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Spring Break is not far off, and that means the kids will be home from school and looking for fun things to do. Here in Dutchess County, we’ve got you covered!
There are plenty of family-friendly events and attractions this time of year in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley. The kids will love it here (and so will the grown-ups)!
Here’s a handy-dandy list of the Top 10 Kid-Approved Spring Break Adventures in Dutchess County.
Have a blast and take lots of pictures! Share your photos here and be sure to tag @DutchessTourism on social media.
Open every day, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. by reservation, at the Trevor Zoo at the Millbrook School, Millbrook
The Trevor Zoo is home to 170 indigenous and exotic animals — including 11 endangered species. Established in 1936, it is one of only 237 zoos in the U.S. accredited by the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums and is the only zoo in the country located at a high school. Students at the Millbrook School have the unique educational opportunity to work with, care for and learn about the animals. The zoo is open seven days a week by appointment. Click here to book your reservations.
Select Fridays and Saturdays beginning March 21 and 22, 7:30 p.m., at Four Brothers Drive-In, Amenia
Four Brothers Drive-In opens for the season on Friday, March 21, with a blockbuster double feature the kids will love. See “Disney's Snow White,” the PG-rated live-action musical reimagining of the animated 1937 classic, and “Captain America: Brave New World” (rated PG-13) back-to-back from the comfort of your vehicle. Be sure to snag some tasty treats from the Grand Shack, including hot dogs, burgers, lobster rolls and ice cream. Arrive early and play a round of mini golf. Click here to check the up-to-date movie schedule and to reserve your parking spot.
Related: Find your family’s new favorite places with the Connection Finder, a mobile passport featuring a curated itinerary of family-friendly attractions, activities, and out-of-the-ordinary sights.
Select dates at Dia Beacon
Dia Beacon is home to an impressive collection of contemporary art (from the 1960s to the present). As winter melts into spring, the gallery at the heart of Beacon's buzzing arts scene hosts two programs that are sure to captivate the even youngest artistic minds. The Saturday Studio Learning Program (ages 5 and older) offers free workshops full of art-making, material experimentation and play led by practicing artists. The next Saturday Studio events are set for March 8 and April 12. The Play Sets Learning Program (ages 5 and older) helps aspiring artists explore Dia's galleries through in-depth engagements with a single artist or artwork. Each program will include hands-on exercises that invite participants to see, think, and imagine in new ways. Upcoming Play Sets events are set for March 1 (Max Neuhaus), March 15 (Meg Webster), March 22 (Andy Warhol), March 28 (Larry Bell), and March 30 (Keith Sonnier’s Ba-O-Ba VI). All families participating in the Saturday Studio and the Play Sets programs receive free admission to Dia Beacon for the day. Plus, don't forget, the last Sunday of each month is Hudson Valley Free Day at Dia Beacon!
Saturday and Sunday, March 22–23 and 29–30, at multiple locations
Maple production in New York is among the highest in the United States, and Dutchess County is home to several family-owned, high-quality maple syrup companies offering sugarhouse tours, family-friendly activities, tastings and more during the New York State Maple Producers Association’s Maple Weekend celebration. Maple Weekend events are planned at Soukup Farms in Dover Plains and the Sharpe Reservation's Camp Hidden Valley in Fishkill. Click here for updates.
Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at Dutchess Community College, Poughkeepsie
Head to Falcon Hall at DCC and meet and greet authors and illustrators whose works cover reading ages from preschool to young adult. Have your picture taken with your favorite costumed book characters and make some fun crafts. Books will be available to purchase — and to have autographed by the ones who created them. Click here to see the dozens of authors and illustrators scheduled to participate.
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Tuesdays–Saturdays 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m.–5 p.m. (closed most holidays) at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, Poughkeepsie
Located on the Poughkeepsie Waterfront, the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum offers all sorts of kid-friendly exhibits and programs that are designed to captivate, develop and inspire young minds. The fun and educational experience is perfect for kids 12 and younger. With the “Science Revealed!” exhibit, children and families can engage in a full-body physical exploration of motion, air, forces, fluids and electricity. In “Early Learning Junction,” kids ages 4 and younger can develop skills they’ll need for school.
On Saturdays and Sundays, the museum presents live science demonstrations, during which guests will experience thrilling science experiments up close, showcasing the wonders of chemistry, physics, and more! From the dramatic effects of liquid nitrogen to mind-bending physics demonstrations, there’s always something exciting to see. These interactive sessions bring science to life, sparking curiosity and wonder in audiences of all ages.
For those eager to dive even deeper, the STEAM Lab offers hands-on opportunities to explore a variety of scientific fields. Whether it’s experimenting with engineering concepts, exploring the principles of chemistry, or engaging in creative technology projects, guests can roll up their sleeves and become scientists for the day. Every visit offers fresh discoveries and fun-filled learning experiences.
Be sure to take advantage of Family Free Nights on the third Sunday of each month; the museum is open until 7:30 p.m., and admission from 5:30–7:30 p.m. is absolutely free!
Related: Among the Top 10 Dutchess Events in March is the Movie Thyme screening of "Beauty and the Beast" at Flores Restaurant and Bar.
Saturdays and Sundays, April 5–19, at Lilymoore Alpaca Farm, Pleasant Valley
The alpacas and llamas are getting dressed up in their bonnets for Lilymoore’s Bonnet Bonanza, and farm visitors of all ages are encouraged to wear their fanciest hats, too! Take pictures with a llama and an alpaca, then embark on a one-hour, guided farm tour where you’ll meet the animals on the farm, as well as the birds of Dreaming of a Chance Sanctuary. For more details, click here.
Monday through Friday, April 14–18 at the Gravity Vault, Poughkeepsie
Are the kids at home climbing the walls? Bring them to the Gravity Vault indoor rock-climbing facility and let them climb all they want at the Spring Break Climbing Camp! Choose between a half-day or a full-day of fun for these action-packed camps, which are scattered throughout the year on days kids have off from school. Climbers will participate in traversing, top-rope climbing, an obstacle course, and more! Click here for details.
Saturday, April 19, 12 p.m., at the River Valley Arts Center, Wappingers Falls
Amanda from Lady Whisks-A-Lot leads a Kids' Easter Cookie Decorating Class that promises to be a sweet and creative experience. Kids' imaginations will be free to soar as they create their Easter-themed cookies. Click here to register. The River Valley Arts Center is a beehive of creative activity and offers multiple studio spaces for arts and community programs.
Select dates, April through September, at Heritage Financial Park, Wappingers Falls
See tomorrow's stars of Major League Baseball today with the Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the world-famous New York Yankees. The Renegades, who helped current Yankees Anthony Volpe, Jasson Dominquez and Austin Wells make it to "The Show," play 66 home games each season in the South Atlantic League. Every trip to the ballpark is filled with excitement and family-friendly fun both on and off the field, including theme nights, contests, activities and postgame fireworks on select nights. A Renegades game at Heritage Financial Park is a thrilling experience that is accessible to all; in addition to ADA-compliant parking spaces, seating areas and restrooms, there is an elevator and a ramp to help fans reach the upper levels of the stadium, including the WMC Health Club. The Curemark Sensory Safe Suite is a welcoming and engaging place where families and groups with members on the autism spectrum can enjoy the game insulated from over-stimulating sounds and activities, like music, fireworks and raucous cheers. The Renegades open their season at Heritage Financial Park with a three-game homestand against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws April 4, 5 and 6. Click here to see the full schedule and to purchase tickets.
Wednesday–Friday, April 16–18, 10 a.m. at Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Staatsburg
The Mills family mansion at Staatsburgh will host some fantastic Spring Break programs for children ages 8–12 and their families. Enjoy "Mythology and Mascarons: The Faces of Staatsburgh" on April 16 and learn about the three-dimensional gilded faces that adorn Staatsburgh's ceilings and walls, known as mascarons, and then sculpt one of your own. On April 17, learn about life in a Gilded Age mansion more than 100 years ago in "It's a Gilded Life." Included is a tour of the opulent 79-room home of Ogden and Ruth Livingston Mills, followed by hands-on activities that allow participants to compare and contrast the lives of the servants and the gentry. Explore the "Architecture of Staatsburgh" on April 18 and design and build your very own Staatsburgh like Gilded Age architect Stanford White did. Click here to learn more about all the upcoming events at Staatsburgh.
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Tuesday, April 1, 5 p.m. at Oblong Books, Millerton
Teachers, you deserve a break, too, and Oblong Books in Millerton has an event especially for you! Enjoy an evening of wine, snacks and books at Educator Appreciation Night. Members of Oblong Books' expert staff will be on hand to chat, answer questions, and make recommendations about children's books. Plus, you'll receive 20 percent off your entire purchase! Click here to RSVP.
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