Free Indoor Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

24. White Plains Public Library

This large public library in downtown White Plains offers free educational programs for kids and families as well as an art gallery with rotating exhibits and a reading trove where kids can relax with their favorite book.

25. Blue Door Art Center – Yonkers

Blue Door Art Center in Yonkers hosts free children's art workshops on Saturday mornings, with instruction by professional artists. Some classes are holiday-themed, while others are inspired by the art on display in the gallery, which is also free.

26. Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center – Poughkeepsie

FREE and open to all, this museum features rotating art exhibitions, including art from around the world.

27. Home Depot Free Workshops – Multiple Locations

Home Depot hosts free hands-on workshops every first Saturday, with seasonal and other special projects designed for kids. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a certificate of achievement, a workshop apron, and a commemorative pin.

28. Pelham Art Center – Pelham

Pelham Art Center is a nonprofit gallery and learning center that presents six or seven art exhibitions featuring local, national, and international artists. The gallery is free to visit, open to the public, and accessible to disabled visitors. The center also offers free cultural events throughout the year, as well as a community art day for families in the summer.

29. Yonkers Public Libraries – Yonkers

The Yonkers Public Library system comprises three separate branches, each offering free educational programs for kids of all ages. The Riverfront Branch features a large indoor play space, called the Cove, that features a nursery gym, a dramatic play area, reading nooks, toys, blocks, and more.

Free Arts, Culture, and Learning Activities

30. St. Paul’s Church – Mt. Vernon

For a slice of local American history, take a self-guided tour of St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site. Check the calendar for free historical presentations.

31. Westmoreland Sanctuary Nature Center and Wildlife Preserve – Mount Kisco

The Natural Science Museum and hiking trails are FREE of charge to all visitors and open 7 days a week. The museum features live animals, including rabbits, birds, and turtles, plus educational exhibits. 

Photo courtesy of Friends of John Jay Homestead

32. John Jay Homestead – Katonah

Explore the grounds of this 62-acre homestead featuring a pond, gardens, and lots of space for a picnic. In winter, the grounds are open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Kids can peer into the chicken coop, visit the beehives, and visit the Red Barn Discovery Center to milk the “cow,” Buttercup. Check the calendar for free children's programs.

33. Cranberry Lake Preserve and Nature Center – White Plains

This 190-acre park in the heart of Westchester features hiking trails and a nature center offering children's programs, live animals, and interactive educational displays. Visitors can learn about the area's past by following the History Trail to the remains of a 19th-century farmhouse and early 20th-century stone-mining operation.

34. Art Omi – Ghent

This Sculpture & Architecture Park is situated on 120 acres in the Hudson Valley and offers a range of large-scale works in nature, plus a 1,500-square-foot gallery. Registration is required on the museum website. The institute also offers art camps and Saturday children's art workshops.

RELATED: Free Museums and Museum Days in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Free Seasonal Fun in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

35. Spring – Hunt for Easter Eggs

Set kids off searching for sweets at one of these local Easter egg hunts that take place each spring. Many are completely free, including the annual Community Egg Hunt at the Osborn, where kids can hunt for more than 6,000 candy-filled eggs and also meet the Easter Bunny.

36. Spring – Peekskill Cherry Blossom Festival

Enjoy the beauty of the flowering cherries by the Hudson River at this festival held in the spring at Peekskill's Riverfront Green Park. The festival includes guided tours of the blossoming trees, food vendors, live music, children's activities, a plant sale, and more. Explore where to see more cherry blossoms throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley. 

37. Summer – Westchester Annual Strawberry Festival, Chappaqua

Celebrate the strawberry harvest at this annual June celebration at The Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Chappaqua. Going for more than 80 years now, the festival features games, live music, strawberry shortcake, vendors, and more kids' entertainment. 

38. Summer – Free Outdoor Movies

In the summertime, many local parks and venues become a stage for FREE outdoor movies.

39. Summer – Free Outdoor Concerts

Those same parks and venues also host many free summer concerts, magic shows, and family-friendly theatrical performances.

40. Fall – Port Jervis Fall Foliage Festival

Celebrate the beauty of the changing foliage in fall in the Hudson Valley at this free, family-friendly annual street fair. The festival features more than 100 vendors, live entertainment, and a petting zoo.  

41. Fall – Tarrytown Halloween Parade

The Hudson Valley is ripe with Halloween fun, and this annual parade is a crowd-pleaser! Arrive early in the day or plan to take public transportation because parking in the village fills up quickly.

Skate for free on a pond in North Salem. Photo courtesy of Westchester County Parks Dept.

42. Winter – Go Ice Skating

Take a spin around one of the area's free outdoor skating ponds.

43. Winter – Take a Christmas Lights Tour

Take a driving tour of Christmas light displays in Westchester or the Hudson Valley. Most of these displays are free to enjoy.

44. Winter – Go Sledding

Check out one of these amazing sledding hills in Westchester or the Hudson Valley and catch some air! 

Free Events, Fairs, and Festivals in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

45. SpringFest Street Fair – Nyack

Families can enjoy rides, games, arts and crafts, entertainment, food, outdoor dining, and 200+ vendors at this annual event held in April in picturesque downtown Nyack.

46. Green Ossining Earth Day Festival – Ossining

Celebrate Earth Day in Louis Engel Waterfront Park by the Hudson River and learn how to reduce your impact on the environment. Enjoy live music, food and drinks, eco-demonstrations, a kids' activity zone, and much more.  

47. Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival – Hastings-on-Hudson

Enjoy the cherry blossoms in Hastings-on-Hudson's Villard Pocket Park. The festival also features Japanese music and martial arts performances, origami and calligraphy activities, a community haiku, and food and refreshments for purchase.  

48. Pinkster Festival at Philipse Manor Hall – Yonkers

Learn a bit of the area's unique history at this celebration of the Afro-Dutch holiday of Pinkster, held in May. Enjoy live music, dancing, games, crafts, food, vendors, and more. 

49. Albany Tulip Festival in Washington Park

Marvel at the beauty of the more than 140,000 blooming tulips at this spring festival celebrating Albany's Dutch heritage. Activities include craft fair, a fine-art show, food, a KidZone, and live entertainment on two stages.

50. UFO Fair in Downtown Pine Bush

Put on your best alien costumes for this annual extraterrestrial extravaganza held in early June in Pine Bush, which celebrates the history of reported UFO sightings in the area. Activities include roaming characters, an alien game show, an alien beauty pageant, and more.

51. Warwick Applefest

Celebrate the apple harvesting season at this fall festival held in downtown Warwick. The festival features craft and food vendors, four stages of live music, a children's carnival, and an apple pie baking and eating contest. 

52. Armonk Cider & Donut Festival and 5K Run

Enjoy a variety of activities for families at this fall fair and, of course, doughnuts and cider. A pie-eating contest, doughnut fishing, live music, carnival rides, kids' races, a 5K, face painting, bouncy houses, and more are featured. 

53. Sleepy Hollow Street Fair

Join the Village of Sleepy Hollow for the annual fall street fair on Beekman Avenue. The fair features nearly 200 vendors, arts & crafts, food, entertainment for the whole family, and a special appearance by the Headless Horseman. 

54. Croton Oktoberfest – Croton-on-Hudson

Croton-on-Hudson's annual Oktoberfest features live music all day and over 60 amazing food, craft beer, and local retail vendors, plus a kinder-fest for the little ones, with music, food, and fun activities to keep them entertained!

55. Frosty Day – Armonk

The holiday song "Frosty the Snowman" is reportedly based on Armonk, and the town celebrates its claim to fame in a big way. This year's event features a rousing parade "down to the village," a tree-lighting ceremony, entertainers, train rides, ornament decorating, cartoons, and more. 

56. Kingston Snowflake Festival

Celebrate the holidays at Kingston's annual Snowflake Festival, featuring activities and entertainment throughout the village, including carolers, s'mores, horse-drawn carriage rides, ice sculpture carvings, and more. Don't miss the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on an antique fire truck to light the holiday tree. Open stores offer treats and hot beverages. 

Top Free Things To Do with Toddlers

Photo courtesy of Stew Leonard's

57. Stew Leonard's – Yonkers

Enjoy the music and motion provided by the audio-animatronic characters throughout Stew Leonard's. We love Chiquita Banana and the Hank & Bo Show! Free kids’ activities are offered throughout the year.

58. Barnes & Noble – Multiple Locations

The children's section in Barnes & Noble was a staple when my son was a baby. Kids can check out the latest books, listen to a free storytime, or play with the train table. Grab a treat from the bakery or a Starbucks coffee afterward.

59. Sleepy Hollow Bookshop

This locally owned bookstore in downtown Sleepy Hollow hosts free weekly music programs and storytimes for kids. Grab a coffee, pastry, or hot chocolate from their in-house cafe for a special treat.

60. Orange County Farmers Museum – Montgomery

We know kids love farm equipment, especially tractors, and this museum has a lot of them! Check the calendar for free events, like antique tractor pulls. Parking and admission are always free.

61. PLAY at The Westchester – White Plains

This play area in The Westchester mall is great for babies and toddlers as it has a great soft area and lots of things to play with, including a lighted Magnatiles table. It's located on the fourth floor, next to the food court. 

Top Free Things To Do with Tweens and Teens

62. New Rochelle Public Library – New Rochelle

The New Rochelle Public Library has great free programs for kids of all ages, but also a dedicated Teens Room and programs specifically for teens, including Teen Arts & Crafts Day, Game & Watch, and 3D Pen Night.

63. Center for the Urban River at Beczak – Yonkers

Support local scientific research by signing up your teen (ages 16 and up) to study the Hudson River.

64. Hike the Appalachian Trail

Okay, maybe not the whole trail ... but sections of it run through the Hudson Valley. Some of our favorite hikes are Cat Rocks and Fitzgerald Falls. 

65. Find a Swimming Hole

Check out one of the many off-the-beaten-path swimming holes in the Hudson Valley, some of which are perfect for cliff jumping. Fawn's Leap in the Catskills is a favorite among teens.

66. Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

This sprawling cemetery is extremely popular during the Halloween season but is worth taking a tour of anytime of the year. Search the online map for famous people buried here, including Washington Irving, Andrew Carnegie, and Elizabeth Arden.

Hidden Gems and Weird Free Things To Do

67. Train Watching

Parents of toddlers know best how entertaining such simple things as a train passing by can be for kids. Beacon's Riverfront Park is a favorite since it is right next to the Beacon Station, where Amtrak and Metro-North trains are constantly passing. Kids can also watch the sailboats and barges on the Hudson River and even trucks on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge.

68. Visit Pet Stores

The fish tanks and creatures for sale are great entertainment for kids anytime, but especially on cold and rainy days. Locally owned stores or even PetSmart and PetCo are great options to explore. 

69. Play in a Sandbox

Sandboxes can offer hours of entertainment for kids and toddlers alike. The Tiny Tots Park in Cold Spring has an excellent sand play area, with toys and trucks donated by the local community for everyone to enjoy. Memorial Park in Beacon is also a favorite.

Photo by the author

70. Throw Rocks in the Hudson

The Hudson River is one of the great gems of Westchester and the Hudson Valley, and we have spent a lot of time just hanging out by the river. Check out one of the many riverfront parks in the area and let the kids explore.

Free Fun for Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley FAQ

What are the best free family activities in Westchester and the Hudson Valley?

There are lots of things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley that are free, including parks, museums with free admission, free outdoor movies, and summer concerts. Many of the area's festivals and cultural events are also free to attend. 

What can kids do for free on weekends in Westchester and the Hudson Valley?

Local libraries offer lots of kids' programming throughout the week. Also, check out the malls for free programs, including the Apple Store at The Westchester mall, which offers free workshops. The Palisades Center, Ridge Hill Shopping Center, and Cross County Center also offer a lot of free kids' activities throughout the year.

Are there free museums or attractions for kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley?

Yes! Many museums have free admission days or ongoing free exhibits — perfect for rainy days. Check out our Guide to Free Museums and Museum Days, which includes the always-free Neuberger Museum of Art and the Marine Education Center.

What are some free things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with toddlers?

Check your local library calendar and local bookstores, including Sleepy Hollow Bookshop, for free programs for babies and toddlers. Nature centers are also a great resource as they offer open space to explore, and some even have live animals. Local parks also offer free splashpads to cool off in the summer. 

What’s the best time to visit free attractions in Westchester and the Hudson Valley?

Weekdays are always the least crowded times to visit free attractions, and also in the off-season. Summer weekends can be especially busy, so plan ahead and try to go early, especially if there is limited parking. 

Many more FREE programs can be found year-round on our Family Activity Calendar.

Originally published in 2018. Tom Stefanchik contributed additional reporting.