Beyond the Norm: Family Excursions
Westchester is chock full of activities that appeal to all ages with plenty of options that you and the kids will surely love. Add on to this itinerary with a stop at one of Westchester's many Family-Friendly Craft Beverage Trail locations.
Day One
Start the day with grab-to-go lunch from Mason Sandwich Co. in Eastchester. It’s impossible to pick a favorite from this not-your-average sandwich shop, but kids will dig the Chickwich!
Head to the Nature Center at Greenburgh in nearby Scarsdale to nosh in nature at the 33-acre preserve. Enjoy a walk along its easy hiking paths – keep an eye out for fairy gardens – or observe its outdoor animal exhibits. A woodland-inspired playground at the Center is great for helping little ones burn energy.
Fuel up the family with a delicious snack in nearby Mamaroneck at Walter’s Hot Dogs, a nationally registered landmark. The hot dog stand, with its striking pagoda roof, has been serving up kid-friendly fare for over a century. For a sweet treat, Zagat-rated Chocolations has a great selection of truffles and chocolate bark.
Local Mamaroneck toy shop, Miller’s Toys, is stocked with hours of entertainment – it’s a great spot for parents to snag some quiet time while kids peruse toys from around the world.
Next, direct yourself to Boundless Adventures in Purchase. Adults and kids ages 7 and up can crawl, swing, and climb over obstacles at this aerial adventure park with challenges for all skill levels.
Close out day one at Bartaco in Port Chester. The dedicated kids’ menu at this taco-haven is an affordable crowd-pleaser, and parents can’t go wrong with the extensive cocktail menu. (Say yes to the signature margarita – and make it spicy for a kick!).
Settle in at any number of excellent family-friendly hotels. Be in the heart of it all at Sonesta White Plains Downtown, relax in the stylish rooms and suites of the Courtyard by Marriott - Rye or be surrounded by small town charm in the idyllic village of Tuckahoe at Springhill Suites by Marriott.
Day Two
Kick things off with an adrenaline rush at K1 Speed in Mount Kisco for action packed fun including a ninja course, bowling, arcade and indoor go-kart racing.
Drive north west towards the Hudson River and Factoria at Charles Point in Peekskill. Here you’ll find two lunch options: Fin & Brew with seafood and comfort fare, and River Outpost Brewing, one of the County’s newest craft beer breweries. After grabbing a bite, venture out on the aerial ropes course and challenge your family to a game of laser tag.
Consider another outdoor activity: Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture in Pocantico Hills where families can go on a tour, explore interactive exhibits inside the Orientation Center, participate in hands-on activities, enjoy lunch at the Cafeteria, and shop for picnic items on the market shelves. Additional options include Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights offering pick-your-own, with something to suit every season, from peaches to apples, pumpkins and trees. Or, kids can get another dose of nature at Ward Pound Ridge, Westchester County's largest park, where over 4,000 wooded acres are waiting to be explored and hiked. The grounds make for a perfect family picnic, too.
Driving back south towards the hotel, toast the trip with a cold one – ice cream, that is. Village Creamery & Sweetshop in Valhalla offers traditional favorites alongside more unusual flavors like Captain Crunch Berry, I Want S’more, and Holy Cannoli.
