Just across the Hudson River from New York City, Rockland County sparkles and shines all year long, but its winter activities will make you want to climb into your wooliest sweater and don a slouchy toque to explore and experience everything there is to do. Whether you are travelling by plane, RV or bus, stop in Rockland and spend some time enjoying these activities.
Big Apples
Rockland NY
Here’s a fun fact about New York: the state grows more apples than anywhere else in the U.S., thanks to over 10,000,000 trees. What to do with all that fruit come fall and winter? Make pies and donuts, of course. Sample both at Dr. Davies Farm, then get a start on your holidays by picking your own Christmas tree.
Great apples make great cider. Sip on some at Van Houten Farms, where you can
stock up on perennials and produce every day of the week and hear live music on the weekend. You can taste-test a unique variety of hard ciders, some of which include peanut butter chocolate and maple flavors.
Another farm worth a visit is Cropsey Community Farm. The 10-hectare organic and biodynamic farm landed on the National Park Service’s registry of historic places in 2017 and recently completed an extensive renovation of its Revolutionary War-era barn. Check out the honey and eggs as well, lovingly made by the bees and 50-plus hens who live on the farm.
Santa Galore
Rockland NY
Santa is due to attend the annual Suffern Christmas Parade (December 7th) as well as the Christmas Wonderland Festival (December 7th to 8th) in Orangeburg – a must-visit for its unique gifts and winter-themed beer garden. Live reindeer too!
Also on December 8th, Sloatsburg Winterfest at the Village Walk includes craft artisians, kids activities, a caroling contest with prizes and a visit from Santa.
You can also find Santa in December at the Palisades Center, home to more than 200 stores (including the newly opened, adorably funky Newbury Comics). He’ll be making not one but several appearances: at breakfast, story time and even a cookie plate-painting event. The humongous shopping centre has an equally humongous ropes course – the world’s largest, in fact.
The 44th Annual Holiday Exhibition at the Historical Society of Rockland County (December 11th to March 1st) shines a big spotlight on dollhouses and miniature art. In addition, the Society runs candlelight tours of an 1832 farmhouse, offering participants the chance to experience traditional 19th-century Dutch-American music and sweets. The Haverstraw African American Connection will be hosting a tree-lighting and caroling event at the park it maintains, dedicated to preserving the history and cultural contributions of the African-American community to the town of Haverstraw.
Wintry Paradise
Rockland NY
Rockland County boasts plenty of parks and many stay open year-round. For ice skating, head to Bear Mountain. Generally speaking, where you can hike, you can snowshoe, and where you can walk, you can go cross-country skiing.
Camping and RV enthusiasts are drawn to Rockland, and those in-the-know make a point of celebrating all things campfire cozy at the various indoor and outdoor shows along the way. See below for dates and locations.
- Northeast RV Show New RV Product Show - Friday, February 14th to Monday, February 17th
- Suburban Home Show - Friday, February 21st to Sunday, February 23rd
- World Fishing & Outdoor Expo - Thursday, February 27th to Monday, March 1st
Presented in collaboration with Rockland County Tourism