9 kid-friendly spots in Garrison
Free · Garrison · Hiking & Nature · Outdoor
This 3.9-mile loop trail near Garrison follows a shaded woodland path with blue markers, passing abandoned homes, a wooden footbridge, and a steel truss bridge before reaching river views and a waterfall.
The trail is mostly shaded and well-maintained with clear blue blazes; pack layers since it can feel cool early in the day even in summer.
Garrison · Museums & History · Indoor & outdoor
Boscobel House and Gardens in Garrison is a restored 1804 Neoclassical mansion overlooking the Hudson River, featuring one of the finest Federal-period decorative arts collections and 68 acres of gardens, grounds, and woodland trails.
Fall Family Day (October 17) includes crafts, 19th-century games, cider and cider donuts, and self-guided house tours with a scavenger hunt.
Free · Garrison · Hiking & Nature · Outdoor
Castle Rock Unique Area in Philipstown offers 129 acres of open fields and woodlands with a historic carriage road leading to a gazebo overlooking the Hudson Highlands, along with primitive camping and wildlife viewing opportunities.
The carriage road to the gazebo is gentler terrain than the steeper woodland sections, making it more accessible for younger hikers.
Garrison · Farms & Animals · Indoor & outdoor
Cockburn Christmas Tree Farm in Garrison is a seasonal holiday destination where families can cut their own tree, browse pre-cut options, visit Santa, and shop for handmade ornaments and local gifts in the gift shop.
Open Black Friday through December 24th; hours are 9am-5pm daily except Christmas Eve (9am-1pm).
Free · Garrison · Libraries
Desmond-Fish Public Library in Garrison hosts regular programs for kids and families, from craft sessions and LEGO days to science events and author talks, alongside a collection and reading space.
Library has a new outdoor solar pavilion for casual reading and gathering in nature.
Garrison · Dance & Theater · Indoor
Garden City Dance Studio in Garrison offers classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, acrobatics, musical theater, voice, and acting across six sprung-floor studios; the facility has a homework room and on-site dance boutique for gear.
Parents can watch classes via closed-circuit TV from the waiting area.
Garrison · Art & Maker Studios · Indoor
Garrison Art Center in Garrison offers year-round art classes for kids, teens, and adults across pottery, drawing, painting, printmaking, and filmmaking. Kids aged 7-12 can take pottery, painting, cartooning, and art-history-focused classes; teens 13-19 have pottery, filmmaking, and visual-development options; adults take multi-week sessions in pottery, printmaking, and other media.
Children's pottery and kids' drawing classes are 4-8 weeks long.
Garrison · Sports & Swim
M2O Swim in Garrison teaches swim lessons and water safety through a mindfulness-based curriculum that addresses both physical skills and mental health, helping kids recognize panic responses and make calm decisions in water.
Classes integrate mindfulness techniques to help kids manage anxiety in water; good fit if your child gets overwhelmed or stressed easily.
Free · Garrison · Hiking & Nature · Outdoor
Philipstown Park in Garrison has a short waterfall trail that starts near the basketball court and descends downhill with steps to views of cascading water; the path can be slippery after rain and is hard to follow under leaf cover, but rewards a 5-minute walk with quiet, scenic mountain views.
The waterfall trail gets slippery after rain or wet weather; visit on dry days or bring sturdy shoes.