What To Do With the Kids Summer 2018

admin Posted OnJune 20, 2018

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Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival

What To Do With the Kids Summer 2018: Here’s the best 48 ways to keep the kids busy all summer long!

ALL AGES! The Heart of Robin Hood, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Boscobel, Fri, 6/8 – Sat, 8/25: check dates & times: HVSF takes on David Farr’s reimagined adaptation of Robin Hood, commissioned in 2011 by The Royal Shakespeare Company. In Farr’s telling, Maid Marion bands with Robin Hood to escape an impending marriage to Prince John and his evil plan to betray the king. Only to discover a roguish band of hoods whose pilfering of the wealth never quite makes it to the poor. Marion has some work to do on the heart of Robin before she can save the kingdom. (Boscobel, 1601 Rt. 9D, Garrison; www.hvsf.org)

Dancing at Dusk: From Bhangra to Bollywood, Caramoor Friends Field, Wed, 6/27: 5pm: Dancing at Dusk celebrates music and dance from around the world for children of all ages to explore with their families. Here Reena Shah leads the instruction of regional dances from India, accompanied by Dhol, Indian Flutes, and more! Move to the intricate rhythms of Indian music, learn the celebratory dances. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Public Sails on the Schooner Soundwaters, Fri-Sun, 6/30 – 8/5: check times: Board the 80’ Tall Schooner Soundwaters, the ship that Pete Seeger made famous, for a two-hour afternoon journey on the Long Island Sound. The Schooner Soundwaters, seats 40 and sails from Boccuzzi Park in Stamford. Sunset sails are also offered on Friday and Saturday nights and Fireworks Sails on Wed, 7/4 & Sat, 7/7. (Bocuzzi Park at Southfield, 166 Southfield Ave., Stamford CT; www.soundwaters.org)

Open to all! Pound Ridge Recreation 5K Road Race, Kids Race & Fireworks, Sat, 6/30: 9am: Run over rolling hills and through the streets of Pound Ridge from the Pound Ridge Elementary School to Town Park. Register online or on race day beginning at 8am. Children’s races begin immediately after the 5K. Fireworks from 6-10pm. Open to non-residents. (Pound Ridge Elementary School, 7 Pound Ridge Rd., Pound Ridge; www.townofpoundridge.com)

Fireworks! Pride of the Hudson, Sat, 6/30: 8pm: View the Fourth of July fireworks on the Hudson River on the Pride of the Hudson fireworks cruise. POH offers a spacious sundeck and a climate controlled main salon and food and refreshments at their cash bar. The cruise leaves from Blu Pointe Landing in Newburgh. The POH July 4, Fireworks Cruise of the West Point fireworks display is sold out as of June 14, FYI. (Blu Pointe Landing, Front St., Newburgh; www.prideofthehudson.com)

FREE Family Concert of “New Music”: Inuksuit by John Luther Adams, Caramoor Grounds, Sun, 7/1: 4pm: The New York Times called John Luther Adams’ epic outdoor piece Inuksuit, “the ultimate environmental piece.” Here Doug Perkins directs over 60 percussionists, dispersed across Caramoor’s gardens and fields, playing conch shells, sirens, gongs, bells, drums, cymbals, and glockenspiels. “One of the most rapturous experiences of my listening life” — Alex Ross, The New Yorker. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Fireworks! Kensico Music Fest & Fireworks, Tues, 7/3: 5-10pm: Pre-concert entertainment begins at 6 pm followed by a concert of “patriotic music” at 8pm. A fireworks display in front of the dam follows at 9:15 pm. Admission and parking are free. Carpooling is suggested. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. (Kensico Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla; www.westchestergov.com)

Fireworks! Playland  Park, Tues-Wed, 7/3-4: 9:30pm: Fireworks displays, computer-fired and choreographed to a musical soundtrack. (100 Playland Parkway, Rye; www.ryeplayland.org)

Local! John Jay Homestead Independence Day Fair, Wed, 7/4: 11am-4pm: Join John Jay Homestead and the Rotary Club of Bedford-Armonk in a celebration of America’s founding with a spirited reading of The Declaration of Independence, live music, food, crafts, games, house tours, and plenty of other activities. Free admission to the grounds; fees apply for food and drink, and some fair activities. (400 Jay St./Rt. 22, Katonah; www.friendsofjohnjay.org)

Pops, Patriots & Fireworks, Caramoor Venetian Theatre, Wed, 7/4: 8pm: Celebrate July 4th the Caramoor way as the Westchester Symphonic Winds and two stellar alumni from Caramoor’s Schwab Vocal Rising Stars perform America The Beautiful, Stars & Stripes Forever, Leonard Bernstein’s Candide Overture, selections from West Side Story, The Music Man and, of course, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture followed by fireworks. One of our favorite events of the year. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Fireworks! Walkway Over the Hudson, Wed, 7/4: 7-10pm: Grab a rail on the Walkway Over the Hudson, a 19th century railroad bridge transformed into the world’s longest linear park, for their Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular. Reserve a pre-fireworks table at Crave Restaurant & Lounge, Poughkeepsie’s finest or at one of the Culinary Institute of America’s eateries just five miles away. (61 Parker Ave., Poughkeepsie; www.walkway.org)

Fireworks Sail on the Schooner Soundwaters, Wed, 7/4 & Sat, 7/7: 7pm: Pack a dinner and a chilled summer quaff and watch the sun set and the fireworks over the Long Island Sound on this special fireworks sail on the Schooner Soundwaters from Bocuzzi Park in Stamford. Limited supplies so order tickets now! Sat, 7/2 & Mon, 7/4: 7-10:30pm. (166 Southfield Ave., Stamford, CT; www.soundwaters.org)

Fireworks! Jones Beach or Fireworks Cruise on the Laura Lee, Wed, 7/4: 9:30pm: Join 100,000 other patriotic Americans on the beach at jones Beach’s Central Mall for this 30 minute “Grucci style” fireworks display, simulcast to patriotic songs from WALK 97.5 FM. Arrive by 6pm to avoid traffic and get a parking space. Or take a cruise on the Laura Lee Red or Laura Lee Blue leaving Captree State Park at 6:30 & 7pm. (3500 Ocean Parkway, Babylon; www.jonesbeach.com)

Local! No Options Band, Katonah Memorial Park, Thurs, 7/5: 7-8:30pm: Classic rockers play the songbook from Billy Joel to AC/DC at the poolside field.

Way Cool Event! Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival, Fri-Sun, 7/6-8: check times: Watch the flight of the hot-air balloons take off over Barton Orchards in Poughquag – just 50 minutes from downtown Armonk. Or take a tethered balloon (or helicopter) ride yourself. There’s music, games, hayrides, tube slides, a haunted house, a corn maze, good eats and pick your own grapes and berries, corn and stone fruit and fireworks on Friday & Saturday night. (Barton Orchards, 63 Apple Tree Lane, Poughquag; http://www.balloonfesthv.com)

Lasdon’s Music in the Park, Dan Zlotnick, Fri, 7/6: 7pm: He’s a former Somers HS baseball star and he caught Aaron Judge’s rookie record 50th home run at Yankee Stadium. (Gave it to the Judge for free!) He recently opened for Marc Cohn at the Paramount Hudson Valley with his repertoire of original acoustic songs inspired by the blues and classic rock. What a guy! (2610 NY 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

Pirate Quest, Philipsburg Manor, Sat-Sun, 7/7-8/25: 10am-12pm: Kids can play our mobile game while hunting through the site’s grounds, loading precious cargo onto their digital pirate ships. They’ll explore the manor house, barn, and mill to discover what was considered “treasure” in the 18th century. Make sure to keep watch for pirates and sword fights along the way! Perfect for ages 5-8 (381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow; www.hudsonvalley.org)

Local! Yellow Submarine, Jacob Burns, Sun-7/8: 7pm: Brimming with peace, love, and hope, the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine provides a happy, visually inventive animated reminder of the power of music to make the world a better place. Recommended for ages 6 and up. (364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville; www.burnsfilmcenter.org)

Local! White Wedding 80’s Tribute, Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce Summer Concerts, Wed, 7/11: 7pm: White Wedding performs an expansive list of 80’s from The Eurythmics to Bruce Springsteen including their signature Billy Idol, Madonna, Stevie Nicks and Culture Club medleys. (Recreation Field, Chappaqua: 200 S. Greeley Ave. Chappaqua-millwoodchamber)

Local! The Jon Bates Band, Bedford Hills Memorial Park, Thurs, 7/12: 7-8:30pm: Seven-piece dance band performs Big Band, Motown, Classic Rock, Whitney, Pink, Lady Gaga and more at the Sammarco Soccer Field.

Lasdon’s Music in the Park, Gerard Carelli, Fri, 7/13: 7pm: A local mainstay who regularly performs at Lasdon Park and the Kensico Park Independence Day Fireworks, Carelli has recorded with the Grammy-nominated One O’clock Lab Band, toured with Ray Charles, and for The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. As a trombonist, he has performed with Rosemay Clooney and Mel Torme. (2610 NY 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

Family Concert, Bridge to Broadway, Caramoor Spanish Courtyard, Sat, 7/14: 11am: Host Katie Kresek, soprano Natalie Bergeron, baritone Steven Herring and pianist Beata Moon explore the evolution of musical story-telling with colorful characters and musical games. The program surveys music from the Classical and Romantic periods through Tin Pan Alley and Broadway musicals, with music from Schubert, Verdi, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Leonard Bernstein, and more! (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Local! 3D Rhythm of Life, Summer Concerts at Wampus Brook Park, Sat, 7/14: 8pm: Armonk’s Small Town Theatre Company brings bi-lingual music to Armonk with 3D Rhythm of Life’s tropical mix of funky salsa and caribbean soul with a New York attitude. (28 Maple Ave., Armonk; www.smalltowntheatrecompany.com)

Vote Like a Girl, Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, Sat, 7/14: 10am-5pm: Pay tribute to fearless women past and present at this summer celebration of suffrage and citizenship. Little revolutionaries will have the chance to make their own “radical cross stitch” crafts, learn suffrage ballads, and share poems about social justice during a visit from Susan Hood, award-winning author of Shaking Things Up: Fourteen Young Women Who Changed the World. Hear them roar! (3W. Sunnyside Lane, Irvington; www.hudsonvalley.org)

Local! Pleasantville Music Festival, Sat, 7/14: 12-9pm: Eighteen bands on three stages equals nine hours of music. Festival headliners include The Psychedelic Furs, the UK post-punk band best known for their hits “Love My Way” and “Pretty in Pink”; The Lone Bellow, a Brooklyn-based Americana band whose eponymous debut album in 2013 charted on four separate Billboard Charts and appeared on 10 Best Of year-end lists, and Robert Randolph and The Family Band. Randolph, a pedal steel mater was named to Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time list and regularly performs at The Capitol Theatre. The rest of the lineup features a mix of singer/songwriters, indie-rock, twangy country, and R&B and includes a turn from John Hall sand Fly Amero from Orleans (“Still the One” and “Dance With Me”.) Free parking and shuttle bus at Pace University. (Parkway Field, Pleasantville; www.pleasantvillemusicfestival.com)

Dancing at Dusk, Hammerstep with musical guest Deorro, Caramoor Friends Field, Wed, 7/18: 5pm: With an innovative mix of dance forms including Irish step, tap, hip hop, break dance, African stepping, and even martial arts, Hammerstep, accompanied by special musical guest Deorro, exposes kids and their families to the exciting new possibilities that come from reimagining traditional forms of creative movement. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Local! Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce Summer Concerts, Wed, 7/18: 7pm: The CMCC presents Chappaqua’s own, Tramps Like Us featuring Chappy-res Mark Salore. Hailed by Spin Mangazine as the country’s best Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band, Tramps has performed over 2000 concerts and was featured on Fox News for Bruce’s 65th birthday.. (Recreation Field, Chappaqua: 200 S. Greeley Ave. Chappaqua-millwoodchamber)

Local! Classic Car Show, Downtown Armonk – Thurs, 7/19: 5-9pm: The Armonk Chamber of Commerce’s Third Thursdays celebration in downtown Armonk features a Classic Car Parade down Main Street to St. Stephen’s Church where they will be on display. There will be music and activities at Armonk Square and raffles discounts and special promotions throughout town.www.armonkchamberofcommerce.com

Lasdon’s Music in the Park, Back to the Garden 1969 – Fri, 7/20: 7 – 9pm: Back to the Garden 1969 returns to Lasdon with their tribute to the artists who made Woodstock great including Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Joe Cocker, Sly And The Family Stone, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Richie Havens and many more. (2610 NY 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

Local! Back To The Future, John Jay Homestead – Fri, 7/20: 7pm: Celebrate the start of summer vacation at the Homestead’s Family Outdoor Movie Night featuring Back to the Future. Enjoy dinner from popular food trucks. Kids activities by Breezemont Day Camp. Bring a chair or blanket to eat, play, watch and relax! Presented by Friends of John Jay Homestead & Delamata Designs. Food and activities begin at 7pm, movie starts at 8:30pm.

Jazz Festival, Diane Reeves, Caramoor Venetian Garden & multiple locations – Sat, 7/21: All Day: A full day of jazz, curated by Jazz at Lincoln Center. Five-time Grammy-winner Diane Reeves headlines at the evening performance. Nine acts perform at multiple locations during the day including Patrick Bartley’s salute to Cannonball Adderley and Shenel Johns and Vuyo Sotashe who perform the music of Miriam Makeba and Nina Simone. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Paddington II, Movies in the Park, Bedford Village Memorial Park – Sat, 7/21: 8;30pm: The pool will be open to 8;30pm when the Bedford Village Chowder and Marching club screens Paddington II at the gazebo and field area. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

A Grammy-winner in Chappaqua! Rebecca Haviland & Whiskey Heart, Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce Summer Concerts – Wed, 7/25: 7pm: The CMCC presents it’s first Grammy-winner with vocalist Rebecca Haviland and her band Whiskey Heart. This rising American roots artist, who toured with Martin Sexton last year has performed at The Ridgefield Playhouse and Tarrytown and will be performing in Nashville this summer. (Recreation Field, Chappaqua: 200 S. Greeley Ave. Chappaqua-millwoodchamber)

Dancing at Dusk, Grupo Ribiero, Caramoor Friends Field – Wed, 7/25: 5pm: This high-energy dance and musical group celebrates the music and dance of Rio de Janeiro! Featuring traditional dances from the Samba to the Capoeira and Maculele, Grupo Ribeiro will educate, entertain, and inspire with dance instruction accompanied by Afro Brazilian folkloric music. Children are invited to meet the artists after the performance. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Local! Blonde Ambition, Katonah Memorial Park – Thurs, 7/26: 7-8:30pm: This popular band of local musicians from Katonah and Goldens Bridge to Cortland Manor has performed their repertoire of dance rock, pop and Motown at the Katonah Museum of Art, The Armonk House and beyond.

Lasdon’s Music in the Park, Chamomile and Whiskey – Fri, 7/27: 7 – 9pm: C&W kicks it with an upfront classic country beat, and infuses each tune with a streak of progressive, orchestral rock while hailing to Americana traditions with their rootsy instrumental choices and subject matter. (2610 NY 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

47^th Putnam County 4H Fair, Carmel – Fri-Sun, 7/27-29: check times: Produced by the Cornell University Cooperative Extension, this fair offers 3 days of family What To Do: With the Kids Summer 2016 entertainment including a horse show, games, fishing clinic, country living auction, chicken BBQ, animals, plant sale, food and music. (Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park, 201 Gipsy Trail Rd., Carmel; www.counties.cce.cornel.edu)

Local! Charley Lagond, Summer Concerts at Wampus Brook Park – Sat, 7/28: 8pm: Charlie Lagond has performed around the world for 35 years with artists including Chet Baker, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Chuck Mangione, The Jackson Five, The Temptations, Natalie Cole, and Kid Creole & the Coconuts, with whom he has performed at several presidential inaugural balls and at a Command Performance by request of Princess Diana. (28 Maple Ave., Armonk; www.smalltowntheatrecompany.com)

Spirit of the Sound Lighthouse Cruise Central – Sat, 7/28, 8/11 & 9/8: The Norwalk Aquarium’s Spirit of the Sound catamaran’s Lighthouse’s Cruises visits century old beacons from Sands Point to New Haven Ct. The Central Sound cruise takes in five lighthouses on it’s 5 hour tour. The Western Sound cruise visits 7 historic lighthouses on it’s seven hour tour. Check times. (10 N. Water St., Norwalk, CT; www.maritimeaquarium.org)

Yellow Submarine, Jacob Burns – Mon-7/30: 1 & 7pm: Brimming with peace, love, and hope, the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine provides a happy, visually inventive animated reminder of the power of music to make the world a better place. Recommended for ages 6 and up. (364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville; www.burnsfilmcenter.org)

August

Sheffield Island Haunted Lighthouse, Sat-Sun, 8/4-5: Ghosts, ghouls and goblins greet visitors to the historic Sheffield Island Lighthouse decorated to provide thrills and chills for kids of all ages (only two rooms are kept dark). (Norwalk Seaport Association Dock, 4 N. Water Streets, Norwalk, CT.; www.seaport.org)

Historical Military Vehicle Show, Lasdon Park – Sat, 8/4: 1am-4pm & Sun, 8/5: 10am-3:30pm: Walk through a timeline of various conflicts in our nations history as you view a number of exhibits and vehicles from each time period. Vehicles will be exhibited from WWI to Desert Storm and the Westchester County Veterans Museum will feature a new display. Your entry fee also includes entry to the Lasdon Conservatory where you can stroll through it’s flowers of The Rain Forest exhibit. (2610 Amawalk Rd., Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

Renaissance Faire, Tuxedo Park – Sat-Sun & Labor Day, 8/4-9/30: 10am-7pm: A romp through Elizabethan England complete with 16th Century games, rides, arts, crafts, food, music and dance in Tuxedo Park. There’s renaissance faire Tuxedo NY jousting mime, magic, music, comedy and storytellers, pirates, fairies, pole dancing, piping, acrobats, aerialists, a fire circus, birds of prey, sword fighting, knife throwing and the big one … jousting. Check for theme weekends & special events. (600 Rt. 17A, Tuxedo Park; www.renfair.com)

Sand Castle Contest, Glen Island Beach – Sat, 8/4: 11am-4pm: Get your team of sand architects, engineers and contractors together and start building. Or just stop by to get some sand between your toes and watch all the Type A Beach Personalities construct their watchtowers, moats and flanking towers. Plus deejay music and beach games. (Glen Island Park, Weyman Ave., New Rochelle; www.parks-westchestergov.com)

Local! The Never-ending Story, Bedford Hills Memorial Park – Fri, 8/10: 8pm: Bring a beach chair or blanket and enjoy the movie under the stars, with popcorn, Summer Reading prizes, and fun for all ages at Sammarco Soccer Field.

Local! 1 Stop Pony Band, Summer Concerts at Wampus Brook Park – Sat, 8/11: 8pm: Brian La Blanc and band captures the voices of some of the most iconic musicians and prolific hit-makers including Billy Joel, The Doors, Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, John Lennon, Neil Young, and Jimmy Buffett. (28 Maple Ave., Armonk; www.smalltowntheatrecompany.com)

East Coast National Baseball Card Show, County Center – Thurs-Sun, 8/17-19: check times: 300 tables, new Hobby Box series, Sports Card Singles and thousands of autographed baseballs, memorabilia, modern and vintage sports cards, on-site authentication, and live signings from 100 of your favorite sports stars including Walt Frazier, Pete Rose, Tony Perez, Mike tyson and the NY Jets Sack Exchange. (198 Central Ave., White Plains; www.countycenter.biz

Carnival Alert! Dutchess County Fair, Rhinebeck – Tues-Sun, 8/21-28: 10am-10pm: 144 acres of bucolic fairgrounds play host to half a million patrons and thousands of farm animals, agricultural exhibits, horticultural displays and carnival rides. Grandstand concerts feature big name bands (check back for details) Plus racing pigs, diving dogs, a horse show, petting zoo, pony rides, jugglers, crafts vendors, food and country fair competitions like goat milking, chicken clucking, and horse shoeing. (6626 Route 9, Rhinebeck; www.dutchessfair.com)

Local! New Rochelle Opera: Bernstein & Friends, Summer Concerts at Wampus Brook Park – Sat, 8/25: 8pm: The New Rochelle Opera celebrates the 100th Birthday of Leonard Bernstein by performing many of his Broadway songs in their “Bernstein and Friends” program. NRO has been thrilling audiences with imaginative full opera productions since 1985. (28 Maple Ave., Armonk; www.smalltowntheatrecompany.com)

Living History: Military Reenactment Day at Boscobel – Sun, 8/26: 11am-4pm: Military re-enactors set up encampments from the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. They demonstrate camp life with inspections, formations, musket firings, artillery demonstrations, and drills. See General George Washington inspect his troops, President Abraham Lincoln address his army, and more on the Boscobel grounds overlooking the Hudson River and West Point. (Boscobel, 1601 Route 9D (Bear Mountain Highway) in Garrison; www.boscobel.org)

September

Lime Rock Park Historic Festival, Lakeville, CT – Thurs-Mon: 8/30-/9-3: check times: The east coast’s premier vintage racing and concours event presents three days of on-track racing. Including more than 250 cars and drivers, parading and racing everything from pre-WWI racers to the best competition machines from the 1920s to the 1970s. (60 White Hollow Rd., Lakeville CT: www.limerock.com)

CORNucopia at Philipsburg Manor – Sat-Mon, 9/1-3: 10am-5pm: This novel corn festival offers an inspired bounty of corn-centric delicacies (corn bread, salsa, chips, chili, ice cream and popcorn) demonstrations (corn grinding & cooking) games and crafts (Konk-a-Crow, Ring-a Cob) corn-shucking races and a mini maize-maze. Plus house tours, bluegrass and folk music and English country dancing in the barn. (381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow; www.hudsonvalley.org)

Carnival Alert! Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival, Fri-Sun: 9/-79: check times: Three days of entertainment, carnival rides and games and norwalk oyster festival OYSTERS, OYSTERS, OYSTERS. Featuring a 65 foot Ferris Wheel, an Arts & Crafts Show with 100 vendors, New England Seaport Village, Kids’ Cove with games, rides & activities under a circus tent, International Food Court, headline musical acts, harbor tour cruises, and vessel tours. Plus a Celebrity Oyster Slurp-off. (Norwalk Veterans Park, 42 Seaview Ave., Norwalk; www.seaport.org)

Local! Community Family Camp Out, Bedford Village Memorial Park – Sat-Sun, 9/8-9: 3pm-10:30am: Bedford Recreation provides tent set-up assistance, campfire, grills for cooking, picnic tables, informal activities, breakfast clean rest rooms, supervision, and a pool time Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Campsite registration begins 5/1. Contact the recreation office at 666.7004)

What To Do: With the Kids All Summer Long

Rye Playland – Daily except Mondays 6/1-9/9: check times: There’s 42 carnival rides, entertainment in Kiddyland and the Music Tower Stage every day at Rye Playland – except Mondays! Plus a beach nearby. There are kiddy rides like the Kiddy Coaster, Carousel and Whip and family rides like the Gondola Wheel, Family Flyer and Bumper Cars. Plus thrill rides like the Sky Flyer, Dragon Coaster and the Playland Plunge. And fireworks every Friday at 9:15pm from 7/1-9/1. Gotta go once! www.ryeplayland.org

Pride of the Hudson River Cruise, Newburg – Sat, 6/2- Sun – 10/28: check dates & times: See the majestic beauty of the Hudson River on this 2-hour narrated river adventure from Newburgh to West Point taking in the sights of Washington’s Headquarters, World’s End, Mt. Beacon, Bannerman Island, Constitution Island, Breakneck Mountain, and the town of Cold Spring. (Blu Pointe Landing, 100 Front St., Newburgh; www.prideofthehudson.com)

Sheffield Island Lighthouse Cruises, Norwalk Harbor – Sat-Sun: June & Sept, * Daily Jul-Aug: 11am, 2 & 3:30pm: Board the 45-foot C.J. Toth catamaran for a cruise to Sheffield Island on the Long Island Sound for a lighthouse tour, a hike through Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge and a picnic and beach front activities. Sails run on weekends & holidays in June and September and daily in July & August. (Norwalk Seaport Association Dock, 4 North Water St., Norwalk, Ct.; www.seaport.org)

Sleeping with Wolves, Wolf Conservation Center – Friday & Select Saturdays 6/2 -10/21: 6pm- 8:30am. Camp out overnight with 20+ wolves that call the WCC in South Salem home! It’s cheaper than a trip to Yellowstone – and you’ll leave a much smaller carbon footprint. The evening includes a pizza party with Ambassador wolves Atka, Alawa, Nikai and Xephyr, movies under the stars, tents for all campers, fireside snacks and a light breakfast. Pre-registration is required at www.nywolf.com)

Backyard Wilderness, IMAX Movies, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk – Daily: 3/24 – 9/3: 11am, 1 & 3pm: This new Imax movie was filmed outside the Croton on Hudson home of the Academy Award-nominated (Children of Fate) filmmakers Andrew Young and Susan Todd. “With input from our science advisors, we worked on filming scenes of the animals that actually live in our backyard, which is part of the eastern forest ecosystem,” Young told Westchester Magazine. Featuring local blue jays, raccoons and (you guessed it) coyotes! (10 N. Water St., Norwalk, www.maritimeaquarium.org)

Cool! Marine Life Study Cruises, Maritime Aquarium Norwalk – Weekends in Jun & Sept & most days Jul-Aug: 1:15pm – check dates: Study the biodiversity of Long Island Sound’s interdependent marine life. Participants utilize such sampling techniques as a plankton tow, biodredge, mud grab and otter trawl that may bring up fish, crabs, lobsters, sea stars and more. A video microscope and touch tank on board enhance observations. Check dates. (10 N. Water St., Norwalk; www.maritimeaquarium.org)

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Air Shows, Sat-Sun 6/92, 9/16: 2-4pm: This “living” museum of antique aviation, offers one of the largest collections of early aero-planes (1909 to 1939) in the world plus weekend airshows and bi-plane rides (shown here). The museum displays aircraft from the Pioneer Era, World War I and the Lindbergh Barnstorming era. Museum hours are 10am-5pm daily. Air shows 2-4pm Sat & Sun. (9 Norton Rd, Red Hook; www.oldrhinebeck.org)

Planetarium Shows, Hudson River Museum, Sat-Sun: 12:30, 2 & 3:30pm in June: HRM presents three star shows every weekend, for kids 5+ and 8+, from a repertory of ten feature shows. The age appropriate shows range from One World, One Sky produced by Sesame Workshop and the Liberty Science Center for 5+ and featuring Big Bird and Elmo to We Are Aliens a 360° digital planetarium show narrated by Rupert Grint (from Harry Potter films) that takes an epic ride in search of evidence of alien life for 8+. (511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers; www.hrm.org)

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Ride, Sat-Sun, 5/12-6/10, Daily 6/16-8/26, Sat-Sun, 9/1-23 & Daily 9/28-10/21: Take a 2 ½ hour narrated train and riverboat ride through what the Nature Conservancy calls “one of the last great places on earth,” the Connecticut River Valley. The train passes farms, waterfalls, and wetland habitats with blue heron and egrets. The riverboat cruise on the Connecticut River passes the historic Gillette Castle, Goodspeed Opera House and Haddam Swing Bridge. Check out their special Dinner Train, Riverboat Lunch and Sunset Excursions. (1 Railroad Ave., Essex, CT; www.essexsteamtrain.com)

Public Sails on the Schooner Soundwaters – Sat-Sun, 6/23-8/5: 3pm & 9/1-29: 2pm: Board the 80’ Tall Schooner Soundwaters, the ship that Pete Seeger made famous, for a two-hour afternoon journey on the Long Island Sound. The Schooner Soundwaters, seats 40 and sails from Boccuzzi Park in Stamford. Sunset sails are also offered on Friday and Saturday nights and Fireworks Sails on Wed, 7/4 & Sat, 7/7. (Bocuzzi Park at Southfield, 166 Southfield Ave., Stamford CT; www.soundwaters.org)

Boundless Adventures, Purchase College – Fri-Sun, 4/27-6/8, Daily 6/9-9/3 & Fri-Sun, 9/4-11/26: The new Boundless Adventures Aerial Adventure Park on the Purchase College Campus is an aerial obstacle course that incorporates zip lines and climbing with a host of ladders, bridges, rolling elements and even aerial skate boarding into the ultimate tree-top monkey bar experience for kids and adults. (Read more.) (735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase; www.boundlessadventures.net)