These were the best eggs we ever had. Fluffy creamy bright yellow yolks. The caretaker of these hens is doing a great job. Free to roam and must be a healthy diet. I will be a repeat customer , these eggs are eggsellent! Everyone is telling me you gotta check this place out. I'm curious now . I'm ready to see for myself the DisheyLand of farms! read more

Bayard Cutting Arboretum - Open the goodness - Parks Near Me - Great River, New York

See all

If you have a state park pass, it's worth checking this place out. They have lots of parking, but it can fill up for events. Charge is $8 to park I believe if you don't have a pass. They have the little meter boxes you can pay at or swipe your card / digital QR code. Lots of trails to explore. Absolutely beautiful foliage and vegetation. So well curated. They also have a mansion that has some exhibits to check out, and a little spot for food. read more

See all

I've come here a few times with a friend and have had the best experience every time! This weekend was my first time visiting in the Autumn, and it did not disappoint. The mix of Fall foliage and greenery was absolutely beautiful. I came this time with the Christian Singles Hub, and a few people in the group had lots of questions for the employee/volunteer at the front gift shop desk. Through their conversation, I learned so much and she was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable! I've popped in before just to grab a coffee and a treat to go, but this was my first time sitting down at the restaurant. The food was great, the view out back was stunning, and the hot apple cider completely made my day. read more

See all

This place is such a pleasant place to be no matter what the season. The dahlia's are in full bloom and worth a trip. The tress are so big and beautiful. I just love it. read more

See all

This is a beautiful park to take a walk, meditate, and relax your mind. There is a fee for parking. I believe $8.00. read more

See all

The Bayard Cutting Arboretum is beautiful in all four (4) seasons and in winter you can enjoy the quiet beauty as the earth takes its long winter nap. Parking isn't a problem, no crowds and as long as you dress properly you can enjoy a brisk winter stroll. read more

See all

The Bayard Cutting Arboretum is so "as good as it gets" that it has taken me days to explain in words how remarkable the Bayard Cutting Arboretum is. What I struggle to put in words, my October 23, 2024 photos of the Arboretum will explain it's magnificence through pictures. This 691 acre state park is the center of the trifecta of New York State Parks in Great River. It is practically attached to Heckscher State Park to the southwest and Connetquot State Park to the north. It is the only arboretum in the New York State Park system. What is an arboratum? It means a museum of trees. The trees include the spectrum that grows in the northeast. They are represented along the seven-plus trails where thousands of plants and flowers coexist them. The Arboretum is also a location of historical significance. Frederick Law Olmsted designed the Arboretum for William Cutting Bayard in 1886. It opened on May 15, 1936. The Westbrook Mansion with views of the Connetquot River is a historic landmark. This state park has historical significance for me. Back in the 1990s when I attended Dowling College, I would take in the forested Paradise Island. Eventually the park went from a view across the Connetquot River to hiking adventures. In the late 1990s, before it was as popular as it is now I spent hours hiking it's trails through forests, gardens, fields, and alongside the Connetquot River. I also remember having coffee in the Westbrook Mansion. This is the park where my love of hiking became a passion. Fast forward to the 2020s, I have lived in other parts of the country for decades. So when I visited my Dad on Long Island, this park was a must see. Unfortunately two of the four times the visits were brief because on one of them the trails were closed for a movie and on the other a storm caused water damage. Fortunately we spent time here during two October when the Autumn leaves were at their zenith. My October 23, 2024 pictures are going to save me from going over the Yelp character limit, in an attempt to describe how spectacular it is. On Yelp, I truly told a story through the pictures. They tell a story of walking in an Autumn harvest landscape with blooming flowers past Halloween characters, along a woodsy lane covered in Autumn leaves, alongside the Connetquot River, and open fields with towering trees. They tell a story of the picturesque Community Supported Agriculture Farm spread out toward a Grove of Fall colored trees, feeding chickens in the coupe, and spending time in the mesmerizing Dahlia Gardens. I have a special fondness for the Bayard Cutting Arboretum. Although the Paradise Island trail has been closed both times that we walked the trails, and there are some management problems like closing the park for a movie, the scenery is vintage Long Island. I would love to return. read more

Beautiful park...great scenery, cute chickens and flowers...so nice to feel relax and unwind read more

Bayard Cutting Arboretum - Parks Near Me - Great River, New York

See all

I've been coming to this arboretum for 2 decades. Their renovation seems extremely unhelpful to the elderly and people who have trouble walking and they're really strict about their closing time where they hadn't been in the past. In the past you could walk around for awhile and leave at your leisure. Now they harass you to the exit. After all of that money spent I'd love to know if it's helped keep customers in. I'd say quite the opposite. I'd give 0 stars for that new parking lot mess. The welcome center is a complete joke what a waste of money. read more

Bayard Cutting Arboretum - Parks Near Me - Great River, New York

This place is a treasure and I miss it greatly. I am not sure what more I can add to this most gorgeous place that other reviewers have not already said. It is one of my favorite things about the town I grew up in as a kid. The BCA has breathtaking grounds and the building and restaurant are top notch. You can just feel your mindset change when walking into this place. I live in the desert now and I miss over grown fields of plants, flowers, and green trees, with paths to walk in, birds chirping, clean fresh bay air breezes on my face. Very healing. Maybe I have been in the harsh sun too long and my face is half baked. Lol There is a reason why almost everyone who gets married close by stops by here to take photos. Breathtaking grounds and of course it's historical educational aspect is always a bonus. read more

Beautiful grounds, delicious cafe, and friendly staff (Allison was very helpful)). Highly recommend. We went while It was raining and it was great and lush. read more

See all

Got in for FREE (my FAVORITE price!!) on a cold, hazy Saturday in February. The several (4 or 5?) arboretums on Long Island are SO BEAUTIFUL during the warmer months that I was wondering if it would even be worth coming in late/soggy winter... YES, it most certainly is!! Beautiful, MUCH less crowded, still TONS to see, and did I mention FREE?!? What a wonderful, hidden escape from the "rat race" that (at times...) can define my old "stomping grounds" of Long Island... Come here for the BEAUTIFUL mansion, with a zillion and one hidden (and not so hidden) details, ESP. loved all the stained glass!! Wish tours were available while we were there... Go wander the well-marked trails. There are many to choose, all quite do-able (though NOT handicapped accessible, unfortunately, as far as I could tell...) I can only IMAGINE how amazing the rhododendron trails will be once they bloom... There are TONS!! The shoreline trails are beautiful as well... Just GO!! SO MUCH to see, any season of the year!! Plenty of events here as well, including free concerts. There's a restaurant (tea room?) and a new visitor center and additional parking under construction. Definitely a great place to spend a day, or at least a few hours, if you're in the area!! read more

See all

This park is absolutely beautiful and by far my favorite park on Long Island! I never realized how big this park is, and decided to take a different route then I normally do and was blown away how I found a beautiful garden with a chicken coupe. I also noticed their building new things on this park. The water views with and the wildlife on this park makes it something very special for me. Park is very well kept, and theirs always new and different things to take in at this park. Really beautiful park with nice trails around the lake. Lots and lots of swans, some of which were flying today. Trails are well marked and are probably the most naturish on Long Island. Very little noise deeper into the trails. The loop is a couple of miles, half of which I love to walk! Definitely a great park to check out. read more

See all

Absolutely beautiful! From the paths to the Dahlia Garden to the walk along the water and everything in between! read more

See all

Absolutely gorgeous and for such an insanely busy day incredibly well run. Pro tip go to the left, that's where all the fun stuff actually is haha. read more

This place is going through some renovations, and supposedly, it will be done by Spring 2024. I will be back to see the new visitor center and to experience the Victorian Tea at the restaurant in 2024. I never even knew of this place until my friend said it was bookmarked on her list of places to visit. So, I'm glad she invited me to head there as it was a pretty far drive. We went on a nice sunny day so weather wise it was perfect. You do need to pay for parking, so that's the only bad part, but it doesn't cost a lot. The money is going towards the park and preservation part of it too. There is a cut-off point, which is at 4 pm. It was a bit confusing as the park closes at 5 pm. I was listening to someone who works there speak to a guest about how the trees were over 100 years old. I didn't get to see any flowers, so that will have to be for next year. read more

See all

My favorite place! We got engaged here and it was the most beautiful setting. The cafe is great and I recommend the grilled cheese with bacon. The workers are so friendly as well. The park itself is clean and well maintained. It is not pet friendly. I also went on the Christmas tour here and if you love history and great Christmas decor you'd love this. Our tour guide (older man I forget his name) was so sweet and informative ! He did his job so well and you can tell he really loved doing it and interacting with guests. He answered every question and explained so much history in such detail. read more

Just a spectacular setting, my favorite of all. Sprawling arboretum on the water with easy to walk and navigate winding trails, blooming trees, shrubs and plants. A long and winding River walk. Free for Empire Pass holders and weekdays for those 62 and older. 8 dollar parking fee otherwise, so well worth it for a day of beauty. Highly recommended, go asap !! read more

See all

Reservations today for high tea at The Hidden Oak Cafe @The Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River. The property is beautiful. There are Adirondack chairs set up underneath trees to sit and enjoy the scenery. The service was lovely...thank you Kaity. The tea of choice was vanilla cream. Smooth and slightly sweet. Raisin scones, egg salad sandwiches, mozzarella with roasted peppers on pumpernickel shaped as a heart. A wonderful experience & nice way to celebrate my birthday! Ty for the gift. I also want to thank Lee for allowing me to drive my vehicle by entrance of Manor House since I was accompanied with a senior using a cane. Much appreciated! read more

See all

What a beautiful serene oasis for nature lovers! We enjoyed exploring the well kept garden with gorgeous colorful flowers in full bloom. I was especially fascinated by the ancient sprawling 68 room mansion in Tudor revival style called Westbrook. It used to be the country home of the original owner William Bayard Cutting. I enjoyed the zen stroll along Breezy Island with its shady trees & abundant milkweed, views of the Connetquot river & sightings of different birds & butterflies. The 8 dollar parking is so worth the enjoyable & relaxing experience this place has given us. Highly recommended if you are in the area. read more

See all

Came here on a mid spring weekend to take a first look at some of the flowers and foliage starting to bloom. Was absolutely beautiful and you could tell the staff really puts in a lot of work to maintain the grounds. If you're looking for an easy walking trail accompanied by beautiful botany right near the water, look no further. They also offer some tours of the old estate on the grounds as well as other family friendly activities. Parking is done by little kiosks at the parking field, so make sure you get a ticket and leave it on your dash before entering! read more

Great Arboretum on the south shore that's super easy to get too. Has a cafe on-site, tours, and beautiful gardens and walks. My favorite is the Dahlia Garden! Cars are $8 and they're closed on Mondays. read more

During winter break I wanted to stay outdoors (no one needs sicknesses from all the kids indoors lol) anyway our son had so much fun walking around on our little hike. I had been wanting to come here for awhile but it's a drive and usually our son is in school. Free in the winter! read more

I have played badminton five years I like to play badminton and I am come from china and buy house near here read more

It's not as large as other arboretums on the island, but it is a nice little spot to enjoy the outdoors for an hour or two. There are paved and unpaved walking trails, a few large lawn areas, beautiful canal views and wildlife viewing. The plants are of course seasonal but it is nice year-round. Normally you can tour the historic manor house, and there is an adorable cafe within the house that is open year-round. Have an inexpensive lunch, dessert, or high tea (with a reservation). Empire passport accepted here during the peak season, no charge in off season. Definitely worth coming for a peaceful retreat anytime of year. read more

See all

Decided to take a walk through the arboretum with my daughter today . Even though it was cold and a bit windy the shining sun made it a pleasurable afternoon. The arboretum was nicely decorated for the holiday season ! Along the entrance way toy soldiers were set up , it looked very cute ! We stopped in at the cafe and had a little snack at the Hidden Oak Cafe .Although they do have indoor dining we choose to sit outside . It was perfectly comfortable !! read more

See all

Currently under construction but a place we were unaware of that is close by. Workers are very nice and attentive to helping us have a better informed adventure into its history. The park was extremely maintained and had a place to eat. Their chocolate chip with cream cheese.scone were delicious. We needed to walk to counter those yummy treats. Have fun on your next adventure! read more

Beautiful place well taken care of I've been going here for years. Very nice gardens and plains with a riverpath and cafe. read more

Bayard Cutting Arboretum - Parks Near Me - Great River, New York

See all

Good to Know: - Parking is $8 per vehicle for peak season & weekend/holiday on non-peak seasons. You just pay the meter and display the ticket on your dashboard. - Free for empire pass card holders or are someone 62+ years (only free on weekdays/non-holiday) - Bathroom is at the beginning of the trails - You can take a physical copy of the map. There are signs along the way to show you various places you can go and points you to their respective directions. - There is a mansion tour at specific times. Cost $15 per person. - Paradise Island is currently closed at this time (Aug 2022). - While walking along the riverwalk (maybe in the middle of it), to the side, you can spot a "storywalk" area (great for younger kids). There are 11 stations where kids can read the post and act out various animals as they walk along. My friend and I came early on a weekday morning around 10am. It wasn't very crowded. There were people occasionally walking around but for the most part, it was very quiet. We stayed in the arboretum for approximately 1-2hrs exploring almost every part of the place. My favorite highlights has to be: 1) Breezy Island For me, this was the highlight because just like the name says, you feel such a nice breeze when you come here. If you are dying of heat, this is quite possibly the best place to be. There is also a seating area on top and nice views all around. 2) Riverwalk Trail is easy to follow. You feel a slight breeze from the water as you walk along the path. You have view of beautiful houses on the other side of Connetquot River and in the distance - Vanderbilt Mansion. In the water, you can spot various birds such as ducks/swans/egrets, etc. 3) Dahlia Garden/CSA Farm With so much greenery around you, this is the place you will find the most colors in one section. There are various flowers all around with names labeled next to it. You can also see some bees & butterflies busy at work. Close by is the CSA Farm, which is also great because you can see actual vegetables being grown. 4) Woodland Garden/Ponds Here in this area closer to the ponds, you can spot some snapping turtles in their habitat. You don't see these quite often, so it's was cool to see these big turtles swimming in the water. Overall, it's a really nice place. I really got to take my time and explore. And it's a nice place to leisurely walk around and enjoy the sights/sounds all around. read more

See all

Beautiful surroundings, tranquil and quiet. Great for a relaxing walk. Great for a last minute romantic date night idea.

We have a short list of places that we suggest to out of state visitors who want to see the best of what Long Island has to offer. Near the top of our list, you will find the Bayard Cutting Arboretum. In normal times, you can start with a look at the mansion, with its dazzling collection of Tiffany windows. Then you may want to check out the flower gardens at the west end of the park. On our most recent visit (with out of state visitor in tow), we found the rhododendron garden to be a revelation. Later in the season, the dahlia garden at the other end of the park is a major draw. Moving east from the mansion's south lawn, you get to the immense stretch of the Great River. Looking across to the other shore, you can see the homes of the prosperous, and the buildings of Dowling College. There is a small island that is accessed by a bridge, The gazebo in the center has great views of the park and the river. My favorite feature of the arboretum is a series of trees with unusual roots that look like tiny people. I'm told these are known as cypress knees, but I just call them the magic forest, and it seems to be getting larger as time goes on. Stay alert for wildlife. Someone I know got a closeup of a hawk, and this is the only place on the island where I have seen a hummingbird. There is much to love here, and we feel privileged to have this 25 minutes from our front door. read more

See all

I came here a few weeks ago on a Sunday morning and had a lovely time walking around. We arrived around 11:45am and there was no line to get in or anyone doing traffic control (as I've seen at other arboretums). Plenty of parking spots were left, even when we left around 1/1:30. Parking costs $8 and you pay at a ticket machine. The park is beautifully maintained and also huge - we only walked around a small fraction of it. It didn't feel like there were too many people there either. There's a lovely conifer garden next to the huge lawn in front of the mansion (which is closed right now due to COVID). My favorite area was the river walk, which runs right along the Connetquot River. We spotted swans, ducks, and kayakers! If you're feeling leisurely, you can take a break on one of the many benches lining the path and look across the river to the giant waterfront houses. Note: Due to COVID, the bathrooms are currently open but limited to one person at a time. read more

See all

Always love coming to visit! The grounds are incredible, and no matter the time of year you come you'll always end up seeing different plants/wildlife! Scrolling along the river is always great. So many benches to sit, and many different paths to follow throughout. Always enjoy my time here. read more

See all

I don't know why I just found about this place last year. I finally came and they have a nice place to walk. See the beautiful wildlife and all types of trees and flowers. read more

See all

Such a lovely park to walk through. I would highly recommend. The daffodils are up, the chickens were out and it was a beautiful day. read more

See all

Beautiful garden that just can't be captured in pictures. A must see on Long Island from July to first frost. read more

See all

One of the most beautiful places to relax and enjoy nature. The trails are enjoyable and easy to follow. They also feature many signs that inform you of the types of plants, trees, and animals that you'll find along the way. There's also a VERY enjoyable cafe on site inside the mansion. I suggest getting a pot of tea and a pastry after a nice long walk. Enjoy! read more

If you enjoy leisurely walks, this is a great place to stroll and absorb nature! They have paved and pebbled trails, as well as paths into the woods. We also saw storks, swans and turtles on the lake, chipmunk in the bush, wild raccoon way up on the tree, and bees dancing around the flowers. There are various species of shrubs and trees to enjoy. Oh, and there was a chicken coop! Automated parking stand can be found. There's a restroom in the area not too far from parking. After you walk around, there's also a cafe to enjoy lunch or tea time. read more

See all

I'm in love with this place ! Well manicured land with lots of beautiful plants. My favorite is the cypress trees and the echinacea flowers. I watched a herring use it's fishing skills. I had quiche and lemonade at the Hidden oaks cafe with a view of the land and water. If you have not been here I suggest that you make the trip. There is an $8 parking fee or you can use your empire pass. Go enjoy! read more

See all

The food is not that great .waitress snapping her gum as she takes the orders. Never smiled. We were a party of 4. Ordered soup lunch n dessert and was asked to leave before we were thru to give the table to other customers. We were at the table for 58 min and all 10 other tables were there before us We waited 15 min for a table. And we were asked to leave!! . I believe it was because I'm Spanish and everyone else was white! The manager Brian said oh sorry as we were leaving n upset. We were embarrassed and outraged. Brian told us to write a bad review and get over it!! so here it is read more