Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Hudson Valley - 2021
The Hudson Valley's Favorite Family Fun Spots: 2021 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. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 #4 in best places to take kids this year!
5. Rockland Center for the Arts
RoCA is a multi-arts center dedicated to creating and promoting art through its School for The Arts, exhibitions, workshops, literary and performing arts events, Summer Arts Day Camp, and outreach programs. RoCA attracts over 25,000 visitors and students annually from throughout the region. RoCA's School for the Arts and intensive Summer Arts Day Camp has an annual enrollment of over 400. RoCA's Community Outreach Programs provide studio art programs to the underserved populations in the area. RoCA also administers the County 1% for Art, program that commissions public works of art.
6. 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!
7. 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.
8. Boscobel House and Gardens
Located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, 60 miles north of New York City, Boscobel is one of America's most beautiful places, with 68 acres of stunning grounds, iconic Hudson River views, a woodland trail, and pollinator-friendly gardens.
Open Fridays - Mondays from April through December and by appointment, Boscobel offers gardens and grounds admission, guided outdoor tours, and lively open-air programs that explore history, design, and nature. Registration is available via boscobel.org. Children are always welcome.
9. Tarrytown Music Hall
The 1885 Music Hall, listed on the National Register for Historic Places, is owned, operated, and loved by The Friends of the Mozartina Musical Arts Conservatory, Inc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, cultural and educational organization established in 1979. Our mission is three-fold: to present diverse and relevant programming in music, theater, dance, and film for the enrichment of the tri-state community; to promote art education through classes, partnerships, performing opportunities, and residencies; and to preserve and restore the historic Music Hall so that it may continue to be a vibrant performing arts center and catalyst for sustainable economic development in our area.
10. The Helen Hayes Youth Theater
The Helen Hayes Youth Theatre offers the ultimate theater experience for young performers ages 4 to 18 at all levels of experience. Our team of theater professionals is dedicated to creating a high quality learning experience in a supportive, positive environment. We take great pride in our excellent performances and classes but it is the process that our students experience, the learning, the community building and the fun that makes the difference and has established the Helen Hayes Youth Theatre as one of the oldest and most prestigious educational theater companies in the region.
11. 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!
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Hudson Valley Renegades
The Hudson Valley Renegades, have a new affiliate and moved up two classifications last November…Their parent club is now the NY Yankees and the went from 38 home games to 60 in a High A League. They still play at Duchess Stadium (The Dutch) in Wappingers Falls NY.
15. 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 our brand new Inflatapark, Ballocity, Laser Maze, Rides, Rock Climbing, Laser Tag, Arcade, Zip Line, seasonal Go Karts, Swing Ride, Spin Zone Bumper Cars and Mini Golf!
16. New York Boulders
The New York Boulders offer affordable fun and entertainment for fans of all ages at Clover Stadium in Pomona in Rockland County. In addition to exciting Frontier League baseball action, kids can enjoy a ride on the B-Train, play a round of mini-golf or explore the playground. Besides the usual ballpark food, Clover Stadium also offers Kosher fare, as well as Chinese food and pizza. This season, Chick-fil-A has come onboard as a sponsor and their menu is available at a first base-side concession stand. Regarded as one of the best ballparks in minor league baseball, Clover Stadium gives fans the option to watch a game from one of the luxury suites that sit atop the stadium bowl or the Sunset Deck down the left field line or from the Short Porch in right field
17. Barton Orchards
Barton Orchards is a 175-acre apple orchard and vegetable farm located in Poughquag, New York, that has been in the Barton family for over 40 years. We are the premier Pick Your Own farm in the Hudson Valley, and the perfect place to build traditions year after year. Stop by the Ice Cream Stand to try our famous Apple Cider Donut Sundae, grab a bite to eat and visit the Farm Market. We also have a great selection of local craft beer, wine and cider at the Tap Room, with beautiful outdoor seating areas. You can visit the farm animals, dog park and playgrounds while you’re here. We have some really great festivals scheduled throughout the year, so please be sure to check our events calendar for updates!
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. Muscoot Farm
Muscoot Farm was originally a "Gentleman's Farm" founded by Ferdinand T. Hopkins in 1880 and operated as a dairy farm until Westchester County acquired the property in the late 1960s. Today, Muscoot Farm is a Westchester County Park that strives to preserve and interpret its agrarian past. Visitors may stroll through the original barns, visit with the animals, participate in educational programs or hike the many miles of trails. There is something for everyone on Muscoot’s 777 acres!
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.Top Arts Educator
The Creative Arts Corner of Hudson ValleyThe Creative Arts Corner provides in-person photography classes, private lessons, workshops and summer intensives for ages 7 to adult. Together, we create timeless photographic moments, only accessible through our historic Garner Arts & Industrial studio setting. Exploring professional technology, encouraging growth, collaboration and creativity allows students to fully immerse themselves into this unique artistic environment. All levels welcomed, no experience necessary.
Top Sports Educator
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.
Top STEM Educator
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. They are temporarily closed due to Covid, so be sure to check their web site for updates on reopening.
