Forsyth Nature Center
The Forsyth Nature Center has a small, wonderful collection of animals that you can feed with greens and apples from home, or grain out of the vending machine by the gate. The nearby Kinderland Playground across the field makes for a nice outing.
The Forsyth Nature Center is free of charge and is located at 157 Lucas Avenue in Kingston. For more information, call (845) 339-3053 or visit www.forsythnaturecenter.org.
Trailside Museums and Zoo
The Trailside Museums and Zoo at Bear Mountain Park are another great family-friendly jaunt, featuring injured or orphaned species of animals found locally. I love the signs positioned along the walkway, because they were informative but also made for good conversation with the kids about what we were seeing or looking for. Definitely check out the short Geology Trail for the fantastic four-county views of the Hudson and the Bear Mountain Bridge.
The suggested donation for admission to the Zoo is $1 per person. Bear Mountain Park is located at 1 Hessian Drive in Highland Falls. For more information, call (845) 786-2701 or visit www.trailsidezoo.org.
Hudson Valley family events
Here are some distinctly Hudson Valley family-friendly events happening this summer:
July 12-14: Second annual Hudson Valley Chalk Festival at the Water Street Market, 10 Main Street in New Paltz. For more information, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.hudsonvalleychalkfestival.com.
June 20, 10 a.m.: Damsels and Dragons at Olana State Historic Site is a program for kids and families about these amazing insects. Admission costs $5 per person. For more information or to register, call (518) 828-1872, extension 109, or visit www.parks.ny.gov.
July 20-21: Fifth annual Hudson River Days. Activities will include the second annual Great Hudson River Fish Count, as well as festivals, swims, kayak outings, sails and more. For more information, visit https://hudsonriverdaysny.org.
August 5-11: The Hudson Valley Jazz Festival takes place at venues throughout the area from August 8 through 11, and this year features a new education program for youth to perform, the Hudson Valley Jazz Workshop. “The model for this summer’s workshop is a time-honored one that works,” says director Bob Rosen. “It works for both the Western European classical tradition and for the historically more recent American jazz tradition.” The Workshop offers a curriculum of instrumental instruction coupled with performance ensemble rehearsal, with an emphasis on jazz improvisation. For more information, e-mail [email protected].
August 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: The Shawangunk Mountain Wild Blueberry & Huckleberry Festival takes place at Canal Street and Liberty Square in Ellenville. Children’s entertainment includes Macaroni the Clown, face-painting and the Climb on Us rock wall, along with the world’s tallest pinball machine. For more information, call (845) 647-4620 or visit www.ewcoc.com.
