1. The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival: Hamlet
Where/When: Boscobel Restoration, Garrison; Friday, July 1 (Preview) & Saturday, July 2nd (Opening Night)
Why go: Visit the beautiful grounds of the Boscobel Restoration and while there enjoy watching this classic drama by William Shakespeare as it is performed by members of the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. The play is directed by Terrence O'Brien, and is sure to be a great live theater experience for the whole family.
Pricing: $21-$49
Contact info: (845) 265-3638
2. U-Pick Vegetable Garden: Enjoy Harvesting Organically Grown Vegetables
Where/When: Hilltop Hannover Farms , Yorktown Heights; Saturday, July 2, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Why go: Food doesn’t come fresher than this! Bring your friends and family down to the farm to help pick your fill of fresh, organically grown veggies. You can check the farm’s website for a list of in-season produce that will be available for purchase, and reference a price list there as well. This event will continue every Saturday throughout the season.
Pricing: Varies by purchase.
Contact info: (914) 962-2368
3. "People, Places and Things"
Where/When: Hendrick Hudson Library, Montrose; Friday, July 1, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, July 2, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, July 3, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Why go: Spend a quiet, relaxing afternoon in the library’s art gallery viewing the graphite and colored-pencil works by artist Joe Lofaso. Lofaso’s work, as the show’s title suggests, draws its inspiration from the people, places and things in the artist’s life.
Pricing: Free
Contact info: (914) 739-5654
4. American Roots Music Festival & Pops, Patriots and Fireworks: A Weekend of Entertainment at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts
Where: Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Katonah
When: American Roots Music Festival: Saturday, July 2, 12:30pm; Pops, Patriots and Fireworks : Sunday, July 3, 8 p.m.
Why go: The American Roots Music Festival starts off Saturday afternoon with live musical entertainment from greats such as Spuyten Duyvil, The Sweetback Sisters, James Maddock, and others. When the evening rolls around The David Grisman FolkJazz Trio featuring Jim Hurst and Samson Grisman, will light up the stage with their latest songs. There will also be fun activities for kids throughout the day. On Sunday Pops, Patriots and Fireworks will be taking place in the Venetian Theater. Celebrate America’s Independence while listening to symphonic performances by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. The Orchestra, conducted by Michael Barrett, will be playing patriotic numbers such as Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever,” as well as Gershwin, Bernstein, Joplin and more. After the concert a 15-20 minute firework display will complete the evening.
Pricing: American Roots Music Festival tickets: $20.00, $30.00, $40.00; Pops, Patriots and Fireworks tickets: $30.00, $40.00, $50.00, $60.00, $70.00 (Children under 16 are half price at both shows, variations in ticket price represent seating options).
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Where/When: Muscoot Farm, Katonah; Sunday, July 3, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Why go: Celebrate America’s independence the way people used to back-in-the-day. Muscoot Farm welcomes visitors to come play old fashioned games and take part in ice-cream making as well. While at the farm, visit their Art in the Main House between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to view the photography of artist John Lucas.
Pricing: Free
Contact info: (914) 864-7282
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6. Seussical, The Musical: A Wondrous Show for Audiences of All Ages
Where/When: Westchester Broadway Dinner Theatre, Elmsford; Friday, July 1, & Saturday, July 2, 6 p.m.; Sunday, July 3, 11: 30 a.m. & 5 p.m.
Why go: Enjoy dinner and a show as you spend the night with some of your favorite childhood characters as they take the stage in this fun and entertaining family musical. The play focuses on topics such friendship, loyalty, family and community and the songs are based off a variety of popular music genres. Perfect for musical theater lovers of any age. Showing until July 31 with Wednesday and Thursday shows available as well.
Pricing: $62 - $75
Contact info: (914) 592-2222
7. Atlantic Kayak Tours: Annsville Easy
Where/When: Annsville Creek Paddlesport Center, Cortlandt Manor; Saturday, July 2, 9 a.m.
Why go: This 3 – 6 mile tour is great for those just starting out at kayaking who might not be ready to commit to a full day tour just yet. You will receive a brief lesson in the sport, and then venture out for a few hours of fun exploring the Hudson Valley by kayak. The tour around Annsville Creek lasts for about 3 hours, during which you will explore the creek and head north towards Bear Mountain. The program is typically reserved for adults, though children eleven years and older are encouraged to come along if they would like to participate in a slightly more challenging paddle trip, as opposed to the play programs that are offered for kids.
Pricing: $85 includes equipment
Contact info: (845) 246-2187
8. Singer/Songwriter Sunday: Melissa Frabotta, Joe Piteo, John Piteo and, Phil Rosenstock
Where/When: 12 Grapes, Peekskill; Sunday, July 3, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Why go: No stranger to the stage at 12 Grapes, Melissa Frabotta will be joined by Joe Piteo (of the Gil Parris Band) on drums, John Piteo on guitar, and Phil Rosenstock on bass. You can expect to hear plenty of Frabotta’s originals as well as popular cover songs, while she performs everything from solo acoustic sets to numbers with her full band.
Pricing: Free
Contact info: (914) 737- 6624
9. Hike Turkey Mountain: An easy hike with a great view
Where/When: The east side of NY-118, Yorktown Heights
Why go: Spend a lovely summer day outdoors getting some fresh air and enjoying the spectacular views from the top of this modest 831 foot high mountain. The ascention should take no more than 30 minutes and includes just a short stretch of steep incline. Once at the peak, take in the beautiful scene that surrounds you. From the mountain top you’ll be able to see Croton Reservoir, the Hudson River, Bear Mountain, and the Hudson Highlands. You can even catch a glimpse of the Manhattan skyline on a clear day. The white trail will take you back down in about 30 minutes, or take the blue for a longer, approximately hour-long descent. You can find the mountain on the east side of NY 118, 0.9 miles north of NY 129 or 1.7 miles south of Underhill Avenue in Yorktown Heights. You'll spot Peter Pratt's Inn across from the intersection.
Pricing: Free
Contact info: (914) 245-4650
10. Dessert of the Month Contest: An ice-ream creation contest
Where/When: Nellie’s Café, Peekskill; Sunday, July 3, 2 p.m.
Why go: Master the art of gelato/sorbetto dessert creations in Nellie’s Desert of the Month contest. Use anything you can think of from their list of ingredients to compose your masterpiece. The winning desert will be named by its creator and sold at the cafe as the Dessert of Month. The contest’s winner will also receive a $10 gift certificate, and all participants will get a $1.00 off their creations for the month as well. Please call in advance as only 10 participants can enter at a time.
Pricing: $6
Contact info: (914) 930-7821
