Westchester NY Moms
  • About Us
  • Calendar
  • Blog
    • Blog Topics
  • Things To Do
    • Indoor Fun
    • Outdoor Fun
    • Camp
  • Love Local
    • Be Prepared
    • Give Back
    • The Towns of Westchester
  • Resources
    • Education
    • Parenting
    • Music
    • Fitness & Health
    • Shopping
    • Beauty & Fashion
  • Contact Us

Blog

Award Winning Maternity Department Close to Home

8/27/2021

 
Picture
​Look no further. After more than 150 years of maternity experience and with a history of delivering more babies than any other hospital in Westchester County, St. John’s have been recognized as a 5 Star Maternity Department for over 13 years and we know how to make moms, partners and their babies feel well cared for.
 
The St. John’s Riverside Hospital Maternity team consists of the area’s leading doctors and compassionate nurses all of whom are certified in neonatal resuscitation. St. John’s Riverside Hospital Maternity team delivers the latest and most advances care in a comfortable, home-like environment that includes updated labor, delivery, and recovery rooms.
 
In addition, the Maternity Department now features all brand new state-of-the-art, private, luxury post-partum suites for the comfort of all our new moms. Most of the suites have sweeping river views.
 
The personalized pre-natal education program enhances the birthing experience providing comprehensive classes from Lamaze to breastfeeding.  Once your baby is delivered, you can rest assured that our state-of-the-art, Level II, Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery is equipped to provide comprehensive medical service if your baby is born prematurely or has other special needs.
 
St. John’s Riverside Hospital offers its Maternity patients large private Hudson River view rooms, award winning obstetrical care, nationally recognized safety program, a neonatal intensive care unit and a peaceful, post-partum recovery which overall offers a unique and comfortable environment for the newest members of our community.
 
If you would like a tour of the Maternity Department or a referral for an OB/GYN physician, feel free to call 914.964.4DOC or email info@riversidehealth.org.

More Articles You May Enjoy

Where to Go Apple Picking in Westchester County (and Nearby) 2021

8/27/2021

 
Picture
Apple picking season has arrived! It's the perfect way to get outside and have some socially distanced, seasonal fun with your family. Nearby orchards offer a classic autumn experience with all of your favorites— apples, pumpkins, hayrides, cider, donuts, bounce houses, fall festivals, live music, farm animals, corn mazes and more! 

We've rounded up a list of nearby apple orchards that local moms in Westchester County, NY recommend. For each upstate NY farm we have highlighted their opening day for apple picking and specifics around reservations, attractions, events and more. Enjoy!

Westchester County Apple Picking

Picture
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard
130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY  (Westchester County)

Harvest Moon is a local favorite. It is a family owned and operated farm market and U-Pick fruit and apple orchard in Westchester County. Typically it is open seasonally April-December. During the Fall they do pick-your-own apples and pears and throw a Fall Festival every weekend from Labor Day to Halloween.

This year you can enjoy live country music, hay rides, sweet and hard cider and the Farm Store (open for the sale of local produce, farm fresh eggs, pastured meats, local farm products such as honey, maple syrup, and jams/jellies, baked goods, ice cream, and donuts). The pumpkin patch will be open, brimming with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. Also available is a BBQ lunch, including their own farm fresh beef burgers.

Apple picking begins Saturday, September 11th and runs through the end of October. ​Open Monday through Sunday 9am to 5pm. Reservations available online, weekends only. Farm Store Hours are Monday through Sunday, 9am to 5pm. Purchase groceries and takeout orders from their kitchen.
Picture
Outhouse Orchards
139 Hardscrabble Rd, North Salem, NY (Westchester County)
​

Outhouse Orchards is a seasonal orchard open only in the fall for apples, pears, peaches and pumpkin picking through the months of September and October. There is also a wide selection of pumpkins, gourds and Halloween decorations available. Don't miss the Corn Maze and Hayrides! Enjoy tasty donuts, pies, live music and more this fall at the orchard.

The 2021 Picking Season will begin Labor Day Weekend. Peaches, pears, & apples will be available to pick at that time. Reservations begin the ​second weekend of September.
Picture
​Stuart's Fruit Farm
62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs, NY (Westchester County)
​

Stuart's Fruit Farm is a nearby, family-operated farm operating since 1828. Seasonally they offer a varied selection of flowers and vegetable plants in the spring, apple and peach picking as well as a pumpkin patch in the fall, and Christmas trees in the winter. Stuart’s has a very “home-like” feel.

This year apple picking begins September 6th and runs daily from 10am – 5pm through November. There are a variety of over 20 apples. In addition there is a pumpkin patch and hayrides (available on weekends from 11am – 5pm).  Cash or checks only.
Picture
Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm
1335 White Hill Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY (Westchester County)

Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm has been around for over 100 years and is a "no frills farm.” They sell a wide variety of apples, pumpkins and peaches, all available to “Pick-Your-Own” during harvest season. They have three farm markets that sell everything from their own pressed apple cider to freshly baked pies, famous apple cider donuts and gift items. They also have a winery!

Harvest season starts in August with Peaches and beginning of September with Apples. Pick-your-own Pumpkins start in October, and Choose-n-Cut Christmas Trees just after Thanksgiving.

This year apple picking and the corn maze open Saturday, September 4th. Pumpkin picking begins October 1st. The farm is open Wednesdays through Mondays starting late August through mid-December (closed Tuesdays). Pick-Your-Own: 10am - 4:30pm, Markets: 10am - 5pm, Corn Maze Hours: Wednesdays-Mondays 10am - 5pm beginning September 4th.

Hudson Valley Apple Picking Outside Westchester County

Picture
​Barton Orchards
63 Apple Tree Ln, Poughquag, NY (Dutchess County)
​

If you are looking for all the bells and whistles then take a trip to Barton Orchards! The 175-acre apple orchard and vegetable farm located in Poughquag, New York, has been in the Barton family for over 40 years. They have a pick your own farm with food, zipline aerial adventure course, petting zoo, special events, ice cream, tap room, playground, farm stand and more. 

Apple and other fruit and vegetable picking is open for the season! This year you can enjoy a fall festival, running each weekend through November 6th, featuring food and live entertainment.
Picture
Fishkill Farms
9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell JCT, NY (Dutchess County)

Fishkill Farms is an apple orchard and diversified fruit and vegetable farm in the town of East Fishkill, New York. They grow apples, peaches, berries, cherries, and other fruits, all of which are available in season for pick-your-own. Visitors can get produce at the farm store.
​
This year picking is by reservation only. Apple picking reservations for the first half of the fall harvest season–September 7th through October 15th have been posted. Pumpkin picking reservations will be added in early September as PYO pumpkins will not begin until mid-September. Pumpkin reservations are only required if you do not have an apple picking reservation. Otherwise, you may add on pumpkins when you arrive. 

​Fall Harvest Festivals are back — every weekend in September and October starting Saturday, September 11th for live music, wagon rides, fall PYO, hard cider sipping and more.
Picture
Pennings Farm
161 State Route 94 South, Warwick, NY (Orange County)

Pennings Farm operates on 50 acres of pristine farmland in the historic Hudson Valley town of Warwick, NY. For more than 30 years Pennings has offered  locally grown produce and more. What stands out at Pennings is the fantastic food and refreshments including very casual, outdoor, farm-to-table style food and drinks. They are delicious! Check out the Cafe, Pub, Beer Garden, Ice Cream Stand and Garden Center. Don't miss the Pennings Farm Cidery tap room and production facility located on the hillside directly behind the farm market.

Located on more than 50 acres of farmland, The Cidery Orchard at Pennings Farm in Orange County, New York offers more than 20 varieties of apples available for picking. Apple picking season is September and October and has been known to ease into November depending on weather and the season’s crop. Make sure to visit the Pennings Farm Cidery tap room and production facility located on the hillside directly behind the farm market.

This year apple picking begins at Pennings Orchard for Non-Reservation Drive-In August 28. The The Cidery Orchard at Pennings Farm picking begins on September 18th. Reservations are required. 
Picture
​Warwick Winery & Distillery
114 Little York Rd. Warwick, NY (Orange County)
​
Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery is located in the foothills of the Hudson Valley. Their manicured grounds, gardens, and orchards span over 120 acres. They offer an outdoor restaurant, marketplace and apple picking in the fall. There's live music, hard cider and more at this beautiful spot.

This year, apple season runs from Saturday, August 29th – Sunday, November 8th. The orchard is open 11am-5pm, 7 days a week. Meander through the trees, pick different apple varieties, drink Doc’s Cider, sangria or sip wine, and discover the history behind each apple. Enjoy gourmet farm-to-table cuisine (brick oven pizzas, locally grown salads, and more), live outdoor music festivals and the tap room and more!
That concludes our list of nearby orchards and farms to go apple picking for Westchester families. Did we miss one? Please share your ideas in the comments below.

For more ideas check out our Outdoor Fun page, constantly being updated with the latest and greatest things to do with kids in Westchester. You can also visit our Indoor Fun page and Community Calendar for additional ideas.

More Articles You May Enjoy

What You Need to Know About Midwives

8/9/2021

 
Picture
​These medical professionals bring a personal dimension to your delivery.  

Despite midwives being the norm in Europe, the trend has been slow to catch on in the US. Only 8% of American women use a midwife for birth. Often times, misconceptions about this profession cause many women to miss out on a comprehensive, holistic and safe approach to pregnancy and delivery.

Here are the three biggest misconceptions about midwives – all cleared up:

Midwives Are Medical Professionals
Midwives (translated to mean with women) are medically trained and certified in gynecological and obstetrical care. Many are registered nurses and have master’s degrees. They are qualified to sub in for a physician during a low-risk birth and should not be confused with doulas (who are not medically trained and play more of a general support role for the mother). At White Plains Hospital, our midwife program is integrated within our OBGYN practice – patients are seen in the same office and there is close collaboration with the physicians when needed.


Midwives Provide a Personal Touch to Standard OBGYN Care
With a midwife, obstetrical care is approached holistically rather than specifically through a medical lens and incorporates all aspects of pregnancy such as social skills, coping mechanisms and exercise programs. But perhaps the biggest difference between midwives and OBGYNs is the time that these professionals spend with the laboring mother, either at the hospital or at home. We are there from the beginning, and provide 100% support in labor, including guiding the mother through different positions to help her be as comfortable as possible. As a midwife, I strive to give our patients as close to a “homebirth” experience as possible -- within our modern, comfortable delivery suites at the hospital. If an emergency arises, everything we need is right outside the door, including access to an OBGYN who is always on call and available. 


Midwives’ Role Extends Beyond the Delivery Suite 
After the birth, midwives stick around to help with lactation. The profession advocates for exclusive breastfeeding, which is known for providing superior benefits for mother and baby, and they will continue to support new mothers once they are discharged home. Midwives will continue to provide postpartum support and gynecologic care, including pap exams and education, until the patient is ready to have their next child and the process starts all over again. 
​

Midwives can add a holistic, personal touch to your birth experience, with the peace of mind of knowing that the traditional medical resources and expertise is readily available should it be needed.
Picture
Written by Lucille Milne, a certified nurse midwife, seeing patients in White Plains. To make an appointment, please call 914-328-8444.


More Articles You May Enjoy

Outdoor Summer Day Trip and Nearby Vacation Ideas for Westchester Families

8/5/2021

 
Picture
It's family time! Camp is ending and school has yet to begin. The warm summer weather is a great time to try something new or revisit an old favorite. Zip-line through the forest, build sandcastles at the beach, pick your own berries on a farm, float along a lazy river at a water park, ride with excitement on a roller coaster, feed the animals at the zoo and much more.

While the pandemic lives on it is a good idea to check with your destination before heading over to determine if they are open, if advance reservations are required and what health and safety requirements are in place.
​
Now, let's get to it. Here's our list of mom-recommended outdoor summer day trip and vacation ideas in or near Westchester County. Click and enjoy!

Boats

Picture
Hudson River, Sleepy Hollow
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park
  • Sal J. Prezioso Mountain Lakes Park
  • Wampus Pond
  • Hudson River Expeditions
  • Kayak Hudson
  • Save the Sound / Westchester SUP
  • Mountain Valley Guides
  • Silver Canoes
  • Indian Head Canoes & Rafts
  • Storm King Adventure Tours
  • Bear Mountain Canoe & Paddleboats
  • Fahenstock State Park Row Boat Rentals at Canopus Lake
  • ​The Town Tinker Tube Rental
  • NYC Water Ski and Wakeboard School
  • Circle Line NYC Sightseeing Cruises
  • Hudson River Cruises
  • Norwalk Aquarium Boat Ride
  • Mystic CT Sailing Tour
  • Fire Island Ferries

More ideas from our website:
  • Rafting, Paddle Boarding, Kayaking, Canoeing and More Boat Rentals in Westchester County and Beyond​​

Pools

Picture
Tibbetts Brook Park
County Pools
  • Playland Pool
  • Sprain Ridge Pool
  • Saxon Woods Park
  • The Brook at Tibbetts
  • Willson's Waves Pool

State Pools 
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park
  • Bear Mountain State Park
  • Rockland Lake State Park
    ​
​Town Pools- see the complete list of Town Recreation Departments in Westchester County​

More ideas from our website:
  • ​Westchester County Pool, Beach, Splash Pad & Water Park Guide 2021: The Best Places to Swim, Splash and Slide​​

Splash Pads & Spray Parks

Picture
Louis Engel Waterfront Park
  • Sprain Ridge Pool
  • Willson’s Waves Park
  • Tibbetts Brook Park
  • Pierson Park
  • Harbor Island Park
  • Louis Engel Waterfront Park
  • Barnhart Park
  • Carol Nichols Park​​
    ​
More ideas from our website:
  • ​Westchester County Pool, Beach, Splash Pad & Water Park Guide 2021: The Best Places to Swim, Splash and Slide​

Beaches & Lakes

Picture
Playland Beach
Westchester Beaches
  • Johnston Beach at Harbor Island Park
  • Private Beaches & Clubs​
  • Hudson Park & Beach​
  • Rye Town Park
  • Glen Island Beach
  • Croton Point Beach
  • Playland Pool and Beach

Rockland & Putnam County Beaches & Lakes
  • Canopus Lake
  • Lake Welch
  • Rockland Lake State Park

Long Island Beaches
  • All Long Island Beaches
  • Jones Beach State Park
  • Robert Moses State Park
  • Fire Island
  • Hamptons
  • Naragansett

NYC Beaches- Coney Island

New Jersey- Jersey Shore & Beaches​

Connecticut Beaches
  • All CT Beaches
  • Compo Beach
  • Sherwood Island State Park
  • Greenwich Point- Tod’s Point
​
More ideas from our website:
  • ​Westchester County Pool, Beach, Splash Pad & Water Park Guide 2021: The Best Places to Swim, Splash and Slide​

Special Events

Picture
Dutchess County Fair
Fairs & Festivals
  • Ulster County Fair
  • Dutchess County Fair
  • Mest Fest 2021
  • New York Renaissance Faire
  • The 30th Annual Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival ​

​Outdoor Movies
  • Movies on the Green
  • Movies on the Lawn at Ridge Hill
  • Four Brothers Drive-in
  • Fair Oaks Drive-In
  • Hyde Park Drive-In
  • Overlook Drive-In

More ideas from our website: 
  • ​Summer Carnivals, Fairs & Festivals for Westchester Families 2021
  • Where to See an Outdoor or Drive-in Movie This August in or Near Westchester
  • ​Community Calendar

​Parks, Playgrounds, Hiking, Walks, Nature Centers

Picture
Greenburgh Nature Center Playground
Westchester Parks
  • Bronx River Trail- Bicycle Sundays run spring and fall (sometimes summer too)
  • Cranberry Lake Preserve (the quarry side)
  • Croton Point Park
  • Croton Gorge Park
  • Kensico Dam
  • Rye Marshlands
  • Wilson's Woods
  • Tibbet's Brook Park
  • See the full list of Westchester Parks

NY State Parks
  • Bear Mountain State Park & Carousel
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park
  • Rockefeller State Park
  • Harriman State Park
  • Fahnestock State Park
  • Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park​
  • Search all NY State Parks

Nature Centers
  • Cranberry Lake Preserve
  • Croton Point Nature Center
  • Greenburgh Nature Center
  • Rye Nature Center
  • ​Sheldrake Environmental Center
  • Teatown Lake Reservation
  • Weinberg Nature Center
  • Westmoreland Sanctuary
  • Wolf Conservation Center
  • Stamford Nature Center

Bridges
  • Mario Cuomo Bridge Path
  • Walkway Over the Hudson
  • Brooklyn Bridge & Brooklyn Bridge Park

Town Parks & Playgrounds
  • Ardsley Parks & Playgrounds
  • Bedford, Katonah Parks & Playgrounds- Caramoor, Lasdon Park & Arbortoreum in Katonah (check out the Magic of Spring Exhibit and the “Dinosaur Garden”) 
  • Briarcliff Manor Parks & Playgrounds
  • Bronxville Parks & Playgrounds
  • Cortlandt Parks & Playgrounds
  • Croton-on-Hudson Parks & Playgrounds- Trail map, Croton River Walk​
  • Dobbs Ferry Parks & Playgrounds
  • Eastchester Parks & Playgrounds
  • Greenburgh Parks & Playgrounds- Ridge Road Park & Hart's Brook, more here
  • Harrison Parks & Playgrounds
  • Hastings Parks & Playgrounds
  • Irvington Parks & Playgrounds
  • Larchmont Parks & Playgrounds- Flint Park, Pine Brook Park & Manor Park 
  • Lewisboro Parks & Playgrounds
  • Mamaroneck Parks & Playgrounds- Harbor Island Park 
  • Mount Kisco Parks & Playgrounds
  • Mount Pleasant Parks & Playgrounds
  • Mount Vernon Parks & Playgrounds
  • New Castle, Chappaqua and Millwood Parks & Playgrounds- Gedney Park 
  • New Rochelle Parks & Playgrounds
  • North Castle, Armonk, Banksville, and North White Plains Parks & Playgrounds
  • North Salem Parks & Playgrounds
  • Ossining Parks & Playgrounds
  • Peekskill Parks & Playgrounds- Peekskill Waterfront Walk 
  • Pleasantville Parks & Playgrounds
  • Port Chester Parks & Playgrounds
  • Pound Ridge Parks & Playgrounds- Ward Pound Ridge Reservation & Trailside Nature Museum
  • Rye Parks & Playgrounds- Rye Town Park And Beach
  • Rye Brook Parks & Playgrounds
  • Scarsdale Parks & Playgrounds
  • Tarrytown Parks & Playgrounds- recommended Pierson Park
  • Sleepy Hollow Parks & Playgrounds
  • Somers Parks & Playgrounds
  • White Plains Parks & Playgrounds- Saxon Woods Park 
  • Yonkers Parks & Playgrounds
  • Yorktown Parks & Playgrounds
  • Complete list of Town Recreation Departments in Westchester County

Westchester County- Other Parks, Hiking Trails and Areas
  • Untermeyer Gardens
  • Pepsico Sculpture Garden
  • Westchester Riverwalk
  • North-South County Trailway
  • Leatherstocking Trail
  • New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
  • Historic Hudson Valley Historic Sites: Philipsburgh Manor, Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate, Washington Irving's Sunnyside, Van Cortlandt Manor, Union Church of Pocantico Hills 
  • Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site

​Outside Westchester County- Other Parks and Areas
  • Van Saun Park
  • Central Park
  • ​Turkey Mountain
  • Bruce Park Playground
  • New York Botanical Garden
  • Wave Hill in Riverdale

More ideas from our website: 
  • ​15 Fun Spring Activities and Ideas From Moms in Westchester
  • Nature Centers in Westchester County

Animals & Farms

Picture
Muscoot Farm
Farms & Orchards
  • Muscoot Farm
  • Stone Barns
  • Green Chimneys
  • Fishkill Farms
  • Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard
  • Barton Orchards
  • Hilltop Hanover Farm
  • Och's Orchard
  • Outhouse Orchards
  • Penning's Farm
  • Stuart's Fruit Farm
  • Warwick Winery & Distillery
  • Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm
  • White Post Farms on Long Island
  • Long Island Game Farm

More Animals & Zoos
  • Bronx Zoo
  • Central Park Zoo
  • Bear Mountain Zoo
  • New York Aquarium
  • Stew Leonard’s
  • Wolf Conservation Center​
  • Bergen County Zoo in NJ
  • Turtle Back Zoo in NJ
  • Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru in NJ
  • Beardsley Zoo in CT
  • Maritime Aquarium in CT
  • Mystic Aquarium in CT

Nature Centers- see above
​
More ideas from our website: 
  • Farms, Pick Your Own Fruit and Orchards In or Near Westchester County
  • 15 Fun Spring Activities and Ideas From Moms in Westchester
  • Nature Centers in Westchester County
  • ​See the Animals This Winter: Zoos, Farms, Nature Centers & Aquariums in or Near Westchester​
  • Where to Go Apple Picking in Westchester County (and Nearby) 2020

Adventure

Picture
Westchester County
  • Boundless Adventure
  • Bronx Zoo Treetop Adventure
  • Spins Hudson
  • Barton Orchards Treetop Adventures

Upstate New York
  • Catamount Mountain
  • New York Zip Line Canopy Tours (Located at Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl)
  • The Castle Fun Center
  • Adirondack Extreme

Long Island
  • Wild Play Jones Beach
  • Adventure Park at Long Island​
    ​
Connecticut
  • Adventure Park at Discovery Museum
  • Adventure Park at Storrs
  • Brownstone Exploration & Discovery Park
  • Club Getaway
  • Fields of Fire
  • Highflyer at Foxwoods
​
New Jersey
  • FLG X New Jersey
  • TreEscape at Mountain Creek
  • Treetop Adventure Course at Turtle Back Zoo 

Pennsylvania
  • Camelback Mountain Adventures
  • Gorilla Grove Treetop Adventures at Kalahari​

More ideas from our website: 
  • Outdoor Aerial Adventure Parks, Ropes Courses and Zip Lining In and Near Westchester​​

Attractions & Trips (may be more than an hour's drive)

Picture
New York
  • Baseball game at Yankee Stadium, Citi Field or Rockland Boulders
  • Playland
  • Legoland Amusement Park - now open!
  • Splashdown Beach
  • Enchanted Forest Water Safari
  • Six Flags Great Escape
  • Splish Splash
  • ​Zoom Flume​
  • Adventureland
  • Bayville Adventure Park
  • ​NYC- Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Times Square, Broadway, More ideas at​ Time Out New York Kids
  • Pine Ridge Dude Ranch
  • Mohonk Mountain House
  • Rocking Horse Ranch
  • Lake George

Connecticut
  • Quassy Amusement Park
  • Lake Compounce
  • Ocean Beach Park
  • ​Essex Steam Train and Riverboat Ride
  • Mystic
  • Club Getaway

New Jersey
  • Storybook Land
  • Dutch Wonderland
  • Land of Make Believe
  • Six Flags Great Adventure
  • Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
  • Keansburg Amusement Park
  • Morey's Piers
  • Mountain Creek

​Pennsylvania
  • Sesame Place
  • Diggerland
  • Field Station Dinosaurs
  • Crayola Experience
  • Hershey Park
  • ​Thundering Surf
  • Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom 
  • Stratsburg Rail Road
  • Camelbeach
  • Lake Tobias Wildlife Park
  • Poconos (Skytop)
  • Woodloch
​ ​
More ideas from our website: 
  • Mini Golf Is Open in Westchester County
  • ​Indoor Fun Page
  • Outdoor Fun Page

More Places to Find Ideas

Picture
Niagara Falls, Photo by James Wheeler from Pexels
  • I Love NY
  • Visit Westchester County
  • Time Out NY Kids
  • NYC Go
  • Visit New Jersey
  • Visit Connecticut
  • Visit Pennsylvania
That concludes our list of outdoor summer day trip and nearby vacation ideas for Westchester families. Did we miss one? Please share your ideas in the comments below.

For more ideas check out our Outdoor Fun page, constantly being updated with the latest and greatest things to do with kids in Westchester. You can also visit our Indoor Fun page and Community Calendar for additional ideas.

More Articles You May Enjoy

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze Is Back for 2021, Tickets Go on Sale August 17

8/5/2021

 
Picture
One of fall's most enjoyed outdoor events in Westchester County is back for 2021... The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze!

Located at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, NY, The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze is a breathtaking display of more than 7,000 illuminated jack o’lanterns paired with synchronized lighting and original music. This year's event runs from September 17 through November 21.
Picture
If you have not been to this before, you could equate it to the New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show in the sense that this is a seasonal display of sculptures built out of plants, in this case pumpkins. What makes this event even more spectacular is the nighttime ambiance, featuring synchronized lighting and thousands of glowing pumpkins. Amazingly, all of the displays, including 7,000 hand-carved jack o’lanterns, are designed and hand-carved on site.  New for 2021 is the New York City skyline the River of Light under the sea display.
Picture
​Unlike many other Halloween spectaculars and events, this one is very family friendly and appropriate for kids and adults of all ages-- assuming your children can handle staying up. For the early birds, you could consider going later in the season when the sun sets earlier and show times begin as early as 6:00pm. There are no scary zombies or haunted creatures lurking in the shadows. You can walk through the entire display in about 30-45 minutes. ​
The Blaze is an outdoor and touch-free experience. To ensure a healthy, safe, and fun experience for all visitors masks are required for unvaccinated visitors and for everyone when indoors. There is also reduced capacity to ensure visitors can maintain proper social distancing. In addition all tickets must be purchased in advance online and all visitors must agree to the COVID Courtesy Code.
Picture
Picture
The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze is located at Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520.

​Tickets must be purchased in advance on the 
Historic Hudson Valley website. Admission is by timed ticket only. Fan presale tickets go on sale August 10, general public tickets are available starting August 17. This is an extremely popular event so book early. Tickets start at $24 for members,  children 2 and under are free.

New for 2021, you can also consider a FLEX ticket. Each individual FLEX ticket provides the ticket holder access to Blaze on any night, in any time slot the event is open, even if the event is sold out. No need to reserve a specific date or time, just show up with your FLEX ticket! Because of the special access these tickets provide, only a handful are available.

More Articles You May Enjoy

Where to See an Outdoor or Drive-in Movie This August in or Near Westchester

8/2/2021

 
Picture
Fair Oaks Drive-In
Enjoy a relaxing movie under the stars! ​Check out a local movie screening or a Drive-In movie this August in Westchester County. These flicks can be an inexpensive (and in some cases FREE) way to have a fun night with family and friends. Get the theater experience from the privacy of your car or on cozy blanket before the warm summer nights are behind us.

Outdoor Movie Screenings in Westchester County

Picture
Movies on the Lawn at Ridge Hill
Movies on the Green
Wed Aug 11th 8:00pm - Wed 25th 10:30pm
Cross County Center, 
8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers, NY

​Bring your friends and family to The Green, in the center of the Cross County Mall to enjoy summertime movies, free!
  • Wednesday, August 11th: Ferris Bueller's Day Off
  • Wednesday, August 18th: Dirty Dancing
  • Wednesday, August 25th: Jurassic Park 

Movies begin at sundown, around 8pm. Rain dates will be offered. Wearing a mask is recommended for those not vaccinated.
Movies on the Lawn at Ridge Hill
Every Monday through Sep 6th 
Ridge Hill, Yonkers, NY 
​

Enjoy an evening under the stars at Ridge Hill's Movies on the Lawn! Every Monday through September 6, bring your chairs and blankets to the South Lawn for family friendly fun. Events are free (no tickets required) and seating is available on a first come basis.

Come early for food trucks, fun and games on Lembo Street, adjacent to the lawn, starting at 7pm. Movies begin at sunset and parking is free!
  • August 2- The Incredibles
  • August 9- Captain Marvel
  • August 16- Guardians of the Galaxy
  • August 23- Wonder Woman
  • August 30- Raya and the Last Dragon
Screenings Under the Stars
Fridays through September 24, Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla, Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson, and Tibbetts Brook Park

Screenings Under the Stars, sponsored by White Plains Hospital, runs at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla, Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson, and new this summer, Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers. All movies will be ticketed-admission events, with purchase available online pre-sale only. Tickets are $25 per car and there will be limited capacity following distancing protocols.

All movies will be held on Friday night after dark:
  • Aug. 6 Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) at Kensico Dam Plaza- tickets on sale now
  • Aug. 20 Forrest Gump (1994) at Kensico Dam Plaza
  • Sept. 10 Pixar’s Soul (2020) at Croton Point Park
  • Sept. 24 Disney’s Mulan (2020) at Tibbetts Brook Park
Yorktown Summer Movie Series
Thu Aug 12th 
Jack DeVito Veterans Memorial Track & Field, 208-264 Veterans Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY


Enjoy an outdoor movie picnic style at Veteran's Field. Registration is required in advance.

Drive-In Theaters Near Westchester County

Picture
Warwick Drive-In
Open Daily, 5 Warwick Turnpike, Warwick, NY

​Since 1950, the Warwick Drive-In Theater has been giving movie-goers the ultimate theater experience.  Their theater is one of around 350 drive-in theaters left in the United States. There are three screens that play 6 first-run movies a night. They also sell a wide range of grilled and fried food, soft drinks, candy, and popcorn. Movies are shown rain or shine! About an hour's drive from Westchester. Check their website for showtimes and to reserve tickets.
Four Brothers Drive-in
Shows daily, 4957 NY-22, Amenia, NY 

​This Drive-In is a bit of a drive but you can enjoy way more than just a movie! This outdoor boutique theatre largely showcases family-friendly films along with comedy and drama. Movies are changed every Friday. Arrive early and take advantage of everything the Drive-In has to offer... mini golf, camping, fire pits, playground, arcade and more! Pets welcome. The concession shack operates all day, so there is always staff on site after 11:00am.  Dine on the patio or eat in your car. There is also a food truck! ​Check their website for showtimes and to reserve tickets.
Fair Oaks Drive-In
Fair Oaks Drive-In
365 Bloomingburg Rd, Middletown, NY

About an hour away, you can visit the Fair Oaks Drive-In. This August is primarily live, in-person adult comedy shows. Check their website for showtimes and tickets.
Hyde Park Drive-In
Open daily, 4114 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, NY

This drive-in movie theater has been family owned and operated since 1949. Admission includes two movies. The ticket booth opens one hour before the advertised showtime of the first movie. Movie schedules usually run Friday through Thursday. Food and drinks are available. Typically they are open through  mid-September.  Check their website for showtimes.
Overlook Drive-In
​Open daily, 126 Degarmo Road, Poughkeepsie, NY

Touting the "largest screen in the Tri-State area", the Overlook Drive-In has been family owned and operated since 1955. Admission includes two movies. The ticket booth opens one hour before the advertised showtime of the first movie. Movie schedules usually run Friday through Thursday. Food and drinks are available. Typically they are open through  mid-September. ​Check their website for showtimes.
That sums up the outdoor movie options near Westchester County. Enjoy the beautiful summer nights! For more ideas about things to do, check out our Community Calendar, Outdoor Fun and Indoor Fun pages on our website.

More Articles You May Enjoy

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016

    Categories

    All
    About Us
    Art
    Beauty & Fashion
    Business
    Camp
    Career
    Community
    Creativity
    Education
    Fitness & Health
    Food
    Give Back
    Hea
    Home
    Indo
    Indoor Fun
    Mommy & Me
    Music
    Outdoor Fun
    Pare
    Parenting
    Real Estate
    Shopping
    Things To Do
    Virtual

Connect With Us
Home
About
© 2022-2023  Westchester NY Moms & Strategic Joy Communications LLC. This website includes paid advertising and endorsements.
Photos used under Creative Commons from Clotee Pridgen Allochuku, Kofi_MT, mrsdkrebs, jsax2015, Jeff Sandquist, Israel_photo_gallery, gabrielsaldana, Thanks for over 2 million views!!, Castles, Capes & Clones, Ted Drake, Kurt Magoon, CS_McMahon, chrismetcalfTV, Soren Wolf, Baker County Tourism, The Chapman Cultural Center, John Drake Flickr, photoverulam, 7263255, IQRemix, Art4TheGlryOfGod, Joe Mabel, Mike Miley, ell brown, tedeytan, Rob.Bertholf, flickingerbrad, MoToMo, Larry Lamsa, DieselDemon, Bobolink, Richard Ricciardi, gabrielsaldana, Montgomery County Planning Commission, beaucon, Jorick77, Still Vision, Vironevaeh, RLHyde, wuestenigel, mliu92, jennisweat, Larry1732, Michael Bentley, USDAgov, Tim Evanson, Karolina Kabat, deejayqueue, Strelka Institute photo, JohnSeb, Base Camp Baker, Dance Photographer - Brendan Lally, Fibonacci Blue, Larry1732, daryl_mitchell, Miroslav Vajdić, Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, susivinh, Larry1732, dancingnomad3, sarahstierch, Base Camp Baker, A J Thackway, hoyasmeg, Salvation Army USA West, quinn.anya, CapCase, Kirt Edblom
  • About Us
  • Calendar
  • Blog
    • Blog Topics
  • Things To Do
    • Indoor Fun
    • Outdoor Fun
    • Camp
  • Love Local
    • Be Prepared
    • Give Back
    • The Towns of Westchester
  • Resources
    • Education
    • Parenting
    • Music
    • Fitness & Health
    • Shopping
    • Beauty & Fashion
  • Contact Us