5 Local Places to Take Out-of-Town Relatives This Thanksgiving

You have a house full of relatives flying in to celebrate the holiday next week. Not sure what to do once the turkey has been carved and the football games are over? We talked to Lydia Ruth, who does marketing and public relations for Westchester County Tourism & Film to find out her picks for places in the northern Westchester area to visit with out-of-town relatives.

Van Cortlandt Manor Once the weekend’s main event is over, take the kids in the family and head to the Croton-based former home of the Van Cortlandt’s. That’s where, Ruth explains, they can participate in Hands on Heritage Crafts, “which is great because kids can get involved and they see how different things are done,” she says. At the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Nov. 25, 26 and 27, kids can learn everything from candle making to “butter churning,” according to its website. Click here for more info and to buy tickets.

The Katonah Museum of Art Don’t want to deal with packed Metro North trains into Manhattan? Learn about the city from right here in Westchester, instead. “…Through the end of December they have a great show called ‘New York, New York! The 20^th Century,’” says Ruth. The exhibit features “about 55 paintings, sculptures [and] works on paper about New York City,” she says. For more information on the Katonah-based museum and the exhibit, click here.

Wolf Conservation Center  “It’s a great learning center and it’s a great way to see wolves in their natural habitat,” says Ruth of the center, which, she notes, is the only one on the East Coast. And on Nov. 25, 26 and 27, they’re hosting a “Pack Chat for Kids,” where, according to its website, kids can learn and meet with the “Ambassador wolves.” But make sure to register in advance. You can click here to do that and find out more. 

Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Work off those mashed potatoes and pies with a walk around this Cross River-based reserve. There are campsites, picnic areas, a creek and more, says Ruth and it provides, “just lots of room to walk around and enjoy the great outdoors,” she says. You can find more info here.  

Downtown Peekskill Prefer the city to the country? “If people just want to walk around, downtown Peekskill is becoming quite a little artist’s community,” says Ruth. Click here to find links to restaurants, shops, events and more from the Peekskill Downtown Business Improvement District.

Other ideas? Ruth recommends The Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden in North Salem—which also includes a children’s activity room, she says—The Winery at St. George in Mohegan Lake and Crabtree’s Kittle House in Chappaqua.

What are you planning to do with relatives this weekend? We'd love to hear! Let us know in the comments!