- All American Fishing Derby at Lake Mitchell in Depew Park—A popular May event includes a variety of fishing competitions for kids complete with prizes for the largest and smallest catches-of-the-day, as well as other categories (cityofpeekskill.com).
- Artist District – “The Peekskill Art Lofts” is a limited equity cooperative of 28 live/work lofts built in 2002 as affordable life/work spaces for artists in downtown Peekskill. Current residents include, art teachers, painters, architects, photographers, decorative artists, graphic designers, jewelry makers, ceramicists, art restorer, musicians/composers, fiber artists, video artist/produces, writers/poets, choreographer, website design/developers.
- Art Along the Hudson— wamc.org/post/art-along-hudson-1 Art Along the Hudson represents over 1000 artists, 400 studio tour participants, 250 art venues, 150 art festivals, and community events.
- Attic Treasures Flea Market—An annual downtown event which provides hours of fun and amusement hunting for unique antique and vintage treasures, as well as a couple of great bargains. That event is held on Sundays only and runs from April through November (downtownpeekskill.com).
- Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony—City Council members, civic leaders, and other folks usher in the holiday season at the downtown Gazebo on the first day of December with caroling and good cheer (thecityofpeekskill.org).
- Community Gardens – Peekskill School Gardens– The Peekskill School District is committed to having gardens at every school. Currently, there are gardens at Oakside Elementary, Hillcrest, and at the Middle School. Gardens are planned at Woodside and at the Administration Building. Peekskill Community Gardens -This garden is available for community members with individual and communal plots for fruit, vegetables, and herbs. Hudson Valley Hospital Healing Garden – This is an organic vegetable and flower garden dedicated to promoting wellness. The Peekskill Garden Club – The Peekskill Garden Club engages in projects such as the annual flower show and organizes the planting of 10,000 bulbs all over the community. MacGregory Creek – This creek divides the Riverfront Green with the Peekskill Landing Park. In 2011, The Conservation Advisory Council, with the help of volunteers, planted native trees and shrubs in an effort to stabilize the stream banks and create a wildlife habitat.
- Downtown Artists District—Open tours of galleries and lofts of local artists are scheduled throughout the year and by appointment. Go it alone or with a knowledgeable guide who knows the ins-and-outs of the district. Flat Iron Gallery, for one, has exhibit rooms showcasing paintings, pottery, photographs, handmade jewelry and more. (downtownpeekskill.com, www.peekskillartists.org, and www.flatiron.qpg.com).
- Flat Iron Building—Located on South Division, the 1910-structure is shaped in a triangular form, hence the name “Flat Iron.” In its earlier years, Flat Iron was home to a Ford car dealership but now houses art studios, galleries and exhibit space for downtown artists, as well as the ever-popular Peekskill Coffee House.
- Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art—What was once an industrial building is now a modern museum on Main Street, one that showcases special exhibits, “installations” and other works of art (hvcca.com)
- Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce – hvgatewaychamber.com 1 South Division Street, Peekskill, NY 10566. 914-737-3600. The Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce provides services to businesses, residents, and tourists. The majority of the businesses are located in Buchanan, Croton-on-Hudson, Cortlandt Manor, Peekskill, and Putnam Valley.
- Lincoln Depot Museum – http://lincolndepotmuseum, – The Lincoln Depot Museum, a 3000 square foot restored freight and passenger rail depot, is located on the east bank of the Hudson River on Bay Street. On February 19, 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln stopped at this station to greet New Yorkers on his inaugural train ride from Springfield IL. to Washington D.C. President-elect Lincoln stopped in Peekskill at the request of William Nelson, a local lawyer and former Congressman serving with Lincoln from 1847-1849. Two other local citizens attending Lincoln’s visit were lawyers, Chauncey M. Depew (Depew Park) and James W. Husted (Husted Ave.), both recent graduates of Yale. The Lincoln Depot Museum exhibition details the role New York played in Lincoln’s two elections and the Civil war. On display, are rare maps, photos, a Lincoln signed letter and more than one hundred artifacts from the Brian D. Caplan Collection. Out front you’re greeted by a life-sized statue, by Richard Masloski, “Lincoln in Peekskill”, and commissioned by The Lincoln Depot Foundation. Other works of art are found within by the Westchester artist and educator, Paul R Martin III.
- National Maritime Historical Society – nmhs@seahistory.org 5 John Walsh Blvd. Peekskill, NY 10566 (914-737-7878). The National Maritime Historical Society is the national voice for America’s maritime heritage. The mission of the society is “to preserve and perpetuate the Maritime History of The United States and to invite all Americans to share in the challenging heritage of seafaring”. NMHS has an active publication program including “Sea History Magazine”, a varied lecture series, educational events, and hosts numerous conferences around the country.
- Paramount Center for the Arts—Headline entertainment meets the downtown area in a restored, 20th Century theater (1930). Originally built to present “talkies” in the best auditorium-style theater that could be created, the first motion picture to play here was “The Big Pond,” starring Maurice Chevalier and Claudette Colbert. The Paramount was originally built as a 1500 seat movie palace by Publix Pictures a subsidiary of Paramount Pictures. Paramount sold the theater in 1973 and eventually it was acquired by the City of Peekskill in 1977 due to a tax lien. The Paramount has been designated as a Westchester County Landmark and is on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places. In more recent years, the Paramount has been the platform for top performing artists and musicians including Joan Baez, Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Judy Collins, Beach Boys, and many other notable recording artists and musical groups. Family and holiday events are also highlighted here, as well as an ongoing number of classic and independent films (paramountcenter.org).
- Peekskill Annual Celebration—Two days of fun are scheduled every first weekend in August in the downtown area, Charles Point Park and the river. The festival is highlighted by exciting Dragon Boat Races and has plenty of music, crafts, food and beverage, fireworks, children’s activities and more (peekskillcelebration.com).
- Peekskill Farmers Market – peekskillfarmersmarket.com The Peekskill Farmers Market operates every Saturday on Bank Street, from opening day, June 7th, from 8 AM to 2 PM, thru November 17th.
- The Peekskill Field Library – peekskill.org. The Library is located at 4 Nelson Ave. in Downtown Peekskill (914-737-1212). The Library hosts The Field Gallery, which is located on the mezzanine level and is one of the Hudson Valley’s premier spaces for exploring the art of exceptional regional and international artists. The Filed Gallery often partners with the Peekskill Arts Alliance and the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art, bringing interesting lectures and performances to Peekskill.
- Peekskill Museum—Visit the historic Herrick House (124 Union Avenue) for a look at yesteryear. Highlights of the museum include centuries-old artifacts, clothing, furnishings, memorabilia and more. The Peekskill Historical Society is also located here and visitors have a chance to glance at an authentic Revolutionary War cannon casually displayed on the front lawn, as well as a chance to chat with Peekskill historian. (peekskillmusuem.org).
- Peekskill Recreational Programs – Peekskill offers many recreational programs including adult Co-ed Sand Volleyball, an adult woman’s volleyball league, over 45 men’s volleyball league, adult swimming, adult tennis lessons, Yamuna body rolling, a recycled art program, youth flag football, fall youth soccer, tennis, lacrosse, and flag football, and the Kiley Center provides year-round supervised youth programs (914-734-7275).
- Peekskill Rotary Horse Show at Blue Mountain Reservation—Equestrian competitions, prizes, food and fun for the whole family. Scheduled annually on a selected October weekend. Admission is free (peekskillrotary.com).
- Peekskill Seniors—4 Nelson Ave. Peekskill, NY The “golden group” meets regularly at the downtown Field Library for lunch, as well as games, exercise, crafts, lectures, health screenings, field trips and more. The Peekskill Seniors Center offers social, recreational, instructional and civic programs to Peekskill seniors age 60 and over at their neighborhood center on Nelson Avenue. (www.cityofpeekskill.com)
