Ulster County

Pick Your Own Blueberries and More at These Hudson Valley Farms

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Sun, 07/01/2018 - 1:10pm

S trawberry-picking season may be coming to an end, but never fear: we've got the scoop on f arms and orchards where you can pick other types of delicious berries all summer long—including blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.

Here are a few of our favorite places to go berry picking in the lower Hudson Valley, whether you decide to go for the morning or to make an entire day of it. Either way, be sure to call ahead to make sure the farm has berries on hand.

Looking for even more outdoor fun? Check out our summer guide.

Pick-Your-Own Strawberry Farms and Festivals in the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Sun, 05/20/2018 - 11:00am

If apple picking is the perfect fall activity, then strawberry picking is surely the early-summer equivalent. Not only are you able to stock up on the sweet stuff, but you’re able to visit and support local farms and, of course, spend time as a family.

Best of all, there are plenty of places throughout the Hudson Valley where kids of all ages can try their hand at picking their own strawberries. The season usually starts around the beginning of June, but be sure to call ahead first. Not into picking them yourself? Westchester and the Hudson Valley have a few strawberry festivals you can check out, instead.

Share your picking photos with us on Facebook!

Mohonk Mountain House: A Favorite Hudson Valley Resort Reviewed

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Mon, 03/12/2018 - 4:03pm

For a luxurious family getaway in the Hudson Valley, Mohonk Mountain House is a delicious splurge in any season. The historic Victorian castle, just 90 miles from New York City and North Jersey, is surrounded by thousands of acres of forest, miles of hiking trails and breathtaking mountain vistas. It attracts both locals and guests from around the country, including the tristate area.

Cozy guest rooms include fireplaces or rocking-chair balconies, but no televisions, so get ready for hours of family togetherness. Don't worry, there's a kids club, myriad indoor and outdoor activities, an award-winning spa, and decent wi-fi signal. We revisited the local family resort this winter for a long weekend getaway and are happy to share our review with Mommy Poppins readers.

Petting Zoos & Farms: 9 Places to Bring Westchester Kids for Animal Fun

Submitted by Janine Annett on Sun, 10/22/2017 - 9:19am

Have an animal lover on your hands? Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley are filled with opportunities to see animals up close and personal—including some places that even let you get hands-on at a petting zoo. Many of the farms also offer kid-friendly activities in addition to the chance to see, touch and feed animals like horses, goats, cows, pigs, chickens, alpacas and more.

Read on for our top picks, and be sure to sign up for our newsletters for more family-friendly autumn activities. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook!

15 Great Places to Trick-or-Treat with Westchester Kids

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Mon, 10/16/2017 - 4:00pm

Whether it’s because the homes are too spread out, or they’re lining a busy road, or the neighbors are super cranky, some families just don’t live in neighborhoods that are great for trick-or-treating. There are a few sites out there known for rating the best trick-or-treating in the country, but we’ve done a little of own local research. All kids deserve a safe and candy-filled Halloween, so check out some of these family-friendly areas and events if you need an alternative.

For more Halloween-related fun, visit our Halloween Fun Guide and Event Calendar. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook!

Foliage on Foot: 10 Great Fall Hikes for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Fri, 10/06/2017 - 4:00pm

Despite this somewhat-wonky weather, it is officially fall and the leaves have begun to change. While fall foliage drives can be fun, bringing the kids on an outdoor hike has the added bonus of letting them burn off some energy.

We polled our writers and readers and have gathered up a list of some of our favorite places in Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley to bring kids to hike for beautiful autumn views. (Does the word “hike” make you instinctually grimace? No worries—we’ve included some easy options for those who are used to seeing the leaves from behind a windshield.)

Be sure to consult our Fall Fun Guide for more seasonal activities, and follow us on Facebook.

Farm Fun: 11 Hudson Valley Hayrides for Kids in the Fall

Submitted by Janine Annett on Fri, 09/22/2017 - 10:00am

It's autumn, and that means time for visits to pumpkin patches and apple orchards, eating doughnuts, drinking apple cider, and going on hayrides. The Lower Hudson Valley is rife with farm fun in the fall, including hayrides—many of which are free or at least included with the admission price.

We've gathered up some of our favorite farms and orchards with hayrides. For more ideas for kid-friendly autumn activities, sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook.

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

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Fri, 09/15/2017 - 4:00pm

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 and follow us on Facebook.

Best Corn Mazes for Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Mon, 09/11/2017 - 4:00pm

In our quest to find the best fall fun in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, we’ve located the best apple picking, the best autumn festivals and even the best cider doughnuts. So what’s left? Corn mazes!

All of the mazes on this list also offer other fall activities, enabling you to get a one-stop deal with plenty of all-day fun.

For even more ideas, be sure to check out our Event Calendar and follow us on Facebook.

Special Campgrounds With Kid-Friendly Extras Near Westchester

Submitted by Janine Annett on Thu, 08/10/2017 - 10:00am

"Getting away from it all" and spending time camping in the woods sounds idyllic, but let's face it: Sometimes—especially when kids are involved—you just need something a little extra.

Whether it's a place to do laundry or a game to keep the kids happy, these campsites are all within a reasonable distance and have plenty of amenities and activities. You'll still feel like you're getting away from civilization, but with any luck you won't hear the never-ending cries of "I'm bored!"

For more summertime fun, like us on follow us on Facebook and sign up for our sign up for our newsletters.