Adventures for Preschoolers in New York

Featured

Beacon, NY

Beacon Sloop Club

Free evening sails on the Hudson aboard Pete Seeger's volunteer-crewed sloop Woody Guthrie. No charge, ever. Reserve by phone.

• Sailing
• Ages 5+
• ~2h
• Free

Featured

Haines Falls, NY

Kaaterskill Falls Trail

The tallest two-tiered waterfall in New York State at 260 feet. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours. Dogs welcome.

• Hiking
• Ages 5+
• ~2h
• Free

Featured

Lake Placid, NY

Mount Jo Trail

Short family hike with a spectacular High Peaks panorama above Heart Lake. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

• Hiking
• Ages 4+
• ~2h
• Paid

Featured

Saranac Lake, NY

Saranac Lake Islands Camping

Paddle-in island camping on the Saranac Lakes with 87 primitive sites. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Plan to stay overnight.

• Camping
• Ages 5+
• Overnight
• Paid

Featured

Sundown, NY

Peekamoose Blue Hole

Stunning blue-green natural swimming hole with waterfall in the Catskill forest. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

• Swimming
• Ages 5+
• ~3h
• Free

Albany, NY

Albany Institute of History & Art

Small Albany museum with two ancient Egyptian mummies, Hudson River School landscapes and drop-in family art workshops on weekends.

• Museum
• Ages 4+
• ~2h
• Paid

Beacon, NY

Dia Beacon

Vast daylit factory in Beacon filled with room-size contemporary art including Richard Serra steel spirals kids walk inside.

• Museum
• Ages 5+
• ~2h
• Paid

Caroga Lake, NY

Kane Mountain Fire Tower

Quick and easy fire tower hike perfect for young or beginner hikers. Free. Best from about age 4. About an hour. Dogs welcome.

• Hiking
• Ages 4+
• ~1h
• Free

Clayton, NY

Antique Boat Museum Sailing Programs

Sunfish and Optimist sailing on the St. Lawrence from a nonprofit museum, plus a free community sail every Tuesday night.

• Sailing
• Ages 4+
• ~3h
• Paid

Cooperstown, NY

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Three floors of baseball history in Cooperstown with the Plaque Gallery, game-worn jerseys, and a team-by-team locker room.

• Museum
• Ages 5+
• ~3h
• Paid

Corning, NY

Corning Museum of Glass

Finger Lakes museum with live molten glassblowing shows, make-your-own-glass sessions, and 3500 years of glass artifacts.

• Museum
• Ages 4+
• ~4h
• Paid

Cragsmoor, NY

Sam's Point Preserve

Ice caves, dwarf pine barrens, and cliff-top views on the Shawangunk Ridge. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

• Hiking
• Ages 5+
• ~3h
• Paid

Eagle Bay, NY

Cascade Lake Trail

Easy loop trail around a scenic Adirondack lake with lean-tos and swimming spots. Free. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

• Hiking
• Ages 4+
• ~2h
• Free

Fort Ann, NY

Pilot Knob Preserve

Gentle nature trails with lake views above southern Lake George. Free. Best from about age 4. About an hour. Dogs welcome.

• Hiking
• Ages 4+
• ~1h
• Free

Fort Ann, NY

Shelving Rock Falls Trail

Short family hike to a beautiful waterfall near Lake George. Free. Best from about age 4. About two hours. Dogs welcome.

• Hiking
• Ages 4+
• ~2h
• Free

Hadley, NY

Hadley Mountain Fire Tower

Fire tower hike with views of Great Sacandaga Lake and the southern Adirondacks. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

• Hiking
• Ages 5+
• ~3h
• Free

Hector, NY

Finger Lakes National Forest

The only national forest in New York with free camping and 30+ miles of trails. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip.

• Hiking
• Ages 4+
• ~3h
• Free

Indian Lake, NY

Indian Lake Islands Campground

Paddle-in island camping on scenic Indian Lake in the central Adirondacks. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Plan to stay overnight.

• Camping
• Ages 5+
• Overnight
• Paid

Jamesville, NY

Clark Reservation State Park

Glacial plunge basin with cliff-rimmed lake and unique geology near Syracuse. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

• Hiking
• Ages 4+
• ~2h
• Paid

Keene, NY

Baxter Mountain

Moderate short hike near Keene with excellent High Peaks views. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours. Dogs welcome.

• Hiking
• Ages 5+
• ~2h
• Free

Keene Valley, NY

Beaver Meadow Falls Trail

Scenic river trail to a beautiful 30-foot waterfall in the High Peaks. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours. Dogs welcome.

• Hiking
• Ages 5+
• ~2h
• Free

Kerhonkson, NY

Vernooy Kill Falls Trail

Easy forest hike to a beautiful waterfall with a swimming pool at the base. Free. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

• Hiking
• Ages 4+
• ~2h
• Free

Lake George, NY

Lake George Islands Camping

Boat-access island camping on pristine Lake George. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Plan to stay overnight. Dogs welcome.

• Camping
• Ages 5+
• Overnight
• Paid

Lake Placid, NY

Mirror Lake Boat Rental

Rent a small sailboat by the hour on motor-free Mirror Lake, right on Main Street. Paid, walk-up, no reservation needed.

• Sailing
• Ages 5+
• ~1h
• Paid

Lake Placid, NY

Mirror Lake Paddle

Paddle a kayak or canoe on the calm motor-free waters of Mirror Lake. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

• Kayaking
• Ages 4+
• ~2h
• Paid

Livingston Manor, NY

Frick Pond Loop Trail

Peaceful forest loop to a quiet Catskill pond with lean-tos. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

• Hiking
• Ages 4+
• ~3h
• Free

Middleburgh, NY

Vroman's Nose

Short hike to a cliff-top meadow with sweeping Schoharie Valley views. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours. Dogs welcome.

• Hiking
• Ages 5+
• ~2h
• Free

Naples, NY

Grimes Glen Park

Wade up a fossil-filled creek to reach two hidden waterfalls in a narrow gorge. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours.

• Hiking
• Ages 5+
• ~2h
• Free

New Paltz, NY

Mohonk Preserve

World-class rock climbing and cliff-top hiking on the Shawangunk Ridge. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip.

• Hiking
• Ages 4+
• ~4h
• Paid

Newcomb, NY

Camp Santanoni Historic Area

Carriage road hike or bike to a historic Great Camp on pristine Newcomb Lake. Free. Best from about age 5. Easily a full day.

• Hiking
• Ages 5+
• ~5h
• Free

Newcomb, NY

Goodnow Mountain Fire Tower

Family-friendly fire tower hike with interpretive signs and High Peaks views. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

• Hiking
• Ages 5+
• ~3h
• Free

Panama, NY

Panama Rocks Scenic Park

Ancient rock formations with caves, crevices, and passageways kids can explore. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

• Hiking
• Ages 4+
• ~2h
• Paid

Santa Clara, NY

Azure Mountain Fire Tower

Family-friendly fire tower hike with northern Adirondack wilderness views. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours.

• Hiking
• Ages 5+
• ~2h
• Free

Saranac Lake, NY

Floodwood Pond

Motor-free interconnected ponds perfect for family kayaking and canoe adventures. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip.

• Kayaking
• Ages 4+
• ~4h
• Free

Stony Point, NY

Harriman State Park

Massive park with 200+ miles of trails, swimming lakes, and mountain views. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip.

• Hiking
• Ages 4+
• ~4h
• Paid

Syracuse, NY

WonderWorks Syracuse

Indoor science-and-illusion attraction at Destiny USA in Syracuse with a hurricane simulator, ropes course, and laser tag.

• Indoor Play
• Ages 4+
• ~3h
• Paid

Watkins Glen, NY

Schooner True Love

Two hours under sail on Seneca Lake aboard a 1926 wooden schooner, up to four departures a day. Paid. Good from about age 5.

• Sailing
• Ages 5+
• ~2h
• Paid

Wolcott, NY

Chimney Bluffs State Park

Otherworldly clay spires sculpted by erosion on the shore of Lake Ontario. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours.

• Hiking
• Ages 5+
• ~2h
• Free