Local and Surrounding Attractions and Points Beyond
CORTLANDT MANOR
Business Expo—An annual networking event that offers a chance to meet with business owners from around the area. Prizes, complimentary hors-d’oeuvres, a cash bar and WHUD’s Mike Bennett, who traditionally emcees, make it one of the Hudson Valley’s most popular get-togethers (www.hvgatewaychamber.com).
Aaron Copland House—The famous 20th Century composer’s former home was once a part of Peekskill but is now incorporated into the area known as Cortlandt Manor. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the home is very active with a multitude of musical events, and fosters and encourages young musicians (www.coplandhouse.org).
Old Saint Peter’s Church—Built in 1767, the “old red church” was used as a meeting house when General Washington was in town, as well as a hospital by General Rochambeau’s troops during the American Revolution. It features a cemetery of both American and French soldiers who served and died for the cause (www.hudsonriver.com).
COLD SPRING/GARRISON
Bannerman Island/Pollepel Island – Bannerman’s Castle, built on Pollepel Island, is located between Cold Spring and Beacon, 1000 feet from the eastern bank of the Hudson River. The principal feature on the island is a Castle originally built as a military surplus warehouse in 1901 by Scotsman, Frances Bannerman. The Bannerman family, who emigrated to America in 1854 when Frances was three years old, started a military surplus business near the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1865, selling military surplus items acquired at Navy auctions. Frances Bannerman purchased Pollepel Island in 1900 as his military surplus business expanded and he needed a safer location for his stores of millions of military cartridges. Construction of the castle started in 1901. Construction ceased at Bannerman’s death in1918. In the early 1900’s, Bannerman’s supply of military arms was staggering. Nations outfitted entire armies through Bannerman’s catalog, which many believe to be the best book ever written on weapons of war. The castle and island are currently the property of The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Boscobel Restoration Estate—19th Century mansion features guided tours of the estate and annual activities, including an outdoor Shakespeare Festival (www.boscobel.org).
Garrison Art Center—Located at Garrison’s Landing, GAC offers regularly scheduled exhibits and instructive classes in all mediums (www.garrisonartcenter.org).
Cold Spring – Main Street—A short drive up from Peekskill, Cold Spring is a historic 19th Century riverside community that is its own attraction. It offers historic sites, interesting boutiques, and antique shops, as well as a number of restaurants (www.coldspring.com).
Putnam County Historical Society & Foundry School Museum—Features the Hudson River school of artists, as well as a collection of artifacts and documents from the West Point Foundry, among other historical components (845-265-4010).
Russell Wright Design Center—Former home of 20th Century designer Russell Wright offers self-guided tours of the entire estate, among other activities (www.russelwrightcenter.org).
Stonecrop Gardens—12 acres include gardens, fields and woodlands “at a windswept elevation of 1,100 feet in the Hudson Highlands” (845-265-2000).
KATONAH
The Katonah Museum of Art—Houses a number of art exhibits and special events throughout the year (www.katonahmuseum.org).
Caramoor—A popular historic estate that is mostly known as the site of indoor and outdoor concerts, as well as tours, lectures and other cultural activities ( www.caramoor.org).
MOHEGAN LAKE
Spotlight Theatre Productions—Local theater group features popular musicals onsite and offsite, including “Cabaret Night Under the Stars,” hosted at the Mahopac Marina (www.stpny.com).
NEW WINDSOR
Storm King Art Center – 1 Museum Road, New Windsor NY 12553, (845-534-3115, www.stormking.org) This art center is an outdoor 500-acre museum located in the Hudson Valley and a short drive from River House. At Storm King visitors will experience large-scale sculptures under the open sky.
POUGHKEEPSIE/HYDE PARK
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE – www.nps.gov/hofr 4097 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538, 845-228-5320. This site is the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, also known as Springwood, the only 4 terms United States President. Springwood was FDR’s birthplace, lifelong home and burial place. Also, on this site is the FDR Presidential Library and Museum. The guided tour of the home takes about one hour. The FDR Presidential Library and Museum is a self-guided tour and visitors may enjoy strolling the grounds, trails, and gardens of the 300-acre site.
VAL-KILL ELEANOR ROOSEVELT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE – www.nps.gov/elro This site was established by the U.S. Congress to commemorate the life and accomplishments of Eleanor Roosevelt. Once Val-Kill was part of the larger Roosevelt family estate in Hyde Park. This property sits on 181 acres and is approximately two miles east of Springwood. Van-Kill was declared a National Historic Site in 1977 and is now managed by the National Park Service.
LOCUST GROVE – SAMUEL F. B. MORSE HOME – (www.lgny.org, 845-454-4500). Locust Grove is a National Landmark Estate located on US 9 in the Town of Poughkeepsie and was the home of Samuel F. B. Morse, the inventor of the telegraph. This Italianate style mansion was completed in 1851 and sits on 180 acres overlooking the Hudson River.
VANDERBILT MANSION – 4097 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538, (www.nps.gov/vama, 845-229-7770). This historic mansion in Hyde Park, New York became a National Historic Landmark in 1940. This property is one of several homes owned by Frederick William Vanderbilt and his wife, Louise Holmes Anthony. This mansion, built on 211 acres originally 600 acres), sits on a bluff overlooking the Hudson River, includes manicured lawns, formal gardens, and woodlands. The house was designed by the architectural firm of McKim, Mead, and White and built between 1896 and 1899.
YORKTOWN
YCP Theaterworks—Local theater group presents famous dramatic plays and musicals, as performed by professional actors and local thespians (www.ycptw.org).
Mohansic Golf Course—An 862-acre championship golf course features 18 holes, driving range, practice green and more (www.westchestergov.com).
Yorktown Stage—YS produces popular Broadway-style musicals, as well as children’s programs and special events (www.yorktownstage.org).
Yorktown Golf & Baseball Center—14-acre complex includes putting greens, batting cages, driving range, pro shop, miniature golf course and more (www.yorktowngolfandbaseball.com).
SLEEPY HOLLOW/TARRYTOWN/PLEASANTVILLE/MT. PLEASANT
Halloween In Sleepy Hollow – Halloween is always a fun time in Sleepy Hollow. Take a ride on the Sleepy Hollow Haunted Hay Ride, visit the Old Dutch Church, tour Sleepy Hollow Cemetery by lantern light, and experience the “Horseman’s Hollow” at Philipsburg Manor. You can also experience some of the beautiful Hudson Valley estates, such as Kykuit, Lyndhurst, and Washington Irving’s Sunnyside.
Jacob Burns Film Center—Dedicated to award-winning foreign movies, independent films, and notable documentaries. Lectures and educational activities for adults and children are also available (www.burnsfilmcenter.org).
Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate – This grand mansion was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family, starting with the philanthropist, John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil. Kykuit, a Dutch word meaning “Lookout” is situated on the highest point in Pocantico Hills, overlooking the Hudson River. Kykuit is now a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. All tours depart from Philipsburg Manor (914-369-6900 M-F or 914-631-3992 on weekends).
Lyndhurst – 635 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591 914-631-4481 www.lyndhurst.org Overlooking the majestic Hudson River in Tarrytown, is Lyndhurst, one of America’s finest Gothic Revival mansions. Former occupants included: New York City Mayor, William Paulding, Merchant, George Merritt, and railroad tycoon Jay Gould. Lyndhurst has a vast collection of art, antiques, and furniture along with sweeping lawns and specimen trees.
Union Church of Pocantico Hills – 914-631-8200 M-F 914-591-8763 Weekends. This church is a short drive from Kykuit and is remarkable not only for its beautiful architecture but also for its unique collection of stained glass windows by Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse.
Washington Irving’s Sunnyside – www.hudsonvalley.org 914-631-8200 M-F 914-591-8763 Weekends. Washington Irving wrote the “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and introduced us all to the “Headless Horseman” and Rip Van Winkle.
SOUTH SALEM
Wolf Conservation Center—Learn about the conservation’s fascinating wolves, “up close and personal.” By appointment only (www.nywolf.org).
WEST POINT
The U.S. Military Academy at West Point—www.usma.ed West Point, comprising approximately 16,000 acres, is the oldest continuously occupied military post in the United States. West Point was identified by General George Washington, as the most important strategic position in America during the Revolutionary War. With its gothic architecture and strategic views of the Hudson River Highlands, West Point is one of the region’s most famous sites. The complex features beautiful grounds, administrative buildings, classrooms, residences, halls, historic sites, museums and Thayer House, a historic hotel located at its entrance. It also features a number of concerts throughout the year at Eisenhower Hall (www.usma.edu).