Things to Do with Grandkids in Yonkers, NY

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.