There are so many cool things to do this Father’s Day weekend in Westchester. Whether it’s listening to live music at the Clearwater Festival or jazz music at the New York Botanical Garden, picking your own veggies at Hanover Farm or meeting Olivia the Pig at The Bronx Zoo, we promise you won’t be bored. After the jump, our best of Father’s Day weekend event picks!
(Photo courtesy of Hilltop Hanover Farm.)
On Saturday, June 16, you can spend the day at Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center in Yorktown Heights. If you’ve ever wondered how to grow your own vegetables, there are demonstrations at the farm and plenty of farmers to ask questions. Shop at their farm stand from 10:00am to 4:00 for red and green lettuce, bok choy, kale, spinach and swiss chard. You can also pick your own vegetables, including leafy greens. (Check their blog for more information on what’s available to pick; it’s updated on Fridays and features recipes using seasonal vegetables.) There’s a Green Cleaning workshop at 12:30 ($15) and kids can make a Father’s Day craft at 2:00 (children 4 years and up, ticket is $6). Bring your lunch and picnic on their grounds, then spend some time hiking their trails. Hilltop Hanover Farm: 1271 Hanover Street, Yorktown Heights; 914-962-2368
Rye Playland’s Craft Fair is from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, June 16. Shop for crafts on the boardwalk, then let your play kids in the sand at Rye Playland’s Beach. Find out about Rye Playland’s kiddie rides here. Have lunch at The Pier Restaurant where you can eat overlooking the beach and feel like you’re on vacation. (The Pier is located next to Rye Playland and right behind the beach.) Best of all, admission to the craft fair is free. Rye Playland: 1 Playland Parkway, Rye; 914-813-7000
Every weekend this month, the Bronx Zoo is featuring Animal Tales Extravaganza, a full day of animal-themed entertainment with puppet shows, crafts, parades, yoga and performances of Avenue Zoo, a family-friendly production featuring Kate Monster from the Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q. You can also meet Olivia the Pig. (Yes, THE Olivia the Pig. Not just some pig named Olivia.) The activities start at 11:00 am and run until 4:00 pm. (The zoo opens at 10:00 am.) Find the entire schedule of events here. Animal Tales Extravaganza is included with the zoo admission. The Bronx Zoo: 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY
(Photo by Julie Larsen Maher © WCS.)
Head to the New York Botanical Garden on June 16 for the first night of the Water Lily Concert Series: Monet’s Evenings. (Get a babysitter, this sounds like a perfect date night!) Start the evening with a complimentary cocktail while enjoying Monet’s Garden. This Saturday’s concert is Jazz Cabaret Chanteuse Floanne. Bring a blanket and listen to the live concert on the lawn (and feed your hubbie grapes in honor of Father’s Day). Picnic food and cocktails are available for purchase. Price: Non-Member $30, Member $20 (price includes one complimentary cocktail for adults or one non-alcoholic beverage), kids under 12: Non-Member $12, Member $10. Advance tickets are recommended. Concert begins at 7:30 pm. New York Botanical Garden: 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY; 718-817-8700
(Photo by Mark Pfeffer. Courtesy of The New York Botanical Garden.)
