What to Do in Westchester This Weekend (and Every Weekend)

If your Westchester weekends have turned into a loop of Target runs and the same brunch spot, this is your intervention. The county has more going on than most people realize — from farm visits that aren’t just for kids to gardens that look like they belong in another country. Here’s what’s worth your Saturday (or Sunday, we don’t judge).

Outdoor things that aren’t just “go for a walk”

Untermyer Gardens — Yonkers

A Persian-inspired garden in Yonkers that looks like it was dropped here from another century. Untermyer is free, open year-round, and genuinely one of the most beautiful public spaces in the entire Hudson Valley. The Walled Garden is the main draw, but the overlooks above the Hudson are just as good. Go early on a weekend morning before it gets crowded.

Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture — Tarrytown

More than a farm, more than a restaurant. Stone Barns in Tarrytown is a working agricultural center where you can walk the grounds, visit the animals, shop the farm store, and understand where food comes from in a way that sticks with you. Their seasonal events and workshops are worth the trip, and Blue Hill at Stone Barns (the restaurant on-site) is a meal you won’t forget if you can get a reservation.

Croton Gorge Park — Croton-on-Hudson

The dam spillway at Croton Gorge is one of those things you see and think, how have I lived here this long and never been? The park itself is great for a picnic, and the waterfall views from the base of the dam are dramatic without requiring any serious hiking. Easy parking, easy access, easy win.

Rockwood Hall — Sleepy Hollow

Part of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve but less crowded than the main entrance. Rockwood Hall has wide carriage paths, Hudson River views, and the ruins of a Gilded Age estate. It’s flat enough for a casual walk and pretty enough to feel like you went somewhere.

Markets and farms

TaSH — Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow Farmers Market

Saturdays from June through November at Patriot’s Park. TaSH is one of the better farmers markets in the county — good produce, local bakers, and a neighborhood feel that makes you want to linger. Get there early for the best selection.

Outhouse Orchards — North Salem

Apple picking that doesn’t feel like standing in line at an amusement park. Outhouse Orchards in North Salem is a family-run farm with apples, pumpkins (in season), a farm stand, and a no-frills vibe that keeps things pleasant. The cider donuts are the real reason to go.

Hilltop Hanover Farm — Yorktown Heights

An environmental center and working farm in Yorktown Heights with community programs, workshops, and a farm stand. Hilltop Hanover does farm-to-table education and events throughout the year — a good one to follow on social media for their seasonal programming.

Seasonal events worth marking on the calendar

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze — Croton-on-Hudson

Over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins lit up along a walking trail at Van Cortlandt Manor. The Blaze runs from mid-September through November and sells out fast — buy tickets as soon as they go on sale. It’s become one of those Westchester fall traditions that lives up to the hype, especially on a crisp October night.

Lyndhurst — Tarrytown

The Gothic Revival mansion hosts events throughout the year, including holiday markets, outdoor movie screenings, and seasonal tours. Lyndhurst sits right on the Hudson and the grounds alone are worth a visit. Check their calendar — the special events tend to be well-produced and sell out.

Kensico Dam Plaza — Valhalla

The dam itself is architecturally impressive, and the park hosts seasonal events including concerts, festivals, and holiday light shows. Even on a regular weekend, it’s a good spot for a walk with views of the reservoir. Free parking and plenty of space.

Culture and browsing

Katonah Museum of Art — Katonah

A small museum with rotating exhibitions that are always worth checking. Katonah Museum of Art doesn’t try to be the Met — it curates thoughtful, well-designed shows and the grounds are beautiful. A good pairing with lunch in the village.

Peekskill — the whole town

If you haven’t been to Peekskill lately, you’re missing the comeback. The downtown has galleries, restaurants, coffee shops, and a waterfront that’s been completely revitalized. Saturday afternoon in Peekskill is one of the best low-key day trips in the county. Start at the Peekskill Coffee House, browse the galleries on Central Avenue, and end at the riverfront.

The Rye Arts Center — Rye

Classes, exhibitions, and community events in downtown Rye. The Rye Arts Center runs workshops in everything from ceramics to painting — a good option for a weekend activity that isn’t just consuming but making something. Check their schedule for one-day workshops you can drop into.

Frequently asked questions

What are free things to do in Westchester this weekend?

Untermyer Gardens in Yonkers is free and open year-round. Croton Gorge Park, Rockwood Hall in Sleepy Hollow, and Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla are all free to visit. The TaSH Farmers Market in Tarrytown is free to browse on Saturday mornings. Peekskill’s downtown galleries are free to walk through.

What’s the best fall activity in Westchester?

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson is the marquee fall event. Apple picking at Outhouse Orchards in North Salem is a quieter, low-key option. For something in between, a walk through Untermyer Gardens when the foliage turns is hard to beat.

Where can I go apple picking in Westchester?

Outhouse Orchards in North Salem is the local favorite — family-run, not overcrowded, with cider donuts. Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard in North Salem is another good option. Both are in the northern part of the county, so plan for a 30-to-45-minute drive from southern Westchester.

What are the best day trips from Westchester?

Stone Barns in Tarrytown, Peekskill’s revitalized downtown, and North Salem’s farm country are all excellent half-day or full-day trips within the county. Lyndhurst in Tarrytown combines a mansion tour with Hudson River views. Katonah village plus the museum makes a nice afternoon.

What should I do in Westchester with friends this weekend?

Depends on the vibe. For something active, hit Croton Gorge or Rockwood Hall. For food, try the TaSH market followed by brunch in Tarrytown. For culture, Peekskill’s gallery walk or a workshop at the Rye Arts Center. For a group outing, the Blaze in October or an event at Lyndhurst. Or just come to a Club West event — that’s kind of the whole point.