Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Hudson Valley - 2020
The Hudson Valley's Favorite Family Fun Spots: 2020 winners!
The best places to take kids, as voted on by Hudson Valley families, are listed below! Of course, there is LOTS more to do in our area! Get great ideas here on KidsOutAndAbout, visit our Everything That's Free page, and sign up for our weekly e-newsletter packed with great things to do around the Hudson Valley!
1. Mid-Hudson Children's Museum
The Mid-Hudson Children's Museum is the ideal destination for families with children ages 0-6. We offer exhibits and educational programs that get kids moving, exploring, building, pretending, collaborating, creating and discovering. They are temporarily closed due to Covid, so be sure to check their web site for updates on reopening.
2. SplashDown Beach
"America's Biggest Little Water Park!" Ride the all-new Megalodon! This prehistoric beast sends thrill seekers into a near-vertical, zero gravity experience! Hold on tight as your raft surges up the wall, hangs weightless then drops suddenly into another tunnel. It is the largest attraction of its kind in the Northeast! Plus, experience the thrills of the Bullet Bowl, Humunga Half Pipe, Pirate's Plunge and Pirate's Revenge. Kids will love Shipwreck Lagoon, a themed pirate ship with geysers, buckets, fountains, and four wet n’ wild water slides. Don't forget to check out our Monster Wave Pool and Croc Creek Wavy Lazy River.
3. Dutchess County Fair
For six days each August, the bucolic fairgrounds on Route 9 in Rhinebeck plays host to nearly half a million patrons. The second largest county fair in New York State is the showplace for agriculture in Dutchess County. Over 144 +/- acres of finely manicured gardens and grass create the beautiful setting for thousands of farm animals, agricultural exhibits and horticultural displays. Visit us August 24 - 29, 2021!
4. Pine Ridge Dude Ranch
We are an all-inclusive dude ranch resort located on 150 acres in the Hudson Valley with incredible mountain views. We have 3 all you can eat meals a day, horseback riding, indoor and out door pools, tractor rides to our private lake, petting zoo, archery, rock wall, nightly entertainment, game room, children’s day camp, snow tubing & ice skating, plus daily activities with our social director.
5. Bounce! Trampoline Sports
Bounce! Trampoline Sports, with locations in Valley Cottage and Poughkeepsie, is the area's most exciting new entertainment and sports venue! Burn fat, tone muscles, get fit and have fun on our 10,000 square feet of interconnected trampolines. Also great for all ages and perfect for birthday parties! Visit us at www.bounceonit.com and then plan your trip to Bounce! Be sure to challenge your friends on the new Bounce! Xtreme Ninja Obstacle courses!
6. Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
America's #1 all-inclusive family resort. Nestled on a 500-acre spread in the heart of the scenic Hudson River Valley, Rocking Horse Ranch offers 4 seasons of activities for families of all ages-UNLIMITED HORSEBACK RIDING INCLUDED. From our Winter Fun Park to Big Splash Indoor Waterpark, the Ranch provides the perfect backdrop for your family’s next big adventure. Enjoy three delicious meals daily, Summer BBQ’s, afternoon chef’s tastings, pool parties, wine pairings and more. End the evening with our top-name family entertainment, featuring magicians, bonfire singalongs, comedians and jugglers. Book your next family adventure today!
7. Zoom Flume Water Park
Zoom Flume Water Park is the Catskill's largest water park and the most family friendly. Experience our newest and most exciting slide -THPHOON TWISTER!
8. My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Hudson Valley area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them #3 in best places to take kids this year!
9. Wood 'N Wheel Family Fun Center
Roller Skating, Inline Skating, Bumper Cars, Laser Tag, Arcade, Bungee Trampolines, Summer and Winter 'Snow' tubing, Inflatable Park, Rock Climbing, Birthday Parties, and much more!
10. Once Upon A Tea Party/The Princess Manor
Once Upon A Tea Party is an award-winning children's special event entertainment business, serving New York and surrounding areas. Our reputation sets us apart, with a talented cast and our attention to detail are unparalleled. Our staff is professionally trained entertainers that are passionate about the authenticity of the characters they are portraying and truly care about the quality of your event, with performers who look and sing as though they walked directly out of a storybook. We bring the magic to your home or venue of your choice!
11. Trailside Museum & Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park
Bear Mountain State Park is situated in rugged mountains rising from the west bank of the Hudson River. The park features a large play field, shaded picnic groves, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool, Trailside Museums and Zoo, hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails.
12. Hudson Valley Renegades
The Hudson Valley Renegades, affiliated with the Tampa Bay Rays, are a minor league baseball team in the New York-Penn League (Class A Short Season). They play at Duchess Stadium (The Dutch) in Wappingers Falls NY.
13. The Castle Fun Center
Packed Full Of Fun, Come Enjoy Our 11 Acre Outdoor & 50,000 sq. ft. Indoor Amusement Park & Entertainment Center! The Castle Fun Center's activities include Ballocity, Roller Skating, Laser Maze, Rides, Rock Climbing, Laser Tag, Arcade, Zip Line, seasonal Go Karts, Swing Ride, Spin Zone Bumper Cars and Dragon Frenzy 360, and Mini Golf!
14. BounceU - Nanuet
Kids flip for our unbelievably cool bounce stadiums (imagine the ultimate children's playground experience in a safe, indoor setting), but they also can't get enough of the games, the food, and sharing the spotlight with family and friends.
(Note from early 2021: Unfortunately, BounceU permanently closed due to COVID)
15. Forsyth Nature Center
Forsyth Nature Center is a handicapped accessible outdoor learning center located at 157 Lucas Avenue in uptown Kingston, New York. A facility of Kingston Parks and Recreation Department, the center offers more than two-dozen animal exhibits and beautiful gardens that foster a connection to the natural world for visitors of all ages. The center is open year-round and is free to the public.
16. Ice Time Sports Complex at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center
Ice Time Sports Complex is the Hudson Valley’s premier ice skating and sports facility located in Newburgh, NY. The facility features two full sports rinks that serve youth and adults. Ice rink activities include: ice hockey, public skating, private lessons, birthday parties, and figure skating camps for all ages. Ice Time is also home to the Mid-Hudson Polar Bears and the Lady Polar Bear Teams.
In addition, you’ll find Mid-Hudson Adult Hockey League, Roller Derby, and Newburgh Night Pandas here.
17. Beacon Performing Arts Center
Beacon Performing Arts Center is a non-profit 501(c)3 educational theatre company in Beacon, NY. We are professional theatre artists who are passionate about sharing our love of storytelling with children of all ages. We produce full Musical Theatre productions, classes, camps, and special events for ages 3 through 18.
18. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester
LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Westchester - it's like you’ve just jumped into the biggest box of LEGO® bricks ever! LEGOLAND® Discovery Center is designed specifically for children aged 3-10 years to enjoy - everything is kid-sized.
19. Hudson Highlands Nature Museum
Established in 1959, the Museum has grown into a leading provider of nature education experiences in the Hudson Valley. Its mission is to develop responsible caretakers of the natural world through its special focus on Environmental Education. It uses its living collections of native animals, natural habitats and trails to present a wide variety of programs for people of all ages at its two locations.
20. Storm King Art Center
Storm King Art Center is located on a pristine 500-acre landscape of fields, hills, and woodlands providing the setting for a collection of more than 100 carefully sited sculptures created by some of the most acclaimed artists of our time.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in several categories. Here were their choices.Favorite Place to Have Fun INSIDE
Bounce! Trampoline SportsBounce! Trampoline Sports, with locations in Valley Cottage and Poughkeepsie, is the area's most exciting new entertainment and sports venue! Burn fat, tone muscles, get fit and have fun on our 10,000 square feet of interconnected trampolines. Also great for all ages and perfect for birthday parties! Visit us at www.bounceonit.com and then plan your trip to Bounce! Be sure to challenge your friends on the new Bounce! Xtreme Ninja Obstacle courses!
Favorite Place to Have Fun OUTSIDE
Splashdown Beach"America's Biggest Little Water Park!" Ride the all-new Megalodon! This prehistoric beast sends thrill seekers into a near-vertical, zero gravity experience! Hold on tight as your raft surges up the wall, hangs weightless then drops suddenly into another tunnel. It is the largest attraction of its kind in the Northeast! Plus, experience the thrills of the Bullet Bowl, Humunga Half Pipe, Pirate's Plunge and Pirate's Revenge. Kids will love Shipwreck Lagoon, a themed pirate ship with geysers, buckets, fountains, and four wet n’ wild water slides. Don't forget to check out our Monster Wave Pool and Croc Creek Wavy Lazy River.
Favorite Kid-Friendly Museum
Mid-Hudson Children's MuseumThe Mid-Hudson Children's Museum is the ideal destination for families with children ages 0-6. We offer exhibits and educational programs that get kids moving, exploring, building, pretending, collaborating, creating and discovering.
Favorite Performing Arts
Bethel Woods Center for the ArtsBethel Woods Center for the Arts includes a Pavilion Stage amphitheater, an indoor Event Gallery, the award-winning Museum, and a Conservatory for arts education programming. Through an in-depth study of the social, political, and cultural events of the 1960s, as well as the preservation of the historic site of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, Bethel Woods aims to educate about the issues and lessons of the decade, while inspiring a new generation to contribute positively to the world around them. The non-profit organization relies on generous support to develop and sustain programs that improve the quality of life in the region and beyond. For more information, please visit www.BethelWoodsCenter.org.
Favorite Kid-Friendly Farm
Pine Ridge Dude RanchWe are an all-inclusive dude ranch resort located on 150 acres in the Hudson Valley with incredible mountain views. We have 3 all you can eat meals a day, horseback riding, indoor and out door pools, tractor rides to our private lake, petting zoo, archery, rock wall, nightly entertainment, game room, children’s day camp, snow tubing & ice skating, plus daily activities with our social director.
Favorite Nature Center
Catskill Animal SanctuaryCatskill Animal Sanctuary rescues farmed animals and champions veganism. We are located two hours north of New York City in Saugerties, NY.
Favorite Sports Team
Hudson Valley RenegadesThe Hudson Valley Renegades, affiliated with the Tampa Bay Rays, are a minor league baseball team in the New York-Penn League (Class A Short Season). They play at Duchess Stadium (The Dutch) in Wappingers Falls NY.
Favorite Arts Education Center
Beacon Performing Arts CenterBeacon Performing Arts Center is a non-profit 501(c)3 educational theatre company in Beacon, NY. We are professional theatre artists who are passionate about sharing our love of storytelling with children of all ages. We produce full Musical Theatre productions, classes, camps, and special events for ages 3 through 18.
Favorite Sports Education Center
YMCAThe YMCA of Middletown is a community based not for profit organization dedicated to putting Judeo–Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Currently, we operate primarily out of three facilities including our main branch and association headquarters in Middletown known as the YMCA of Middletown, the South Orange Family YMCA (nicknamed "SOFY") in Monroe, and The Center For Youth Programs in Middletown- the home of our First Step Preschool, our summer day camp in Middletown and many other youth programs.