2014 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in New York's Capital District | Kids Out and About Albany <

2014 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in New York's Capital District

Winners for 2014

The Capital District is rich in fun events and exciting places. It was hard for our readers to select their favorites from the hundreds of choices! The venues listed below are wildly popular with kids and families in the Capital Region But don’t miss out on ALL the other wonderful places as well! Browse through our site and discover lots more to do!



1. The New York State Museum, Albany

Widely regarded as THE family-friendly learning center in the Capital District -- not least because entrance to its exhibit halls and most of its family programming are FREE. History and Science blend here, with many permanent and traveling exhibits.

 

2. Hoffman’s Playland, Latham

A place that parents remember from when they were kids because it has been around over 50 years! Features fourteen kiddie rides and five major rides. Fun, friends, and food... for all ages.

 

3. Adirondack Animal Land, Gloversville

The largest zoo in upstate New York, Adirondack Animal Land has over five hundred animals, plus the only safari in the Northeast. Located just an hour to the northwest of Albany. Feed and pet a giraffe in their new Giraffe Feeding area.

 

4. Landis Arboretum, Esperance

Large public garden overlooking the Schoharie Valley, developed with plantings of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials from around the world.

 

5. Six Flags Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom, Lake George

The Great Escape offers great fun for all ages. Thrill rides, kiddie rides, family rides, and water park, you'll find it all at The Great Escape.

 

6. World Class Gymnastics, Latham and Clifton Park

These state-of the-art facilities & fantastic coaching staffs have produced state, regional, and national champions as well as progressively challenging instruction.

 

7. My Place To Play, Rotterdam

Indoor play center, preschool, and birthday center, offering families the support and entertainment they need most!

 

8. Children's Museum of Science & Technology (CMOST), Troy

The Children's Museum of Science and Technology (CMOST) is the science center in the Tech Valley most designed for kids and parents to explore and discover science together. It includes exhibits, a planetarium, and a cafe as well as summer camps and events throughout the year. 

 

9. Crossings Playground, Colonie

An extraordinary setting including a playground, walking and biking trails, a hedge maze, and pond, and ample facilities for picnics and parties, all in the heart of Colonie.

 

10. Tiny Tots Tea Room, Clifton Park

Unique indoor play center with a parent-friendly cafe. They offer birthday parties plus summer camps and school vacation camps.

 

11. Cartwheels Gymnastics Center

Cartwheels Gymnastics Center is committed to enhance the learning, personal growth, and self confidence of every child that walks through our doors. Our passion is to help children feel good about themselves while helping them to appreciate the importance of physical activity.

 

12. FunPlex Fun Park

FunPlex Fun Park has fun for adventure-seekers of all ages: Miniature golf, batting cages, go-karts, bungee trampoline, bumper boats,spider mountain, rock wall, water wars, and more!

 

13. Pirate All-Star Cheerleading

Competitive All-Star Cheerleading and Dance teams as well as recreational tumbling for ALL ages and Abilities! Pirates offers a variety of classes including Mommy & Me, flexibility, technique, and conditioning and a FREE Special Needs cheerleading team! 

 

14. Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, Delmar

A living museum comprising over 450 acres of broad fields, towering forests, and tranquil wetlands.

 

15. Thacher Park/Nature Center, Voorheesville

Located in Thompson's Lake State Park and adjacent John Boyd Thacher State Park, the Nature Center is open year-round and offers educational programs for school groups, youth organizations, clubs and the general public.

 

16. Indian Ladder Farms, Altamont

A pick-your-own fruit farm and market. Gift store, fresh bakery, luncheon cafe. They offer Baby Animal Days in the spring, summer day camps, and farm- and apple-themed field trips. A great place to connect with the land and simple pleasures that make memories.

The Woodlands Children’s Museum is a cooperative learning environment that provides children with multiethnic and multicultural experiences.  - See more at: http://www.woodlandschildrensmuseum.org/about.html#sthash.2Yu1OBOq.dpuf
The Woodlands Children’s Museum is a cooperative learning environment that provides children with multiethnic and multicultural experiences.  - See more at: http://www.woodlandschildrensmuseum.org/about.html#sthash.2Yu1OBOq.dpuf
The Woodlands Children’s Museum is a cooperative learning environment that provides children with multiethnic and multicultural experiences.  - See more at: http://www.woodlandschildrensmuseum.org/about.html#sthash.2Yu1OBOq.dpuf
 

17. Treepaad Fun Center, Malta

Family fun and entertainment spot, featuring age appropriate games, rides, prizes, from a play space for toddlers to laser tag for older kids.

 

18. Tri-City Valleycats, Troy

Tri-City Valleycats are our region's professional baseball team. They play at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. Their season runs in the summer from early June through early September. 

 

19. Rudy A. Cicotti Family Recreation Center, Albany

The Rudy A. Cicotti Family Recreation Center offers a fabulous Aquatic Center with a fun-filled activity area that includes water slides, splash pool, and lazy river. The Aquatic Center also features a 25-yard lap pool, leisure pool, warm water pool, and wet party room. The facility offers the perfect place for swim lessons, group exercise programs, birthday parties and more.

 

20. The Music Studio, Albany

The leading music school in the Capital Region offers a full spectrum of after school, Saturday, and summer classes and camps for all ages. These small-group classes inspire a joy in making and understanding music. Sign up today for a more musical summer!

 

Winners in Special Categories

In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in seven categories. Here were their choices.

Favorite Kid-Friendly Museum

KOAAFavoriteSealsm.jpg

New York State Museum

 

Favorite Nature Center

 Five Rivers Environmental Education Center

 A living museum in Delmar comprising over 450 acres of broad fields, towering forests, and tranquil wetlands.

Favorite Performing Arts

KOAAFavoriteSealsm.jpg

Proctors Theater

 

Favorite Indoor Play Center

KOAAFavoriteSealsm.jpg

Treepaad Fun Center

 

Favorite Farm (agri-entertainment)

Indian Ladder Farms

 

Favorite Place to have Fun Outdoors

KOAAFavoriteSealsm.jpg

Hoffman’s Playland

Favorite Professional Sports Team

KOAAFavoriteSealsm.jpg

Tri-City Valleycats (baseball)

 

Favorite Arts Education Center

 

Drama Kids of the Capital Region

 

Favorite Sports Education Center

World Class Gymnastics Academy: Latham and Clifton Park

 


If you are not already on our weekly mailing list for our free e-newsletter, please sign up by clicking here. You'll find out everything that is happening for kids and families at these places and a lot more -- way ahead of time!


© 2014, KidsOutAndAbout.com. This information may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of KidsOutAndAbout.com.


Tags