Road Tripping Around Putnam County

Putnam County is a county in Southeast New York boasting some great attractions, such as the Brewster Train Station or the Old Tilly Foster Mine. There are many exciting places to visit around Brewster and Putnam County. Our helpful team at Meadowland of Carmel gathered some of the best road trip destinations in Brewster to help you plan your next adventure.

Saugerties Lighthouse

The Saugerties Lighthouse, built in 1869 at the mouth of the Esopus Creek, is a landmark on the Hudson River. The current lighthouse has overnight bed and breakfast accommodations, a museum, a gift shop, and an operational light tower. Climb to the top of the tower for a stunning panoramic view of the Hudson River Valley and the Catskill Mountains.

Visitors can access the secluded lighthouse via a half-mile nature trail at the end of Lighthouse Drive or by boat. You can picnic, bird-watch, fish, take photos capturing the breathtaking views, or enjoy the magnificent natural scenery on your visit.

Docent-led tours of the Saugerties Lighthouse are available on Sunday afternoons in the summertime from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Tours run from noon to 3 p.m. and start every half hour. You’ll be able to see the interior rooms and have the opportunity to climb the lighthouse tower.

• Location: 168 Lighthouse Drive, Saugerties, New York.
• Hours: The lighthouse nature trail is open daily from sunrise to sunset. The Riverside deck is a picnic area adjacent to the lighthouse and is available on a first-come, first-served basis Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to dusk and Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The deck is only available to bed and breakfast guests on weekends.

Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site

Located in Hyde Park, the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site is a beautiful destination for a Brewster road trip. Completed in 1899, the Beaux-Arts architecture style house was one of several homes owned by Frederick William Vanderbilt and an accurate representation of the stately homes built by wealthy families during this era. The grandiose 54-room mansion became a National Historic Landmark in 1940.

Guests can tour the Vanderbilt Mansion for $10, visiting 18 ornately decorated rooms spread over three floors of the manor. The National Park Service owns and operates the mansion, which overlooks the Hudson River.

• Location: 119 Vanderbilt Park Road, Hyde Park, New York.
• Hours: Currently open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours may vary seasonally and on holidays.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum

During your visit to Hyde Park, stop at the Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) Presidential Library and Museum and explore an impressive collection of artifacts and memorabilia documenting Roosevelt’s life and presidential term. The library’s fascinating exhibits encompass the era of FDR’s presidency and a significant span of American history from the Great Depression through World War II.

History buffs will enjoy the immersive audio‐visual theater, interactive exhibits, and extensive collection of historical artifacts in the museum, such as the Oval Office Desk and FDR’s 1936 Ford Phaeton. Also on display are FDR’s official papers, books, and other memorabilia documenting his life from childhood through his presidency. Other exhibits include the papers of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and records of her life and accomplishments.

See the Fireside Chat galleries, set up with a radio and period furnishings, and listen to actual segments of Roosevelt’s Fireside Chats. You can also visit FDR’s secret White House Map Room, a 500-square-foot exhibit replicating the presidential map room and displaying maps, memos, and calendars that Roosevelt and his military advisers used during World War II.

A special Behind the Scenes exhibit gives visitors a peek into the president’s and first lady’s private life, where you can see items such as FDR’s model ship collection and period family portraits and paintings.

• Location: 4079 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, New York.
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Boscobel House and Gardens

Boscobel House and Gardens is a beautiful road-trip destination for a sunny summer day in Brewster. The original 19th-century Georgian mansion was demolished in the 1950s after falling into disrepair. Preservationists recreated the beautiful building in the heart of the Hudson Valley from architectural fragments to preserve this significant example of New York’s history.

Boscobel was the dream house of wealthy Loyalists, originally constructed between 1804 and 1808. At present, the house is a museum showcasing decorative arts and New York furniture from the Federal period, including works of Duncan Phyfe, a famed American cabinetmaker. Today, design experts from around the world meet for presentations at this grand mansion.

• Location: 1601 Route 9D, Garrison, New York.
• Hours: Visitors can tour the grounds and gardens from 9 a.m. to sunset Friday through Monday. Guided house tours are available Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Southeast Museum

The Southeast Museum in Brewster shares the history of the town of Southeast and the lower Hudson Valley with exhibits of significant locations in the area. The museum is housed in the historic 1896 Old Town Hall and features exhibits of the area’s development. You’ll be able to see artifacts from the American Circus, the Croton Reservoir System, and the Harlem Line Railroad. You can visit a fascinating exhibit of the Tilly Foster Mine, including a large collection of minerals collected from the mine.

The museum also offers various programs, including tours of historic sites, like the recent Milltown Cemetery, Old Southeast Church, and Doansburg Schoolhouse tours. Check the museum’s website to see more upcoming programs and events.

• Location: 67 Main St., Brewster, New York.
• Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Ready for a Road trip in Brewster, New York

Choose a destination, pack a picnic lunch for a day trip, and enjoy one of these nearby New York attractions. If you have favorite road trip destinations that we missed, give us a call or stop by Meadowland of Carmel and tell us about it. We’ll be sure to include them in our future suggestions.

Photo Credit: white and red concrete building beside body of water by Reid Buchanan is licensed with Unsplash License