Rainy Day in Yonkers: The Grandparent's Guide to Indoor Activities

Yonkers doesn’t always come up when people think of Westchester destinations — but it’s the largest city in the county, it’s close to the Bronx, and it has a handful of indoor options that work genuinely well for grandkids on a rainy day.

Hudson River Museum

This is the anchor. The Hudson River Museum in Yonkers is a real art and science museum with rotating exhibits, a planetarium, and a Victorian-era mansion that kids find genuinely interesting. It sits right on the river, and the views from the museum grounds (even in the rain) are worth the drive.

The museum is compact enough to do in two hours without anyone getting bored. The planetarium shows are appropriate for ages 5 and up — check the schedule online; family shows on weekends sell out.

Grandparent tips:

• Free parking in the museum lot
• The café is modest but functional; useful for a midday break
• The planetarium is the highlight for younger grandkids — book those tickets in advance
• Hudson River overlook is covered; the water views work even when it’s raining

Science Barge (Groundwork Hudson Valley)

The Science Barge is a solar-powered floating classroom on the Hudson, operated by Groundwork Hudson Valley. It’s open for public tours and school groups, with hands-on exhibits about sustainable agriculture and energy.

This is an unusual venue — not the kind of thing you find in most places — and it’s worth checking out for curious grandkids who like how-things-work explanations. Check current hours before visiting; the barge operates seasonally.

Open Lanes Bowling

Bowling on a rainy day is reliable in a way that few indoor activities are. Every age can play, the skill gap narrows with bumper lanes, and you can turn a two-hour session into an all-afternoon affair if the weather stays bad.

Yonkers has bowling lanes near the downtown area — search the current listings to confirm open bowling hours, which vary by season and day.

Grandparent tips:

• Request bumper lanes immediately; they’re standard for young kids but sometimes require asking
• Request the lightest ball available — a five-year-old can technically heave an eight-pounder, but lighter is more fun
• Weekday mornings are significantly quieter than weekend afternoons

Untermyer Gardens

When the rain breaks — even for 20 minutes — Untermyer Gardens in Yonkers is worth a short stop. One of the most dramatic public gardens in the Northeast, with formal walled gardens, reflecting pools, and Hudson River views. Free admission, free parking.

For grandkids: the water features and garden architecture are genuinely interesting — it doesn’t look like a typical park. Good for ages 5 and up who can walk and appreciate something unusual.

Trevor Zoo at Millbrook School

Worth noting if you’re willing to drive 45 minutes north: the Trevor Zoo in Millbrook is a small, accredited zoo on a school campus. Compact, manageable, and genuinely good for toddlers through tweens. Open to the public on weekends.

Grandparent tip: This one requires driving out of Yonkers proper. It’s an option if you want to turn the day into a bigger excursion — not an in-town stop.

For Younger Grandkids

For toddlers and very young grandkids (ages 1–4), the best rainy day option in Yonkers is simpler: the Yonkers Public Library children’s section and storytimes. Free, calm, and calibrated to exactly that age range. Check the library calendar online for current programming.

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Rain turning into a better day? Browse parks in Yonkers and the Westchester free adventures guide. For the full indoor guide, see Westchester rainy day picks.