Sheldrake Environmental Center
Westchester County, NY is home to several nature centers and preserves for children to enjoy the magic of nature. The county's nature centers provide undisturbed habitat for wildlife and a peaceful oasis for people to explore and learn about their natural environment. Explore, take a hike, see the animals and savor the delights of nature. Best of all, most of the outdoor spaces are free (parking fees are required in some cases)!
At this time, only outdoor spaces are open and some restrictions are in place. Please check the venue's website for the latest details before heading over.
At this time, only outdoor spaces are open and some restrictions are in place. Please check the venue's website for the latest details before heading over.
Cranberry Lake Preserve
1609 Old Orchard Street
North White Plains, NY
Cranberry Lake Preserve is a 190-acre park in North White Plains (see the map). Opened in 1967, the park is a safe haven for animals and plants, including migratory birds, turtles, and dragonflies. Check out a variety of habitats including a four-acre lake, cliffs and scrubland, mixed hardwood forest, vernal pools, and a swamp. The History Trail provides a history lesson about the remains of a 19th-century farmhouse and early 20th-century stone-mining operation.
The Nature Center offers live animals, displays and nature programs for the whole family (on weekends).
COVID-19 Update: To promote social distancing, one-way traffic is in place on paths and trails. Parking lots may close intermittently on high-volume days. The grounds are open. The Nature Center building is temporarily unavailable until further notice.
1609 Old Orchard Street
North White Plains, NY
Cranberry Lake Preserve is a 190-acre park in North White Plains (see the map). Opened in 1967, the park is a safe haven for animals and plants, including migratory birds, turtles, and dragonflies. Check out a variety of habitats including a four-acre lake, cliffs and scrubland, mixed hardwood forest, vernal pools, and a swamp. The History Trail provides a history lesson about the remains of a 19th-century farmhouse and early 20th-century stone-mining operation.
The Nature Center offers live animals, displays and nature programs for the whole family (on weekends).
COVID-19 Update: To promote social distancing, one-way traffic is in place on paths and trails. Parking lots may close intermittently on high-volume days. The grounds are open. The Nature Center building is temporarily unavailable until further notice.
Croton Point Nature Center
1 Croton Point Ave.
Croton-on-Hudson, NY
The Croton Point Nature Center is located at the 504-acre Croton Point Park, the largest peninsula on the Hudson River (see the map). The building has exhibits on local flora and fauna including Hudson River specimens, local and Native American history and hands-on activities. The nature center is equipped with a restroom, maps and information.
COVID-19 Update: Grounds are open but the Nature Center building is temporarily unavailable until further notice.
1 Croton Point Ave.
Croton-on-Hudson, NY
The Croton Point Nature Center is located at the 504-acre Croton Point Park, the largest peninsula on the Hudson River (see the map). The building has exhibits on local flora and fauna including Hudson River specimens, local and Native American history and hands-on activities. The nature center is equipped with a restroom, maps and information.
COVID-19 Update: Grounds are open but the Nature Center building is temporarily unavailable until further notice.
Greenburgh Nature Center
99 Dromore Rd.
Scarsdale, NY
Located on 33 acres, the Greenburgh Nature Center includes an indoor building, woodland preserve with hiking trails, a pond, organic garden, Nature's Discovery Playground, native plant meadow and over 100 animals. Animals are located inside and outside. Outdoor animals include birds of prey and farm animals. Programs for all ages and events are available as well. Grounds are open daily dawn to dusk throughout the year. Please note, because they are a nature preserve, dogs are not allowed on the property.
COVID-19 Update: Currently the Manor House and playground are closed, however, the GNC encourages you to continue to take advantage of the healing powers of nature. From dawn till dusk, enjoy the 33-acre property with its hiking trails, native meadow and vernal pond, and say hello to the outdoor animals.
99 Dromore Rd.
Scarsdale, NY
Located on 33 acres, the Greenburgh Nature Center includes an indoor building, woodland preserve with hiking trails, a pond, organic garden, Nature's Discovery Playground, native plant meadow and over 100 animals. Animals are located inside and outside. Outdoor animals include birds of prey and farm animals. Programs for all ages and events are available as well. Grounds are open daily dawn to dusk throughout the year. Please note, because they are a nature preserve, dogs are not allowed on the property.
COVID-19 Update: Currently the Manor House and playground are closed, however, the GNC encourages you to continue to take advantage of the healing powers of nature. From dawn till dusk, enjoy the 33-acre property with its hiking trails, native meadow and vernal pond, and say hello to the outdoor animals.
Rye Nature Center
873 Boston Post Rd.
Rye, NY
The Rye Nature Center is a 47-acre wildlife preserve with over two miles of hiking trails, ponds, streams, and granite outcroppings. The Nature Center has a museum space as well as indoor and outdoor classrooms. Grounds are open everyday from dawn to dusk. The building and offices are open from 9 to 5, Monday through Saturday. Dogs are not allowed on the grounds or trails. They offer online programs, events, camps and parties.
COVID-19 Update: Currently the building and playground areas are closed, and classes and events suspended. Please see the website for how this affects specific programs, events, and classes. Unless otherwise required by law, the Nature Center grounds and trails will remain open daily from dawn until dusk.
873 Boston Post Rd.
Rye, NY
The Rye Nature Center is a 47-acre wildlife preserve with over two miles of hiking trails, ponds, streams, and granite outcroppings. The Nature Center has a museum space as well as indoor and outdoor classrooms. Grounds are open everyday from dawn to dusk. The building and offices are open from 9 to 5, Monday through Saturday. Dogs are not allowed on the grounds or trails. They offer online programs, events, camps and parties.
COVID-19 Update: Currently the building and playground areas are closed, and classes and events suspended. Please see the website for how this affects specific programs, events, and classes. Unless otherwise required by law, the Nature Center grounds and trails will remain open daily from dawn until dusk.
Sheldrake Environmental Center
685 Weaver St
Larchmont, NY
Sheldrake Environmental Center offers nearly 60 acres of outdoor space to enjoy. Explore the woods, stroll past the meadow, relax by the pond and enjoy abundant wildlife everywhere! Trails are pet-friendly and dogs are welcome on a leash. Check out their trail map.
COVID-19 Update: since there is no indoor space at this center, all is open.
685 Weaver St
Larchmont, NY
Sheldrake Environmental Center offers nearly 60 acres of outdoor space to enjoy. Explore the woods, stroll past the meadow, relax by the pond and enjoy abundant wildlife everywhere! Trails are pet-friendly and dogs are welcome on a leash. Check out their trail map.
COVID-19 Update: since there is no indoor space at this center, all is open.
Teatown Lake Reservation
1600 Spring Valley Rd.
Ossining, NY
Teatown is a nature preserve and environmental education center with 15 miles of hiking trails, a two-acre island refuge for over 230 species of native wildflowers, programming, wildlife exhibits, and natural science day camps. Teatown has 1,000 acres, making it the largest privately held nature preserve in Westchester! The Nature Center and nearby Raptor Loop Trail have birds of prey and animal displays, programs and events. Hiking trails open daily dawn to dusk.
COVID-19 Update: Teatown is welcoming an unprecedented number of visitors during this time. Please be advised of the following:
1600 Spring Valley Rd.
Ossining, NY
Teatown is a nature preserve and environmental education center with 15 miles of hiking trails, a two-acre island refuge for over 230 species of native wildflowers, programming, wildlife exhibits, and natural science day camps. Teatown has 1,000 acres, making it the largest privately held nature preserve in Westchester! The Nature Center and nearby Raptor Loop Trail have birds of prey and animal displays, programs and events. Hiking trails open daily dawn to dusk.
COVID-19 Update: Teatown is welcoming an unprecedented number of visitors during this time. Please be advised of the following:
- The Visitor Center and restrooms remain closed until further notice. The trails remain open from dawn till dusk.
- Parking tags are again required. Parking tags are required from Friday to Sunday and on holidays, from 9am to 5pm until November. Click here for more information on their parking policy.
- Please park safely in designated parking lots and not along public roadways. Cars parked on the public roads in the Teatown neighborhood are creating a safety hazard for pedestrians, neighbors, and could make it difficult or impossible for first-responder vehicles to pass in the event of an emergency.
- Weekday visitation levels have remained manageable. To reduce overcrowding, we ask those who are able to please visit the preserve during the week instead of on the weekend.
Weinberg Nature Center
455 Mamaroneck Ave.
Scarsdale, NY
Built in 1958, the Weinberg Nature Center contains 7.7 acres of land with ponds, live animals, nature trails, a trailside museum and campsite. They also offer birthday parties and nature programs. Check out a map of their grounds for more details.
COVID-19 Update: Trails open seven days week, sunrise to sunset. Please follow guidelines and practice social distancing and be safe. The Nature Center building is closed to the public, but by all means enjoy the trails. Do not feed the animals outdoors nor try and touch them.
455 Mamaroneck Ave.
Scarsdale, NY
Built in 1958, the Weinberg Nature Center contains 7.7 acres of land with ponds, live animals, nature trails, a trailside museum and campsite. They also offer birthday parties and nature programs. Check out a map of their grounds for more details.
COVID-19 Update: Trails open seven days week, sunrise to sunset. Please follow guidelines and practice social distancing and be safe. The Nature Center building is closed to the public, but by all means enjoy the trails. Do not feed the animals outdoors nor try and touch them.
Westmoreland Sanctuary
260 Chestnut Ridge Road
Mount Kisco, NY
Westmoreland is a wildlife preserve offering 640 acres of land, including woodland and streams. The nature sanctuary also offers a variety of environmental education, conservation and recreational programs and events serving nearly 15,000 visitors every year.
Westmoreland’s Sanctuary’s Nature Center and Museum is a historic reconstructed 200-year old church. Inside the building are exhibits of local flora and fauna, live animals, a bird observation window and an auditorium.
Hiking trails are open dawn until dusk, 365 days a year (see the map).
COVID-19 Update: Westmoreland Museum was closed through June 1, trails remain open. It is not indicated whether the museum has reopened yet.
260 Chestnut Ridge Road
Mount Kisco, NY
Westmoreland is a wildlife preserve offering 640 acres of land, including woodland and streams. The nature sanctuary also offers a variety of environmental education, conservation and recreational programs and events serving nearly 15,000 visitors every year.
Westmoreland’s Sanctuary’s Nature Center and Museum is a historic reconstructed 200-year old church. Inside the building are exhibits of local flora and fauna, live animals, a bird observation window and an auditorium.
Hiking trails are open dawn until dusk, 365 days a year (see the map).
COVID-19 Update: Westmoreland Museum was closed through June 1, trails remain open. It is not indicated whether the museum has reopened yet.
Wolf Conservation Center
7 Buck Run
South Salem, NY
The Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) is a not-for-profit environmental education organization located in South Salem, NY that teaches people about wolves. They offer both on and off-site programs. On-site education programs offer peopleof all ages opportunities to learn about and see wolves. The programs run approximately 1.5 hours and all visitors are required to pre-register.
COVID-19 Update: The Wolf Conservation Center is temporarily closing to the public effective March 12 - June 30 as a measure to help slow the spread of COVID-19. However, you can check out their webcam! The Wolf Conservation Center is excited to offer free distance learning programs to classes adapting to new learning environments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
7 Buck Run
South Salem, NY
The Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) is a not-for-profit environmental education organization located in South Salem, NY that teaches people about wolves. They offer both on and off-site programs. On-site education programs offer peopleof all ages opportunities to learn about and see wolves. The programs run approximately 1.5 hours and all visitors are required to pre-register.
COVID-19 Update: The Wolf Conservation Center is temporarily closing to the public effective March 12 - June 30 as a measure to help slow the spread of COVID-19. However, you can check out their webcam! The Wolf Conservation Center is excited to offer free distance learning programs to classes adapting to new learning environments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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