boscobel House and Gardens is a wonderful place to step back in time and take a break from our modern rush-around world. Originally built in Montrose, N.Y., and moved to its current location in Garrison in the 1950s, Boscobel House dates back to the early 1800s.

Throughout the year Boscobel hosts a variety of family-friendly events, in addition to the tours, picnicking, hiking and sight seeing opportunities that are available April through December. We have what you need to know about visiting these immaculately restored grounds, which reflect the grandeur of when it was home to one of Westchester’s wealthiest women.

10 Swimming Pools and Splash Pads in the Lower Hudson Valley

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Tue, 07/05/2016 - 4:00pm

It’s full-fledged summer and we know you’re looking for ways to cool off. We’ve already directed our Westchester-residing residents to the swimming options at the county parks, but what about the rest of the Lower Hudson Valley? Fear not because we’ve got those areas covered as well.

We’ve gathered up a list of great swimming pools and splash pads in Rockland, Orange and Dutchess counties. While some town pools are open to residents only, the ones on this list offer daily passes (at a minimum) to everyone—so pack a lunch and take a day trip somewhere new!

Glamp Out: Alternative Camping and Glamping for Westchester Families

Submitted by Christi O'Donnell on Mon, 06/13/2016 - 4:00pm

Though hard-core campers may find it hard to believe, hauling a hundred pounds of gear out into the middle of nowhere to spend a night communing with mosquitos and tree frogs is not everyone's idea of a vacation. Perhaps you've never been camping and would like a low-risk way to get your feet wet (so to speak, of course) or you've been camping many times and are ready to try a trip where digging your own latrine isn't part of the charm. You're in luck! In addition to many conventional campsites, the Lower Hudson Valley also boasts several places that offer an alternative camping experience- one where you just show up and most of the work is already done for you!

More Father’s Day Fun: Ways To Celebrate Dad in Lower Hudson Valley

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Thu, 06/09/2016 - 4:00pm

As Father’s Day approaches, our attention turns to the guy who helps make it all happen. We recently shared our top ways to celebrate Father's Day in Westchester. Now we're heading across the river to highlight more ideas for honoring dads.

We've compiled a range of activities to help you plan a great day, no matter what the man's into—from sports to outdoor fun, and everything in between. If you're coming from Westchester, these events are worth the drive! Looking for more activities? Consult our Event Calendar.

Pick-Your-Own Strawberry Farms in Lower Hudson Valley

Submitted by Sonia Gonzalez on Tue, 05/10/2016 - 12:00pm

My kids love strawberries. Lucky for them, their grandmother grows strawberries in her backyard, so they've been part of the planting, growing and harvesting process since they were tots. As much as they enjoy the tiny patch, meandering through large fields of strawberries is also an awesome experience. It's not only a fun spring activity, but it also teaches kids about the farm-to-table and locavore movements, and encourages healthy eating habits.

We've rounded up pick-your-own strawberry places in the Lower Hudson Valley where families can harvest their own batch of strawberry goodness. Although there aren't any PYO strawberry spots within Westchester's borders, we have located farms that are less than 90 minutes from central Westchester by car, close enough for a fun day trip. Most locations begin the picking season around Memorial Day weekend, but be sure to check ahead before you head out.

Share your picking photos with us on Facebook!

5 Hudson Valley Indoor Play Places Worth the Trip

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Thu, 02/18/2016 - 10:00am

When it’s raining or freezing or simply a day that ends in Y, a good indoor play place can be a godsend for entertaining kids. We’ve already taken a look at several indoor play places in Westchester, and now we’re going to turn our attention to the rest of the Lower Hudson Valley. These play spaces are all worth a trip across the bridge.

Looking for places that let you drop off the kids while you get stuff done or have a date night? Take a look at our list of 12 Drop-In Play Spaces, and be sure to sign up for our newsletters!

8 Favorite Family Skiing Spots Near NYC

Submitted by Anna Fader on Mon, 01/25/2016 - 10:26am

Now that winter has finally arrived, it's time to embrace the chill. We've rounded up some of the best skiing and snowboarding spots within a few hours drive of the city.

A winter sport like skiing is great way to get outdoors as a family, rather than wallowing indoors all season long. It'll make the warm weather come that much sooner! Read on for our rundown on these local slopes, so you can pick one that matches your kids' skill levels and interests. Want info on more family skiing and other snow sports? Check out our Ski Guide, covering the tristate area, New England and even California.

Happy skiing!

12 Drop-In Kid Spots in the Lower Hudson Valley

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Wed, 01/20/2016 - 10:00am

Whether you’re in need of a date night, or your kids just want some evening fun, there are many places in the Lower Hudson Valley that host Kid or Teen Nights. Great for some solo adult time, these places offer either drop-in (no parents or pre-registration required) or drop-off play (parents not required but pre-registration may be). Some of these facilities have irregular program dates, so contact the location for the most recent schedule.

Looking for places that offer drop-in and drop-off play in Westchester? We have you covered. Be sure to sign up for our FREE newsletters to keep up to date with all of the best places to play in the area.