To find closed caption movies in Putnam County press blue button and enter your location into "Your Instant CC Film Finder".

The Brewster Ice Arena is 90,000 square feet, 3 floors, has over 500 parking spaces, 2 full service professional ice rinks, a studio rink on the second floor, café/snack bar, fully stocked pro shop, The Players Club Bar and Family Restaurant,

We are home to the Skating Club of Brewster, the Brewster Bulldogs, Team Westchester, the Brewster Blackhawks and the Taconic Speedskating Club. Keep cool all summer and attend our 10 week Skating or Hockey Camps with Professional coaches.

Ice Activities and Attractions
Leagues & Tournaments
Parties
Pro-Shop for Skating and Hockey
Public Skating
Restaurant & Sports Bar

Ice Skating
Figure Skating
Figure Skating Lessons
Ice Skating Lessons
Public Skating Sessions
Skating Camp

Ice Hockey
Hockey Camp
Ice Hockey Lessons

Features
Children's Birthday Parties
Gymnastics

The Southeast Museum offers exhibits on the history of the Town of Southeast, including the early American Circus, the Harlem Line Railroad, the Tilly Foster Mine, the Borden Milk Condensery, and the Croton Reservoir System.

In addition, the museum presents various changing exhibits, drawing on its extensive collection of antique farm and household implements, quilts, clothing and assorted Americana reflecting 19th century material culture. The museum is located on Main Street, Brewster in one of Putnam County's largest landmarked buildings, the 1896 Old Town Hall, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Press blue button for events, exhibits, programs, museum shop, and more about the Southeast Museum.

Events Include
Home & Habitats. Meet animals from the rainforest, mountains, farm, desert and ponds. Hands-on age-appropriate science education program that uses live animals.

Maple Syrup demonstrations

Sheep Shearing. Enjoy the spring ritual of sheep shearing every half hour, visit with the animals, learn about farm equipment.

Walkabout Tilly Foster Farm

Historic Reenactment at the Farm TBA (July)

Activities
Fishing
Hiking
Picnicking
Pony Rides
Winter Snowshoeing

The word is Admission to the Tilly Foster Farm Museum is free and open to the public seven days a week from 10am – 4pm. Call for more activities and events.

Press blue button for more about Leagues, Pro Shop, Tournaments, Moonlight Bowl, and the Carmel Bowl website.

Things To Do at Carmel Bowl
Birthday Parties (parties for kids and adults)
Bowling coupons
Bowling lanes (32)
Bowling leagues
Bumper bowling for children
Moonlight Bowl
Open bowling
Pro Shop
Tournaments

Refreshments
Lounge
Snackbar


Kids Attractions
Arcade

The park is also home to the Taconic Outdoor Education Center which provides high quality environmental programming. In the winter, you can enjoy the Fahnestock Winter Park that includes 15 kilometers of groomed trails for cross country skiing and snowshoeing, and an area for sledding.

The large beach at Canopus Lake is the jewel of Clarence Fahnestock Memorial Park. Its sandy shore and nearby picnic area are enjoyed by thousands of bathers. In addition to swimming, campers and day trippers can fish in or tour Canopus Lake by row boats which are available for rental by the hour or the day. Fishing by boat is permitted at Stillwater and Canopus Lakes. Fishing at both lakes and four ponds is excellent in all seasons for anglers seeking bass, pickerel, perch or brook and rainbow trout.

The scenic campground, formed along the park’s natural rock ridges, provides alcoves of privacy and tranquility for campers. Each of the 80 campsites has a picnic table and fire ring. Additionally there is an area for RV camping. The campground’s nature center houses environmental displays and a variety of touch boxes. On weekends, park staff organizes hikes and craft activities. Movies are shown on Saturday evenings for the enjoyment of all campers.

Things To Do
Beach
Biking
Boat Launch Sites
Boat Rentals
Bridle Path
Campsites
Fishing
Food
Group Camping
Hiking Trails / Walking
Hunting
Nature Trail
Pavilions
Picnic Tables
Recreation Programs
Showers
Swimming
Tent & Trailer Sites

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing
Ice Fishing
Sledding
Snowshoeing Trails

Our interpretive canoe programs focus on the nearshore environments of the tidal Hudson River, especially the natural history of Constitution Marsh and the surrounding Hudson Highlands. It's easily the best deal around, as our own expert Audubon naturalists lead you through winding channels lined with tall, elegant marsh grasses, searching for hidden wildlife. Enjoy the physical activity and beautiful scenery, and learn the secrets of the Sanctuary.

Reservations are required for all canoe trips. We provide the canoes, paddles, and life jackets, and a safety lesson precedes the trip. At least one adult with paddling experience must accompany each canoe. Trips are tide and weather dependent, and normally last between two and three hours.

If you are planning a kayak or canoe trip through the marsh on your own, public water access is provided at the Foundry Dock Park in Cold Spring and not at the Audubon Center.

Press blue button for reservations, fees, and more information about the Guided Canoe Trips at Constitution Marsh, and to view the Public Canoe Program schedule.

Things To Do on Guided Canoe Trips
Birding
Boating
Nature Trails
Scenic Views

From Chapel of Our Lady Restoration "Its situation, opposite West Point, on a high rock overlooking the Hudson, and surrounded by majestic mountains, is extremely well chosen, and the traveler. . .cannot but be struck with its romantic beauty. By the New York Mirror, November 1934"

"The Chapel Restoration, Cold Spring, New York, was built in 1833, in the Greek Revival style. Abandoned in 1906, it was a charred, weather-ravaged ruin until its restoration in the 1970s. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"In 1996, with funds from the estate of Hugh Holt, a balcony based on the original was built and a tracker action pipe organ custom-built by George Bozeman was installed. The chapel also has a Steinway Grand Piano, once owned by the Livingston family.

"The historic chapel, breathtaking in its simplicity, is the acoustical equal of the world’s great concert halls. Against the backdrop of the Hudson River and Highlands, its dramatic setting inspires a bond between artist and audience. The 1893 Steinway grand piano, once owned by the Livingston family who had a country house up river, graces the stage. In the choir loft is an equally distinguished pipe organ of the kind played in the 17th through the 19th centuries."

Press blue button for Calendar of Events, the Music Series, Readings, Children's Programs, and more about Chapel of Our Lady Restoration.

The word is "The Sunday Music Series, April to November, features musicians of worldwide distinction. Concerts, primarily classical, with at least one each season of jazz or blues, country or bluegrass, are presented once a month at 4. Free of charge, contributions welcome. Series established in 2001."

Click Historic Cold Spring on the Hudson.

History of Cold Spring, New York The Village of Cold Spring resides on the east bank of the Hudson River in Putnam County, New York in the Historic Hudson River Valley. "Residents and visitors alike can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the sidewalks and the waterfront of historic Cold Spring, and it is easy to envision why a village was established here on the banks of the Hudson River. The abundance of natural resources and the ingenuity of Cold Spring’s first settlers put it on the map nearly 200 years ago.

"As early as the 1600s, the Hudson River was used as a major watercourse by Native Americans and continued to be a main mode of travel and transport until the nineteenth century. In addition, Cold Spring’s proximity to what is now Fahnestock State Park provided a cheap source of lumber and iron ore. Margaret’s Brook, a small creek located to the west of Route 9D which runs into the Hudson River, supplied hydro-power to the West Point Foundry, which helped propel Cold Spring from a tiny hamlet into a bustling village. Even the name of Cold Spring is linked to a natural resource. Myth has it that George Washington drank from a local spring and declared it to be refreshingly cold.

"The first settler of Cold Spring was Thomas Davenport in 1730. A small trading hamlet grew alongside the river by the early 1800s, and in 1818, Gouverneur Kemble and others established the West Point Foundry. It became one of the major industrial sites in the United States and provided munitions (including the famed Parrott gun) for the Union Army during the Civil War. With the influx of workers at the Foundry, local housing, businesses and churches increased, and Cold Spring was incorporated as a village in 1846. During the last half of the nineteenth century, Cold Spring was a magnet for artists, writers and prominent families, all attracted to the extraordinary beauty of the Highlands. Great mansions were built along Morris Avenue, including Undercliff, the home of George Pope Morris, and Craigside, the home of Julia and Daniel Butterfield. After the Foundry closed in 1911, Cold Spring’s prominence faded; however, following World II, a rebirth began with an influx of businesses into the Hudson River Valley and commuters to New York City. In 1973, the Village was designated a Federal Historic District, and tourists have been visiting Cold Spring’s historic sites, shops, restaurants and hiking trails ever since.

"Through the changing times since 1973, the Village of Cold Spring has been unique among the Hudson River communities in retaining its fundamental character. This is largely due to the steadfast loyalty of Cold Spring residents and their ingenuity in adapting to the needs of the present while carefully preserving their heritage and way of life."

Find attractions, activities, places to stay, including the best Things to do in Cold Spring, New York. When it time to eat, look here for excellent Restaurants in Cold Spring, New York.

The Park features a warming lodge with ski rentals, lessons, food and beverages, and restrooms. Rentals are available on a first come, first served basis. The Winter Park is located at an elevation of 1,100 feet, helping to capture additional snow during storms. Along with a forested northwest trail system, this helps maintain a good snow base. For groups of 35 or more, modern winterized cabins are available in the park at the Taconic Outdoor Education Center.

Things To Do in the Winter
Cross-Country Skiing
Food (Accessible)
Gift Shop (Accessible)
Nature Trails
Picnic Tables (Accessible)
Recreation Programs
Scenic Views
Sledding
Snowshoeing Trails

Note: Accessible indicates that, to the extent practicable, this facility or activity meets the Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards. It is strongly recommended that you contact the facility in advance for a full description of facilities.

Foundry Dock Park officially opened in June 2006. This riverfront park is enjoyed by many who come to relax, enjoy the spectacular views of the Hudson or launch a kayak.

Before Scenic Hudson purchased this riverfront property for public access, it was sorely neglected but enjoyed as a favorite put-in for small boats. Scenic Hudson and volunteers cleared the property and the popularity of the site increased as the interest in kayaking on the river and into Constitution Marsh Audubon Sanctuary grew. Scenic Hudson is pleased to ensure that this magnificent property, with its history and easy access to the river, connects people with the power and spirit of the river.

If you live in Manhattan, take a scenic drive or take Metro North to Cold Spring; and visit Foundry Dock Park.

Things To Do
Birding | Bird Watching
Boat Launch (available for small boats)
Kayaking
Scenic views

Directions
From intersection of Route 9 and Route 301, take Route 301 west for 2.6 miles to intersection of Route 9D at traffic light. Proceed west on Route 301/Main Street for four blocks; turn left on Lunn Terrace to end; turn left on Market Street. Park entrance on right. Free weekend parking adjacent to the train station. By train, exit Cold Spring station.

Press blue button for Scenic Hudson, hours of operation, parking information, maps, photos and more about Foundry Dock Park.

After a day of kayaking, fishing, or relaxing at this beautiful spot in Cold Springs, select from one of many excellent restaurants in Cold Spring and nearby areas in Putnam County.

The word is Wonderful handicapped-accessible park overlooking the beautiful Hudson River and Hudson Highlands.

Hiking in the Hudson Highlands affords many breathtaking views and magnificent vistas. The following state parks and protected areas are found in the Hudson Highlands. All of these parks offer fabulous hiking and other outdoor activities that will immerse you in the natural wonders of this beautiful area of the Hudson Valley. In addition to hiking, many parks offer activities such as boating, skiing, nature walks and birding.

Hiking Bear Mountain
Hiking Black Rock Forest
Hiking Harriman State Park
Hiking Highland Lakes State Park
Hiking Manitoga / Tours of Wright's Home
Hiking Sterling Forest State Park
Hiking Storm King Park

Twenty-two hiking trails in Philipstown are listed at Hiking Trails in Philipstown, Putnam County.

Hiking in the Hudson Highlands affords many breathtaking views and magnificent vistas. The following state parks and protected areas are found in the Hudson Highlands. All of these parks offer fabulous hiking and other outdoor activities that will immerse you in the natural wonders of this beautiful area of the Hudson Valley. In addition to hiking, many parks offer activities such as boating, skiing, nature walks and birding.

Hiking Bear Mountain
Hiking Black Rock Forest
Hiking Harriman State Park
Hiking Highland Lakes State Park
Hiking Manitoga / Tours of Wright's Home
Hiking Sterling Forest State Park
Hiking Storm King Park

Twenty-two hiking trails in Philipstown are listed at Hiking Trails in Philipstown, Putnam County.

Hiking in the Hudson Highlands affords many breathtaking views and magnificent vistas. The following state parks and protected areas are found in the Hudson Highlands. All of these parks offer fabulous hiking and other outdoor activities that will immerse you in the natural wonders of this beautiful area of the Hudson Valley. In addition to hiking, many parks offer activities such as boating, skiing, nature walks and birding.

Hiking Bear Mountain
Hiking Black Rock Forest
Hiking Harriman State Park
Hiking Highland Lakes State Park
Hiking Manitoga / Tours of Wright's Home
Hiking Sterling Forest State Park
Hiking Storm King Park

Twenty-two hiking trails in Philipstown are listed at Hiking Trails in Philipstown, Putnam County.

Little Stony Point Park
Little Stony Point is a Hudson Highlands State Park located at 3011 Route 9D, Cold Spring, NY 10516 in Putnam County, just north of Cold Spring. Little Stony Point offers an unofficial swimming beach, as well as recreational boating, kayaking, and fishing.

Although Little Stony Point is a state owned recreational resource, its upkeep is dependent on the work of volunteers (LSPCA), who operate through a cooperative management agreement with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to keep the park clean and make needed improvements, such as weed abatement, grading trails, and trash pick-up. 100% of donations to the LSPCA are used directly for park and structural upkeep. Source: Little Stony Point Park

Hiking in the Hudson Highlands affords many breathtaking views and magnificent vistas. The following state parks and protected areas are found in the Hudson Highlands. All of these parks offer fabulous hiking and other outdoor activities that will immerse you in the natural wonders of this beautiful area of the Hudson Valley. In addition to hiking, many parks offer activities such as boating, skiing, nature walks and birding.

Hiking Bear Mountain
Hiking Black Rock Forest
Hiking Harriman State Park
Hiking Highland Lakes State Park
Hiking Manitoga / Tours of Wright's Home
Hiking Sterling Forest State Park
Hiking Storm King Park

Twenty-two hiking trails in Philipstown are listed at Hiking Trails in Philipstown, Putnam County.

Hubbard-Perkins Conservation Area "The Fahnestock Bird Conservation Area is a large, wooded tract which includes six lakes, a hemlock/stream ravine, and some marsh habitat. Much of the forest is mature oak and mixed hardwoods with an understory of mountain laurel. Relatively large stands of hemlock are also present in some areas of the park. The BCA supports a representative community of breeding birds that prefer mature hardwood forests, as well as some marsh and water-dependent bird species. The BCA includes the Hubbard/Perkins Conservation Area, and other portions of the state park."
Source: Department of Environmental Conservation

Hiking in the Hudson Highlands affords many breathtaking views and magnificent vistas. The following state parks and protected areas are found in the Hudson Highlands. All of these parks offer fabulous hiking and other outdoor activities that will immerse you in the natural wonders of this beautiful area of the Hudson Valley. In addition to hiking, many parks offer activities such as boating, skiing, nature walks and birding.

Hiking Bear Mountain
Hiking Black Rock Forest
Hiking Harriman State Park
Hiking Highland Lakes State Park
Hiking Manitoga / Tours of Wright's Home
Hiking Sterling Forest State Park
Hiking Storm King Park

Twenty-two hiking trails in Philipstown are listed at Hiking Trails in Philipstown, Putnam County.

Hubbard-Perkins Conservation Area "The Fahnestock Bird Conservation Area is a large, wooded tract which includes six lakes, a hemlock/stream ravine, and some marsh habitat. Much of the forest is mature oak and mixed hardwoods with an understory of mountain laurel. Relatively large stands of hemlock are also present in some areas of the park. The BCA supports a representative community of breeding birds that prefer mature hardwood forests, as well as some marsh and water-dependent bird species. The BCA includes the Hubbard/Perkins Conservation Area, and other portions of the state park."
Source: Department of Environmental Conservation

Hiking in the Hudson Highlands affords many breathtaking views and magnificent vistas. The following state parks and protected areas are found in the Hudson Highlands. All of these parks offer fabulous hiking and other outdoor activities that will immerse you in the natural wonders of this beautiful area of the Hudson Valley. In addition to hiking, many parks offer activities such as boating, skiing, nature walks and birding.

Hiking Bear Mountain
Hiking Black Rock Forest
Hiking Harriman State Park
Hiking Highland Lakes State Park
Hiking Manitoga / Tours of Wright's Home
Hiking Sterling Forest State Park
Hiking Storm King Park

Twenty-two hiking trails in Philipstown are listed at Hiking Trails in Philipstown, Putnam County.

Constitution Marsh
No paddling experience necessary however, the Marsh is tidal. Because you have to paddle under the railroad trestle, the ideal time to enter the Marsh is two hours before high tide and leave two hours after high tide. There are shorter times to paddle part way into the Marsh. Please call the shop for more information.

Note: Please be advised that if you paddle into the Marsh at low tide, you will get stuck in the mud and disrupt the very sensitive eco-system.

Attractions
Kayak Lessons
Kayak Rentals
Kayak Tours on the Hudson River

Press blue button for more about Hudson valley Outfitters, hiking, paddling, kayak rentals, kayak tours, kayak instruction, and more.

Butterfield Library offers many programs for children, teens, and adults. Teens can join TAB (Teen Advisory Board), help plan teen events, and provide input on building teen collections. Adults will benefit from Defensive Driving courses (at the lowest price in the area), CPR courses, computer courses, and many cultural and educational programs.

Programs for children include:

Weekly Story Hours
Baby Playtime
Battle of the Books
Mad Science
and more

A Bit of History about the Library
"The Julia L. Butterfield Memorial Library was established by the will of the late Julia L. Butterfield. Mrs. Butterfield died on August 6, 1913 at the age of 90.

"Mrs. Butterfield was born on December 19, 1824, in St. Marks' Place, New York City, NY. She moved to Cold Spring in 1852, with her first husband Fredrick James. Up until the time of her death, she spent a large portion of her time at her beautiful Cold Spring residence known as Cragside. Cragside was located on the site of the new Haldane Central School District's high school building. The gatehouse to Cragside still stands today on the corner of Route 9D (Morris Ave) and Craigside Drive.

"Mrs. Butterfield loved to entertain, and her frequent guests included, the Grand Duke of Russia, the Count of Paris, Presidents of the United States, several governors, famous generals and bishops.

"Many of the paintings that hang in the Library today once hung in Cragside. The most famous of which is "A Pic-Nic on the Hudson" painted in 1863 by Hudson River School artist Thomas Rossiter. Rossiter also lived Cold Spring and was a friend of Mrs Butterfield. The painting depicts a group of friends and neighbors enjoying a fashionable picnic on Constitution Island. The group includes Julia James, the future Mrs. Daniell Butterfield, whose estate endowed the library in 1913."

Press blue button for the library calendar, programs, FAQ, and more about the Butterfield Library.

Putnam Highlands Audubon Society Bird Walks & Field Trips
PHAS programs include bird walks, educational programs, field trips, and guest lectures. These programs are intended to appeal to a wide range of interests and ability levels.

A monthly event that we hope will interest birders of all ability levels and those interested in the greater conservation mission of Audubon is a monthly walk at Constitution Marsh Audubon Marsh and Sanctuary in Garrison. Press blue button for more about Putnam Highlands Audubon Society.

Things To Do
Birding | Bird Watching
Educational Programs
Field Trips
Guest Lectures
Walks / Hiking

"The Putnam County Historical Society was founded in 1906 by a group of prominent Philipstown residents and chartered the next year to be the first historical society in the county. Its dedicated early members were prominent Cold Spring residents: A. Augustus Healy, Gouverneur Paulding, William Henry Haldane, Robert Floyd-Jones, and William Wood. Galvanized by the desire to collect and preserve historical and cultural materials pertaining to Putnam County, especially the Philipstown area, and the Hudson Highlands, while both looking back to the nineteenth century and forward into the twentieth, the members initially concentrated on the assemblage of information related to many county families, the compilation of a list of local Civil War veterans, and a study of the milestones on the Putnam County segment of the New York to Albany Post Road. During these early years, the members met in private homes, where objects collected by the society were stored, as well as in libraries, where special programs were held.

"In 1960, with funds from the estate of a longtime supporter, the noted writer Laura Spencer Porter Pope (1907–1957), the society acquired the Foundry School building, which was built in about 1830, enlarged in the 1860s, and used for the education of the foundry's teenage apprentices as well as its employees' children. In 1971, a wing was added to house the society's holdings related to the West Point Foundry. Since the establishment of this museum, the society's members, many of them extraordinarily informed about the history of the Highlands and the county, have continued to dedicate their time and talents as docents, researchers, and educators.

"Today, the organization is known as The Putnam County Historical Society & Foundry School Museum (PCHS–FSM) and is owned by a not-for-profit corporation under the oversight of the Department of Education of the State of New York. PCHS-FSM is governed by a board of trustees composed mainly of local residents accomplished in business and the professions and is administered by a professional staff including, an executive director and a curator.

"The purpose of the society is to collect, preserve, and present to the public historical and cultural materials pertaining to Putnam County, especially the Philipstown area, the West Point Foundry, and the Hudson Highlands. To fulfill this mission, the society maintains and administers the Foundry School Museum and a research library. The museum organizes changing exhibitions, with accompanying catalogues, and provides educational programming for the public."

The above information is sourced from the PCHS-FSM website.

Press blue button for the Putnam Historical Society, including directions, exhibits, and more about the Putnam County Historical Society & Foundry School Museum.

"At its windswept elevation of 1,100 feet in the Hudson Highlands Stonecrop enjoys a Zone 5 climate. The display gardens cover an area of approximately 12 acres and comprise a diverse collection of gardens and plants including woodland and water gardens, a grass garden, raised alpine stone beds, cliff rock gardens, and an enclosed English-style flower garden. Additional features include a Conservatory, display Alpine House, Pit House with an extensive collection of choice dwarf bulbs, and systematic order beds representing over 50 plant families.

"Stonecrop's plant collections and display gardens not only demonstrate what can be achieved by horticultural enthusiasts, but also serve as an educational resource which, together with its professional staff, constitute the foundation upon which is based a developing School of Practical Horticulture."

Press blue button for more about workshops, activities and attractions at Stonecrop Gardens.

From 1818 to 1911, the West Point Foundry was a technological powerhouse, manufacturing Parrott guns, the rifled cannon credited with winning the Civil War, and the steam engines, water wheels and mill equipment that sparked America’s burgeoning industrial economy.

Today, this 87-acre preserve is a peaceful park that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The preparation of a Public Access and Interpretation Plan for the West Point Foundry Preserve is supported in part by a Preserve America grant administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. Putnam County is the recipient of the grant. The study and stabilization of masonry ruins at the preserve is funded by the Environmental Protection Fund managed by NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Plans for park improvements are in progress. In the meantime, the property is open to the public with nearly a mile of footpaths that wind near ruins and along both banks of a stream. The adjacent Foundry Cove, once a U.S. EPA Superfund cleanup site, now boasts tidal wetlands that provide habitat for Hudson River bird and fish species.

Things To Do at West Point Foundry Preserve
Birding | Bird Watching
Footpaths winding near ruins
Hiking
Nature Study

Directions
In Cold Spring, go west on Main Street, then left on Rock Street and right on Kemble Avenue Park entrance is at the end of Kemble Avenue

Press blue button for Scenic Hudson, hours of operation, maps, and more about West Point Foundry Preserve in Cold Spring, New York.

Important Note
Scenic Hudson's West Point Foundry Preserve is a sensitive archaeological site. Please stay on marked trails and do not move, remove or destroy any historical archaeological elements. Please keep dogs on a leash and pick up after them. Bikes are not permitted.

After a day of nature study, birding, and hiking at West Point Foundry Preserve, dine out at one of many excellent Restaurants in Putnam County, New York offering natural food and healthy options.

The Hudson Highlands includes several state parks and protected areas where you can hike, go on nature walks and enjoy birding. In addition to hiking, several parks offer outdoor activities that will immerse you in the natural wonders of the Hudson Highlands. Find attractions and activities in the Hudson Highlands including boating, skiing, nature walks and birding, and hiking.

Hiking Bear Mountain
Hiking Black Rock Forest
Hiking Harriman State Park
Hiking Highland Lakes State Park
Hiking Manitoga / Tours of Wright's Home
Hiking Sterling Forest State Park
Hiking Storm King Park

Press blue button for directions to Boscobel, the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, and more things to do in Garrison and Cold Spring, New York.

From the front lawn at Boscobel, one can see the Constitution Marsh Sanctuary and Constitution Island immediately below, the Bear Mountain Bridge to the south, the United States Military Academy at West Point across the river, and Storm King Mountain to the north. Spectacular views of the Hudson River and the Hudson Highlands, including Crow’s Nest, Storm King, and Sugar Loaf Mountains are visible from Boscobel’s grounds. The Hudson has been an inspiration for artists through the centuries, and great works by Thomas Cole, Asher B. Durand, Thomas Doughty, Thomas P. Rossiter, and Frederic Church, have depicted the majesty of the River and its surroundings.

Boscobel was originally located in Montrose, New York, about fifteen miles south of the present site, with views overlooking the Hudson River at Haverstraw Bay. It was built by States Morris Dyckman (1755-1806), a descendant of one of the early Dutch families of New Amsterdam.

The Boscobel Mansion dates from the early nineteenth century and contains one of the nation's leading collections of furniture and decorative arts from the Federal period with high-style furniture by Duncan Phyfe and other recognized New York cabinetmakers of the day. Much of Dyckman's English china, silver, glass, and part of his library have also survived and are on exhibit.

Points of Interest
There are many tourist attractions and things to do close to Boscobel. Visitors can explore the quaint nineteenth century village of Cold Spring with its antique and specialty shops, Historic West Point, Storm King Art Center, Theatre, and beautiful Parks including Bear Mountain State Park.

Did you know that the Hudson River was recently named one of ten "American Heritage Rivers."

Attractions
Guided Tour of Boscobel mansion
Self-Guided Tour of beautiful grounds
Rose Garden, Orangery, Springhouse and Garden House
Woodland Trail
Panoramic Views of Hudson Highlands

Constitution Marsh Trail, moderate hike, 2 miles. This out and back hike in the Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary has a short difficult section leading to a boardwalk into the marsh. For information about the hiking trail and more about Constitution Marsh, call the Center at 845-265-2601.

The sign reads:
Constitution Marsh

" No habitat nurture more life than a tidal marsh. Marsh plants feed animals such as Muskrats and Snapping Turtles. Decomposed plants provide food for countless shrimp, crabs, and even tinier animals which in turn support many species of fish. Young fish feed in the rich marsh "nursery" and then ventue down the Hudson to the sea.

"Constitution Marsh teems with life at all times of the year and changes with each season. The summer begins with the annual ritual in June of female Snapping Turtles climbing the hill to lay their eggs on Boscobel's grounds. From June through September, the marsh below is green with cattails, Wild Rice, Pickerelweed, and Arrowhead. Marsh Wrens, Red-winged Blackbirds, Least Bitterns, Yellow Warblers, and colorful Wood Ducks nest in the marsh. White-tailed Deer visit the wetlands to escape from biting insects.

"The cattails turn from green to reddish brown in the fall, and migratory birds stop on their way south for the winter. Osprey, Marsh Hawks, Swallows, Black Ducks, Mallards, and Green winged Teal rest and feed amoung the cattails and bulrushed before continuing on the migrations. In winter, plans die back in preparation for a new round of growth, and the marsh turns a brownish straw color. Bald Eagles are often spotted at this time of year surveying the marsh from their perches in the trees at Constituion Island. Finally, with the coming of Spring, the cycle begins anew. Migrants reappers, plants sprout new leaves, and the marsh again teems with life.

"Contstitution Marsh was purchased in 1969 by Lila Wallace and Laurance Rockefeller. Now a part of Hudson Highlands State Park, it has been managed the the National Audubon Society since 1970.

"Constitution Island was part of an original land grant made by the British crown to the Philipse family and remained in its possession until Henry Warner, a New York City lawyer, purchased the property and the adjacent marsh in 1836. His unsuccessful attempt to convert the marsh to a wild rice farm left the numerous tidal chaneels visible today. Warner's daughters Susan and Anna lived in the family home on Constitution Island until Anna died in 1915 at the age of eighty-seven. Due to financial losses suffered by their father in the 1840's, they both started writing to help support the family and became knows as the 'Bronte sisters of America.' Together, the sisters had over one hundred books published. Susan's first novel The Wide, Wide World (1850) sold more than a million copies in numerous editions. Anna Warner wrote the well know religious hymn Jesus Loves Me, which was published in 1860.

"Philanthropist Margaret Slocum [Mrs. Russell] Sage purchased the Island in 1908, and she and Anna Warner presented it to the United States governement as a joint gift with the stipulation that it be an addition to West Point. In 1917, West Point cadets created the Martlaer's Rock Association (now the Constitution Island Association), a not-for-profit organization which maintains the property for the enjoyment of the public."

"Constitution Marsh Audubon Center & Sanctuary is a unique and beautiful 270-acre tidal marsh managed by Audubon as a wildlife sanctuary since 1970 . . . Our mission at Constitution Marsh Sanctuary is twofold: to provide stewardship to this fragile wetland and to teach others about it. We believe there is no substitute for a trip to the shoreline, where one can explore and discover the river first hand. Our goal is to give all visitors, whatever their age, the opportunity to closely observe river life and thus gain new insights into the natural world."

Note: If you are planning a kayak or canoe trip through the marsh on your own, public water access is provided at the Foundry Dock Park in Cold Spring, and not at the Audubon Center.

Press blue button to learn more about things to do at Constitution Marsh.

Things To Do
Canoe Tours
Hiking at Constitution Marsh
School Tours
Self-Guided Tours

High standards, and the beautiful Garrison Landing Riverfront Park site, have attracted 90 regionally and nationally known artists with traditional and alternative crafts. Stately willows, views of West Point, free rides upon the sloop Woody Guthrie, regional food artisans and wineries, Acoustic Music Series live performances, a new Gourmet Food Court, and remarkable artists. Press blue button for the Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Fair.

The park's extensive hiking trail network includes terrain that varies from easy to challenging. Trail maps can be obtained at the Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park office. The park’s most well known trail – Breakneck Ridge was rated by Newsweek as one of the top 10 day hikes in America. The 5.5 mile Breakneck Ridge trail rises 1,250 feet in only a ¾ mile stretch.

For visitors who wish to view the scenic park from the water, kayaks and canoes are available for rental at Annsville Creek Paddlesport Center in Cortlandt Manor. Rentals, as well as instruction, tours, and educational programs, are provided by Atlantic Kayak Tours. Visitors may also launch their own kayaks and canoes from the Annsville dock. Fishing from the dock is also permitted.

Points of Interest: One area of Hudson Highlands State Park, Bannerman Island, can only be accessed by water and explored via guided tour. Known originally as Pollepel Island, this island is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This majestic Hudson River landmark is home to Bannerman Castle, built by American entrepreneur Frank Bannerman VI between 1901 and 1918. For more information on visiting this unique site see Historic Sites in Putnam.

Things To Do
Birding | Bird Watching
Boat Rentals (including Kayaks & Canoes)
Boating
Fishing
Hiking Trails
Historic Places (Bannerman Island)
Hunting

The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival began in 1987 with a modest outdoor production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream performed under the stars in a meadow at Manitoga, in Garrison, New York. One year later, Boscobel Restoration, a Hudson River estate in Garrison, became the Festival’s new site. It offered a magnificent setting, ample parking, and an established reputation as a tourist attraction. Once in its new home and under a big tent, the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival grew dramatically.

The Festival is dedicated to producing the plays of Shakespeare with an economy of style that focuses its energy and resources on script, actors, and audience. We communicate the stories with energy, clarity and invention and distill rather than embellish the language and action. We challenge ourselves and our audiences to take a fresh look at what is essential in Shakespeare’s plays.

Reviews Ben Brantley, The New York Times
"Far more than the starry productions in Central Park, Mr. O'Brien's vivacious interpretations make Shakespeare breathe in the present tense, but without hyperventilating." "Few stages have wings like those of the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, where the theater is an open-sided tent perched on a riverside knoll." For a classic summer night of theater, the glorious grounds of Boscobel provide perfect set and setting. Pre-theater picnicking sets the mood as festival-goers choose their view of the Hudson Highlands. Press blue button for season schedules, plays, and more about the Shakespeare Festival.

Before the play begins, picnic on the spectacular grounds of Boscobel Restoration, or eat at one of many excellent restaurants in Cold Spring and Garrison; and then enjoy an enchanting Shakespearean performance. What a wonderful way to spend an evening!

"In the 1930s, 40s and 50s, the signature on a set of dinnerware or piece of furniture elicited instant response. At that time, Wright was one of the best known designers in the U.S. At the apex of his career, Wright left New York City and moved his base of operations to Garrison. It was here that he created a unique home and designed landscape. He named it Manitoga, meaning place of the great spirit in Algonquin. Wright shared the Native Americans' respect for the earth.

"When Wright first found this property in 1942, it had been damaged by a century of quarrying and lumbering. Over the next three decades, until his death in 1976, he carefully redesigned and re-sculpted Manitoga's 75 acres using native plants, his training as a theater designer and sculptor, and his innovative design ideas. Though the landscape appears natural, it is actually a careful composition of woodland trees, rocks, ferns, mosses, and wild flowers.

"Wright created over four miles of paths that wind over creeks, into woods, among boulders, and through ferns and mountain laurel to focus visitors' attention on the importance of living in harmony with nature.

"Manitoga is the only 20th century modern homesite open to the public in New York, and one of few on the east coast. Wright considered it his most important creative effort. In 2006, Manitoga was named a National Historic Landmark."

Things To Do
Hiking Paths with links to the Appalachian Trail
National Historic Landmark
Tour of Wrights Home & Studio

Manitou Point property surrounds the historic home of the Livingston Family and features four miles of trails. Scenic Hudson owns this 144-acre property in partnership with the Open Space Institute. The restored Livingston family mansion at the center of the property is the national headquarters for Outward Bound.

Listen to the frogs and wildlife in the pond. Enjoy one of many scenic views in Putnam County.

Things To Do
Hiking / Walking Trails
Picnicking
Scenic Views

Directions
From the Bear Mountain Bridge head 2 miles north on Route 9D, turn left at Mystery Point Road, Parking area and trailhead are on the left.

After a day of hiking, walking, or studying the wildlife, pack a picnic from the produce at a local farm in the Hudson Valley. Or dine at one of the many excellent restaurants in Putnam County.

PPA is proud of the remarkable variety of performances that have found a home at the Depot. This includes but is not limited to: plays new and old, musicals, poetry, Youth Theatre, Teen Open Mics, Silent Films, Music Tracks, and The Art Garden. PPA has been active and proactive in upgrading the interior of the Depot Theatre, in acquiring and installing high-quality equipment, in providing financial assistance to ensure the commitment of the Depot Theatre staff and volunteers and encouraging local participation at every level. Press blue button for theatre performance schedule and more about the Philipstown Depot Theatre.

After the performance, find a good place to eat at restaurants in Garrison and Cold Spring.

Features
Children's Birthday Parties
Gymnastics

Click to enlarge photo of Pond at the Manitou Train Station.

If you are waiting for a train at the Manitou Train Station, or have just arrived at Manitou, look around at this scenic spot. Can a train station get any prettier than this? Look into the pond and you may see frogs jumping and the sounds of a bullfrog. Look up from the pond and you can see the Bear Mountain Bridge in the distance. Walk over the train tracks toward the river; you can sit on a rock and put your feet into the Hudson River. Or, gaze up at the rolling hills facing north.

Click to enlarge photo of MTA Train Station at Manitou.

The Manitou Train Station is located at 1 Manitou Road in the hamlet of Manitou, Philipstown in Putnam County, New York. Metro North has limited train service to Manitou. Check the MTA Train Schedule.

A Bit of History
The Manitou Point Nature Preserve is a former estate on the Hudson renovated and revived by The Open Space Institute and Scenic Hudson. The mansion, once owned by Edward Livingston whose great-grandfather signed the Declaration of Independence, is now the headquarters of Outward Bound. Although the mansion is not open to the public, four miles of scenic winding trails and surrounding carriage roads, are open.

Note: Edward Livingston purchased the property in 1894 and turned it into an elaborate estate with buildings to house his livestock. In 1897, he finished a two-story mansion; now the afore mentioned national headquarters for Outward Bound.

Hiking the Manitou Point Nature Preserve
The Manitou Point Nature Preserve is 135-acres on a peninsula jutting into the Hudson River. This area offers six short but different hikes, appealing to hikers with different skills and interests.

The following is credited to the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference: "For an exciting and adventurous hike, the River Loop Trail is tailor-made. Beginning 400 feet to the north of the mansion, the trail offers the hiker a spectacular view of North Sugar Loaf Mountain on the east bank and West Point on the west. Heading south, the trail merges briefly with a carriage road and then literally hugs the edge of the Hudson River: there are no guard rails between you and the river 10 feet below. Note: This trail may be closed in icy weather. For your safety, respect a closed trail sign. The trail is paved with fallen pine needles and acorns and spongy moss, which makes for a cushioned feeling underfoot. A colonnade of closely-spaced tall trees flanks the narrow trail and gives the appearance of a royal promenade."

After a day of birding or hiking at Manitou, eat out at one of the excellent Restaurants in Putnam County, New York offering natural foods and healthy options.

Things To Do at Manitou Point Nature Preserve
Birding
Hiking / Walking
Nature Walks

Go hiking in the Hudson Highlands where you will experience many breathtaking views while absorbing the natural beauty of the landscape. Enjoy magnificent vistas while hiking in Philipstown, Putnam County, in the Hudson Highlands.

The Hudson Highlands include the following state parks and protected areas. All of these parks offer fabulous hiking and other outdoor activities that will immerse you in the natural wonders of the Hudson Highlands. There are many parks in the Hudson Highlands offering activities such as boating, skiing, nature walks and birding in addition to hiking.

Hiking Bear Mountain
Hiking Black Rock Forest
Hiking Harriman State Park
Hiking Highland Lakes State Park
Hiking Manitoga / Tours of Wright's Home
Hiking Sterling Forest State Park
Hiking Storm King Park

Twenty-two hiking trails in Philipstown are listed below:

Breakneck Ridge
Hike 1 - (difficult, 2.8 mi., 3-4 hr.)
A steep, difficult loop hike with the most dramatic views in the Highlands. Exhilarating, although not recommended in windy or slippery conditions.

Round Hill
Hike 2 - (moderate, 5.5 mi., 3-4 hr.)
A loop hike through woods with a couple of great views. This hike is in the Hubbard-Perkins Conservation Area.

School Mountain Road
Hike 3 - (easy, 8.2 mi., 4hr, )
An out and back hike especially good for horses, and mountain bikes. This out and back hike is in the Hubbard-Perkins Conservation Area.
Note: Horses and mountain bikes are permitted on Hike 3, School Mountain Road.

Charcoal Burners Trail
Hike 4 - (easy, 2 mi., 1-2 hr.)
A woodland loop with a side trail overlooking a pond.

Bull Hill (Mt. Taurus) from 9D
Hike 5 - (moderate/difficult, 5.7 mi., 4-5 hr.)
A loop hike with a spur to the summit, at 1420 feet the tallest mountain in Putnam County. Some steep portions, tricky footing, and spectacular views.

Little Stony Point
Hike 6 - (easy, 1 mi., 1 hr.)
A short loop hike with spectacular views of the Hudson and a spur trail to a clifftop.

Bull Hill from Nelsonville Footpath Trail
Hike 7 - (moderate/difficult, 5 mi., 3-4 hr.)
A loop to the summit, with phenomenal views during any season.

West Point Foundry
Hike 8 - (easy, 1 mi., 1 hr.)
A stroll through the West Point Foundry Preserve past the ruins of the historic foundry. In operation from 1818-1912, the West Point Foundry played an important role in industrialization. One of four national armories established after the War of 1812, it manufactured much of the Union’s artillery, including the famous Parrott gun, during the Civil War, and was immortalized as the “Goldspring Foundry” in Jules Verne’s 1865 book, From the Earth to the Moon. Non-military cast-iron products included machinery for cotton and sugar mills, America’s earliest steam engines, and several of its first locomotives, including the De Witt Clinton. The Foundry also cast cannon and structural parts for iron-clad ships which transformed nautical technology. This site is both archaeologically & ecologically sensitive; please do not touch or remove any artifacts, soil, or plants.

Learn more about the historic West Point Foundry in Hudson Highlands.

Boscobel: The Woodland Trail
Hike 9 - (easy, 1 mi., 1/2 hr.)
A stroll with views over Constitution Marsh and West Point. Grounds pass needed.

Constitution Marsh Trail
Hike 10 - (moderate, 2 mi., 1 hr.)
This out and back hike in the Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary has a short difficult section leading to a boardwalk into the marsh. For more information, call the Center at 845-265-2601.

Philipstown Park
Hike 11 - (easy/moderate, 3/4 mi., 3/4 hr.)
The Trail of Trees in Philipstown Park has a couple of wetland crossings on stepping stones or a narrow plank, then passes through forested woodlands with a view of West Point.

Cedar Ridge Trail
Hike 12 - (moderate, 1.5 mi., 1 hr.)
An out and back hike through fields of a working cattle farm and woods to a ridge with a view of the Hudson.
Not recommended for dogs.

Chimney Trail
Hike 13 - (moderate, 3-4 mi., 2 hr.)
An out and back hike with a gradual ascent, about 40 minutes each way. Sweeping views to the west of mountains, and a peek at the Hudson River.

North and South Redoubts - Revolutionary War Heritage Trails
Hike 14 - (moderate, 2.4 mi., 2 hr.)
Sweeping Hudson River vistas from summit ruins of two Revolutionary War forts. The route is out and back and includes two halfmileuphill segments.

Arden Point & Marcia’s Mile
Hike 15 - (easy, 2.2 mi., 1.5 hr.)
A hike around a magnificent promontory to a gazebo with views of the Hudson River.

Glenclyffe Loop - Benedict Arnold Escape Path
Hike 16 - (easy, 1.6 mi., 1 hr.)
A loop on the Glenclyffe property in Garrison, which was acquired by the Open Space Institute (OSI) in 2001. Offering fields, streams, gentle rocky slopes and ridges, a portion of the trail follows the route taken by Benedict Arnold in 1780when he escaped to the British Army.

Sugarloaf Hill
Hike 17 - (moderate, 3.2 mi., 2 hr.)
An out and back hike in Hudson Highlands State Park. At the top is a spectacular view south of the Hudson River, Bear Mountain Bridge and Anthony’s Nose.

White Rock Walk
Hike 18 - (moderate, 3 mile, 1.5 hr.)
This loop hike features a swampy meadow boardwalk, dramatic stone walls, a pretty Hudson overlook, and varied terrain, on the Appalachian, Osborn Loop, and Carriage Connector Trails.

Appalachian Trail from Graymoor to Denning Hill
Hike 19 - (moderate, 4 mi., 3 hr.)
An out and back hike along the Appalachian Trail with some brief but rapid changes in elevation and a 240 degree view south to NYC at the end. Two short walks to viewpoints afford additional sights.

Manitoga Paths
Hike 20 - (easy/moderate, 2.1 mi., 1-3 hr.)
Three hikes follow lovely loop paths at Manitoga, the former home of renowned designer Russel Wright. The hikes includes steep portions, rocky terrain, views, the repeated sound of water falling over rocks, and a connection to the Appalachian Trail.

Manitou Point Nature Preserve
Hike 21 - (easy, 2 mi., 1 hr.)
A loop past a mansion with a path paralleling the Hudson River.

Anthony’s Nose
Hike 22 - (moderate/difficult, 3.6 mi., 3 hr.)
An out and back hike on the Appalachian and Camp Smith trails to the promontory known as Anthony’s Nose. Spectacular views overlooking Bear Mountain Bridge and the Hudson River.

Press blue button for hiking map, directions to get to each hike, and more information about each of the hikes in Philipstown. Storm King and Crow’s Nest mountains rise across from Little Stony Point. Bull Hill, Breakneck Ridge and Beacon Hill stand behind. These mountains are part of the AppalachianRange, and the gorge at Little Stony Point is the only place the range is cut by a river. Glacial activity deposited an immense granite formation here. At the turn of the last century the rockwas mined and used in the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge and other projects. A tramway brought the granite from the mines to a dock at Little Stony Point.

Important information for all hikers
Tick prevention: The deer tick that can transmit Lyme Disease, is common in this area. Take precautions by wearing light-colored clothing with long sleeves, tucking pants into socks, using insect repellent on your clothing and checking for ticks at the end of your hike.

Press blue button for The Philipstown Greenway brochure and map, offering important information about each hike, directions, difficulty of each hike, and safety precautions.

The hikes listed above, including information about each hike, is sourced from and credited to the Philipstown Greenway Committee.

Applefest began in 1989 as a simple harvest celebration to support the Warwick Valley Community Center. Named one of the “Top 100 Events” in the country, over 30,000 visitors now attend the one-day event, traveling from neighboring states to experience the extraordinary variety of Warwick’s apples, culture, and entertainment. The festival is produced by the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Warwick Valley Community Center. Festival proceeds benefit these and other local non-profit organizations.

Things To Do and See at the Festival

Applefest Visitor's Guide
An updated Applefest Visitors’ Guide will be posted on the website before Applefest next fall, and will also be available for free at the festival.

This 32-page booklet contains schedules of Applefest events, transportation information, directories for craft/food vendors, wineries, u-pick apples, a user-friendly map of the festival area, ads for local businesses and more.

Press Blue Button for more information about Applefest.

• "One of the Top 4 Music Festivals in the U.S."
  Outside Magazine,


• "Clearwater is everything a Folk Festival should be; good music, good people and good fun.You'll find your community is bigger when you leave than when you came.",
  Ani DiFranco


• "Playing Clearwater was one of the most fulfilling experiences I've had in music. I feel lucky to have been invited.",
  Josh Ritter

About Clearwater

"Since the launch of the Clearwater, more than 430,000 young people and hundreds of thousands of adults have experienced their first real look at an estuary’s ecosystem—fish, invertebrates, water chemistry and ecological principals—aboard the sloop. Clearwater’s environmental education programs now serve more than 15,000 students annually, and the organization also educates over 200 teachers each year through SUNY New Paltz, Pace University and other institutions. Clearwater’s members have helped advocate for the Clean Water Act, the Hudson River Park Act and removal of PCB’s from the Hudson.

"The Clearwater has become America’s Environmental Flagship, and was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 for its role in the environmental movement. Each summer, Clearwater re-connects Hudson Valley residents with their cultural heritage and traditions by bringing them down to the river for the Great Hudson River Revival, the country’s oldest music and environmental festival. The organization and its local sloop clubs also sponsor smaller local riverfront festivals throughout the year. Clearwater’s unique approach to public outreach has made the Clearwater a symbol of grassroots action through hands-on learning, music and celebration."

Press blue button for festival information, donations, and updated information about Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival.

“We pride ourselves on running a family mountain,” and we welcome all levels and ages, from beginner to expert, tiny tots to Senior Citizens. We have 30 trails, 3 chairlifts, a t-bar, a handtow, and a magic carpet with slow and gentle slopes to meet the needs of the newest skiers and snowboarders and advanced trails for the daring and adventurous.

Thunder Ridge doesn’t wait for the first snowfall of the year. We make our own snow over the entire mountain. With our new state of the art snow making system we can cover over 100-acres with beautiful white, soft powder.

When you’re ready for a break from all this winter fun or simply want to watch the thrills and spills, come inside our spacious lodge, relax and enjoy the panoramic view from our lounge or glass atrium that overlooks the mountain base and beginner slope. Warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or a bowl of homemade soup or try one of our daily specials in our full service cafeteria.

Outdoor Winter Activities
Skiing
Snowboarding

Ski Area Features . . .
Rental equipment
Ski lessons for children
Ski lessons for adults
Snowboard lessons for children
Snowboard lessons for adults