New York Aquarium
Dinosaurs, planets, trains, masterpieces, sharks, illusions, ice cream, water experimentation... these are just a few things your child can experience and learn about at nearby museums and aquariums in Westchester County, NY.
When the weather is not conducive to outdoor activities, museums and aquariums are a hands-on, real-life way to engage your child in learning and fun. Museums are always changing exhibits so there is always something new to see. With some of the best museums in the world in our backyard, we are very fortunate. Kids can enjoy playrooms, maker labs, world-renown art and science exhibits, touch tanks, planetariums and so much more.
One concern parents have about museums is that they can get expensive. Here are some ideas to keep costs low, while keeping your child's spirits high!
When the weather is not conducive to outdoor activities, museums and aquariums are a hands-on, real-life way to engage your child in learning and fun. Museums are always changing exhibits so there is always something new to see. With some of the best museums in the world in our backyard, we are very fortunate. Kids can enjoy playrooms, maker labs, world-renown art and science exhibits, touch tanks, planetariums and so much more.
One concern parents have about museums is that they can get expensive. Here are some ideas to keep costs low, while keeping your child's spirits high!
Tips to Enjoy Museums For Less
Here are some tips to enjoy museums without breaking the bank:
- Become a Museum Member- Museums offer memberships which can be cost-effective if you plan to visit multiple times in a year. This can be huge if there is a museum nearby that your child enjoys again and again. There are typically other perks to memberships like special exhibit access, food & parking discounts and guest passes.
- Invest in a Reciprocal Membership- Reciprocal memberships give you free or discounted admission to a number of attractions, which is a great way to see a lot on a budget. For example, The Association of Children's Museums Reciprocal Network gives discounted admissions to a vast list of member museums across the US and Canada- a great way to see a lot, especially when traveling. Learn more about reciprocal programs and see a comprehensive list here.
- Visit your library- Did you know that local Westchester County libraries offer museum passes that provide free or discounted admissions to local museums in Westchester, Connecticut and New York City? Offers vary by library so contact yours and find out what's available.
- Museums for All- Through Museums for All, people receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain free or reduced admission to more than 400 museums throughout the US.
- Do Your Research to Find Freebies- Many museums offer free admission to young children. Must Read: Keep Your Money: How to Get in Free at 20 NYC Museums. And even better, here is a list of 19 Awesome Museums in NYC That Are Totally Free.
The Must-Have List of Museums & Aquariums for Westchester Kids
Photo by Scott Webb from Pexels
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Now, check out our Must-Have List of Museums & Aquariums for Westchester Kids!
In the list we highlight local museums, historic sites and aquariums for families in Westchester County, NY as well as venues beyond-- in southern CT, upstate NY, Long Island and New York City. We haven't included every museum under the sun, we focused on the most popular ones among families. If we missed a nearby museum you recommend for families, please tell us in the comments! |
New & Coming Soon Museums
Hot off the press!
The only borough in New York City without a children’s museum will be getting one this year. The Bronx Chidren's Museum will be geared toward young children, especially those children and families who are not typically able to visit a museum.
The Museum of Ice Cream opened in late fall 2019 and features imaginative, multi-sensory installations that bring to life guests’ delightful dreams: savor the sweetest treats on a floating table, slide down an epic three-story slide, see a spectacular hall of giant scoops, and follow the sound of a buzz that will lead you to a giant “Queen Bee hive. Tickets include ice cream tastings and signature treats.
Open until April 2020, the Sloomoo Institute is a sensory playground centered around slime. The unique museum provides an engaging slime experience with a variety of textures, colors and consistencies that evoke joy and excitement. From a slime step-and-repeat to a slime waterfall, and everything in between, this is worth checking out before it is gone!
The only borough in New York City without a children’s museum will be getting one this year. The Bronx Chidren's Museum will be geared toward young children, especially those children and families who are not typically able to visit a museum.
The Museum of Ice Cream opened in late fall 2019 and features imaginative, multi-sensory installations that bring to life guests’ delightful dreams: savor the sweetest treats on a floating table, slide down an epic three-story slide, see a spectacular hall of giant scoops, and follow the sound of a buzz that will lead you to a giant “Queen Bee hive. Tickets include ice cream tastings and signature treats.
Open until April 2020, the Sloomoo Institute is a sensory playground centered around slime. The unique museum provides an engaging slime experience with a variety of textures, colors and consistencies that evoke joy and excitement. From a slime step-and-repeat to a slime waterfall, and everything in between, this is worth checking out before it is gone!
The Museum of Ice Cream, Photo Credit: Nicole Franzen
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Bronx Children's Museum- opening late 2020!
725 Exterior Street, The Bronx, NY Museum of Ice Cream 558 Broadway, New York, NY Sloomoo Institute 475 Broadway, New York, NY |
Aquariums & Aquatic Attractions
Experience under the sea attractions at these aquatic-centered destinations.
The Hudson River Museum is small, but offers weekend programming for children including art & science projects as well as planetarium shows. Children can learn about the Hudson River with a beautiful view.
Not To Miss: Kids Week Feb 15-22 at the Intrepid! Attractions will include live animal shows, pop-up planetarium shows, maker spaces, live performances and so much more! Children of all ages and interests will learn more about STEAM through activities and demonstrations designed to educate and inspire.
Moms in the community love the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT, featuring 75 live exhibits featuring more than 2,700 marine animals of 300 species. Plus plenty of room for young children to play and explore.
If you have not been to Coney Island to the New York Aquarium, it is worth the trip! The aquarium was completely rebuilt after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy and offers an incredible experience-- see the sharks!
The Hudson River Museum is small, but offers weekend programming for children including art & science projects as well as planetarium shows. Children can learn about the Hudson River with a beautiful view.
Not To Miss: Kids Week Feb 15-22 at the Intrepid! Attractions will include live animal shows, pop-up planetarium shows, maker spaces, live performances and so much more! Children of all ages and interests will learn more about STEAM through activities and demonstrations designed to educate and inspire.
Moms in the community love the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT, featuring 75 live exhibits featuring more than 2,700 marine animals of 300 species. Plus plenty of room for young children to play and explore.
If you have not been to Coney Island to the New York Aquarium, it is worth the trip! The aquarium was completely rebuilt after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy and offers an incredible experience-- see the sharks!
New York Aquarium
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Westchester County
Hudson River Museum & Planetarium ⭐️ A local favorite 511 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers, NY Beyond Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Pier 86, W 46th St and 12th Ave, New York, NY Maritime Aquarium ⭐️ A local favorite 10 North Water Street, Norwalk, CT National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey 226 W 44th St, New York, NY New York Aquarium 602 Surf Ave, Brooklyn, NY Mystic Aquarium 55 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, CT |
Children's Museums
According to the Association of Children's Museums, "Children’s museums are places where children learn through play and exploration in environments designed just for them. Reflecting their diverse communities, children’s museums create playful, interactive learning experiences. In an increasingly complex world, children’s museums provide a place where all kids can learn through play with the caring adults in their lives."
Opened just a few years ago, the nearby Westchester Children's Museum is small but a great destination to spend a couple of hours. They offer offer drop-in science, engineering, arts, and crafts programs throughout the week. Coming soon: a bunch of brand new exhibits, including a whole Makerspace dedicated to older children ages 7 and up that will feature woodwork and other more complex STEAM activities, as well as a Shadow Puppet Theater, a Sound Room, and a new Gift Shop, to name a few.
Moms in our community love Stepping Stones in Norwalk, CT. There is so much to touch and explore for young children including the energy lab, tot town and color coaster. Just outside is a beautiful playground with a lighthouse and small spray area, if you visit on a beautiful day.
Children's museums in general offer a lot of drop-in and scheduled programming so it is worthwhile to check their websites and plan your visits accordingly. Which is your favorite?
Opened just a few years ago, the nearby Westchester Children's Museum is small but a great destination to spend a couple of hours. They offer offer drop-in science, engineering, arts, and crafts programs throughout the week. Coming soon: a bunch of brand new exhibits, including a whole Makerspace dedicated to older children ages 7 and up that will feature woodwork and other more complex STEAM activities, as well as a Shadow Puppet Theater, a Sound Room, and a new Gift Shop, to name a few.
Moms in our community love Stepping Stones in Norwalk, CT. There is so much to touch and explore for young children including the energy lab, tot town and color coaster. Just outside is a beautiful playground with a lighthouse and small spray area, if you visit on a beautiful day.
Children's museums in general offer a lot of drop-in and scheduled programming so it is worthwhile to check their websites and plan your visits accordingly. Which is your favorite?
Stepping Stones Museum for Children
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Westchester County
Westchester Children's Museum 100 Playland Parkway in Rye, NY Beyond Brooklyn Children's Museum 145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, NY Bruce Museum 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT Children's Museum of Manhattan The Tisch Building, 212 West 83rd Street, New York, NY Jewish Children's Museum 792 Eastern Pkwy. , Brooklyn, NY Long Island Children's Museum 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, NY Mid-Hudson Children's Museum 75 N Water St, Poughkeepsie, NY Staten Island Children's Museum 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY Grounds of Snug Harbor Cultural Center Stepping Stones Museum for Children ⭐️ A local favorite Mathews Park, 303 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT |
Science, History Museums & Historic Sites
If you are looking for a local science museum that is not too far, we recommend checking out the Hall of Science in Queens. There are 450 exhibits, events, and workshops.
If you are willing to venture into Manhattan, then you will want to go to the Museum of Natural History, the largest natural history museum in the world. Dinosaur and space-loving youngsters will be in heaven!
If you are interested in local history, you could visit on the of historic sites in the river towns. They are open seasonally and offer child-friendly events and programming, it's best to check their websites in advance for the optimal time to visit.
If you are willing to venture into Manhattan, then you will want to go to the Museum of Natural History, the largest natural history museum in the world. Dinosaur and space-loving youngsters will be in heaven!
If you are interested in local history, you could visit on the of historic sites in the river towns. They are open seasonally and offer child-friendly events and programming, it's best to check their websites in advance for the optimal time to visit.
Hudson River Museum
Hudson River Museum Planetarium
Liberty Science Center, Angry Birds Exhibit
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Westchester County
Hudson River Museum & Planetarium ⭐️ A local favorite 511 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers, NY Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate Historic Site 381 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY Lyndhurst Mansion 635 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY Philipsburgh Manor Historic Site 381 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY Thomas Paine Cottage Museum 20 Sicard Avenue, New Rochelle NY Union Church of Pocantico Hills Historic Site 555 Bedford Road, Tarrytown, NY Van Cortlandt Manor Historic Site 525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson, NY Washington Irving's Sunnyside Historic Site 3 W Sunnyside Lane, Irvington, NY Beyond American Museum of Natural History ⭐️ A local favorite 200 Central Park West, New York, NY DiMenna Children’s History Museum 170 Central Park West, New York, NY Hudson Highlands Nature Museum Outdoor Discovery Center- 120 Muser Drive, Cornwall, NY Wildlife Education Center- 25 Boulevard Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY Liberty Science Center 222 Jersey City Blvd, Jersey City, NJ The New York Hall of Science ⭐️ A local favorite 47-01 111th St, Corona, NY |
Art & Media Museums
Budding artists and creative minds can get inspired at these art museums. Offering camps, events, special programming and more, these destinations are more than just spectator experiences.
Museum of Illusions
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Westchester County
Jacob Burns Film Center 364 Manville Road, Pleasantville, NY Katonah Museum of Art 134 Jay Street - Route 22, Katonah, NY Neuberger Museum of Art 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY Beyond Children's Museum of the Arts 103 Charlton Street, New York, NY Guggenheim 1071 5th Ave, New York, NY Metropolitan Museum of Art 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY MOMA 11 West 53 Street, New York, NY Museum of the City of New York 1220 5th Ave, New York, NY Museum of Illusions 77 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY Museum of the Moving Image 36-01 35th Ave, Astoria, NY Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling 898 St Nicholas Ave, New York, NY |
Special Interest Museums
If you have a child who is curious about firefighting, trains or math, these museums are for you!
Museum of Mathematics (MoMath)
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Beyond
New York City Fire Museum 278 Spring Street, New York, NY New York Transit Museum 99 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY FASNY Museum of Firefighting 117 Harry Howard Ave, Hudson, NY Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) 11 E 26th St, New York, NY Spyscape 928 8th Ave, New York, NY |
Did we miss any? Please tell us in the comments below!
Tons of ways to have fun Indoors in Westchester with kids!
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