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Best Attractions in the Hudson Valley for Kids

1. Mount Peter

Learn to ski and snowboard on the gentle slopes of Mount Peter, a perfect spot for beginners. Don’t miss out on snow tubing there, too—a kid favorite.

2. Wolf Conservation Center

See endangered wolves up close—and even howl along with them!—at the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem. Want to really become one with the wolves? Reserve a tent for an overnight stay, which comes complete with a pizza party, outdoor movie, and more.

3. Jellystone Park

If you want to enjoy the outdoors but prefer to be in the comfort of a cabin—and surrounded by tons of kid-friendly activities—then a visit to Jellystone Park in Gardiner is a must. There are swimming pools, a huge splash pad, a playground, an arcade, and lots more.

4. Palisades Center

The Palisades Center mall in West Nyack can be an all-day outing—especially when it’s raining, freezing, or too hot—with shopping, food, and lots of kid-friendly activities, including an ice rink, go-kart course, and the indoor Palisades Climb Adventure, where kids (and adults!) can see the mall from a whole different vantage point.

5. FASNY Museum of Firefighting

Take the Jr. Firefighter Challenge Course, where kids can extinguish a faux fire, slide down the fire pole, and more, plus see more than 60 fire engines, at the FASNY Museum of Firefighting in Hudson.

RELATED: 15 Family-Friendly Catskills Resorts for Your Next Weekend Getaway

There's always hands-on fun to enjoy at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum in Cornwall.

6. Hudson Highlands Nature Museum

Receive a hands-on education in nature at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, which includes the outdoor Grasshopper Grove—basically a nature-themed playground area—or take part in one of its nature programs on the weekends.

7. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Take in a concert, enjoy a festival, or visit the museum at the site of the 1969 Woodstock festival at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. There is programming geared specifically toward kids, too.

8. Ramapo Challenger Learning Center

Space-obsessed kids love to spend the day at this Rockland County learning center, part of the National Challenger Center network. Check out its family programs, or sign up for an after-school session, which includes a flight simulator!

9. Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum

Situated on the scenic Poughkeepsie waterfront, the two-story Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum is a children's museum that features numerous STEM activities to promote learning and entertain kids for hours. Check the calendar for special programs and free nights for families.

10. West Point Museum

Kids complain you’re too strict? Tour West Point and the FREE West Point Museum to show them what real discipline looks like (gorgeous Hudson River views included).

11. Bear Mountain State Park

Spend the day at Bear Mountain State Park, where you can swim in the summer, celebrate Oktoberfest in the fall, or ice skate in the winter. Be sure to save time for a ride on the carousel, which features 42 hand-carved native animals—including a skunk!

RELATED: Visiting Rocking Horse Ranch with Kids: Top Tips for a Hudson Valley Family Getaway

Float down the lazy river at SplashDown Beach, which offers plenty of wet-and-wild fun for all ages. 

12. SplashDown Beach

No summer is complete without a visit to a water park, and SplashDown Beach in Fishkill fits the bill, with slides, pools, and more to keep the whole family entertained—and cool.

13. Dia Beacon

This modern art museum might not seem super kid-friendly at first glance, but with its cool exhibitions, you’d be surprised at how much little ones enjoy it. My 7-year-old is talking about our visit months later. Bonus: Kids under age 5 are FREE.

14. Storm King Art Center

Speaking of art, if you’re worried about keeping kids indoors to marvel at the creativity, a visit to this outdoor sculpture garden, with its wide-open spaces and trails, might be a good bet. There’s no way you can see Storm King in one day, so mark this one down for a repeat visit.

15. Franklin D. Roosevelt's Hyde Park

Make history come alive with a visit to FDR’s house in Hyde Park, where you can take a tour daily. While there, don’t miss out on what the rest of the town offers, including saving room for a meal at one of the Culinary Institute of America's student-run eateries, like the Apple Pie Bakery Cafe.

RELATED: Family-Friendly Resorts and Hotels in the Hudson Valley

Enjoy big-time theme park fun at Legoland New York. Photo by Jody Mercier

16. Legoland

Lego-loving kids can be spoiled with a day at Legoland New York in Goshen, but being able to spend the night too will really blow their minds. We’ve got a hotel review, so you’ll know what you’re getting into before you book.

17. Olana State Historic Site

Olana State Historic Site has received Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award, and visitor feedback placed Olana among the top 10 percent of attractions worldwide. This 250-acre living landscape is a creation by 19th-century American artist Frederic Church and features a lake, historic house, expansive views of the four surrounding states, and an art gallery. Children 16 and under can tour the house and landscape for free.

18. Boscobel House & Gardens

Tour Boscobel House and Gardens, which offers year-round family-friendly activities like bonfires, snapping turtle walks, and craft programs.

19. Minnewaska State Park & Sam's Point Ice Caves

Situated on the scenic Shawangunk Ridge, which rises more than 2,000 feet above sea level, Minnewaska State Park features numerous waterfalls, glacial lakes, and over 50 miles of hiking trails. It is also home to Sam's Point Ice Caves, a series of crevices that you can explore that stay cool year-round and retain ice into the summer. 

20. Barton Orchards

The family-owned Barton Orchards in Poughquag features tons of activities for kids and adults, including a petting zoo, kids' fun park, and a corn maze and haunted house in the fall. They also have a taproom for adults and often feature live bands. 

21. Peekamoose Blue Hole & Buttermilk Falls

Take a plunge in this beautiful natural swimming hole located in the Peekamoose Valley Riparian Corridor. The Blue Hole is a unique natural feature formed by sand and swirling gravel in an ancient whirlpool. And don't miss nearby Buttermilk Falls, an impressive cascade with a small pool to play in at the bottom. A reservation and $10 permit are required to visit both.

22. Mohonk Mountain House

Nestled in the Shawangunk Mountains, Mohonk Mountain House offers tons of family-friendly activities, including its own glacial lake, but it comes with a hefty price tag. Check out our day tripper's guide to exploring the grounds of this amazing resort for a fraction of the price. Daredevils will love the Labyrinth, a series of rock scrambles and crevices that end at an impressive tower. 

22. Kelder's Farm

Tucked away in the town of Kerhonkson, just a short drive from Minnewaska, Kelder's Farm offers tons of farm activities for kids, as well as you-pick, a taproom, and seasonal festivals that the whole family can enjoy. The Sunflower Festival is held throughout the month of August. Make sure to try the signature Gnomie shake that features a special flavor each season and is topped with a cider donut. 

23. Trevor-Lovejoy Zoo

A hidden gem in the Hudson Valley, the Trevor Lovejoy Zoo is a great small zoo to explore with kids. The zoo features 80 different species, including red pandas, wolves, otters, and marmosets, and is recognized for its conservation efforts and sustainability practices. Reservations ($7 for adults and $5 for kids) are required and should be made online. 

24. Innisfree Garden

Another hidden gem in Millbrook is Innisfree Garden, a tranquil Japanese-style garden next to a lake that features multiple trails, fountains, and even a bat cave. The main garden trail loops around to a bridge over the lake, with sprinklers that are great for cooling off in summer.

Best Things To Do in the Hudson Valley with Kids

25. Apple Picking

The Hudson Valley is a treasure trove of amazing farms and orchards—which makes it ideal for picking apples once September hits. While there, don’t forget to stock up on a pumpkin or two.

26. Corn Maze Fun

Whether you visit the corn maze while apple picking or head to one solely to get “lost” in the stalks, there are plenty of places to do that in the Hudson Valley, including some that are totally FREE.

27. Go Camping

Check out one of these family-friendly campgrounds in the Hudson Valley for tent camping, cabins, KOAs, and more. 

28. Get on the Water

Explore the area's lakes and rivers by canoe, kayak, paddleboard, or even tube. Bring your own or find out where to rent boats in the Hudson Valley.

29. Strawberry Picking

While apples usually get all the glory, there is plenty of other fruit to pick throughout the year—from strawberries in June to blueberries in July to peaches in August.

30. See Hot Air Balloons

While your kids might not be ready to ride on a hot air balloon, they can definitely take in these gorgeous marvels at the annual Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival. Expect the balloons, along with games, attractions, music, and more.

RELATED: Guide to Farms and Pick-Your-Own Fun Nearby

Take a step back in time with the old-school entertainment options at the charming Four Brothers Drive-In in Armenia.

31. Drive-In Movie

Channel old-school summer vibes at the region's drive-in movie theaters. There are locations in Warwick, Poughkeepsie, Middletown, and Armenia for your consideration.

32. Hit up the Beach or Splash Pad

There’s water fun a-plenty in the Hudson Valley, whether you want to swim in a local pool, at the beach, or even in the Hudson River and local lakes. Don't want to go all in? Visit a local splash pad! Entry times, fees, and requirements vary, of course, so be sure to call before you pack your swimsuit and towels.

33. Sleep in a Lighthouse

You read that right: Families can stay overnight in the ​Saugerties Lighthouse year-round, with breakfast included. Want a more traditional hotel? There are plenty of those, too.

34. Chill Out

Check out one of these family-friendly breweries or vineyards in the Hudson Valley and Catskills, many of which offer locally sourced cuisine and activities for kids. 

Fun FREE Things to Do in the Hudson Valley with Kids

35. Explore Dover Stone Church

A hidden gem in Dover Plains, Dover Stone Church is a natural stone formation that features a cathedral-like entrance, a brook, and a waterfall inside. The preserve also features hiking trails and small ponds with lots of fish and frogs. Park on the street near the school and look for the signboard across the street.

36. Go Hiking

The Hudson Valley is known for some great hiking, and that includes plenty of trails that are perfect for little feet, including many that offer waterfall views, like Croton Gorge Park in Cortlandt, which provides great views of the waterfall created by the Croton Dam’s spillway.

37. Taconic State Park and Bash Bish Falls

On the border of Massachusetts and Connecticut, Taconic State Park features a swimming lake, campground, and miles of hiking trails. The park also features Bash Bish Falls, a dramatic 60-foot waterfall technically in Massachusetts but walkable from the New York or Massachusetts parking area. If you park in the New York lot, take the stairs to the Massachusetts lot for amazing mountain views. Parking and admission are free. 

38. Walkway Over the Hudson

Bike, skate, and stroll along the Hudson Valley Rail Trail to meet up with the Walkway Over The Hudson, the breathtaking 1.28-mile-long pedestrian bridge that’s hailed as the “world’s longest elevated park.”

39. Holiday Lights

Jump in the car—maybe in your holiday PJs—and drive around the Hudson Valley to check out some of the amazing light displays that dot the area come December. For some, you can tune your radio to play the synched soundtrack and, at others, you can get out of the car and walk around to get a closer look.

40. Hit the Playground

There are plenty of playgrounds that make for a fun morning or afternoon—and then there are the stand-out destination playgrounds that truly take things up a notch, and make for some all-day fun.

41. Visit a Museum

Many area museums have certain days that are FREE for visitors, and some are always free for kids under a certain age. Find out in our Guide to Free Museums and Museum Days in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

42. Take in the Fall Foliage

Fall in the Hudson Valley can’t be beat—and neither can the amazing colors of the changing leaves. There are prime leaf-peeping spots all over, but these are a few of our favorites, including Mount Beacon in Beacon and Castle Point in Minnewaska.

43. Ashokan Reservoir

Walk, bike, or skate on the beautiful promenade along the Ashokan Reservoir and enjoy panoramic views of the Catskill Mountains. Check the maps along the trail to identify the names of the peaks. Check out other easy adventures for kids near the Ashokan Reservoir.

44. Find a swimming hole

Up for an adventure? Take a dip in one of the off-the-beaten-path swimming holes in the Hudson Valley, many of which feature waterfalls as a bonus. 

Top Family-Friendly Hudson Valley Towns to Explore

45. Goshen

Named by Smithsonian Magazine as one of the 15 best small towns to visit in America, Goshen boasts a vibrant downtown and arts community and is surrounded by the natural wonders of the Hudson Valley. It is also the home of Legoland New York.

46. Beacon

Explore waterfront parks and the vibrant artsy Beacon downtown, which features dozens of eclectic shops and dining options. And don't miss a trip to Dia Beacon, known for its larger-than-life modern art installations.

47. Cold Spring

Families can enjoy hiking, antiquing, and gorgeous riverfront views in the village of Cold Spring. The train station is just steps away from the riverfront and downtown, making it an ideal place to explore via Metro-North. Or catch a fall foliage cruise down the Hudson River. 

48. Woodstock

Nestled in the Catskill Mountains, the town of Woodstock is best known for the music festival named after it. However, the town itself is a great family-friendly destination, featuring a waterfall walk, cute shops, and lots of dining options.

49. Rhinebeck

Steeped in Dutch history, the quaint town of Rhinebeck is a prime destination for a family day trip, with a walkable downtown featuring shops, art galleries, and family-friendly restaurants and sweets shops. Don't miss a stop at Samuel's Sweet Shop, co-owned by Ant Man himself, Paul Rudd.

50. New Paltz

New Paltz is a small college town in the Shawangunk mountains, featuring numerous options for exploring the outdoors, including Minnewaska State Park and Mohonk Preserve. The town itself is also an attraction for history buffs as it is the home of Historic Huguenot Street, a preserved 17th-century community. 

This story was originally published in 2016 and has since been updated. Marisa Iallonardo contributed additional reporting. Unless noted, all photos courtesy of the venues