Ways to spend an early spring weekend with visitors from out of town?
Alisa emails:
Easter and Passover are fast approaching and I have a question a bit different from the typical holiday happenings.
Family with small children are coming into town and I would love ideas of things to do with them beyond the typical holiday meals, religious services and Easter egg hunts. What have you got for a dad and his three year old daughter from out of town?
Passover starts April 3 this year, and Easter is April 5. Let's hope things are noticeably more spring-y by then, because it'd be great to get outside and soak up sunshine and celebrate the changing of the season.
A short trip somewhere in the area? Maybe people have some ideas for a few kid-friendly early spring destinations.
Got a suggestion for Alisa? Please share!
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Comments
Depending on the weather Washington Park would be a fun place to be.
I always like the NYS Museum as a kid, especially the mastodon.
That new trampoline park in menands might be fun.
... said Hock41 on Mar 24, 2015 at 12:28 PM | link
The Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center is lovely. The indoor exhibits are perfect for kids, and if the weather is nice, a short trail walk could be the perfect thing. http://www.albanypinebush.org/
... said Laura M. on Mar 24, 2015 at 12:46 PM | link
The Mi-Sci museum would be great and they have their butterfly exhibit till April 19th.
... said Ilana S. on Mar 24, 2015 at 1:53 PM | link
Some options I can think of :
+ Go see a play at the Steamer No.10 Theatre
+ Check out the old wooden park at the Voorheesville Elementary School
+ Sample some local ice cream from Kurver Kreme or other similar places
+ Washington Park
+ The Pine Bush Preserve
... said Sean on Mar 24, 2015 at 2:13 PM | link
I'd second the State Museum, which has a great blend of adult and children friendly exhibits (not to mention highly interactive Kids Zone). If the weather is cool or uncooperative, you could follow that trip up (if the kids can stomach it) or alternatively head over to the Albany Institute of Art and History, which similarly has a kids area.
If the weather is nice, I'd definitely recommend a walk through Washington Park. Additionally, if you are up for a little car ride (30 minutes), I'd recommend heading up to Thatcher Park, which provides some excellent views of our fair city and the region.
... said Rich on Mar 24, 2015 at 2:16 PM | link
The Berkshires aren't too far away, a trip to Hancock Shaker Village is fun and educational, especially if they have the baby animals at that point!! http://juliejourneys.com/2014/05/02/hancock-shaker-villiage/
Also in the Berkshires Museum is a great place for kids.
http://juliejourneys.com/2014/04/27/berkshire-museum/
Lots of great little towns, shops, and restaurants. I particularly like Great Barrington.
... said julie on Mar 24, 2015 at 4:29 PM | link
Thanks! These are great ideas! Keep 'em coming!
... said Alisa on Mar 25, 2015 at 1:06 PM | link
We are big fans of the Pine Bush (smaller, more manageable and great one-mile easy hike!) and the state museum (if the weather is crummy).
That weekend there is also an egg hunt in Elm Ave Park in Delmar (also my kids' favorite playground) if not soggy.
Depending on age, I'd suggest Bombers cause its loud enough but fun, and the Pump Station is pretty kid friendly (plus you can hop over to the visitors center and see what's going on).
... said Melissa on Mar 26, 2015 at 2:22 PM | link
The weather will probably not cooperate (thankfully?), but I just ran across a seemingly great little beginner ski hill in Brattleboro, VT. It's about 2 hours away so perhaps way out of range, but it caters to beginners / kids and is SUPER cheap. Plus, you're in Brattleboro so there's plenty of interesting food + art-related stuff to do as well to make the journey more worthwhile.
http://ski.curbed.com/archives/2015/03/5-ski-hill-brattleboro-vermont.php
... said Sean on Mar 26, 2015 at 2:44 PM | link
Found another idea from AoA. Go for a waterfall walk at one of the locations listed in this link...
http://alloveralbany.com/archive/2010/09/20/capital-region-waterfall-walks
... said Sean on Apr 3, 2015 at 9:55 AM | link