All over the Realm, you’ll find fun things to do as a family and places where your kids are welcome. Many of the things we discuss elsewhere in this magazine—rail trails, festivals, farms, parks, and nature preserves, even some of our Wine Trail destinations—are great family destinations as well.
But summertime, in particular, is kid time; we tall ones get to be their tour guides as they explore this amazing world. Help them feel rooted as they spread their wings and show them ways to have good fun among good company. You’ve come to the right place; a lot of smart, warm, kind people around here have put a lot of thought into the entertainment and enlightenment of youngsters. There are enough ways to enjoy life as a family to fill several lifetimes of summers, so here are our picks for some of the best and most intriguing—over 30 kid-centric outings that will make the kind of memories that are fun to talk about long after you’ve made your way back to your everyday lives.
Kelder's Farm.
Kelder's Farm
fun farms
Kelder's Farm in Kerhonkson, was established in 1779; nowadays, they welcome you to pick whatever’s in season, meaning flowers, veggies, and berries this time of year. Kids will love the 35 creative farm attractions, including a candy cannon, giant chess and checkers, a milkable giant cow that talks, a Bunny Village, and much more. Try the Gnomie Shake, you won't believe it until you see it. keldersfarm.com, 845-626-7137
Saunderskill Farm in Accord, a family-run farm since 1680, provides delightful pick-your-own experiences throughout the seasons. Families can enjoy picking their own strawberries in early summer, blueberries in July and early August, and apples and pumpkins in fall. Also, do stop in for their yummy soft-serve ice cream. saunderskill.com, 845-626-2676.
Saunderskill Farm.
meet some animals
Dirty Girl Farm.
Lilymoore Farm.
Dirty Girl Farm in Andes is a working dairy goat operation; they’d love to have you visit their website to arrange a tour any summer weekend to meet the friendly goats; get the inside scoop on sustainable cheese, yogurt, and milk production; and bask in the gorgeous Catskills scenery. dirtygirlfarmandesny.com
Lilymoore Farm in Pleasant Valley provides a fun forever home for alpacas, goats, horses, llamas, a pig, and poultry; there’s even a pigeon sanctuary. Meet them all on an hour-long behind-the-scenes farm tour, or make a reservation for an alpaca/llama trek, on which any guest over age 9 will be assigned a personal alpaca or llama escort. lilymoorefarm.com, 845-605-7002
Woodstock Farm Sanctuary.
Forsyth Nature Center.
Bailiwick Animal Park & Riding Stables in Catskill has a small, family-owned and operated zoo; they’re passionate about creating meaningful experiences that inspire love and respect for wildlife, and proceeds go to animal care and conservation efforts. Their riding stables offer scenic mountain trail rides and pony rides bailiwickranch.com, 518-678-5665
Catskill Animal Sanctuary in Saugerties invites you to connect and cuddle with 10 species of farmed animals, hear their inspiring stories, and learn about standard industry practices and how we can all create a more compassionate and sustainable future. All material is presented in a gentle, appropriate way, and there’s a 60-minute tour designed for maximum engagement and comfort of children under 5, which is also great for folks with limited mobility. casanctuary.org, 845-336-8447
Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, located in High Falls, is a forever home to over 300 critters, all with different stories and personalities. They’re open for public education tours most Saturdays from May to November; please purchase advance tickets, as they often sell out. woodstocksanctuary.org, 845-247-5700
Bailiwick Animal Park & Riding Stables
Catskill Animal Sanctuary.
Sience and nature
Forsyth Nature Center in Kingston is a handicapped accessible outdoor learning center with more than two dozen animal exhibits and lush gardens to enjoy. There’s a picnic area, and it's free. forsythnaturecenter.org, 845-339-3053
Mohonk Preserve Discover the beauty and wonder of Mohonk Preserve! Immerse yourself in nature through their enriching classes, covering a range of topics for all ages. Explore their extensive network of trails, perfect for invigorating hikes with panoramic vistas or peaceful strolls through diverse habitats. Experience the magic of a guided butterfly walk, a unique opportunity to observe these colorful insects up close. Plan your visit and learn about upcoming classes, trail maps, and butterfly walk schedules. mohonkpreserve.org, 845-255-0919
Tidewater Center in Saugerties, run by Arm-of-the-Sea, offers free Waterfront Wednesdays at their transformed paper mill, featuring a live aquarium, interactive exhibits, crafts, and their signature mask and puppet theater. armofthesea.org/the-tidewater-center, 845-246-7873
Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum in Poughkeepsie is an intellectual feast of fun for children up to age 12, with interactive experiences connecting the sciences to everyday experience. There’s an Early Learning Junction specifically for the 0-4 year old set to enjoy; older kids will love the immersive WonderDome, to name just one from an incredibly long list of creative exhibits. mhdm.org, 845-471-0589
the arts
Catskill Mountain Shakespeare.
Catskill Mountain Shakespeare.
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel offers a unique experience blending music, camping, and history. Enjoy a wide range of performances at their outdoor Pavilion and indoor Event Gallery. Enhance your visit with camping on their grounds, featuring various options close to the concert venue. Explore the story of the iconic festival and its era at the engaging Museum at Bethel Woods. bethelwoodscenter.org, 845-583-2000
Catskill Mountain Shakespeare, based in Hunter, loves weaving the magic of the Bard’s storytelling into the inspiring glory of a mountain backdrop. This July, they’ll be bringing the timeless tale of star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, to their Main Stage outdoors and under the tent. Ticket prices are $20-$35. Check their website for free summer workshops, community events, low- and no-cost ticket options, and their summer Youth Company (YOCO). catskillmountainshakespeare.com, info@catskillmountainshakespeare.com
Quail Hollow Events.
Quail Hollow Events Children's Center.
Maverick Concerts in Woodstock hosts free Family Saturdays, 1-hour interactive shows that happen every week at 11 am, custom calibrated to amaze and delight children in grades K-6. maverickconcerts.org, 845-684-5527
Quail Hollow Events hosts the justly renowned Woodstock-New Paltz Arts & Crafts Fair in New Paltz twice a year; if you’re in town this Labor Day weekend, grab a kid to bring. Their Children’s Center is extensive and exciting, with children’s demonstrations and supervised arts and crafts projects, as well as a variety of self-directed free play activities. quailhollow.com, 845-516-4342 or 845-389-3712
WAAM and Youth Exhibition Space.
Maverick Concerts.
Shadowland Stages in Ellenville offers captivating live theater experiences! Immerse yourself in a season of engaging plays and musicals presented in their welcoming venue. Discover a cultural gem where compelling performances ignite imagination and foster dialogue. Explore their show schedule and ticket options. shadowlandstages.org, 845-647-5511
The Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild offers a rich array of artistic experiences for all ages. Explore workshops and classes in various mediums, attend exhibitions showcasing local talent, and enjoy family-friendly events on their historic grounds. Discover a vibrant arts community nestled in a beautiful setting. woodstockguild.org, 845-679-2079.
Woodstock Artists Association and Museum (WAAM) Youth Expedition Space will inspire the young artist in your world with its exhibits of the works of students from kindergarten to college age. The YES Gallery also hosts interactive educational programs, special exhibits, and community engagement projects. woodstockart.org/youth-exhibition-space, 845-679-2940
WAAM and Youth Exhibition Space.
Maverick Concerts.
wet 'n' wild (or mild, should you prefer)
Lander's River Trips.
Zoom Flume Water Park.
Lander’s River Trips offers eight launch-and-land locations along Sullivan County’s splendid stretch of the Delaware River for rafting, canoeing, kayaking, or tubing. Trips can be calibrated to your taste, whether you want to shoot some rapids or float along in carefree contemplation of it all. They’ve got camping, too. landersrivertrips.com, 800-252-3925
Zoom Flume Water Park in East Durham consists of nine slides, five play areas, and three restaurants. Intensity levels range from the hard-charging Typhoon Twister to the laid-back Lazy River. zoomflume.com, 518-239-6271
SplashDown Beach.
The Kartrite.
SplashDown Beach in Fishkill offers 15 different ways to slide, splash, and float your way through a humid afternoon; older kids can plunge through thrilling white waters and younger ones can splash around exploring the Shipwreck Lagoon, and the Coconut Pool brings everyone together in 100,000 gallons of crystal-clear cool. splashdownbeach.com, 845-897-9600
The Kartrite in Monticello is New York’s biggest indoor waterpark, with 80,000 square feet of rides, slides, and “splash-tastic” fun. It’s part of a larger resort, but day guests can purchase Splash Passes online and get in on the good times. thekartrite.com, 844-527-8748
amusement centers
Bounce Sports and Entertainment Center.
LEGOLAND New York Resort.
Bounce Sports & Entertainment Center in Poughkeepsie offers 10,000 square feet of interconnected trampolines, with a dedicated area for ages 5 and under. There are Jump & Glow sessions on weekends and bargain admission rates on weekdays, and they’ve got mini-golf, laser tag, roller skating, rope ladders, wall scaling, net climbing, and more. bouncepok.com, 845-206-4555
LEGOLAND New York Resort in Goshen lets kids aged 2-12 ride, climb, splash, and build their way through seven themed lands; they can transform into Minifigures on the LEGO® Factory Adventure Ride, master the art of Spinjitzu on LEGO® NINJAGO® the Ride, save the kingdom on The Dragon coaster, and explore awesome LEGO-built cities in MINILAND. legoland.com/new-york, 866-249-0908
Wood'n Wheel.
Skate Time.
Wood’n Wheel in Ulster Park is a jam-packed entertainment center with skating, arcade games, and laser tag, all designed with families in mind, offering activities that everyone can enjoy. Outdoor summertime activities include gem mining, a gyroscope ride, paintball target shooting, a climbing wall, and a bungee trampoline. woodnwheel.com, 845-331-9680
SkateTime in Accord is a 10,000-square-foot roller rink with a token-operated arcade filled with vintage favorites and a full offering of ticket redemption prizes, as well as a café serving beer, wine, and creative spins on classic fare. Bring your little ones for Sunday Tot Time wiggle cars, starter skates/skate mates, arcade fun, art tables, and buttermilk pancakes, as well as an espresso bar for grownups to help us keep up. skatetimeny.com, 845-626-7971
amazing journeys on the water
Hudson River Cruises.
Hudson River Cruises, based in Kingston, is a terrific way to see the valley: guided sightseeing past picturesque lighthouses, nifty community waterfronts and million-dollar estates amid vineyards, orchards, and preserved wildlands, all while you relax on the cool, shaded deck of the Rip Van Winkle II. There’s a beverage and snack bar for tasty refreshments. hudsonrivercruises.com, 845-340-4700 or 800-843-7472
Hudson River Maritime Museum is an educational hub with an extensive collection of maritime artifacts, artwork and historic vessels that you can explore at your leisure or on a guided tour. You can also book a peaceful cruise on the very latest thing, the museum’s own solar-powered boat, the Solaris. hrmm.org, 845-338-0071
Hudson River Maritime Museum's Solaris.
fun overland journeys
Catskill Mountain Railroad.
Trolley Museum of New York.
Catskill Mountain Railroad.
Catskill Mountain Railroad in Kingston offers Catskill Flyer Tours pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive that travel through some of the oldest and most enchanted farmlands in the United States, across the Esopus Creek on the restored C9 bridge, and across the Hurley Flats to Hurley Mountain. Choose between vintage coaches or open-air flatcars for your 90-minute ride. Twilight Limited Special trips feature live onboard music by local entertainers, pairing nicely with the Catskills sunset skies, and there are individually packaged selections of ice cream treats. catskillmountainrailroad.com, 845-332-4854
Trolley Museum of New York, on the Strand waterfront in Kingston, has a gift shop, exhibits, and interactive, hands-on activities for kids; you’ll see trolleys from Germany, Belgium, Sweden, and Norway. A major highlight is the 45-minute round trip trolley ride along the Rondout Creek. tmny.org, 845-331-3399
Rail Explorers: Catskills Division in Phoenicia gets you up close and personal with the scenery in a whole new way, zipping along the onetime Ulster & Delaware tracks in a pedal- powered vehicle. No need to carefully watch the road or steer as you must on a bike—riding is hands free, making it easy to take photographs and video or just melt into the glorious scenery as you roll along. railexplorers.net/tours/catskills-ny, 877-833-8588
some more cool museums
Historic Huguenot Street.
Historic Huguenot Street.
Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz is a 10-acre chronicle of 300 years of history containing seven stone-house museums, a reconstructed 1717 French church, the community’s original burial ground, and a replica Esopus Munsee wigwam. Period rooms and exhibits tell the stories of a French-speaking Protestant settlement as it evolved over time, as well as revealing the history of the area’s Indigenous and enslaved African peoples and Dutch settlers. Guided tours happen three times a day, Wednesday through Sunday; register online to reserve a spot or check their calendar for living history events. huguenotstreet.org, 845-255-1660
Motorcyclepedia Museum in Newburgh is an 85,000-square-foot space displaying the jaw-dropping collection father-son duo Gerald and Ted Doering have amassed over a combined 80 years. You’ll see over 650 bikes, with galleries devoted to subsets like Harleys, choppers, and police and military vehicles. motorcyclepediamuseum.org, 845-569-9065
FASNY Museum of Firefighting in Hudson is home to the world’s premier collection of American firefighting artifacts and apparatus, featuring over 60 vintage and rare fire engines, including one from 1731. They’ve blended the best features of a classic history museum and a children’s museum into a modern hybrid, with interactive areas and hands-on activities, including multiple firetruck experiences and fire safety training. fasnyfiremuseum.com , 518-822-1875
Motorcyclepedia Museum.
FASNY Museum of Firefighting.
