Westchester County is a great place to go for weekend getaways. It's only a few minutes from New York City. There are endless activities. The Hudson River and Long Island Sound surround the county, which is home to bustling communities and charming villages. From historic sites to haunted houses, there are plenty of places to explore.
There are many attractions in the county, but there are also many nature preserves and parks. With your children, you can share information about the natural world. Cranberry Lake Preserve is one example of a family-oriented natural program that includes interactive displays and programs.
Bronx River Parkway Reservation makes a great getaway. This park is Westchester County’s oldest linear park. It is 13.1 mi of traffic-free, bicycle- or foot-friendly travel. Many scenic overlooks can be found along the route. Audio tours are also available for a nominal fee.
During the spring, summer, and fall, you can take a walk on the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. The path passes through many small towns and is popular with thousands of tourists each year. This trail is open for in-line skaters as well and walkers.
Another unique place to visit is the Mario Cuomo Bridge Walkway. This path, which crosses the water for 3.6 miles, has six overlooks. Weekends are open for bicycling, walking and jogging.
This is a great opportunity for you to see the scenic views from the bridge. The road is closed Sundays. Metro-North trains run to Tarrytown. From there, you can walk to National Road to reach the park.
One of the most popular festivals in the region is the Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival. This 43-year-old event is a family-friendly event that features live bluegrass music. Participants include both adults and children.
Barton Orchards BBQ and Brews Weekend on Labor Day Weekend is a great opportunity to get outdoors. For children under 12, and their parents, the festival is free. Barton Orchards' Farm Markets are open to visitors. They can purchase local fruits and veggies, and enjoy the festival's sights.
Sleepy Hollow Craft & Street Fair is another great event. This Halloween extravaganza will return on October 12. Enjoy live music and haunted carousel rides as you visit over 7,000 pumpkins.
There are many farmers markets across Westchester County. These markets are held in spring and autumn and feature local artists and farmers. Some markets will also have special events for kids.
Blue Door Art Center is worth a visit while you're here. The Blue Door Art Centre is a local non profit organization that accepts donations. It also hosts free art shows. Throughout the summer, visitors can also visit the Summer on the Sound concert series. Several small art centers will also offer opportunities to catch some of the best up-and-coming artists.
FAQ
Which five outdoor activities are best for families?
There are many ways to spend quality time outdoors, no matter if you're an outdoorman or a city dweller. There are many ways for families to bond and enjoy the outdoors, such as camping, fishing or hiking.
Here are some of our top picks when it comes to outdoor activities that kids can enjoy.
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Hiking - Hike along trails or explore a state park near you. You should bring water and snacks with you on the trip. Bring binoculars if you'd like to spot wildlife while out walking. For those who plan to stay over, you should bring tents and sleeping bags.
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Camping – Camping is a great way to take in the natural beauty of nature without ever leaving your house. You can choose to bring light items and find a campsite within walking distance of shops and restaurants. Lightsabers are a must for nighttime adventures.
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Fishing – This activity is great for both adults and children. Children love to catch fish and learn how to bait the hook. Adults also love to sit back and watch their children catch dinner. Choose a lake, pond, or stream where you can cast a line for bass, trout, or catfish.
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Kayaking gives you a different way to experience nature. Kayaking allows you to explore rivers and lakes without the need for boats. During your excursion, be sure to keep an eye for birds, turtles, or even whales.
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Bird watching - Bird watching has become a very popular pastime in America. It's easy enough to see why. You don't need much equipment and it provides hours of entertainment. You can visit your local bird sanctuary, national park, or other wildlife refuge. You will have a lot of fun looking for owls or hawks.
Which outdoor activity is the most suitable for families with young children?
There are so many options. There are endless activities for everyone: climbing, kayaking, hiking. There is nothing better than riding bikes with your family.
You can bike along a paved path or ride through an open field. No matter what, you will have fun and laugh all the while taking in the fresh air. You can also bike with your children, which is a great way to exercise.
What makes biking so popular among families? One reason may be that it allows parents to spend quality time with their kids. This is great for kids who find it difficult to sit still long enough so they can have fun.
Bike riding is also easy for the wallet. There are many places that offer discounts for families. Bicycling with your family is an option, regardless of whether you are looking to save money or ensure your kids have plenty of opportunities to burn off energy.
Safety tips are important! It is important for children to learn how to dress correctly and what to do in an emergency. Children should be taught how to avoid getting hurt.
Bike riding is a great way to get back in shape. Your fitness level can be used as motivation to continue.
Additionally, cycling has numerous health benefits. Biking reduces stress levels, improves heart and mood health, boosts moods and increases bone density. It can even help strengthen your muscles.
Consider biking if you are looking for ways to get active and stay healthy with your family. It's a great way to spend quality time with your family.
What activities could parents do with their kids?
Parents may think that there is not much to do with their kids these days. It's not true. There is so much to keep them busy.
While having fun, parents can teach their children valuable lessons. You could, for example, explain to your child that throwing a football is an important skill and helps with coordination.
You could also teach him how to balance on his bike if he is interested.
There are so many ways you can help your child make memories and develop skills. If you aren't sure what to do with your child, don't worry! Let's just get started and see where it leads.
What is the best outdoor activity that a 8- to 10-year-old child can do?
The best outdoor activity for an eight-to-ten-year-old kid is probably riding his bike. He'll love his freedom and independence when out on two wheels. If you live near a park, lake, or playground, consider taking him there. It's even better to take him there with you if possible.
It's hard to find anything more exciting than riding a bicycle down a hill or racing across grassy fields. Riding a bicycle also gives kids something they can share. Cycling allows children to make friends and bonds with others, which is something that can be difficult for many kids who feel isolated when they are playing sports by themselves.
Bicycling teaches children many important lessons. For instance, they learn how to balance themselves and control speed. They also make time for exercise and burn calories. They can also bike to keep fit and active.
It is very easy to maintain a bicycle. You don't need to be a specialist in fixing flat tires or replacing chains. Bikes require little maintenance. Kids should spend more time having fun than worrying about whether or not their tires are properly inflated.
Bicycles are cheaper than cars. A typical bike is between $25 and $200. It means you can afford to purchase a few bikes for your entire family and let them enjoy the benefits of biking.
You can take your kids' bicycles to the beach, park, playground, or even a local trail. These places will provide hours of enjoyment for you all, and you won’t have to worry about storing your bike after you get back.
Bicycles can be used indoors or outdoors. Bicycles can be used outdoors or indoors. They are great for discovering new places and making friends. Bicycles can also be used in places that don't permit motorized vehicles like New York City.
Statistics
- The U.S. outdoor recreation economy supports about 5.2 million jobs, generates nearly $788 billion in consumer spending, and accounts for 2.1 percent of GDP. (wilderness.org)
- So you're less likely to breathe in enough of the respiratory droplets containing the virus that causes COVID-19 to become infected if you haven't had a COVID-19 vaccine. (mayoclinic.org)
- Ask yourself, 'What do I want to accomplish, and is this likely to produce that result?'" 2. (webmd.com)
- You can likely find a 5K to get the family signed up for during any part of the year. (family.lovetoknow.com)
- Later in life, they are also more likely to result in delinquency and oppositional behavior, worse parent-child relationships, mental health issues, and domestic violence victims or abusers10. (parentingforbrain.com)
External Links
How To
Is it safe to go camping with my children?
It is important to ask this question as it could be a sign of how dangerous camping has become. There are numerous dangers to be aware of, such as poisonous snakes or wild animals, bears, wild dogs, tornadoes. Flash floods. Hurricanes. Avalanches. Wildfires. Blizzards.
Problem is, most parents don't know about these risks. Parents assume that camping is fun and safe for their children. Campers are now exposed to greater risk than ever before.
In fact, between 1980 and 2001, nearly half of all injuries and deaths in young campers were caused by accidents. This means that approximately 1,000 children died camping during these years.
In addition, there are now more venomous creatures in North America than in 1900. There are also more poisonous plants, insects, fish, and reptiles.
There are also more ways to get hurt or killed when camping. According to statistics by the National Park Service (NSS), there are about 200 vehicle-related fatalities each year close to national parks.
The average family spends $1300 per kid on outdoor activities like hiking, boating and fishing. This includes equipment as well food, fuel, lodging, and transportation.
But remember that when you take your kids camping, you'll probably be spending far more money than you would if you had stayed home. For $1,300, you can easily spend twice as much for a weekend getaway.
It might be hard to believe that you should take your children camping before thinking about it. After all, isn't it safer to stay inside where it's warm and dry?
Yes, extreme weather conditions can be avoided. These are three reasons your children should be able to experience nature outside:
It will inspire their imagination. What else can you see outdoors? The sky opens up, the stars shine and the wind blows through trees. This helps children understand the world around them. This inspires children to imagine flying, exploring space, and becoming astronauts.
It will make them healthier. Camping gives you many chances to exercise outside. This can help you live a healthier life later on. Sport participation leads to lower obesity, diabetes, or heart disease rates in kids. They also tend not to eat junk food or drink as many sugary beverages.
It will teach them responsibility. Your children will learn how to cook, clean up after others, and to respect other people when they camp. These lessons are important no matter the stage of your child's childhood. They're valuable skills for teens and adults.