Susan Miele

Latest posts by Susan

July 4th Fireworks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

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

Celebrate America's independence at West Point with the Army's oldest band. Photo courtesy of West Point

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!

Father's Day Weekend: Big Bounce, Clearwater Fest, Children's Day

Submitted by Susan Miele on Wed, 06/13/2018 - 12:00pm

Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival offers tons of fun for kids. Photo by Jim, the Photographer via Flickr

It’s time for Dad’s special day, and we’ve combed Westchester and the Hudson Valley to find the best ways for families to honor the important men in their lives. Sure, a nice dinner or sporting event is often the just-right excursion, but in case you’re looking for something more, we’ve got lots to choose from.

The big headliner of the weekend is the Clearwater Great Hudson River Revival, a two-day outdoor event celebrating environmental protection on a grand scale with a vast and impressive lineup of music, exhibitions, assorted entertainment, an instrument “petting zoo,” wholesome food, and more. This is just one of several summer festivals taking place this weekend; others include the Yonkers Ukrainian Heritage Festival.

Another musical highlight is Caramoor's Family Concert, when the illustrious venue presents a performance tailored to younger audiences. Fans of inflatables, this one’s for you: The Big Bounce America is bringing 20,000 square feet of jumpy fun to the Hudson Valley, including assorted variations on the bouncy theme. There also are a couple of kid-focused historical events this weekend, including Family Fun Day at the Piermont Railroad Station Museum, which offers particular appeal for young fans of locomotives.

Read on for all of our top picks, and check out our Event Calendar for even more options to choose from. Our June GoList can help you plan the remainder of the month, and signing up for our FREE weekly newsletters keeps you in the know!

Have a very happy Father’s Day!

Summer Festivals and Fairs in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 06/03/2018 - 12:00pm

Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival is one of our favorite summer festivals.

Summer has arrived, and although the season holds promise in many ways, one of our favorite features is the abundance of family-friendly summer festivals and fairs. We’ve rounded up 15 of our favorites in Westchester and the Hudson Valley—from strawberry festivals to county fairs—all of which include fun activities for kids. Although plans were still being finalized for some of this season’s festivities, we’ll be sure to keep this roster updated as summer progresses.

Looking for even more family-friendly activities? Consult our Event Calendar and sign up for our FREE newsletters!

Memorial Day Weekend in Westchester: Circus, Playland, Beaches

Submitted by Susan Miele on Wed, 05/23/2018 - 10:00am

Photo courtesy of the Zerbini Family Circus

For those of you staying in Westchester for Memorial Day weekend, there's no shortage of events worth attending, both here and in the Hudson Valley.

Many towns and villages throughout the county celebrate the occasion with parades and ceremonies. Standouts include the Memorial Day Races & Fair, with fun festivities rounding out the occasion.

The three-day weekend is also a great time for animal encounters, with the Memorial Day Dog Parade & Show leading the pack. A couple of the many seasonal festivals we previously told you about also take place this weekend, and there’s a performance by the The Zerbini Family Circus.

And, while all of the above are annual affairs, this Saturday is the only chance we’ll have to celebrate Playland's 90th Birthday, and loads of perks are planned for the occasion. While there, head next door (or to Croton or New Rochelle), when Westchester beaches open for the season.

So let everyone else deal with the traffic and hassle of heading out of town; there’s plenty to do right here at home! Read on to see all of our top weekend picks, and consult our Event Calendar for even more options.

Memorial Day Parades and Fairs in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 05/13/2018 - 1:00pm

Bronxville's Memorial Day Parade steps off at Leonard Morange Square. Photo by Susan Miele

Memorial Day is more than just the unofficial start to summer. While many families may be beach-bound, bringing kids to a parade or memorial service is a good way to express gratitude for our fallen heroes and to demonstrate ways to show respect for those who've served in the military. Below is a guide to some of the many Memorial Day parades and services happening in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this year.

Looking for other ways to spend the long weekend? Consult our Event Calendar and sign up for our newsletters.

Mother's Day Weekend in Westchester: Tulips, Carnival, Science Barge

Submitted by Susan Miele on Wed, 05/09/2018 - 12:00pm

This weekend is all about you, Westchester and Hudson Valley moms! We know how hard you 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 and honors the lady who holds it all together. The tried-and-true Mother’s Day brunch is a popular way to celebrate, but we've also rounded up 35 ways to spend Mother’s Day that don’t involve a restaurant reservation.

For live entertainment, kick up your heels with Laurie Berkner, or wag your tail with The Stunt Dog Experience. Looking for free events? More performances await at the 10th Anniversary of the Science Barge, where there will also be games, kites, giant puppets, robotics, and more; the White Plains Comic Fest will offer workshops, crafting, special appearances, and other comic-y attractions; and the Albany Tulip Festival will showcase more than just loads of beautiful blooms, but also Dutch traditions and festival-type fun. There are also carnival rides at the Hudson Valley Fair and at the season-opener of Rye Playland!

Looking for more ideas? Read on for all our top picks, head to our Event Calendar for additional options, and plan the rest of the month with our May GoList. For more seasonal activities, be sure to check out our Spring Activity Guide. Then, after polishing off your breakfast in bed, get out and enjoy all the fun ways you can spend this special weekend with your family.

From all the parents at Mommy Poppins: Have a very happy Mother’s Day—we know you deserve it!

A Peek Down the Rabbit Hole at Tilly’s Tea with Alice

Submitted by Susan Miele on Wed, 04/25/2018 - 10:00am

For five weekends starting May 4, a new walk-through production will allow children to enter the pages of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Experience classic children’s literature in a new way at Tilly's Tea with Alice: A Curious Adventure Through Wonderland. Read on for our sneak peek so you can snag your tickets before they sell out.

Want more inside scoops? Subscribe to our newsletters to stay abreast of other fun experiences coming to Westchester and the Hudson Valley! More events like this can be found on our Event Calendar.

ICS Carnival: A Family Fun Tradition in Lower Westchester

Submitted by Susan Miele on Tue, 04/24/2018 - 4:00pm

The annual carnival presented by the Immaculate Conception School in Tuckahoe—known colloquially as "the ICS Carnival"—is one of two must-do carnivals in Lower Westchester (the other being the annual Lake Isle carnival). The large-scale scope of the event makes it destination-worthy for families with kids of all ages.

An annual tradition for more than 20 years, I’ve been taking my kids for nearly a decade, and I expect to continue to do so till they go off to college (maybe even beyond).

Read on for our first-hand account of this fun-filled annual tradition, and check our Event Calendar for other fun happenings!