The Summer Adventures series focuses on affordable summer fun for families in Westchester and the lower Hudson Valley. It’s all about exploring our own backyard and is the perfect resource for planning a killer staycation or finding something awesome to do this weekend. Interested in more local love? Head here.
While exploring the walk along the Peekskill Riverfront one day, the girls and I noticed the little building for Trinity Cruises down by the Peekskill Yacht Club. It was immediately decided that we absolutely had to go on a cruise on the Hudson River as quickly as possible [Please, mommy! Mommy, please?!].
Luckily for all parties involved, Trinity Cruises has special one-hour family boat rides in the summer on most Fridays and Saturdays at 3pm. I felt much better about taking two (dramatic) little ladies on a boat for the first time for one hour as opposed to three. Three hours made me see nausea, a little boredom and a lot of whining in our future. One seemed much more manageable.
In the end, I didn’t have anything to worry about. We had so much fun! Ellie was nervous at first because it was her first time on a boat and the swaying and rumbling of the engine freaked her out. Once we were out on the river though, she totally forgot about any fear and soaked in the gorgeous scenery.
The trip feels super quick. Departing from the Peekskill Riverfront, the family cruise goes up to the Bear Mountain Bridge and then circles back. Captain Mary Pat (the girls were really excited that the captain was a woman) provides commentary about the places we were passing as well as a bit of local history. Samantha soaked all of that right up.
We loved it so much we came back with relatives visiting from Texas the following week!
Tips for taking kids on a Hudson River cruise with Trinity Cruises
Order your tickets in advance. There’s nothing worse than getting excited for something only to find out it’s sold out. With 30 tickets available for each ride, they can sell out quickly. Luckily, it’s really simple to order your tickets online through their website.
Bring change for the parking meters. There are metered parking spaces right next to the dock. But if you forget your change, you can always park over by the playground and walk—just be sure to give yourself enough time!
Bring binoculars. My girls love taking a closer look at things and a pair of binoculars was a huge hit.
Bring a few dollars to buy a snack on board—or pack some snacks. It’s not a long trip, but if I’ve learned anything from being a mom, it’s that it never hurts to have an extra snack. 😉 Also, should bribery become necessary, Hudson Creamery and their delicious ice cream are just a short walk away from the dock.
We loved our trips on Trinity Cruise‘s Evening Star and will definitely be back for more. In fact, momma wouldn’t mind a ladies night sunset cruise…
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Hi! I'm Jen, a freelance writer and girl mom who loves reading the newest children’s books as much as I love a good psychological thriller. I believe fiercely in the power of kindness, empathy, and really good quality chocolate. When I'm not knee-deep in glittery crafts and girl talk, you can probably find me sprawled out on my couch in the middle of a Netflix marathon with dark chocolate smeared on my face. The struggle is real. 
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