40 Things to Do Outdoors in Westchester, Rockland, and Bergen Counties with Your Kid
Use this as your spring to-do list of outdoor activities in Westchester, Rockland, and Bergen counties for family fun.
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8. Tallman Mountain State Park
Tallman Mountain State Park overlooks the Hudson River and Piermont Marsh. The park boasts a running track, tennis courts, walking trail, hiking, and picnic areas.
9. Haverstraw Bay Park
Haverstraw Bay Park, a 27-acre park on the Hudson River waterfront, houses a large gazebo in the middle of the field. Watch the kids run around the three playgrounds (each geared for different ages), fish at the freshwater pond, fly a kite on the field, or reflect at the Sept. 11th Memorial & Patriot Garden.
10. Rockland Lake State Park
Cool off at this park (located on a ridge of Hook Mountain above the west bank of the Hudson River) thanks to its new water complex with a 5,000-square-foot, zero-entrance swimming pool with diving boards, a spray ground, and two large water slides. Walk, jog, roller blade, or bicycle on the 3.2-mile, non-motorized use, paved trail that goes around Rockland Lake at Rockland State Park.
11. Blauvelt State Park
Blauvelt State Park is 590 acres of forested green space in Rockland County. Hiking trails give the only access and spectacular views of the Hudson Valley.
Bergen County
1. Van Saun County Park
Within its 146 acres, Van Saun County Park has a zoo, train, carousel, spray ground, and large playground. Enjoy lunch or a snack at one of the pavilions with tables or the grassy picnic areas located throughout the park.
2. Abma’s Farm
Come on down to Abma’s Farm and check out its barnyard petting zoo. Visit the goats, sheep, alpaca, donkeys, ponies, bunnies, pigs, and more. Kids will love one-of-a-kind features like its goat walk, duck pond, and ‘Bunnyville.’
3. Flat Rock Brook Nature Center
A 150-acre preserve and education center, Flat Rock Brook Nature Center is on the western slope of the Palisades in Englewood, NJ. Explore the 3.6 miles of trails as you hike, birdwatch, or have other outdoor fun.
4. Paramus Mini Golf
Challenge the kids to a round of mini golf at Paramus Mini Golf. It’s right next to the Paramus Golf Course if the mini variety is too easy for your crew.
5. Fort Lee Historic Park
American history buffs will adore this spot. You’ll find a 33-acre, cliff-top park area with scenic overlooks and a reconstructed Revolutionary War encampment at Fort Lee Historic Park.
6. Aviation Hall of Fame
Learn about New Jersey’s role in achieving innovative air and space accomplishments. Founded in 1972, the Aviation Hall of Fame houses historic aircraft right in the great outdoors.
7. Lorrimer Sanctuary
Lorrimer Sanctuary in Franklin Lakes has a self-guiding trail system that winds through the 14 acres of land. You’ll find lots of second-growth woods (mostly oak, maple, ash, and beech) and small stands of planted evergreens.
8. Palisades Interstate Park
Enjoy 2,500 acres of Hudson River shorefront, uplands, and cliffs at Palisades Interstate Park. The park boasts 30 miles of hiking trails, a scenic riverside drive, and cliff-top overlooks.
9. James A. McFaul Environmental Center
This 81-acre wildlife sanctuary features a waterfowl pond, bird shelters, nature trail, memorial gazebo, and natural science exhibits. At the James A. McFaul Environmental Center, you’ll find gardens and a naturalized field and woodland area with many plant species.
10. Ramapo Valley Reservation
The Ramapo Valley Reservation is a popular destination for hikes and nature lovers. This 3,000-plus acre county park offers hiking along a mountain brook with a waterfall and fishing without a license for kids younger than 14.
11. Demarest Farms Drive-In Movie
Watch a flick from the comfort of your own car. Demarest Farms, a farm and garden center in Hillsdale, transforms into a drive-in theater so you can catch movies all spring and summer.
12. Demarest Nature Center
This center aims to educate the young and old about the beauty of nature and the importance of protecting our environment. At Demarest Nature Center, take a walk and explore the wildlife in their natural habitat.
13. Closter Nature Center
Enjoy this oasis in the middle of suburban Closter. With 136 acres of ponds, brooks, meadows and forests to explore, you’ll relish the beauty at Closter Nature Center.
14. The Hermitage Museum
The museum building and visitor’s services are closed, but the grounds are open daily at The Hermitage Museum, a National Historic Landmark and historic house museum. The original house was built in the 1750s and was the home of Theodosia Prevost during the American Revolution, when the house was visited by George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Aaron Burr, who later married Theodosia at the Hermitage.
15. Tenafly Nature Center
Located on nearly 400 acres, Tenafly Nature Center offers a dozen trail options. They can be combined for a little over 7 miles of hiking, with trails varying from short to about 2 miles.
16. Easton Tower
A scenic tower built next to the Saddle River in 1899, Easton Tower is part of a landscaped park of the estate owned by Edward Easton, a notable figure in American technological history. The tower was built in 1899 on land where a grain mill, the Red Mill, once stood.