The Corning Preserve

This has got to be one of my favorite places to take the kids. You've got everything a kid could be entertained by in one convenient location.

1. A river (the Hudson, specifically)
2. Boats (because of the river)
3. Bridges (also because of the river)
4. Trains (that go over the river on the bridges)
5. A bridge turns around to let big boats pass by. (I'm sure there is a technical name for it, but I haven't brushed up on my Thomas the Tank Engine trivia).

It's like a living, breathing transportation video for kids.


There is a small playground with picnic tables, but we usually skip that and head on up the path towards the riverfront stage (where you can see the Alive at Five shows, which coincidentally start this week) . Here the kids usually like to put on 'musicals' for me and whoever else happens to be sitting in the amphitheater area on their lunch break. It's even more amusing when they drag me into their little shows... (well, less amusing for me, more amusing for those who are watching).
There is also a secret path behind the two ponds that take you along the highway... the kids usually stand there and try to get the trucks to blow their horns by making the ubiquitous 'up and down pulling motion' with their hands. 9 times out of 10 it works and that basically makes their little pre-schooler day.

Other highlights include a giant compass rose embedded into the pavement (for some reason, they love that thing), a model of a prehistoric bony fish, and a huge hill to roll down.


You can also book your duck tours from here. This place is a winner anytime of year...In the winter, we are usually the only people there, but in the spring/summer it is busy during the lunch hour with all the power walkers.

We saw these baby geese the last time we were there.

There is usually plenty of parking during the day and restrooms (which I have never used because they look kind of scary). You can find it right here.

Directions: From Madison Avenue, go under 787 and turn left on Quay street. You'll see signs for the Corning Preserve on the right about a half a mile away.