Free Things to Do in Westchester NY (Local Guide)

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Westchester County sits just north of New York City, and while it has a reputation for being expensive, it has a surprising number of things to do that cost absolutely nothing. From riverfront parks and nature preserves to free museums, outdoor concerts, and community events, residents and visitors can stay busy year-round without spending a dollar.

This guide covers the best free activities in Westchester, organized by type and by town, so you can find something close to where you are.

Free Outdoor Activities

Westchester has more than 18,000 acres of parkland managed by the county alone, plus dozens of town and village parks on top of that. Here are the standout free outdoor options.

Rockefeller State Park Preserve — Sleepy Hollow One of the most scenic spots in the county. Over 70 miles of carriage roads and trails wind through meadows and woodlands, with views of the Hudson River. Free to enter on foot or by bike. Parking fees apply on weekends and holidays.

Croton Point Park — Croton-on-Hudson A 508-acre peninsula jutting into the Hudson River with walking trails, picnic areas, and sweeping river views. The park is free to walk; parking has a fee for non-Westchester residents.

Kensico Dam Plaza — Valhalla A large open park with walking paths around a reservoir, a fitness trail, and open fields. Popular with joggers and families. Free parking and free entry year-round.

Old Croton Aqueduct Trail A 26-mile linear trail running from Croton-on-Hudson down to Yonkers, passing through multiple towns including Ossining, Tarrytown, and Dobbs Ferry. Completely free. You can walk or bike any section of it.

Bronx River Pathway A multi-use trail running 12 miles along the Bronx River from Yonkers into Westchester. Good for walking, running, and cycling. Free access throughout.

Playland Park Beach — Rye The beach at Playland is free to access outside of the main summer season. During summer, a small fee applies for the beach, but the boardwalk and waterfront area remain free to walk.

Tarrytown Waterfront The waterfront area along the Hudson River in Tarrytown offers free walking paths with views of the Mario Cuomo Bridge. The village itself is free to explore, with the old Dutch church and historic Main Street nearby.

Free Museums and Cultural Sites

Neuberger Museum of Art — Purchase Located on the SUNY Purchase campus, the Neuberger is one of the largest university art museums in the country. It holds over 6,000 works including pieces by Mark Rothko, Edward Hopper, and Georgia O’Keeffe. Admission is free for all visitors. Always free for members, SUNY Purchase students, faculty, staff, and alumni, children 12 and under, and members of reciprocal museums.

Katonah Museum of Art — Katonah Offers rotating exhibitions of contemporary and historical art. Free admission on the third Thursday of every month during regular museum hours. Always free for members, children 2 and under, caregivers, EBT cardholders, and veterans.

Westchester County Historical Society — Elmsford Houses archives, photographs, and exhibits on Westchester history. Membership is available and includes their quarterly journal The Westchester Historian, advance notice of lectures and tours, and discounts on books and research services. Contact the society directly to confirm current admission policies and to schedule a research visit.

Thomas Paine Cottage — New Rochelle The historic cottage where Thomas Paine lived his final years. Public tours are currently on hiatus and are expected to resume in late spring 2027. Check the [Thomas Paine Cottage calendar](https://www.thomaspainecottage.org/calendar.html) for updated tour dates and reservation details when they become available. The exterior grounds and monument area remain accessible.

Jay Heritage Center — Rye The historic estate of John Jay, first Chief Justice of the United States. The grounds are free to visit and parking is free (no overnight parking). It’s a genuinely pleasant place to spend an hour or two — grab a rocker on the piazza, do some birdwatching, or bring a sketchpad for plein-air painting. Dogs on leash are welcome on the grounds (not in the gardens). No alcohol except at sanctioned events, and it’s a take-in, take-out park so bring a bag for your trash.

Free Community Events

Westchester’s towns run an active calendar of free public events, especially in summer and fall.

Summer Concert Series Almost every town in Westchester runs a free outdoor concert series in summer. Well-known ones include:

  • Tarrytown Music Hall — occasional free outdoor events near the venue
  • White Plains Summer Concert Series — held at Tibbetts Brook Park
  • Peekskill Celebration of the Arts — free outdoor performances in downtown Peekskill
  • Yonkers Summer Arts — free performances at various outdoor locations

Farmers Markets Free to browse, and a good way to spend a Saturday morning. Major free-entry markets include:

  • White Plains Farmers Market (Main Street, May–November)
  • Hastings-on-Hudson Farmers Market (Saturday mornings)
  • Ossining Farmers Market (Saturday mornings, May–November)
  • Larchmont Farmers Market (Saturday mornings)

Pelham Art Center Open Studios The Pelham Art Center holds periodic open studio events where visitors can see working artists and attend free gallery openings.

Peekskill First Friday On the first Friday of each month, Peekskill’s arts district opens galleries and studios to the public for free. A good evening event if you’re in the northern part of the county.

Free Things to Do by Town

White Plains

  • Browse the Westchester Mall (free) and the outdoor Bloomingdale Road corridor
  • Walk the downtown area and city parks
  • Attend free city-sponsored events at the White Plains Performing Arts Center (check calendar)

Yonkers

  • Walk along the Yonkers waterfront on the Hudson River
  • Visit the Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site (exterior free, occasional free interior tours)
  • Explore the Bronx River Pathway through the city

Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow

  • Walk the Old Dutch Church grounds and adjacent cemetery (free, historical significance)
  • Explore the Sleepy Hollow waterfront park
  • Walk the Rockefeller State Park Preserve trails

Peekskill

  • Visit the Peekskill Riverfront Green, a free waterfront park with seating and river views
  • Attend First Friday gallery events
  • Walk the downtown arts corridor

Mount Vernon

  • Davis Memorial Park along the Hutchinson River — walking trails and open fields, free entry
  • Hartley Park — one of the larger free green spaces in the city

New Rochelle

  • Glen Island Park beach access (free outside peak season)
  • Thomas Paine Cottage
  • Hudson Park along the Long Island Sound waterfront

Tips for Finding More Free Events

  • Westchester County Parks website (parks.westchestergov.com) — lists all county park events, many of which are free
  • VisitWestchester.com — the county’s tourism site maintains an event calendar updated regularly
  • Town websites — each town’s official website has a community events calendar
  • Patch.com — local news site with town-by-town event listings for Westchester
  • Facebook community groups — searching “[your town] community” usually turns up a local group where free events get posted
  • Westchester Library System — public libraries throughout the county offer free programs, passes to museums, and events. A library card is free with proof of Westchester residency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there free things to do in Westchester year-round? Yes. Outdoor spaces like the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, Kensico Dam Plaza, and the Bronx River Pathway are accessible in every season. Free indoor options like libraries and certain museum free days are also available year-round.

What is the best free park in Westchester? Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Sleepy Hollow is widely considered the most scenic. Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla is a close second for accessibility and variety of activities.

Are Westchester beaches free? County beaches like Croton Point Park charge for parking but not entry on foot. Playland’s beach in Rye has a summer fee but is free to walk in the off-season. Some town beaches are free for residents.

Are there free museums in Westchester? Yes. The Neuberger Museum of Art at SUNY Purchase is free the first Sunday of each month and always free for children. The Westchester County Historical Society and Jay Heritage Center grounds are free to visit.

How do I find free events near me in Westchester? Check your town’s official website, VisitWestchester.com, and Patch.com for your specific town. The Westchester County Parks website also lists free programming throughout the year.

Final Thoughts

Westchester has a well-earned reputation as one of the more expensive places to live in New York, but that does not mean there is nothing free to do. The county’s parks, trails, waterfront areas, cultural sites, and community events give residents and visitors a full range of activities at no cost.

The key is knowing where to look. Bookmark your town’s events calendar, check the county parks site at the start of each season, and take advantage of free museum days when they come around. You can stay active and entertained in Westchester without spending money on most weekends.