10 Free Things to Do in Westchester
As families, we always try to find the best family-friendly activities for everyone to enjoy. While we’d all love to splurge on our loved ones, we can all agree that doing anything free is just the best option. In Westchester, we’re lucky to have an incredible number of options for our families to have fun together without breaking the bank. Here are ten family-friendly free things to do in Westchester.
Be sure to check out our 2024 Westchester Summer Bucket List.
Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
Visit Untermyer Gardens, our hometown viral sensation. New York City residents and visitors are raving about this local garden for good reason. Untermyer Gardens will transport you and your family to what feels like a whole new world. This garden, which was once a hidden gem, now receives new visitors daily. Westchester families won’t have to travel far to experience this stunning escape; best of all – it’s free! While the garden receives tons of new visitors, the great thing about Untermyer is just how extensive the grounds are, so there’s plenty of space for families to roam around and fall into our wonderland.
Lenoir Preserve
Visit Lenoir Preserve and step into a serene escape. Walk the grounds, visit the nature center, or sign up your littles for one of their Park and Read sessions. Lenoir Preserve is a favorite for local hikers and families looking to enjoy some time away from life’s everyday hustle and bustle.
Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
Bike, walk, run, and explore the Mario Cuomo Bridge. For families who love to stay active but have yet to visit this iconic bridge, we highly suggest putting this one on your bucket list. Bring your bikes and a picnic, and make a day of it. The path is a total of 3.6 miles and has various checkpoints throughout the trail.
Croton Gorge Park
The Croton Gorge Park is a 97-acre property located at the base of the Croton Dam, offering stunning views of the dam and spillway. This popular park is excellent for fishing, picnicking, and hiking, with direct trail access to the Old Croton Aqueduct. During winter, visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and sledding. The park also marks the beginning of the Croton River and features a bridge for public access to view the beautiful spillway. The park also showcases the historic Old Croton Dam, built in 1842 to supply water to New York City.
Free Outdoor Movies
Head out this summer with your family to catch a free outdoor movie. Experience the magic of outdoor movies all season long, completely free of charge. Gather your family and friends, bring your favorite snacks, blankets, and chairs, and get ready for an unforgettable night under the stars. Throughout Westchester, there are several opportunities to catch a free outdoor movie, and they’re all family-friendly. Check out our list here.
Free Concerts
One of our favorite family-friendly activities in Westchester is going to one of the many free concerts throughout the county. Some great free concert series are the Pelham Summer Concert Series, Cross County Center—Summer Fest Concerts, Kensico Dam—Summer Concert Series, and Ridge Hill—Music on the Hill, to name a few.
Bike/Walk/Skate Westchester County Trails
Westchester County has an amazing regional trail system that spans over 150 miles of existing trails and has plans for another 200 miles. Exciting recent additions include the Tarrytown-Kensico Trailway/Bikeway. Also, ongoing projects include completing the South County Trailway and developing the Rye Playland Parkway Pathway and RiverWalk Tarrytown. Many new additions and upgrades to our trails make them the perfect family-friendly and free day activity to enjoy Westchester County’s nature.
Bicycle Sundays
Bicycle Sundays offer a 13-mile car-free stretch from Exit 22 at the Westchester County Center to Exit 4 at Scarsdale Road in Yonkers, exclusively for bicyclists, in-line skaters, scooters, walkers, and joggers. The event is free, and there’s complimentary parking in the East Lot at the Westchester County Center.
Have a Picnic at Pierson Park
Head to Pierson Park in Tarrytown with the family and enjoy the view of the Hudson River while your little ones play in the playground. The waterfront park features a picnic area with a pavilion, hard tennis courts, a basketball playground, a bocci court, and more. Summer concerts are also hosted at the park. It’s the perfect place to spend the day with the family, and we love to close our days there with a picnic while enjoying a perfect sunset that feels like it’s straight out of a movie.
Free Zumba Classes at Kensico Dam Plaza
Head to the Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla for free Zumba classes. Led by instructors Steve and Annia Jones, these classes will have you sweating, moving, and having a great time. The classes are held on Tuesdays from June to September at various times.
