Family Events: Fireworks, Pirates and a Ghost Town

Each week, we'll give you the info on the five best family activities or events for the week.

You're time-pressed enough, so we're happy to do the research and find the best things to do and places to go, both locally and within reasonable striking distance.

Look for the kids' planner each Wednesday, and help us build the planner with your own suggestions and tips—just add them to the comment box. Even if you disagree with our picks, let us know. We want to hear from you!

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American Roots Music Festival

• Why Go: An all day music festival featuring all kinds of American music from bluegrass to gospel and beyond.
• When/Where: Saturday, July 2nd. 12:30pm. Katonah, NY.
• Pricing & Contact: Seat prices range from $20-40. Children under 16 are half price. 914-232-5035

Priates of the Hudson, The Siege of Sleepy Hollow

• Why Go: Sword fighting, pirate band music, oddities and a treasure hunt. This promises to be a day of pirate adventures, all on the amazing grounds of Philipsburg Manor.
• When/Where: Saturday, July 2nd - Monday, July 4th. 3pm-8pm. Sleepy Hollow, NY.
• Pricing & Contact: Adult non-members $16, children under 18 $12. 914-631-8200.

Fireworks & Music at the Kensico Dam

• Why Go: Fireworks Sunday night too at the beautiful Kensico Dam in Westchester.  Rock & Roll played by The Wanderers, an orchestral concert, then a spectacular fireworks display at 9:15. Be sure to bring a lawn chair
• When/Where: Sunday, July 3rd. 6pm-10pm.  Valhalla, NY.
• Pricing & Contact: Free. 914-864-PARK.

• Why Go: Bring a blanket and enjoy fireworks over the Hudson River at this annual Nyack event. 
• When/Where: Monday, July 4th. 8:00pm. Nyack, NY.
• Pricing & Contact: Free. (845) 358-0548.

Hike Doodletown (a modern ghost town)

• Why Go: Kids go nuts for stories like this one: a thriving hamlet until the mid-1960s when the Palisades Park Commission decided to make a ski trail through the town. What’s left is the worn remains of this abandoned town tucked away a short hiking distance from the Bear Mountain Lodge.
• When/Where: Daily.  8:00am - sunset. Bear Mountain, NY.
• Pricing & Contact: $8 parking fee. 845-786-2701.