Atlantic Kayak Tours
The Annsville Creek Paddlesport Center is situated on a three-acre section of Hudson Highlands State Park, just south of the Bear Mountain Bridge. Rent kayaks or canoes by the hour or for a full day for a self-propelled excursion on Annsville Creek (a small body of water between Route 6 and the Metro-North Railroad tracks), or, if you’re feeling adventurous, out onto the Hudson River.
1 Annsville Cir, Cortlandt Manor
(914) 739-2588; www.atlantickayaktours.com
Rye Nature Center
The Nature Center offers programs for kids like weekly ecology classes, a June preschoolers’ class aptly named June Bugs, Summer Ecology Camp, and a variety of one-off and annual family events.
873 Boston Post Rd, Rye
(914) 967-5150; www.ryenaturecenter.org
Harbor Island Park
The saltwater beach is the main draw at Harbor Island, located at the end of Mamaroneck Avenue. But there’s much more than sand and calm (kid-friendly) water here—baseball fields, tennis courts, and prime boat-watching round out the offerings.
123 Mamaroneck Ave, Mamaroneck
(914) 777-7784; www.village.mamaroneck.ny.u
Riverfront Green Park
A covered pavilion, small dock, boat launch, and large playground make up this popular-with-kids Peekskill hangout, which sits a stone’s throw from the Peekskill Metro-North station and walking distance from restaurants and a top-notch ice cream parlor, Hudson Creamery. It’s also a go-to spot for city events: The park’s calendar (worth a peek) features events like the annual Fourth of July Concert and Fireworks Display.
50 Hudson Ave, Peekskill
(914) 734-7275; www.cityofpeekskill.com
Photo by Andre Baranowski |
Untermyer Park
The most recent restoration at the former gardens of lawyer and investor Samuel Untermyer is the Temple of Love gazebo, which now has a restored wrought-iron dome and multiple waterfalls. Nonprofit, the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, along with the City of Yonkers, continue to work on bringing the 43-acre park to reflect its early-20th-century glory. Stroll through the Walled Garden, an exercise in symmetry, walk along the Carriage Trail past the Rock Garden to the unicorn and lion statues, or head to one of the park‘s striking Hudson River vistas.
945 N Broadway, Yonkers (914) 512-4818;
www.untermyergardens.org