A Day Trip to Woodstock Offers Fun for the Whole Family

Looking for a fun day trip for you and the kids? Woodstock is one of our favorites – that offers something for nature lovers, foodies, appreciators of art and shopping — and of course it's rich history in pop culture. At only 1.5 hours – from both Bergen and Rockland Counties – Woodstock is a great place to discover all year-round. Below, we’re sharing some of our favorite things to do with kids in the area, including places to eat, shop, and play. Happy exploring!

WHAT TO DO

Hiking: There are so many ways to enjoy nature and exploration in Woodstock and the surrounding areas. Depending on the ages of your kids and their skill level, you can try mild to intense hikes. Some nearby ones include hiking Shawangunk Mountains, Overlook Mountain Trailhead (353 Meads Mountain Rd, Woodstock, NY), Sloane Gorge Preserve (487 Stoll Road, Woodstock, NY 12498), the Thorn Preserve - Catskill Center (55 John Joy Road, Woodstock, NY 12498), Kaaterskill Wild Forest (70 Catskill View Circle, Saugerties, NY 12477) to see waterfalls, or the flat Comeau Property Trail (95 Comeau Drive, Woodstock, NY 12498), to name a few. For a less rugged trail, try the paved Ashokan Reservoir  (Rte 28 & Winchells Corners, Shokan, NY 12481), which supplies NYC with 40% of its drinking water.

Swimming: If you visit during the summer months, take advantage of the many lakes and reserves that Woodstock and its surrounding areas has to offer. This includes Big and Little Deep, Cooper Lake, or the Millstream Swimming Hole. Big Deep is really fun for a whole day experience and has ropes for kids to swing from and jump into the deep water as well as a shallow area for little kids. Some of the areas of these watering holes are rocky so it’s best to bring water shoes if that sort of thing bothers your kids. Most of them don’t cost any money and are roadside pull-ups (Big Deep) so pay careful attention to the directions, or you might miss it.

Opus 40: If you have time to roam and explore, a visit to Opus 40 should definitely be on your list. Founded in 1978, this 50-acre and seven acre-outdoor sculpture park offers much to see and do, including walkable trails, forested paths, a gallery, museum, and of course access to view some incredible pieces of art, including 6.5 acres of earthwork sculpture. There are ample areas for sitting and resting – should you want to have a picnic there as well. 356 George Sickle Road, Saugerties, NY 12477.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts: A performing arts center and museum, you and your family can learn more about the history and origins of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Festival, which was not in the actual town of Woodstock at all. This includes an opportunity to look at artifacts, photo archives, films, and listen to music as well as view a cool hippie bus that you’ll want to take a picture in front of. Through learning about the cultural impact of the festival, your kids will also learn about this time in history, touching on the Vietnam War to the Summer of Love, and how Woodstock came about. 200 Hurd Road, Bethel, NY 12720.

Woodstock Playhouse: If you’re staying for the evening (and sometimes they have early shows on the weekends), check out the Woodstock Playhouse. Some recent productions include the Woodstock Symphony Orchestra, “Sweet Charity,” “Charlotte’s Web,” “Evita,” and more. 103 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock, NY 12498.

World's Largest Kaleidoscope: A few minutes outside of Woodstock, you and your kids can enjoy a 10-minute show inside a 56-foot kaleidoscope. Located at the Emerson Resort & Spa in a refurbished farm silo, the show features a visual explosion of tapered mirrors, interchangeable images, colors, and fractal figures – told through a story and accompanied by an original score. Once the show is over, you’ll exit to a shop – and collection of indoor boutiques – that you can explore. There is also an on-site restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 5340 Route 28, Mount Tremper, NY 12457.

I Paddle New York: Rent a kayak and enjoy a relaxing activity, soaking in the beauty of the Esopus Creek. Kids have to be at least three years old (and 30 pounds) and they offer both single and tandem kayaks. The water is mild and smooth so you can enjoy the views as well as offers points where you can get out of the kayak to swim and just relax.  61 S Partition Street, Saugerties, NY 12477

Colony Woodstock: A restaurant/ beer garden/concert venue, the Colony is a great place to get a bit and see a show. The simple menu offers sandwiches, burgers, fries, salads, and a pretty extensive dessert menu. Stay for a show to see a local artist or local tribute band in an intimate, cozy setting. .22 Rock City Road, Woodstock, NY 12498.

Catskill Animal Sanctuary: Animal lovers will definitely want to visit the Catskill Animal Sanctuary. Located nearby in Saugerties, the location is a 50-acre refuge for farm animals rescued from cruelty, neglect and abandonment. They are open on the weekend for public and ticketed tours where you will meet some of their current refuges, ranging from chickens to cows to ducks and more. 316 Old Stage Road, Saugerties, NY 12477.

Center for Photography: Lovers of art and photography will love a visit to the Center for Photography. Located right on Tinker Street, the gallery is free and offers a great way to access and check out some  photography from a variety of artists. 59 Tinker Street, Woodstock, NY 12498.

WHERE TO EAT

Woodstock has no shortage of places to eat. From treats to coffee to full-on meals, you’ll find plenty of places to options for all palates. Here’s a few of our favorites: