Katherine Dhurandhar

Latest posts by Katherine

50 Free Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this Summer with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 06/02/2023 - 7:34am

Paddle away at the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club kick-off event. Photo courtesy of the event

Looking for FREE things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this summer? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

With school getting out soon, it's time for summer fun in Westchester and the Hudson Valley! With amazing parks and beaches offering hundreds of acres of outdoor space, it's no wonder that there are tons of FREE activities to keep kids occupied all summer.

Free summer festivals in Westchester and the Hudson Valley include multicultural festivals celebrating Indian, Hispanic, Muslim, Ukrainian, and many more cultures. Many towns are offering FREE children's activities in the parks throughout the summer, including magic shows, animals, juggling, and more. On warm summer evenings, catch a movie under the stars at one of the many parks offering FREE family-friendly outdoor movies all summer, including Harbor Island Park, the Cortlandt Waterfront, and Under the Poughkeepsie Walkway.

You can find even more cool seasonal activities and destinations in our Ultimate Westchester and Hudson Valley Kids Summer Vacation Guide and our Activity Calendar.

25 Best Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley in June 2023 with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Sun, 05/28/2023 - 7:07am

The "Puppy Pals Comedic Stunt Dog Show" is sure to please dog lovers. Photo courtesy of the production

June in Westchester and the Hudson Valley brings festivals for Juneteenth, Father's Day, ripe strawberries, and some early fireworks.

June is jam-packed with family-friendly events and things to do, including the Pride Sunday Festival in downtown Nyack. Also check out the many family-friendly celebrations of Juneteenth, known as America's other Independence Day. It's also time to honor dad, so our roundup of the best things to do includes ways to celebrate Father’s Day, including an antique tractor pull. June is also the month for strawberry picking in the Hudson Valley, so check out our list of where to pick your own strawberries.

Find more top June fun in our rundowns of the best beaches near Westchester, the best drive-in movie theaters, and the best sprinkler parks and splash pads.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

Get our picks in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

Memorial Day Weekend 2023 in Westchester: Festivals, Day Trips, and More Things To Do

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Wed, 05/24/2023 - 1:08pm

Splash, slide and cool off at Legoland's Water Playground, which makes a splash with its Memorial Day weekend debut. Photo courtesy of Legoland

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this long holiday weekend.

If you're staying in town for Memorial Day weekend, there's no shortage of fun things to do. Celebrate the beginning of summer with the opening of Westchester beaches and local water parks. The long-awaited Legoland New York Water Playground is also set to debut.

Many local towns and villages celebrate Memorial Day weekend with parades and ceremonies, including an antique car show in Bronxville and a special changing of the flag ceremony on the beautiful Walkway Over the Hudson. Also on our radar are historical celebrations, including a commemoration at St. Paul's Church and a World War II tribute at the FDR Library.

Several seasonal, late-spring festivals take place this weekend, including the Sons and Daughters of Italy Festival, the Chestnut Ridge Sheep and Wool Festival, and the Woodstock-New Paltz Arts and Crafts Fair.

Don't miss our reviews of the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, including spring day trips, nearby swimming lakes, and strawberry picking farms.

Best Parks and Playgrounds in the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Sun, 05/21/2023 - 7:33am

Balance on the wobbly bridge at Freedom Park in Lagrangeville.

Known for its picturesque scenery and spacious natural areas, the Hudson Valley offers some amazing parks and playgrounds where kids can enjoy nature, cool off on hot days, and even meet new animal friends. Out of the dozens of parks spread out over the Hudson Valley, we have picked out the best options with the most activities for kids of all ages, plus some fun attractions for the adults too, so you can make a day of it with the whole family.

For more ideas on where to play, check out our Guide to Playgrounds and Parks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

Sedona with Kids: Best Things To Do in Sedona, Arizona

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Sat, 05/20/2023 - 12:00pm

Take a short but challenging hike to Cathedral Rock for gorgeous views.

With its magical, red-rock landscape and plethora of outdoor activities, Sedona, AZ is a great destination for your next family vacation. Whether you want to explore the art and history of this rich cultural area, catch thrills in a backcountry Jeep or ATV tour, or get up-close and personal with nature on one of the many hiking trails, there is something for everyone in Sedona.

Sedona is often called the gateway to northern Arizona because of its central location among some of the most iconic attractions in the American Southwest, including the Grand Canyon. We were able to visit Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and the Petrified Forest in one overnight trip from Sedona, but these are also doable as day trips.

Here are 32 things to do in Sedona with kids, including family-friendly Sedona hotels and restaurants. Check out our Western US Family Travel Guide for more adventures out west, including our visitors' guides to Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Colorado Springs.

Father's Day Weekend Things To Do in Westchester: Plus, Honoring Juneteenth & More

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Sun, 05/14/2023 - 5:01pm

Dance your heart out at the Rock 'n Roll Playhouse Father's Day performance. Photo courtesy of the event

Looking for the best things to do this Father's Day weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Families can celebrate dad's special day at one of the many Father's Day celebrations happening this weekend, including a family-friendly concert, FREE admission days at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, and even a tractor pull at the Orange County Farmers Museum. The weekend ahead also brings family-friendly events celebrating Juneteenth and Pride.

Don't miss our review of the newly opened Legoland Water Playground plus more picks for seasonal fun in our roundups of FREE summer concerts and summer fairs and festivals.

Did we mention we’re running weekly giveaways all summer long? This week we’re giving away a Mommy Poppins beach tote, plus each entry counts as an entry in our Ultimate Summer Giveaway, which is an all-inclusive trip to Nick Resort Punta Cana! Find out how to enter on our Facebook or Instagram pages!

Mother's Day Weekend 2023 in Westchester: Brunches and More Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Wed, 05/10/2023 - 11:13am

Albany's Dutch heritage is celebrated at its annual Tulip Festival with more than 140,000 tulips. Photo courtesy of the festival

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this Mother's Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

At last, Mother's Day weekend is upon us. We know how hard moms work, how many balls you juggle, how many diapers you’ve changed, and we want to help you savor the moment when your family puts on their best manners to honor the lady who holds it all together. Indulge mom's sweet tooth at the Hudson Valley Cupcake Festival or check out the Dutch festivities and loads of blooms at the Albany Tulip Festival. Pirate-loving families can put on their best costumes and join the sword-fighting and mischief-making at the Hudson Valley Pirate Festival.

Consider this a friendly reminder to book your reservations for Mother's Day brunch ASAP if you haven't already. Still shopping? We've got tons of last-minute ideas for Mother's Day gifts moms actually want.

Find more ideas to celebrate on our list of free things to do in May in Westchester and the Hudson Valley and our always-updated Family Activity Calendar.

22 Best Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley May 2023 with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Sun, 04/30/2023 - 9:04am

Search the grounds of Locus Grove for enchanted fairy houses. Photo courtesy of Locust Grove

From Mother's Day to Memorial Day, we've rounded up fun things to do all month long in Westchester and the Hudson Valley!

From spring fairs and festivals to the zany Mad Hatters' Parade, family-friendly fun is happening all month long in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. You might be surprised by how many of our favorite events are FREE, including a Cinco de Mayo celebration to kick off the month. Other family-friendly events in May include Mother's Day celebrations, sheep shearing, and the start of the annual fairy house hunt in the garden of historic Locust Grove.

Find more top May picks in our Guide to Spring Activities. We've also got tons of picks for family-friendly travel in our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways, and our list of top attractions in Westchester is full of great ideas.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

Get all our top picks in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.