Unlike any other county in the state, Westchester County is conveniently located less than an hour from Manhattan, boasting popular cities and scenic nature views in various areas. But what is Westchester NY known for? Exploring the arts, culture, and history of this region is a highly recommended activity, and we have compiled a list of our favorite spots to visit.
Things to Do in Westchester This Weekend
#1 Birdwatching
Join a bird expert from the Saw Mill River Audubon Society to explore the feathered inhabitants of Rockefeller State Park Preserve. The bird walk will take you on a loop around the preserve, suitable for birders of all experience levels. The event is free, with a parking fee of $6 per vehicle. Don’t worry if you don’t have binoculars, as the organizers can lend you some upon request.
#2 Croton Gorge Park and the New Croton Dam
Croton Gorge Park, located in Cortlandt, boasts some of the largest hand-hewn structures globally! With its 97-acre expanse at the base of the Croton Dam, it offers breathtaking views of the rushing water down the spillway. Visitors can easily access the Old Croton Aqueduct via the direct trail from the parking lot, where pedestrian foot trails lead to the top of the bridge. This walk, fitting conveniently amidst other activities, is more of a leisurely experience than a challenging hike.
#3 Children’s Shakespeare Theatre
Children’s Shakespeare Theatre presents Moliere’s Scapin, a classic comedy exploring the dynamics of parents, children, lies, and trickery. The cast and company comprise students from schools in Rockland, Westchester, and Bergen Counties, including home-schooled students. Join us on Friday, January 26, for an unforgettable experience.
#4 Upcycle Art Workshop: Repurposing Books
On Sunday, January 28th, come and join the excitement as you unleash your creativity and craft incredible creations using old books. Together, let’s revive and rejuvenate forgotten books that languish on the shelves. Imagination is your only limit; all supplies will be provided. You can prepare good ideas in advance. If you don’t find anything interesting, try installing a fast VPN for Windows and check again. With VeePN, a powerful and secure VPN service, you can unblock foreign websites. Perhaps this is where you will be able to find a worthwhile idea. Moreover, it will not cost you anything, VeePN works in a free trial version.
#5 Family Science Workshop: 100 Years of Galaxies
On Saturday and Sunday, January 27th and 28th, you and your family can join us at the Yonkers Museum. With the price of admission, you can create your own unique diorama of the Milky Way and nearby galaxies, on a scale of 1:5 hundred thousand billion billion. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to learn techniques for measuring the distances to distant places that cannot be visited in person.
#6 Anthony’s Nose Hike
One of the Hudson Highlands’ most renowned hikes, Anthony’s Nose, attracts numerous adventurers (and forms part of the Appalachian Trail). The trail spans a modest 1.9 miles but boasts a moderate difficulty level due to its steepness. Upon reaching the pinnacle, hikers can revel in the breathtaking vistas of Bear Mountain State Park. Although technically located in the Hudson Valley, this trail lies a mere 5 miles north of Westchester’s Peekskill. Due to its popularity, the trail often experiences crowded conditions, with limited parking availability.
#7 Comedy From Scratch
This weekend in Larchmont, local comedian Ben Asher is hosting a taste of NYC comedy. Bringing together comics from TV and NYC’s major clubs, the intimate venue celebrates its one-year anniversary show. Participating comedians include Elon Altman, the winner of New York’s Got Talent Season 3, Kunal Aroroa, a New York-based comedian, and Ben Asher himself. Don’t forget to bring your favorite beverages and food as the show is BYOB. You can also enjoy free parking. The event takes place on January 27, from 8-9:30 p.m. Venue: The Idea Kitchen, Larchmont.
#8 Free Pilates Class
This Sunday, Fabletics in the Westchester Mall will be hosting a free Pilates class organized by Pure Barre. Join us from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a refreshing and invigorating workout in a non-judgmental environment. The class focuses on strengthening the core and is open to all. After the class, there will be a private shopping session..
#9 Disney’s Finding Nemo Kids
Yorktown will premiere on Friday, January 26. It is a 30-minute musical adaptation of Disney’s Finding Nemo, the beloved 2003 Pixar movie. The musical features new music composed by the award-winning songwriting team of Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.
#10 Ice Skating
If you haven’t gone ice skating yet this season, consider this your invitation. Westchester County and its surrounding area offer a variety of indoor and outdoor skating options, ranging from local lakes to spacious rinks. Most of the rinks on our list provide skate rentals and ample public skating hours for your convenience.
Conclusion
We decided to leave the answer to the question, why is Westchester so popular, to you? What do you think is the secret to Westchester’s popularity? Send your comments to info@yonkerstimes.com.
