The Beat

16,000-Square-Foot Museum Offers Engaging Exhibits and Interactive Programming for Children of All Ages

Museum Breathes New Life into Historic Landmark with Modern Facility That Expands Options for Young Families in 'Park of the Arts'  

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the grand opening of the Children's Museum at Saratoga following a $3.1 million renovation project to relocate the Museum to the historic Lincoln Bathhouse on Broadway in Saratoga Spa State Park. The fully accessible 16,000-square-foot facility is the first major public facing operation in the Lincoln Bathhouse since the 1990s. The project, which is supported by a $600,000 Empire State Development grant, as well as other public grants and private donations, joins a growing list of public-private partnerships in the park that make up the Park of the Arts initiative.

Select Wednesdays, June- August 10:30 a.m.

Utica, N.Y. - Kids of all ages are welcome at the Oneida County History Center for a history-themed story hour on select Wednesdays this summer. Created in partnership with the Utica Public Library, each story includes stories, songs, and a make-and-take activity. Story hour takes place at 10:30 a.m. on June 29, July 27, and August 24.

Latham, N.Y. – The Colonie Art League and the Friends of Pruyn House are co-sponsoring a Summer Art Camp at the Pruyn House, 207 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, NY.  The dates are Friday, July 15, Friday, July 22, and Friday, July 29. 

This program is open to children ages 9 – 14 and runs from 10:00am – 3:00pm on the above three days.  Early registration is due by June 15 - $30 per day, or $75 for all three days.  Late registration after June 15 - $40 per day or $90 for all three days. …

Mumford, NY – The sounds of bagpipes and drums will fill the air at Genesee Country Village & Museum’s annual Celtic Faire, coming up Saturday, June 11, and Sunday, June 12, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Visitors will find a pan-Celtic celebration of heritage music, dance, and authentic food and drink, with an artisan fair, clan booths, Highland Games, Irish Dancing, a talk about tartan in the John L. Wehle Gallery, and more. Tickets for the Celtic Faire are on sale now at https://www.gcv.org/events/celtic-faire/ - advance purchase is recommended, as this event sold out in 2021.

New this year: Art-making activities for kids before the show!

Saratoga Springs, NY — The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College announces the return of its popular summer concert series Upbeat on the Roof, each Thursday from July 7 through August 18.

This year marks Upbeat’s twenty-first season and it remains a premier summer destination for the best music created by the region’s musicians. Gospel, folk, rock, bluegrass, traditional Cuban music, world music, and jazz are all on tap for summer 2022.

Inclusive and Accessible Day of Family-Friendly Recreation and Fun at State Parks and Public Lands on Saturday, June 11

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that 'Get Outdoors & Get Together Day' events will be held at 21 select locations across New York State on Saturday, June 11. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, in partnership with the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities and the Division of Veterans' Services, are hosting free and low-cost events to connect people to nature and provide increased access to the outdoors. Get Outdoors & Get Together Day will bring people of all abilities, ages, identities and backgrounds together for fun, healthy activities as part of the launch of a new Governor's initiative to broaden the diversity of users and ensure inclusivity of access to state public lands.

Auburn, NY (May 12, 2022) -- Keep your child’s mind active during summer vacation by enrolling them in Summer Art Camp at the Schweinfurth Art Center.

The art center is offering several week-long, half-day camps over four weeks in July and August. Camps meet in the morning or afternoon, depending on age level, and explore different topics, including making, nature, and Harriet Tubman.

“We have a great lineup of creative artists as teachers,” said Schweinfurth Program Coordinator Julia Banfi. “Students ages 6 to 15 will have a fun week exploring art and refining their skills.”…

Cornwall, NY - The Hudson Highlands Nature Museum is hosting two Weekend Nature Programs in the month of May,  “Go Flora Walk” on Saturday, May 7, and PHOTOsynthesis: Nature Photography for Beginners on Sunday May 22. Both Programs offer sessions at 10am and 1pm and will take place at the Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center location, 120 Muser Drive, off of Angola Road in Cornwall. …

Orange County, N.Y. (April 20, 2022) – With LEGOLAND® New York Resort now open, Orange County, N.Y. holds a brighter spot on the map for family fun. But the Northeast’s first theme park in four decades is only one of a host of destinations in the county where families can find fun, adventure and history.

“When families look for places to make memories together, Orange County, N.Y. has it all!” said Amanda Dana, Director of Orange County Tourism and Film. “Theme parks, woods to hike in, boating, fishing and museums to explore history from this country’s earliest days are all right here. With so much to see and do it just makes sense to book a night or two at one of our many kid-friendly lodging destinations and make a weekend out of it. You’ll want to come back again and again!”…

“A Horse’s Life at Staatsburgh”

Staatsburg, N.Y. (4/20/22) — From spirited thoroughbreds to sturdy work horses and gentle cart ponies, Staatsburgh was an equine world.  On May 14, 15, and 21, at 10:00am, Staatsburgh staff will lead a walk for children and their families on the grounds of Staatsburgh and talk about the many roles that horses played on a Gilded Age estate. The staff will show historic photographs of horses on the estate, including photos of children riding at Staatsburgh over 100 years ago.