With spring break rapidly approaching, many of you are likely wondering how to keep yourself from getting bored out of your mind: no school, no long nights of homework, maybe your friends are going on vacation while you’re staying home. Lucky for you, however, Westchester County and the surrounding areas are filled with fun activities, from parks to ropes courses to sprawling shopping centers. Here are some ideas for how to keep yourself busy (aside from catching up on some much-needed sleep) over the next week.
Located in Valhalla, Kensico Dam is an imposing, 307-foot-high wall made of stone from the quarry in the adjacent Cranberry Lake Preserve, a beautiful park with miles of walking trails. On the front side of the dam lies a large, sprawling yard and a walking path perfect for picnics, frisbee, biking or jogging. There is also a 9/11 memorial commemorating those who died in the terrorist attacks. Behind it are the waters of the Kensico Reservoir, a large lake shaded by thick trees.
Steep trails on either side of the dam lead to the road along the top, which allows visitors to walk along the 1,843-foot-long structure and take in the stunning views. Since the property is a Westchester County Park, access to the dam and plaza is completely free. To add to the delight, the Village Creamery ice cream shop is within walking distance, providing sweet and refreshing treats for visitors.
Boundless Adventures Ropes Course:
Boundless Adventures is a high ropes course on the campus of Purchase College, about a ten-minute drive from White Plains. Its 16 courses of four different levels feature over 140 bridges and 28 zip lines, along with four “leaps of faith,” or high platforms which visitors jump off to be lowered safely to the ground.
Although tickets can be pricey, Boundless Adventures is not one to miss: towering courses up to 40 feet in the air challenge even the most daring thrill-seekers while lower, easier paths please anyone afraid of heights. With a wide variety of terrain, from zip lines to net walls to wobbly planks, it is impossible to get bored. Nestled completely outdoors in a wooded area of the campus, Boundless Adventures is the perfect place to be on a beautiful spring day.
The Palisades Center is a massive, 2,359,541 square-foot mall just across the Hudson, containing over 200 stores spread out over four floors. With restaurants, arcades, a multi-story ropes course and well-known stores such as Target, American Eagle and Barnes and Noble, the Palisades is a great place to pass the time on a rainy or chilly day.
Although it is a bit of a drive, Storm King is a beautiful, 500-acre outdoor museum of rolling hills and meadows dotted with massive statues and sculptures. Founded in 1960, the center features larger-than-life artwork that visitors can enjoy as they walk along paved paths or venture into the grassy fields. Opening for the season this April, Storm King is a wonderful place to take in the fresh air and get some light exercise while enjoying magnificent pieces of art.
Westchester County has dozens more activities than just these few. Whether you want something adventurous, like a hike in a park or kayaking the waters of the Hudson, or something more laid-back, like a museum or planetarium, there is an activity for everyone. Don’t let yourself get bored this spring break: get out there and explore the various opportunities the area has to offer.
