Memorial Day Weekend is here, the unofficial start to summer! With temps in the 80’s this week it already feels like summer around here! I always say this, but on a holiday weekend, take a moment to remember what the days off from school and work are really about. Thank a veteran, thank a family who has a member away serving our country and remember those we have lost fighting for our freedom or that of others.
Bruce Museum
The Bruce Museum is a hidden gem located just up the road from us in nearby Greenwich, CT. After you’ve checked out the museum, head across the street to a super fun playground the kids are sure to love!
On Friday from 2:30-2:45pm, check out the Marine Tank Animal Feeding.
Sleeping Beauty at The Palace Theatre in Stamford
Today, Friday at 7pm, don’t miss the Ballet School of Stamford’s production of Sleeping Beauty: A Tale of Good & Evil. Ticket prices are as follows: Adults: $50, $25 Children: $25, $10 (Plus per-ticket fees).
“Join us for a new take on a classical ballet. Act 1 will present your favorite variations including the Fairies, Puss-in-Boots and Little Red Riding Hood from the classical ballet set to Tchaikovsky’s luxurious music. Act 2 will take you into the world of Maleficent and her battle with the Lilac Fairy over the fate of Princess Aurora.”
Click here to learn more and/or to purchase tickets.
From the creators of the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze comes another “EXCITING, otherworldly experience of awe-inspiring illumination and all-original sculpture.
Van Cortlandt Manor springs to life during this incredible nighttime display. Taking place over 20 spring evenings and perfect for all ages, LIGHTSCAPES is a walk-through, land-art experience.
Enter through a rainbow and emerge from a bubbly haze into a dreamland of curiosities spread throughout this historic landscape as far as the eye can see. Do some “shadow dancing” in front of an interactive silhouette wall and transport yourself into a world of wonder as you enter the brand new Bubble Tunnel.
Encounter enormous “live” Luna Moth creations — some 15 feet tall! — perching high on a hill, flittering around for all to see. Check out the underbelly of a giant centipede as you worm your way through its segmented legs!
Navigate a drawbridge as you cross the River of Light and continue on your way to the Colorwheel Castle. Squiggle through the Caterpillar Cavern and discover larger-than-life elements like a colossal praying mantis and a massive mayfly.
Recycled elements serve as eco-friendly building blocks for all of our intergalactic flora and friendly woodland creatures.
State-of-the-art illumination highlights these amazing works of art and showcases Van Cortlandt Manor’s gorgeous natural landscape and specimen trees.
In the artfully decorated LIGHTSCAPES hospitality tent, enjoy spring-themed sweets including organic sorbet from Blue Pig of Croton and homemade candy and baked goods (plus savories!) from Geordane’s of Irvington.”
Tickets are on sale for the following times: 8:30, 9 & 9:30 Fri, Sat, Sunday and Monday
Rye Playland
You know Summer is near when Playland opens for the season! The park will be open Friday to Monday to the general public. On Sunday, Westchester Veterans will be honored and celebrated for their service to the country. Today, Friday, May 27 don’t miss Special $15 Rides Admission (Open: 5 - 11 p.m.)
Sunday, May 29th is Veterans & Service Members Appreciation Day!
Activities include:
- 11:45 a.m.: Festivities begin at the Music Tower Stage with a Memorial Day Tribute Ceremony
- 2 p.m.: U.S. Marine Corps Helicopter Raid Demonstration
Westchester Children’s Museum
Good news! The Westchester Children’s Museum, while not completed, is open for business and for you and the kids to enjoy! This “sunlit, colorful, vibrant learning space is filled with interactive exhibits that explore science, art, technology, design and the environment, with places to build, play, and create.” The museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays 10-4. Current exhibits include:
MAKERSPACES
BUILD YOUR OWN ROLLER COASTER
KEVA PLANKS
WIND TUNNEL DESIGN CHALLENGE
TODDLER BEACH
SHADOW PUPPET THEATER
Visit their website to learn more!
Barnes & Noble
On Saturday, May 28th at 11am check out Barnes & Noble’s “Our Great Big Backyard Storytime”. “To help commemorate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, this special Storytime explores Our Great Big Backyard. #1 New York Times bestselling authors former First Lady Laura Bush and her daughter Jenna Bush Hager have created an exuberant picture book tribute to our national parks and the importance of connecting with nature. Coloring and activities to follow.” Our closest Barnes & Noble is in White Plains, City Center but there are other nearby locations in Stamford, Palisades Center and Yonkers.
On stage now at the Broadway Theatre, it’s Happy Days from May 5th - July 17th. “If you like Grease, you will love Happy Days. Grab your poodle skirt, saddle shoes, and the kids, and take a rock & roll trip down memory lane! This new Musical is based on the television series and written by its creator, Garry Marshall. A Bright and funny musical celebration of nostalgia with lots of Singing & Dancing! Featuring 21 songs by Oscar and Grammy award-winning songwriter Paul Williams, including the series’ theme song.”
Check out schedule here.
Buy tickets here.
Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones museum is an amazing place for the kids. Located about 20 minutes north of Rye Brook, in Norwalk, CT, it’s perfect for the whole family! Check them out here, then head on over for a fun filled day of learning and hands-on activities the kids will adore!
Mutt-i-grees will take place from 10:30-11:15. “ Enjoy a special canine storytime followed by a visit from a shelter dog.” Appropriate for ages 3+.
From 11:30-1 on Saturday, stop by the Animation Station and “learn the basics of stop animation by using an iPad to make a 15 second video. Ages 4 and older. $3 technology fee per child.”
The museum IS open on Monday!
Maritime Aquarium
There is always SO much going on at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT.
Long Island Sound Day will take place today, Friday May 27th at 11 a.m., noon, and 2 & 3 p.m. This is free with Aquarium admission. “Celebrate this official Connecticut holiday by enjoying special "touch" encounters with animals native to the Sound and its watershed: 11 a.m., a diamondback terrapin; noon, a chain catshark; 2 p.m., a lobster; and 3 p.m., a clearnose skate. An Aquarium educator will assist for a safe experience, and talk about the animals' natural histories.”
Exciting news, Flutter Zone is now open until Sept. 5! “Step into a magical environment all aflutter with exotic tropical butterflies in this special walk-through encounter!
"Flutter Zone" will features dozens of varieties of beautiful butterflies from Asia and South America, all free-flying among Aquarium visitors. Some may even land on you! Plus, watch the amazing life cycle of butterflies unfold in our "Chrysalis Hut," featuring the chrysalises whose metamorphoses will keep the exhibit stocked with flittering butterflies throughout the summer.
Displays also emphasize the horticultural and agricultural importance of butterflies and other pollinators. “Flutter Zone" is free with your Maritime Aquarium admission.
Be sure to double your butterfly fun by choosing a screening of the IMAX movie "Flight of the Butterflies," which tells the amazing story of monarch butterflies and their multigenerational migration to Mexico.”
Did you know there are Shark Dives on most Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays at 12:15 and 2:15 p.m. And they are free with Aquarium admission. “Interact with the Maritime Aquarium's dive team among the sand tiger sharks, lemon shark and other creatures of the 110,000-gallon "Ocean Beyond the Sound" exhibit.”
Don’t miss the "Animals Without Passports" exhibit, open now through Jan. 2, 2017.
“The large humpback whale population off Cape Cod supports a popular whale-watching industry. And, for the first time in decades, at least three whales spent the late summer of 2015 in western Long Island Sound.
But humpbacks aren’t in New England waters year-round and their annual international migration is the focus of the special exhibit, “Animals Without Passports."
Displays explore the challenges of humpback whales’ annual 3,000-mile migration between New England and the Caribbean. Learn when and why the whales migrate, and the hazards they face as they cross ocean borders, including poisoning from pollution, becoming entangled in fishing gear and being hit by boats and ships.
The exhibit is installed in the lobby of The Maritime Aquarium’s IMAX® Theater because it is a perfect tie-in to the movie “Humpback Whales,” showing daily through May 26.
“Animals Without Passports” tells its story by focusing on one whale, a female humpback named Salt who has been studied by researchers for 40 years. Trace Salt’s “family tree” as you also learn how scientists identify and track individual whales.”
Dragons! Real or Myth? Meerkats and Jiggle a Jelly are also among some of the amazing current exhibits at the aquarium.
And did you know, now showing is the IMAX Movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, 6 p.m. Sundays.
The aquarium is definitely worth a trip up the Merritt or 95!
Click here to learn more about Maritime.
Hudson River Museum
The Hudson River Museum, in Yonkers, boasts an amazing Planetarium, six galleries, and a mansion!
Saturdays & Sundays 12 - 5 pm there’s “a safe space for children to explore, play, and create with their families. The room hosts a large-scale dollhouse, blocks, puppet theater, and books. A Junior Docent is present to answer questions and suggest activities.”
Saturdays 1-4, come do some fun science projects. This April kids can “Make a Watery Story Wheel, a collage from fragments that show the life cycle of a Hudson River fish and other river organisms.”
There are planetarium shows Saturdays and Sundays that the whole family can enjoy!
Shows on May 28th and 29th!
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12:30 2 3:30 |
Earth, Moon and Sun- The Sky Tonight Habitat Earth |
The 12:30 show is for younger school-age children. The content and delivery of these shows inspires the youngest future astronomers to learn about the skies.
2 pm
The Sky Tonight. See what the sky is like on the Planetarium dome the VERY night you see this interactive show. LIVE presentation. Ages 8+
3:30 pm
Star shows that explore more complex scientific content as it draws you into the action. Ages 8+
To learn more, click here.
Michael’s Kids® Club
On Saturday from 10am-12pm, come to Michael’s where kids can have fun creating a KIDS CLUB® Patriotic Felt Banner while you shop! Perfect for this Memorial Day weekend! “Kids 3 and up can enjoy a quick project and take home a finished masterpiece. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. $2 per child, supplies included. Parent or guardian must remain on premises during the event.”
Crafts at Lakeshore
Lakeshore will also be creating a fun Holiday craft this Saturday from 11-3pm for kids ages 3 & up. This week’s project is creating a “Hats Off to Memorial Day.”
Stamford Nature Center
The Stamford Nature Center is a wonderful place to visit. There’s a fun playground and animals to see on the grounds.
Family Farm Fridays! will take place on Fridays, May 20 - June 17, 4 - 5 pm (no program on 6/3)
“Explore the farm and garden and learn what products come from our local farms through cooking and creative projects. Each week will have a separate theme, so join us for one or all. Registration is not required. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Each week will have a separate theme, so join us for one or all:
- May 27: Spring Herb Gardens & Pesto Plant an herb garden to take home and make fresh pesto
- June 10: Chicken & Eggs Help collect eggs and meet our chickens
- June 17: Fabulous Fibers: Meet our fiber goats, alpacas, and sheep and learn how we work with our wool
Members: $5 | Non-Members: $8”
And on Sunday, May 29, 11 am - 3 pm check out Kites, Flights, and Nights!
“Celebrate our newest exhibition, Art on a String: Asian Kites in Flight, by exploring all things in the sky. Learn to identify common constellations in our planetarium, create a flying machine out of recycled materials, discover how animals, rockets, and planes fly, and try your hand at launching our catapult. Visit our new Kite exhibition and be inspired to create your own kite, too. Meet some live animals that move by flying or gliding, hike on our trails to look for birds and bugs, and end our day with a favorite campfire treat, S'mores!”
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Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with gate admission
From 9:30-2:30 on Sunday stop by the Farmer’s Market for a variety of products. “Over 20 vendors make up this unique and local farmer's market!”
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Rye's Down to Earth Farmers Market
Speaking of Farmer’s Markets, Rye’s opens this weekend and runs Sundays, 8:30AM – 2:00PM, until December 4th. The market is located in the Parking Lot on Theodore Fremd Ave, Rye NY.
Saturdays from 8:30-1pm there’s also a Farmer’s Market happening in Pleasantville, NY. “Spring has sprung and so has the Pleasantville Farmers Market! The delicious good time is now outdoors at Memorial Plaza (next to the train station). Located right in the heart of Westchester County, the Market is centrally located in our beautiful, historic walking village -- perfectly positioned on your way to your destination or better yet, as a destination in itself. Experience the largest, year-round farmers market in Westchester, and the one voted Best of Westchester in 2014 and 2015 by the readers of Westchester Magazine. Market will take place rain or shine. The Pleasantville Farmers Market is a dog-free environment.
This week’s entertainment includes VISITING: School Of Rock from 8:30 AM-12:30 PM. “Consistent with the Market's goals for regionally grown experiences, Bedford's School of Rock helps local youth grow their performance and ensemble skills. The School of Rock visits Saturday with information on unique summer camp programs and other opportunities.”
Also on the schedule this Saturday from 9:30-11 for the kids, “Fox & Bramble-Pleasantville florist Fox & Bramble's Preeti Schreier arrives Saturday to assist children in creating their own tissue paper flowers -- great for giving as gifts or using as a decoration.”
Weekends at Stone Barns Center, April 16 - November 13
Ticketed weekend admission has started!
Experience the farm with a day of Stone Barns programming.
STONE BARNS SELL OUT!!
Learn more & GET TICKETS HERE.
Experience what's happening on the farm, meet our farmers and greet the season.
“On a Saturday or Sunday visit Stone Barns, participate in a variety of seasonal, hands-on activities and drop-in tours all included with your one-day admission ticket. Ticket prices are as follows: Adult (ages 16+): $20, Youth (ages 2-15): $10, Members: FREE*!
This season on the farm The pasture grass is growing and preparing to welcome our chickens, flocks of sheep and new lambs. The field and gardens are coming to life with new growth and summer seedlings are growing in the propagation bay of the greenhouse, waiting to be transplanted into the field. A sample weekend day this spring will include:
Meet the: Sheep: 10:00 – 11:00 am
Farm Chore: Egg Collecting: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Meet the: Blue Hill Chef: 11:00 - 11:30 am
Farm Chore: Lettuce Planting: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Getting Grounded Tour: 11:30 am (45 minutes) Adults Hands on: Felting activity: 12:30 - 1:30 pm
Making the Rounds Tour: Greenhouse: 1:30 pm (20 minutes)
Listen: Story Time: 1:30 - 1:50 pm, recommended ages 2-6
Meet the: Sheep: 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Farm Activity: Prep the Field Beds 2:00 - 3:00pm
Hands-on: Pesto making 2:30 – 3:30 pm
Getting Grounded Tour: 3:15 pm (45 minutes) Adults
Farm Chore: TBD: 3:45 pm
Making the Rounds Tour: Field: 4:15 pm (20 minutes)
Activities and details are subject to change.”
Other weekend ideas?
The movies are always a fun weekend option. Alice Through the Looking Glass hits theatres this weekend in regular, 3D and 3D Imax format. Also the X-Men: Apocolypse is out in regular and 3D. And Angry Birds Movie hit theaters last weekend in regular and 3D format. My kids are so excited about this one! Captain America: Civil War is still in theaters. Rated PG-13 and in regular, 3D, IMAX and IMAX-3D format. The Jungle Book is still out but not in many theaters!
Have you checked out Fun Fuzion in New Rochelle yet. Fun Fuzion is Westchester’s only indoor amusement park. There’s bowling, mini golf, billiards, lazer tag, and a fun house with games and rides. There’s also a movie theater next door! Definitely a spot worth visiting!
Or maybe the Bronx Zoo?
Or Beardsley Zoo in Connecticut?
The New York Botanical Gardens are also a beautiful spot to visit and stroll around.
Baseball anyone? The Yankees are in away but the Mets are home this weekend and celebrating the ’86 Mets all weekend long!
And Bowlmor bowling alley is a fun option in White Plains!
The beaches in Greenwich are open. Passes are required from May 2 through October 31.! It’s a close, easy option that the whole family will love! There’s also Oakland beach in Rye. The Park is now considered“In Season” begins on the Friday before Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day. Weather permitting, lifeguards will be on duty and the beach is open for swimming from 9 a.m. until at least 5 p.m. Parking and Beach admission fees will apply
Remember, it’s always a good idea to call ahead, to ensure a scheduled activity is still running. Email me at ryebrook@hamlethub.com and let me know if we missed any super fun, family friendly events and/or if you would like to advertise with us!
Photo Credit: Kelly Schwark