Weekend Fun: Bear Mountain Rink, Zoo, Museums

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — It doesn't have to be freezing for you to go ice skating at Bear Mountain State Park. The ice rink has six sessions on Saturday and five on Sunday:

Saturday & Sunday

• 10-11:30 a.m.
• Noon-1:30 p.m.
• 2-3:30 p.m.
• 4-5:30 p.m.
• 6-7:30 p.m.
• 8-9:30 p.m. (*Saturday only)

While you're there, take advantage of the mild temperatures expected this weekend and go see the bears. A walk to the park's nature centers and trailside zoo, open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is pleasant at any season.

Plus, visit the museums:

• The Herpetology House is home to a variety of native turtles, snakes, frogs, toads, salamanders and skinks as well as many species of fish.
• The Nature Study Museum houses specimens originally collected by the Museum of Natural History to educate people about animal identification.
• The Geology Museum introduces visitors to the geologic formations of the Hudson Highlands and industries that have tapped natural resources.
• The History Museum provides an introduction to human occupation of the region from the earliest Native American settlers to European and their desendants who made the area their home.

The museums are free. Click here for ice rink fees.