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. Note: occasionally, due to scheduling overlap, tours are exterior only and are held on the riverside deck. Tours are approximately 20-minutes, which includes an overview of the history of the Lighthouse, perusal of the museum, and a view from the tower. 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 February 22, 2023