Family Kayaking
(Memorial Day to Columbus Day) Hudson River Recreation, Croton-on-Hudson
An excursion down the Hudson is the perfect water adventure for those dog days of summer. They also have moonlight paddles available, for some unique nighttime fun. Kayaks can be rented out of Croton Point Park, Croton River, or Tarrytown Lake. And lack of experience should never hold you back, since these locations are perfect for beginners.
914.682.5135; www.kayakhudson.com
U-Pick Veggies & Berries
(June to November) Hopewell Junction, Yorktown Heights
Is there anything sweeter than picking a bushel of sun-ripened berries on a warm summer’s day? Stop into Fishkill Farms in Hopewell Junction for u-pick organic strawberries (June), cherries (July), and raspberries and blackberries (August). Or, if you’d prefer a day picking garden-fresh vegetables, Hilltop Hanover Farm offers pick-your-own Saturdays from June through November, during which visitors are welcomed into the Yorktown Heights-based teaching farm to pick their own vegetables, herbs, and flowers in the public organic gardens.
Fishkill Farms: 845.897.4377; www.fishkillfarms.com
Hilltop Hanover Farm: 914.962.2368; www.hilltophanoverfarm.org
Fireworks Fridays
(July 1 – Sept 1) Rye Playland, Rye
Could anything make your kids happier than spending a day at Westchester’s favorite amusement park, followed by an evening of pyrotechnics? Fireworks displays are choreographed to music, beginning around 9 p.m. on Fridays, all summer long. (Who says fireworks are only for the Fourth of July?)
914.813.7010; www.ryeplayland.org
Pleasantville Music Festival
(July 8) Pleasantville
Get your groove on with your kids and take in some top-notch rock, blues, and folk music performed by national acts, up-and-coming artists, and well-loved local bands. The Pleasantville Music Festival is a three-stage, open-air venue, complete with food, beverages, shopping, and a day full of outdoorsy fun for the family with an ear for good music.
www.pleasantvillemusicfestival.com
Dutchess County Fair
(Aug 22-27) Rhinebeck
This August marks the 172nd straight summer that the Dutchess County Fair will open its gates to entertain throngs of families. Perfect for those with an urge to eat their weight in fried dough and cotton candy, you can also thrill on the rides, take in some live music and see the prize-winning pigs. It’s classic summertime fun.
845.876.4000; www.dutchessfair.com
Golf
The First Tee of Metropolitan New York, White Plains
What if you could teach your kids to play golf while helping build character and life skills? That’s the goal of The First Tee, a national golf-instruction program for kids ages 7 through high school with a location at the Westchester Golf Range in White Plains. There’s a spot at the end of the driving range just for The First Tee, where PGA Instructor Paul Giordano instructs, motivates, and mentors the kids he coaches. The program accommodates all skill levels.
718.655.9164; www.thefirstteemetny.org
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Sleep With the Wolves
The Wolf Conservation Center, South Salem
If you’ve got an adventurous brood, take them on a nocturnal outing to sleep with the wolves at the Wolf Conservation Center. Overnight guests camp out with the more than 20 endangered red wolves and Mexican gray wolves that live there — so you’re guaranteed to fall asleep to a sky full of stars and a serenade of lupine ululations! Overnights run April through October and cost $299 for a four-person tent, which includes pizza, movie under the stars, fireside snack, and light breakfast.
914.763.2373; www.nywolf.org
Farmers’ Market Roundup
It’s never too early to turn your kids into fresh-produce foodies. That’s why we love these kid-friendly venues that transform a day of exploring healthy foods into a day of family fun.
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Muscoot Farmers’ Market
(Sundays, May to November) Katonah
A tantalizing variety of consumable goods, including fresh pasta, local produce, fresh herbs, and lots and lots of fresh dairy items. After you’re done shopping, check out Muscoot’s farm animals, nature center, hiking trails, and picnicking areas.
914.864.7282; www.muscootfarm.org
Chappaqua Farmers’ Market
(Saturdays, May to November) Chappaqua
Chappaqua oozes charm, so it should come as no surprise that the Chappaqua Farmers’ Market is among the most picturesque of all the markets around. Vendor tents are arranged in a semicircle in the train-station parking lot, with kids’ activities at the center.
www.chappaquafarmersmarket.org
John Jay Homestead Farmers’ Market
(Saturdays, June to October) Katonah
Offers all of the local fresh produce you would expect from a top-notch farmer’s market, plus you also get the opportunity to explore the expansive flower, herb, and vegetable gardens. Try your hand at churning butter at one of five interactive exhibits.
914.232.5651; www.johnjayhomestead.org
Pleasantville Farmers’ Market
(Saturdays, year-round) Pleasantville
Voted the number-one farmers’ market in New York State by Farmland Trust (a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit), the market — set up each weekend from April through November in the MetroNorth train-station parking lot and indoors at Pleasantville Middle School for the rest of the year — delivers an abundance of fresh produce and high-end artisan products second to none.
914.205.4545; www.pleasantvillefarmersmarket.org
Down to Earth Farmers’ Market
(Saturdays, year-round) Larchmont & Mamaroneck
From April through December, it’s an open-air market located at the village of Larchmont’s MetroNorth train-station parking area, featuring fresh produce and foods at “down-to-earth” prices. Then, in January (when the weather turns arctic), Down to Earth transforms into an indoor market located at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Mamaroneck.
914.923.4837; www.downtoearthmarkets.com
Beat the Heat at Westchester’s Watering Holes
Don’t have your own backyard pool? Don’t worry, because when the summer begins to sizzle, you can cool off at any of Westchester’s public pools and beaches, which open for business in June. Visit parks.westchestergov.com for more information.
Croton Point Park Beach
Croton-on-Hudson
Despite being a small, sandy beach tucked into the sprawling Croton Point Park, Croton Point Beach is a favorite watering hole among swimmers, sunbathers, and kayakers. It also offers breathtaking views at sunset.
Glen Island Beach
New Rochelle
Watersports are big at this expansive crescent-shaped beach, with swimming, canoeing, waterskiing, fishing, kayaking, and motor-boating among the most popular pastimes. It’s for Westchester residents only, so be sure to bring a New York State driver’s license with a valid Westchester County address.
Saxon Woods Pool
White Plains
This is the largest swimming pool in Westchester County, with a nearby aquatic park and mini-golf course.
Harbor Island Park
Mamaroneck
Beyond expansive beach-access swimming, the park’s 700-foot-long beach boasts a marina, launching area, fishing docks, showers, bathrooms, and a playground and sprinkler park.
Wilson’s Waves Park
Mount Vernon
More than just a wave pool, this water complex also includes a water playground, spray deck, and two water slides.
Tibbetts Brook Park
Yonkers
A welcome patch of green space in the middle of the city of Yonkers, this pool complex includes a lazy river, lap lanes, spray-park, and in-pool volleyball.