Family & Individual Visits as well as Group Visits are offered seasonally or by prior booking or just come at your leisure during the visiting times. Maps are provided for your use during your visit and you are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy on the farm.

We also have Special Events at Rainbeau Ridge, so press blue button for more information about the farm, kids events, CAP membership and Rainbeau Ridge.

Attractions
Annual Sheep Shearing event
Cooking classes in Lisa's kitchen
Garden produce
Goat cheese

Press blue button for more information about the Bedford Historical Society and its historic properties.

WeeZee… World of “YES, I Can!,” Westchester’s premier Health & Fitness Club for children of all abilities and skills at every level, features programs and activities that exercise and strengthen academic, athletic and social skills in a one-of-a-kind 16,000 square foot play center located at 480 Bedford Road in Chappaqua, NY. The programs at WeeZee are designed for kids of all abilities, ages 1-12; and features cutting-edge sensory, cognitive, athletic fitness equipment surrounded by special programs & activities. WeeZee offers the child over 50 choices of adventures & equipment to choose from. WeeZee’s staff is trained to motivate the child to improve performance by challenging their intellectual curiosity, inspire adventure and confidence while making friends.

WeeZee is open from 8am to 9pm, seven days a week and offers pricing packages that start as low as $50 per month. Limited registration is still being accepted for SENSATIONAL! Summer Camp running through August 31st. Registration for its new fully-supervised and structured after school program has just opened. Please visit www.WeeZeeWorld.com at 480 Bedford Road, Chappaqua, NY 10514 in Westchester County or call 914-752-2100 for more info.

Click to enlarge picture of "Croton Gorge Spillway"

Croton Gorge Park, a 97-acre property, is located at Route 129, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10520 in Westchester County. The Park is located at the base of the New Croton Dam, and affords impressive views of the dam and spillway. The Croton River begins here. The bridge that spans the Croton River offers beautiful views of the spectacular spillway.

Click to enlarge picture of "Croton Gorge Park - Water Views".

"The Old Croton Dam, built to supply New York City with water, was the first large masonry dam in the United States. Completed in 1842, it was the prototype for many municipal water supply dams in the east during the mid-nineteenth century. The city’s needs, however, soon outgrew the Croton Dam water supply. "Consequently, work began on the New Croton Dam, also called the Cornell Dam because of its location on land purchased from A.B. Cornell, in 1893. Completed in 1907, the Cornell Dam stands over 200 feet high. The Croton Reservoir has a capacity of about 34 billion gallons of water with a watershed covering 177 square miles." Source: Westchestergov.com

Click to enlarge picture of "Croton Dam Plaza Lookout".

Visit Croton Gorge Park. The park offers many activities such as fishing, picnicking, biking, and hiking trails (with direct trail access to New York State’s Old Croton Aqueduct). Croton Gorge Park is also available for winter activities such as cross-country skiing and sledding.

Click to enlarge picture of the falls at Croton Dam Plaza

Enjoy walking, picnicking, ball fields, and spectacular views of the spillway from the base of Croton Dam Plaza. A playground for small children is available just a short walk from this spot.

Press blue button for more information about the New Croton Dam at Croton Gorge Park. Learn more about the history of the Old Croton Dam.

Things To Do at Croton Gorge Park
Ball Fields
Biking Trails
Fishing
Hiking Trails / Walking
Nature Study
Picnicking
Playground
Restrooms

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing
Sledding

Wheelchair Accessible
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.

"Sloane’s son-in-law and daughter, Dr. and Mrs. Robert L. Patterson, Jr., gave this majestic property to the people of Westchester, “so that present and future generations ... will be able to use, see, and enjoy it [for] conservation, educational, cultural, intellectual, historical, and recreational purposes.” A County Park, the 130-acre estate includes a 26-room Georgian Revival mansion, carriage house, farm buildings, formal gardens, natural woodlands, rolling hills and meadows, and over two miles of trails.

"In September 2009, an innovative public-private partnership between Westchester County and Copland House was launched to realize the Pattersons’ sweeping vision, and establish a unique creative center at Merestead, which will serve as an extension of Copland House’s acclaimed musical, educational, and public programs. This extraordinary collaboration preserves a large parcel of open land, revives one of Westchester’s last great country estates, and creates a singular institution that champions American music and the arts—and makes all of this accessible to the public."

Press blue button for events and tickets, school and community programs, education, composers, and more about Copland House at Merestead.

Attractions at Copland House at Merestead
Concerts
Educational Programs
Events
Hiking
Historic Site

Click to enlarge pictures of "Ward Pound Ridge - Biodiversity Reserve Area" sign.

The sign reads:
On February 15, 2001
The Westchester County Parks Board designated
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
a Biodiversity Reserve Area for the
protection of wildlife habitat.

Click to enlarge pictures of "Important Bird Area" sign.

The sign reads:
Important Bird Area
This site is part of a global
network of places recognized
for their outstanding value
to bird conservation
Audubon

"The museum exhibits specimen birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, minerals, American Indian artifacts, and also houses the Delaware Indian Resource Center. Nature interpretive programs are offered weekly.

"The museum hosts thousands of school children and scouts each year for a variety of educational programs including stream study, American Indian culture, maple sugaring, and badge work. Family-oriented nature programs are scheduled for the general public on nearly every weekend.

"The Trailside Nature Museum is also the home of the Delaware Indian Research Center, a vast collection of books and artifacts concerning American Indians, especially the Delaware. The Research Center is well utilized by both students and educators and has assisted several authors in researching their publications. The Research Center is open to the public by appointment.

"During the summer months, butterfly and moth hatcheries are maintained inside the museum for a close look at the miracle of metamorphosis. Be sure to go butterflying at the outside demonstration butterfly garden which attracts parades of butterflies. The brochure Butterflies of Ward Pound Ridge Reservation lists 83 species that have been seen on the grounds.

"Birds of field and forest abound throughout the year. Birds of Ward Pound Ridge Reservation contain a checklist of the 184 species recorded in the park to date.

"In addition, there is a one-half acre wildflower garden containing more than 80 different kinds of labeled wildflowers. There are several self-guided nature trails – directions and pamphlets are available in the museum."

Press blue button for hours, programs and activities, Wildflower Garden, Delaware Indian Center, Biodiversity Research, Arts in the Park, and more about the Trailside Nature Museum in Ward Pound Ridge Reservation at The Friends of the Trailside Nature Museum and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.

Things To Do at Trailside Nature Museum
Art Gallery (Located in historic Benedict Homestead)
Biodiversity Research
Bird Watching
Birthday Parties (Educational programs offered as birthday parties for any age.)
Educational Programs
Fishing (Catch & Release - Artificial lures only)
Hiking Trails (35 miles of hiking trails)
Nature Programs
Picnicking (
Self Guided Nature Trails
Souvenir Shop
Trailside Nature Museum
Wildflower Garden

See attractions and more things to do at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.

Ward Pound Ridge Park offers different landscapes and scenic views throughout its 4,315 acres. You'll find open terrain, woods, meadows of open fields sprinkled with wild flowers, fallen trees, old barns, and open space.

Click to enlarge picture of the main road in Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.

The park offers different landscapes during the seasons. Whether you visit the park in spring, summer, fall, or winter, you will experience the natural landscape and beauty of Ward Pound Ridge with its wetlands, wooded areas, places to cross-country ski, and fabulous fishing spots. Park attractions also include camping sites, playgrounds for younger kids, the Trailside Nature Museum and more.

Click to enlarge picture of "Kimberly Bridge Picnic Area".

Kimberly Bridge Picnic Area is the perfect spot to go bird watching, fishing, hiking, or relax with a picnic as you enjoy the serenity of the brook.

Ward Pound Ridge is also home to the Trailside Nature Museum, that hosts weekend nature interpretive programs, and the Art in Parks program, where exhibitions of work by accomplished regional artists are held throughout the year.

Ward Pound Ridge offers hiking trails, fishing spots (catch & release), birding, nature trails, and vistas for the photographer, painter, and nature lover. Depending on where you are in the park, given the large size of Ward Pound Ridge, you can experience the park in many different ways.

With its varied terrain, landscapes and miles of wooded trails, the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation provides a variety of activities in all seasons. There are areas for picnicking, lean-to camping, fishing, cross-country skiing, and two playgrounds for younger children. The park is also home to the Trailside Nature Museum, which hosts weekend nature interpretive programs year-round.

Hiking Trails
Ward Pound Ridge offers approximately 35 miles of hiking trails among meadows, woods, wetlands, and cross-country ski areas. Hiking trails are available for beginners, intermediate, or advanced hikers.

"You could easily while away a couple of days on the trails here and still not see the entire park. Its sublime scenery is a marvelous medley of hardwood forests, glacial ridges, lowland bogs, granite outcroppings and high-rising bluffs, with a couple of ravines, a river, and a far-reaching viewpoint as added attractions. The main trails are wide and very popular with family groups, while many narrower routes provide a more rugged experience. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is the largest preserve in the Westchester County Parks system . . . It is also the most beautiful of the county's parks, where litter on the ground is as rare as candy in a dentist's office, and the camping shelters (stone lean-tos constructed by the CCC more than 60 years ago) are raked clean by park personnel. Scenery: Swamps, hemlock, laurel, and hardwood forests, impressive rock outcroppings, scenic overlook of Cross River Reservoir, and historic cave." Visit www.trails.com for more about the Ward Pound Ridge Main Loop.

Audubon Society of Westchester
"Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is a mixture of streams, woodland and open fields. Bluebirds can be common here and the park offers good birding even in the middle of summer due to large list of breeding birds. They include: Cooper's and Goshawks, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Belted Kingfisher, Yellow-throated , Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos, Brown Creeper, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 14 species of warblers including Black-throated Green, Worm-eating and Pine Warblers." Ward Pound Ridge is also the best park to watch butterflies in New York. Visit Hudson River Audubon Society of Westchester for more about bird watching at Ward Pound Ridge.

Please remember: "Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is a Biodiversity Reserve Area. Help to take care of this unique and beautiful space by following our simple stewardship rules."

Press blue button for location of Ward Pound Ridge, map (or pick-up a map at the tool booth park office) and reservation trails and facilities, parking, restrooms, and more about Westchester County's largest park.

Things To Do at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
Art Gallery (Located in historic Benedict Homestead)
Biking on roads only (no biking on trails)
Bird Watching
Butterfly Watching
Camping (Lean-to and Tent sites)
Equestrian Trails & Horseback Riding
Fishing (Catch & Release - Artificial lures only)
Family oriented nature programs at Trailside Museum
Hiking Trails (35 miles of walking & hiking)
Map Available
Picnicking (
Playgrounds in two areas of the park
Restrooms and Porta-toilets
Trailside Nature Museum
Wildflower Garden

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing
Skiing on open fields
Sledding on Pell Hill
Snow-Shoeing

The Croton Point Nature Center located on the northwest tip of the park, displays exhibits about the Hudson River, local history, flora and fauna, and archeology. The center hosts weekly programs, including nature walks, presentation on area history, and arts and crafts workshops. The center is also the headquarters for the Material Archives and Laboratory for Archaeology.

Explore four miles of Hudson River shoreline at Croton Point Nature Center. The grounds attract Bald Eagles, and is designated an Important Bird Area (IBA). A capped landfill is now a vast meadow abundant in species of birds and butterflies. The park's historical structures are designated as a historic district.

Special Interest: Treaty Oak Monument, Meadow, Brickyard Excavation, Teller's Point and English Yews, Croton Bay, The Wine Cellars, Conifer Forest

Things To Do at Croton Point Nature Center
Baseball Fields
Birding | Bird Watching (IBA)
Bird Sanctuary
Cultural History Programs
Hiking Trails
Historic District
Museum
Nature Center
Picnicking
Restrooms

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing
Sledding

Wheelchair Accessible
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.

"This park offers year-round events and activities and has facilities for camping, hiking and swimming. The park, rich in natural and human history, is also the site of historic wine cellars that are thought of be the oldest in New York State and the Croton Point Nature Center.

"The oldest oyster shell middens on the North Atlantic Coast uncovered by archeologists on Croton Point confirm that the peninsula was inhabited by Native Americans as early as 7,000 years ago. Croton is in fact named for the Indian sachem, Kenoten, which means "wild wind.” In the 17th century, Indians of the Kitchawank tribe on the Wappinger Confederacy occupied a large fortified village on the high flat at the neck of Croton Point, which they called Navish. This was one of the most ancient and formidable Indian fortresses south of the Hudson Highlands.

"The oldest oyster shell middens on the North Atlantic Coast uncovered by archeologists on Croton Point confirm that the peninsula was inhabited by Native Americans as early as 7,000 years ago. Croton is, in fact, named for the Indian sachem, Kenoten, which means "wild wind.” In the 17th century, Indians of the Kitchawank tribe on the Wappinger Confederacy occupied a large fortified village on the high flat at the neck of Croton Point, which they called Navish. This was one of the most ancient and formidable Indian fortresses south of the Hudson Highlands. A marsh known by the Indians as “Senasqua” separates the Point from Croton Neck, and a plaque marks the spot where a peace treaty was signed with the Kitchawank tribe.

"Cornelius Van Bursum was the first to purchase Croton Point from the Indians in 1682. A few years later William and Sara Teller were given permission to live on the point and operate an Indian trading post. In the 18th century the area came to be known as Teller’s Point. Soon after, Stephanus Van Cortlandt incorporated the property into his Cortlandt Manor. By the end of the 18th century the Tellers, who married into the Van Cortlandt family, were in full possession of Croton Point. The Van Cortlandt Manor House still stands on the Croton River east of Croton Point Park."

Croton Point Park and the Revolutionary War
"Although several military actions took place here, many involving invasions by the British, the most notorious was connected with the attempted betrayal of West Point by Benedict Arnold and the capture of his British confederate, Major John Andre." Learn more about Benedict Arnold in the American Revolution.

Press blue button for more history and information about Croton Point Park

Things To Do at Croton Point Park
Beach access
Boat Launch
Camping
Fishing
Food Service
Hiking Trails /Walking
Museum (Historic features)
Nature centers & study
Picnicking
Playground
Restrooms
Swimming

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing
Sledding

Wheelchair Accessible
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.

A National Historic Landmark, the 18th-century stone manor house is the centerpiece of the property. It features a fine collection of Georgian and Federal period furnishings, many original to Van Cortlandt Manor. Of particular note is an extraordinary kitchen on the ground floor, with original hearth, beehive oven, and extensive collection of cooking equipment and utensils. Also on the grounds is an 18th-century tavern situated on the historic Albany Post Road at the site of a ferry crossing over the Croton River. The tavern showcases an extraordinary collection of vernacular Hudson River Valley furnishings and evokes fascinating tales of travel and transport in the post-revolutionary period.

Press blue button for photos and more information about Van Cortlandt Manor.

Attractions
Children's Birthday Party
Gardens
Guided tours of the house and grounds
Stone manor house
Tenant farmer's house and tavern

The word is Great fun for the kids and children of all ages, as costumed guides demonstrate and invite visitors to try blacksmithing, brick making, open-hearth cooking and more from the past.

A Bit of History
During the 1830s New York City was in dire need of a fresh water supply to combat the steady rise of disease and to fight numerous fires that often engulfed large tracts of businesses and homes. After numerous proposals and an abandoned plan two years into its production, construction of an unprecedented magnitude began in 1837 under the expertise of John Bloomfield Jervis. The proposed plan called for a 41 mile aqueduct and dam to be built in order to run water from the Croton River to New York City. Three to four thousand workers, mostly Irish immigrants earning up to $1.00 per day, completed the masonry marvel in just five years. In 1842 water flowed into above ground reservoirs located at the present sites of the New York Public Library and the Great Lawn of Central Park. Throngs of people attended the formal celebration held on October 14th and celebrated with "Croton cocktails" - a mix of Croton water and lemonade.

In 1968, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation purchased 26.2 miles of the original 41 mile aqueduct from New York City. Presently, Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park is a linear park which runs from Van Cortlandt Park at the Bronx County/City of Yonkers border to the Croton Dam in Cortlandt. In 1987 a section was reopened to supply the Town of Ossining and in 1992 the Old Croton Aqueduct was awarded National Historic Landmark Status.

The scenic path over the underground aqueduct winds through urban centers and small communities. It passes near numerous historic sites, preserves, a museum highlighting the construction of the Aqueduct, and many homes. The Aqueduct’s grassy ceiling provides abundant recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. While primarily for walking and running, parts of the trail are suitable for horseback riding, biking (except during “mud season”), bird watching, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing.

Press blue button for directions, activities, and more about the history of the Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park.

Things To Do at Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park
Biking
Birding
Bridle Path
Hiking
Interpretive Signs
Nature Trails
Self Guided Tours

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing
Snowshoeing

Note:
Individual seats are sold for Children's Theatre. All tables are considered to be shared.

There is no food service for Children's Theatre productions.

Press blue button for more about Children's Theatre at the Westchester Broadway Theatre.

The Great Hunger Memorial “A section of V. E. Macy Park has been renamed so that the history of the Irish who fled to Westchester in the 1840s to escape poverty and famine will never be forgotten".

Point of Interest: The Great Hunger Memorial

Things To Do
Fishing
Great Hunger Memorial
Picnicking
Playground

Winter Activities
Cross-country Skiing
Ice Skating

Caramoor's House Museum has twenty rooms that are open to the public. These rooms are filled with an extraordinary collection of paintings, sculpture, tapestries, stained glass, furniture, cloisonné, and an important jade collection.

A Bit of History
Caramoor is the legacy of Walter and Lucie Rosen, who established the estate and built a great house as its centerpiece, filling it with treasures collected on their travels. Walter Rosen was the master planner, bringing to reality his dream of creating a place to entertain friends from around the world. Their legendary musical evenings were the seeds of today's International Music Festival that is held annually on the estate.

The Rosen's had two children, Walter and Anne. In 1944, during the Second World War, while flying for the RAF, Walter was killed returning from a raid in Germany. His absence from the house was keenly felt and it prompted his parents to act on their previously discussed plans to preserve the artistic and musical heritage of Caramoor. In 1945, the Rosens bequeathed the Caramoor estate as a center for music and art in memory of their son.

In the summer, come early, explore Caramoor's beautiful grounds, take a tour of the House Museum, enjoy a pre-concert picnic, and discover wonderful music in a relaxed setting. With its unique heritage, Caramoor remains a place where you can experience magical summer days and nights. Year round, select from the many venues and programs.

Press blue button for Music Festival, House Museum and Gardens, upcoming concerts and more about Caramoor.

Things to Do at Caramoor
Birthday Parties
Family Concerts
Gardens & Grounds
Historic Site
International Music Festival
Jazz Festival
Museum
Programs for Families
Summer Music Festival

History of Chief Justice John Jay
"Nestled in the rolling Westchester countryside is the gracious home and farm of John Jay (1745-1829), one of America's principal Founding Fathers. Jay co-authored the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War, and the Federalist Papers, which aided ratification of the U.S. Constitution. He served as President of the Continental Congress, U.S. Secretary for Foreign Affairs, first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, and the second governor of New York State.

"During many years of devoted service to the State and the Nation, he looked forward to the day when he would retire with his wife and children to "the house on my farm in Westchester County. The land where John Jay lived his later years was purchased in 1703 by his maternal grandfather, Jacobus Van Cortlandt. By 1800 Jay had acquired, by inheritance and by purchase, 750 acres of property near Bedford, New York. In 1799 he began construction of a comfortable 24-room farmhouse. He moved there in 1801, after his retirement from politics. Tragically, Jay's wife Sarah died only months after moving to their new home. John Jay never remarried and lived as a gentleman farmer until his death in 1829.

"His son William (1789-1858) inherited the house and farm; he later became a leading figure in the struggle to end slavery. William's son John Jay II (1817-1894) inherited the property and upon his death it was given to his son Colonel William Jay (1841-1915). The Colonels' daughter, Eleanor Jay Iselin (1882-1953) was the last of the family to use the property as a full time residence. In 1958 the house and thirty of the original acres were purchased from Eleanor Jay Iselin's heirs by Westchester County and transferred to the State of New York, which opened it to the public in 1964 as John Jay Homestead State Historic Site."

John Jay: First Chief-Justice of the United States
The annexed sketch of his life is from Blake's Biographical Dictionary: "John Jay, LL.D., first chief-justice of the United States under the constitution of 1789, graduated at Kings, (now Columbia College) in 1764 and in 1768 was admitted to the bar. He was appointed to the first American congress in 1774. Being on the committee with Lee and Livingston to draft an address to the people of Great Britain, he was the writer of the eloquent production. In the congress of 1775, he was on various important committees, performing more service perhaps than any other member except Franklin and John Adams."

In May, 1776, he was recalled to assist in forming the government of New York, and in consequence his name is not attached to the Declaration of Independence . . . Though not a member of the convention, which formed the constitution of the United States, he was present at Annapolis and aided by his advice. He also assisted Madison and Hamilton in writing the Federalist. In the convention of New York he contributed to the adoption of the constitution. He was appointed chief justice by Washington, December 26, 1789. In 1794, he was appointed minister plenipotentiary to Great Britain, and succeeded in negotiating the treaty that still goes by his name. Chief-Justice John Jay was governor of the state of New York from 1795 to 1801.

Anti-Slavery Movement
John Jay and his family retired to his farm in Bedford. Upon John Jay's death in 1829, the farm and home were inherited by William Jay, John's second son. William Jay became a prominent leader of abolitionists, and the Homestead became a center in the anti-slavery movement.

Press blue button to learn more about attractions and the history of the John Jay Homestead.

Things To Do at John Jay Homestead
Audio-Visual Programs*
Birthday Parties
Bridle Paths
Demonstrations*
Educational Programs K-12*
Gardens
Gift Shop*
Group Tours*
Hiking
Historic House
Interpretive Sign
Picnic Area
Scenic Views
Special Exhibitions

* Wheelchair Accessible
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.

More than seven miles of hiking trails allow visitors to explore some of Muscoot's 777 acres through fields, woodlands and wetlands. Trail maps are available in the reception center. For the protection of our animals and our visitors, petting and feeding of the farm animals is not permitted and dogs are not allowed at Muscoot.

Today, Muscoot Farm has many of the original buildings, some of which were moved to accommodate the Muscoot Reservoir. Visitors can walk through the dairy barn, milk house, ice house, blacksmith shop and several other barns and buildings. Livestock and poultry are breeds typical of an early 20th century gentleman's farm and many represent minor rare breeds. The Main House is used to exhibit monthly art shows by local artists.

Things To Do at Muscoot Farm
Art Exhibit and Art Gallery
Birthday Parties
Farm Museum
Guided farm walking tour
Hayrides
Herb Garden
Hiking trails and walking paths
Historic buildings, circa 1880
Kids attractions on the farm
Nature trails
Young Farmers Program (children grades 3 through 8)

Please Note
Dogs are not allowed at Muscoot Farm.

“I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.” Anna Quindlen, “Enough Bookshelves,” August 7, 1991

The Voracious Reader began, in part, for want of more bookshelves and always, always, more books. Perhaps, just as wonderful as an overabundance of books, was the thought of scores of eager young readers with whom they might be shared.

We had the very good fortune of opening our doors to just such voracious readers in the spring of 2007. In they flocked with their delighted parents, beloved aunts and uncles, doting grandparents, attentive nannies ... and best of all, their insatiable appetites for wonderful books of all sorts.

More than a bookstore, The Voracious Reader hopes to serve as a community hub for young readers and their families and helpers, offering reading clubs, workshops, story times, book-themed birthday parties, author signings, events and more.

"Sloane’s son-in-law and daughter, Dr. and Mrs. Robert L. Patterson, Jr., gave this majestic property to the people of Westchester, “so that present and future generations ... will be able to use, see, and enjoy it [for] conservation, educational, cultural, intellectual, historical, and recreational purposes.” A County Park, the 130-acre estate includes a 26-room Georgian Revival mansion, carriage house, farm buildings, formal gardens, natural woodlands, rolling hills and meadows, and over two miles of trails.

"In September 2009, an innovative public-private partnership between Westchester County and Copland House was launched to realize the Pattersons’ sweeping vision, and establish a unique creative center at Merestead, which will serve as an extension of Copland House’s acclaimed musical, educational, and public programs. This extraordinary collaboration preserves a large parcel of open land, revives one of Westchester’s last great country estates, and creates a singular institution that champions American music and the arts—and makes all of this accessible to the public."

Press blue button for events and tickets, school and community programs, education, composers, and more about Copland House at Merestead.

Attractions at Copland House at Merestead
Concerts
Educational Programs
Events
Hiking Trails
Historic Site

The construction of the Thomas Paine Memorial Building began May 30,1925 when the great American inventor Thomas A. Edison turned the first spade full of earth. For many years, this beautiful old building has housed the library and museum collection.

Press blue button to explore the Thomas Paine National Historical Association.

From the Children's Theatre Company "Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to building character on stage by introducing children and youth to the incomparable magic of theatre, with a commitment to develop in each child a keen sense of citizenship alongside their artistic achievements. This Program made possible by the Peekskill/Cortlandt Baha’i community in association with the Children’s Theatre Company, NYC and Peekskill Parks and Recreation.

“Building Character Onstage”, the Company fosters the belief that, through the arts, young people can be agents of healing in the world. Committed to character and ethical development, CTC is rooted in the belief that through the incomparable magic of theater combined with a robust ethical education curriculum, children and youth can indeed become the voices of positive change.

"CTC promotes theater as a tool for active and analytical learning (rather than prescribed and passive), and is centered on a pedagogical and community development approach which emphasizes a culture of inclusivity and service through arts."

Press blue button for more about The Children's Theatre Company of Peekskill and their current productions.

Press blue button for more about Exhibition, Arts-in-Residence, Education and Public Outreach, and Special Projects programs at the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art website.

From LVP:
"Welcome to Little Village Playhouse. We are a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt not for profit corporation based in Pleasantville, New York.

"At LVP, we endeavor to create a safe environment where students feel free to explore the artistic process and express themselves without fear of ridicule. We encourage thinking skills rather than rote memorization and spoon-fed direction. We believe that every child has an intellectual and imaginative voice that should be respected and heard."

"Sourcing from the surrounding fields and pasture, as well as other local farms, Blue Hill at Stone Barns highlights the abundant resources of the Hudson Valley. There are no menus at Blue Hill at Stone Barns. Instead, guests are presented with a list of over a hundred ingredients, updated daily, which contains the best offerings from the field and market."

Press blue button for the farm, the markets, recipes, education, and more about dining at Blue Hill at Stone Barns.

Restaurant Review

The word is "If you are open to trying new things and want an elegant and unique dining experience" have at least one dinner at Blue Hill. Most agree that "it was fantastic and look forward to going back". Before booking, check prices on their website menu. Blue Hill is "very expensive, but . . . the food was not only delicious, fresh and nutritious, it was a work of art." Most agree that although pricey "be prepared to be amazed" as even the service was impeccable". A few do not agree as they exclaim "a lot of pomp, a little protein (small portions) and an extraordinary bill".

Things To Do at Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture
Children's Programs
College Programs
Cooking Classes
Cooks and Gardeners
Farm Camp
Farming Classes
School Programs
Sustainable farming practices
Teacher Training

Learn more about Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture at Stone Barns for Kids and Educators

Restaurant Review

The word is from the owners "A respite for hikers and moms with active toddlers, Blue Hill Café offers light snacks, farm-fresh lattes, and jars full of locally grown goodies. Warm Paninis made from Hudson Valley cheeses and our greenhouse vegetables and fresh sausages created right in Blue Hill's kitchen are available to eat in the courtyard or to take on a walk around the farm."

Completed in 1913 for John D. Rockefeller by architects Delano and Aldrich, Kykuit has been home to four generations of the Rockefeller family. Kykuit commands a breathtaking view of the Hudson River and occupies a landscape of extensive stone terraces, formal gardens, and glorious fountains designed by landscape architect William Welles Bosworth. The gardens include Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller's extraordinary collection of 20th-century sculpture. The house itself contains fascinating collections of art, fine furniture, and Chinese ceramics. Horse-drawn vehicles and classic automobiles from the family's collection fill the coach barn.

Tours include an introduction to each part of Kykuit, the main floor of the house, the art galleries, terraced gardens with classical and 20th-century sculpture, and the Coach Barn with antique carriages and classic cars. The sculpture collection, sited throughout the grounds, includes works by Pablo Picasso, Aristide Maillol, Henry Moore, Alexander Calder, Isamu Noguchi, Louise Nevelson, and many others.

On behalf of his family, Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller commissioned Matisse to create a rose window in memory of his mother Abby Aldrich Rockefeller (1874-1948), a distinguished patron of the arts, a founder of the Museum of Modern Art, and wife of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Before his death, Matisse had finished the design and had also selected the colors and exact type of glass to be used in the window. His daughter carried out his instructions, and the window was dedicated on Mother's, Day 1956.

David Rockefeller, representing his brothers and sister, commissioned Chagall in 1963 to design a similar memorial to their father, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. who had died in 1960. The large window "The Good Samaritan" was installed and dedicated in 1965. Chagall created eight smaller windows in the sanctuary, seven of which are devoted to Old Testament subjects. The eighth window, established as a memorial to Michael Rockefeller (1938-1961) who was lost in New Guinea, has a New Testament theme.

Attractions at Union Church of Pocantico Hills
Stained glass windows by Marc Chagall
Stained glass windows by Henri Matisse

"The purpose of this Society shall be to bring together those people interested in history and especially the history of Pound Ridge and environs. Understanding the history of our community is basic to our democratic way of life, gives us a better understanding of our state and nation, and promotes a better appreciation of our American heritage."

The society maintains a museum/library at 255 Westchester Ave in Pound Ridge. The building was erected in 1853 by the Presbyterian Church of Pound Ridge to serve as a lecture room. In 1921, the building was sold to the town of Pound Ridge for use as a Town Hall. The building was leased to the Historical Society in 1982.

Press blue button for events, history, and more about the Pound Ridge Historical Society.

Click to enlarge pictures of "Ward Pound Ridge - Biodiversity Reserve Area" sign.

The sign reads:
On February 15, 2001
The Westchester County Parks Board designated
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
a Biodiversity Reserve Area for the
protection of wildlife habitat.

Click to enlarge pictures of "Important Bird Area" sign.

The sign reads:
Important Bird Area
This site is part of a global
network of places recognized
for their outstanding value
to bird conservation
Audubon

"The museum exhibits specimen birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, minerals, American Indian artifacts, and also houses the Delaware Indian Resource Center. Nature interpretive programs are offered weekly.

"The museum hosts thousands of school children and scouts each year for a variety of educational programs including stream study, American Indian culture, maple sugaring, and badge work. Family-oriented nature programs are scheduled for the general public on nearly every weekend.

"The Trailside Nature Museum is also the home of the Delaware Indian Research Center, a vast collection of books and artifacts concerning American Indians, especially the Delaware. The Research Center is well utilized by both students and educators and has assisted several authors in researching their publications. The Research Center is open to the public by appointment.

"During the summer months, butterfly and moth hatcheries are maintained inside the museum for a close look at the miracle of metamorphosis. Be sure to go butterflying at the outside demonstration butterfly garden which attracts parades of butterflies. The brochure Butterflies of Ward Pound Ridge Reservation lists 83 species that have been seen on the grounds.

"Birds of field and forest abound throughout the year. Birds of Ward Pound Ridge Reservation contain a checklist of the 184 species recorded in the park to date.

"In addition, there is a one-half acre wildflower garden containing more than 80 different kinds of labeled wildflowers. There are several self-guided nature trails – directions and pamphlets are available in the museum."

Press blue button for hours, programs and activities, Wildflower Garden, Delaware Indian Center, Biodiversity Research, Arts in the Park, and more about the Trailside Nature Museum in Ward Pound Ridge Reservation at The Friends of the Trailside Nature Museum and Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.

Things To Do at Trailside Nature Museum
Art Gallery (Located in historic Benedict Homestead)
Biodiversity Research
Bird Watching
Birthday Parties (Educational programs offered as birthday parties for any age.)
Educational Programs
Fishing (Catch & Release - Artificial lures only)
Hiking Trails (35 miles of hiking trails)
Nature Programs
Picnicking (
Self Guided Nature Trails
Souvenir Shop
Trailside Nature Museum
Wildflower Garden

See attractions and more things to do at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.

Ward Pound Ridge Park offers different landscapes and scenic views throughout its 4,315 acres. You'll find open terrain, woods, meadows of open fields sprinkled with wild flowers, fallen trees, old barns, and open space.

Click to enlarge picture of the main road in Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.

The park offers different landscapes during the seasons. Whether you visit the park in spring, summer, fall, or winter, you will experience the natural landscape and beauty of Ward Pound Ridge with its wetlands, wooded areas, places to cross-country ski, and fabulous fishing spots. Park attractions also include camping sites, playgrounds for younger kids, the Trailside Nature Museum and more.

Click to enlarge picture of "Kimberly Bridge Picnic Area".

Kimberly Bridge Picnic Area is the perfect spot to go bird watching, fishing, hiking, or relax with a picnic as you enjoy the serenity of the brook.

Ward Pound Ridge is also home to the Trailside Nature Museum, that hosts weekend nature interpretive programs, and the Art in Parks program, where exhibitions of work by accomplished regional artists are held throughout the year.

Ward Pound Ridge offers hiking trails, fishing spots (catch & release), birding, nature trails, and vistas for the photographer, painter, and nature lover. Depending on where you are in the park, given the large size of Ward Pound Ridge, you can experience the park in many different ways.

With its varied terrain, landscapes and miles of wooded trails, the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation provides a variety of activities in all seasons. There are areas for picnicking, lean-to camping, fishing, cross-country skiing, and two playgrounds for younger children. The park is also home to the Trailside Nature Museum, which hosts weekend nature interpretive programs year-round.

Hiking Trails
Ward Pound Ridge offers approximately 35 miles of hiking trails among meadows, woods, wetlands, and cross-country ski areas. Hiking trails are available for beginners, intermediate, or advanced hikers.

"You could easily while away a couple of days on the trails here and still not see the entire park. Its sublime scenery is a marvelous medley of hardwood forests, glacial ridges, lowland bogs, granite outcroppings and high-rising bluffs, with a couple of ravines, a river, and a far-reaching viewpoint as added attractions. The main trails are wide and very popular with family groups, while many narrower routes provide a more rugged experience. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is the largest preserve in the Westchester County Parks system . . . It is also the most beautiful of the county's parks, where litter on the ground is as rare as candy in a dentist's office, and the camping shelters (stone lean-tos constructed by the CCC more than 60 years ago) are raked clean by park personnel. Scenery: Swamps, hemlock, laurel, and hardwood forests, impressive rock outcroppings, scenic overlook of Cross River Reservoir, and historic cave." Visit www.trails.com for more about the Ward Pound Ridge Main Loop.

Audubon Society of Westchester
"Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is a mixture of streams, woodland and open fields. Bluebirds can be common here and the park offers good birding even in the middle of summer due to large list of breeding birds. They include: Cooper's and Goshawks, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Belted Kingfisher, Yellow-throated , Warbling and Red-eyed Vireos, Brown Creeper, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, 14 species of warblers including Black-throated Green, Worm-eating and Pine Warblers." Ward Pound Ridge is also the best park to watch butterflies in New York. Visit Hudson River Audubon Society of Westchester for more about bird watching at Ward Pound Ridge.

Please remember: "Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is a Biodiversity Reserve Area. Help to take care of this unique and beautiful space by following our simple stewardship rules."

Press blue button for location of Ward Pound Ridge, map (or pick-up a map at the tool booth park office) and reservation trails and facilities, parking, restrooms, and more about Westchester County's largest park.

Things To Do at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
Art Gallery (Located in historic Benedict Homestead)
Biking on roads only (no biking on trails)
Bird Watching
Butterfly Watching
Camping (Lean-to and Tent sites)
Equestrian Trails & Horseback Riding
Fishing (Catch & Release - Artificial lures only)
Family oriented nature programs at Trailside Museum
Hiking Trails (35 miles of walking & hiking)
Map Available
Picnicking (
Playgrounds in two areas of the park
Restrooms and Porta-toilets
Trailside Nature Museum
Wildflower Garden

Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing
Skiing on open fields
Sledding on Pell Hill
Snow-Shoeing

This world acclaimed sculpture collection is beautifully situated on the immaculately tended gardens on the grounds of PepsiCo Headquarters. The garden was designed by Russell Page. The Sculpture Gardens include works by Alexander Calder, Joan Miró, Alberto Giacometti, Henry Moore, George Segal, Jean Dubuffet, Auguste Rodin and Max Ernst.

The Sculpture Gardens is a collection of 45 sculptures by some of the best-known artists of the 20th century. Capricorn, Max Ernst’s largest freestanding sculpture is among the inspiring works. The grounds themselves are 168-acres of green lawns, trees, ponds, fountains, and landscaped gardens with a topiary, well-tended hedges, flower beds and water-lily ponds. These spectacular grounds were conceived as an integration of architecture, landscape, and sculpture. "It is a landscape exhibiting superior thought and attention, a thorough knowledge of plants, a respect for what has come before, and a working effort to remain true to a vision."

Things To Do at Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens

Map is available from the security guard at the headquarters entrance.
Admission is free.

The centerpiece of this National Historic Landmark is an 1838 Greek Revival mansion with soaring Corinthian columns built by Peter Augustus Jay atop the footprint of his father and grandfather’s original home “The Locusts” reusing original timbers and nails from the same house. Visitors can literally see the layers of history being uncovered here. The PA Jay House is being carefully restored and managed by the not-for-profit organization, the Jay Heritage Center (JHC) for use as an educational facility hosting Programs in American History, Social Justice, Landscape Conservation and Environmental Stewardship. The house is an official project of the Save America’s Treasures Program and at 170 years old, it is the oldest National Historic Landmark in New York State to be using an energy efficient geothermal heating and cooling system.

The Jay site is also listed on Westchester County’s African American Heritage Trail. John Jay is well known for advocating emancipation, serving as President of the Manumission Society and establishing the first African Free School. Press blue button for tour information, hours, and more about the Jay Heritage Center.

"The Westchester Children’s Museum will be a vibrant new learning center that nurtures curiosity, enhance knowledge, and ignite imagination in our children as they explore the history, arts, environment, and cultural diversity of their local and global communities.

"Imagine a light-filled, colorful, vibrant learning space filled with water play, physics, science, art, music, and nature, with places to climb, build, and examine - a place to discover who we are and where we live. The Westchester Children’s Museum will be a celebration of childhood. Exhibit areas will contain experiential laboratories, interactive art pieces, sculptural elements, hidden worlds, climbing structures, and physical connections to the outdoors. The museum’s exhibits and programs will draw from the region’s rich history, cultural diversity, flourishing ecosystems, and literary and artistic traditions."

• Highly innovative, dynamic, engaging, fun and enriching



• Appeal to audiences of different generations, backgrounds, emotional, physical, and learning abilities



• Present visitors with the opportunity for hands-on interaction



• Stimulate repeat visitation with changing exhibits, performances, and public programs

Press blue button for Westchester Museum Events and more information about The Westchester Children’s Museum.

Erected in 1882-1883, the lighthouse provided navigational aid to shipping on the Hudson and warned captains away from the dangerous shoals on the river's eastern shore. It is easily seen from the Tappan Zee Bridge, with the best viewing from Kingsland Point Park, located directly on the Hudson River.

Like all lighthouses on the Hudson, the 1883 Lighthouse at Sleepy Hollow was designed as a "family station," as the keeper and his family lived in the five-story structure year-round. The duties of the keeper were to perform the never-ending chores of maintaining the lighthouse and lamp and to operate the lamp every night as well as during inclement weather.

During its entire 78 years of service, the 1883 Lighthouse at Sleepy Hollow had a nearly perfect record of performance. When the bell mechanism malfunctioned (on several occasions), the keeper rang the bell by hand, at two-minute intervals, often for hours at a time. The constant beacon, a white light for the first eleven years, then a red light, and later a blinking red light, would guide vessels safely through darkness, fog and storms. Press blue button for information on visiting the Lighthouse at Sleepy Hollow.

The visitor center at Philipsburg, located on Rt. 9 in the village of Sleepy Hollow, offers a wide range of services and changing exhibitions, and also serves as the visitor center for Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate.

Philipsburg Manor is a late 17th/early 18th-century milling, farming, and trading complex owned by an Anglo-Dutch family of merchants. Philipsburg Manor was tenanted by farmers of diverse European backgrounds, and operated by enslaved Africans. In 1693, Frederick Philipse, a carpenter who rose to become the richest man in the colony of New York, was granted a charter for 52,000 acres along the Hudson River by William and Mary of England. Historically, the site is of particular interest because of the size of the enslaved community and the highly developed nature of this 18th-century commercial property.

Featuring a stone manor house filled with a handsome collection of 17th-and 18th-century period furnishings, this famous house also includes a working water-powered gristmill and millpond, an 18th-century barn, a slave garden, and a reconstructed tenant farm house. The grounds are home to historic breeds of cattle, sheep, and chickens.

Points of Interest: Philipsburg Manor is a living history museum. Guides in 18th-century costume conduct tours of the site and numerous special events are held throughout the year. One of many fun things to do with children in the Hudson River Valley.

Things To Do at Philipsburg Manor
Birthday Parties at Philipsburg Manor
Greenhouse Cafe
Picnic grounds
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery located next to Philipsburg Manor
Tour Philipsburg Manor Historic Site
Tours of Kykuit that originate at the Philipsburg Manor Visitor Tourist Center

The house that presently stands on this property was built in 1933 by Dr. Voislawsky after the original Van Cortlandt dwelling was destroyed by a fire. This three-story Colonial style mansion was modeled after George Washington’s Virginia home, Mount Vernon . . .

Enjoy the wonderful Midsummer Night Music Series featuring varied fare of classical, show tunes and more. Spend a magical evening under the stars and listen to the “Midsummer Night Music” concerts featuring the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra on four Saturdays this summer at Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial in Somers. Each concert will feature varied and exciting musical fare to appeal to music aficionados of all kinds, so pack a picnic supper, sit back and enjoy the music.

Things To Do at Lasdon Park Arboretum
Botanical Specimens
Chinese Friendship Pavilion
Formal Gardens
Open Grass Meadow

Midsummer Night Music concerts at Lasdon Park

Gates open at 5 pm for picnicking; the music begins at 6 pm. Tickets will be sold at the gate on the evening of the performance. In case of rain, concerts will be cancelled. Call for tickets prices.

The house that presently stands on this property was built in 1933 by Dr. Voislawsky after the original Van Cortlandt dwelling was destroyed by a fire. This three-story Colonial style mansion was modeled after George Washington’s Virginia home, Mount Vernon . . .

Enjoy the wonderful Midsummer Night Music Series featuring varied fare of classical, show tunes and more. Spend a magical evening under the stars and listen to the “Midsummer Night Music” concerts featuring the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra on four Saturdays this summer at Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial in Somers. Each concert will feature varied and exciting musical fare to appeal to music aficionados of all kinds, so pack a picnic supper, sit back and enjoy the music.

Things To Do at Lasdon Park Arboretum
Botanical Specimens
Chinese Friendship Pavilion
Formal Gardens
Open Grass Meadow

Midsummer Night Music concerts at Lasdon Park

Gates open at 5 pm for picnicking; the music begins at 6 pm. Tickets will be sold at the gate on the evening of the performance. In case of rain, concerts will be cancelled. Call for tickets prices.

The Wolf Conservation Center accomplishes this mission by:

• Promoting wolf conservation through education


• Supporting wolf reintroduction in federally designated areas that can sustain viable wolf populations


• Being the preeminent facility in the eastern United States for the captive breeding and pre-release of endangered wolf species


• Providing the natural habitat for a few captive wolves where observation of natural behavior is possible

• Wolves in the wild are not dangerous to people


• Wolves perform a vital role in the environment


• Wolves are not pets


• It is everyone's responsibility to do something each day to make the world a better place"

Press blue button to learn more about wolves, schedule a visit, checkout the events calendar, and learn more about the Wolf Conservation Center.

The architectural brilliance of the residence is complemented by a park-like landscape and a comprehensive collection of original decorative arts. Its noteworthy occupants included: former New York City mayor William Paulding, merchant George Merritt, and the railroad magnate and Wall Street tycoon Jay Gould.

In the late 1830s, William Paulding acquired property high above the Hudson River overlooking the Tappan Zee. Lyndhurst was first conceived in the minds of architects A. J. Davis and William Paulding who constructed the country villa in 1838 and called it "Knoll". In 1864 Lyndhurst was acquired by George Merritt who hired Davis to more than double its size. In 1870, they also built one of the largest private greenhouses in the world.

In 1880, Jay Gould purchased the estate and renamed it Lyndhurst. The 1870 greenhouse that burned was replaced in the Gothic Revival style. The Goulds redecorated the house and embellished the spectacular art gallery with works by Corot, Courbet, Bouguereau, and others.

The important "gardenesque" landscape is the work of Ferdinand Mangold, a master gardener who worked at Lyndhurst for forty years. Many of the landscape features created by Mangold, his predecessors, and successors, are preserved. The spectacular specimen trees are of special interest.

The romantic Gothic Revival design immediately drew attention to the building. Critics called it "Paulding's Folly" because its fanciful turrets and asymmetrical outline were unlike most homes constructed in the post-colonial era. Fascination with the property continued for decades and, as ideas of wealth and status changed with the growing nation, so did the estate, reflecting the tastes and interests of wealthy New York.

Walk from Lyndhurst to Washington Irving's Sunnyside
Lyndhurst is adjacent to Washington Irving's Sunnyside. The ability to walk between these two historic sites has a special appeal. At present, visitors may walk along the publicly maintained Croton Aqueduct Trail from Lyndhurst to West Sunnyside Lane. Walk the pathway connecting Lyndhurst and Sunnyside along the riverfront. If you are a tourist or local resident exploring the Hudson River Valley, be sure to include this landmark in your list of sights.

Things To Do at Lyndhurst Castle
Events at Lyndhurst
First Floor of Lyndhurst Castle is handicap accessible*
Hiking / Walking
Historic Site
Lyndhurst to Washington Irving's Sunnside
Museum Shop
Tour the castle
Virtual Tour

Wheelchair Accessible*
Accessible indicates that, to the extent practicable, the first floor of the mansion 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.

Washington Irving was born in New York City on April 3, 1783 (1783 - 1859) as the youngest of 11 children. His father was a wealthy merchant, and his mother, an English woman, was the granddaughter of a clergyman. Early in his life Irving developed a passion for books. He studied law privately but practiced only briefly. From 1804 to 1806 he travelled widely in Europe. After returning to the United States, Irving was admitted to the New York bar in 1806.

Washington Irving was a short story writer, essayist, poet, travel book writer, biographer, and columnist. He is best known for the short stories "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle". Washington Irving also held diplomatic posts in Great Britain and Spain.

Sunnyside is one of the most famous historic landmarks in the Hudson Valley. This important house and landscape enjoys a quiet and unspoiled riverside setting in Tarrytown, New York. Sunnyside is adjacent to Lyndhurst, a historic landmark of distinction open to the public, to which it is possible to walk via the Croton Aqueduct Trail.

Sunnyside and its Romantic landscape are presented to visitors by guides dressed in the costume of the mid-Victorian period. You may take a guided tour of the house and grounds, or purchase a grounds-only ticket for a self-guided experience.

Point of Interest: For children, Sunnyside offers "Irving's Traveling Totes" that come stuffed with five to seven engaging family activities, a brief guide, a Talk Back card for feedback related to the activities, and a blank book for visitor responses. Visitors can learn about Washington Irving by reading The Legend of Sleepy Hollow picture book and It Looks Like Spilt Milk, which, though not written by Irving, celebrates the life of the imagination, something Irving aspired to do. Children can play the Sunnyside Matching Card game and join in for a Scavenger Hunt. Dominoes, a 19th-century game, rounds out the experience. If you are a tourist or local resident exploring the Hudson River Valley, be sure to include this landmark in your list of places to see.

Attractions include: Seasonal Café, Sunnyside Tours, Museum Shop, Picnic Grounds.

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.

Bring your family and experience the wonder of the Hudson River Valley with special programs and events geared especially for children.

Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow, New York, may be the most popular site in the Hudson Valley for children. This working 17th century farm and trading center features demonstrations of early farm techniques with oxen, cows, and sheep. A working water-powered grist-mill is fascinating for children of all ages. Demonstrations of spinning and open-hearth cooking in the tenant farmer's house are scheduled frequently.

Press blue button for the current season's Concert Schedule, tickets, contact information, and more about the Performers of Westchester.

Battle-Whitney Park is a historical landmark in White Plains. This park commemorates the Battle of White Plains and the historic event that occurred on this site on October 28, 1776.

"Following their occupation of Manhattan Island, British forces under General William Howe chased George Washington’s retreating Continental Army into Westchester County. Washington’s troops amassed atop Chatterton Hill and other heights near White Plains, where the British and their Hessian auxiliaries attacked them on October 28, 1776. Although Howe was credited with a victory because Washington eventually withdrew, he allowed the Americans to retreat into New Jersey."

Signage at Site
Interpretive sign in Battle-Whitney Park, atop Chatterton Hill, recount the battle.

"During the Battle of White Plains, the Americans under General Washington were forced off Chatterton's Hill after inflicting heavy casualties on British troops, checking their advance into Westchester."

Historic Account of Battle of White Plains on Chatterton's Hill

"Chatterton's Hill, where the battle was fought, sixteen hundred Americans being engaged, is a commanding eminence west of the Bronx River, about a mile from White Plains. Washington's head-quarters, at the "Miller House," were to the north of the village, and east of that stream, the main body of the army being intrenched (entrenched) two miles beyond."

Wednesday, October 30
"At White Plains: Visits the several posts of the army. On the night of the 31st of October, General Washington withdrew his army to a very strong position upon the heights of North Castle, about two miles in the rear of his first encampment, and five from White Plains, where he caused new works of defense to be thrown up.

Wednesday, November 6
"At White Plains: "Yesterday morning the enemy made a sudden and unexpected movement from the several posts they had taken in our front. They broke up their whole encampments the preceding night and have advanced towards Kingsbridge and the North River. . . In consequence of this movement I called a council of general officers to-day to consult on such measures as should be adopted in case they pursued their retreat to New York."— Washington to the President of Congress.

"The council agreed unanimously, that, in case the enemy were retreating towards New York, it would be proper immediately to throw a body of troops into Jersey; that those raised on the west side of Hudson's River should be detached for this purpose, and that three thousand men should bo stationed at Peekskill and the passes of the Highlands.

Sunday, November 10
"At White Plains: "The late movement of the Enemy, and the probability of their having designs upon the Jerseys, (confirmed by sundry accounts from deserters and prisoners), rendering it necessary to throw a body of troops over the North River, I shall immediately follow, and the command of the army, which remains, (after General Heath's division marches to Peekskill,) will devolve upon you." - Washington to General Lee.

"Washington left White Plains at eleven o'clock on the morning of November 10, and arrived at Peekskill, the entrance to the Highlands, at sunset.

Sunday, November 11
"At Peekskill, New York: "November 11th.—The Commander in Chief directed our General [Heath] to attend him in taking a view of Fort Montgomery, and the other works up the river. Lord Sterling, Generals James and George Clinton, Gen. Mifflin and others were of the company. They went as far up the river as Constitution Island, which is opposite to West-Point, the latter of which was not then taken possession of; but the glance of the eye at it, without going on shore, evinced that this post was not to be neglected. There was a small work and a block house on Constitution Island. Fort Montgomery was in considerable forwardness."—Heath's Memoirs."

Source: "Itinerary of General Washington, From June 15, 1775, to December 23, 1783" by William S. Baker, J. B. Lippincott company, 1892.

Visit more historic sites in the Hudson Valley and learn about the Battle of Fort Montgomery in Bear Mountain.

Learn more about the Battle of White Plains in Westchester County.

"Since 1967, the park has been a safe haven for animals and plants, including migratory birds, turtles, and dragonflies. Within the preserve are a variety of habitats including a four-acre lake, cliffs and scrubland, mixed hardwood forest, vernal pools, and a swamp. Visitors can learn about the area's past by following the History Trail to the remains of a 19th-century farmhouse and early 20th-century stone-mining operation.

"The Nature Center offers family-oriented nature programs most weekends and houses a variety of interactive, educational displays. Nature programs are offered to the public nearly every weekend."

Things To Do at Cranberry Lake Nature Center
Birding | Bird Watching
Children's Summer Ecology Program
Hiking / Walking
Nature Hikes
Nature Interpretive Programs

Winter Activities
Cross-country Skiing

After a day of birding, hiking, nature study, or viewing the beautiful scenery, enjoy dinner out at one of the excellent Restaurants in Westchester, New York

From White Plains Performing Arts Center "The White Plains Performing Arts Center is committed to building, engaging, inspiring and educating the culturally diverse audiences of White Plains, Westchester County and the Tri-State area through the presentation of classical and contemporary theatre, music and dance as well as the development and training of the next generation of theatrical artists, while providing a vital resource of dynamic and progressive programming that enriches the quality of life in our community."

Attractions
Concert Series
Conservatory Theatre
Mainstage Shows

The word is "Theatergoers have reason to celebrate in White Plains. Although it’s always been just a short train ride to Broadway, they don’t even need to make that trip anymore to see excellent theater. It just might be the best theater deal in the Hudson Valley.” by White Plains Times.

Press blue button for calendar, tickets, and more about the White Plains Performing Arts Center.

We believe that all children need to safely interact with the natural environment for healthy development. Our engaging, interactive learning programs are built on this principle. One of the primary goals of Beczak is to show even our youngest visitors that the river is part of a complex ecosystem that nurtures an amazing diversity of living things, including people.

Beczak offers an extensive curriculum of interactive educational programs designed to teach students about the complexity of the Hudson River and inspire them to become better stewards of this magnificent resource. Each year more than 5,000 school-age children visit Beczak on class trips and with youth organizations.

All our staff members are trained educators with specialized degrees in fields such as marine biology and environmental interpretation. By creating interdisciplinary programs that meet the New York State Department of Education standards for science, social studies, math, art and English language arts, Beczak educators help animate important concepts that many teachers have introduced in their own classrooms.

Press blue button for the Environmental Education Center, Interpretive Center, birthday parties at the center, and more about Beczak Environmental Education Center.

Things to Do and Learn at Beczak
Beczak Center's Estuary Monitoring
Birthday Parties - "Where children discover the Hudson"
Education Center
Interpretive Center

Scenic Hudson is working with New York State, Westchester County, the City of Yonkers and the Beczak Environmental Center to create a five-acre riverfront public park, esplanade and environmental education center with stunning views of the Palisades. Historically the area was dominated by industrial facilities that blocked public access to the river. Once slated for six, 38-story apartment buildings, the property is now protected by a 25-acre conservation easement held by The Scenic Hudson Land Trust. The park is currently open but improvements are continuing.

Things To Do
Beczak Environmental Education Center
Restored Tidal Wetland
Scenic Views
Walking Trail (two acres)

Directions
From Rt. 9/9A south in Yonkers: right on Dock Street, right on River Street, left on Wells Street, right on Alexander Street, park 0.1 mile on left.

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

After a day of hiking, walking, or relaxing at the Habirshaw Park, select from one of many excellent restaurants in Yonkers.

The Museum's collections have evolved from the original holdings of the Yonkers Museum, which was founded at City Hall in 1919 and relocated to the Yonkers Museum of Arts and Science in 1924. In 1937, H. Armour Smith, an avid collector of fine art, Americana and documentary materials, became director. Smith advocated changing the Museum's name to The Hudson River Museum to acknowledge that its collections documenting the Hudson River Valley were of primary importance to the Museum's goals. In 1956, the transfer of the stuffed elephant Tip, a popular display since 1929, to the Elephant Hotel in Somers, New York, was indicative of the changes that had occurred in the Museum's perception of its mission.

By 1948, the collection had grown to include a small group of 19th and 20th century fine arts, paintings, sculptures, and graphic works, as well as Victorian furniture, decorative arts and costumes, and materials documenting local history. In 1969, the New Wing added approximately 15,000 square feet of gallery space. Whereas previously much of the museum in the Mansion had been devoted to permanent displays, the new galleries were used for changing exhibitions of art, history and science. At the same time, the Mansion's first floor was partially restored, with four furnished period rooms and two small galleries for displaying decorative and historical materials from the collection.

Today, the Museum's collections reflect its mission to provide for development, preservation, and display of 19th and 20th century American art and history. The staff regularly organizes special collection exhibits and loan exhibits in which the permanent collections can play a role. Paintings, furniture and decorative arts are also always on view in the six period rooms in Glenview Mansion and its second floor hall and Lifflander Galleries. Press blue button for more information about The Hudson River Museum.

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Westchester - jump into the biggest box of LEGO® bricks ever! Over 3 million LEGO® bricks under one roofMINILAND® - see your favorite New York landmarks!Kingdom Quest - an interactive LEGO® laser ride4D Cinema - feel part of the storyMaster Model Builder - learn LEGO® secretsBirthday parties, school workshops and a huge LEGO® shop!Come and experience the ultimate family entertainment attraction for LEGO® fans of all ages!

Rides & Attractions
Café
Birthday Rooms - LEGO® Birthday party at LEGOLAND®
LEGO® Factory
LEGO® 4D Cinema
LEGO® Racers: Build & Test
LEGO® Fire Academy
LEGO® Construction Site
LEGO® Master Builder Academy
LEGO® Friends
LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Shop
DUPLO® Village
Earthquake Tables
Kingdom Quest
Merlin’s Apprentice
MINILAND®

For Guests with Disabilities
The Center has been designed with your needs in mind. We review our risk assessments and policies annually to ensure we remain as accessible as possible to all guests, including wheelchair access.

The word is Friendly and knowledgeable staff and café with some "healthy" options. Excellent range of things to do for kids of different ages. The indoor playground was lot of fun with many climbing opportunities. All in all - good place to take the kids.

Frederick Philipse III and his family lived in luxury, well supported by rents from the many tenant farms on his property. Times were changing, however, and while others rebelled against Great Britain, Frederick III defended the Crown. His Loyalist beliefs were so strong that General George Washington ordered him arrested in 1776. Philipse and his family later fled to British occupied New York City and then to England, where the last "Lord of the Manor", broken in spirit and health, died in 1786. His land and his mansion were confiscated by the New York State Legislature and sold at public auction.