101 Family Day Trips and Staycation Ideas Around the Hudson Valley
Remember, it's always best to follow each link to get details about your visit directly from your destination, since some places operate seasonally or by reservation, as well as to check each venue's COVID requirements (masks, limits, social distancing).
Free activities and splurges that are worth it. The coolest stuff for a staycation in town and road trips for less than a tank of gas from the Hudson Valley. Kids Out And About has tons of ideas for family travel, with places to explore, learn, and have fun!
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Explore Gardens & Sculpture Gardens
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Unison |
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Opus 40 Sculpture Park & Museum |
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Boscobel House and Gardens |
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Innisfree Garden |
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Wethersfield Garden |
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Art OMI Sculpture & Architecture Park |
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Lavenlair Farm |
Get Wild on a Hike
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Bear Mountain State Park |
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Breakneck Ridge (note: challenging, with cliffs... plan accordingly!) |
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Wappinger Greenway Trail |
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Brace Mountain |
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Dover Stone Church |
Time Travel Today
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John Jay Homestead Historic Site |
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Van Cortlandt Manor |
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Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site |
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Wilderstein Historic Site |
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Staatsburgh State Historic Site |
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Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site |
Make Life a Beach
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Rockland Lake State Park |
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Harriman State Park |
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Lake Superior State Park |
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Wilcox Memorial State Park |
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Kingston Point Park |
Splash into Some Water Fun
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Splashdown Beach Water Park |
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Spook Rock Pool |
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The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark |
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Zoom Flume |
Spend the Day at a Museum
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Andrus Planetarium |
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Brick House Museum |
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Katonah Museum of Art |
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FDR Presidential Library and Museum |
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Klyne Esopus Museum |
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Museum of Firefighting |
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Liberty Science Center |
Explore These Cities
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New York, NY |
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Coxsackie, NY |
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Albany, NY |
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Hartford, CT |
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Philladelphia, PA |
All Aboard Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Boats!)
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River Rose Cruises |
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Pride of the Hudson |
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Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome |
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Hudson River Cruises |
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Hudson Cruises Inc. |
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Catskill Mountain Railroad |
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Delaware & Ulster Railroad |
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Hoosac Valley Train Ride |
Grow Some Fun at the Farm
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Barton Orchards |
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Clover Brooke Farm |
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Fishkill Farms |
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Lilymoore Alpaca and Llama Farm |
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Kelder's Farm |
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Dressel Farms |
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Hurd's Family Farm |
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Altamont Orchards |
Play Ball!
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New York Liberty |
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Hudson Valley Renegades |
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Rockland Boulders Baseball |
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New York Bears Semi Pro Football |
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Kingston Stockade Football Club |
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Westchester Knicks |
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Brooklyn Nets |
Treat Yo' Self
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Moo Moo's Creamery |
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Penny Lick Ice Cream |
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Weir's Ice Cream |
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The Blue Pig |
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Alps Sweet Shop |
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Verdigris Tea & Chocolate |
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Samuel's Sweet Shop |
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Oliver Kita Chocolates |
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Amanda's Macaron Shoppe |
Connect with Nature
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Forsyth Nature Center |
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Scenic Hudson Park |
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Minnewaska State Park Preserve |
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Hudson Highlands Nature Museum |
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Bear Mountain State Park |
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Greenburgh Nature Center |
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Croton Point Nature Center |
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Croton Gorge Park |
Amuse Yourself at These Amusement Parks
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Thrillz High Flying Adventure Park |
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The Castle Fun Center |
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Playland |
Talk to the Animals
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Trevor Zoo at Millbrook School |
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Noah's Park Retreat |
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Trailside Museums & Zoo |
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Bailiwick Animal Park and Riding Stables |
Explore the Globe Close to Home
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Kingston Multicultural Festival |
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Mid-Hudson Heritage Center |
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Tompkins Corners Cultural Center |
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The Howland Cultural Center |
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Howe Caverns Adventure Park |
Monkey Around at the Playground Destinations
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Eugene Levy Memorial Park |
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Orchard Hills Park, Monsey, NY |
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Manny Weldler Park, Monsey, NY |
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Dobbs Park- Croton-On-Hudson, NY |
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Barnhart Park- Sleepy Hollow, NY |
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Children's Park, Spring Valley, NY |
Get Active Indoors
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Bounce U - Elmsford |
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Dave & Buster's West Nyack (Palisades) |
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The Castle Fun Center- Chester, NY |
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Little Rascals Open Gym, Fishkill, NY |
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Spins Bowl- Poughkeepsie, NY |
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iFly Westchester |
Challenge Yourself
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Palisades Climb Adventure Ropes Course - Nyack, NY |
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Hunter Mountain - Hunter, NY |
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Kayaking and Canoeing - Port Jervis, NY |
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Belleayre Mountain - Highmont, NY |
Shop Your Heart Out
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Palisades Center |
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Water Street Market |
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Jefferson Valley Mall |
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The Shops at Nanuet |
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Woodbury Common Premium Outlets |
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Galleria at Crystal Run |
Most of these destinations are within an hour from the center of our Hudson Valley region. For those that are a bit farther away:
= Less than 1 hour away
= 1 to 2 hours away
= 2 to 3 hours away
= Just over 3 hours away