Things to Do with Grandkids in Yonkers, NY: The Complete Guide
Yonkers is Westchester's most underrated grandparent destination — with Untermyer Gardens, Tibbetts Brook Park, Alamo Drafthouse, and more. Here's the full guide.
Yonkers sits directly north of the Bronx on the Hudson River — and with 170-plus venues in the area, it has more family activity options than most Westchester towns twice its size. The draw for grandparents: Untermyer Gardens, which is one of the most astonishing free public gardens in the entire Northeast; Tibbetts Brook Park, a 161-acre green space with a pool complex and walking paths; and Alamo Drafthouse, a cinema that serves food at your seat and is the rare movie theater where everyone — grandparents and grandkids alike — actually enjoys the experience.
Yonkers has easy Metro-North access (Yonkers station on the Hudson Line) and solid parking at most destinations.
Quick Reference: Top Yonkers Venues
| Venue | Category | Price | Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Untermyer Gardens | Garden / Park | Free | 4.8 ★ | All ages |
| Alamo Drafthouse Cinema | Cinema | Paid | 4.5 ★ | Ages 5+ |
| Tibbetts Brook Park | Park | Free/Paid | 4.5 ★ | All ages |
| Ridge Hill | Shopping / Dining | Varies | 4.5 ★ | All ages |
| Frank Pepe Pizzeria | Restaurant | Paid | 4.5 ★ | All ages |
| Hook & Reel | Restaurant | Paid | 4.8 ★ | Ages 5+ |
Top Picks
Untermyer Gardens
One of the most extraordinary free public spaces in the Northeast — and largely unknown outside Westchester. Untermyer is a 43-acre formal garden built in the early 1900s by a wealthy lawyer, abandoned for decades, and now fully restored by a nonprofit. The Persian Garden with its ornate pergola, reflecting pools, and ancient columns is genuinely dramatic; grandkids reliably want to explore every path. Free to enter, open dawn to dusk, well-maintained. Parking is free in the adjacent lot off North Broadway.
Allow at least 90 minutes. Stroller-accessible on the main paths; some stairs in the walled garden.
Untermyer Gardens | 945 N Broadway, Yonkers | 4.8 ★, 5,897 reviews
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Yonkers
The best movie theater option in Westchester for grandparents and grandkids together. Food and drinks are ordered from a menu and delivered to your seat during the film — no one has to leave for popcorn, no standing in concession lines. The theaters are well-maintained, sound quality is excellent, and the no-talking/no-phone policy is strictly enforced (a feature, not a limitation). Best for grandkids 5 and up who can sit through a full film. Book seats in advance online.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Yonkers | 2548 Central Park Ave, Yonkers | 4.5 ★, 3,720 reviews
Tibbetts Brook Park
A 161-acre Westchester County park with a large pool complex (summer), fishing areas, a volleyball court, and several miles of walking paths. The pool is the main grandkid draw in summer — it’s well-supervised and extensive. Year-round, the park paths work for easy walking and biking. Free to enter the park; pool admission applies in season.
Tibbetts Brook Park | Yonkers | 4.5 ★, 3,453 reviews
Ridge Hill
An open-air shopping and dining complex with a wide range of restaurants and stores. Not an “activity” destination on its own, but a useful hub for dining after a morning at Untermyer or Tibbetts Brook. Parking is easy and free. Good dining options for mixed-age groups with varied preferences.
Ridge Hill | 1 Ridge Hill Blvd, Yonkers | 4.5 ★, 12,187 reviews
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
Connecticut’s legendary New Haven pizza institution, with a Yonkers location. The white clam pie is the signature; the coal-fired crust travels well to this format. Good for grandkids who can handle a real pizzeria environment — it’s casual, busy on weekends, and the pizza is worth it. Waits can be significant on Saturday evenings; go for lunch or early dinner.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana | 1955 Central Park Ave, Yonkers | 4.5 ★, 2,821 reviews
Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar
High-rated casual seafood spot in Yonkers. The format — seafood boils served in bags at the table — is inherently interactive and makes for a memorable meal with grandkids who are old enough to participate in the mess. Not a white-tablecloth experience; loud, fun, and the food is consistently praised. Reservations recommended.
Hook & Reel | Yonkers | 4.8 ★, 3,007 reviews
Practical Notes
Parking: Free and ample at Untermyer, Tibbetts Brook, and Ridge Hill. Alamo Drafthouse has a shared lot.
Best day plan: Untermyer Gardens (morning, 90 min) → Frank Pepe or Hook & Reel for lunch → Alamo Drafthouse for an afternoon showing.
Rainy day: Alamo Drafthouse is the clear anchor. Ridge Hill for dining covers the rest.
Age range: Untermyer and Tibbetts Brook work for all ages including toddlers in strollers. Alamo Drafthouse: 5+. Hook & Reel: 5+ (messy, interactive format).
Browse all Yonkers venues at grandkidsguide.com/westchester-ny.
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