THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, PURCHASE COLLEGE Tom Chapin Oct. 26: The Grammy-winning, guitar-playing musician, a Rockland County resident, performs original songs with clever lyrics about family, friendship, and the adventure known as childhood. 12 & 3 p.m. $17.50-$24.50. 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase. 914-251-6200 or www.artscenter.org
LOCUST GROVE, THE SAMUEL MORSE HISTORIC SITE Trail Tales Oct. 11-13: Satisfy the Sherlock Holmes in your family with this old-fashioned whodunit, an event that sends amateur sleuths on a scavenger hunt through Locust Grove’s historic carriage trails. After participants gather all the clues, storyteller Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi will unravel the mystery in a live performance. 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. $7. 2683 South Rd., Poughkeepsie. 845-454-4500 or www.lgny.org
 |
LEGEND WEEKEND Oct. 25-26: The evening festivities, haunted by all sorts of ghastly ghosts and goblins, may be too intense for the little ones, but the whole family can enjoy the daytime activities at Legend Weekend. Sunnyside in Tarrytown features pumpkin painting, a 19th-century magic act, and the opportunity to listen to ghost stories (including one penned by Sunnyside’s original inhabitant, Washington Irving) while strolling through the woods. Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow also hosts kid-friendly events, including storytelling and colonial-era games such as lawn bowling. Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended for both locations. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $12, $6 children, under five free. 914-631-8200 or www.hudsonvalley.org
THE EGG Mammoth Follies Oct. 26: The Hudson Vagabond Puppets sing, dance, and teach the audience a little about dinosaurs in this comical prehistoric puppet show. Host Willie Mammoth heads the group of Jurassic giants, which also includes Bessie Apatosaurus, an eight-foot-tall dino that requires three puppeteers to operate. 3 p.m. $15, $10 children. Empire State Plaza, Albany. 518-473-1845 or www.theegg.org
HUDSON HIGHLANDS NATURE MUSEUM Discovery Quest Through Oct. 31: Explore one of four terrains — a pond, field, woodland, or hiking trail — as you and your family set out to find each hike’s “hidden message.” Participants can purchase a guidebook with illustrations, riddle poems, and field notes to help them crack the case. Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $3. 20 Kenridge Farm Rd., Cornwall. 845-534-5506, ext. 204 or www.museumhudsonhighlands.org
VAN CORTLANDT MANOR The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze Oct. 4-5, 10-13, 17-19, 23-31: This Halloween spectacular, which brought more than 67,000 guests to Van Cortlandt Manor last October, is back with a new lineup of jack-o’-lantern thrills. Stroll through the 18th-century scenery and gaze upon more than 4,000 hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins, arranged in patterns to resemble the usual Halloween staples (ghosts, snakes, etc.), as well as the always-popular dinosaurs. Order tickets ahead of time to ensure entry to the event. Call for times. $14-$16, $10-$12 children, under five free. 525 S. Riverside Ave., Croton-on-Hudson. 914-631-8200 or www.hudsonvalley.org
