Susan Miele

Latest posts by Susan

Breakfast with Santa for Kids and Families in Westchester

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 11/04/2018 - 8:00am

Enjoy a spectacular brunch while Santa mingles with you and your family. Don’t forget to bring your list for Santa! Photo courtesy of Dorralwoods

Though Santa is busy preparing for his famous ride on Christmas Eve, he still somehow has time to break bread (or pancakes) with children in Westchester this holiday season. These cozy get-togethers have become increasingly popular, typically featuring a full breakfast and holiday activity, with added perks at some. The best part? Quality time and a photo-op with St. Nick.

We’ve rounded up some top picks for Breakfast with Santa throughout Westchester to help you spread some holiday cheer. Advance registration is either required or recommended, so don't delay. And don't forget to bring your wish list!

If you're looking for more holiday activities, check our Event Calendar and sign up for our newsletters.

Fall Festivals in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Apples, Pumpkins, Cider

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 09/02/2018 - 9:00am

The popular Fall Festival at Soukup Farms features four days of fall farm fun.

Usher in the fall season in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with a host of family autumn festivals. The area's harvest celebrations are packed with seasonal activities for kids, including pumpkin fun, hayrides, apple-cidering, doughnuts, and more.

We've rounded up details on the best upcoming fall festivals in Westchester, several of which made our September GoList. And be sure to consult our guide to the best places for apple picking, many of which include festival-like added attractions.

Looking for more fall family fun? Get the most out of the season by subscribing to our newsletters and following us on Facebook.

Labor Day Weekend Events for Westchester Kids

Submitted by Susan Miele on Wed, 08/29/2018 - 10:00am

Travel back in time at the New York Renaissance Faire. Photo by Deborah Grosmark

It's hard to believe Labor Day Weekend is already upon us (sniff, sniff). If you, too, are feeling a bit nostalgic about another summer gone by, don't start singing the blues just yet. There are great ways for families to celebrate the unofficial end of summer in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, and much to look forward to as reported in our September GoList.

The headline event is the return of CORNucopia, loaded with corn-y fun of assorted varieties, and for alternatives to the customary barbecue, ways to honor Labor Day include the West Point Band's Labor Day Concert, replete with fireworks and a cannon firing. Soak up some of the summer's remaining outdoor concerts and films, including Worldfest, featuring the Viva Brazil Dancers. Families can also support a good cause and work off that summer ice cream at the Labor Day Race/Walk & Kids Fun Run, or browse the wares and meet the artisans at the annual Woodstock–New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair.

These are just a few of our top picks—read on for all this and more. Be sure to check out our Event Calendar for more fun activities, and follow us on Facebook! Have a fun Labor Day Weekend!

A Dozen New Dessert Spots for Westchester Families

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 08/12/2018 - 11:00am

Cake push pops at Flowerbake by Angela are a beautiful and tasty treat.

Sweet news: a host of new sweet spots have opened in Westchester recently, and we’ve rounded them up below. (We also conducted a few taste tests—strictly in the interest of research, of course.)

Our list includes several new ice-cream parlors, three spots for trendy Thai rolled ice cream, and a few eateries offering acai bowls, juices, and smoothies. There’s also new fro-yo, as well as a new bakery that hosts classes and parties.

Read on to get the skinny on these dessert destinations—and be sure you’re signed up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook to stay in the know about news (and more) of interest to Westchester families!

New Treetop Adventure Park Opens in Purchase, New York

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 07/12/2018 - 1:30pm

Boundless Adventures offers exciting climbing challenges for ages 7 and up.

Recently, we told you about a new indoor trampoline park for active families. Another new venue for those on the move is Boundless Adventures, a treetop adventure complex in Purchase that offers assorted aerial feats for varying levels of ability—and bravery. Read on to learn more about how your family can harness up and rise to the challenge.

Want to stay in the know about grand openings and other happenings? Sign up for our newsletters! Our Event Calendar can also help keep you informed about special events and other fun for thrill seekers.

Bounce Off the Walls at New Launch Trampoline Park in West Nyack

Submitted by Susan Miele on Thu, 06/28/2018 - 11:00am

The open space is great for little bouncers.

It seems like yesterday we announced to readers the opening of Rockin’ Jump, the indoor trampoline park, at Ridge Hill. Now there’s a new trampoline kid on the block: Launch Trampoline Park.

Located in Rockland County’s West Nyack, Launch Trampoline Park opened in June 2018 and is gearing up for a Grand Opening event. Bearing much resemblance to Rockin’ Jump, Launch Trampoline Park offers extreme dodgeball, one-on-one basketball, a battle beam, dunk basketball, a warrior ninja course, more than 15,000 square feet of open-jump trampoline space, an arcade with redemption, and a cafe. Read on for more details about this new facility for Westchester and Hudson Valley kids.

Looking for more places to have fun while burning off energy? Consult our guide to indoor play spaces in Westchester. Also stay abreast of new openings, special events, and more by signing up for our newsletters and following us on Facebook!

50+ Free Things To Do This Summer for Westchester and Hudson Valley Families

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sat, 06/23/2018 - 12:00pm

See a variety of amazing acts at the 3rd annual Family Fun Festival in Hyde Park. Photo courtesy of the park

Summer is here, and while the end of school can be a relief, the new challenge is to keep the kids busy seven days a week! But filling those long days can get pricey—fast. Fear not: We’ve been hard at work identifying tons of FREE things to do with the kids that will keep them entertained all summer long—and we're not just talking about crafts. We found multi-cultural festivals, admission-free days, magic shows, outdoor yoga, astronomy nights, animal encounters, historical sites, and loads more.

Read on for 50+ of our favorites below, but also note that our Event Calendar is your BFF all season, because we keep adding to that frequently, so it’s always worth a gander. Want more that’s FREE? Bookmark our guide to year-round FREE things to do and sign up for our newsletters.

July 4th Fireworks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Submitted by Susan Miele on Sun, 06/17/2018 - 2:00pm

Celebrate America's independence at West Point with the Army's oldest band. Photo courtesy of West Point

Independence Day means summer fun, barbecues, and, of course, stunning pyrotechnics. We’ve identified fireworks displays over the course of an entire week (the benefit of Independence Day falling on a Wednesday!) along with lots of added attractions—a carnival, a fair, concerts, sports, bouncy houses, a parade, and other perks.

If you’re feeling adventurous, the famous Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular is best visited strategically, and we have the best spots to watch with your family; there’s also a show-stopping fireworks display that’s less frenetic over the bridge in Jersey City, which also features a full agenda of fun.

Be sure to keep tabs on our Event Calendar, and sign up for our newsletters to stay on top of our frequent updates and announcements!

Susan Miele

Latest posts by Susan

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