Weekend Planner: Reptile Expo, Italian Heritage Festival, U-Pick at Hilltop Hanover Farm

Free Friday Nights At the Hudson River Museum

When/Where: Fridays 5-8 p.m. from June 8 to Sept. 7 at 511 Warburton Avenue in Yonkers

Why Go: See exhibits like: "Gilded Age Magic," "Westchester Women at War: Portraits," and "Holly Sears: Hudson River Explorers."

Price: Free 

Art & Science Sundays: Aboard the Science Barge: Solar Cooking and Photovoltaic Panels 

When Where: The Science Barge @ Groundwork Hudson in Yonkers

Why Go: Sundays, from July through October, the Science Barge on Yonkers' waterfront invites children ages 4-10 for hands-on Art & Science workshops. Children and adults can cross the gangplank and come aboard the Barge to learn about everything from growing hydroponic plants to making kaleidoscopes to the dynamics of juggling.

Price: Suggested $5 donation for supplies. Space and supplies are limited, so please email to rsvp. For more info, visitgroundworkhv.org, or call 914-375-2151. 

Barn to Yarn Wool Program at the Greenburgh Nature Center

Where/When:  11 a.m. Sunday at 99 Dromore Road in Scarsdale

Why Go: Handspinner and textile artist Anna Upston will teach participants about turning wool and other fibers into yarn. You'll learn how to use a spinning wheel and a drop spindle!  

Price: Members $5, Non-Members $8 ($25 for family)

NY Pet Reptile Expo

When/Where:  Sunday, July 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the  in White Plains

Why Go: Come see thousands of live pet reptiles and amphibians on display and for sale as pets. Vendors will also be selling cages and many other reptile-related items at discounted prices. Over 200 vendors and display tables will be at this reptile event, the East Coast's largest. More here. 

Price:  $10.00

Family Fishing Workshop at Lewisboro Library

When/Where:  Saturday, July 7, 10:30 a.m. at the 

Why Go: John Peters from the Sportsmen's Club of Northern Westchester leads this how-to fishing workshop, complete with casting practice on the front lawn. Bring your own equipment if you have it, but there will be some fishing gear available to borrow if you need it.

Price:  Free.  For children ages 6 and up, accompanied by a parent.

Chris Isaak in Peekskill

When/Where: Friday July 6, 8 p.m. at the 

Why Go: Singer and musician Chris Isaak introduces Peekskill to his new album, "Beyond the Sun, a tribute to Sam Phillip’s Sun Records’ recording studio in Memphis. Sun introduced the world to, among other music icons, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison. The actor (Showtime’s wry comedy/drama “The Chris Isaak Show”) also sings and strums his classics, such as “Wicked Game,” "Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing” and “Solitary Man.

Price:  Tickets are $55 - $75

Swimming Siestas: Game Breaks at Briarcliff Public Library

When/Where:   Saturdays in July, 2-4 p.m. at 

Why Go:  Board games, from Candy Land to Pictionary, will be provided by the library for family and friends to play in the Pavilion. For preschool age, children, teens and adults.

Story Breaks: Pop out of the pool for a couple of minutes to hear a story or two. The Children's Librarian will stop by the pool to read a few stories at 4 p.m. on Fridays from June 29 - August 17.

Price: Free

U-Pick at Hilltop Hanover Farm

When/Where:  Saturday, July 7, 10 a.m. at  in Yorktown Heights

Why Go: Visit the family-friendly farm and pick your own organically and sustainably grown vegetables.  Check the website weekly for vegetable updates and for classes and events.  Bring a picnic lunch and hike the trails. 

Italian Heritage Festival

When/Where: Sunday, June 8, 12 noon-7 p.m. at the  in Valhalla

Why Go:  Feast and have fun at the Italian Heritage Festival Live with musical entertainment, dancing, singing and more.  Indulge in traditional Italian specialties and enjoy an array of vendors and children’s activities.

Price:  Admission and parking are free—event is rain or shine.

Hidden Valley Hike at Teatown/North American Butterfly Count

When/Where:  Saturday, July 7, butterfly count at 9 a.m., hike at 9:30 a.m. at 

Why Go: Take an early morning hike before the heat of the day hits. Travel through an old field alongside a swamp and then traverse an upland mountain laurel grove on this hike through diverse habitats. Bring water, and wear hiking boots. This hike is moderate with some steep sections.

Also, in an annual rite of summer, the North American Butterfly Count is for all butterfly enthusiasts to partake in a citizen scientist monitoring effort.

Price: Members Free, Non-members $5

Zappa Plays Zappa

When/Where:  Saturday, July 7, 8 p.m. at 

Why Go:  Dweezil Zappa’s seven-person strong ongoing homage to and performance of his father’s music, is hitting the road again, after hugely successful tours in the last couple of years.

Price: Tickets: $25-$82.50

Related Topics: Weekend Planner