by Francesca DelGais
Caramoor Center for Music and Arts
The perfect blend of indoor and outdoor art is a short trip from the city. Caramoor, and its eclectic history, boasts summer concerts along with art the owners collected. The grounds have a sunken garden, woodland garden, cedar walk, and friends’field. Throughout the summer you can find various performances reminiscent of the ones held back in the 1950s.The grounds will dazzle you just as they did the Rosens many years prior. 149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah, NY 10536 | 914.232.1252
Friends of Lasdon Park and Arboretum
This park has something for everyone in the family. Depending on the week they offer yoga, garden Tuesdays and Sundays, painting workshops, ecotherapy, kids gardening, and more! There is also a veterans museum on site where artifacts can be loaned or donated. You will be finding your way back to nature one step at a time! 2610 Amawalk Road, Katonah, NY10536 | 914.864.7263
Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden
Between current art exhibits and a carefully curated stroll garden, your mind is sure to be at ease. Nestled on 3.5 acres in North Salem there is a Japanese Stroll Garden. This garden’s purpose is to envelop you in nature and you have to embrace simplicity. Each path with small and large stones, laid out ornately brings you into another “room” of the garden. Each part of the garden is separate yet cohesive. Here you can find inner peace. 28 Deveau Road, North Salem, NY 10560 | 914.669.5033
Lyndhurst Mansion
The mansion sits on 67 acres of beautifully crafted picturesque landscape. The landscape holds over 100 years of history and collections of works of art. On the grounds, you can find rockeries, a greenhouse, a rose garden, a fern garden, orchards, and contemporary rock gardens. There are also statues and other marble works of art from a former owner of the mansion. There are two tours to choose from: the inside-out tour and the tour of the 67 acres. The inside-out tour runs from May 1st till November 2nd. Grab your walking shoes and explore one of the Hudson’s most significant landscapes! 635 S Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591 | 914.631.4481
New York Botanical Garden
A little way outside of Westchester is NYBG. Between perennial garden tours, pop-up children’s gardens, and a real-time bloom tracker there is something for everyone. From April till early summer you can experience the breathtaking blooms. Each plant blooms at a different time of year, so be sure to check their plant tracker before you go! 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458 | 718.817.8700
Pepsico
From March 30th through November 16th, Pepsico Global Headquarters opens its doors for the public. During this time outsiders can enjoy a sculpture garden that began in 1965. A former CEO and chairman of the board conceived of this idea to have stability and creativity. There are 45 pieces and are the work of many famed 20th-century artists. This is where corporate America feels the slowness of life. 700 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY 10577 | 914.253.2000
Rockefeller State Preserve
Sprawling over 1771 acres the park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset for the public. 45 miles have been made with crushed stone originally for horse-drawn carriages. But today they are perfect for walking or jogging. The Preserve is mostly hardwood forest, made up of oak, tulip poplar, maple, and beech trees. On your walk, you are bound to see reptiles, migratory birds, fish, and mammals to name a few. This short drive out of NYC will leave you feeling refreshed and reconnected with nature. 125 Phelps Way, Pleasantville, NY 10570 | 914.631.1470
Untermyer Gardens
Untermyer Gardens has a plethora of tours to choose from. From sunset tours, seasonal highlights, and history tours there is always something happening in the garden. From April till October every Sunday, there are specialty rotating tours. There are nine gardens spread over 43 acres. The gardens are a walled garden, vista, color garden, temple of love, rock and stream garden, rhododendron garden, sundial, veggie garden, and ruin garden. Each is unique with its theme and purpose. This tranquil oasis nestled in a bustling city is sure to make you feel at ease. 945 N Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701 | 914.613.4502
