Westchester Spring Bucket List

2025 Westchester Spring Bucket List

Spring is in the air! We love this time of year. The flowers are starting to bud, the weather is a little warmer, and there are more daytime hours to explore the many cool things to do in Westchester. Below, we’re sharing our Westchester Spring Bucket List of activities to enjoy with your family, including hikes, bird watching, biking, local concerts, museums, where to get that first ice cream of the season, and much more! Happy exploring!

Psst…Looking for more Westchester spring events? Check out Where to See the Cherry Blossoms In and Around Westchester

See the Cherry Blossoms

Enjoy the magic of spring by seeing the first buds of our local cherry blossoms, which are believed to represent renewal, new beginnings, and hope. There are many places to visit this glorious flower in and around Westchester. Some parks include J. Harvey Turnure Memorial Park, Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden, Boscobel House and Gardens, and Harbor Island Park.

Take a Trip to the Botanical Gardens

For a mini road trip, you and your family can enjoy a gorgeous day at the New York Botanical Gardens. Casually stroll and enjoy stunning cherry blossoms, daffodils, peonies, magnolias, and other spring blooms. Make a day of it with a long walk throughout the space, including a visit to the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden for self-guided discovery and fun.

Go on a Hike

One of our favorite ways to enjoy spring is by soaking in nature with our family. Westchester County has many beautiful hikes of varying levels. Some favorites include the 190-acre Cranberry Lake Preserve; the spectacular hiking and views at Croton Gorge Park; the gentle-to-challenging paths at Teatown; 45 miles of scenic trails at Rockefeller State Park; hiking and animal interactions at Muscoot Farm; and interactive hikes and cool nature-themed events at Greenburgh Nature Center.

Go Bird Watching

Westchester is home to an incredible and diverse range of bird life. Observe birds’ natural habitats, including forests, estuaries, freshwater and saltwater marshes, lakes, rivers, and the coast. Some spots for bird-watching include the 508-acre Croton Point Park, Edith G. Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Marshlands Conservancy.

Take a Bike Ride

Dust off your bicycles and take a family ride on one of the many pathways in Westchester, like Tarrytown Lakes Park, the relatively flat North County and Putnam Trailway in northern Westchester and Putnam, the Bronx River Pathway, the South County Trailway, or the Briarcliff-Peekskill Trailway.

Visit Untermyer Gardens

While this glorious garden is open year-round, there is something special about visiting this historic public park in the spring. Whether your family enjoys a public tour or you prefer a solo stroll of the grounds, you’ll be amazed by the rich horticulture, architecture, and multicultural design that overlooks the Hudson River.

Go to the Beach

Opening day for most beaches in Westchester is Memorial Day weekend. While it might still be cold, going to the beach is still a fun way to spend the day, where you can have a picnic, play sports, and finally make sand castles again. Glen Island Beach, Playland Beach, and Croton Point Beach Park.

Visit Rye Playland

Get ready for some action-packed thrills with your family at Rye Playland. Enjoy historic and brand-new rides when the iconic park opens for the season on May 18th! Don’t miss Friday night’s fireworks, live entertainment, and a stroll on the nearby boardwalk.

See a Show at Caramoor

Located on 80 acres of land, complete with Italianate architecture and stunning gardens, Caramoor is a popular cultural arts destination. It offers diverse musical performances and educational programs, perfect for family fun or date night.

Enjoy Ice Cream

There are many places in Westchester to enjoy a scoop (or two!) of ice cream. Some favorites include Ice Cream Social in White Plains, Bona Bona Ice Cream in Port Chester, Village Creamery & Sweetshop in Valhalla, and Penny Lick Ice Cream in Hastings-On-Hudson, to name a few delicious options.

Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate

Take your kids on a tour of this 40-room home and sprawling property—once home to John D. Rockefeller. The incredible gardens boast views of the Hudson River and should not be missed. Tours are advised for kids ages 10 and up and cost $25 to $75 per person.

Attend Lyndhurst in Bloom 2025

Soak in the beauty of the historic Lyndhurst Mansion as it transforms with botanical displays. Held on April 5th and April 6th, see how floral designers transform the mansion’s interior as you and your kids explore the space at your own pace. Additionally, there will be free activities and workshops for the family. Finally, there will be a botanical market, special lectures, and landscape tours. Tickets are $35 per adult, $29 for kids ages 6-18, and free for children under 5.

Sleep Under the Stars with Wolves

Try something completely different with your family this spring and experience Sleeping with the Wolves at the Wolf Conservation Center. This popular camping event sells out quickly, so be sure to get your tickets soon. Packages include a pizza party, a movie under the stars, evening fireside snacks, and tents. $340 for a four-person tent.

Attend the Peekskill Rotary’s Cherry Blossom Festival

Celebrate the beginning of spring at the Rotary Club of Peekskill’s Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Enjoy various children’s activities, flower paint potting, arts and crafts, face painting, a bouncy castle, craft vendors, food trucks, and a book drive. Admission and parking are free, with easy access from the Peekskill train station.

Attend The Rye Arts Center’s Spring Fundraiser: Studio 51

Attend The Rye Arts Center’s Spring Fundraiser on May 15th. This event will transform The Capitol Theatre into the iconic ’70s nightclub Studio 54! Families can expect to enjoy food and drink, great music, and interactive art studios as they honor individuals who made an impact in the Rye community!

Attend the Opening Day Celebration at the Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden

Experience the beauty of the Hammond Museum and the tranquil Japanese Stroll Garden with your kids when they reopen on April 5th. Enjoy the garden’s natural beauty and on-site exhibits featuring local artists.

Visit Lasdon Park

Enjoy a host of spring activities at the gorgeous Lasdon Park. Highlights include the Spring Discovery Walk, a walking tour of flowering shrubs, gardening activities, and more.

Attend the Green Ossining Earth Day Festival

Celebrate the earth at one of the biggest Earth Day festivals in the county at the Ossining Waterfront. On April 26th, this zero-waste festival includes a youth-led climate march.

Take a Tour of the Armour-Stiner Octagon House

From April to June, families can tour the historic Armour-Stiner Octagon House, once owned by tea importer Joseph Stiner. The house offers a greenhouse, a garden, and access to 3.3 acres of restored landscape. Plus, learn more about its whimsical architecture.

Visit the Farms on the Westchester Farm Trail

Did you know that there are state-designated routes connecting 13 farms in Westchester? Plan to visit one — or all — of these farms this spring. Some farms include Muscoot Farm, Fable: From Farm to Table, Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard, The Meadows Farm, Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm, and more.