While enjoying a vacation in this beautiful region of New York, you’ll find many options for family-friendly fun! If you’re looking to make unforgettable memories with your kids, you’re in the right place.
Of course, there are tons of other categories to explore that are also welcoming to families with children of all ages! Explore our Apple & Berry Picking Trail and Ice Cream Trail to find more sweet local experiences to do with your loved ones.
Whether you’re looking for relaxing waterfall hikes or interesting indoor experiences, you’ll find it here.
Let’s explore the wide variety of family-friendly fun within Washington County!
Family-Friendly Fun from the Farm
As New York’s premier agricultural region, Washington County is the perfect place for your kids to experience farm-life & animals up close and personal!
One of the best ways to do this is on our Fiber Trail, or through the Washington County Fiber Tour. Along that route, your children will be able to see many farm animals, including dogs, sheep, alpaca, rabbits and more!
Plus, a visit to Hick’s Orchard will give you the chance to pick apples and say hello to a herd of friendly goats. Or, a stop at Battenkill Valley Creamery lets your family enjoy ice cream while meeting the cows the milk came from. Be sure to explore Gardenworks Farm nearby. And for more up-close encounters, visit the animals at The Cabins Cafe’s petting farm!
If your family is a little goat-crazy, why not hang out with Dove Haven Farm’s Nigerian Dwarf & Boer goat herds and chickens? Farm visits are available by appointment with a fee! Or, for your child with a love of horses, sign your family up for a trail ride through 4J Farmm, or a lesson through Riding Right Farm!
Love cheese? Take your family to see how it gets made at Argyle Cheese Farmer‘s Hudson Falls location! You can get a behind-the-scenes peek at their processing facility by scheduling a tour through their website. And after your visit, be sure to stock up on their delicious milk products, including cheese curds, hard cheeses, dips and more!
And while Washington County is home to many plant nurseries & garden stores, The Garden Barn is a standout! Their seasonal selections include a variety of home decor, high-quality furniture, gifts, local products & more, as well as a delightful cafe for you & your kids to enjoy.
Plus, you can experience where farming and the performing arts collide at the Little Theater on the Farm in Fort Edward. Your family is sure to enjoy their variety of local performances.
Education-Focused Programs, Classes & Locations for Children
If you’re looking for fun things to do with your child who loves to learn, you’ll want to explore the variety of local classes, programs & activities within the area.
For example, our local libraries offer an array of options! Visit the Hudson Falls Free Library and Greenwich Free Library for free family programs, ranging from toddler play-dates & Lego Clubs to regularly scheduled story time with therapy dogs.
Additionally, you could plan a visit to The Pember Museum & Library! Their collection of preserved artifacts exploring the biodiversity of the area includes over 7,000 specimens! And, each visit supports their mission to inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for the natural world, and to help people better understand their place in it. Sound neat? Many regional schools think so, and often plan field trips to the Pember. In addition to their indoor collections, you can attend one of their outdoor guided tours of the Pember Nature Preserve to learn about a range of subjects, from deciduous trees & bats to honey bees & clouds. Perfect for you & your little outdoor explorer!
Or, if your kids are more interested in art, why not sign your family up for a ceramics class at Em’s Art Shack at Crawford Island Art? Each course fee includes materials & firing costs, so you’re all set to bring your personalized souvenir home with you!
And that’s not all! For classes on everything from drawing & acting to Irish tap dance, you may want to visit Hubbard Hall with your child. This center for the arts & education is the perfect way to spend an time with your family, tapping into their creativity or catching an evening performance!
And last but not least, both the young (and the young at heart) will enjoy a visit to Freakopolis Geekery in Whitehall, NY. Your family will love browsing their range of comic books, graphic novels, cards & unique collectibles for enthusiasts of all ages!
Family-Friendly Fun in the Great Outdoors
Aquatic Adventures
When visiting Washington County with your family, you’ll likely want some relaxing down-time! Why not enjoy the serenity of our waterways with a nice picnic & swim in the Battenkill?
Visit local-favorite swimming hole The Georgi in Shushan, also home to a historic grove of hydrangeas and a garden with a dizzying variety of flowers. Or, visit the Riverfront Park at 35 Rock St. in Greenwich so your kids can get out some energy at the playground & enjoy the river access!
Are your kids curious about fishing, or do you want to surprise them with a fishing charter for the first time? You’ve got options!
Within Cambridge, you can take up the age-old tradition of fly fishing with Battenkill Fly Fishing guide services! This experience includes insider tips, tricks, little-known fishing hotspots & a riverside meal prepared by local angling expert Scott Sztorc.
Or, charter a boat out of Kattskill Bay to explore for a day out with Lake George Fishing Charters! Their licensed guides will help your family fish for trout, salmon and bass while soaking in the beauty of one of America’s most pristine lakes.
Of course, you could also get a completely custom river experience through Battenkill Valley Outdoors! They also offer pick-up & drop-off services when you rent one of their kayaks, canoes or tubes for the day.
And finally, Bigbigonthebattenkill is a local favorite for groups in the summer! From them, your family is able to rent classic donut tubes (with bottoms for younger children), kayaks, single-person rafts and more. After booking, they’ll drive your group to the river & pick you up when you’re done!
Other Outside Options for Family-Friendly Funtimes
Of course, beyond the water there’s plenty of other fun things to do in Washington County! If you’ve got a family of mini-golf lovers, you may enjoy Fort Ann’s Hillybilly Fun Park. Their two spacious, themed 18-hole mini golf courses are pure, wholesome family fun. Choose from either the Puttin’ Thru New York or Hillbilly Holes course & get ready for a good time!
Or, take your older kids & teenagers for the thrill of a lifetime: motocross! ADK MX is a professionally-built motocross track, perfect for all experience levels. Your kids will never forget their visit, and may even obtain interest in a new hobby!
If motocross isn’t your thing, what about all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)? Your adventure-loving family will love exploring the outdoors with Adirondack ATV Tours‘ 1-4 passenger utility vehicles. Be sure to have a licensed driver over 18, and ensure all passengers are 50″ or taller!
And finally, you may also enjoy exploring the many hiking trails within the area, including the short Dionondahowa Falls Overlook trail! This includes several state forests and a variety of unique local spots, including the trails at New Skete Monastery, Salem Art Works’ Cary Hill Sculpture Park, Lauderdale Park, the Champlain Canalway Trail, the Goose Egg State Forest & Battenkill State Forest, and so much more!
Fun in All Seasons, All Year Long
It’s not just during the summer that you can enjoy the many family-friendly fun activities Washington County has to offer!
If your family is lucky enough to visit this area in the winter, you’ll want to check out New York’s Coolest Little Ski Area: Willard Mountain! Featuring season passes, 2-hour tubing sessions, night skiing on weekdays and so much more, Willard Mountain is non-stop fun, without the long lines & expensive fees of larger resorts.
Plus, the holidays are the perfect season to make a new family memory: choosing & cutting your own Christmas tree to bring home and decorate! Explore Bailey Family Christmas Trees’ hill of evergreens each December, or find even more fun things to do in this winter wonderland.
In addition, Washington County has a range of annual Halloween events. However, the BooTown Fall Festival in particular offers both family fun during the day and spooky thrills at night! This makes it ideal for families with both young children & teenagers to enjoy the best of the season.
And if you’re in the Washington County area to enjoy the stunning fall scenery, check out our list of fun fall activities for the whole family.
Looking for more clean, family-friendly fun?
Why not extend your family’s stay & make the trip extra-special for your kids? Book a visit to one of our local farm stays or campgrounds for an unforgettable experience!
Or, explore more fun activities to do in Washington County with your family, such as theatrical performances, golf courses, museums & more.
We hope to see you soon!
