15+ Affordable Family Fun for Winter Weekends in New York State
Look, we all know winter in New York can make you want to just hibernate with your Seamless account. But listen, you don’t have to break the bank to get the kids out of the apartment. There’s tons of affordable family fun for winter weekends in New York State just waiting for you, from just outside the city to a bit further upstate.
Quick heads-up: Things change fast in NY. Always a good idea to check the official websites or give them a call for the latest hours and details before you pack up the kids and the car.
Affordable Family Fun for Winter Weekends in New York State Near You
New York State Museum
This place is a classic for a reason, and it’s the definition of free affordable family fun for winter weekends in new york state. It’s massive, it’s warm, and it has everything from a real NYC subway car (the kids love this) to a mastodon skeleton. Perfect for letting them run around and accidentally learn something.
- Price: FREE (suggested donation $5)
- Location: 222 Madison Ave, Albany, NY
- Contact: https://www.nysm.nysed.gov | (518) 474-5877
- Pro Tip: The 4th-floor carousel is a must-do. It’s also free.
Bear Mountain Ice Rink
If you’re looking for cheap weekend family getaways within 3 hours of me, this is it. The rink at Bear Mountain is huge, outdoors, and has that classic winter vibe without the city crowds. It’s way more chill than Rockefeller Center and just as pretty.
- Price: $ (Admission $5, Skate Rentals $10)
- Location: Bear Mountain State Park, Highland Falls, NY 10928
- Contact: https://www.bearmountainicerink.org | (845) 786-2701
- Pro Tip: Go for an evening session when the lights come on. It feels pretty magical. Parking is $10 on weekends.
Grafton Lakes State Park
This spot is a bit of a haul but worth it if you want real-deal snow. They host a free Winter Festival (usually in January) and have great trails for snowshoeing and even ice fishing. You can rent snowshoes right there.
- Price: FREE (Vehicle entry fee may apply, rentals extra)
- Location: 25 Long Pond Rd, Grafton, NY 12082
- Contact: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/graftonlakes | (518) 279-1155
- Pro Tip: Check their Facebook page for trail conditions and winter festival updates before you go.
Saratoga Spa State Park
Saratoga isn’t just for horses. In winter, this park is a perfect spot for an inexpensive weekend getaways NY trip. It has two ice rinks, miles of flat trails for cross-country skiing, and you can even go check out the mineral springs.
- Price: $
- Location: 19 Roosevelt Dr, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- Contact: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/saratogaspa | (518) 584-2535
- Pro Tip: The ice rinks are separate. The “War-Skate” is for public skating and the “Weibel-Rink” is more for hockey.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
For active families, this is one of the best weekend family getaways within 3 hours of me. The views are insane. In winter, the carriage roads are perfect for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. The frozen waterfall at Awosting Falls is the perfect “wow” moment.
- Price: $ (Vehicle entrance fee $10)
- Location: 5281 Route 44-55, Kerhonkson, NY 12446
- Contact: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/minnewaska | (845) 255-0752
- Pro Tip: This place is popular. Get there early (before 10 a.m.) on a sunny weekend or you’ll be waiting in a line of cars.
Fahnestock Winter Park
If you want to try sledding or snowshoeing but don’t want to drive forever, this is your spot. It’s one of the easiest cheap weekend getaways from NYC for families. They have groomed trails and a dedicated sledding hill.
- Price: $ (Trail pass $12, Sledding hill $3. Rentals available.)
- Location: 1570 Route 301, Carmel, NY 10512
- Contact: https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/fahnestock-winter-park
- Pro Tip: It’s all conditions-dependent, so check the snow report on their site before you head out.
Mount Peter Snow Tubing
This is the classic “get in the car” snow tubing spot from the city. It’s been family-run forever and is totally geared toward kids. It’s not a massive ski resort, it’s just a great big hill for tubing.
- Price: $$$ (Weekend tickets $45, Weekday $40)
- Location: 51 Old Mt Peter Rd, Warwick, NY 10990
- Contact: https://www.mtpeter.com | (845) 986-4940
- Pro Tip: You must buy tickets online in advance. Sessions sell out, especially on weekends.
Hunter Mountain Snow Tubing
If the kids are demanding “real” mountains, Hunter has one of the biggest tubing parks around. We’re talking 1,000-foot lanes and a “magic carpet” lift so you don’t have to hike back up.
- Price: $$$ ($42 for a 2-hour session)
- Location: 64 Klein Ave, Hunter, NY 12442
- Contact: https://www.huntermtn.com | (800) 486-8376
- Pro Tip: This is part of a massive resort, so expect crowds and more of a “scene.” Book your tubing session way, way in advance.
The Strong National Museum of Play
This is the holy grail of kid’s museums. It’s basically a 150,000-square-foot shrine to toys, video games, and… well, play. It has a whole fake Wegmans for kids. It’s a bit of a drive, but you can build a whole weekend around it.
- Price: $$ ($25, with half-price hours on certain weekdays/evenings)
- Location: 1 Manhattan Square Dr, Rochester, NY 14607
- Contact: https://www.museumofplay.org | (585) 263-2700
- Pro Tip: Pay the extra few bucks for the butterfly garden. It’s a warm, tropical escape in the middle of winter.
Corning Museum of Glass
Think a museum about glass sounds boring? You’re wrong. This place is incredible. They have live hot-glass-blowing shows that are as intense as a good action movie. Plus, kids and teens 17 and under are always free.
- Price: $$ (Adults $22. Kids 17 & under are FREE)
- Location: 1 Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830
- Contact: https://home.cmog.org | (800) 732-6845
- Pro Tip: You can sign up to make your own glass. It’s not cheap, but it’s an amazing souvenir. Book that months ahead.
Canalside Buffalo
If you find yourself way out west, Canalside in Buffalo is next-level. You can go ice skating, rent ice bumper cars, or even try the famous Ice Bikes (exactly what they sound like).
- Price: $ (Skating $8, Ice Bikes $13)
- Location: 44 Prime St, Buffalo, NY 14202
- Contact: https://buffalowaterfront.com | (716) 574-1537
- Pro Tip: They have a “Winter Lodge” with food, drinks, and heat. A perfect spot to thaw out.
Letchworth State Park
They call this the “Grand Canyon of the East,” and it’s just as impressive in the winter when the waterfalls are frozen solid. The park is free to enter in the winter, making it a great stop for a winter hike.
- Price: FREE (Vehicle fee is only charged May-October)
- Location: 1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 14427
- Contact: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/letchworth | (585) 493-3600
- Pro Tip: The main park road closes, but you can access the best views (Inspiration Point, Middle Falls) from the Castile and Portageville entrances.
Holiday Valley Tubing Park
Over in Ellicottville (which is a super cute ski town), this tubing park is legit. It has 22 lanes and a couple of “magic carpet” lifts. It’s a bit of a splurge but a total blast.
- Price: $$$ ($30 for a 2-hour session)
- Location: 6557 Holiday Valley Rd, Ellicottville, NY 14731
- Contact: https://www.holidayvalley.com | (716) 699-2345
- Pro Tip: This is a great town for an inexpensive weekend getaways NY trip. You can browse the shops and get hot chocolate after.
Ausable Chasm
Yes, you can visit the “Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks” in winter. You can take a self-guided tour over the bridges and see the massive ice formations. You’ll need ice cleats, which you can rent.
- Price: $$ ($19.95 for a self-guided tour, rentals extra)
- Location: 2144 US Route 9, Ausable Chasm, NY 12911
- Contact: https://www.ausablechasm.com | (518) 834-7454
- Pro Tip: They also offer guided ice-cleat tours that take you down into the chasm, which is pretty epic.
Whiteface Mountain Cloudsplitter Gondola Ride
You don’t have to be a skier to get the best view in the Adirondacks. Just buy a ticket for the scenic gondola. It takes you to the top of Little Whiteface for insane views of Lake Placid.
- Price: $$$ (Adults $30, Juniors $25, 6 & under FREE)
- Location: 5021 Route 86, Wilmington, NY 12997
- Contact: https://whiteface.com | (518) 946-2223
- Pro Tip: This is not for anyone scared of heights. But if you’re good, it’s the best photo op you’ll get all winter.
Arrowood Farms
Looking for something more low-key? This farm brewery in the Hudson Valley is a perfect, chill afternoon. They have great beer for the adults, food, and plenty of space for kids to run around. In winter, it’s all about grabbing a spot by the fire.
- Price: $$ (Free to enter, pay for food/drinks)
- Cuisine: Farm-to-table pub food
- Location: 236 Lower Whitfield Rd, Accord, NY 12404
- Contact: https://www.arrowoodfarms.com | (845) 253-0389
- Pro Tip: Check their calendar. They often have live music, even in the colder months.
The Ultimate New York City Winter Bucket List Before Spring Arrives
After you’ve explored the state, you’re probably gonna head back to the city. Don’t let the winter blues get you. If you’re looking for what to do right here at home, we’ve got you covered. Check out The Ultimate New York City Winter Bucket List Before Spring Arrives for the best ways to squeeze every last drop of fun out of the season before spring hits.
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