July 4th is here! Happy Birthday America! Happy Independence Day. It’s a wonderful holiday featuring yummy BBQs, breathtaking fireworks, pools, beaches, and will hopefully be enjoyed with family and friends. Enjoy it and remember to thank our troops and those who have served so that we can all enjoy our independence.
Fireworks
My favorite spot to watch them is at Port Chester High School. They have a great program with music, usually by local school bands, starting at 7:30 and then a fabulous display of fireworks lights up the sky over the field right by the track, once the sky is dark enough. The nearby streets quickly fill up with parked cars so get there early if you want a good spot. And don’t forget your blanket, beach chairs, and bug spray ;-)
Other local spots with fireworks on the 4th include Harbor Island in Mamaroneck, Manor Park in Larchmont, and Rye Playland. If you’re extra eager and can’t wait till tomorrow, there are fireworks tonight in Greenwich at Binney Park and Greenwich Point Park and Kensico Dam in Valhalla.
Rye Library
If the younger ones are off from camp on Friday, which many are, why not head to the Rye Library to check out their Music and Movement class for children age 18 months - 4 years. Today, Friday, July 3rd at 9:30, 10:15, 11:00 children will have the chance to “Wiggle to music, giggle to funny rhymes and pretend to be wild and wonderful animals in this lively interactive program with "Ellen Watermelon" Kaplan and "Dawny Dew" Halasz. Music is a natural connection tool. It brings people together and helps them interact with one another. Children are engaged with the use of puppets, felt board activities, nursery rhymes, and songs. We encourage active participation by parents and other caregivers. This 20 minute weekly musical program promotes early language skills and socialization. Since space is limited you may attend only 1 session per day. Please note that doors close 5 minutes after the program begins to prevent interruptions and help focus attention on the Presenter. Please be prepared to enjoy the Children's Room while waiting for the next session to begin.”
Also on Friday, from 1-2:35pm, for the older kids, ages 5 & up, bring your lunch and the library will provide the juice and a snack. ”They're cute...they're cuddly...they're back! From the creators of Madagascar comes the hilarious new movie that proves global espionage is for the birds! In DreamWorks' Penguins Of Madagascar, your favorite super-spies - Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private - join forces with the elite North Wind team to save the world. It's a side-splitting, globe-trotting adventure the whole family will love!”
Library closed Saturday
Click here to learn more
Click here to learn more about any of the Rye Library’s programs.
Fireman’s Carnival
My favorite carnival growing up was always the Fireman’s Carnival, put on every year around the July 4th holiday, and the tradition continues! The Village of Mamaroneck Fire Department's Carnival will run from Friday, June 26th through Sunday, July 5th (starting @ 7:00 PM). The carnival takes place at Harbor Island Park (Boston Post Rd & Mamaroneck Ave) and has yummy food, fun games and lots of exciting rides! Entrance to the carnival is free, however participants pay per ride. On Saturday, July 4th, at 9:30pm, be sure to stay for an amazing display of fireworks at Harbor Island Park!
Playland
Always a fun activity for the whole family, Playland in Rye NY is open for the summer! This amusement park offers rides, food, entertainment and an arcade! What more could a kid want?!
There will be breathtaking fireworks on July 3rd and 4th…Park hours for Friday and Saturday are 11-12am, and 12-10pm on Sunday.
Westchester Children’s Museum
While you’re at or near Playland, why not check out the all new children’s museum! Admission price this summer is “Pay-What-You-Wish.” “The Westchester Children’s Museum, located on the Boardwalk at Playland in Rye, is open for the season. The museum’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Mondays and Tuesdays are reserved for by-appointment groups.
Among the exhibits this year are:
- “Build Your Own Roller Coaster” - an interactive, hands-on experience that involves the creation of your own roller coaster from design phase to testing phase. Visitors will have a chance to make discoveries about force, energy, friction, and stability - all while having a great time. Sponsored by Con Edison.
- KEVA planks - an interactive experience comprised of thousands of small, uniform building planks yielding endless creation possibilities. Incorporating elements of art and architecture, the exhibit will challenge children, fuel creativity, and allow for collaborative interaction.
Make things fly - The fun begins when junior inventors use odd materials to create a flying object and then experiment with it in the museum’s fantastic wind tunnel.”
For more info, visit their website.
Pleasantville Farmer’s Market
From Saturday, May 23rd (8:30-1) through December 5, the Pleasantville Farmer’s Market is open for all to enjoy in Memorial Plaza, next to the train station. There will be “farm-fresh foods, prepared foods created with regionally sourced ingredients, as well as many other unique offerings. It's a great way to support local agriculture and eat healthy year-round.”
The market is open this July 4th holiday and even has a fun activity for the kids from 9:30-11-an obstacle course they are sure to love!!
Bruce Museum
Closed Friday and Saturday, but open Sunday, the Bruce Museum is a hidden gem 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 Sunday, check out “Fred Elser First Sunday Science @ The Seaside Center. Deep Sea- The free event will be held along with family activities at the Bruce Museum Seaside Center in Greenwich Point Park, Old Greenwich, from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. The lecture begins at 2:00 p.m.
For complimentary Greenwich Point Park entry for the event, contact Cynthia Ehlinger by July 2 at 203-413-6756 or cynthiae@brucemuseum.org”
West Side Story at Westchester Broadway Theatre
Last weekend! Ending July 5, 2015, West Side story comes to the Westchester Broadway Theatre. This could definitely be one of the greatest musicals ever made with fabulous music, lyrics and choreography, as well as a plot that’s relevant today!
“A modern version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet set on the mean streets of New York during the turbulent fifties. Caught between two warring street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, Tony and Maria attempt to create a life together. This brilliant collaboration by Broadway greats Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim combines music, lyrics and dance into a timeless tribute to young love. "Something's Coming", "Maria", "America", "Somewhere", "Tonight", "I Feel Pretty.”
For tickets and showtime information, click here.
Home Depot Kids’ Workshop
It’s the first Saturday of the month which means The Home Depot is hosting their super fun and FREE kids’ workshop! On Saturday, between the hours of 9 & 12, kids ages 5-12 can come learn how to build a “Minions Scooter.” Kids are able to keep their craft, get a certificate, an apron and a pin! While registering isn’t required, they do prefer it to be able to plan craft kit quantities needed.
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! The museum is open on the 4th but closing early!
Check out, Mega Making, Stepping Stone’s newest exhibit experience, which was “designed by Stepping Stones to celebrate creativity in our children! They will be the future engineers, designers, inventors, artists, teachers, scientists and the ones shaping the world - maybe in as little as 10 years from now!”
“The Mega Making exhibit experience is organized into five main areas: Art, Textiles, Construction/Woodworking, Tinkering and Book Nook/Future Ideas. Using real materials and real tools, young makers can explore art, textiles, construction and woodworking, tinkering and gadgets and a variety of materials, techniques and projects!” There will be staff members to help get kids started, “whether it’s working a needle and thread for the first time, practicing using wrenches and screwdrivers, tinkering with batteries and buzzers or picking out the perfect artist medium. Something for all ages, best for 5 and older. Children and their adults will surely enjoy a unique experience together!”
John Jay Independence Day Fair at John Jay Homestead
On Saturday, July 4th, from 11-4 get back to those colonial roots and celebrate Independence Day like our forefathers did! There will be tons of fun activities including colonial games, pony rides, beekeeping, arts & crafts, live music, discover centers, farmer’s market, petting zoo, hayrides, bird house building, and of course, refreshments.
Stamford Nature Center
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The Stamford Nature Center is another fabulous destination just up the Merritt! On Sunday from 10-2pm, don’t miss the Sunday Farmers Market! There will be SNC’s own farm-fresh eggs from the chickens on Heckscher Farm, maple syrup made in the SNC’s own Maple Sugar House, and wool from their sheep. There will be weekly farm-related family activities with the "Market Madness" program led by one of the environmental educators. *SM&NC Sunday Market Admission Only: FREE. Please note free entry to the Farm Market does not include: Galleries, Heckscher Farm, Nature's Playground, hiking trails or participation in the Market Madness program. |
Palisade’s Fair at Palisades Mall
Just across the Tappan Zee bridge in Rockland, is the Palisades Mall. Weekends from June 19th- July 5th, check out the huge carnival going on! There will be yummy food, fun games and FREE live entertainment and shows “including The Fearless Flores Thrill Show (as seen on America's Got Talent), Lance Gifford’s Magic & Illusion Show, Las Vegas Hypnotist Show” and a huge FREE petting Zoo and much more. Parking is free too!
Maritime Aquarium
There is always SO much going on at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT.
On Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-3pm, check out the Toy Boat-Making Workshop for a fund 20 minute boat-building project! “Build and decorate a toy sailboat to take home as a special keepsake of your Maritime Aquarium visit. Cost: $5 per child (in addition to Aquarium admission).”
Ongoing exhibits worth checking out include the butterflies in the Flutter Zone, the Dragon exhibit, the always curious and adorable Meerkats and the Jiggle A Jelly Jellyfish exhibition.
The aquarium is definitely worth a trip up the Merritt or 95!
Click here to learn more about Maritime.
Weekends at Stone Barns Center
Weekends at Stone Barns Center are wonderful! Experience what's happening on the farm, meet the farmers and greet the season. On a Saturday or Sunday visit Stone Barns to participate in a variety of seasonal, hands-on activities and even better, now drop-in tours are included with your one-day admission ticket! Tickets sell out so be sure to get yours ahead of time!
Prices are as follows; adult (ages 16+) $20, youth (ages 2-15) $10. Children under 2 & members: FREE. Click here to become a member and learn more! Or here to purchase tickets
Greenburgh Nature Center
The GNC always has a fun array of activities for families to enjoy each weekend! Don’t forget, the center is closed on July 4.
June 27-Aug 2 from 10-3 don’t miss the Annual Butterfly Exhibit. “ Located in our new plant meadow, this exhibit provides a natural setting for people and pollinators. Learn about native plants and butterflies, and how they rely on one another. Exhibit appropriate for all ages. Members FREE, Non-members $11 adults, $10 seniors/students, $9 children ages 2-12, under 2 FREE. Includes admission to Manor House. NOTE: All visitors must see receptionist in Manor House to receive a stamp prior to entering the butterfly exhibit.”
On Sunday, July 5th at 11:30am, check out Teaching Trails- “AGuided Trail Experience through our woodland forest. Discover who left that track, which tree makes the best animal home, or who uses that fallen tree for protection. Program runs approximately 45 minutes. FREE!”
Also on Sunday, at 2pm, learn how to “Float Like a Butterfly-Join a naturalist on a short walk to our beautifully restored Native Plant Meadow. Learn about the life cycle of a butterfly and the epic migration Monarch butterflies embark upon every year. Make your own colorful butterfly to take home. Members $5/person, Non-Members $8/person.”
Hudson River Museum
The Hudson River Museum, in Yonkers, boasts an amazing Planetarium, six galleries, and mansion!
In addition, this weekend HRM has Art Projects on Saturday and Sunday from 1-4pm for the kids to participate in and Science Projects on Saturday from 1-4pm. For more info, click here.
Click here to learn more.
Muscoot Farm
Muscoot farm has a few fun educational activities for the family this weekend!
On Saturday, July 4th, the Art Show will be going on from 12-4pm in the Main House, featuring artist Paul Kmiotek.
On Sunday, check out the yummy and fresh farmer’s market from 10-3pm. “With over 20 vendors our market has it all. From honey to cheese and fresh vegetables to meats you will surely leave with something tasty. Most vendors accept cash only.”
And finally, on Sunday from 1-3pm, come check out the Backyard Chicken Workshop! “Want to know what it takes to keep chickens in your backyard? This workshop will teach you the basics of raising chickens in your backyard. Pre-registration required.”
Farmer’s Market in Rye
All summer long, Rye hosts a great farmer’s market in the back parking lot behind Encore, Chase bank and Blue Mercury on Sundays from 8:30-2pm.
Movies
While the weather is predicted to be nice on this weekend, sometimes you just need to head indoors to a dark, quiet place to veg out! Relatively new still, in regular and 3-D versions, “Inside Out”, an animated movie about dealing with all those emotions in our bodies represented by voices you’re sure to recognize!. Jurassic World is also out though for the older ones as it has a PG-13 rating.
Check out showtimes here!
Other good weekend ideas include baseball games!! Check out the Met's and Yankee's schedules! Or stay more local and check out the Rockland Boulders! They have home games Friday and Saturday evening!
Or maybe the Bronx Zoo?
The NY Botanical Gardens is a beautiful nearby destination!
And Bowlmor bowling alley is now open in White Plains!
The beaches in Rye and Greenwich are a close, easy option that the whole family will love!
Finally, a fun activity to cool down on the hot summer days that lie ahead, sprinkler park! There’s a great one located in Mamaroneck, at Harbor Island Park. And while you’re there, you can check out the beach, the playground and all the yummy restaurants on Mamaroneck Ave!
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