Cortlandt

Day Trips

Start your morning with a drive to a scenic riverside spot along the Hudson River. Unpack a basket filled with local cheeses, fresh fruit, and artisan bread. Enjoy the gentle sound of lapping water and calls of migratory birds.

Spend the afternoon casting a line or simply relaxing on the grassy shore. Watch boats glide past and feed the friendly waterfowl. Capture photos of the historic shoreline framed by rolling hills.

Build a small bonfire at a designated firepit area as daylight dims. Roast marshmallows and share stories against a backdrop of pink and orange skies. End the evening with a peaceful sunset cruise aboard a local tour boat.

Begin at dawn on the Blue Mountain Reservation trailhead to catch the sunrise from an overlook. Breathe in crisp forest air while listening for woodpeckers and warblers. Pause at scenic viewpoints to photograph mist rolling across the valley.

Continue your hike toward Furnace Dock and discover hidden waterfalls cascading into clear pools. Spread out a packed lunch on smooth boulders and listen to rushing water. Take time to explore side trails lined with ferns and wildflowers.

Return along the ridge to find a lookout perfect for stargazing as night falls. Lay out a blanket and watch constellations emerge above the treetops. Let the quiet forest lull you into relaxation before heading back to town.

Arrive at Van Cortlandt Manor for a guided tour of its 18th-century buildings and formal gardens. Learn about colonial life from costumed interpreters demonstrating daily chores. Admire period furniture and original architectural details preserved on site.

Try your hand at colonial crafts during a blacksmith or weaving demonstration. Wander through herb and vegetable gardens tended by historic gardeners. Pause for a riverside picnic beneath ancient oaks on the manor grounds.

Dine on a colonial-inspired meal served in the manor’s tavern room by candlelight. Enjoy live traditional music with fiddles and flutes echoing off stone walls. Conclude with a ghost-story session under lantern light in the courtyard.

Bike or hike along the restored Old Croton Aqueduct, tracing the path of 19th-century water engineers. Read interpretive panels that explain how the aqueduct supplied New York City. Spot scenic views of marshlands where herons and kingfishers nest.

Pause at one of several stone bridges for a picnic lunch overlooking a waterfall. Photograph the historic masonry arches framed by lush greenery. Explore adjacent side trails to discover hidden alcoves and forest clearings.

Find a quiet bench near a preserved inlet to watch the sun dip behind distant hills. Stroll a short way to the post-lantern at Croton Gorge Dam for evening illumination. Reflect on the aqueduct’s engineering marvels as fireflies begin to dance.

Arrive early at Croton Gorge Park to see the dam at first light and feel the mist from cascading waters. Walk the upper rim trail for sweeping vistas of the spillway and reservoir. Snap photos of mossy boulders and lichen-covered walls.

Descend to the park’s picnic areas for lunch with panoramic dam views. Wander wooded paths that wind through rocky outcrops and fern-laden glades. Keep an eye out for turtles basking on sunlit logs by the water’s edge.

Settle on a riverside bench to watch floodlight beams illuminate the spillway after dusk. Practice low-light photography as water plumes glow against the night sky. Finish your day with a soothing riverside stretch or meditation session.

Kick off the day at Pop’s Ice Cream parlor with a scoop of locally churned vanilla bean or strawberry. Chat with friendly staff and learn about their seasonal flavors. Wander the adjacent village green while savoring every bite.

Browse vintage boutiques, artisanal gift shops, and a cozy bookstore along Main Street. Stop for a light lunch at a riverside café offering fresh sandwiches and salads. Admire hand-crafted jewelry and local pottery displayed in charming storefront windows.

Choose a table at an outdoor bistro overlooking the Hudson and order farm-to-table fare. Enjoy live acoustic music drifting through the evening air. Conclude your stroll by the waterfront promenade beneath string lights.

Head to the seasonal farmers’ market in downtown Cortlandt to sample organic breads, cheeses, and honey. Chat with growers about heirloom tomatoes and farm fresh eggs. Collect colorful peonies or sunflowers for your hotel room.

Explore a nearby arts-and-crafts fair featuring local painters, potters, and woodworkers. Watch artisans demonstrate techniques like glassblowing and basket weaving. Let children join face-painting or puppet-making workshops.

Gather at the community green for an outdoor concert by a hometown band. Spread a blanket and savor locally made ice cream or lemonade. Stay for a silent-film screening under the stars to cap off a vibrant day.

Arrive at Beekman Farms for a safety briefing and gentle introduction to your mount. Glide along shaded farm lanes lined with apple orchard rows. Feel the rhythm of the horse’s gait as you traverse open pastures.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the barnyard surrounded by grazing goats and chickens. Participate in a short farm tour to meet dairy cows and sample fresh milk. Photograph sunlit hay bales and rolling farmland vistas.

Set out on a twilight ride through golden fields as the sun sinks low. Hear crickets chirp and owls call in the gathering dusk. Return by lantern light for hot cider and storytelling around a warming firepit.

Pick up a kayak rental at Croton Point Park and receive a safety briefing on river currents. Paddle upstream toward hidden coves where herons nest on overhanging branches. Feel peaceful as you glide past rocky outcrops and sandy shorelines.

Stop on a quiet beach for a packed lunch and watch turtles bask on sunlit logs. Explore side channels and discover small waterfalls cascading over bedrock. Keep an eye out for eagles soaring overhead and deer drinking at the water’s edge.

Join a guided sunset paddling session to witness golden light dancing on gentle waves. Bring snacks and a thermos of hot tea to sip while drifting beneath pastel skies. Photograph silhouettes of distant sailboats before returning your kayak.

Begin with a gentle yoga or tai chi session in the park’s open meadow. Listen to birdsong as the sun filters through tall oaks. Journal or meditate on a park bench overlooking the river.

Stroll the riverside trail at a leisurely pace, stopping to read under a shaded pavilion. Pack a picnic lunch with gourmet sandwiches from a local deli. Spend time sketching or painting the serene water views.

Dine at the park café on light fare like fresh salads and artisanal pizzas. Take a final gentle stroll along the illuminated waterfront promenade. End your trip by watching fireflies dance in the twilight meadows.