Peekskill

15 Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Westchester with Outdoor Dining

Submitted by Janine Annett on Sun, 07/15/2018 - 10:00am

Beautiful weather practically begs for heading to one of these local kid-friendly dining spots with outdoor seating. We’ve got a roundup of 15 restaurants worth trying—with varying price points, atmospheres, and cuisines—where Westchester families can get their alfresco dining fix.

For even more restaurant suggestions, sign up for our newsletters and follow us on Facebook.

July 4th Fireworks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 06/17/2018 - 2:00pm

Independence Day means summer fun, barbecues, and, of course, stunning pyrotechnics. We’ve identified fireworks displays over the course of an entire week (the benefit of Independence Day falling on a Wednesday!) along with lots of added attractions—a carnival, a fair, concerts, sports, bouncy houses, a parade, and other perks.

If you’re feeling adventurous, the famous Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular is best visited strategically, and we have the best spots to watch with your family; there’s also a show-stopping fireworks display that’s less frenetic over the bridge in Jersey City, which also features a full agenda of fun.

Be sure to keep tabs on our Event Calendar, and sign up for our newsletters to stay on top of our frequent updates and announcements!

Family-Friendly Beer Gardens in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Sun, 03/18/2018 - 5:22pm

Spring is—finally!—right around the corner, making it a great time to start thinking of all the fun things to do once the weather really starts to warm up. And while there are plenty of kid-specific activities to do outdoors, here’s one the whole family can get in on: Going to one of the beer gardens in the area.

Sure, a beer garden might not seem like the first place you’d take little ones, but with kid-friendly food and even games and toys, they can be a great spot to spend a sunny afternoon.

In search for more family fun? Check our Event Calendar and sign up for our newsletters.

Cabin Fever Relief: Don't Miss these Play Cafes for Westchester Kids and Parents

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Sun, 01/21/2018 - 4:22pm

While it’s fun to take the kids to a dedicated play space—and trust us, there are lots of those to choose from in Westchester—there are times when you want to go somewhere that has something for both you (read: coffee, brownies, both) and the kids. You’re in luck: There are a few places in our area where you can meet a friend for tea or hang out with your spouse over lunch that also offer fun things for kids to do, too—whether it’s reading a good book, drawing on a chalkboard wall, going down slides or building with blocks and construction sets.

Looking for even more places to take the whole family? Check out our kid-friendly restaurant guide.

The Best Kid-Friendly Nutcracker and Holiday Shows for Westchester Families

Submitted by Susan Miele on Mon, 11/20/2017 - 7:30am

The holiday season is fast upon us, and while there are some ways we can self-pace how we savor the season, one recommendation for advance planning is to purchase tickets for holiday performances. Not only do they often sell out in advance, but claiming choice seats can avoid the familiar whines of “I can’t see ...”

Fortunately for Westchester residents, there are various holiday performances to choose from. We’ve rounded up the best kid-friendly productions—from assorted interpretations of The Nutcracker to traditional concerts and new musical theater—to help you ring in the holiday season.

Read on and click through for details. Also be sure to visit our Event Calendar, where you’ll find an ever-growing number of other holiday events we’re curating for your family to enjoy! Looking for even more holiday options? Check out our Holiday Fun Guide.

Westchester's Free Outdoor Summer Concerts in June & July

Submitted by Alison Reiser on Wed, 06/14/2017 - 10:00am

Grab a blanket, picnic dinner, and maybe event a glass of wine because whether you go to work or drive the camp carpool, a free concert in the park is just the thing to end your day on a relaxing note. Here in Westchester, we're lucky enough to have many of our parks on the waterfront, and you'd be hard-pressed to beat that view at sunset.

This summer, towns around the county are hosting bands playing everything from rock to jazz to country to Cuban. How's that for variety? While most of these are completely free, a few do charge a small fee for parking.

Looking for more summer fun? Consult our Event Calendar and our Summer Activity Guide, and be sure to sign up for our newsletter.

Where to Host a Baby Shower in Westchester—That’s Kid-Friendly

Submitted by Marisa Iallonardo on Sun, 04/30/2017 - 10:00am

When looking to host a baby shower in Westchester, there are lots of options throughout the county, from high-end halls to outdoor venues with a more casual vibe. But what if the shower is for a soon-to-be-parent who’s hoping for the event to be more of a family affair? Whether the invite list includes siblings, younger cousins or friends’ little ones, there are a number of places that are great for both adults and kids—and ensure everyone will have a good time.

Here, we’ve rounded up a few restaurants that fit the bill. And if you’re looking for even more restaurants where you can take the whole family, check out our Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide.

Book-Lover Crawl: 10 Ways Westchester Families can Celebrate Reading

Submitted by Janine Annett on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 11:47am

New York City might get all the credit for the best and biggest bookstores, libraries, literary events, and authors, but Westchester is also full of great places to visit and things to do for those who love all things literary. So put your book down for just a minute and check out these 10 family-friendly ideas for book lovers.

Have a budding writer in the family? Check out our list of creative writing classes for Westchester kids.Or sign up for our newsletters to receive more suggestions right in your inbox.

STEAM/STEM Centers in Westchester: Kids' Classes and Camps

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Tue, 02/28/2017 - 9:00am

STEAM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) is all the rage these days, and with good reason. Job opportunities in many of these fields continue to grow as our world becomes ever more dependent on technology.

Kids may not care about their career prospects just yet, but that doesn't mean they can't have a blast while learning these subjects. The best STEM/STEAM enrichment classes keep fun at the forefront. The science camp my 8-year-old attends each summer, for example, is always one of his favorite weeks during break because it combines hands-on learning with cool games and activities (everyone knows that robots are awesome).

We've rounded up STEM/STEAM programs throughout Westchester County that offer educational and interactive experiences for school-age kids. Looking for more camp ideas? Consult our Summer Camp Guide and sign up for our newsletters.

Where to Celebrate Black History Month with Westchester Kids

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Tue, 01/31/2017 - 7:00am

February is Black History Month and Westchester is bustling with ways to learn about and celebrate African-American heritage.

The origin of Black History Month can be traced to back to 1926, when it was founded by Harvard historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now ASALH) as a week-long event. Woodson, who selected February because it coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, was troubled by the inequality in black education. The event was expanded into a month-long honor in 1976 by President Gerald Ford, and, since then, every U.S. president has issued Black History Month proclamations. (We will see if our new president follows suit.)

All month long throughout Westchester, you'll find family-friendly ways to learn about and celebrate the contributions of African-Americans throughout our country's history. Below are some of of our favorite Black History Month events, almost all of which are FREE. Read on, and then visit our Event Calendar for other great happenings throughout Westchester this month!