2023 Free Things To Do in Westchester
It seems like nothing is free these days. However, after thinking about it a little more, we realized that many of our favorite things to do in Westchester actually don’t cost money. With access to breathtaking hiking trails, picnic spots, sprawling lakes, nature preserves, farms, and gardens, you and your family can enjoy many offerings in our communal background. Arts and culture are also big in Westchester where you and your family can enjoy free concerts, art exhibits, movies, community events, parades, festivals, and holiday events throughout the year. Read on to check out our top experiences to enjoy with your kids all year long.
- Take a free art class at the Blue Door Art Center: This Yonkers-based gallery and art space offers weekend art classes for families. Check out their calendar for upcoming events. Free admission, 13 Riverdale Ave, Yonkers, NY 10701, https://bluedoorartcenter.org.
- Visit Muscoot Farm: Families will love visiting this working farm to see pigs, horses, chickens, cows, and goats up close. You can also explore their grounds, enjoy a picnic, and pick up some local goodies from their farmers’ market every Sunday. Don’t forget to take a picture on the red tractor before you go! Free admission, 51 Route 100 Katonah, NY 10536, https://www.muscootfarm.org.
- Take a Family Hike: Families can enjoy access to many natural amenities in Westchester by taking a family hike. Trails offer a range of mild-to-challenging terrains such as Teatown in Ossining; Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River; Westmoreland Sanctuary in Mount Kisco; or the peaceful Mianus River Gorge in Bedford. Free admission, https://parks.westchestergov.com/activities/hiking-and-biking
- Take a Family Picnic: Enjoy access to nature and enjoy a family picnic in one of many Westchester-area parks, such as V.E. Macy Park in Ardsley, Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson, or Willson’s Woods Park in Mount Vernon. Free admission.
- Enjoy Summer Sundays along the Bronx River Parkway. Enjoy the popular Summer Sundays where you and your family will have access to the 13.1-mile loop of the Bronx River Parkway which spans from White Plains to Yonkers without any cars. Free admission.
- Walk, Bike, or Scoot on the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge: This 3.6-mile path (from Tarrytown to Nyack) provides access for walking, biking, or scooting. Along the way enjoy spectacular views from six lookout sections as well as cool public art created by local artists. Free admission. I-287, Tarrytown, NY 10591, https://mariomcuomobridge.ny.gov/visit-visitor-info
- Explore Untermyer Gardens: Take a stroll in nature and soak in the beauty of this historic location. They regularly host family programming, including concerts, storytime and adventure tours for kids. Free admission everyday; some programming have fees, 945 North Broadway, Yonkers NY 10701, https://www.untermyergardens.org/
- Enjoy a Day of Art and a Hike: After you hike Rockefeller State Preserve, enjoy impressive views and art from their on-site gallery and enjoy a picnic at one of their many on-site picnic areas. Free admission, 125 Phelps Way, Pleasantville, NY 10570, https://parks.ny.gov/parks/rockefeller/details.aspx
- Explore Caramoor: Checking a summer concert is a must at Caramoor. They also open their grounds for free everyday in the summer from 10:00am-4:00pm where families can enjoy a walk, picnic, and explore the on-site sound art. Free admission, 149 Girdle Ridge Rd, Katonah, NY 10536, https://caramoor.org/
- Visit Your Local Library: We love spending hours at our local library for all sorts of books. Families can also enjoy fun and educational programming for kids of all ages at their local library (or check out a new one) such as African dance, storytime for toddlers, video game tournaments, Fortnite for teens, arts and crafts, tutoring, seasonal offerings, and more. Free admission. https://www.westchesterlibraries.org/
- Spend the day at one of the area’s local book festivals: Throughout the County, you can find many book fairs where your kids can meet their favorite authors and illustrators such as the Westchester Children’s Book Festival (April 2024); Rye Children’s Book Festival (September 23rd); and the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival (September 30th).
- Visit the Friends of Nature Rye Park: In addition to hiking, the Friends of Nature Rye Park has an educational STEM Course where kids can learn more about equilibrium, earthquakes, and honeybees as well as a playground . 873 Boston Post Road, Rye, NY 10580. https://www.ryenaturecenter.org/
- Explore the Greenburgh Nature Center. Enjoy access to its five marked forest trails, native meadow, organic gardens, and more during your visit. They also offer programming for kids throughout the year such as their back to nature series, which runs from April-June. Free admission, 99 Dromore Road. Scarsdale, NY 10583, greenburghnaturecenter.org/
- See a Concert at the Yonkers Waterfront Live Concert Series: Enjoy live music from a diverse lineup of musicians and groups from genres including Rock, Soul, Pop, Latin, Jazz, and much more from June 2nd-August 25th from 6:30pm-8:00pm. Free admission, Yonkers Waterfront Amphitheater, 71 Water Grant St, Yonkers, NY, https://yonkersdowntown.com/
- Check Out Art at the Armonk Art Show: Talk a walk on the grounds of the Armonk Art Show to meet 140 talented artists and view their art ranging from painting to mixed media to sculpture and more! Held on September 30th and October 1st. Free admission for kids age 18 and under. Friends of the North Castle Public Library 19 Whippoorwill Road East, Armonk, NY 10504, armonkoutdoorartshow.org
- Explore the Katonah Art Walk: Spend the day in idyllic Katonah and walk around, exploring their many local galleries and boutiques. The art walk happens once a month from April through October from 3:00pm-7:00pm and also includes live music, food trucks, pop-ups, and featured artists. Free admission, Katonah, NY. www.katonahchamber.org/Katonah-Art-Stroll.
- Soak in Sunset Views in Tarrytown: A summertime favorite, watch the sunset at Pierson Park in Tarrytown, overlooking the Hudson River. A great spot for 4th of July fireworks as well. Free admission, 238 West Main Street, Tarrytown, NY 10591
- Visit Hilltop Hanover Farm: Visit this farmstand from Thursdays-Sundays for fresh, local produce. You can also enjoy their grounds for free where you and your kids can see their goats and cows as well as have a picnic. Free admission. 1271 Hanover Street, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598, https://hilltophanoverfarm.org/
- See the NRNY Murals: Take a visit to New Rochelle to view 20 murals that are a tribute to nature, diversity, and gender equality. Free admission. https://streetartmankind.org/nrny/
- Go Fishing. Spend the day fishing with your kids in one of Westchester’s many streams or lakes. This includes Blue Mountain Reservation, Croton Point Park, Bronx River Reservation, and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, to name a few. Free but permits may be required. https://parks.westchestergov.com/boating-fishing/fish-species
- Visit The Ribbons of Remembrance: Located at Lenoir Preserve, the Ribbons of Remembrance exhibit allows visitors to place ribbons on its post in memory of loved ones. Free admission, 148 Martine Avenue in White Plains, NY
- Walk the North County Trailway: Another great running, walking, and biking trail, the North County Trail encompasses 20 miles from the South County Trailway at Old Saw Mill River Road (Elmsford, NY) to the Putnam Trailway at NY 118/Tomahawk St. (Baldwin Place, NY). Explore the trail all at once or during several outdoor adventures with your family.
- See the Garden of Remembrance: Visit this historic site in White Plains in remembrance of the millions of men, women, and children who were tortured and murdered during the Holocaust. Free admission, 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601.
- Visit a New Playground: There are so many playgrounds in Westchester. Explore a new playground outside of your town such as at Saxon Woods in White Plains, Jack’s Friendship Garden in New Rochelle, Roselle Park & Playground in Pleasantville, or Barnhart Park in Sleepy Hollow. Free admission.
- Explore the Westchester Waterfronts: Many Westchester towns are located along the Hudson River, offering incredible views all year long. Some favorites include the Louis Engel Waterfront Park in Ossining; the Peekskill Riverfront Green Park; Waterfront Park in Dobbs Ferry, and MacEachron Waterfront Park in Hastings-on-Hudson.
- Explore the RiverWalk: While this 51.5-mile pathway is still under construction, you can enjoy 32.9 miles of paved and unpaved paths along Croton-on Hudson and Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollow
- Learn more about Juneteenth: The County offers many free events in celebration of Juneteenth at local libraries, art exhibits, concerts, and more.
- Celebrate Pride Month: Westchester has pride and offers many parades, flag raising events, pet parades, drag queen storytimes, and more in celebration of pride month.
- Spend a day at Tibbetts Brook Park: Enjoy over 161 acres of Westchester’s first park with swimming, hiking, or walking. Free admission, however, parking fees apply. 355 Midland Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704
- Visit the Beverly E. Smith Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden: Spend a day in the gardens as you and your kids explore, read and learn more about butterflies.. Free admission, Lenoir Nature Preserve in Yonkers, NY, 10703, https://www.hras.org/garden
- Visit the Marshlands Conservancy: Learn more about natural habitats specific in Westchester at this 147-acre preserve. The grounds are also home to three miles of trails and one-half mile of shoreline. Free admission, 220 Boston Post Rd, Rye, NY 10580, https://marshlandsconservancy.org/
- Culture Events in Westchester: They County offers many free cultural events throughout the year such as the Asian-American Heritage Celebration; the African-American Heritage Celebration; and the Polish Heritage Festival, to name a few. Free admission.
- Hike the Westchester Farm Trail: This 17-mile trail connects 13 farms in Westchester, from Sleepy Hollow to North Salem. Great for older kids and experienced walkers as you see the different sprawling landscapes in the area. Free admission.
- Visit the Jay Heritage Center: This 23-acre estate is the former property of John Jay. The Jay Heritage Center also host events thought the year, such as Jay Day in the fall; concerts in the winter; and star gazing in the summer: Free admission, 210 Boston Post Rd, Rye, NY 10580.
- See the Cherry Blossoms: Enjoy the first bloom of the cherry blooms at Turnure Park in White Plains, the Harbor Island Park in Mamaroneck, or the Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden in North Salem. Free admission.
- See a Movie Outdoors: Have a family movie night outdoors at Outdoor Movies in the Park in Larchmont; Movies in the Sand in Mamaroneck; Movie Mondays in Ridge Hill; or at the Kensico Dam Plaza. Free admission.
- Attend a Menorah Lighting: Throughout the County you will find menorah lighting ceremonies, such as Balloon Chanukah in Briarcliff Manor; Tibbets Park in White Plains; the Cross County Center in Yonkers; or the Community Chanukah Extravaganza: Fire on Ice Festival in Dobbs Ferry.
- Experience a Holiday Tree Lighting: Every town has its own tree lighting ceremony. Check your local town’s schedule, or you can visit area malls like Cross County Center in Yonkers or The Westchester in White Plains.
