The Ultimate 2024-2025 Winter Guide to Westchester County

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Nov. 12, 2024 – Nestled between the Hudson River and Long Island Sound, Westchester County beckons as a charming winter retreat just 30 miles north of Manhattan. Easy to reach via Metro-North and Amtrak, this picturesque destination in the lower Hudson Valley transforms into a winter wonderland, offering various indoor and outdoor activities alongside vibrant holiday festivities. From cozy escapes to seasonal adventures, Westchester County promises an unforgettable winter getaway filled with warmth and wonder. Discover top travel ideas for the 2024-2025 season, courtesy of Westchester County Tourism.

Holiday Festivities & Attractions

• Experience the enchantment of the season at Lumina, a magical light experience at Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard (North Salem). Visitors of all ages can immerse themselves in the warmth and magic of the illuminated forest, enjoy music-synced light shows and cozy up by a campfire with a tasty treat or drink. Open Nov. 22 – Dec. 30.
• Westchester’s Winter Wonderland at the Kensico Dam Plaza (Valhalla) is a 1.2-mile drive-thru experience filled with thousands of lights. Guests will be dazzled by new additions this year, including an Ice Queen, a 125-foot pixel wall filled with thousands of lights that will illuminate scenes of the winter night sky and OtoCast App that will allow families to hear magical stories of the larger-than-life light displays along the route surrounding Westchester’s largest holiday Christmas tree. Open Nov. 23 – Dec. 31.
• Untermyer Gardens Conservancy’s annual Grand Holiday Illumination (Yonkers) is a free holiday tradition featuring more than 100,000 lights on display with holiday music from many traditions. The nighttime light show has become a Yonkers tradition, and thousands of visitors come to enjoy the spectacle each year. Open Dec. 7, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025.
• See Lyndhurst Mansion (Tarrytown) transformed into an extravagant wonderland of holiday splendor during the Holiday Classic Mansion Tour. Explore elaborate décor, dozens of beautifully decorated Christmas trees, and rare items from former owners, offering a once-a-year opportunity to see many of the treasures that are usually tucked away in archives. Additionally, returning for a second year is the Makers Market featuring local artisans and their handcrafted treasures such as handmade jewelry, home goods and specialty skincare – perfect for holiday gifts. Holiday Classic Mansion Tours run from Nov. 29– Dec. 29, and Makers Market runs from Nov. 30 – Dec. 1.
• Experience the joy of the season at Holiday Lane at American Christmas (Mount Vernon). For the third year in a row, this walk-through experience is the ultimate holiday happening for groups of all ages. Decorated with over 100,000 twinkling lights, captivating animatronics, and several themed areas, children and adults alike will feel the magic of the season come alive at Holiday Lane. All net profits will be donated to local charities. Open on select dates through Dec. 29.
• Enjoy a merry walk through the holiday lights tour at Monteverde (Cortlandt Manor) for the second year in a row. Visitors can immerse themselves in a delightful evening adorned with festive lights, delectable cuisine and a warm outdoor bar. Open Nov. 12, 2024– Jan. 5, 2025.
• Celebrate the holiday season surrounded by the sights of Christmas in the 1870s with the Victorian Christmas Tour at Armour-Stiner’s Octagon House (Irvington). This lyrical, 8-sided home will be filled with elaborate holiday décor featuring wreaths, garlands and the sparkle of antique ornaments on three grand Christmas trees. Visitors can also choose “The Spirit of Christmas Past,” an interactive tour that transports visitors into a Victorian Christmas, culminating in a dramatic presentation of the Fezziwig Party Scene from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Victorian Christmas Tour is open Nov. 14 through Dec. 30, and “The Spirit of Christmas Past” is open select dates from Dec. 12-22.
• Get into the holiday spirit and see the Muscoot Farm in a new light during Holiday Lights on the Farm. Explore the festively decorated barns, visit the farm’s animals and follow along with a captivating holiday story. Running on Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 7 – Dec. 21.
• Organized by The Sleepy Hollow Tarrytown Chamber, the 4^th Annual Tarrytown & Sleepy Hollow Winter Stroll (Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown) is a festive route between the two neighboring towns filled with Holly Jolly Trolleys, holiday treats, carolers, an ugly sweater contest, live entertainment, storefront decorations, extended shopping hours and more. Kicks off on Dec. 14, at 3 p.m.
• Bringing the sights and sounds of holiday cheer to its visitors, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts (Katonah) has an impressive lineup of performances in December, including special tours of the art-filled Rosen House, decked out with enchanting decorations. Holiday Rosen House Tours are running from Dec. 13 – Dec. 22.
• At Greenburgh Nature Center’s Holiday Market and Train Show (Scarsdale), visitors can shop for sustainable gifts from local artists and vendors amid 33 acres of natural beauty. Plus, visitors will find a display of model trains traveling through countryside scenes within the nature center’s Manor House. Holiday Market is open Nov. 16-17, and Train Show is available on select dates between Nov. 16 and Dec. 8.

Outdoor Winter Adventures 

• Set atop a hill, Faraway Farm (Yorktown Heights) is home to Huacaya Alpacas, known for their soft, colorful fleece. Visitors can book a tour to meet these animals and learn about their care and history, all in a scenic countryside setting. Appointments required.
• Explore the African American Heritage Trail, a collection of historic sites honoring the impactful contributions of African Americans in shaping America’s story. This evolving initiative highlights significant locations across Westchester, celebrating the actions and experiences that have shaped the County’s rich history.
• Experience Westchester’s vibrant ice-skating scene, with popular indoor rinks like Ebersole Ice Rink (White Plains), Edward J. Murray Memorial Skating Center (Yonkers), Hommocks Park Ice Rink (Larchmont), The Ice Hutch (Mount Vernon), Playland Ice (Rye) and Westchester Skating Academy (Elmsford). For outdoor skating, enjoy the scenic settings at Sal J. Prezioso Mountain Lakes Park (North Salem), Twin Lakes Park (Eastchester), Wampus Pond Park (Armonk) and Willson’s Woods Park (Mount Vernon).
• Witness the majestic sight of bald eagles during their winter migration at Teatown’s 20th Annual Hudson River EagleFest (Ossining) in 2025. Additional details and dates to come.
• For scenic winter hikes, Cranberry Lake Preserve (North White Plains) is a 190-acre preserve of unspoiled forest and wetlands that includes a lake, trails and boardwalks. Meanwhile, Ward Pound Ridge in White Plains, covering 4,315 acres, stands as Westchester’s largest park, featuring extensive wooded trails perfect for both cross-country skiing and snowshoeing enthusiasts.
• For a sweet experience, visit Muscoot Farm (Katonah) for Maple Sugaring workshops, where visitors will learn the essentials of maple sugaring – from identifying sugar maples and tapping techniques to transforming sap into syrup.

Indoor Activities

• For days when it is just too cold to enjoy the snowy outdoors, Monster Mini Golf Yonkers (Yonkers) features 18 holes of glow-in-the-dark mini golf plus a mini bowling and arcade of games including air hockey.
• Recognized as one of the nation’s premier art houses, movie buffs can visit The Jacob Burns Film Center (Pleasantville), where the newest independent films, foreign cinema, documentaries and curated series are showcased regularly.
• Grand Prix New York Racing & Entertainment (Mount Kisco) offers thrilling indoor fun for all ages. With high-speed go-kart racing, bowling, arcade games, and more, it’s the perfect spot to rev up winter entertainment and enjoy action-packed activities in a family-friendly atmosphere.
• Discover Westchester’s vibrant museum scene: the Hudson River Museum (Yonkers) blends art, history, and science; the Westchester Children’s Museum (Rye) offers interactive exhibits for young explorers; the Katonah Museum of Art (Katonah) showcases diverse global art; and the Neuberger Museum of Art (Purchase) features outstanding collections of modern, contemporary, and African art.
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester (Yonkers) is the ultimate indoor LEGO® playground, sparking creativity with endless building adventures and interactive experiences for all ages.
• For a dose of rest and relaxation, visit The Opus Spa – the only full-service luxury spa in Westchester – offering an array of rejuvenating treatments in a lavish setting.

Seasonal Bites & Drinks

• The Westchester Craft Beverage Trail is a free mobile web-based passport guiding visitors to wonderful experiences and tasty beverages, along with enticing offers. Explore Westchester’s thriving craft beverage scene, featuring a variety of options from distilleries to craft breweries, a cidery and even a micro winery. Notable stops include Argonne Rose Brewing (Mohegan Lake), Captain Lawrence Brewing Company (Elmsford), Hardscrabble Cider (North Salem) and Soul Brewing Company (Pleasantville) which was recently awarded a gold medal at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival® Competition.
• New year, new eating habits. Warm or cold, packed with protein or leafy greens, grain bowls offer hearty and healthy goodness that everyone can enjoy. The Granola Bar of Rye (Rye) may specialize in granola, but there are plenty of savory options to go around. Grass Roots Kitchen (Tarrytown) is a popular spot amongst visitors and locals, Stephen’s Green (Tuckahoe) features a California Chicken menu item, a must-try for grain bowl fanatics and Green Life (Mamaroneck) offers a variety of healthy options.
• The newly opened Peekeasy (Peekskill), inspired by its city’s name and styled with a Great Gatsby theme, is the perfect spot to cozy up with a cocktail this winter. 

Where to Stay

• The Abbey Inn & Spa (Peekskill) is offering a Wellness Escape package including overnight accommodations, dinner for two at Apropos Restaurant and a $100 credit to the Abbey Spa.
• Westchester Marriott (Tarrytown) is an ideal base for exploring the region, offering comfortable accommodations just moments from popular events and attractions. Guests can enjoy convenient access to local dining, shopping, and entertainment, making it a top choice for visitors to Westchester.
• Tucked along a peaceful, tree-lined road in Chappaqua, Crabtree’s Kittle House Restaurant & Inn offers a luxurious escape with historic charm. Visitors can savor the elegance of Old New York through its exceptional hospitality, fine dining, and celebrated wine offerings – all enhanced by festive holiday décor this December.
• Tarrytown House Estate, a 19th-century gem on 26 scenic acres, blends historic elegance with modern comfort. This Westchester retreat is home to Goosefeather, the acclaimed restaurant by Chef Dale Talde, known for its seasonal Cantonese cuisine. Visitors can enjoy holiday specials, including prime rib and branzino on Christmas Eve, and indulge in an extravagant all-you-can-eat feast on New Year’s Eve.