When you are new in town making friends is important. There’s no official welcome wagon these days, so much of it is up to you. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to meet your new neighbors and expand your circle of friends.
Baby & Me Outings
If you have a little one, here are some ways to get active, let baby see the world and meet other neighbors at the same time.
• Mommy & Me Yoga. Staying active is easy with pre/postnatal yoga and Mommy & Me Yoga classes. Meet other parents while getting or staying in shape. Yoga Haven, Tuckahoe and Scarsdale. 914-337-1437. Yogah
• Museum Stroller Tours. The popular Stroller Tours program allows parents to take a tour of the museum with babies in strollers. Coffee and breakfast snacks are included. Once a month, parents with their babies and pre-toddlers are invited to the museum before it opens to the public for a discussion and some fun with art. There are also concerts, lectures and art programs for all ages. Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay St., Rte. 22, Katonah. 914-232-9555. katon
• Nature Strollers. A hiking group for families with babies, toddlers and young children. The one-hour hike follows gentle trails set in the beauty of nature. Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, 174 Angola Road, Cromwell. 845-534-5506. hhnat
• Stroller Strides. A stroller fitness program that incorporates power walking with intervals of strength and body toning. Classes offered at Kensico Dam in White Plains, Law Memorial Park in Briarcliff Manor and Pierson Park in Tarrytown. Taught by certified fitness instructors. Other programs also available. Call Kristen. 914-977-3038. Fit4m
• Swim Class. Make a splash and get your infant or toddler used to the magic of swimming. Parents get in the pool with the child in group classes where you can meet other like-minded adults. Club Fit, Jefferson Valley and Briarcliff Manor. 914-762-3444, 914-245-4040. Clubf
Let’s All Play
Not just for babies, these locations offer fun for youngsters while still offering opportunities to meet other parents.
• Local Park and Recreation Departments. Residents in Westchester are lucky that just about every town has its own Park and Recreation Department. It’s a great way to find local friends and experience an amazing array of programs – from town pools to ballet lessons and art classes to baseball teams – and local rec departments are usually affordable and convenient. Call or visit the website of your local town hall for more information on what your town offers. • •Westchester Children’s Museum. Enjoy 6,000 square feet of interactive hands-on exhibits overlooking the Boardwalk and Long Island Sound. Exhibits allow kids to create a roller coaster, work with KEVA Planks, wind tunnels, sand and more. Rye Playland Parkway, Rye. 914-421-5050. disco
• Westchester Libraries. There are 38 branches in the Westchester Library System and many offer free programs for children and families. There are storytimes for every age group, seasonal arts and crafts activities, performances and concerts. As soon as you move in make sure to get to know your local library, and then visit the neighboring town’s library. westc
• Westchester County Parks. If you have just moved to Westchester County you’ll want to get a Westchester County Park pass, which is available to all Westchester County residents ages 12 and up, for $75 and is valid for three years. Residents must apply in person at several area locations including County Offices in Mt. Kisco and White Plains, Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River and Playland Park in Rye. In summer months, passes are also available at pools and golf courses.
The pass is required to use county-owned parks, pools, beaches, the tennis courts at Tibbets Brook Park and the boat launch at Glen Island Park. The Park Pass also offers savings at six county-owned golf courses, venue parking fees and county summer camp programs.
A Family Park Pass is available for $150, which covers two adults and two children (ages 12-18). You might like to also inquire about a Season Swim Pass, which in addition to the Park Pass allows entry to four Westchester County pools. parks. westc
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