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Best Outdoor Summer Activities in the Hudson Valley

1. Enjoy One of the Many Splendid Parks

The Hudson Valley is renowned for its many wonderful parks. Hike, camp, or just stroll around and do some forest bathing.

2. Bear Mountain State Park

Towering over the Hudson Highlands, Bear Mountain State Park has been entertaining Hudson Valley families for years with its lodge, many trails, carousel, and zoo.

3. Fahnestock State Park

A sprawling park just near Cold Spring, Clarence Fahnestock is replete with activities, including an outdoor education center and the nearby hidden gem Stonecrop Gardens.

4. Walkway Over the Hudson

The world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge spans the Hudson River from Poughkeepsie to Hudson, and it is guaranteed to be a walk you won’t soon forget.

5. Minnewaska State Park

Ruggedly beautiful, Minnewaska State Park is a great place to spend an afternoon hiking, biking, and taking in waterfalls.

6. Hit the Water

Check out our lists of favorite lakes and swimming pools for a break from the heat.

7. Or Paddle on It

If you like water but want to keep your hair dry, consider a boat rental instead.

8. Orange County Arboretum

The Orange County Arboretum in Montgomery offers 35 acres of peaceful gardens, completely free of charge.

9. Pick Your Own Produce

Celebrate centuries of Hudson Valley agriculture at a local farm.

Unique Outdoor Attractions

10. Stroll Around a Sculpture Garden

Storm King might be the most famous, but the Hudson Valley boasts several prominent sculpture gardens that make for an enriching family outing.

11. Hudson Highlands Nature Museum

Located in Cornwall, the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum has both indoor and outdoor exhibits, as well as trails and classes for kids.

12. Check Out a Historic Village

Historic River Towns make for a dynamic family outing, with shopping, dining, and lovely walks along the water.

13. Bannerman Castle

On an island in the middle of the Hudson River, Bannerman Castle is a one-time munitions warehouse that now offers tours, theater, and dining events.

14. Hudson Valley Shakespeare

Since 1987, Hudson Valley Shakespeare in Garrison has been offering world-class performances for theater lovers and their families.

15. Go To an Outdoor Fair or Festival

For a broad taste of everything that the Hudson Valley has to offer, check out one of the many fairs and festivals that are happening in the summer season.

16. Listen to an Outdoor Concert

Outdoor concerts are another option for an event that the whole family will enjoy.

17. The Rhinebeck Aerodrome

Fly into the past at the Rhinebeck Aerodrome, where pioneer aircraft take to the skies, and you can get a close-up look at all manner of antique planes.

18. Catch Some Baseball

Grab some tickets for the region's minor league team, the Hudson Valley Renegades. at Heritage Financial Park in Wappinger's Falls.

19. Head to a Drive-in Movie Theater

Enjoy an outdoor film at an old-fashioned Drive-In Movie Theater. Many of the theaters in the Hudson Valley have been open since the ‘50s!

20. Legoland

Legoland in Goshen offers all the plastic brick fun that you can manage, and without the danger of stepping on them barefoot in your living room.

21. Dine Out(side)

For those al fresco-inclined, there is no shortage of outdoor dining options up and down the Hudson Valley.

22. Mohonk Mountain House

A short drive out of New Paltz, the Mohonk Mountain House makes for a great day trip or a pricey but memorable stay.

23. Hit a Water Park

No summer is complete without a quintessential water slide or a lazy river experience. Find yours at SplashDown Beach in Fishkill.

Best Indoor Summer Activities in the Hudson Valley

24. Find a Cool Indoor Play Space

Westchester and the Hudson Valley boast a collection of indoor play spaces where kids can burn off some energy even on a rainy day.

25. Dia: Beacon

For the artistically inclined, Dia: Beacon offers a vast warehouse of large-scale sculpture that’s sure to fascinate.

26. Museum of Firefighting

Hudson boasts the world’s largest firefighting museum, chock full of education, events, and entertainment.

27. Boscobel

One of many historic homes in the area, Cold Spring’s Boscobel is a picturesque 19th-century mansion that hosts a popular weekend farmer’s market.

28. Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum

An excellent and recently renovated children’s museum in Poughkeepsie, the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum is a perfect choice for bad weather.

29. Go to a Free Library Event

Your local library always has free events and activities for kids and their families. Find your local library here, and check out the library's calendar to stay up-to-date.

30. Geek Out at a Comic Book or Toy Store

The Hudson Valley is home to many geeky stores. Try The Imperial Castle in Pawling for toys, or Alterniverse in Hyde Park and World’s End in Kingston for comics and collectibles.

31. Go Bowling

There are lots of places to hit the lanes in the Hudson Valley and Westchester. Try some of these out for size.

32. Eat Ice Cream

Who doesn’t want ice cream? (Hint: your kids probably want ice cream.)