2023 Westchester Spring Bucket List: 25 Cool Things to Do in Westchester this Spring

2023 Westchester Spring Bucket List: 25 Cool Things to Do in Westchester this Spring

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’s more daytime hours to explore the many cool things to do in Westchester. Below, we’re excited to share our bucket list of springtime 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!

1. 1. See the Cherry Blossoms: The start of spring for us is seeing the first buds of the gorgeous cherry blooms. Believed to represent renewal, new beginnings, and hope, there are many places where you can see this glorious flower in and around Westchester. Some parks include J Harvey Turnure Memorial Park (26 Lake St, White Plains, NY 10603; Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden (28 Deveau Road, North Salem, NY 10560); Boscobel House & Gardens (1601 NY-9D, Garrison, NY 10524), and Harbor Island Park (60-98 Harbor Island Park, Mamaroneck, NY 10543).
   2. Attend the Family Day: Learning Center Birthday Celebration! At the Katonah Museum of Art: Visit the Katonah Museum of Art on May 7th in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Pollack Family Learning Center. The event features a ‘Let’s Create’ birthday party celebration where families can enjoy a variety of activities and crafts around KMA’s garden and grounds, along with a DJ, food trucks, garden games, and a birthday presentation featuring special guests and cupcakes. Admission is free but registration is required. Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay Street Katonah, NY 10536, 914-232-9555, katonahmuseum.org
   3. Take a Trip to the Botanical Gardens: For a mini road, you and your family can enjoy a gorgeous day at the New York Botanical Gardens. There is also their own collection of stunning cherry blossoms to admire as well as daffodils, peonies, magnolias, and more. 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. 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458. www.nybg.org
   4. Go on a Hike: One of our favorite ways to enjoy Spring is by soaking in nature with our family. Westchester County offers many beautiful hikes of varying levels to check out. Some favorites include the 190-acre Cranberry Lake Preserve (1609 Old Orchard St, West Harrison, NY 10604); the spectacular hiking and views at Croton Gorge Park (35 Yorktown Rd, Croton-On-Hudson, NY 10520); the gentle-to-challenging paths at Teatown (1600 Spring Valley Rd, Ossining, NY 10562); 45 miles of scenic paths at Rockefeller State Park (125 Phelps Way, Pleasantville, NY 10570); hiking and animal interactions at Muscoot Farm (51 NY-100, Katonah, NY 10536); and interactive hikes and cool nature-themed events at Greenburgh Nature Center (99 Dromore Rd, Scarsdale, NY 10583), to name a few options.
   5. Go Bird Watching:  Westchester is home to an incredible and diverse range of bird life where you can see birds in their natural habitats, including forests, estuaries, fresh and saltwater marshes, lakes, and along the river and coast. Some spots for bird watching include the 508-acre Croton Point Park (Croton-On-Hudson, NY 10520); Edith G. Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (1 Playland Pkwy, Rye, NY 10580); and the Marshlands Conservancy (220 Boston Post Rd, Rye, NY 10580). 
   6. Go on a Bike Ride: Dust off your bike and take a family bike ride on one of the many pathways in Westchester. This includes the Tarrytown Lakes Park; the relatively flat North County and Putnam Trailway in Northern Westchester and Putnam; Bronx River Pathway; South County Trailway; Briarcliff/Peekskill Pathway, to name a few options.
   7. 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 you enjoy a public tour as family, or simply stroll the grounds on your own, you’re sure to be amazed by the rich horticulture, architecture, and multicultural design that overlooks the Hudson River. 945 N Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701, untermyergardens.org
   8. Go to the Beach: Opening day for most beaches in Westchester is the end of May. While it might 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 (Weyman Ave, New Rochelle, NY 10805); Playland Beach (1 Playland Pkwy, Rye, NY 10580); and Croton Point Beach Park (1 Croton Point Ave, Croton-On-Hudson, NY 10520).
   9. Go to Rye Playland: Get ready for some action-packed thrills with your family at Rye Playland. The iconic park opens on May 20th where you can enjoy their historic rides, Friday night fireworks, and, of course, a stroll on the nearby boardwalk. 1 Playland Pkwy, Rye, NY 10580, playland.com
   10. See a Show at Caramoor: This popular cultural arts destination located on a 80-acre of land — complete with Italianate architecture and stunning gardens — recently announced their Spring 2023 concert line-up. This season includes a diverse array of musical performances and educational programs for families as well as for date night. Experience Jazz in Collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center with Sean Mason on March 24th; American Roots Music in Collaboration with City Winery on May 12th, and a family concert featuring Elena Moon Park and guests on May 21st. 149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah, NY 10536, caramoor.org
   11. Have the first ice cream of the season: There are many places in Westchester to enjoy a scoop (or two!) of ice cream. Some favorites include Ice Cream Social (481 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, NY 10605); Bona Bona Ice Cream (10 Westchester Ave, Port Chester, NY 10573); Village Creamery & Sweetshop (32 Broadway, Valhalla, NY 10595); and Penny Lick Ice Cream (580 Warburton Ave, Hastings-On-Hudson, NY 10706), to name a few delicious options. 
   12. Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate: Take a tour of this 40-room home and sprawling property with your kids that was once the home of John D. Rockefeller. The incredible gardens are not-to-be-missed that boost views of the Hudson River. Tours are advised for kids ages 10 and up and range from $20-60 per person. 381 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591. hudsonvalley.org
   13. Attend the Flower Show at the Lyndhurst Mansion: Soak in the beauty of the historic Lyndhurst Mansion as it transforms with botanical displays. Held on April 15th and April 16th, see how floral designers transform the interior of the mansion as you and your kids explore the space at your own pace. There will also be free activities and workshops for the family as well as a botanical market, special lectures, and landscape tours. Tickets are $30 per adult and $18 for kids ages 6-18. 635 S Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591. lyndhurst.org
   14. Run a 5K (or 1K) as a family: Get moving this spring by running a 5K. Try out the Heels and Wheels 5K on April 30th; Rye Derby 5K on April 30th; Mother’s Day 5K in Yorktown Heights on May 14th; and the Soul Ryeders Half Marathon & 5K on May 21st.
   15. 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, movie under the stars, evening fireside snacks, and tents.$340 for a four-person tent. 7 Buck Run St, South Salem, NY 10590, nywolf.org
   16. Attend the Peekskill Rotary’s Cherry Blossom Festival: Celebrate the beginning of spring at the The Rotary Club of Peekskill’s Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Enjoy various children activities, flower paint potting, arts and crafts, face painting, bouncy castle, craft vendors, food trucks and a book drive. Admission and parking are free with easy access from the Peekskill train station. Peekskill Riverfront Green Park, 1 Robin Dr., Peekskill, NY 10566. peekskillrotary.com
   17. Attend The Rye Arts Center’s Spring Fundraiser: Studio 51: Party with a Purpose!: Attend The Rye Arts Center’s Spring Fundraiser on May 13th. Held at The Capitol Theatre, the event will feature a transformed Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre into the iconic ’70s nightclub “Studio 54”!  The event also includes food and drink, great music, and interactive art studios, as they honor three incredible women who have made an impact in the Rye community! Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre, 149 Westchester Ave, Port Chester, NY 10573, ryeartscenter.org
   18. Attend the Opening Day Celebration at the Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden: Experience the beauty of this Westchester museum and tranquil Japanese Garden with your kids when they reopen on April 1st. Enjoy the natural beauty of the garden and on-site exhibits that feature local artists. Deveau Rd, North Salem, NY 10560, hammondmuseum.org
   19. Check out he Amazing Butterflies Exhibit: Want to learn more about butterflies? You and your kids can do that right in Westchester at the new Amazing Butterflies Exhibit at Lasdon Park. Open until May 7th, the immersive and exciting new exhibit is produced by Minotaur Mazes of Seattle and based on an exhibition created for the Natural History Museum in London. The exhibit features scientific input and interpretation where families are invited to shrink down to the undergrowth and learn more about the life cycle of a butterfly in an interactive maze. Families start as a caterpillar as they make their way to a secret world with grass and leaves towering over your head. Through this journey, families will learn more about the relationship between caterpillars, butterflies, and their natural surroundings. 2610 NY-35, Katonah, NY 10536, lasdonpark.org
   20. Attend LEGO City: City of Champions: Visit LEGOLAND from March 17th-April 23rd for LEGO City: City of Champions. Kids can collect mission cards, test their skills with awesome games and challenges, meet Minifigures, and take a special selfie. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester, Ridge Hill Mall, 39 Fitzgerald Street, Yonkers, NY 10710, legolanddiscoverycenter.com
   21. Attend the Green Ossining Earth Day Festival: Celebrate the earth at one of the biggest Earth Day festivals in the County. Held on April 22nd, this zero-waste festival also includes a Children’s March that kicks off the festival at 9:30am. Ossining Waterfront, https://www.greenossining.org/earth-day-festival/
   22. Get some New Plants at PlantFest: Upgrade your home with a gorgeous collection of plans from Teatown’s annual spring sale. Held on March 12th and March 13th, pick up a selection of native wildflowers, annuals, perennials, herbs and more. 1600 Spring Valley Rd, Ossining, NY 10562, teatown.org/plantfest
   23. Take a Springtime Tour of the Armour-Stiner Octagon House: From April to June,take the springtime tour of the historic Armour-Stiner Octagon House. As the former home of the  whimsical summer retreat in 1872 by tea-importer Joseph Stiner and see its greenhouse and garden that some describe as an “arrested carousel.” Experience this whimsical 1872 Summer home and its marvelously intact, 19th-century landscape. 45 W Clinton Ave, Irvington, NY 10533, armourstiner.com
   24. Visit all of the farms on the Westchester Farm Trail: Did you know that there are state-designated routes connecting 13 farms in Westchester? Make a 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.
   25. Go Fishing: Spend a lazy Spring day with your kids at one of the many fishing spots in Westchester. Some places to check out include Bronx River Reservation; George’s Island Park; Kensico Dam Plaza; Wampus Pond; and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, to name a few options.