If you’re staying
local for spring break this year and need ideas to keep the kids busy, the
Hudson Valley (and a little beyond) has plenty to offer! Read on for 16 great staycation
ideas.
Visiting the Orange
County area…
Sometimes not having
to plan a meal at home can seem like a vacation from the usual. Enjoy lunch or
dinner out before heading to a museum or a day of activity.
Pizza Shop
Voted Best in the Hudson Valley, The Pizza Shop is old-school, but not old-fashioned. Delicious pizza with a huge variety of toppings. Plus salads, wings, rice balls, ice cream, and more. 27 S. Water Street, Newburgh. 845-565-7467.
The Captains Table
For more casual dining your family can enjoy lunch or dinner beachside at The
Captains Table. Kids can play on the 1/3-acre sandy beach and enjoy kids’ meals
for $9.95. Check ahead on the restaurant’s website for musical guests on the
weekends.
Motorcyclepedia Museum
Visit the world's greatest Indian motorcycle collection. They are filled with many classic choppers and bikes from your favorite movies, shows, and Hollywood superstars! 250 Lake Street, Newburgh. 845-569-9065.
LEGOLAND New York Resort
At LEGOLAND New York, kids ages 2 through 12 and their families can ride, climb, splash, and build their way through seven themed lands. Transform into a Minifigure on the world-premiere LEGO® Factory Adventure Ride, master the art of Spinjitzu on LEGO® NINJAGO® the Ride, save the kingdom on the Dragon Coaster, and explore awesome LEGO built cities in MINILAND! 1 LEGOLAND Way, Goshen. (845) 410-0290.
Visiting the Dutchess County area...
Village Pizza
Enjoy a variety of Italian favorites
from pizza to pasta with the family before heading out for an area hike or
walking tour of the historic Rhinebeck Village. 19 E Market St. Rhinebeck.
845-876-9676.
Samuel’s Sweet Shop
Indulge in a sweet
treat, dessert or a coffee with a side of nostalgia at Samuel’s. You’ll love
sharing some retro candy favorites with your kids. 42 East Market St.
Rhinebeck. 845-876-5312.
Read More: Staycation ideas in Beacon
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
Tour the grounds and formal
gardens or take part in tours inside the mansion at $10 per person
(children 15 and under are free). All visitors MUST have entrance passes. Picnic on the lawn and take in the
spectacular views or hike the trail along the river. For more information call 845-229-7770. 119 Vanderbilt Park Rd, Hyde Park.
Another great place to go located only eight minutes away by car from the Vanderbilt Mansion is the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum.
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
Learn about the life
and history of Franklin and Elanor Roosevelt. Check out intimate photographs,
manuscripts, family documents, movies and learn more about the lives and deaths
of Franklin and Elanor and the impact they continue to have on contemporary life. You can purchase tickets here. 4079 Albany Post Rd. Hyde Park. 845-486-7770.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt National Historic Site
Take a tour through
the Roosevelt country home admiring how the home looked in the 1800s. You can also
see the early technology that helped Franklin learn to live with his
disability. 4097 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park. 845-229-9115.
Hudson Valley Museums Your Kid Will Love
Visiting the Ulster County area...
There is no shortage
of breath-taking scenery in the Hudson Valley. Here are a few stand outs that
are perfect for an easy day trip.
Lake Minnewaska
Located on the Shawangunk Mountain, the park has several waterfalls,
three lakes, and dense forests. On nice days, bring a picnic and take the kids
on a simple trail. Admission is $10 per carload (free for Empire Pass holders).
Visit the park’s website for other amenities and activities. Route 44-55, Kerhonkson.
After hiking the beautiful views of Shawangunk Mountain and Lake
Minnewaska, fuel up at the Mountain Brauhaus restaurant located eleven minutes
away by car.
Mountain Brauhas Restaurant
There
are toys available to entertain the kids in this family friendly restaurant’s
atmosphere, where delightful German specialties are on menu. Be sure to make reservations. 3123 US-44, Gardiner. 845-255-9766.
Saugerties Lighthouse
Built in 1835, the lighthouse currently operates as a private bed and
breakfast. Docent-guided tours of the Lighthouse are offered on Sunday afternoons in the summertime from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend from noon to 3pm. No reservation needed. Tours are every half hour; last tour starts at 2:30PM. Tours include views of interior rooms and option of climbing the tower. A history talk on the deck will be offered when the interior is not available for tours due to scheduling on the following dates: May 28th, June 11th, and June 18th, 2023. The small museum inside displays images and artifacts of the original Lighthouse and the commercial heyday of the Saugerties waterfront. Enjoy snacks or a picnic
on the deck and watch the boats go by. Before starting your hike, be sure to
check the tide schedule on the lighthouse website. 168 Lighthouse Drive,
Saugerties. 845-247-0656.
Opus 40
This 6 ½-acre
sculpture park offers an amazing and unique outdoor experience. The site isn’t suitable
for toddlers, but older kids can easily navigate the uneven terrain and narrow
passageway. The venue hosts several
concerts through the season; check ahead on the website for schedule. 50 Fite Road, Saugerties. 845-246-3400.
Miss Lucy’s Kitchen
Enjoy locally sourced American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, brunch and
dinner. The prices are reasonable, the food is good and the place is kid
friendly. 90 Partition Street, Saugerties. 845-246-9240.
Visiting Sullivan
County area...
Touring local history
museums and nature centers keeps kids learning, even while on spring break. Start of your
day by visiting the Historic Site of the Woodstock Festival.
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Historic Site
The site’s museum will reopen in April 2020 to share a variety of
exhibits, artifacts and reference materials to the arts and political movement
of the 1960’s. Travel back in time at the historical site of the 1969 Woodstock
Music Festival. Check the website for family and children’s programing. 200 Hurd Road Bethel. 845-583-2079.
Bethel Market Café
This American café offers breakfast, soups and salads, wraps and sandwiches,
plus a bakery with an extensive list of sweet treats. 2020
Route 17B, Bethel. 845-583-3130.
Tilly’s Diner
After your journey through
the ’60s, step back a decade further into this 1950’s diner for breakfast,
lunch or dinner. Kids will enjoy spinning on the swivel stools at the counter
while waiting for their meal to arrive. 34 Raceway Road, Monticello.
845-794-6540.
Things to
do outside of the Hudson Valley
Albany County
New York State Museum
A center of art, science, and history, this museum is dedicated to
exploring the human and natural history of the state. Admission is by donation
and kids can enjoy a fun exploration center and free rides on the antique
carousel. 222 Madison Avenue, Albany. 518-474-5877.
New York State Capitol
Take a guided tour of
New York's State Capitol, scope out the Plaza Art Collection, check out the Corning Tower Observation Deck, and see a performance at the Egg Performing Arts Center.
Greene County
The Thomas Cole National Historic Site
Tour the home and original art studio of the founder
of the Hudson River School of painting, where artists captured the beauty of
Catskill landscapes. Book a guided hike
on the art trail to see the exact locations artists were inspired to paint. 218
Spring Street, Catskill. 518-943-7465.
Westchester County
Teatown Lake Reservation
Sitting on 1,000 acres of nature reserves with lakes,
animals, rare native plants, and 15 miles of trails, this is the perfect place
to get out and experience nature. Cohoes Falls, Fall Views Park, 1600
Spring Valley Road, Ossining. 914-762-2912.
Read More: Staycation ideas in Peekskill
Legoland Discovery Center
This
is the ultimate indoor Lego playground. Enjoy family fun with two rides, 10
Lego build-and-play zones, a 4D movie theater, virtual reality and Lego factory
tour. Stop for lunch in the café. 39 Fitzgerald Street,
Yonkers. 844 740-9223.
Putnam County
Cold Spring Depot
Grab a quick lunch in this old train depot station before
enjoying a walk through the town and experiencing the historic waterfront. Kids
12 and younger can enjoy $10 kids’ meals with free refills on select drinks. 1 Depot Square, Cold Spring. 845-265-5000.
Stone Crop Gardens
Nature enthusiasts
and garden fans can take a self-guided tour through the breathtaking botanical
landscape, rock ledges and pools. Little ones will love exploring. Be sure to
read the garden etiquette on the website before entering, stonecrop.org/visitor-information. 81 Stonecrop Lane, Cold Spring,
NY. 845-265-2000.
Read More: Staycation ideas in Cold Spring
Rockland County
Edward Hopper House of Art Center
Visit the former home, turned art center, of American painter,
Edward Hopper. Tour the sculptures in the garden or take in jazz or a movie. Check
the website for scheduled family programs happening before you head out. 82
N Broadway, Nyack. 845-358-0774.
Read More: Staycation ideas in the Hudson Valley by County!
Updated March 11, 2025
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