An easy summer getaway

Warm weather ushers in plenty to do in Westchester County

As spring transitions into summer, Westchester County is in full bloom, with a bouquet of activities offering something for everyone.

“Warm weather travel is already underway,” said Natasha Caputo, Director of Tourism & Film for the County. “Westchester has so much to offer visitors and locals alike this summer.”

The season kicks off with the re-opening of Kykuit, the majestic estate that was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family. “Kykuit is an iconic attraction and a strong draw for visitors who want to be wowed in Westchester County,” Caputo comments.

The months of June and July feature an abundance of new activities and old favorites, starting with Westchester Magazine’s Wine & Food Festival, June 6-10 that is a multi-day celebration of wine, food, beer, spirits, chefs and restaurants. The following week, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts commences its summer season, now featuring more family concerts and a diverse musical lineup including, classical, opera, gospel, roots, punk and more.

The County’s culinary scene is thriving with more new restaurants opening, including Red Horse by David Burke, which opened at The Opus in White Plains. A new Spanish restaurant Buleria Tapas and Wine Bar in Tuckahoe featuring authentic, classic dishes inspired by Seville and One Rare Italian Steakhouse in Scarsdale.

The idea of making Westchester a place for all visitors is also evident in two new programs for people with disabilities. Westchester County Airport’s (HPN) Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program supports passengers with hidden disabilities and accessibility needs. Travelers can voluntarily choose to wear a sunflower lanyard as a way to discreetly inform the airport staff and others that they have a disability.

Westchester County Parks recently launched an Adaptive Hike Program allowing individuals living with disabilities the opportunity to immerse themselves in Westchester County Parks— at no cost to the user—on All-Terrain Track Chairs. Individuals with their family, friends, or caregivers will be able to experience a guided hike of one to two miles.

This summer, Westchester will be featured in the very first Cycle the Hudson Valley bicycle tour, a fully supported seven-day, 200-mile tour from the Albany area to NYC which follows the Empire State Trail—the longest multi-use trail in the nation.

Partnering with others in the Hudson Valley has been a great success, further supporting the overall visitor experience,” said Caputo, noting that Caramoor, the Jacob Burns Film Center, Historic Hudson Valley, Storm King Art Center and Hudson Valley

Shakespeare Festival have joined together to offer the Hudson Valley Summer Arts Pass this year. “It’s about introducing visitors to new venues and making sure they have the best possible experience at each one.”

Screen tourism is another draw for tourists and people who live in the Hudson Valley. The county is a magnet for filming, from period pieces like “The Gilded Age” (which drew new visitors to the Lyndhurst estate) to utterly contemporary projects like “American Horror Story” and “Law & Order SVU.” Other filming locations within Westchester have included The Belvedere Estate in Tarrytown, Glenview Historic Home at the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, Playland Amusement Park in Rye, and Edith Macy Center in Briarcliff Manor.

Caputo notes that film locations are actively embracing the fans of movies and shows. The award-winning series, “Dickinson,” which