Large and beautiful park. Friends chose it for an easy social hike and chose/followed along the…read morepaths using a trail app. (There is also a map available at the visitor's center but the app makes it easy to detour without getting lost, plus it details length of the hike and other trail details.) This park is SO lovely. While there we saw ducks, frogs, goats... Some took the train from Manhattan and an Uber to the park from there. If you drive it is only $6 to park. There are restrooms and water fountains in the main parking lot. Bring a bag to keep any garbage! In this park there are no trash cans, you take out what you bring in.

Rockefeller State Park has some nice walking trails. They are pretty low impact which is nice if…read moreyou're not looking for something too intense. There are also beautiful views of the Hudson River. There is a small parking lot, but not too many spaces so try to come early to find a spot.

This is a great place to spend the day. The plaza park has a ton of green space. You can lay out a…read moreblanket for a picnic or play games. Lots of yoga and fitness classes also meet here. There's a large playground with sections for older and younger kids. They have swings that can hold two people so kids can swing together or an adult can swing with a little one. You can walk around the base of the dam or take the trip up to the top to see the water and view from above. There are steps you can climb on either side and one side also has a paved inclined path that's stroller friendly. Either option is definitely a workout, especially the steps, but it's worth it for the views at the top. You can walk across the entire dam and capture some nice photos. There are convenient public restrooms in the park. You can also connect to the Bronx River Parkway walking/biking trail, which is fully paved. They have a ton of festivals and cultural events throughout the year. Parking is free. Lovely Westchester gem.

I visited the Kenisco Dam for the first time today and had such a nice time! The dam itself is very…read morebeautiful. I love that there's lots of green space to sit and relax and also a small playground for children. Taking the stairs up was more intense than I expected, but it's definitely worth the hike! The views from the top are beautiful! They also had a few pop up vendors which was nice too. Parking was easy and free, so you can't beat that.

We headed to Saxon Woods Park Trail Head this Saturday morning and had a fantastic time!…read more It's a great spot for hikers of any level. I love that the trails are color-coded, which makes it easy to gauge the difficulty and mileage for each zone before you head out. The trails are very dog-friendly, which we really appreciated! While there is signage asking people to leash their dogs, we encountered a few people with dogs off-leash, and honestly, everyone was super friendly and respectful, which made for a great environment. One tip for fellow hikers: while there are maps and markers throughout the woods, they can be a little hard to spot or follow in certain sections. Since cell service can get pretty spotty out there, I'd highly recommend downloading your trail map beforehand just to be safe. Overall, it's a beautiful place to spend a morning--definitely worth checking out!

Very accessible park especially for persons with disabilities. 3 different levels for kids, 2-5,…read more5-12, etc. There are spaces to eat. Tables are also accessible.

If you ever need a timeout and take a break, this is one of the best drives in the state of New…read moreYork. The drive takes you past lakes, the beautiful green scenery etc. If you plan to drive here at night, it is pitch dark, I don't recall seeing a light post. There is a boating dock along the drive. It is close to the Woodbury outlets and bear mountain, so you can make a full day of activities. Restrooms may be hard to come by.

This is a great drive, especially in the fall. In fact, I came here twice in the last 2 weeks (and…read morethis is over an hour away from my place). Fun roads, with minimal traffic (at least early). Lots of great scenery. There are a few cool small roads that intersect it that are really fun. Many hiking options. We did one that was fairly nice, and a little challenging in fact (some minor climbing). I can't remember the name, but the entrance is right by the visitor center. Tip: Storm King Hwy is not far, and is a REALLY fun drive!

12th May 2026 Rye, New York 10580…read more Partly Cloudy 65°F We often visit this off-the-beaten-path sanctuary in the Spring, Summer and Autumn months, when it is easier to traverse the rocky and often muddy terrain. It's is always worth the trip, we find we are surprisingly greeted by the beauty of nature's animals, birds, and plants. Marshlands Conservancy is a lush and beautiful 147-acre wildlife sanctuary in Rye, NY, featuring such diverse habitats like: Salt Marsh, Forest, Meadows, and stunning Shoreline along the Long Island Sound. The Conservancy is a prime spot for birdwatching with over 230 species sighted. Managed by Westchester County Parks, the Conservancy offers three miles of trails for hiking and exploration, a Nature Center with exhibits, and is adjacent to the historic Jay Heritage Center. The preserve is also known for its accessible tidal salt marsh, a rare feature in the state of NY. It is a significant habitat for various wildlife, including deer, turkeys, and marine life, such as Comerants, Egrets, crabs, mussels and Herons. Enjoy! Thank you

Beautiful, free spot to hike, reflect, see nature and more…read more I have always seen wildlife when I'm here - mostly Deer, Turkeys, Squirrels, Birds & Chipmunks. There are plenty of short & long walking trails and it's a great escape / reset from the rigors of daily life. There's a large Wildflower Meadow, Marshlands, Woods and plenty of trees and rocks to sit & enjoy the vibes. Plenty of parking but it can get crowded on weekends. If you've ever heard of "Forest Bathing" aka spending time in nature, this is the perfect place for that. Get off the grid for a while and walk around, it's pretty great

Went here for the first time and it was gorgeous! Parking is $10 flat fee, I went on a week day so…read moreit wasn't busy at all. The hiking trail was a bit tricky to find because they don't have any signs telling you where to go, but once I figured that out then it was easy! The hiking trail itself was nice, amazing views once you're up top and waterfalls were gorgeous! Great place for a picnic or to spend time with family!

What a stunning beautiful park , so clean with plenty of parking , picnic table and a beautiful…read morewaterfall-river . It's an amazing place to spend the day on a romantic date or with the family .

Sometimes, a quick look is all you need to know when something's good. Regrettably, we didn't have…read morea lot of time to spend at this nature center, but what we saw was memorable natural beauty. It's 47 acres of trails, and an education center, with all sorts of critters inside the center. We saw one social, white, ring necked dove, two adorable, sleepy chinchillas, a rabbit, two guinea pigs, one nipping hamster we were warned to keep our fingers away from and assorted lizards including a bearded dragon, a tortoise and large iguana--all participants in the education talks the rangers give to the children who visit. The animals are well cared for, and were donations from people who couldn't keep them any longer. Super describes the rangers here--super helpful, super friendly. and super enthusiastic about their jobs! One of the rangers was very well versed in his birds too. There are five trails, much better marked than the Edith Read Sanctuary we were heading too, and magnificent trees and bushes all around. Wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes. The main road is paved but the trails do have twigs, plant growth, rocks etc. The ruins of stone houses and structures along the trail are interesting enough and worth exploration. Unfortunately, Rye had a dry summer so the ponds there were all dried up, bad for the birds and us. We missed the migration of many of the birds and while we saw some woodpeckers, we didn't stay long. This wooded nature center isn't far from town, and well worth a stroll through, especially this time of the year when the foliage is starting to turn all glorious crimsons and gold. I'm surprised this place hasn't been reviewed. It's clean, safe, and a verdant retreat of tranquility, despite the many groups of happy, chattering school kids we saw. There's enough acreage to find a quiet spot! But maybe because so much of Rye is pretty, the denizens here probably just take these lovely woods for granted. I'd definitely return for a longer hike next time. Note that the main road is dual usage, so if you are birding, watch for the cars! Walking, this place is perhaps a 20 minute walk from the town center. A visit might not having you spouting evocative prose like Thoreau, but you will find much to cherish here.

This is my son's favorite after school activity. He learns so much there each week and I can't say…read moreenough great things about their program. They learn to use tools, build shelters, garden, hike, etc. The only negative would be that my son loves it so much, he doesn't understand why I can't enroll him in nature center rather than school :-)

Walked this trail just after New Year's and it's gorgeous! You walk along Sheldrake Lake with views…read moreof the backsides of mansions across the way. The sunlight, the wooden pathways, the boulders, the ducks, so nice. Our dog loved running around off-leash and meeting some other dogs! 5 stars!!!!

From the owner: Environmental Education Programs about Eco-friendly…read moreLifestyle Choices

Lovely lake beach area for in season Fairfield residents which is not accessible off season or…read morewithout residency. Many trails throughout although no clear map or directions at starting points nor marked throughout. Lots of dogs off leashes so be aware. Drive past the lake and parking area to get to "cascades" area. Peaceful and tranquil nature. Fairly easy "hike" but hiking shoes recommended due to wet leaves and exposed roots and rocks.

love the lake so nice and refreshing. Love eating some fruit on a hot sunny day while jumping right…read moreinto the lake. After that, we immediately started walking in the trail it's absolutely beautiful and if you enjoy nature and staying active you will love this. Perfect for fishing too! The staff were so kind and welcoming

7th September 2026 Untermyer Gardens…read moreYonkers, NY Very Sunny 72°F Did you know that in 1913 Samuel Untermyer hired William Bosworth who was the same designer of Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate in Pocantico, to design the "finest garden in the world"? His vision was of a theatrical, magnificent landscape blending Indo-Persian, ancient Greek, Roman, and Italian Renaissance designs. When I was last here in 2013, the Untermyer gardens looked sadly desolate and neglected. Today, the gardens have been restored to their true remarkable glory thanks 100% to generous donations in the millions. We could not have chosen a more perfect day to visit the celebrated historical Untermyer Gardens overlooking the Hudson on this glorious Labor Day Monday. I took many photos which do not do justice to the gorgeous scope and details of the beautiful manicured 43 acres. ***Open 7AM to 7PM - seasonally.*** There's more information on their website and QR codes at the entrance with rules to respect the environment. Good job! **Get there early.** We went at 8:30AM. By the time we were leaving at 11AM the park was packed and parking impossible. Thank you so much for reading.

Untermyer Gardens is one of the most beautiful hidden gems in the New York area. The grounds are…read morealways stunning, but they're especially spectacular in September when everything is in full bloom and the gardens are filled with vibrant colors. Admission is completely free, although donations are accepted to help preserve this incredible place--which is amazing considering how well maintained it is. It's the perfect destination to spend about two hours, whether you want to enjoy a peaceful stroll, take plenty of photos, or do a little of both. The breathtaking views of the Hudson River and the Palisades make the visit even more memorable. There's also plenty of free parking, which makes getting there easy. The only reason I'm giving four stars instead of five is that it can get fairly crowded on beautiful weekends, but it's absolutely worth visiting and returning to throughout the year.