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Museums & Aquariums for Westchester Kids: The Must-Have List

1/15/2020

 
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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!


​Tips to Enjoy Museums For Less

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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

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Photo by Scott Webb from Pexels
​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!
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The Museum of Ice Cream, Photo Credit: Nicole Franzen
Bronx Children's Museum- opening late 2020!
​725 Exterior Street, The Bronx, NY

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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 Sea, Air & Space Museum! During Kids Week, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in dozens of fun-filled activities, live animal shows, hands-on workshops, performances, special guests, 3D experiences and interactive demonstrations that the whole family will enjoy.  All Kids Week activities are free with Museum admission.

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!
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New York Aquarium
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 a smaller museum comparatively, 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?
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New Nano Exhibit at the Westchester Children's Museum
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Stepping Stones Museum for Children
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.
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Hudson River Museum
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Hudson River Museum Planetarium
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Liberty Science Center, Angry Birds Exhibit
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.
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Museum of Illusions
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!
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Museum of Mathematics (MoMath)
 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!
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Indoor Fun- See All the Lists!
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Tons of ways to have fun Indoors in Westchester with kids!

More Articles

Cara
1/16/2020 09:40:28 am

Love this blog; thanks for the great info! just to note: a lot of the historic sites in Westchester are closed for the Winter, so you may want to note that since this was published in January.


Comments are closed.

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