Well worth the time and small amount of money! Easy breezy train ride from Manhattan to Beacon that takes about 1.5 hours, followed by a 100 yard walk to the pier for the boat. The, "J Team" was our boat guide and they were great. Friendly and accommodating. The guides on the island were super nice. I was IMPRESSED by the high-caliber presentations (and I was a professional tour guide in Central Park for years). The Castle itself is very interesting as well as the former home of the Bannerman family. The gift shoppe was super-cute and the coffee was good and the host gracious. What amazed me the most, however, were the well maintained grounds, and the AMAZING VIEWS! You're right in the middle of the Hudson! I can see why the Hudson River School of painting was created. So pretty, quiet and inspiring. Finally, I left Manhattan at 8 am, did the train ride, the boat ride and returned to Manhattan by about 2:15. A day well spent. read more

I've wanted to take this tour ($45) for a while now but finally got around to it recently on a lovely fall Sunday morning. While the tour is timed at 2.5 hours...you spend closer to 1.5 hours on the island itself, factoring in the 30-minute boatride to and from the island. There was lots of parking available as the Metro Station's parking is free on weekends. I opted for the early 9:30am departure. I arrived around 9:05am and there were a few people there waiting. They started checking tickets and allowing people onto the boat at around 9:15am. The boat left on time at 9:30am. Tom was at the wheel and Jen was assisting. (Forgive me if I got the names wrong) Jen gave an overview of the sites, buildings and history of the Newburgh waterfront during the 20-minute boatride to the island. We arrived around 9:50, docked and climbed up some stairs to a waiting/dock area. We were then greeted by ___ who was our tour guide for the visit. She explained the history of the island as we made our way through the tour path...passing the castle, garden and museum. After the tour (about 30-40 minutes), visitors can explore the island on their own. There are a few areas that are accessible but not on the tour path, such as Wee Bay. I suggest exploring those areas as you will be rewarded with some amazing views! The museum is also small, but very informative...lots of little interesting facts about the island in there. Be sure to check it out. While the tour path itself is fairly flat, the other explorable areas are rocky and uneven. Its best to wear comfortable hiking/trail shoes if possible...otherwise, you will feel every sharp/uneven rock particalarly if wearing flat-bottomed shoes. There is a small shop there with snacks and some souvenirs. Bathrooms on the island. None on the boat. The group met up at the dock at around 11:30am to take the boat back to Beacon. A group was arriving at that time...likely the 11:00am tour. Overall I had a great time on the tour...learned a lot and captured some great views. Be sure to leave time afterward (or before) to explore other attractions in Beacon...such as the shop-filled Main Street. read more

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Boat ride was great - Captain Brian. Wonderful tour narrated by Jay along the way. Tour on the island narrated by Mary. Very knowledgeable and engaging speaker. Learned so much from both speakers! Island itself is stunning. Formal garden areas are beautiful as well as the establishing of native plants in the woodland areas. Castles are so fun to see and learn about. The view is stunning from every angle. Bathrooms are spacious and well maintained. Snacks and beverages available in the island too. Would definitely recommend! read more

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A nice historic adventure if you're into that. I've always wanted to go but havent til now. There's alot of stairs and some "rough" waking paths, so be aware if you're unstable or need assistance. Very nice from beginning to end. The ferry guys, J&J, one is quiet&driving the boat, the other is boisterous & full of laughs. 10 stars for them alone! read more

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This is truly a "Brokedown Palace" and its days as a viable site to visit are probably limited. It served as an arsenal for the Bannerman and an accidental explosion left it in its state. The castle is held up with metal stanchions and the brackish waters of the Hudson River surely must assist in its deterioration. It's a 1 1/2 tour of the island and it's not a large island but it is a bit of walking up and down. It's a very interesting place and Beacon is a revitalized river town so it's worth a visit, especially because I don't see it standing for many more years. read more

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I've had Bannerman Castle on my to do list for three years now. I received an email about MTA Away deals, combo train attraction tix $70, and decided this was the day. It was also the only rainy day smack in the middle of 2 weeks of glorious sunshine, but that's life. I hopped on the Hudson Line from GC at 750am on Saturday morning and headed north! It took about 2 hours to get to Beacon. A beautiful trip with views of the river and foot hills lining it. I purposely arrived early for my Bannerman boat reservation so I could check out Dia: Beacon. That's another review, but I'll say it was worth the visit. The boat left at 1230 sharp from the marina right behind the train station. We got a bit of history from the captain about West Point and surrounding cities on the way to the island. Once docked, we climbed a staircase to meet our tour guides. A husband and wife team that live close by and know the island well. We started by the warehouses, aka "The Castle" where military surplus was housed. There were 4 stages and all that remains are some of the sturdier walls. A fire and structural damaged destroyed most of it, but what's left is intriguing enough. We then walked through a beautiful butterfly garden to the Residence. There was an annual fundraising dinner happening later in the evening, so we weren't allowed inside, but any other day it's open to explore. At the end we had free time to wander the grounds. There are other structures that have fallen into ruins along hiking trails and it was fun stumbling across them. But seriously, there are jutting rocks and you will stumble so look down often. Overall I learned a ton about the Brooklyn connection, the ingenuity of post war entrepreneurship, and had extra time to try out a few Main St Beacon eateries. There's a free bus that loops around town and drops you off at the train station. Got back in time to take the 609pm back to Manhattan. I can adamantly recommend this MTA getaway. But pick a warmer, sunnier day. Main Street is worth a slower stroll. read more

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This is for the kayaking tour around and walking tour in Bannerman Castle. A truly unique experience paddling yourself up to the castle, with slightly moving currents giving you just enough resistance to make it challenging. You can get some great "go pro" or selfie pictures on the way from the quaint town of Beacon to the island. Make sure you are comfortable being in a boat alone! Once on the island, the tour was very informative and included lots of walking up and down stairs. Being good sneakers and be prepared for some hiking! But the effort is worth it, as the castle itself is beautiful and full of history. The grounds are nice too, although it is hilly and a bit rugged in some parts. Overall, I loved the physical adventure of kayaking to the castle, coupled with the views and history. A memorable afternoon tour! read more

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Months after my trip here I'm still unhappy I spent three hours on this experience. I'm writing an update to let people know there is a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired house on Petre Island, a dozen miles southeast of Bannerman, which is open for tours! The island has been for sale for years and once it's purchased it might not be open to the public anymore. read more

What a wonderful place to come visit. A lovely walking tour of the arsenal warehouse ruins and summer castle of Frank Bannerman. The boat ride was about 10 minutes. Jay and Jay gave us some Newburgh history, as they brought us to Pollepel Island dock. Our tour guide, Steve and his wife, Margaret (each lead a group of 20) were very knowledgeable, they had been apart of the island's initial clean-up and have been leading tours for 21 years! You can tell they were passionate about the restoration and upkeep of the island. The grounds and gardens are well maintained. The grounds can be uneven and rocky, so definitely wear good shoes. And on hot days (like our day), bring a sunhat and a bottle of water. They do sell drinks and light snacks, and there are 2 compostable toilets. If you like history, the outdoors, gorgeous views of the Hudson River, and a little bit of walking about, go spend an afternoon and come to Pollepel Island. read more

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Bannerman's Island is simply beautiful! My friend and I kayaked there yesterday. As we got closer and saw the intricate castle, I was in awe. It is a shame that the castle is falling apart. I would've loved to see it in all its glory. We spent an hour or so walking around the island, seeing the beautiful flowers, the Bannerman Residence, and the Rocky beach on the south side. We got lucky because there was live music that day and my friend and I were able to enjoy some classic tunes while we ate lunch. A must see if you are in the area! Make sure to book tickets first though! read more

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We did a tour in Autumn. It was a very nice day on the island. Our Filipino tour guide was so nice and knowledgeable. He even took a picture of us. My 10 year old son loved the tour. I would recommend this to everyone, for all ages! read more

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See this place before climate change whisks the remains away! Unique tour of what used to be a sprawling munitions factory built to resemble a castle. Lot of interesting history (lot of drama and explosions in the past). The Bannerman family eventually sold this island to the state of New York, and it was closed down due to safety concerns. Then almost 20 years ago, the Bannerman Trust was established. Now they have tours, hold chef's dinners, show movies, have theater events. The tour boat that brings you over (it's about a 20 minute trip along the estuary) is clean and spacious and the captain is entertaining and kind. Our guides was a husband and wife team, very knowledgeable. There were beautiful views, lovely gardens, and Monarch butterflies everywhere (they apparently come to the island every year). There are bathrooms on the island. There's also a place to buy drinks and souvenirs, but cash only. Over 70 steps to get to the top of the site, so be prepared. read more

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Justin and Jen who took us by boat to Bannerman were great! We enjoyed the talk and a beautiful boat ride. Thanks Justin and Jen!

It was an amazing adventure, first our Captain Justin and his mate Jay made the trip fun, they were very polite & comical, our tour guide was very knowledgeable, I would definitely do it again!!! read more

A delightful way to spend a couple of hours on a nice summer day. Boat leaves from Beacon New York and it's about a 20 minute ride to the island, with a guided tour of about 45 minutes, some time to explore on your own, and then return on the boat shortly there after. Interesting story behind the castle, and nice walking paths though make sure you wear sturdy shoes because some are rather rocky. read more

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Catching glimpses of Bannerman Castle from the banks of the Hudson for years and having read about its history I was enthralled to set foot on the island. My two companions with less preconceived notions were much less so, by the reality of what the tour actually offers. Not for any fault of the trust, you can't get very close at all to the main arsenal structure due to its instability, see photos as those are the only two views you get. The paths through the garden to the residence are lovely and short and you can go inside the first floor of the residence and go around it. It's small. There are spectacular views of the Hudson River valley. The boat ride over snd back was very nice and the captain provided very interesting information about history of Newburgh. read more

Bannerman Castle - Boat Tours Near Me - Beacon, New York

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Bannerman's is a landmark I first noticed on a train trip from Albany to NYC almost 20 years ago. On the island sits a building in ruins that looks like a castle, but it was actually used to house military supplies. Whenever I ride Amtrak, I always try to sit on the Hudson River side of the train so I can look for this and West Point. If you want to know where it is, pull up Google Maps on your phone and put in Bannerman's, that way you will know when you are about to approach it when on the train. I have not yet toured the island, but friends had. In the warmer months, there are an assortment of tours to pick from: http://www.bannermancastle.org/index.html One day I plan to tour this, it would definitely make for a fun excursion out of NYC. read more

Bannerman Castle - Boat Tours Near Me - Beacon, New York

Good evening trip. Not something you see everyday in America. Castles are all over the place in Europe, but we definitely don't see them here. Granted it only has a fraction of the history of the old world castles, it's still a worthwhile side trip if you're in the Beacon area. You will not be able to step foot into the larger "castle." It's a shell. You will only be able to step inside the smaller building, which also looks like a castle. You will also be able to walk around the island on a path. Don't think of it as a hike. It's barely a few minutes long. It's a tiny island. But, there are some spectacular sites, with or without the sunset. It's just a beautiful area, full of greenery, mountains, and of course, the river. Worth a couple hours of your time. read more

Bannerman Castle has been on my bucket list for awhile, having seen the mysterious castle on many Amtrak rides along the Hudson heading to or from Albany. I finally got my chance with the Friday evening tour. The tour departs from Beacon, a stone's throw from the Metro North railroad station. It's recommend that you arrive 30 minutes early. I arrived 20 minutes early and found parking easily, but friends who arrived closer to the departure time had a bit more difficulty. The trip then starts with a scenic 30-minute boat ride over to Bannerman Island aboard the Estuary Steward. The boat made a wide berth all the way over the Newburgh, where we could get a view of the waterfront dining options, before heading toward the castle. Although the website advertises a "guided 1.5-hour walking tour of the island" the island is relatively small and can be walked in 20 minutes at a leisurely pace. Upon arriving on the island and climbing 72 stairs, we had a 15 minute orientation where we were given a history of the island and the mysterious castle that sits in ruins to the east side. From there we walked up a hill and received another 10 minutes of history about the living quarters. From there we were set off to explore on our own. As mentioned, island is relatively small, so the "the bonus mini hike to the summit" was also relatively short, but the views of Newburgh Bay offered from various points on the island and the gardens were something to behold. The return trip back to Beacon was peaceful, and a dinner over the bridge in Newburgh offered a perfect cap to the evening. read more

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If you are in to beautiful scenery and history yuh ou should visit the island. Great tour guides. Best time of day is when you can catch the sunset. read more

Bannerman Castle - Boat Tours Near Me - Beacon, New York

We went to Bannerman's Island to see Dracula, and had a most amazing evening from start to finish! Captain John, who took us in the boat from Beacon to the island, filled the 15 minute trip with a look back at history. He pointed out buildings and shared stories about George Washington, Thomas Edison, the oldest building on the river, and the osprey nest. He was funny, kind, and incredibly informative. I learned so many things in that short time! We were treated to a tour of the island before the play, and during intermission got to see an incredible moonrise. All in all, a wonderful, perfect evening. Looking forward to doing it again next year! read more

Due to a miscommunication about a reservation .... Everything was worked out beyond my expectations and I was greatly satisfied and can't wait to meet up with friends to experience Bannerman' s Island / Thank you for making the extra effort in contacting me ,you went up and beyond ! read more

Having attended last night's theatrical production on the island, I can safely say it was one of the worst outings I've experienced. If you are attending anything on the island, do COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF RESEARCH ON THE BOAT SCHEDULES. Despite absolutely zero published information, the tickets and entry times correlate to when you can leave at the end of the night ... they have horrible customer service (after spending $80 on tickets ... hilariously corrupt) and the audience is essentially a hostage until the second boat returns at 11 PM. There isn't a single informed person in charge with a shred of experience, because this is a logistical and safety nightmare. There are definite liabilities and the island production team needs significant overhaul and/or state supervision. What an embarrassment. What a joke. read more

Great way to spend a Sunday! The island looks great. The gardens are beautiful, can't wait to go back! read more

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customer service is terrible. i wanted to make a reservation for July 28 but accidentally made it for April 28. Not 5 min after i contacted them. 3 emails and 3 calls. the emails were never responded to. The calls went to answering service. Rich told me to call back after 3:30 if i didn't hear from them. i did to find out it was because he was off duty and Anita who answered said flatly no reservation changes and was borderline rude. So on the reservation email where it says to contact them with any issues. IS A LIE. read more

The Boat ride over to Bannerman Castle, Pollepel Island was Awesome! Captain Justin and his asst. did a GREAT job of getting our tour group over to the island on time for the tour. When we arrived at the island, Mr. Sheldon ( tour host ) greeted everyone, gave us a briefing on the Castle's history and explained how both red or blue trail passages worked. Both hikes are doable! Both have scenic views!!! The Garden is small but beautiful. I Loved listening to Mr. Sheldon's stories about the history of Bannerman's Castle! Really interesting. This place has a unique gift shop out in the back of Bannerman's Castle. I met Maria Amor who runs the gift shop, really nice and helpful, she went out of her way just to find the size and color of a Bannerman Castle Shirt that I REALLY wanted. Impressed, that made my day! Bannerman's Castle was breathtaking! An unforgettable memory. read more

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My partner and I were supposed to go to a Friday movie showing here at 6:30 pm. Sadly we could not for the life of us find a way to get there in time. However, there was a second showing at 7:30 that was for the exact. Same. Thing. So we called and asked if perhaps we could go to that one instead. Their response? No. "It's our policy". What does that even mean? It's the same event for the same price just a different time. Why would we not be able to? So now we are devastated and our night is ruined. Edit: we started trying to get a ride there through Uber and Lyft an hour and a half before the event so we were in no way neglectful in terms of our timing. read more

This is the first time I've seen a castle in real life other than on TV and it was incredible. It was such an inspiring visit that I created a castle bucket list to go to around the world now. This tour was great and worth the visit to learn about the history of Bannerman Island. Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes and know there is no restroom except a porter potty on the island. It was a perfect getaway day trip from NYC for my boyfriend and me. read more

Bannerman Castle - Boat Tours Near Me - Beacon, New York

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My significant other and I visited Bannerman's Island on Sunday 06/12/2022, we participated in the guided boat tour to Bannerman's Castle from the Beacon Doc port in Dutchess County. The boat ride transported passengers to and from Pollepel Island which is home to Bannerman's Castle. Pollepel Island is located in the Hudson River in upstate NY. Pollepel Island covers about six acers of land. Along cruise, there are scenic views that are illustrated by a guided narrator who points out historic landmarks in Newburgh a city and or town located in Orange County as well as historic landmarks in Beacon a city and or town located in Dutchess County. The boat ride was very enjoyable in a general sense. However, the group was rather large which was unexpected. While cruising on the boat ride down the Hudson to Pollepel Island where Bannerman's Castle can be found there was one passenger who continuously arose up out of their set, walked to the front, blocked the view while filming with their electronic device, turned around filmed other passengers without their consent, and began videoing the captain who was driving said boat all while uploading to social media! This individual behaved in a very dangerous manner, put others at risk, was not mindful of their environment, unaware of surroundings, and could have caused a potential safety hazard, this was not addressed by staff which was uncomfortable and obnoxious! Nevertheless, once the boat met the doc on the island, tour members are instructed to climb up 72-foot staircase with a complete view of Bannerman's Castle to the left! Bannerman's Castle can be seen from riders of the Metro North along their travels to and from various destinations as well. This historic site was noted as "the center of entrepreneur Francis Bannerman's Northeastern retail empire" due to this structure functioning as the largest military surplus warehouse arsenal storage unit. The words "Bannerman's Island Arsenal" can be seen with the naked eye, once the ferry approaches The Castle itself it is truly astonishing. The Castle is made of mostly brick and is currently in ruins as it is over 100 years old and has fallen victim to fires over the years which caused further devastation of the building. The grounds are absolutely beautiful filled with short nature trails and gorgeous views of the Hudson Valley. The guided tour is directed by a representative of Bannerman Castle Trust, our tour guide was a very young teenager, they did their best to educate the group but their energy level was very high and hyperactive which was distracting in my personal opinion. I strongly encourage those interested in visiting Bannerman's Castle Trust to do so as it is another local gem but do recommend the self guided tour rather than the group in order for a complete total immersive experience! read more

This was one of the best tours that I've been on! Our guide, Ken, was wonderful, comical, full of information and passionate about the history and status of Bannerman's Island. It was a erasure to have him as a guide, he made a great day even better. I never knew how influential this island and castle where in the Hudson Valley! I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for an adventure off the beaten path! read more

Bannerman Castle - The lodge and gardens at Bannerman's Island - Boat Tours Near Me - Beacon, New York

Every time I used to go hiking in Cold Spring, I imagined kayaking to Bannerman's Castle, so when my boyfriend expressed that he had always done the same, I bought 2 tickets to an evening tour for his birthday. The island was beautiful! So much work is going into this restoration and you can tell it's a great project. The island, the castle, and the home itself was very enjoyable however, our tour guide was pretty awful. He would make our group come to a dead stop for 20-30 minutes at a time to speak about the history of the castle, which would've been fantastic because it is such a rich history, but he blabbered on a lot, mixed up facts, repeated things numerous times. He also had a binder that he consistently referred to with some really terribly photoshopped pictures. There were times that many of the people in my group tried to sneak away to join the other tour guide's group. I would've really liked to see the island a bit more. Professional tour guides should be a top priority. Otherwise, this trip is well worth taking. Going to purchase a movie night ticket very soon & this nonprofit is at the top of my donation list for the holiday season. Also, if you are looking for a serious adventure (the website for the castle says the hike is strenuous - it is NOT) just go hiking in Cold Spring. Maybe if our tour guide would've gotten around to the other gardens I would've considered it sort of strenuous. read more

Update: I ended up disputing the charge with my credit card so that whacky bastard never got my money after all

Overall, we ended up having a nice day at the island and in Beacon but $35 (plus fees) a bit high for what you actually "get." It's interesting to learn about the history of the island but the actual historical substance is lacking. We attended the second tour of the day (first one was at 11 am). We got there over 30 minutes early and it was enough time; they recommend getting there at least 15 minutes early. There's plenty of parking (and free) on the weekend. There are no bathrooms on the island, just a couple port-o-potties there and on the dock at the Beacon train station. As this whole shebang is run by volunteers, you can't have that high expectations, but the volunteer checking in the group (before boarding AND when we got on the boat) blamed not being able to print out the list beforehand on the fact that he couldn't verify an extra person on the boat. On the boat, he proceeded to do several headcounts. I'm not sure what the issue was, but that could all have been alleviated with more organization at check-in. All of this delayed our actual ride to the island but Captain Jerry made up the time; apparently, they have some time built in. (Jerry was personable and excellent, at one point apologizing for the mix-up and keeping his cool while same said volunteer spoke loudly on his cell phone.) The actual boat ride (about 20 minutes each way) was nice, as you don't get that vantage point on land. Also really enjoyed the view when you actually spot the island in the distance. When we got to the island, we were split into two groups and the two tour guides led their groups. The actual purpose of the island isn't THAT interesting - a rich NYC man buys up a lot of old military memorabilia to sell to other countries and then stores it on the island. The tour guide did his best (he has written 4 or 5 books, which was surprising that that many books could actually be written on the topic) to tell a good story. You're taken to a few viewpoints, each time unfolding a bit more. You get to see the exterior of the remnants of the "castle" and the house that Bannerman lived in. The volunteers have done a good job beautifying the garden with flowers and cleaning up the island. Apparently, the house will be open next year. I think this will add some more dimension to the tour itself. There was also a professional storyteller on-hand but we didn't have interest in that and walked around instead. The tour stretched to 1.5 hours but it could easily have been an hour or less, given the actual substance. The island is also very small and additional walking paths would be nice. Some people explore the island on kayak, which may be a good option, as you get the exercise, more water views, AND the island sights. Apparently NYS hasn't funded the island, and I assume part of that is that there are other more important historical sites that take precedence. I think keeping your expectations in line beforehand will help you enjoy the actual experience itself. read more

These guys put together the Bannerman's Island tours on a shoestring because the state gives them no funding (despite the state being the actual entity that owns the island). In fact, the tours really started because there was no funding for the island. A handful of locals decided to use the tours as a way to raise money for restoration work, which is badly needed. The result is 1.5 hours of wandering around a decrepit island with an adorable old history teacher who tells stories in the same style as your nerdy uncle Herb. the whole experience is endearing, fun, and really well done, especially considering the limitations with which the tours work. I would definitely recommend a trip out to Bannerman's Island. read more

Ever wondered about that dilapidated castle on the Hudson when you're taking Amtrak into NYC? It's Bannerman Castle, named after the man who designed and had it built as a storage space for the merchandise related to his business selling military equipment. Nowadays it's run down and crumbling, but there is an organization that is doing its best to preserve the castle. Said organization runs tours out to the castle, located on an island in the Hudson, which are reached by boat from Beacon or Newburgh. The tour is a little pricy but it's a fun time and worth it to have this strange landmark preserved (where, as I understand, most ticket proceeds go). You take a 20-30 minute trip on a small boat out to the island and then get a guided tour which lasts about 90 minutes. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and had historical documents and photos that he passed around during the tour. The only drawback is you can't actually go inside the ruins but rather are shepherded along paths by the tour guide. Upon closer inspection you'll understand why: the structures do not look sound. If you're into history or just curious, or just want to spend a nice day doing something interesting, I'd recommend it. Don't bring kids, they will get bored. If you take the tour from Newburgh, there are a few restaurants with nice views of the river where you can get a meal or have a drink once you return. A nice way to end the tour. read more

*My boyfriend and I are a bit nerdier then the average citizen, so if you're not so into history, take my review with a grain of salt* I had a great time on my tour of Pollepel Island (aka Bannerman's Island). We had planned a trip to Beacon, NY to check out the art galleries and Dia:Beacon, Bannerman's Castle was an afterthought, something to occupy the second day. If I knew how awesome it was going to be, I would probably have planned my entire trip around it! If you're taking the Metro-North, you can spot Bannerman's Castle just south of Beacon. Unless you're really jaded in the area of castles or numb in general, the ruins of Bannerman's Castle in the middle of the Hudson River will definitely stand out. A sight like this belongs more in Scotland then a mere hour north of New York City, it's pretty surreal. We took a Hudson River Adventures boat tour which brought us from the Beacon waterfront park to the island in fifteen minutes or so. Barbara prepped us for the tour on the boat, introducing us to the history of the island and the castle. Once we were on the island, her husband Wes led us on an hour long walking tour. It was extremely interesting, both Barbara and Wes are great storytellers and made the experience very entertaining. The story of the island and Bannerman is really remarkable, I can't believe I'd never heard it before. Check it out! You definitely won't be disappointed. read more

We kayaked over to Bannermans island and had a wonderful picnic lunch on the dock. Absolutely beautiful there. There's access points to put your boats in on both sides of the Hudson. Highly recommend for kayakers! read more

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Took a tour out of Beacon right along side of the train station. Tour started at 6 pm and got back to the landing at 815 pm. Boat ride took 20 minutes. Once I got to the island they tour split the group into 2 groups about 15 per group. The tour guide was very passionate and knowledgeable about the island which was great for everyone on the tour. Great views of the West Point from the island. read more

This is a great day trip out of New York City if you have a free day. Just an hour outside of the city by ways of the Metro North, takes us to a little town called Beacon, NY. From here once you depart the train, just follow a few signs to the dock where the 'Pollepel' will be waiting for you to take you to truly one of the most beautiful random places in NY. Bannerman a Scottish immigrant modeled his warehouses after Scottish castles. He had an interesting way in going about the construction, sketching the designs for the buildings himself and then having his constructors interpret how to construct it from them. These buildings were simply glorified warehouses. One can't help but simply be in awe by anyone who would and could spend so much money on grandiose designs on buildings simply to be used for storage. After many years of decay, neglect, and vandalism, the castle is simply an empty shell of it's former glory. Even given historic landmark status has done little in preserving this place. The Bannerman Castle Trust founded in 1994 has worked hard to preserve this beautiful place but it's a pretty tall order and money is hard to come by. Pictured above on the left shows the southern wall as it was seen prior to it's collapse in 2009. 30-40% off the wall has fallen into ruin in a single moment. I hope it isn't too late. It's through public awareness, volunteers, and donations that will help preserve the rich history and beauty of Bannerman's Castle. Our tour guide on the Pollepel and on the Island was done by volunteers and historians. Our tour guide Gary was very informative and definitely made the trip very enjoyable, rich with information. If you decide to go on the trip and enjoy it, please be sure to tell your friends. It's through our donations and interests that will help keep these tours going, and help preserve this beautiful place. One of the best random places I have ever been to, and hopefully one day bring my own children too. You can purchase tickets through the Metro North kiosks ($48.50) which includes round trip tickets for the train and the tour. Reservations are required so be sure to check the webpage first. read more

Amazing tour of the Island and very interesting history. We had a wonderful time with our tour guide Wes that it didn't feel like 1.5 hr long. read more

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