NEWSLETTER
New York State has a wealth of award-winning wineries, breweries, and cideries in every corner of the state, many of which welcome children—and sometimes even well-behaved pets. Added amenities and activities for kids, caregivers, and designated drivers make it easy for everyone to have fun together.
Vineyard-side tasting rooms often double as casual farm-to-table restaurants and some wineries offer unique lodging. The grounds are lovely, hosts are gracious, and parents can taste delicious craft beverages as children frolic amid sun-kissed vineyards and rolling hills.
Masks are encouraged, but optional in most settings per New York State guidelines. Individual businesses or attractions may require mask wearing. Call ahead and check websites and social media to make sure attractions and amenities are open and available.
Updated 4/3/2023
Long Island | Hudson Valley | Capital-Saratoga | Central NY | Finger Lakes | Thousand Islands-Seaway | Greater Niagara
Long Island
Pindar Vineyards, Peconic
In Long Island wine country—rated one of the world’s top 10 wine regions—a host of wineries entertain families. Plan a visit to Pindar Vineyards, rated one of the world’s top six family-friendly wineries by Wine Enthusiast. The covered patio behind the tasting room is perfect for an afternoon picnic.
Greenport Harbor Brewing Co., Peconic
An expansive lawn offers a safe space for kids to be kids, while adults enjoy fruity lagers and ales that highlight the season’s harvest, like a pumpkin/yam beer, or get tropical by sippin’ on their new limited release nectar blender Children can nosh on kid-pleasing eats like chicken fingers. Sunsets are especially spectacular here, and live music completes the experience on weekends.
Harbes Family Farm & Vineyard, Mattituck
With an eight-acre barnyard adventure zone, Harbes Family Farm & Vineyard on Long Island is all about fun for everyone. Grown-ups can taste award-winning merlot or cabernet in the rustic wine barn. The farm-style playland captivates kids with a giant playground, obstacle course, and so much more! In autumn, there’s apple-picking, a pumpkin patch, hayrides, and a huge corn maze.
Hudson Valley
Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, Millbrook
Millbrook’s five-star tastings—highlighted on Bravo TV’s "Sell It Like Serhant"—showcase prestigious award-winners, from Cabernet Franc to the special Tocai Friulano. On weekends, enjoy vineyard and mountain views from the Taproom Terrace with family-friendly cheese plates and snacks. Score amazing views of the Shawangunks on a hike along the vineyard trail.
Capital-Saratoga
Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery, Altamont
For an ideal day-trip, visit Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery, a 100-year-old farm and orchard near Albany. The cidery and brewery craft hard cider and beer with ingredients grown on the farm—from apples and pears to hops and barley. Kids will love weekend cookouts in the outdoor Biergarten. Grown-ups can order tasting flights or beer and cider by the glass. After tastings, families head out to pick berries, apples, or pumpkins, depending on the season.
Saratoga Winery, Saratoga Springs
A favorite country place for families, Saratoga Winery is only four miles from downtown Saratoga Springs. This super-friendly winery features a rustic restaurant where Thursday-Sunday, the chef’s specialties include authentic wood-fired pizza and weekend brunch. Parents sample unique wines as children play on the wide-open lawn. You might even see future winemakers (the owners’ young children), lending a hand. Tasting bar selections range from traditional varietals like Cabernet to the signature melomel, made from fruit and honey with a century-old recipe.
Central NY
Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown
Cooperstown, famed for baseball history and the Hall of Fame, was once America’s hops capital. Headlining the Cooperstown Beverage Trail, Brewery Ommegang now crafts world-class Belgian-style beers on a former hops farm. Enjoy table service on the patio amid lush foliage and sample delicious beers and ciders with perfectly paired food. The café’s Belgian waffles and frites are a big hit with kids of all ages.
Finger Lakes
Belhurst Castle & Winery, Geneva
Fairytales can come true in the Finger Lakes. For a magical experience, reserve a family getaway at the splendid Belhurst Castle & Winery on Seneca Lake. The 1880s stone castle thrills kids with its storybook towers and turrets.
Barrington Cellars, Penn Yan
Two Finger Lakes vineyards top Condé Nast Traveler’s list of America’s five best family-friendly wineries. Established in 1971 beside Keuka Lake, Barrington Cellars was one of the first vineyards to welcome children with grape-juice tasting. Kids sample all-natural juices and run free amid the rolling hills where 26 grape varieties mingle with peach and pear trees. Adults unwind on the deck, over wonderful wines and picture-perfect views. Specialties include native plum and peach, wild pear, and ice wines as well as refreshing frozen juices. Picnicking is encouraged; get provisions at the nearby Windmill Farm & Craft Market, a premier attraction with more than 175 vendors, open every Saturday from the end of April through the last week of November.
Arbor Hill Grapery & Winery, Naples
On Canandaigua Lake, Arbor Hill Grapery & Winery delights children with antique cars, old-time buildings, and samples of sparkling grape juices infused with raspberry or peach. Adults choose from a variety of wines, from an aromatic Riesling to an heirloom vintage rosé. The wine shop has regional cheeses and specialties like grape pie. Kids go for grape-flavored licorice and gummy bears made from the vineyard’s Concord grapes.
Thousand Islands-Seaway
Thousand Islands Winery, Alexandria Bay
A historic farmstead beside the picturesque St. Lawrence River, Thousand Islands Winery has a cheery easy-going vibe. Drink your wine on the new outdoor porch while the kids play nearby.
Coyote Moon Vineyards, Clayton
Coyote Moon Vineyards promises a howlin’ good time on their 400-acre farm in Clayton (also home of the Antique Boat Museum) in the Thousand Islands-Seaway region. Their cutting-edge northern climate wines garner accolades across the country.
Greater Niagara
Becker Farms & Vizcarra Vineyards, Gasport
Family is a keyword at Becker Farms & Vizcarra Vineyards and Becker Brewing Co., 340 bountiful acres just 30 miles from Niagara Falls. This 100-year-old farm produces abundant delights, from plump blueberry pies to wine, beer, and hard cider, all grown and crafted on the property. Seasonal and weekend events include a petting zoo, pedal carts, corn maze, live music, apple picking and more! Winery and brewery walking tours with barrel tasting are available every Saturday through August, led by winemaker Andres Vizcarra.
Cheers! Don't forget to visit our Breweries, Cideries and Distilleries, and Wineries pages for more craft beverage inspiration. For even more ideas and information visit the New York Wine & Grape Foundation and New York State Brewers Association.
Don't forget to post photos of your New York adventures on Instagram and Twitter with #iSpyNY and tag us on Facebook!