1.The Mid-Hudson
Children’s Museum
Poughkeepsie, NY
A brand new fire truck, reading nook and other improvements offers lots of hands on fun for kids of most ages. You can easily spend hours here exploring. Admission is only $8 and the third Saturday each month (from 5-8pm) is FREE! As an added bonus, they offer free (with cost of admission) drop- in programs such as story times, craft workshops and more.
Related: Rainy day? Top indoor play spots for getting energy out indoors
2.The Trevor Zoo
Millbrook, NY
The zoo is open all year round and at only $5
an adult and $3 a child it makes a great day trip. Bring a lunch, there are
grassy areas you can have a picnic!
Tip: if you can’t make it
to the zoo, a quick trip to a local pet store would do the trick too!
3.State Parks
Bear Mountain, Washington Headquarters, Olana,
FDR, Vanderbilt
Activities include
swimming, hiking, boating, picnicking and more at most of the above state
parks but the Bear Mountain state park is our favorite for the carousel house, lake and trailside zoo for a small fee plus the cost of parking.
Related: 11 Hudson Valley Zoos for Learning and Fun
4.Hudson Highlands
Nature Museum
Cornwall, NY
HHNM almost always has a
family friendly event going on, on the weekends. Grasshopper Grove, a unique all natural kids
playground, is perfect for the under 5 kids at only $3/person and free for
under 2.
5.Story time
Most of the libraries offer a slew of story
times including arts and crafts, free play, structured activities and more! Summer reading activities fill the calendar with tons of awesome events and activities. Also
check out free story times at Barnes
and Noble. *Confirm with your local
libraries before planning your trips: Top picks for drop- in
storytimes
The
best kid-friendly bookstores in the Hudson Valley
More great places to visit and things to do on
the calendar.